As always, this is not even close to a comprehensive list of all the speculative fiction books being published this year: these are just the books I came across that sound most intriguing to me personally. (There are always books I hear about later in the year that I wish I had known about when putting one of these posts together!) Given my particular interests, this list includes fantasy inspired by legend and folklore, books that promise morally gray and/or villainous characters, novels with dark magic, stories containing dragons and/or other mythical creatures, a science fantasy, and more. I hope that those of you with similar tastes find some books here that sound appealing to you too.
These books are ordered by scheduled publication date, and these are US release dates unless otherwise stated.
Due to the length of this blog post, I’m only showing the first 6 books on the main page. You can click the title of the post or the ‘more…’ link after the sixth book to read the entire article.
Cover images link to Bookshop. As a Bookshop affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Medea by Eilish Quin
Read/Listen to an Excerpt
Out Now
This debut novel reimagining the story of Medea sounds excellent, and I was even more interested in it after reading this interview with Eilish Quin on The Nerd Daily. She discussed how she’s been fascinated by Greek myths and this particular character from a young age, what to expect from her first novel, her inspirations, and more. I especially loved what she had to say about retellings:
In my mind, the whole purpose of the retelling as a distinct genre is that it serves as a kind of radical reorientation. Retellings allow historically censored protagonists the space to break free from the contexts and biases which might have previously ensnared them, and permit readers the ability to exalt in novel forms of complexity. Retellings are meant to make us question the reliability of the narrators we are given, and consider the other elements of form which we might normally consume passively. I hope that my Medea makes people think critically about how storytelling, when proliferated in the interest of existing powers of oppression, can compound harm– that by doing something as simple as recentering a traditionally marginalized experience, exhilarating and vivacious narratives can spring up.
My fondness for retellings stems from how they can make us question the reliability of narrators and think more deeply about storytelling, so this sounds fantastic.
Discover the full story of the sorceress Medea, one of the most reviled and maligned women of Greek antiquity, in this propulsive and evocative debut in the tradition of Circe, Elektra, and Stone Blind.
Among the women of Greek mythology, the witch Medea may be the most despised. Known for the brutal act of killing her own children to exact vengeance on her deceitful husband, the Argonauts leader Jason, Medea has carved out a singularly infamous niche in our histories.
But what if that isn’t the full story?
The daughter of a sea nymph and the granddaughter of a Titan, Medea is a paradox. She is at once rendered compelling by virtue of the divinity that flows through her bloodline and made powerless by the fact of her being a woman. As a child, she intuitively submerges herself in witchcraft and sorcery, but soon finds it may not be a match for the prophecies that hang over her entire family like a shroud.
As Medea comes into her own as a woman and a witch, she also faces the arrival of the hero Jason, preordained by the gods to be not only her husband, but also her lifeline to escape her isolated existence. Medea travels the treacherous seas with the Argonauts, battles demons she had never conceived of, and falls in love with the man who may ultimately be her downfall.
In this propulsive, beautifully written debut, readers will finally hear Medea’s side of the story through a fresh and feminist lens.
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods (To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods #1) by Molly X. Chang
Scheduled Release Date: April 16
Molly X. Chang’s debut novel is supposed to feature tough choices, magic that comes at a cost, and a heroine who makes awful decisions because she cares so deeply—all elements I love to see explored in stories. The author discusses her book further in her note to booksellers on Instagram, including writing a flawed protagonist, drawing inspiration from the stories of the her Siberian-Manchurian ancestors, and refusing to make her heroine into more of a heroic “girlboss” than the desperate survivor she is, despite being told it would make it easier to get her novel published.
She has power over death. He has power over her. When two enemies strike a dangerous bargain, will they end a war . . . or ignite one?
“A thrilling tale of magic and murder, intrigue and betrayal.”—Cassandra Clare, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Sword Catcher
The gorgeous first edition hardcover of To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods will feature a poster, color endpapers, a custom-stamped case, and a foil jacket!
Heroes die, cowards live. Daughter of a conquered world, Ruying hates the invaders who descended from the heavens long before she was born and defeated the magic of her people with technologies unlike anything her world had ever seen.
Blessed by Death, born with the ability to pull the life right out of mortal bodies, Ruying shouldn’t have to fear these foreign invaders, but she does. Especially because she wants to keep herself and her family safe.
When Ruying’s Gift is discovered by an enemy prince, he offers her an impossible deal: If she becomes his private assassin and eliminates his political rivals—whose deaths he swears would be for the good of both their worlds and would protect her people from further brutalization—her family will never starve or suffer harm again. But to accept this bargain, she must use the powers she has always feared, powers that will shave years off her own existence.
Can Ruying trust this prince, whose promises of a better world make her heart ache and whose smiles make her pulse beat faster? Are the evils of this agreement really in the service of a much greater good? Or will she betray her entire nation by protecting those she loves the most?
The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar
Scheduled Release Date: April 16
This science fiction novella set in a university on a generation ship sounds fantastic, and I’ve heard such wonderful things about World Fantasy Award winner Sofia Samatar. Editor Emily Goldman discussed power as a theme and described The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain as “‘The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas’ taken to whole new level” in the book announcement. Sofia Samatar also shared a bit about it there, starting with:
This book is for people who sit in meetings wondering why words like diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and even justice do not seem to be adding up to anything real. It’s for people whose time and energy are devoured by proposals and projects they hope will transform the places where they live and work, and who wind up drained and bewildered, gazing at the same old walls. It’s for everybody who experiences these things, in any kind of workplace, and especially for people who study and work in universities, because this story is set at a university on a spaceship.
It sounds as though it really delves into ideas related to power and academia, and I’m excited for this story’s release in April.
“I am in love with Sofia Samatar’s lyricism and the haunting beauty of her imagination. Her stories linger, like the memory of a sumptuous feast.”—N. K. Jemisin
Celebrated author Sofia Samatar presents a mystical, revolutionary space adventure for the exhausted dreamer in this brilliant science fiction novella tackling the carceral state and violence embedded in the ivory tower while embodying the legacy of Ursula K. Le Guin.
The boy was raised as one of the Chained, condemned to toil in the bowels of a mining ship out among the stars. His whole world changes—literally—when he is yanked “upstairs” and informed he has been given an opportunity to be educated at the ship’s university alongside the elite.
Overwhelmed and alone, the boy forms a bond with the woman he comes to know as “the professor,” a weary idealist and descendent of the Chained who has spent her career striving for validation from her more senior colleagues, only to fall short at every turn.
Together, the boy and the woman will embark on a transformative journey to grasp the design of the chains that fetter them both—and are the key to breaking free.
The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills
Read an Excerpt
Scheduled Release Date: April 23
This debut novel by the author of the Nebula and Locus Award–winning short story “Rabbit Test” sounds excellent, plus I enjoyed the prose in the sample (linked above). Science fantasy tends to appeal to me, along with stories about characters coming to realize the truth about their world and the systems with which they were raised.
A loyal warrior in a crisis of faith must fight to regain her place and begin her life again while questioning the events of her past. This gripping science-fantasy novel from a Nebula, Sturgeon, and Locus Award-winning debut author is a complex, action-packed exploration of the costs of zealous faith, ceaseless conflicts, and unquestioning obedience.
[STARRED REVIEW] “A triumphant debut novel.” —Booklist
[STARRED REVIEW] “This cathartic adventure will stay with readers long after the final page.” —Publishers Weekly
[STARRED REVIEW] “VERDICT Mills’s debut novel is complex and haunting, filled with beautiful prose and timely themes of political and religious upheaval and personal journeys.”—Library Journal
Zenya was a teenager when she ran away from home to join the mechanically-modified warrior sect. She was determined to earn mechanized wings and protect the people and city she loved. Under the strict tutelage of a mercurial, charismatic leader, Zenya became Winged Zemolai.
But after twenty-six years of service, Zemolai is disillusioned with her role as an enforcer in an increasingly fascist state. After one tragic act of mercy, she is cast out and loses everything she worked for. As Zemolai fights for her life, she begins to understand the true nature of her sect, her leader, and the gods themselves.
Five Broken Blades (Five Broken Blades Trilogy #1) by Mai Corland
Scheduled Release Date: May 7
This is Mai Corland’s first adult novel after having published YA and children’s books as Meredith Ireland. Her upcoming fantasy novel draws some inspiration from Korean myths and legends, and she discussed Five Broken Blades a bit on Goodreads, including the following:
My killers are all morally grey. They are guided by love and/or revenge and please do note the trigger and content warnings, as there are many. However, the story pulls from my experiences as an adoptee, as someone queer, as someone with the same hearing loss described in the book. The diversity and global elements in the story reflect the diversity in our world and in myself.
She also clarifies that this book does not technically fit into the fantasy romance genre: although it includes multiple romances, it would work without those storylines.
The deception and betrayal mentioned in the book description and aforementioned morally gray characters driven by love and/or vengeance sounds right up my alley, so I’m rather excited about this one!
It’s the season
for treason…
The king of Yusan must die.
The five most dangerous liars in the land have been mysteriously summoned to work together for a single objective: to kill the God King Joon.
He has it coming. Under his merciless immortal hand, the nobles flourish, while the poor and innocent are imprisoned, ruined…or sold.
And now each of the five blades will come for him. Each has tasted bitterness―from the hired hitman seeking atonement, a lovely assassin who seeks freedom, or even the prince banished for his cruel crimes. None can resist the sweet, icy lure of vengeance.
They can agree on murder.
They can agree on treachery.
But for these five killers―each versed in deception, lies, and betrayal―it’s not enough to forge an alliance. To survive, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other…but only one can take the crown.
Let the best liar win.
I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle
Scheduled Release Date: May 14
This upcoming fantasy novel just sounds delightful. It’s described as whimsical, and I love the idea of a dragon exterminator who hates the job he inherited—especially the idea of this concept as written by New York Times bestselling author Peter S. Beagle.
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Unicorn comes a new novel with equal amounts of power and whimsy in which a loveable cast of characters trapped within their roles of dragon hunter, princess, and more must come together to take their fates into their own hands.
Dragons are common in the backwater kingdom of Bellemontagne, coming in sizes from mouse-like vermin all the way up to castle-smashing monsters. Gaius Aurelius Constantine Heliogabalus Thrax (who would much rather people call him Robert) has recently inherited his deceased dad’s job as a dragon catcher/exterminator, a career he detests with all his heart in part because he likes dragons, feeling a kinship with them, but mainly because his dream has always been the impossible one of transcending his humble origin to someday become a prince’s valet. Needless to say, fate has something rather different in mind…
Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel
Scheduled Release Date: May 21
Kaikeyi, Vaishnavi Patel’s New York Times bestselling debut novel that reimagined the story of the titular queen from the Ramayana, was one of my favorite books of 2022. From the very first line, I was invested in Kaikeyi and her story, and I loved that she was a compassionate, flawed woman determined to carve a place for herself in a world that discouraged her from being true to herself.
Vaishnavi Patel discussed her sophomore novel on Goodreads, opening with the following:
I am so excited to share with you my second book, Goddess of the River! It is a retelling of the ancient Hindu epic and religious text the Mahabharata from the perspective of Ganga, a river goddess, and her son. You will find many changes from the Mahabharata, so I caution readers unfamiliar with the epic from taking every detail and plot point of this novel as gospel; however the overall shape of the events remains the same. Goddess of the River, like the Mahabharata, asks questions about dharma, justice, the responsibilities of the powerful, and the greater good. This story is very dear to my heart, and I hope it will find a place in yours.
I’ve been looking forward to reading more of her work after Kaikeyi, and Goddess of the River sounds like a mythic, epic novel that explores some intriguing questions.
A powerful reimagining of the story of Ganga, goddess of the river, and her doomed mortal son, from Vaishnavi Patel, author of the instant New York Times bestseller Kaikeyi.
A mother and a son. A goddess and a prince. A curse and an oath. A river whose course will change the fate of the world.
Ganga, joyful goddess of the river, serves as caretaker to the mischievous godlings who roam her banks. But when their antics incur the wrath of a powerful sage, Ganga is cursed to become mortal, bound to her human form until she fulfills the obligations of the curse.
Though she knows nothing of mortal life, Ganga weds King Shantanu and becomes a queen, determined to regain her freedom no matter the cost. But in a cruel turn of fate, just as she is freed of her binding, she is forced to leave her infant son behind.
Her son, prince Devavrata, unwittingly carries the legacy of Ganga’s curse. And when he makes an oath that he will never claim his father’s throne, he sets in motion a chain of events that will end in a terrible and tragic war.
As the years unfold, Ganga and Devavrata are drawn together again and again, each confluence another step on a path that has been written in the stars, in this deeply moving and masterful tale of duty, destiny, and the unwavering bond between mother and son.
Foul Days (The Witch’s Compendium of Monsters Duology #1) by Genoveva Dimova
Scheduled Release Date: June 25
Both novels in this series are coming out this year with Monstrous Nights scheduled for release in October. Genoveva Dimova discussed how she came to base the setting on Bulgarian folklore in a post on Goodreads, writing:
Foul Days is crammed full of all my favourite myths, stories, and creatures from Bulgarian folklore, and it means so much to me that I get to share them with readers. When I was growing up, most of the fantasy I read was set in that ubiquitous pseudo-Western-European, pseudo-Medieval setting we all know. I made my own attempts to write that sort of story—except it never rang true. Something was missing.
Until one day, as fantasy as a whole was moving more and more towards diverse and underrepresented cultures, it clicked. I didn’t need to write about dragons and vampires when I could write about zmeys and upirs. Instead of stories about knights and lords, I could have clever witches tricking cruel men.
She expands on this by sharing about some of the myths she loves and what specifically inspired her villain and setting.
Although I love reading books based on different mythologies, I don’t think I’ve read a book rooted in Bulgarian folklore before and this sounds great.
The Witcher meets Naomi Novik in this fast-paced fantasy rooted in Slavic folklore, from an assured new voice in genre fiction.
As a witch in the walled city of Chernograd, Kosara has plenty of practice treating lycanthrope bites, bargaining with kikimoras, and slaying bloodsucking upirs. There’s only one monster she can’t defeat: her ex, the Zmey, known as the Tsar of Monsters. She’s defied him one too many times and now he’s hunting her. Betrayed by someone close to her, Kosara’s only choice is to trade her shadow—the source of her powers—for a quick escape.
Unfortunately, Kosara soon develops the deadly sickness that plagues shadowless witches—and only reclaiming her magic can cure her. To find it, she’s forced to team up with a suspiciously honorable detective. Even worse, all the clues point in a single direction: To get her shadow back, Kosara will have to face the Foul Days’ biggest threats without it. And she’s only got twelve days.
But in a city where everyone is out for themselves, who can Kosara trust to assist her in outwitting the biggest monster from her past?
Saints of Storm and Sorrow (The Stormbringer Saga #1) by Gabriella Buba
Scheduled Release Date: June 25
I couldn’t find much about this Filipino-inspired fantasy debut novel other than its description and a few early reviews on Goodreads, but it sounds excellent with a goddess’ chosen in hiding. Of course, the text below also mentions “morally ambiguous characters,” and if you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably noticed that’s something I like…
In this fiercely imaginative Filipino-inspired fantasy debut, a bisexual nun hiding a goddess-given gift is unwillingly transformed into a lightning rod for her people’s struggle against colonization.
Perfect for fans of lush fantasy full of morally ambiguous characters, including The Poppy War and The Jasmine Throne.
Maria Lunurin has been living a double life for as long as she can remember. To the world, she is Sister Maria, dutiful nun and devoted servant of Aynila’s Codicían colonizers. But behind closed doors, she is a stormcaller, chosen daughter of the Aynilan goddess Anitun Tabu. In hiding not only from the Codicíans and their witch hunts, but also from the vengeful eye of her slighted goddess, Lunurin does what she can to protect her fellow Aynilans and the small family she has created in the convent: her lover Catalina, and her younger sister Inez.
Lunurin is determined to keep her head down – until one day she makes a devastating discovery, which threatens to tear her family apart. In desperation, she turns for help to Alon Dakila, heir to Aynila’s most powerful family, who has been ardently in love with Lunurin for years. But this choice sets in motion a chain of events beyond her control, awakening Anitun Tabu’s rage and putting everyone Lunurin loves in terrible danger. Torn between the call of Alon’s magic and Catalina’s jealousy, her duty to her family and to her people, Lunurin can no longer keep Anitun Tabu’s fury at bay.
For the goddess of storms demands vengeance. And she will sweep aside anyone who stands in her way.
The Night Ends with Fire by K. X. Song
Read an Excerpt
Scheduled Release Date: July 2
This reimagining of the story of Mulan is An Echo in the City author K. X. Song’s first fantasy novel. The author sums up her novel as follows in an article with an excerpt on Today:
‘The Night Ends with Fire’ takes my love for the Chinese wuxia drama – with its epic scale, star-crossed romance, and emotionally charged plot full of hairpin turns – and melds it with my interest in questions of female ambition and power, and what it costs.
K. X. Song’s discussion of The Night Ends with Fire made me even more curious to see what she does with this fantasy romance novel, particularly the questions about freedom and gender she also mentions in the linked Today article.
Infused with magic and romance, this sweeping fantasy adventure inspired by the legend of Mulan follows a young woman determined to choose her own destiny—even if that means going against everyone she loves.
The Three Kingdoms are at war, but Meilin’s father refuses to answer the imperial draft. Trapped by his opium addiction, he plans to sell Meilin for her dowry. But when Meilin discovers her husband-to-be is another violent, ill-tempered man, she realizes that nothing will change for her unless she takes matters into her own hands.
The very next day, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in her father’s place.
In the army, Meilin’s relentless hard work brings her recognition, friendship—and a growing closeness with Sky, a prince turned training partner. But has she simply exchanged one prison for another? As her kingdom barrels toward destruction, Meilin begins to have visions of a sea dragon spirit that offers her true power and freedom, but with a deadly price.
With the future of the Three Kingdoms hanging in the balance, Meilin will need to decide whom to trust—Sky, who inspires her loyalty and love; the sea dragon spirit, who has his own murky agenda; or an infuriating enemy prince who makes her question everything she once knew—about her kingdom and about her own heart.
Mistress of Lies (The Age of Blood #1) by K. M. Enright
Read an Excerpt
Scheduled Release Date: August 13 (US); August 15 (UK)
According to K. M. Enright’s website, his debut fantasy is “the first in a dark romantic fantasy trilogy with a villainous, bloodthirsty heroine.” He also mentioned a plethora of other intriguing elements on Twitter, including a couple I’m particularly fond of myself (in addition to villainous and/or morally gray protagonists): court intrigue and secret lineage.
A villainous, bloodthirsty heroine finds herself plunged into the dangerous world of power, politics and murder in the court of the vampire king in this dark romantic fantasy debut.
Fate is a cruel mistress.
The daughter of a powerful but disgraced Blood Worker, Shan LeClaire has spent her entire life perfecting her blood magic, building her network of spies, and gathering every scrap of power she could. Now, to protect her brother, she assassinates their father and takes her place at the head of the family. And that is only the start of her revenge.
Samuel Hutchinson is a bastard with a terrible gift. When he stumbles upon the first victim of a magical serial killer, he’s drawn into the world of magic and intrigue he’s worked so hard to avoid – and is pulled deeply into the ravenous and bloodthirsty court of the vampire king.
Tasked by the Eternal King to discover the identity of the killer cutting a bloody swath through the city, Samuel, Shan and mysterious Royal Bloodworker Isaac find themselves growing ever closer to each other. But Shan’s plans are treacherous, and as she lures Samuel into her complicated web of desire, treason and vengeance, he must decide if the good of their nation is worth the cost of his soul.
The Phoenix Keeper by S. A. MacLean
Scheduled Release Date: August 13
Orbit’s acquisition announcement for debut fantasy The Phoenix Keeper describes it as follows:
This effervescent standalone is set in a magical zoo of mythical creatures and follows the academic rivals-to-lovers slow burn romance between socially anxious phoenix keeper Aila and hotshot fan-favorite griffin keeper Luciana.
Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy reads like Legends & Lattes and The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy, The Phoenix Keeper is set in a world teeming with all your favorite mythical beasties, from dragons and unicorns to kelpies and krakens. MacLean has drawn on her formidable decade of experience in researching and teaching ecology and environmental science to weave a story of hope, courage, and conservation that is, at its heart, an ode to queer joy.
Since I love animals and animal companions in fantasy, I’m intrigued by the idea of a zoo of mythical creatures, especially considering this novel is written by someone who has experience in ecology and environmental science. (Also, I love kelpies.)
Set in a magical zoo teeming with mythical beasts from dragons and unicorns to kelpies and krakens, The Phoenix Keeper is a fierce joy of a cozy fantasy novel with a soul-restoring queer romance at its heart, for fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea and Legends and Lattes.
As head phoenix keeper at a world-renowned zoo for magical creatures, Aila’s childhood dream of conserving critically endangered firebirds seems closer than ever. There’s just one glaring caveat: her zoo’s breeding program hasn’t functioned for a decade. When a tragic phoenix heist sabotages the flagship initiative at a neighboring zoo, Aila must prove her derelict facilities are fit to take the reins.
But saving an entire species from extinction requires more than stellar animal handling skills. Carnivorous water horses, tempestuous thunderhawks, mischievous dragons… Aila has no problem wrangling beasts. But mustering the courage to ask for help from the hotshot griffin keeper at the zoo’s most popular exhibit? Virtually impossible.
Especially when that hotshot griffin keeper happens to be her arch-rival from college: Luciana, an annoyingly brooding and insufferable know-it-all with the face of a goddess who’s convinced that Aila’s beloved phoenix would serve their cause better as an active performer rather than as a passive conservation exhibit. With the world watching and the threat of poachers looming, Aila’s success is no longer merely a matter of keeping her job…
She is the keeper of the phoenix, and the future of a species– and her love life– now rests on her shoulders.
The Ending Fire (The Ending Fire Trilogy #3) by Saara El-Arifi
Read/Listen to an Excerpt from The Final Strife (The Ending Fire #1)
Scheduled Release Date: September 10
The Final Strife, the first book in this epic fantasy trilogy inspired by Ghanaian folklore and Arabian myths, was my 2022 Book of the Year, and the next book in the series (The Battle Drum) was one of my 2023 honorable mentions. Here’s part of what I wrote about The Final Strife when discussing my favorite book of the year:
Simultaneously thoughtful and fun, The Final Strife explores injustice amidst storylines about uncovering mysteries about the world, a newfound friendship with potential for romance, and a tournament that’s about a variety of types of strength, not just who can fight the best. This fantasy setting feels real and lived in due to having a rich history that’s fleshed out through the characters’ perspectives, oral stories, and epigraphs. With a prologue that drew me in immediately and wonderful worldbuilding, storytelling, protagonists, and pacing that kept me hooked, The Final Strife is easily my favorite book of 2022.
Although I preferred the first book to the second, I very much enjoyed further exploring the vivid fantasy world Saara El-Arifi has created and the way she builds up its mysteries and reveals. I’m excited to find out how everything wraps up in The Ending Fire.
Rebellions are like fires—something needs to burn to make a flame. Return to the Wardens’ Empire in this riveting conclusion to the visionary fantasy trilogy inspired by the mythology of Africa and Arabia.
The Wardens’ Empire is falling. A vigilante known only as the Truthsayer is raising an army against the wardens. Sylah and Hassa must navigate the politics of this new world, all the while searching for Anoor.
Across the sea, the Blood Forged prepare for war, requesting aid from other governments. Jond’s role as major general sees him training soldiers for combat, but matters of the heart will prove to be the hardest battlefield.
The Zalaam celebrate the arrival of the Child of Fire, heralding the start of the final battle. Anoor’s doubts are eclipsed by the powers of her new god. Soon the Zalaam will set off on their last voyage—and few expect to return.
Do you feel it? Cresting the horizon? The darkness drawing in, the shadows elongating . . .
The Ending Fire comes.
The Scarlet Throne (The False Goddess Trilogy #1) by Amy Leow
Scheduled Release Date: September 10
Orbit’s acquisition announcement for The False Goddess trilogy makes this epic fantasy sound irresistible to me:
Perfect for fans of The Bone Shard Daughter and The Jasmine Throne, this dark, heart-thumping tale follows a young “living goddess” sitting on the throne who hides a deadly secret—she doesn’t channel a goddess, but a demon—and she’ll do anything to hold onto her power. Full of scheming demons, cut-throat priests, and morally gray heroines, this delicious tale of power and corruption will captivate from beginning to end.
Secrets, power struggles, scheming, and morally gray characters are solid ingredients for the kind of fictional drama I want in my life, plus the book description below mentions talking cats.
A dark, heart-thumping political epic fantasy by debut author Amy Leow—full of scheming demons, morally grey heroines, talking cats, and cut-throat priests, this delicious tale of power and corruption will captivate from beginning to end.
Binsa is a “living goddess,” chosen by the gods to dispense both mercy and punishment from her place on the Scarlet Throne. But her reign hides a deadly secret. Rather than channeling the wisdom of an immortal deity, she harbors a demon.
Though, one cannot remain a living goddess forever. When her temple’s priests decide that Binsa’s time in power has come to an end, a new girl, Medha, is selected to take over her position as goddess. But Binsa refuses to be discarded into a life of uncertainty as a young woman, and she strikes a deal with her demon: She will sacrifice her people’s lives in order to magnify his power, and in return, he will help her seize control from the priests once and for all.
But how much of her humanity is she willing to trade for the sake of ambition? Deals with demons are rarely so simple.
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
Scheduled Release Date: October 1 (US); October 3 (UK)
A Song to Drown Rivers, New York Times and Indie bestselling YA author Ann Liang’s first novel for adults, is inspired by the Chinese legend of Xishi and overall sounds amazing. The author wrote of it in her Instagram announcement post, saying:
This is a historical epic with a love story at its core, and a reimagining of Xishi, legendary beauty and spy, who’s sent to weaken the enemy kingdom from within. A SONG TO DROWN RIVERS is an incredibly exciting new format for me, but it also feels like a return to the legends I grew up hearing, the costume dramas I love, and my years as a history student.
This is perhaps the 2024 book release that sounds most promising to me from the description alone: epic historical fantasy with a protagonist who infiltrates a palace for the good of her kingdom. I am beyond excited for this one!
Inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China, A Song to Drown Rivers is an epic historical fantasy about womanhood, war, sacrifice, and love against all odds as the fate of two kingdoms hangs in a delicate balance.
Her beauty hides a deadly purpose.
Xishi’s beauty is seen as a blessing to the villagers of Yue—convinced that the best fate for a girl is to marry well and support her family. When Xishi draws the attention of the famous young military advisor, Fanli, he presents her with a rare opportunity: to use her beauty as a weapon. One that could topple the rival neighboring kingdom of Wu, improve the lives of her people, and avenge her sister’s murder. All she has to do is infiltrate the enemy palace as a spy, seduce their immoral king, and weaken them from within.
Trained by Fanli in everything from classical instruments to concealing emotion, Xishi hones her beauty into the perfect blade. But she knows Fanli can see through every deception she masters, the attraction between them burning away any falsehoods.
Once inside the enemy palace, Xishi finds herself under the hungry gaze of the king’s advisors while the king himself shows her great affection. Despite his gentleness, a brutality lurks and Xishi knows she can never let her guard down. But the higher Xishi climbs in the Wu court, the farther she and Fanli have to fall—and if she is unmasked as a traitor, she will bring both kingdoms down.
The Mountain Crown (The Crowns of Ishia Trilogy #1) by Karin Lowachee
Scheduled Release Date: October 8
Karin Lowachee’s science fiction books set in the Warchild universe contain some of the best character writing I’ve read, so I was thrilled to learn she has a new book coming out later this year. The Mountain Crown is the first book in a trilogy of novellas with dragons, and acquiring editor Amy Borsuk shared a bit about it in The Crowns of Ishia trilogy announcement:
I am absolutely thrilled to be working with Karin Lowachee on this incredible series. At long last, I get to work on an epic dragon fantasy! I loved this series from the first page and I’m so excited to bring it to fantasy readers across the globe. Karin is able to pack a full world rich with dragons, personal traumas, intense cultural histories and politics of colonialism and empire into the novella form with such ease. Come for the dragons, stay for the beautiful storytelling, compelling characters and gunslinging flavour.
This sounds absolutely wonderful, and I’m excited to see what Karin Lowachee does with this series. (Also, if you enjoy character-driven stories and don’t mind if they go to some rather dark places when exploring themes related to war and trauma, I cannot recommend Warchild enough. It’s one of my favorites.)
An epic dragon-rider quest where Empress of Salt and Fortune meets Temeraire
Méka must capture a king dragon, or die trying.
War between the island states of Kattaka and Mazemoor has left no one unscathed. Méka’s nomadic people, the Ba’Suon, were driven from their homeland by the Kattakans. Those who remained were forced to live under the Kattakan yoke, to serve their greed for gold alongside the dragons with whom the Ba’Suon share an empathic connection.
A decade later and under a fragile truce, Méka returns home from her exile for an ancient, necessary rite: gathering a king dragon of the Crown Mountains to maintain balance in the wild country. But Méka’s act of compassion toward an imprisoned dragon and Lilley, a Kattakan veteran of the war, soon draws the ire of the imperialistic authorities. They order the unwelcome addition of an enigmatic Ba’Suon traitor named Raka to accompany Méka and Lilley to the mountains.
The journey is filled with dangers both within and without. As conflict threatens to reignite, the survival of the Ba’Suon people, their dragons, and the land itself will depend on the decisions – defiant or compliant – that Méka and her companions choose to make. But not even Méka, kin to the great dragons of the North, can anticipate the depth of the consequences to her world.
The Lotus Empire (Burning Kingdoms Trilogy #3) by Tasha Suri
Read an Excerpt from The Jasmine Throne (Burning Kingdoms #1)
Scheduled Release Date: November 12
As much as I loved Tasha Suri’s first two novels (Empire of Sand and Realm of Ash), I somehow adored the first book in her Burning Kingdoms trilogy even more. This series is inspired in part by Indian epics like the Mahabharata and the conflict for the throne during the Mughal period, and the beautiful prose, fantastic worldbuilding, and memorable characters in the first book in this trilogy made it one of my 2021 Books of the Year. Here’s a bit of what I wrote about The Jasmine Throne in my review:
The Jasmine Throne is largely about different characters surviving and influencing their world despite the perils of the Empire, with a heavy emphasis on the additional obstacles of patriarchy for the women who are the heart of this story. It’s about the dangers of underestimating these women, even—or maybe especially—when they appear to have been stripped of their power. It’s about the different, subtler ways they navigate their world and how they can use being underestimated to their advantage: whether they are a maidservant, an imprisoned princess, or a wife and mother-to-be with a reputation for being gentle.
This World Fantasy Award–winning novel is one of those rare books that just worked for me in every way, and although I wasn’t nearly as enamored of the middle volume (The Oleander Sword), I’m hopeful about the conclusion and curious to see how the series ends.
The Lotus Empire brings Tasha Suri’s acclaimed Burning Kingdoms trilogy to a heart–stopping close. As an ancient magic returns to Ahiranya and threatens its very foundations, Empress Malini and priestess Priya will stop at nothing to save their kingdoms—even if it means they must destroy each other.
Malini has claimed her rightful throne as the empress of Parijatdvipa, just as the nameless gods prophesied. Now, in order to gain the support of the priesthood who remain loyal to the fallen emperor, she must consider a terrible bargain: Claim her throne and burn in order to seal her legacy—or find another willing to take her place on the pyre.
Priya has survived the deathless waters and now their magic runs in her veins. But a mysterious yaksa with flowering eyes and a mouth of thorns lies beneath the waters. The yaksa promises protection for Ahiranya. But in exchange, she needs a sacrifice. And she’s chosen Priya as the one to offer it.
Two women once entwined by fate now stand against each other. But when an ancient enemy rises to threaten their world, Priya and Malini will find themselves fighting together once more – to prevent their kingdoms, and their futures, from burning to ash.
Available in both hardcover and digital formats on February 29, this new edition of the beloved World Fantasy Award–winning novel contains art by Stephanie Law and an introduction by Marjorie Liu.
Of course, it also contains the beautifully written story of Sybel, a mage who inherited a menagerie of legendary animals and became entangled in human affairs after years spent in seclusion. Imaginative and timeless, it’s a novel about power, choice, love, and hate that explores shadows of the soul and becoming what one fears most, yet it does not feel grim despite delving into these topics. With its elegant prose, fairy tale feel, and lovely moments of quiet humor, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a masterpiece of fantasy.
About THE FORGOTTEN BEASTS OF ELD
(Special 50th Anniversary Edition):
“Rich and regal.” —The New York Times
New introduction by Marjorie Liu (The Tangleroot Palace)
New illustrations by Stephanie Law (Shadowscapes)Fifty years ago, the soon-to-be celebrated young author Patricia A. McKillip (the Riddle-Master trilogy) penned the tale of an iron-willed young sorceress. Brought vividly to life by McKillip’s gorgeously lush prose, Sybel is powerful and resourceful, yet headstrong and flawed. Sybel and The Forgotten Beasts of Eld continue to enrapture new generations of readers and writers.
Sybel, the heiress of powerful wizards, needs the company of no-one outside her gates. In her exquisite stone mansion, she is attended by exotic, magical beasts: Riddle-master Cyrin the Boar; the treasure-starved dragon Gyld; Gules the Lyon, tawny master of the Southern Deserts; Ter, the fiercely vengeful falcon; Moriah, feline Lady of the Night. Sybel only lacks the exquisite and mysterious Liralen, which continues to elude her most powerful enchantments.
But when a soldier bearing an infant arrives, Sybel discovers that the world of man and magic is full of both love and deceit, with the possibility of more power than she can possibly imagine.
Patricia A. McKillip was the beloved author of twenty-seven fantasy novels, including The Riddle-Master of Hed, Harpist in the Wind, Ombria in Shadow, Solstice Wood, and The Sorceress and the Cygnet. She received the inaugural World Fantasy Award for The Forgotten Beasts of Eld and later received the World Fantasy lifetime achievement award. She was also a three-time Mythopoeic Award winner. Her more recent works included the novel Kingfisher and the collection Dreams of Distant Shores. |
Giveaway Rules: To be entered in the giveaway, fill out Fantasy Cafe’s Forgotten Beasts of Eld Giveaway Google form, linked below. One entry per household and the winner will be randomly selected. Those from the US are eligible to win. The giveaway will be open until the end of the day on Friday, February 23. The winner has 24 hours to respond once contacted via email, and if I don’t hear from them after 24 hours has passed, a new winner will be chosen (who will also have 24 hours to respond until someone gets back to me with a place to send the book).
Please note email addresses will only be used for the purpose of contacting the winners. Once the giveaway is over all the emails will be deleted.
Blog Highlights in 2023
One of the biggest highlights of 2023 on this blog was the twelfth annual Women in SF&F Month, which was filled with amazing essays by speculative fiction authors discussing their thoughts, experiences, and work. It featured the following guest posts (which are eligible for nonfiction/related work awards):
There were also some additional guest posts or excerpts last year, such as:
If you enjoy lists, I also shared about my Favorite Books of 2022 and some Anticipated 2023 Speculative Fiction Releases. (And a heads up for those of you that enjoy giveaways, I’ll be giving away one of my favorite books ever next week!)
Favorite Books & Media of 2023
Once again, I reflected on what I read over the last year and came up with a list that feels right for my experiences with the books I read during that time. Though I was not as taken with some of my most anticipated books as I’d hoped (like this standalone by an author who has written other books I’ve enjoyed, this debut novel, and the conclusion to a trilogy that was not as well executed as the first two volumes), there were others that were highlights. This year, I had three clear favorites released in 2023 and two favorite trilogies released prior to that, as well as at least one honorable mention in each category.
I don’t normally discuss media other than books in these posts, but this year is unusual since I am utterly obsessed with something else fantasy-related that came out last year and could not resist including it!
Favorite Media of 2023
As a fan of the two games that preceded it (as well as D&D and Icewind Dale), I’ve been excited for Baldur’s Gate 3 for a while, but I did not expect to love it the way I do. I’ve now finished two multiplayer games and one single player game, and I am currently in the second act of my second single player game. Considering this is more than I’ve played any other, I think it’s safe to say this is now my favorite game of all time.
It’s just fun with a lot of entertaining dialogue and scenes, and it also has some beautifully done scenes and storylines, excellent acting, and a story that I appreciate more each time I play it. But what stands out to me the most about Baldur’s Gate 3 is the character development and growth that can happen depending on how you interact with and treat your companions, paired with the aforementioned excellent acting that makes them all the better. I didn’t really remember much about the characters from the previous games, but this one has some memorable ones with fantastic lines and journeys, including one character from the older games who I appreciate far more in this one. There are also a lot of wonderful animals and non-main characters, and the narrator (Amelia Tyler) does an incredible job.
It’s also made to replay: I come across new things each time I play it and a different main character can make for a different story, even if I do keep playing the Dark Urge and pairing my characters with the same companion. (Yes, I’m currently on my third Astarion romance. I just can’t help it. Of course, the award-winning performance by Neil Newbon is amazing, and his primary writer, Stephen Rooney, did an incredible job. I think he is the best written character with the best lines, and the way each act shows a new layer of characterization is perfection.) My last completed game followed a Seldarine drow fighter/bard who liked dramatics and intimidation, had a soft spot for innocents and animals, and became less hardened over the course of her journey, especially with how close she came to her found family. My current character is a high elf Oath of Vengeance paladin/sorcerer who is darker and more chaotic than the last, extremely loyal, and someone who cares fiercely when she does care—and she is making a huge mess of things because she’s terrified and would burn down the world for those she cares about. I’m having the best time shaping her story even when it hurts, and I’m already contemplating ideas for my next character.
If by any chance anyone who was part of the team that worked on Baldur’s Gate 3 comes across this: Thank you. You’ve created something truly special and unique, and this fantasy fan is grateful.
Favorite Books Released in 2023
Cover images link to Bookshop. As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Book of the Year
1. Cassiel’s Servant (Kushiel’s Legacy) by Jacqueline Carey
My Review
Read an Excerpt
Cassiel’s Servant is a companion to Jacqueline Carey’s beloved first novel, Kushiel’s Dart, telling the same story from the perspective of a different character: Joscelin, the warrior-monk whose order assigns him the task of protecting the courtesan/spy Phèdre. While many of the novel’s events are familiar if you’ve read the first Kushiel’s Legacy book, the first 20% is new material covering Joscelin’s training and monastic life before his fate collides with that of his god-marked charge—and of course, his first-person voice fits his personality and viewpoint, meaning it’s much different from Phèdre’s narration. Joscelin is far less dramatic and verbose with a more straightforward, concise style.
This novel is yet another example of Jacqueline Carey’s prowess as a master storyteller (in addition to the Kushiel books, also see Starless). Although the prose is less embellished than the books narrated by Phèdre, it’s also beautifully written and I loved the exploration of the relationship between the two main characters. They have different but complementary strengths, and I particularly appreciated the evolution of Joscelin’s perspective as he reevaluates his beliefs and reforges them into something new, something that makes sense with the world he experiences once he’s no longer confined to the monastery. Though his attitude and views change throughout the story, they are true to him as a person who grew to have a more mature worldview once he was no longer isolated within one order that followed one system of beliefs—but it’s also done with nuance, without making all the monks who taught and raised him seem like “bad” people.
I just adored Cassiel’s Servant, and it’s my absolute favorite book I’ve read this year.
Book of the Year Runner-Up
2. The Jasad Heir (The Scorched Throne #1) by Sara Hashem
My Review
Read an Excerpt
The Jasad Heir follows “Sylvia,” the heir to a demolished kingdom who has repressed her past self in order to hide her identity and survive. However, her plans of remaining in obscurity go awry when she catches the attention of Arin, the heir to the military kingdom that razed her homeland. As she does her best to keep him from realizing just who she is, Sylvia is forced to contend with the complicated feelings about her identity as the Jasad heir that she’s been avoiding—all while growing closer to the son of the man who killed her family.
The first book in an Egyptian-inspired epic fantasy duology, The Jasad Heir is great fun with its banter, dark humor, and wonderful character dynamics. Sara Hashem also clearly recognizes exactly what makes tropes like enemies-to-maybe-something-more-romantic and a protagonist hiding their royal lineage and magic work, and these common story elements are excellently executed. Sylvia is a fantastic narrator: her voice brims with personality and her stabbiness is expressed in new and creative ways instead of seeming repetitive, and she’s more complex than most characters I encounter with her prickliness, selfishness, loyalty, awareness of her flaws and shortcomings, and overall complicated relationship with herself. The contrast between Sylvia and her love interest makes the progression of their relationship all the more delicious. Arin is self-assured, confident, and manipulative—traits Sylvia finds simultaneously admirable and infuriating—but his facade starts to fall apart as he comes to care about this frustrating woman he’d once described as having the “temperament of a deranged goose.”
I found The Jasad Heir immensely entertaining, and I can hardly wait for the sequel (fingers crossed for a 2024 release!).
3. To Shape a Dragon’s Breath (The First Book of Nampeshiweisit) by Moniquill Blackgoose
Read/Listen to an Excerpt
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is the first book in a new series set on an alternate version of Earth that followed a different path in history and has dragons. It follows Anequs, a young indigenous woman who discovers a dragon egg and bonds with the first dragon her people have encountered in ages. After her hatchling accidentally injures someone when startled, Anequs decides it’s her duty to go to the dragon academy on the mainland and learn all she can about being bonded to a dragon and how to prevent it from hurting others. Here, Anequs is thrust into a new world filled with social rules that make no sense to her, but instead of following a more traditional fantasy of manners arc—that of attempting to fit in with these customs or flouting etiquette here and there while building toward rejecting these ways in the end—Anequs constantly calls them out, loudly, and it is a delight. I was actually surprised by just how much I enjoyed this novel considering I tend to prefer characters that have internal conflicts, but I found Anequs’ security in who she was and what she believes to be refreshing. To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is a riveting story, and I am eagerly awaiting news of the sequel.
Honorable Mentions
The Battle Drum (The Ending Fire #2) by Saara El-Arifi
The Final Strife, the first book in this series, was my Book of the Year in 2022 with a world full of rich history that made it real, excellent protagonists, and pacing that kept me engaged. Although I didn’t love The Battle Drum quite as much, I still rather enjoyed it and am looking forward to the final book in the trilogy. (Even if I was extremely irritated by one character in the end. Yes, I’m looking at you, Anoor.)
The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill
This novella, a retelling of the folktale “The Crane Wife,” is dark and traumatic with lovely writing. It’s an honorable mention because it wasn’t a book I loved that stuck with me, but it is a really well done story that I admired even so.
Lone Women by Victor LaValle
Much like The Crane Husband, this short horror novel didn’t stick with me as much as I’d hoped but it’s also a book I think is really well done. It had some amazing lines that made me pause in appreciation and short chapters and fast pacing that kept me turning the pages, but I did discover that I much preferred the setup to the conclusion. That said, I did like the handling of the theme of letting go of toxic ideas instilled into one in their youth.
Favorite Books Published Before 2023
1. The Welsh Princes Trilogy by Sharon Kay Penman
Here Be Dragons, Falls the Shadow, The Reckoning
After reading Cassiel’s Servant, I wanted something that felt similarly epic, and I ended up deciding to pick up Here Be Dragons. (I would have just reread Kushiel’s Dart and then finished the rest of the trilogy, but due to some house issues, those were among a bunch of books that were packed away at the time.) Although the Welsh Princes trilogy is historical fiction rather than fantasy, I’d seen them recommended for fans of A Song of Ice and Fire, and now that I’ve read the series, I completely understand why with its blend of politics, drama, and complex characters.
Set in the thirteenth century, Here Be Dragons centers on the conflict between England and Wales, showing characters from both countries as people with both strengths and flaws that make them real (even though one side is portrayed as being more sympathetic than the other). It has a large number of characters, but the one who ties everything together most is Joanna, the illegitimate daughter of King John who is wed to the Welsh prince Llewellyn the Great. Joanna’s story is poignant because she loves them both and is caught between them: though most people see her father as a villain, it’s more difficult for her to view him that way since he was kind to her and made her feel safe for the first time as a child. As much as I enjoyed the entire series, which covers the conflict between Simon de Montfort and King Henry in the second book and that between Llewellyn II and King Edward in the third, Here Be Dragons is my favorite of the three largely because of Joanna.
2. The Scholomance Trilogy by Naomi Novik
A Deadly Education, The Last Graduate, The Golden Enclaves
As you may recall from my review, I did not like A Deadly Education the first time I read it, so it’s amusing to me that this series made my list. I probably wouldn’t have read the entire trilogy if my husband hadn’t gifted them to me, saying he knew it was a risk given my opinion of the first but that he’d seen raves about these books and heard they got better. But I actually was curious because as much as I struggled with the voice and the amount of infodumping in A Deadly Education, I did find the main character memorable and also wondered if I might have had a better experience with it if I hadn’t read a digital version. (I much prefer reading print, and I also felt that format might have worked even better for me than usual in this case, given that the rambling sentences sometimes took up more than one screen.)
It probably worked better for me on a reread both because of reading it in paperback and knowing where it went, but whatever the reason, I enjoyed it a lot more the second time and read the entire trilogy back to back. El’s a great character: prickly but also loyal, someone with a strong sense of justice, someone who sticks to her values and hates that trying to survive magic school results in people treating others as a means to an end rather than fellow human beings. Her unique personality is what draws the class hero, Orion, to her (even though she is not happy with him whenever he comes to her rescue), and they have such a wonderful dynamic. I had an excellent time with all three books, especially the middle volume.
Honorable Mention
Dauntless by Elisa A. Bonin
This Filipino-inspired YA fantasy novel stuck with me largely because of how unique the setting was with its settlements amongst large sprawling trees and dangerous beasts. It just overall felt different from most of what I read, and although it’s a common general theme, I thought the author did a fantastic job with the “learning the world isn’t exactly what you’ve been taught all your life” storyline.
The post Favorite Books/Media of 2023 & Year in Review first appeared on Fantasy Cafe.]]>
Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
It’s actually been a little while since there were any new books to feature, but an ARC and a finished copy showed up in the mail last week. In case you missed them, there have been two new reviews since then, which covered two books with enemies-to-love-interests arcs that I had very different reactions to:
On to the latest books!
Faebound (Faebound Trilogy #1) by Saara El-Arifi
The first book in a new series by Saara El-Arifi will be released on January 23, 2024 (hardcover, ebook, audiobook). The Penguin Random House website has an excerpt from Faebound.
The biggest reason I’m interested in this novel is because The Final Strife, Saara El-Arifi’s debut novel and the first book in The Ending Fire trilogy, was my Book of the Year in 2022. Here’s what I wrote about it when reflecting on my favorite reads of the year:
Simultaneously thoughtful and fun, The Final Strife explores injustice amidst storylines about uncovering mysteries about the world, a newfound friendship with potential for romance, and a tournament that’s about a variety of types of strength, not just who can fight the best. This fantasy setting feels real and lived in due to having a rich history that’s fleshed out through the characters’ perspectives, oral stories, and epigraphs. With a prologue that drew me in immediately and wonderful worldbuilding, storytelling, protagonists, and pacing that kept me hooked, The Final Strife is easily my favorite book of 2022.
You can also read my review of The Final Strife here, and Saara El-Arifi’s Women in SF&F Month essay, “Routes to my roots,” here.
Given my love of the fae and how much I enjoyed this author’s debut novel, I’m very excited for Faebound—plus I was rather intrigued by the first few lines!
Two elven sisters become imprisoned in the intoxicating world of the fae, where danger and love lie in wait. Faebound is the first book in an enchanting new trilogy from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Final Strife.
“A romantic fantasy of epic proportions, crackling with magic and passion.”—Samantha Shannon, bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree
Yeeran was born on the battlefield, has lived on the battlefield, and one day, she knows, she’ll die on the battlefield.
As a warrior in the elven army, Yeeran has known nothing but violence her whole life. Her sister, Lettle, is trying to make a living as a diviner, seeking prophecies of a better future.
When a fatal mistake leads to Yeeran’s exile from the Elven Lands, both sisters are forced into the terrifying wilderness beyond their borders.
There they encounter the impossible: the fae court. The fae haven’t been seen for a millennium. But now Yeeran and Lettle are thrust into their seductive world, torn among their loyalties to each other, their elven homeland, and their hearts.
The Serpent & the Wings of Night (The Nightborn Duet #1) by Carissa Broadbent
This fantasy romance novel is the first book in The Crowns of Nyxia, a series containing three duologies starting with The Nightborn Duet. A new hardcover edition of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, which was originally self published, was just released last week. It’s also available in audiobook and ebook, and a trade paperback edition will follow in May 2024. The second book, The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King, will be rereleased in June 2024.
I’ve heard good things about this book (mostly on the Fantasy Romance Reddit), and after reading a sample on Amazon, I thought it looked intriguing.
The first book in the Wall Street Journal bestselling Crowns of Nyaxia series by Carissa Broadbent. Filled with heart-wrenching romance, dark magic, and bloodthirsty intrigue–perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and A Court of Thorns and Roses.
For humans and vampires, the rules of survival are the same: never trust, never yield, and always – always – guard your heart.
The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself.
But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival.
Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown… and her greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him.
But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone – but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love.
Read this FAQ to learn more!
As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Book Description:
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
The fates of two bitter enemies with opposing magical abilities are swept together in The Hurricane Wars, the spellbinding debut in a fantasy romance trilogy set in a Southeast Asia–inspired world ravaged by storms, perfect for fans of Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses
The heart is a battlefield.
All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, she found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire’s shadows.
Prince Alaric, the emperor’s only son and heir, has been tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire’s rule with the strength of his armies and mighty shadow magic. He discovers the greatest threat yet in Talasyn: a girl burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. He tries to kill her, but in a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.
This war can only end with them. But an even greater danger is coming, and the strange magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Talasyn and Alaric must decide… are they fated to join hands, or destroy each other?
An exquisite fantasy brimming with unforgettable characters and sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance set in a richly drawn world, The Hurricane Wars marks the breathtaking debut of an extraordinary new writer.
The Hurricane Wars, Thea Guanzon’s debut novel, is the first book in a fantasy romance trilogy that follows the third-person perspectives of two characters who have been fighting on opposite sides of the titular conflict. Talasyn, an orphan, was recruited by the rebels when they discovered she had light magic, a rare power since the emperor killed everyone on the continent with those abilities years ago. Since she joined their side, she’s trained in secret, waiting for the right time to use her magic against the conquering army.
But Talasyn is forced to use her magic to save herself in the heat of battle—and does so in the presence of Alaric, the emperor’s son, who possesses shadow magic like his father. Though she survives the altercation that ensues, she knows she’ll need to be wary now that the prince knows about her abilities.
Shortly after her confrontation with Alaric, Talasyn is sent on a mission to some islands that have remained neutral in the war, a mysterious place rumored to have dragons and unique magic. There, she makes a discovery that changes her life and results in her having to work with the person she despises most in the world after the emperor: his son.
There are two main reasons I was excited about reading The Hurricane Wars: the South Asia–inspired world and the enemies-to-lovers arc. (Whether it ends in friendship or romance, I just really enjoy the trope of people who start out despising each other discovering that they have common ground or actually respect/like each other after they are thrown together. Basically, I like relationships of any kind that become more complex over the course of the story, and when this is well done, it really works for me.) However, I found this novel rather lackluster since it didn’t have a lot of depth and the interactions between the two main characters became frustratingly repetitive.
The first third of the book focuses on the wars, which have been going on for some time at that point, and the rest of the book takes place after a four-month time skip that focuses on the aforementioned islands and the relationship between the two main characters. I found it difficult to get through the first 30% or so: a lot happened quickly, and I didn’t know enough about any of these characters to care about their struggles, nor did I find them compelling enough to want to learn more about them.
After it skipped ahead a few months, it became more engaging—even hard to put down for a bit—and I thought I was going to end up enjoying it despite the rough start. The matriarchal island setting was far more interesting to me than the war, and its calculating queen had potential as a character. Unfortunately, it didn’t spend enough time delving into her or any of the others for that to pay off, and all the secondary characters felt like afterthoughts when compared to the relationship between Talasyn and Alaric.
That probably wouldn’t have bothered me if these two had more development or a dynamic that didn’t grow tiresome so quickly. They’re mainly drawn to each other because they each think the other is stunning and the plot demands it, and though there are some scenes later that show how they can fit together as individuals, it wasn’t enough to make me want to keep reading about them and their monotonous relationship problems. They kept running through the same basic scenarios and miscommunications without any hint of character growth, and while there’s still room for more development considering this is only the first installment in a trilogy, I’d have liked for there to be something that showed even a little progress. As sympathetic as Talasyn’s situation was, I just found her annoying by the end since she just kept behaving the same way over and over again. Alaric was slightly more interesting since it’s clear he’s been shaped by fear of his ruthless father, but this installment doesn’t explore that enough to make him truly fascinating, just a little more compelling than the other main character.
Although The Hurricane Wars didn’t work for me, it might work better for those who are looking for Star Wars fanfiction with characters inspired by Rey and Kylo Ren. I did not realize that this novel was based on this when I first heard about it, and even though I am not invested in these characters, I remained excited about reading it even after I learned this: after all, just because I’m not personally a fan of the inspiration doesn’t mean it can’t be remade into a work I’d like.
However, the primary focus of this novel seemed to be banter/bickering and what-could-have-been scenarios involving getting closer then pulling away with characters that didn’t have a lot of original personality, and Alaric sounds exactly like Kylo Ren anytime his appearance is described. Given that I’m more interested in relationships with depth and characters that are more fleshed out, I have no plans to continue this series. (I was also disappointed by the lack of focus on the “strange beasts” mentioned in the book announcement, although I suspect there will be more about them in the next book.)
My Rating: 4/10
Where I got my reading copy: Finished copy from the publisher.
The post Review of The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon first appeared on Fantasy Cafe.]]>As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Jasad Heir, the first book in The Scorched Throne duology, is an Egyptian-inspired epic fantasy novel by debut author Sara Hashem. She began writing it to examine the following question: “what do you owe to a place and a people you’ve barely known but without whom you wouldn’t exist?” This concept is explored through the first-person perspective of Sylvia, the heir to a demolished kingdom hated for its magic, who has been presumed dead along with the rest of the royal family for the last decade. She’s done her best to hide her heritage and prepare to flee if her identity is discovered, and she does not have dreams of wreaking vengeance or rebuilding her homeland and reuniting her people. Sylvia just wants to remain in obscurity, to survive—though she does have moments of niggling guilt and shame over not aiding her people, who are still persecuted and killed for their magic, that she does her best to shove from her mind.
For the past five years, Sylvia has succeeded at being unremarkable, in part because she can’t actually use the magic that would reveal she’s from the Scorched Kingdom of Jasad. Her grandparents fitted her with invisible cuffs that suppressed her abilities when she was a child, and at twenty years old, she still has them since her family was murdered before they were able to remove them. Without being able to even accidentally unleash the power that would doom her, she has been living a quiet life as a chemist’s apprentice in a small village and has even made a couple of friends (in spite of herself and the prickly personality that keeps most from getting close to her).
Unsurprisingly, Sylvia’s peaceful existence does not last. Arin, the heir to the military kingdom that razed her homeland, comes to her village, presumably searching for a Champion to compete in the upcoming tournament celebrating the remaining lands’ magical founders. Unfortunately for Sylvia, she piques his interest since he’s convinced she has magic but cannot prove it, and Sylvia intends to keep him from being able to verify the truth.
Then a horrific event frees her magic for the first time in years, and Arin has the evidence he’s been seeking. But instead of putting her to death, he chooses her as his Champion and reveals he has another use for her that will buy her freedom if she succeeds—one that brings all of her complicated feelings about her identity as the Jasad heir into disarray and begins a dangerous game with Arin, who is determined to discover her true name and family.
The Jasad Heir is one of the most fun books I’ve read this year. It has banter, dark humor, and great character dynamics, and familiar elements like the protagonist having to hide her magic and her royal identity and the enemies-to-maybe-something-more arc are well executed, showcasing just why these are such beloved tropes for so many of us.
The two central characters and their relationship is a large part of why this works so well, but what most made this novel stand out to me was Sylvia herself: her rage, her loyalty to those who somehow made their way into her heart in spite of herself, and her struggle to figure out who she is and wants to be. She’s a character brimming with personality, and I knew I’d like her from the very first line: “Two things stood between me and a good night’s sleep, and I was allowed to kill only one of them.” Her narrative is full of vivid metaphors and comparisons, and though many of them reflect her stabby personality, I found they had enough variety in phrasing that they remained entertaining instead of getting repetitive after a while. (There are some brief third-person interludes from Arin’s perspective, and in the first of these, he describes her as having “the temperament of a deranged goose,” which seemed very fitting since I could instantly see it.)
I loved that this story delved into how Sylvia forged her hard exterior and dealt with her facing all the internal conflicts she’s ignored for the last few years, showing how she never had a chance to develop a sense of self as she had to set up a front for self-preservation. I loved that she was selfish but also intensely loyal to the few people she does care about, that she was someone aware of her own flaws and shortcomings as she grappled with the shame, guilt, and trauma that made her thoroughly cut herself off from who she used to be. Although I wouldn’t call Sylvia one of the best written characters I’ve ever read, I also think she’s more complex and alive than most, and Sara Hashem did an excellent job at portraying just how utterly lost she is deep inside and how she came to be that way.
This provides contrast that is a large part of what makes her relationship with Arin so compelling: he has the sense of self she lacks, and he’s calculating, manipulative, confident, and in control of his emotions, which Sylvia finds admirable, infuriating, and terrifying. It takes time for their relationship to evolve into something more than enemies (which I much prefer to the protagonist immediately thinking about how incredibly attractive their enemy is and how they shouldn’t be having such thoughts about them; although Sylvia does note that Arin is handsome earlier in the story, it’s also stated in the same way she’d observe that the sky is blue or the grass is green). Sylvia tries to kill Arin after she’s been discovered and feels she has nothing left to lose, and in turn, Arin is furious that it will best suit his purposes to keep her alive.
But as the two spend time together preparing for the trials, they both need to keep Sylvia’s magic a secret, putting them on the same team opposite the other royals. Though Sylvia is still hiding her true name and has a messy relationship with herself, she also gets to be more fully herself than she has in a long time when she no longer has to pretend to be someone completely different, a meek and mild person, all the time. And that is probably a large part of what draws Arin to her. As an heir, Arin’s grown up surrounded by danger and people hiding their ire behind smiles, and once Sylvia’s heritage is exposed, she wears her rage openly. What he calls her “attempts at humor” start to make him smile, and he becomes less and less stoic when he’s around her. I loved their dynamic and every single scene involving the two of them, and seeing Arin’s carefully curated facade fall apart just for Sylvia was delightful.
Although these two were the highlights for me, Sylvia’s friendships were also wonderful with fun dialogue and a great dynamic. Additionally, I enjoyed learning more about the past alongside our narrator as she discovered more about the politics and rivalries she hadn’t been aware of as a child. So far, the different lands and their people mostly have one or two defining traits that set them apart instead of being deeply fleshed out, but I still liked visiting them and meeting their rulers and each of their chosen Champions. (Of particular interest was Sultana Vaida, who appears friendly but is crafty and has a horrifying way of dealing with traitors.)
Even if it didn’t have the complexity that would have made it a 5-star experience for me, The Jasad Heir is a really well done, fun book—a fantastic debut with personality (a stabby one), a great enemies-to-love-interests arc, and a protagonist with a more complicated internal struggle than many. Before writing this review, I went back to reread parts of it, and I was so thoroughly hooked that I ended up reading the entire novel all over again. I can hardly wait to see what happens in the second half of the duology, especially after the exciting ending that changed the trajectory and made me want to read the next book NOW.
My Rating: 8.5/10
Where I got my reading copy: ARC from the publisher.
The post Review of The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem first appeared on Fantasy Cafe.]]>Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
I am working on a review of one of my favorite debut novels of this year that I’m hoping to finish soon, but in the meantime, a couple of books I ordered showed up in the mail last week. These are both recent gothic fantasy books that appeared on my list of anticipated 2023 releases.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
This contemporary gothic fantasy came out earlier this month (hardcover, ebook, audiobook). The Macmillan website has both text and audio excerpts from Starling House.
I absolutely adored The Ten Thousand Doors of January, Alix E. Harrow’s debut novel, for its beautiful writing and themes. Here’s a bit of what I wrote about it in my Favorite Books of 2019 post:
The Ten Thousand Doors of January is a treasure. It’s not only a celebration of books and stories but also is itself a beautifully told story with two exquisitely written, unique bibliophilic voices between January’s first person narration and that of The Ten Thousand Doors (which is included in its entirety, complete with delightful footnotes!). It’s an ode to words, imagination, and stories, particularly the power they have to burrow into hearts and souls and show one something true, meaningful, and lasting—and it is in itself just that type of book. It’s also an ode to dreamers and outsiders, to being who you are and daring to write your own story despite society’s attempts to shape your path into one that doesn’t fit you, among being a book about so many other things—and it is magnificent.
It’s an indelible book that seems destined to be a classic, and The Ten Thousand Doors of January is my choice for Book of the Year in 2019.
Though it sounded like exactly my type of book, I didn’t feel the same about The Once and Future Witches, and I bounced off A Spindle Splintered (which also sounded like exactly my type of book) around the 25% point. But I love beautifully written gothic fantasy and had high hopes for Starling House knowing what Alix E. Harrow is capable of doing, and the sample made me even more hopeful that this might be closer to my experience reading The Ten Thousand Doors of January.
Starling House is a gorgeous, modern gothic fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January.
I dream sometimes about a house I’ve never seen….
Opal is a lot of things—orphan, high school dropout, full-time cynic and part-time cashier—but above all, she’s determined to find a better life for her younger brother Jasper. One that gets them out of Eden, Kentucky, a town remarkable for only two things: bad luck and E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth century author of The Underland, who disappeared over a hundred years ago.
All she left behind were dark rumors—and her home. Everyone agrees that it’s best to ignore the uncanny mansion and its misanthropic heir, Arthur. Almost everyone, anyway.
I should be scared, but in the dream I don’t hesitate.
Opal has been obsessed with The Underland since she was a child. When she gets the chance to step inside Starling House—and make some extra cash for her brother’s escape fund—she can’t resist.
But sinister forces are digging deeper into the buried secrets of Starling House, and Arthur’s own nightmares have become far too real. As Eden itself seems to be drowning in its own ghosts, Opal realizes that she might finally have found a reason to stick around.
In my dream, I’m home.
And now she’ll have to fight.
Welcome to Starling House: enter, if you dare.
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
This YA gothic historical fantasy was released in September (hardcover, ebook, audiobook). The Harper Collins website has a sample from A Study in Drowning.
There are three main reasons I want to read this one: it’s dark academia, it has scholarly rivals, and it’s influenced by Welsh mythology.
An instant Indie and #1 New York Times bestseller!
“Achingly atmospheric and beautifully sharp, A Study in Drowning will draw you in from the first page.” —Rory Power, New York Times bestselling author of Wilder Girls
Bestselling author Ava Reid makes her YA debut in this dark academic fantasy perfect for fans of Melissa Albert and Elana K. Arnold.
Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she’s had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad—Emrys Myrddin’s epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him—is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to redesign the late author’s estate, Effy feels certain it’s her destiny.
But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together clues about Myrddin’s legacy, dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspire against them—and the truth may bring them both to ruin.
Part historical fantasy, part rivals-to-lovers romance, part Gothic mystery, and all haunting, dreamlike atmosphere, Ava Reid’s powerful YA debut will lure in readers who loved The Atlas Six, House of Salt and Sorrows, or Girl, Serpent, Thorn.
Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
One soon-to-be-released dark fantasy novel came in the mail last week: a sequel that I’m very excited about!
Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King #2) by Rachel Gillig
The second book in The Shepherd King duology will be released on October 17 (trade paperback, ebook, audiobook).
One Dark Window, the first book in this series, was one of my favorite books of 2022. It was one of the most fun, difficult-to-put-down books I read last year, plus I enjoyed the lore, the ending, and the monster/maiden dynamic. Rachel Gillig discussed the latter in her Women in SF&F Month 2022 essay, which begins as follows:
The monster/maiden dynamic is a familiar one. It wears many faces. It lives in all genres, particularly fantasy, dispersing itself throughout the subgenres. It’s been a favorite trope of mine since I watched Beauty and the Beast at the ripe age of five. But this blog won’t be about romance or tension between the monster and maiden. Rather, I’d like to reflect on, in writing my own monster/maiden book, the built-in constraints of the maiden, and how the foil of the monster can help undo them.
Part of why the monster/maiden dynamic is so successful is because it comes with integrated conflict—light against dark. The maiden and the monster are natural foils. Her virtue and beauty stand in contrast to the monster’s atrocities—physical or moral. Over the span of the story, it is often the maiden’s virtue that wins the day. Her goodness erodes the monster’s darkness.
Don’t get me wrong—I love these stories to my core. But in the world of fantasy, where a reader can escape so thoroughly into a book, I wanted to experience a different kind of maiden. One whose contribution is not merely to redeem others. A maiden who does not deliver the monster, but becomes one herself.
The rest of “Maidens, Monsters, and the Lines That Blur Between Them” can be read here.
In the dark, spellbinding sequel to One Dark Window, Elspeth must confront the weight of her actions as she and Ravyn embark on a perilous quest to save the kingdom—perfect for readers of Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf and Alexis Henderson’s The Year of the Witching.
Gripped by a tyrant king and in the thrall of dark magic, the kingdom is in peril. Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered most of the twelve Providence Cards, but the last—and most important—one remains to be found: the Twin Alders. If they’re going to find the card before Solstice and set free the kingdom, they will need to journey through the dangerous mist-cloaked forest. The only one who can lead them through is the monster that shares Elspeth’s head: the Nightmare.
And he’s not eager to share any longer.
Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
It’s been a little while since one of these posts since I bought some books right before or during vacation, and then I never went back and caught up. Here’s what has been posted since the last feature in case you missed it:
Due to time restraints, I’m not going to cover all the books I got right before or on my vacation. I decided to narrow it down to 2023 debut novels since I bought a couple of new releases and just got one coming soon in the mail from the publisher a couple days ago. All three of these were featured in my Anticipated 2023 Speculative Fiction Book Releases post.
The Hurricane Wars (The Hurricane Wars #1) by Thea Guanzon
The Hurricane Wars, the first book in a fantasy romance trilogy by debut author Thea Guanzon, will be released on October 3 (hardcover, ebook, audiobook). A large print edition is coming out on November 7.
The Harper Collins website has an excerpt and information on an upcoming author event, a virtual one hosted by The Novel Neighbor bookstore on October 3.
I’ve been excited for this since reading the book announcement for The Hurricane Wars, which says it’s “set in a Southeast Asian-inspired world and features a wartime enemies-to-lovers romance with plenty of magic, airships, strange beasts, and a marriage of political convenience between sworn foes.”
The fates of two bitter enemies with opposing magical abilities are swept together in The Hurricane Wars, the spellbinding debut in a fantasy romance trilogy set in a Southeast Asia–inspired world ravaged by storms, perfect for fans of Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses
The heart is a battlefield.
All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, she found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire’s shadows.
Prince Alaric, the emperor’s only son and heir, has been tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire’s rule with the strength of his armies and mighty shadow magic. He discovers the greatest threat yet in Talasyn: a girl burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. He tries to kill her, but in a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.
This war can only end with them. But an even greater danger is coming, and the strange magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Talasyn and Alaric must decide… are they fated to join hands, or destroy each other?
An exquisite fantasy brimming with unforgettable characters and sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance set in a richly drawn world, The Hurricane Wars marks the breathtaking debut of an extraordinary new writer.
Forged by Blood (The Tainted Blood Duology #1) by Ehigbor Okosun
Ehigbor Okosun’s fantasy debut novel was released in August (hardcover, ebook, audiobook). The Harper Collins website has an excerpt from Forged by Blood.
The author discussed stories and writing her book in “Myth and Magic, Seen and Unseen”:
Myth is shape-shifting eternity wrapped in godhood and shadow.
The first time I share a story with a friend, I am six or seven. She listens enraptured, pausing me now and then to ask questions or interject: Why doesn’t the tortoise fear getting hurt? Mami wata can only catch you if you jump into water alone. Should we pretend to sleep, and when our parents are abed, wander into the twilight in search of vengeful deer spirits?
We never did bring our offering of sticky buns and cold bean porridge to the moss-covered grove near the flat we’d all piled into for the weekend. We woke instead to promises of milk-smothered custard and packed our planned adventures away for another time. I did, however, spend the next two decades thinking of the last question she left me: “I love these stories. But they’re like us, aren’t they? They aren’t real.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, heart in my throat, belly so full of fear that she knows something I don’t.
The rest of Ehigbor Okosun’s Women in SF&F Month essay can be read here.
Ehigbor Okosun’s first book in an action-packed, poignant duology inspired by Nigerian mythology—full of magic and emotion and set in a highly atmospheric, complex world in which a young woman fights to survive a tyrannical society, having everything stripped away from her, and seeks vengeance for her mother’s murder and the spilled blood of her people.
In the midst of a tyrannical regime and political invasion, Dèmi just wants to survive: to avoid the suspicion of the nonmagical Ajes who occupy her ancestral homeland of Ife; to escape the King’s brutal genocide of her people—the darker skinned, magic wielding Oluso; and to live peacefully with her secretive mother while learning to control the terrifying blood magic that is her birthright.
But when Dèmi’s misplaced trust costs her mother’s life, survival gives way to vengeance. She bides her time until the devious Lord Ekwensi grants her the perfect opportunity—kidnap the Aje prince, Jonas, and bargain with his life to save the remaining Oluso. With the help of her reckless childhood friend Colin, Dèmi succeeds, but discovers that she and Jonas share more than deadly secrets; every moment tangles them further into a forbidden, unmistakable attraction, much to Colin’s—and Dèmi’s—distress.
The kidnapping is now a joint mission: to return to the King, help get Lord Ekwensi on the council, and bolster the voice of the Oluso in a system designed to silence them. But the way is dangerous, Dèmi’s magic is growing yet uncertain, and it’s not clear if she can trust the two men at her side.
A tale of rebellion and redemption, race and class, love and trust and betrayal, Forged by Blood is epic fantasy at its finest, from an enthusiastic, emerging voice.
The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa
Kemi Ashing-Giwa’s space opera debut novel was released in July (hardcover, ebook, audiobook). Tor.com has an excerpt from The Splinter in the Sky.
The author discussed how family plays a role in her novel as part of this year’s Women in SF&F Month:
The Splinter in the Sky is a space opera spy thriller about a tea specialist-turned-assassin who embarks on a mission to save her sibling and avenge her fallen lover. It’s a story that examines the far-reaching effects of imperialism and colonialism, as well as the simultaneous commodification, absorption, and erasure of culture. It explores how systems of oppression—and the beliefs sustaining them—rise and fall. But most importantly, The Splinter in the Sky is a story about family.
I am a child of immigrants. My mother is from Trinidad, my father is from Nigeria. My mother’s mother moved from Grenada, and her father sailed to the Carribbean from China. (The “Ashing” in my surname comes from Hua Ching, which British officials found too difficult to pronounce.) My extended family is collectively fluent in five or six languages. (Not I, though. My first language was actually Spanish, but I lost all fluency because everyone spoke English to me after I was about five. Alas and alack!)
The rest of Kemi Ashing-Giwa’s essay can be read here.
An instant USA Today Bestseller
The dust may have settled in the war of conquest between the Holy Vaalbaran Empire and the Ominirish Republic, but the Empire’s surrender means little. Especially to a lowly scribe like Enitan, given her country’s continuing status as a Vaalbaran province. All she wants is to quit her day job and expand her fledgling tea business. But when imperial agents assassinate her lover and abduct her sibling, Enitan abandons her idyllic plans and embarks on a rescue mission, weaving her tea tray up through the heart of the Vaalbaran capital.
Her enemies are countless, clever, and powerful beyond measure. There’s a new God-Emperor on the throne, and her reign promises to change the star system forever. And as Enitan sinks deeper into the Empire’s bloody conspiracies, she discovers just how far she’s willing to go to exact vengeance, save her sibling, and perhaps even restore her homeland’s freedom.
As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Having thoroughly enjoyed her Books of the Raksura, I was excited for a new fantasy novel by Martha Wells, her first in some time after writing several books in her acclaimed science fiction series, The Murderbot Diaries. (Although I thought All Systems Red was decent, I didn’t find it captivating enough to continue the series and much preferred her other books I’d read.) Unfortunately, Witch King fell far short of my expectations despite a strong start and some interesting ideas.
This standalone epic fantasy novel begins with the demon Kai awakening outside his body, not knowing what happened or how he got there—only that his old body appears to have been dead for about a year and one of his closest friends is imprisoned nearby. Fortunately, he’s able to inhabit the body of a recently deceased man and release his friend from her captivity, but she doesn’t remember any more about how they got into their situation than he does. The two then set out to uncover the truth about what happened to them and find the friend’s wife, and their search alternates with a past storyline showing how they came to be legends and companions.
When reduced to its bare bones, Witch King sounds great: a story of found family bound by their involvement in a rebellion, alternating between how they came together to defeat a Great Evil in the first place and a present-day storyline involving two of those characters trying to solve a very personal mystery. I was immediately intrigued by Kai’s present predicament and quest to discover who wanted him out of the picture and why, and I also wanted to learn more about the demons of this world, especially after reading about their pact with humans and Kai’s first experiences as a mortal. He came to the realm when he occupied the body of a recently deceased woman whose family wanted to ensure their line continued, leaving his true physical form in the underearth and gaining the power to drain life from mortals when he did so.
However, it was struggle to read after the first two chapters, which introduced the aforementioned parts that piqued my interest. Considering the massive size of my TBR pile these days, I probably would have given up on it if it had been a book by a new-to-me author. But since it was Martha Wells, I persevered and hoped that everything would suddenly come together and make me glad I stuck with it. Sadly, that never happened, though I continued to appreciate many of the ideas that went into this novel. I love when books explore how the story doesn’t end just because the heroes succeeded in their quest to change the world and how others may strive to undo what they fought so hard to create. There will still always be problems and conflicts between people (or demons or witches or whatever), and since this follows long-lived characters, it shows that later generations may not see things from the same perspective.
Given these concepts, Witch King was brimming with potential, but it was just so bland. The writing does its job, but it’s rather plain and overly descriptive when it comes to aspects like appearance and dress. I wouldn’t have had so much of a problem with this if I were more invested in the characters and their stories, but other than the occasional bit of snappy dialogue, they too were devoid of charisma: for a bunch of legends with historical significance and awesome powers, they were dull to follow. It didn’t feel like the story really delved into them as individuals, and given the focus on found family, it didn’t seem to dig into the intricacies of these relationships and what made them fit together. Of course, it’s not unrealistic that a group of people (or demons or witches or whatever) would find each other by being on the same side of a rebellion, a common cause that drew them together in the course of seeking justice, change, and their own survival. However, if I’m reading about a group like this, I want to see what really makes them mesh. The members of this found family clearly cared about each other, but I felt like they were mainly close because they were in the same place at the same time with the same goals—not because they had personalities that drew them together and made them lifelong friends.
Although I didn’t find it entertaining for the most part, I have some rather mixed feelings on Witch King. There’s nothing especially “bad” about its writing, plot, or characters, and it has an original world and some interesting concepts thrown into the mix—and that makes it better as a whole than a lot of books. Nevertheless, it lacks the sort of prose and personality that makes reading fiction so enjoyable, that special spark that makes a book compelling and difficult to put down. It was all too easy to put this one down after the very beginning, and as much as I loved the idea of it, it could be a tedious reading experience.
My Rating: 5/10
Where I got my reading copy: ARC from the publisher.
Read an Excerpt from Witch King
Read “Deconstructing Epics” by Martha Wells (her Women in SF&F Month 2023 guest post on Witch King and more)
The post Review of Witch King by Martha Wells first appeared on Fantasy Cafe.]]>