Fantasy

Three Dark Crowns

Posted on by The Novel Girl

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Author: Kendare Blake

Series: Three Dark Crowns

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 398

 

Every generation brings a new set of triplets to Fennbirn; a set of triplets born with three distinct types of magic. This generation brought Mirabella- the elemental (and the sister considered to be the strongest in this generation), Katharine- the poisoner (considered weak, although the poisoners have ruled for generations), and Arsinoe- the naturalist (also considered weak, but possibly hiding a secret). Each of these triplets is an equal heir to the crown. The catch: they must fight to the death to win the right to rule. The fight begins the night that the sisters turn sixteen, and ends when only one sister stands. Who will rule this new generation?

This is a YA novel, that reads like the beginning of a good high fantasy series. It is layered with a huge cast of characters, that I was concerned may get a bit bogged down at the beginning. Blake, however, did a wonderful job of separating out the most important primary and secondary members of the cast, and giving them the attention needed to allow the reader to know them and formulate opinions about them. The world building was phenomenal, especially for the world that was needed in this novel. The story was very intense from the beginning. It did start out a bit slow for me, but it continued to build and got better and better as it went on. It ended on a fantastic cliffhanger, and I need the sequel right now!

The Possession (Book 1 Secret Journals)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

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Author: J.D. Spikes

Genre: YA Paranormal/Fantasy

Publisher: Lachesis Publishing

Pages: 212

 

Daphne Wentworth is a tall, red-headed seventeen-year-old who is spending two months living at the Maine light house that her Aunt Dwill is the keeper of. She doesn’t have much experience in the dating area, as she has always been a bit awkward around boys. While helping her aunt prepare the light house property for the 200th celebration, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Zach Philbrook. Zach is a local Micmac boy who works helping her aunt around the property. As they work alongside each other, the two teens find themselves drawn closer together. The closer they become, though, odd occurrences begin happening to the two of them. The spirits of their ancestors, Vincent and Ro, who were lovers generations before them have begun possessing the two of them in order to solve the mystery behind their deaths. This is not the first time that this has happened, but will they be the ones who will finally solve the mystery and allow Vincent and Ro’s souls to rest in peace?

The Possession brings us a brand new type of story in an incredibly hot genre! I love my typical paranormals as much as the next girl, but it is always fun to find a story that brings something new to the table, and this story definitely did that. The characters are easy to fall in love with, as they are well fleshed out fairly early in to the story. The world is well built, with a great back story, and you can tell that the author did her research well. The scenes are beautifully described, and easy to visualize. One of the things that I really loved about this book, though, is what it did not have. As someone who loves, and reads a ton of YA novels, I have noticed the trend shift to the majority of them having more mature or “adult themed” situations in them (which, for the record, I have no problem with!). I am not naïve enough to believe that teens are not aware of, or even involved in, some of these situations/behaviors. However, it is nice to read a beautifully written story that, while it did have some sexual overtones in a couple of the scenes, did not have any content in it that any parent would have to be concerned about their fourteen-year-old reading. In that regard, Spikes’ writing was a breath of fresh air. I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and look forward to the next installment immensely!

 

Ink and Bone (The Great Library, Book 1)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

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Author: Rachel Caine

Series: The Great Library

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: NAL

Pages: 368

 

The extraordinarily powerful Great Library now controls all of the information in the world. They use alchemy to deliver the content of books to “blanks”, but no one is allowed to own physical copies of these books. Jess’ family thrives on the black market trade of illegal books. While he believes in the library, he has been forced in to his family’s trade from a young age, while soaking up all of the knowledge that he can from their illegal cache. He obtains a prestigious place with The Great Library, where he is testing to be in their employ. He has a secret, though: his family’s. He was sent there to be a spy, and help in his family’s trade. This is a position that Jess has always wanted, and as he undergoes his training and testing, his loyalties are tested. His friend, with his unknowing advice and help, creates a machine that could put the Library out of business, and Jess finds out just how ruthless the Library can be when it is challenged.

Guys! I could not put this book down, once I finally got around to reading it! I wish that I had moved it higher on my tbr! It has great characters, who all have some depth to them. I can’t wait to see where Caine takes them in the next book! The world building was fantastic. It really felt like I could visualize where they were, and what they were doing. This series has a wonderful plot, and it feels like it is building up to something even greater. I have the next book in the series on my shelf, and it will be coming up soon!

Cruel Crown (Red Queen Novella)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Cruel Crown cover

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Series: Red Queen

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 208

 

Cruel Crown is a novella published between the first and second book in the Red Queen series. It is comprised of two very different stories, that follow two women who were present and active in the Red/Silver world well before the time brought to us in Red Queen. The first story, Queen Song, tells the story of Cal’s mother, and King Tiberias’ first wife, Queen Coriane. This story is told through her journal entries, so we get to see the world through her eyes. It tells of her early struggles, her fears, and the birth of her new prince. The second story, Steel Scars, tells a very different story. It tells of Captain Farley’s life in the resistance, through the time that she comes upon Mare. This story is told from her POV and though coded transmission.

If you are a fan of Red Queen, you will find these two prequel stories very interesting. They take us a bit deeper in to the red/silver world, with a sort of “behind the scenes” look in to these two very different, but very strong, women. I loved being able to get a little bit of a back-story on Captain Farley’s time in the resistance before the original novel started, as she was a bit of a mystery. It was also incredibly interesting to read of Queen Coriane’s life, and her early struggles before she was crowned queen. I enjoyed the platforms in which these two stories were told, as well. It made them seem more real and fresh to me. If you liked Red Qeen, in encourage you to read this novella. You won’t regret it!

Blood Curse (Blood War Cronicles, Book 2)

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Author: Quincy J. Allen

Series: Blood War Chronicles

Genre: Steampunk/Fantasy

Publisher: WordFire Press

Pages: 254

 

So, obviously this starts where Blood Ties left off (if you haven’t read it, what are you waiting for?!). Jake and the gang made it back to San Francisco, where they have a huge battle in Chinatown. Now he is trying to get back to Denver with his package. This is going to be no easy trip, though, as he and the package are still being hunted down. As they are on their way, the airship gets shot down, and they make way to a new (pretty fantastic- well done Mr. Allen, well done!) place. Another battle breaks out- enter Pandora Celtica, a new and incredible character with some fabulous attributes to bring to the table. I can’t tell you more, as it would ruin all of the fun for you!!

I am so excited to be able to finally share this new installment! It was just as, if not more, awesome than the first. The characters that I loved from the first installment were just as amazing, and those strong female characters that I mentioned before were just as strong in this book. The new characters (whom I think that you will absolutely love!) were all as well developed as the returning cast. This book was filled with a ton of great action and wonderful battles, as well as some more sobering moments (Jake’s flashback from the army hospital comes to mind) that only stand to deepen your love for these characters. As with the first, I pretty much read this though in one sitting. The storytelling here is superb! If you love steampunk (or just want to try it for the first time!) and great storytelling, I highly recommend this series!

It’s out now, so pick it up!!

https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Curse-Book-War-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B01GGDLX64/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466606945&sr=1-1&keywords=blood+curse+quincy+allen

Fallen

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Fallen cover

Author: Lauren Kate

Series: Fallen

Genre: Fantasy/YA

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pages: 464

 

Luce has been ordered to attend Sword & Cross boarding school after an incident with the first boy that she kissed. When she arrives, the reform school is worse than she expected it to be. It is full of psychopaths and major screw-ups. When she first sees Daniel Grigori he feels familiar, like she has seen him before. Daniel, however, makes it abundantly clear that he wants nothing to do with her. She is drawn to him, even as the handsome and charming Cam is trying to build a relationship with her. She is determined to find out what Daniel is hiding, and she recruits her new friend, Penn, to help her figure him out. She must know the truth, no matter the cost.

I read this book for the first time a few years ago, and enjoyed it. I got sidetracked, and never went back to the series, so I decided to give it another try. I actually enjoyed it a bit more this time than I did the first time that I read it. The characters are pretty well fleshed out, and the world building is pretty decent. The concept of the storyline is good. It’s not my favorite YA fantasy, but it was an enjoyable read, overall. I’m looking forward to finishing the series, and seeing where the story goes.

 

The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo, Book 1)

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The Hidden Oracle cover

Author: Rick Riordan

Series: The Trials of Apollo

Genre: Fantasy/Mythology/YA

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Pages: 385

 

This story begins a little bit after the events in The Blood of Olympus (PJO/HOO series), and Zeus is pissed! He blames the events that occurred in HOO and the Oracles not working on Apollo. As punishment, Zeus sends Apollo to Earth…as a sixteen-year-old mortal boy (with a whack name and acne, much to Apollo’s chagrin). This has happened to Apollo when he angered his father before, so he has a good idea of what is to happen. He will be claimed by a demi-god, and bound to serve them and endure the unknown trials before him, until his father is satisfied that he has repented for his wrongdoing. Unfortunately for him, he is claimed by a demi-god that we haven’t met yet…Meg. As he has many enemies (of all types…monsters, Gods, etc.) he knows he must go to Camp Halfbood where he will be safe and can get some help. That’s where things get really interesting. There is no oracle to give a quest that desperately needs to be give, and campers are disappearing. They must figure out what is going on, before they are all killed.

I cannot tell you how happy I was to see some of the same characters from PJO/HOO in this book! It was like seeing old friends after a long time. The new characters, and characters that we didn’t see very much in the preceding series’, are greatly developed in this first book. Although this is the start to a new series, and can certainly be read alone, I strongly recommend read PJO/HOO first, so that you get the backstory and understand the references being made in this book (also, I just recommend that you read them because they are a lot of fun!) There is a small reference to The Sword of Summer, when Percy says that Annabeth is in Boston for a family emergency, so we know that this is taking place at the same time as that book. Overall, this is another fun read from Uncle Rick! I always enjoy his writing style and humor, and I hope that you do, as well!

An Ember in the Ashes (Book 1)

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An Ember in the Ashes cover

Author: Sabaa Tahir

Series: An Ember in the Ashes

Genre: Fantasy/Dystopian

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 464

 

In a world built in the image of ancient Rome, no one challenges the Martial Empire. The penalty for such is death, most likely after a period of torture. The Scholars have been forced in to poverty and/or slavery after the Empire overtook them. Martial parents look forward to the day when their children have the chance to be accepted in to Blackcliff, the school which trains them to become Masks, the enforcers and assassins.

Laia is a Scholar girl, living with her grandparents after her parents (who were Scholar Resistance leaders) were caught and killed by the Masks. They live a peaceful existence, even though they are in poverty, by caring for the ill and making jam. That is until the Masks show up at their house to arrest her brother for treason. They kill her grandparents, arrest her brother, and burn their house down. With her whole family gone, Laia turns to the Resistance to help her rescue her brother before he is killed. Their price: she must go undercover as a slave to the Martial Empire to get information for them. Once inside, she meets Elias- the most skilled soldier in Blackcliff. Although highly trained and skilled, all Elias wants is to be free. He has no desire to be a Mask for the Empire. After a series of harrowing events, Laia and Elias find that they must depend on each other if they are to survive.

An Ember in the Ashes is a wonderful and engaging high fantasy that will leave the reader hungry to know what happens next. The world building is top notch, and the character development continues to grow throughout the story. Each of the characters, even the secondary ones, are like slowly peeling an onion. Each layer becomes stronger as you find out more about them. As the first in the series (thankfully there are more to come!), this novel will leave the reader hungry to find out what happens next!

The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

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Author: Rick Riordan

Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

Genre: Fantasy/Mythology/YA

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Pages: 512

 

Since his mother’s untimely death, two years ago, Magnus Chase has been a homeless kid surviving on the streets of Boston. When his sixteenth birthday comes around, Magnus is tracked down by the uncle that his mother warned was dangerous to him. When his uncle finally catches up with him, he tells Magnus a secret that he can scarcely believe: he is the son of a Norse god. He finds it hard to believe, until he is attacked by a fire giant while trying to call the Sword of Summer and ends up in Valhalla. Now it is time for Magnus to do his part (with a little help from his friends) to prevent Ragnarok, but to do so he must face his greatest fear.

Confession: I adore Rick Riordan! (I am actually re-reading the entire Percy Jackson series this year) His stories are always well written and entertaining. His world building is always spot on and easy to imagine, and the characters are always well developed. This first novel in the Magnus Chase series is no exception! I didn’t get in to it and begin is quickly as I did the PJO-HOO series, but after a few chapters I sped through the rest of it. I fell in love with these characters and their stories, and I loved that Annabeth made a couple of appearances (note the last name, you PJ fans!). I’m hoping that this will allow for a little cross-over now and then! All in all- if you are a Riordan fan, you will love this series, too!

Unwilling Souls (Unwilling Souls, Volume 1)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Unwilling Souls cover

Author: Gregory D. Little

Series: Unwilling Souls

Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Pages: 346

 

Ses is the daughter of two of the most influential and powerful individuals left, after the war ended and the gods were imprisoned in the planet’s core. No one can know that, of course, as her parents are now rivals and she is their little secret- half of each of the rivaling factions. She is living in the middle of the planet, learning how to be a smith, when the attack happens and she must flee before she is found out. Once she is on the run, she realizes that her parents, who have all but abandoned her, may be the only ones that can save her now. What will she find once she is on the run, though? Are there secrets about her life and her world that are darker than her lineage?

This was recommended to me by an author whom I definitely trust to give book recs, and I’m glad that he threw this one out there! I can honestly tell you that this novel has some of the most creative and beautiful world building that I have read in quite some time. The way that the author depicts his world, you can really see the hollowed center of the planet, the magma, the bright oranges and reds, the cities in the skeletons of the giant animals. It is truly beautiful to read. The story itself was very different than anything that I have read before (which is saying something in my book!). It was gripping, and I didn’t want to stop reading it. I am thankful that it was recommended to me, and I am looking forward to the next one!