Posted November 9, 2023 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments
Spirit of the Wood by
Kristen Britain Series: Green Rider #7.5 Publisher: Penguin Random House,
Penguin,
Daw (2023 (November 7))
ARC,
eARC (208 pages)
Via: NetGalley Rating: Also by this author: Green Rider,
First Rider's Call,
The High King's Tomb Also in this series: Green Rider,
First Rider's Call,
The High King's Tomb Synopsis
This short novel set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Green Rider series tells the backstory of fan-favorite character Laren Mapstone
Perfect for longtime Green Rider fans eager for more of the world or new readers discovering the realm of Sacoridia for the first time, this action-packed, feminist fantasy is a must-read for lovers of the genre.
After years of leading the battle against the vicious Darrow Raiders, Lieutenant-Rider Laren Mapstone has built a fortress around herself to conceal her emotions and the deep scars she carries. When she is made mentor to Tavin Bankside, a Green Rider trainee on his first message errand, her cold and brooding exterior quickly earns her the moniker the “Ice Lady.”
Only after Laren is severely wounded in an attack on the North Road by a gang of bandits—including some former Darrow Raiders with vengeance on their minds—do the fortress walls fall. Even as they seek refuge from danger in a Rider waystation, Tavin’s natural empathic gift leaves him vulnerable to the assault of the lieutenant’s emotions. Tavin must save Lieutenant Mapstone’s life and master his empathic gift before it destroys them both.
However, an ancient power lurks deep within the Green Cloak, and its aid or hindrance could mean survival for the Riders or the downfall of Sacoridia and all the free lands.
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Tagged as 4 star, Read 2023
Posted October 21, 2020 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments
The Winter of the Witch by
Katherine Arden Series: Winternight #3 Publisher: Del Rey (2019)
eBook (384 pages)
Via: Library Rating: Also by this author: The Bear and the Nightingale,
The Girl in the Tower Also in this series: The Bear and the Nightingale,
The Girl in the Tower Reading Challenges: Read 2020 Synopsis
Following their adventures in The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, Vasya and Morozko return in this stunning conclusion to the bestselling Winternight Trilogy, battling enemies mortal and magical to save both Russias, the seen and the unseen.
Now Moscow has been struck by disaster. Its people are searching for answers—and for someone to blame. Vasya finds herself alone, beset on all sides. The Grand Prince is in a rage, choosing allies that will lead him on a path to war and ruin. A wicked demon returns, stronger than ever and determined to spread chaos. Caught at the center of the conflict is Vasya, who finds the fate of two worlds resting on her shoulders. Her destiny uncertain, Vasya will uncover surprising truths about herself and her history as she desperately tries to save Russia, Morozko, and the magical world she treasures. But she may not be able to save them all.
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Tagged as 5 star, Read 2020
Posted September 18, 2020 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments
The Girl in the Tower by
Katherine Arden Series: Winternight #2 Publisher: Del Rey (2017)
eBook (363 pages)
Via: Library Rating: Also by this author: The Bear and the Nightingale,
The Winter of the Witch Also in this series: The Bear and the Nightingale,
The Winter of the Witch Reading Challenges: Read 2020 Synopsis
The magical adventure begun in The Bear and the Nightingale continues as brave Vasya, now a young woman, is forced to choose between marriage or life in a convent and instead flees her home—but soon finds herself called upon to help defend the city of Moscow when it comes under siege.
Orphaned and cast out as a witch by her village, Vasya’s options are few: resign herself to life in a convent, or allow her older sister to make her a match with a Moscovite prince. Both doom her to life in a tower, cut off from the vast world she longs to explore. So instead she chooses adventure, disguising herself as a boy and riding her horse into the woods. When a battle with some bandits who have been terrorizing the countryside earns her the admiration of the Grand Prince of Moscow, she must carefully guard the secret of her gender to remain in his good graces—even as she realizes his kingdom is under threat from mysterious forces only she will be able to stop.
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Tagged as 5 star, Read 2020
Posted September 2, 2020 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments
Isaiah's Legacy by
Mesu Andrews Series: Prophets and Kings #3 Publisher: WaterBrook Press (2020)
eARC (400 pages)
Via: NetGalley Rating: Also by this author: The Pharaoh's Daughter,
Miriam,
Isaiah's Daughter Also in this series: Isaiah's Daughter Reading Challenges: Read 2020 Synopsis
The drama of the Old Testament comes to life as Judah's most notorious king ascends to the throne in this gripping novel from the award-winning author of Isaiah's Daughter.
At eight years old, Shulle has known only life in a small village with her loving but peculiar father. When Uncle Shebna offers shelter in Jerusalem in exchange for Shulle's help tutoring King Manasseh, Judah's five-year-old co-regent who displays the same peculiarities as her father, she's eager to experience the royal court. But Shulle soon realizes the limits of her father's strict adherence to Yahweh's Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and their power.
Convinced Judah must be freed from Yahweh's chains, she begins the subtle swaying of young Manasseh, using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When King Hezekiah dies, twelve-year-old Manasseh is thrust onto Judah's throne, bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry the girl he adores. Assyria's crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward cruelty, beginning Shulle's long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she'd never known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh's mother: Isaiah's daughter, the heartbroken Hephzibah. Amid Judah's dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord's promise, "Though we're helpless now, we're never hopeless--because we serve El Shaddai." Shulle is among them, a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah's legacy.
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Tagged as 4 star, Read 2020
Posted December 26, 2017 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments
Isaiah's Daughter by
Mesu Andrews Series: Prophets and Kings #1 Publisher: WaterBrook Press (January 2018)
Paperback ARC (384 pages)
Via: Blogging for Books Rating: Also by this author: The Pharaoh's Daughter,
Miriam,
Isaiah's Legacy Also in this series: Isaiah's Legacy Synopsis
In this epic Biblical narrative, ideal for fans of The Bible miniseries, a young woman taken into the prophet Isaiah's household rises to capture the heart of the future king.
Isaiah adopts Ishma, giving her a new name--Zibah, delight of the Lord--thereby ensuring her royal pedigree. Ishma came to the prophet's home, devastated after watching her family destroyed and living as a captive. But as the years pass, Zibah's lively spirit wins Prince Hezekiah's favor, a boy determined to rebuild the kingdom his father has nearly destroyed. But loving this man will awake in her all the fears and pain of her past and she must turn to the only One who can give life, calm her fears, and deliver a nation.
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Tagged as 5 star, Blogging for Books, Read 2017