It’s been a while! Let’s do a WWW Wednesday post. This book blogger meme is hosted by Taking On a World of Words.
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What are you currently reading?
Ashlords
Untitled Duology Book One
by Scott Reintgen
Published 21 January 2020
by Crown Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 368
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!
Every year since the Ashlords were gifted phoenix horses by their gods, they’ve raced them. First into battle, then on great hunts, and finally for the pure sport of seeing who rode the fastest. Centuries of blood and fire carved their competition into a more modern spectacle: The Races.
Over the course of a multi-day event, elite riders from clashing cultures vie to be crowned champion. But the modern version of the sport requires more than good riding. Competitors must be skilled at creating and controlling phoenix horses made of ash and alchemy, which are summoned back to life each sunrise with uniquely crafted powers to cover impossible distances and challenges before bursting into flames at sunset. But good alchemy only matters if a rider knows how to defend their phoenix horse at night. Murder is outlawed, but breaking bones and poisoning ashes? That’s all legal and encouraged.
In this year’s Races, eleven riders will compete, but three of them have more to lose than the rest–a champion’s daughter, a scholarship entrant, and a revolutionary’s son. Who will attain their own dream of glory? Or will they all flame out in defeat?
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I just signed up for the upcoming blog tour for the sequel earlier this week, hoping to review it in February through TBR & Beyond, so I snagged the first book on Libby to get ready. I’m loving this book! It’s part equestrian fiction, part YA dystopia, part western, and part medieval-esque fantasy. Even if I’m not chosen for the tour, I’ll be reading the sequel as soon as I can!
What did you recently finish reading?
A Bridge to Love
by Lee Colgin
Published 7 December 2020
by NineStar Press
Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance
Page Count: 108
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!
Everyone knows a proper troll must never leave his post. Arlo is thrilled to have his own bridge to guard, though it’s a lonely job. A troll should enjoy being alone, but Arlo has never been very good at being a troll. He longs for companionship, but guards that secret like he guards his bridge.
Toby, a cheerful wolf shifter, serves as a messenger between villages. When his route is suddenly blocked by a fearsome troll, he must charm his way across the bridge. Little does he know, he’s charming his way into Arlo’s heart as well. But Toby has his own secrets he dare not reveal.
As the season’s fly by and the holidays approach, their friendship blooms and begins to flourish into something more. But can Toby risk his heart for a troll bound so tight to duty? Will Arlo leave his bridge for love?
A Bridge to Love is an MM Fantasy Romance featuring an adorable gay troll and the sweet wolf shifter who falls for him. Tropes include friends to lovers, slow burn, and hurt/comfort. Sappily ever after guaranteed!
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I was approved for the eARC of this title on NetGalley slightly after publication day, so I got to it late, but what an adorably perfect little book this is! I loved it so much! 5 stars, review coming to the blog soon.
The Hazel Wood
The Hazel Wood Book One
by Melissa Albert
I’ve been curious about this one for a long time and I finally had time to listen to the audiobook through Libby earlier this week. Unfortunately the main POV character is a whiny brat who insists on calling her mother by her first name and judges everyone she meets instantly, harshly, and superficially. I DNF’d it, though I may be willing to give it another chance some time far in the future when I have the time to be patient with Alice. Also, the narrator pronounces “Alice” like “Ellis,” and the mother is “Ella,” so this got really confusing.
A Curse of Roses
by Diana Pinguicha
Published 1 December 2020
by Entangled Teen
Genre: YA Fantasy, Own Voices, LGBTQIA
Page Count: 352
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!
With just one touch, bread turns into roses. With just one bite, cheese turns into lilies.
There’s a famine plaguing the land, and Princess Yzabel is wasting food simply by trying to eat. Before she can even swallow, her magic—her curse—has turned her meal into a bouquet. She’s on the verge of starving, which only reminds her that the people of Portugal have been enduring the same pain.
If only it were possible to reverse her magic. Then she could turn flowers…into food.
Fatyan, a beautiful Enchanted Moura, is the only one who can help. But she is trapped by magical binds. She can teach Yzabel how to control her curse—if Yzabel sets her free with a kiss.
As the King of Portugal’s betrothed, Yzabel would be committing treason, but what good is a king if his country has starved to death?
With just one kiss, Fatyan is set free. And with just one kiss, Yzabel is yearning for more.
She’d sought out Fatyan to help her save the people. Now, loving her could mean Yzabel’s destruction.
Based on Portuguese legend, this #OwnVoices historical fantasy is an epic tale of mystery, magic, and making the impossible choice between love and duty…
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I read this one for a blog tour with YA Bound Book Tours and rated in 4 out of 5 stars.
Mages Unbound
Fifth Mage War Book Two
by Laura Engelhardt
Published 18 November 2020
Genre: Paranormal Women’s Fiction
Page Count: 450
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!
It’s ironic to find out your whole life has been a lie when you’re married to a truth-teller.
If only Mary could find some humor in it. But when her little sister, Cordelia, shows up on her doorstep, she’s finally ready to sift through the fiction that’s been her reality for the past fifty years. To find out what it truly means to live in a world of magick.
Her epiphany can’t come too soon because not only do her siblings need her, Mary’s restart may be the only thing that can save the world from an utter melt-down (and not just the emotional kind).
While Mary and Cordelia grapple with faeries and the FBI in America, their brother Thomas is trapped in a high-stakes game of mage politics in Australia. Back in Boston, Amy can’t even see through the fog of magick to button up her own blouse.
Can Mary pull herself together in time to rescue her family from the coming war?
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I read both Sirens Unbound and Mages Unbound during the Mages Unbound blog tour with iRead Book Tours. I rated them 4 and 5 stars, respectively, and I’m now hoping to be chosen for an ARC or tour when book 3 comes out!
What do you think you’ll read next?
All Bags Go to Cleveland by C.S. Hale – Blog tour with Goddess Fish Promotions, Dec 29
Bolder Blindsided by Janice Tremayne – Blog tour with Goddess Fish Promotions, Jan 1
The Hush Sisters by Gerard Collins – Blog tour with Silver Dagger Book Tours, Jan 5
One of the Good Ones by Maika Moulite & Maritza Moulite – ARC publishing Jan 5 (HarperCollins Teen)
Lava Red Feater Blue by Molly Ringle – ARC publishing Jan 5 (Central Avenue Publishing)
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