Synopsis

Enter a world ruled by dragons . . . The Sky on Fire is a daring new fantasy heist adventure from Jenn Lyons that will thrill fans of Temeraire, Fourth Wing andDragonriders of Pern. 

Anahrod lives only for survival, forging her own way through the harsh jungles of the Deep with her titan drake by her side. Even when an adventuring party saves her from capture by a local warlord, she is eager to return to her solitary life. But this is no ordinary rescue. It’s Anahrod’s past catching up with her. These cunning misfits – and their frustratingly appealing dragonrider ringleader – intend to spirit her away to the dragon-ruled sky cities, where they need her help to steal from a dragon’s hoard. There’s just one problem: the hoard in question belongs to the current regent, Neveranimas – and she wants Anahrod dead. 

From the acclaimed author of the Chorus of Dragons series, this soaring stand-alone fantasy combines conniving dragons, lightning banter, high-stakes intrigue and a little bit of heat.

Review

Jenn Lyons has been an author on my tbr for some time. When I got the chance for an ARC for this book I was over the moon. Even though it took me a long time to read it (real life issues getting in the way) I had fun with this book for so many reasons.

First of all, it’s a heist. That’s always a winner for me. And what’s more, it’s a heist with dragons! This book has a fun vibe right from the start and it kept that feeling all the way through for me.

We follow a woman named Anahrod, who has been living in survival mode for some time and has a bit of story to tell about her past. She is soon captured by a group of individuals who, instead of wanting to kill her, want her help on a job. It’s full of fun characters, an interesting world that is ruled by dragons and non-stop action. Anyone who likes adventure stories will have lots of enjoy here I think. That is where this book really shines. The pacing worked really well for me and I never got bored as the story jumps from beat to beat really well, despite the fact that the actual heist takes quite a while to actually happen in the book.

The characters we follow are a bit of a ragtag bunch of misfits, all with their own stories to tell and their own reasons for being where they are. While I really enjoyed all of them I can’t deny that it felt like some were given more depth than others. Anahrod is a great main character and I liked her a lot. I also like Sicaryon, Ris and Gwyndinion but some of the others really did feel quite one dimensional, which was a shame as they all had a lot of potential for some great backstories.

The world building was interesting, with the concept of rampaging dragons who have gone mad from overuse of magic and a different take on the common dragon bonding trope. I loved the battle scene where you really get to see how this world has had to adapt itself to prepare for when dragons go rampant at potentially anytime. Some aspects of how the world works are glossed over (like how the dragons actually rule and the details of that), but it is a standalone story so I wasn’t too bothered by that personally.

There is a romance angle in the book which I loved but found the tone of things a bit inconsistent at times, with the spice rating for example. Which was more odd than something that bothered me personally.

All in all, while not perfect I did enjoy this book a lot. I’ll definitely be checking out Lyons’ other works and recommend this book to anyone looking for an adventure packed standalone story.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC copy. Due to real life situations it took me a long time to read this book but that has nothing to do with my enjoyment of this read. I truly had a blast with this one.

Synopsis

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz―a magically sentient spider plant―have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite.

When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she’d see again: her childhood home. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy―and very handsome―neighbor who can’t take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she’s fed and to help fix up her new home.

In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn’t have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries.

But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island’s first-ever and much needed secret spellshop.

Like a Hallmark rom-com full of mythical creatures and fueled by cinnamon rolls and magic, The Spellshop will heal your heart and feed your soul.

Review

The author writes in the acknowledgments that she wanted to write a book that reads like drinking hot chocolate. And that’s exactly how this book reads. She writes that she wanted to fill the book with joy and delight, and she certainly succeeded at that too.

In this cosy fantasy-romance we follow Kiela, a librarian who lives a solitary life with her entirely wonderful enchanted spider-plant friend Caz. She lives and works in the library of the capital. They escape in a boat one night during a revolution as the rebels attack and begin burning the library to the ground. She and Caz escape and sail to her home island, a remote place on the outskirts of the kingdom, slowly being forgotten by everyone and left to fend for itself. She sets up a new life for herself as she tries to rebuild her deceased parents’ abandoned cottage and figure out what to do now that her librarian life is gone.

This book has all the cosy fantasy vibes you’ll ever need. It has a great setting and the story itself is interesting and fun. I loved following Kiela as she builds a new life for herself. Her journey of self discovery as she has to start over is heart warming and relatable. The island and all the characters who live there were wonderful. The romance is sweet. There’s no spice but so much sweetness that anything more wasn’t really needed at all. Any fantasy romance fan will be pleased with this book I’m sure.

If you are looking for something to make you smile, remind you why reading can be so fun and for something light-hearted and whimsical, then look no further.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy. This book publishes on July 9th.

Synopsis

In the shadows of the forest, two shape-shifting kitsune prowl: Kuro, content with the solitude of the mountains, and his only ally Jaden, a demon with dark dreams for their future.

When a figure from Kuro’s past snaps a photograph of the demon fox, the kitsune are forced to leave their home behind and follow him to Asheville in a bid to prevent its publication.

But trouble has a way of accumulating around Kuro. When police secretary Caroline Lahey sees the kitsune from the top of her barn, she doesn’t hesitate to shoot. Captured, Kuro knows that killing her is his only chance at freedom…but it would also turn him into something he’s not, something that repels and disgusts him.

Someone like Jaden.

As Jaden tries to pull Kuro further into his world of violence, Kuro realizes he can no longer stomach the thought of bloodshed, but neither can he bring himself to reveal everything to Caroline. Forced to rely on her soul for his survival, his life becomes a precarious balancing act of hiding her existence from Jaden…and hiding Jaden’s violence from Caroline.

Soon, Kuro finds himself trapped by his own lies, and when his balancing act fails, Jaden knows that Kuro will do anything to protect the woman he’s fallen in love with.
Even, at last, kill.

A Black and Solemn Silence is a slowburn, paranormal, enemies-to-lovers urban fantasyand the first book in the adult Color by Numbers series. It includes adult themes and ends on a cliff-hanger. The Color by Numbers series is perfect for grown-up readers of the Gumiho duology and The Red Winter trilogy.

Review

This book is a debut novel following two kitsune; mythical demon-foxes from Japanese folklore. Kurt and Jaden have been inhabiting the human world for many years but know little about their own kind. They live on the outskirts of humanity, never really joining in fully. This story starts after Kuro accidentally gets photographed by someone and in an attempt to keep themselves hidden they work to get the photo back before it is shown to the wider world.

I loved the mix of elements the author used in this book. It has mythology, urban fantasy, romance, thriller and also mystery and crime elements too, as well as cosy feel to it at many points as well. That may sound like a bit of a chaotic mix, however the author really pulls it off. I loved the tone of this book overall, both cute and light while also having much darker undertones that keep driving the story forward.

The writing style was really captivating to me. The way the author writes the slow blend of the mythical world with the human world was great. The world building was done in a subtle way, without any feeling of confusion or overwhelm at any point. There are some great moments of description that I loved too.

Kuro is the main character and I loved following his turmoil and struggle with his internal conflicts throughout the book.

I’m looking forward to the next book a lot. Loved this one and would definitely recommend if any of the above elements I named appeal to you. An impressive debut novel for sure.

Synopsis

Ambitious Phi Hunter and perpetual lone wolf, Ex, finds his road to glory interrupted when a heavily pregnant runaway enlists his help to escape through the ghost-infested forest…

Ex, the youngest member of the Phi Hunters Order, has spent his life slaying the ghosts and demons of Suyoram Kingdom. While he takes great pride in his mystical trade, collecting dwindling bounties and peddling butchered spirit organs lacks the glory he craves. He’s determined to hunt down Shar-Ala, a demon of nightmares, of madness – who has eluded even Ex’s masters.

In a provincial village along the way, Arinya, a charming muay-boran champion, manages to save Ex him from a brutal ass-kicking, despite being nine months pregnant. In return, she asks him to escort her through the dangerous, spirit-filled forest, where ghosts salivate over the scent of the unborn.

Feeling responsible for Arinya’s safety, Ex vows to help her return home. But as more of Arinya’s secrets emerge, and the elusive demon nears, Ex must face dangers from both men and monsters, or lose not only the respect and sanctuary of his guild, but also the woman he’s trying not to fall in love with.

The Last Phi Hunter is a mythic dark fantasy, equal parts smart, exhilarating, and delightfully fun.

Review

The Last Phi Hunter follows Ex, the youngest and possibly last of the Phi Hunters. He hunts and banishes ghosts and demons across the land all the while in search of a ‘true demon’: a legendary creature whose defeat will earn him his full title and glory.

On his hunt he meets a young woman, pregnant and on the run. He ends up using prohibited magic to save her life and that of her child, and then becomes tied to her journey and her fate.

This is a debut novel that has a lot of elements that stood out to me. The world has a unique feeling, unlike many other books I’ve read recently. It is based a lot around Thai folklore, something I know nothing about. This didn’t affect my experience reading this book at all and I found myself intrigued and keen to know more about every detail, creature and element added to this world. The idea of the Everpresent was great as was learning about the spirits, demons and magic. The book also had a great tone; slightly humourous and light while also keeping the creepy, dark vibe. A great mix that I enjoyed a lot too.

The plot has some great twists and turns. It had a good pace and things flow into one another without much room to get bored. There were a few bits in the second half I found hard to follow at first, but nothing major. Just many details to keep track of perhaps.

I do think the characters could have used a bit more depth and focus at times. This was the only real area where this book lacked something for me. The book is quite plot driven and I felt a result of this was the character arcs could have had more time for them to settle and grow on me as a reader. Ex was an interesting one to follow, but he makes lots of odd decisions. I also didn’t quite feel the chemistry of the love story as strongly as I would have liked.

However, the fast paced plot and the great mythology more than made up for these minor misgivings. I enjoyed this book a lot.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.

Synopsis

The immortals of Ireland renew their ancient warfare as the new generations come to terms with their place in the world. Part of Shauna Lawless’s critically acclaimed Gael Song series, the novella Dreams of Fire introduces medieval Ireland as it was a century before The Children of Gods and Fighting Men.

Rónnat and Fódla are Descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann. They live a peaceful life with their aged warrior father in the north of Ireland. The Fomorians – age-old enemies of their kind – are thought to be battle-vanquished, for no conflict has been fought between their immortal races for generations.

But rumours of war and endless shifting allegiances mean that the Descendants’ position is not secure in the mortal world. There are powerful voices among the Descendants who want their kind to dwell permanently in strongholds hidden from mortals – threatening Rónnat’s love of freedom.

And the Fomorians, though greatly reduced in number, are far from vanquished. Led by their mighty prince, Balorach, the remaining Fomorians, with their gift of fire-magic, seek to destroy the Descendants.

The Descendants have the advantage of their own magical powers, and mighty warriors defend them… but if they cannot be beaten, why do the voices Rónnat hears on the wind speak of death and destruction?

Review

This is a prequel novella to the Gael Song series, which begins with Children of Gods and Fighting Men. The sequel, The Words of Kings and Prophets came out last year. This series has been one of my favourite mythology series recently so I was very excited to check this out.

This book tells a bit of the backstory of Fódla, one of the main characters in the novels, and her sister Rónnat. It can be read first in this series too so new readers could start here if they wish.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story we got in this novella. At just over 100 pages it is a short but interesting and very fun read. It gives you a glimpse into this world, full of Irish Mythology, fantastic characters and a great balance between intrigue and action. The author’s writing style is also wonderfully descriptive throughout this short book.

This book reminded me why I love this series so much and also why I love novellas so much. It does everything I would want a companion novella to do for a series, and it also stands as a great story on it’s own and a great intro to this world if you are a new reader.

Highly recommended.

Synopsis

Ulric, former war hero, has been living a quiet life of exile in the frontier city of Quinport and wants only to continue hiding from the mistakes of his past. But then he discovers the invention of a revolutionary new kind of rifle, and worse, the ruling Coalition discovers his identity. Rather than be blackmailed into service, Ulric goes to leave the city with the new rifles, but first he will need more money, or more help.

Enter Dellioph, no mere bard, who just arrived to Quinport and wants only to play his music and to keep his secrets. But trying to do both lands him directly in the path of one of the Coalition Chancellors, who wants to use Dellioph, and his secrets, for himself. Unable to scheme his way out entirely, Dellioph must choose to keep his secrets, his freedom, or his music. But when the choice is between anything and his music, it’s no choice at all.

And Gali, future chief of the Odagna, who wants nothing more than to save her people, even if that means forcing them to change. She disobeys her father, lies to her people, and travels to the Coalition city to learn how to do some of the things they do— making and using muskets foremost among them. But the people of the Coalition are not ready to accept the Teo, and Gali will be forced to learn the hard way that a renegade’s only friend is another renegade.

Meanwhile, two mysterious strangers from opposite sides of the world come hunting a sorcerer who has unbelievable power, a hunger for more, and dragons… but they are nothing like the stories.

Review

This story is the first in a flintlock fantasy story following several main points of view. We have Ulric, a former war hero who still works at small jobs here and there while also trying to keep secrets from his past hidden. Dellioph is a bard travelling through the kingdom and he also has a secret he’s trying to keep, one of the magical kind this time. And Gali is a young warrior from the Odagna who is head strong and wants to help her people survive their conflict with the coalition. There are some other characters too. The stories start off separate and slowly connect as the book goes on.

This is a character driven story that had me hooked from the beginning. The frontier that the story takes place in has lots of great history of the old world mixed in that we learn about. The old world meets new world vibe was really great in this. I feel like there will be more of this in future books but I loved what was set up here, especially with the prologue and Devo’s character.

I’m a character driven reader and I just really loved that aspect of this book. Dellioph, Ulric and Gali are all great to follow and were my favourites. Their stories are separate but from the start they all make their way to the same city so you can see that they will connect at some point. The author does a great job of keeping each story fun, easy to follow and also interweaves them all together while never sacrificing character development to do so. When they do all meet up things get really interesting and the action packed conclusion was a lot of fun.

There is the aspect of music and magic in this that I really loved and am so curious to see more of. Some of these parts were my favourite to read and I don’t think I’ve read a music scene in a fantasy book that I loved this much since I read The Name of the Wind. The author also takes care to include lots of great details such as well-written side characters, language barriers and even dealing with things such as racism, which could have easily been brushed over but having them added made this frontier world seem all the more deep and real. The balance the author creates between the overall threats of a world that is on the brink of technical expansions and the everyday hardships of life was also well done.

There are also so many things left open, particularly with Aari and Devo’s characters. I left this book really wanting to know more, and with this being a clear set up book I guess that means the author nailed it. I’m hooked for the next instalment in this series.

I loved this book and would definitely recommend it.

Synopsis

In a quiet tower, in a black stone keep, a new era of man had begun…

The Imperial Army has been routed.
Rebellion strikes in the Provenci homeland.
A champion is sent north to serve the Iron Queen with every intent on exacting her demise.
And the Successor of the All-Mother, champion of the known world, discovers her unfathomable powers as she is hunted through the Rapture by assassins of the dark.
As the war strides relentlessly on, and dark secrets hide in the shadows, the ruin of man will come, and it is proven just how far one will go – and how much blood will be spilt – to cling to whatever power they have left.

As the Horns of Grief rise, vengeance shall come, and the world will bleed in chaos…

Review

Grimdark isn’t my most read sub-genre of fantasy. It’s something I can read in small doses between other books. That being said I really enjoyed lots about this book. 

It continues on from book one in this militaristic story following the war between Provenci and Tarraz. We get four main POV’s all with different storylines. The story in this one increases the stakes and nothing is held back for these characters. It’s full of revenge, rebellion, military warfare, power struggles, politics, and plenty of monsters and demons that crawl from the shadows. This world is bloody, brutal and anybody’s head could be on the chopping block which made for an exciting story where I couldn’t predict what was going to happen. I enjoyed Cavara’s story, with the Forgotten One and learning about the rapture and all it’s possibilities. Jinx and Eli’s story was interesting and I felt this is where the book added the most heart, as I was just really rooting for them the whole time. I wasn’t expecting the battle to take the whole book but I liked it a lot. Revek continues to be so easily detestable. All the POV’s were different and interesting to follow. 

The writing style continues to be a highlight for me and one of the real strengths of this series. I’d love to see what’s next for Doble in his writing career. The style of writing is not too flowery but also has something about it that really makes it stand out from other debuts for me. It’s smooth and easy to follow while also drawing you in so deeply to the story in an entrancing way. Doble does a wonderful job at writing characters too, and especially at showing how everyone of them has both good and bad aspects.

The aspects I felt didn’t work for me were that certain characters continued to have some dialogue and thoughts that felt like ‘villainous monologue’ to me and this was something I didn’t love about book one as well.

A series with lots that really stands out from the crowd. If Grimdark is your thing or you feel like reading something with blood, gore and creatures from your nightmares, then check out this series.

Synopsis

William and Baldric were successful in trekking across the uncharted lands of the elves. After reaching the Viridian Veil and warning Lord Thinduill of Dadro’s deceit, they thought their journey had come to a close. But in truth, it had only just begun—and the more they descend into the battle for Cellagor’s fate, the more they’ll learn about their own mysterious pasts.

Preceding their arrival to the Veil, Avolin’s visions revealed that William and Baldric were tied to the Book of No Quarter. Upon learning this, Lord Thinduill insisted they accompany him to the elven capital of Leof Ealdwin. 

Meanwhile, Rhan is no more, and its ashen remains mark the beginning of a new age. Arnion’s sacrifice may have altered the fate of Cellagor, but his father’s resolve continues to be tested. In the north, houses have reunited once again, and the Braxi army slowly encroaches on the Unspoken Border. Talfryn remains the last standing house to refuse Dadro’s rule—but they must rekindle old alliances if they mean to survive further bloodshed. 

Word of Dadro’s victory over the elves continues to spread across the realm. Thousands have sworn their fealty to him, and whispers of a promising union linger on the horizon. But war does not come without its price. Dadro’s brother has yet to recover from the Battle of Rhan, and the pyromancer Aleister’s treachery remains unseen. With his ambitions still unknown, neither side is safe during this ushering in of a new age.

Review

This book is the second instalment in the series and follows on from A Sea of Cinders. It’s a fantasy series with a classic fantasy vibe that at times reminds me of LotR but the author has made it their own in every way. 

The world building in this book expands on things a lot from the first novel. There are wars, intrigue, politics, elven beasts, magic both good and evil as well a host of different character POV’s. 

One thing the author does well with the writing is making everything so easy to follow. The plot is both complex but also never difficult to wrap your head around. The writing style is easy to fall into for a beginner fantasy reader. There are quite a few point of views given and the author made each one have purpose and depth to add to the world and the story. This is a hard thing to balance and I think the author has done this well here. My favourite points of view were of course the main trio, as well as Krea and her brother Rowan. I loved how badass Krea was, and her strength and passion.

I remember loving the banter and relationships in the first book and there is plenty more of that here. The characters have clearly grown in the story and the friendship between Baldric, William and Gus continues to be great to read. It’s nice to see something so wholesome, and the found family vibe is strong. 

The action is well written too and was another highlight for me. The pacing was steady throughout the book and action was sprinkled in on lots of great occasions. Coupled with the character journeys, it was a really nice read. 

I loved my time with this book. Thanks to the author for the review copy.

This year I read over 100 books for the first time, and while number based reading goals don’t mean a whole lot to me, reading that many in one year was something I never expected to accomplish.

Here are some of my top reads of the year. Since it’s not officially over yet there could be a late comer that swoops in (like there was last year) but here are some of the most memorable reads, that I still find myself thinking about. (These are in no particular order).

The Poison Song was one of the first books I read this year. The entire trilogy was fantastic but if I had to pick one of the three this one would be it. A unique world, a well-crafted story with memorable characters and a stunning ending. Not quite like anything I’ve read before.

Yumi captures everything I love about Sanderson as an author. It’s a great example of why I think he is a fantastic story teller. This book was such a comfort read and a new favourite among his many great books for sure.

This Japanese-inspired Indie fantasy debut blew me away. It’s got so many great elements; elemental magic, martial arts, familial bonds, the struggles of motherhood, breaking out of societal constraints, and so much more. It was everything I could ever want from a story. I find myself still thinking about this book so often. *Pssst… it’s also a standalone*

Two books from the same author on the list? Damn right! ML Wang might just be my author of the year. This book blew me away in a different but equally memorable way. This story has dark academia vibes and is a high fantasy story with strong themes of nature vs industry, revenge, prejudice and legacy. Lots of heavy stuff that gives a pretty decent emotional gut punch, but oh was it so good. Also another standalone!

When I started this book I wouldn’t have guessed it would make this list. It was a slow beginning with a bit of world building to get my head around. But a little trust in the author paid off and I’m still thinking about this book months later.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Despite the mixed reviews this quartet gets, I personally loved it so much. This book in particular. The setting, the world building, the character’s individual journeys, the changes of heart, Hobb’s wonderful writing… just gimme it all. Oh and the dragons!

Steam punk, fantasy, band of misfits, rogues and vagabonds, with vibes that remind me of Indiana Jones and Full Metal Alchemist, plus of course the heists… tell me all of that combined doesn’t sound like a damn good time? Such an underrated series.

This book is everything a sequel should be. It adds so much to this already wonderful story and world. It’s an epic fantasy story following three siblings set on a world where magic users can harness the power of the sun.

Does it feel weird to be mentioning Sarah J Maas on this list? A little, I’m not gonna lie! I have such a love-hate relationship with her writing. However, I’d be lying if I didn’t put this book on the list as a mention because it really was one I loved a whole lot. I loved the style it was written in and more authors should really write novellas like this as additions to their longer series. This book also hit me right in the face with all the sadness and feels…. totally unexpectedly. And for that alone it deserves a mention. I guess I’m turning into a reader who really loves to get her heart broken.

This series is top of my list of ones to continue next year. This book has so many great elements that I love in books; great characters, great friendships, banter, heart, well written action, a great story and just a whole lot of fun.

Synopsis

Alise, an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane, wants nothing more than a life of freedom in the forest she loves.

Charged with the murder of her lover, Alise is convinced she has been framed. Motivated by this belief she manipulates, cheats and steals her way out only to be captured by a mysterious acquaintance, who claims his intentions align with her own. Together, they embark on a path of betrayal that distorts the very fabric of her reality.

Alise is thrown into a realm unlike anything she’s ever imagined. A world of opulent balls and fanciful inventions that defy the laws of science. As an outlawed trespasser, she must choose between a certain death or accepting aid from The Colony’s most feared lieutenant—the very man who betrayed her heart. Bound by their shared secret, they are forced to work together and play their roles perfectly lest they be discovered and executed for their crimes.

Will Alise ever be free and return to her beloved forest? Or will she be swallowed whole by this strange new world?

How the Fox Runs is a mind-bending journey between fantasy and reality where new worlds are discovered in a distant reflection of our own. Perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab, Stephanie Garber and Erin Morgenstern.

Review

This book was so surprisingly delightful. I went into this book purely based on the vibes I got from the cover and few basic ideas. No synopsis. And I am so glad I did. Sometimes not knowing what to expect really is the best way to go and this was definitely one of those cases.

How the Fox Runs is a captivating, beautifully written story that I was intrigued by from the prologue until the last page. I loved how unique the story felt. It’s a fantasy story, with romance, a cottage in the wilderness, a strong FMC, a MMC who is a bit of a grumpy cinnamon roll, as well as steampunk vibes. There are a handful of fun tropes as well such as enemies to lovers, ‘on the run’, hidden identity, found family and military elements too.

I could never predict where this story was going to go and I loved that about it. Every turn of events had me eager to keep reading. At several points I thought I had things sussed out but then bam! Something else happens entirely and it was wonderful and unexpected and oh so intriguing.

We follow Alise Fox as the main character and when we meet her she is in a pretty bad place, both physically and mentally. What I loved most about Alise was her strength. Not the typical fantasy heroine strength you might first think of, but her strength of mind, her tenacity, her passion and her heart. She has all sorts of things thrown at her and is dealing with so much but she faces it all and never gives up. All she wants is her freedom and it comes to her in the form of a mysterious stranger who she is not sure what to make of. The journey she is thrown into leads her to question everything she thinks she knows about her reality. It’s the story of two strangers who work together and go on a journey of healing and discovery.

The side characters are all wonderful as well, and there is a great found family vibe once you get to know everyone. The epilogue leaves things hanging in many ways, but there is no awful cliffhanger to deal with, just many questions left unanswered and so much intrigue and emotion, that I need the next book…asap! The prose of the story was wonderful. Beautiful and poignant without being too flowery or over the top. The range of emotions Alise goes through as she deals with everything in her life is handled so well. I loved how real and raw she felt as a character.

My only minor improvement suggestions would be that I did wonder why Alise didn’t ask more questions about who framed her and why they did so, but that could very well be coming in the next book and didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy with romance, or someone looking for a unique and wonderfully crafted story. Thank you to the author for the ARC copy. This book releases on Nov 21st.