Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Review: A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene

 

A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene
Orbit
Publication Date: March 12th, 2024
Paperback. 496 pages.

About A Feather So Black:

"In a kingdom where magic has been lost, Fia is a rare changeling, left behind by the wicked Fair Folk when they stole the High Queen's daughter and retreated behind the locked gates of Tír na nÓg.

Most despise Fia's fae blood. But the queen raises her as a daughter and trains her to be a spy. Meanwhile, the real princess Eala is bound to Tír na nÓg, cursed to become a swan by day and only returning to her true form at night.

When a hidden gate to the realm is discovered, Fia is tasked by the queen to retrieve the princess and break her curse. But she doesn’t go with her is prince Rogan, Fia's dearest childhood friend—and Eala’s betrothed.

As they journey through the forests of the Folk, where magic winds through the roots of the trees and beauty can be a deadly illusion, Fia’s mission is complicated by her feelings for the prince…and her unexpected attraction to the dark-hearted fae lord holding Eala captive. Irian might be more monster than man, but he seems to understand Fia in a way no one ever has.

Soon, Fia begins to question the truth of her mission. But time is running out to break her sister's curse. And unraveling the secrets of the past might destroy everything she has come to love."

A Feather So Black is an entertaining fantasy featuring fae, changelings, and a Swan Lake/folktale inspiration. 

What I liked: I really enjoyed exploring the fae land of Tír na nÓg and learning about the world-building created for this story, as well as how Selene incorporated elements of folktales. Fia was an interesting character that I initially worried would end up seeming a bit cliche'd and stereotypical, but ended up being a great character and I'm glad I gave her a chance. Rogan felt a bit more predictable to me, but I still enjoyed seeing where his story took him, and Irian added further layers to the narrative that I liked exploring. I also loved the inclusion of various Celtic mythology elements and think they were such a vital and well-incorporated part of the novel. I thought the romance aspects were well written, and despite seeming important to the story, didn't actually end up feeling overwhelming. There's a bit of a love triangle, but I think it was handled surprisingly well and didn't leave me feeling frustrated. 


What I didn't like: One of my main issues is with the pacing, as I felt the middle portion of this book could have used a little bit of trimming. A large reason for this is because Fia and Rogan didn't seem overly capable of the tasks they were set out to accomplish, so because of that and the general setup where they can only visit the fae world once a month meant there wasn't always all that much going on a lot of the time as they waited for each monthly visit. I would also say that this wasn't necessarily the most groundbreaking or compelling with regard to the fae elements included in this book, but as mentioned earlier, I think the Celtic mythology aspects really added a lot of vibrancy to the story. 

Overall, I found A Feather So Black to be a perfectly enjoyable fantasy with some really lovely writing. I look forward to reading more from Lyra Selene! I've given it 3.75 stars.


*I received a copy of A Feather So Black in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org


Friday, March 15, 2024

Review: The Cloud Roost (Jekua #5) by Travis M. Riddle

The Cloud Roost
 (Jekua #5) by Travis M. Riddle
Independently Published
Publication Date: March 12th, 2024
Paperback/Ebook. 630 pages.

About Cloud Roost:

"Balt Vana is going to do the unthinkable: imprint a legendary Jenu.

That's his plan, anyway. His grandparents might not be dead on Pakree after all, and he needs a Jenu's Warp magic to reach the island.

Complicating matters is the Facet, the shadowy organization stealing the Church's Veptilos. With them continuing to make moves, setting up a new base and preparing their Summoners for one final assault, Balt has to move fast.

Ascending the mountains and imprinting the Jenu at its peak will be the hardest thing Balt and his friends have ever done. When they reach the top, it's possible they might not even succeed.

And in all likelihood, they won't."

As usual, I won't include any spoilers for The Cloud Roost, but there will likely be some spoilers for the first 1-4 books as I recap some of what has happened before, so do be aware! I have reviews for books 1-4 up on my blog as well, so feel free to visit any one of those if you aren't at book five yet.

The Cloud Roost continues the tumultuous journey we've thus far embarked upon with Balt, Alani, and all the friends they've made along the way. After their encounters with the Facet on Yuluhu Island and some discoveries made about Alani's abilities, the gang are now on Kou Tekkis where Balt and his cousin, Wasaaru, have decided that their best shot at saving everyone on Pakree is to imprint a legendary Jenu, Sawarestao–no big deal, since people imprint enormous legendary Jenus everyday, right? (In case you missed it, that was sarcasm. It's actually a huge deal and not something people do everyday.) With this daunting task in front of them, the group begins to prepare, which includes preparation for hiking the mountains of Kou Tekkis to even reach the place where Sawarestao resides.

We once again meet up with Balt, Alani, Niona, Aeiko, and Brine for the journey, only this time we add Wasaaru, Balt's cousin, to the group. This group has been through so much together and it's been a ride to watch them all grow and develop from it. The evolution of Balt and Wasaaru's relationship has been one of my favorite things to see in this series, as it's not something I necessarily expected, but has turned out to be a very natural and engaging development. I feel like this falls in line with a lot of the general growth we've seen Balt experience throughout this series, as he has really matured a lot in this relatively short but seemingly long period of time. It's been a joy to see that growth occur not only in regard to his skills as a Summoner, but also within his personal views and relationships with those around him. Wasaaru has also seemingly matured a lot over the times we've seen him, and it's been interesting to see how the two make amends and relearn how to be something close to friends. 


Alani has been struggling with her place in the church, and this continues as she nears the final Veptilo on her pilgrimage and must come to terms with where she stands. This has been a storyline that I've been really drawn to, not just because I think it's shown a really great example of character growth and development, but also because I feel I can somewhat relate to some of the struggles she has experienced. Her realization that the church has been something she's been a part of largely due to it providing her something to do and somewhere to live, but not necessarily because she feels passionately about it is a type of complacency that I think a lot of us can empathize with. It's extremely daunting to consider striking out on your own when you don't have any idea what else you might want to do, and I've loved watching Alani undertake this journey of discovery, no matter what she ends up choosing to do and whether it's with the church or not. 

Niona has recently been offered representation by an agency for her Summoning career, which has really boosted her spirits and offered some additional insight into what it could be like to be a Summoner in this world. I've really liked her casual, 'go get 'em' type of attitude that I think acts as a strong foil to characters like Alani who are a bit more inhibited and law abiding. There's honestly a little something for everyone in all of these characters. 

Aeiko and Brine continue to be some truly stalwart companions on this trip and I always appreciate their contributions. I've loved watching Brine slowly develop a bit of personality and loyalty, and Aeiko's support to the group–both moral support and support due to their intelligence–has been critical to the group's success. I'm excited to see where things go with these two in the final books. 

And just when you think you've already met an abundance of Jekuas, there are even more introduced in this book. The majority of the Jekuas we come across in this book are those that reside in the mountains of Kou Tekkis, and they seem to be on an entirely different level than those we've met in different locations. These Jekua are larger, more aggressive, and much more dangerous, which really puts everything Balt, Niona, and Wasaaru have been learning and practicing to the test. I really enjoyed seeing these three work together in some pretty high stress situations to take down some of the largest Jekua threats we've come across in this series. 

I'd also like to touch on the world-building, as I've truly enjoyed how Riddle has allowed his characters and readers alike to explore different areas of this world on a journey together. I love that the entire plot setup has built in the need to visit all the different islands and explore the different cultures, landmarks, food, Jekuas, and much more that inhabit each place. There's always something new to explore and in so many different settings that it's made it a joy to be a part of the ride.

This choice to have our characters moving around and exploring different places has also allowed the pacing to remain fairly consistent and never really allows for boredom because there's always something new to check out with each book. I've mentioned multiple times in previous reviews how much fun I've had with this series and how easy it's felt for me to really become immersed in this vibrant and exciting world, and that remains true for The Cloud Roost. There is a perfect mix of downtime, character development, thoughtful discussions, and of course plenty action with Jekuas that makes it work as a really well balanced book and series. Everything is finally fully setup for the final installment and I am both eager and a little sad to know that (hopefully) everything will be figured out and settled by the end of the next book. But I absolutely cannot wait for the rest of this adventure!

Overall, it's another unsurprising but well-deserved five stars from me for The Cloud Roost! If you haven't started the Jekua series yet then you probably shouldn't have read this review, but you should  start reading this series because it's an adventure that's full of heart, extraordinary friendships, vibrant world-building, captivating creatures, enthralling battles, endless twists, and timeless journeys of discovery.


*I received a copy of The Cloud Roost in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon 


Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Vanishing Station by Ana Ellickson, Lake of Souls by Ann Leckie, & A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland

    

 Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.

The Vanishing Station by Ana Ellickson
Publication: April 30th, 2024
Amulet Books
Hardcover. 368 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"Eighteen-year-old Filipino American Ruby Santos has been unmoored since her mother’s death. She can’t apply to art school like she’s always dreamed, and she and her father have had to move into the basement of their home and rent out the top floor while they work to pay back her mother’s hospital bills.

Then Ruby finds out her father has been living a secret life as a delivery person for a magical underworld—he “jumps” train lines to help deliver packages for a powerful family. Recently, he’s fallen behind on deliveries (and deeper into alcoholism), and if his debts aren’t satisfied, they’re going to take her mother’s house. In an effort to protect her father and save all that remains of her mother, Ruby volunteers to take over her dad’s station and start jumping train lines.

But this is no ordinary job. Ruby soon realizes that the trains are much more than doors to romance and they’re also doors to trafficking illicit goods and fierce rivalries. As she becomes more entangled with the magical underworld and the mysterious boy who’s helped her to learn magic, she realizes too late that she may be in over her head. Can she free her father and save her mother’s house? Or has she only managed to get herself pulled into the dangerous web her father was trapped in?
"

I think this book had me at "a secret life as a delivery person for a magical underworld." This sounds so creative and interesting, I can't wait to check it out!


Lake of Souls by Ann Leckie
Publication: April 2nd, 2024 (US)
Orbit
Hardcover. 416 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke award-winner Ann Leckie is a modern master of the SFF genre, forever changing its landscape with her groundbreaking ideas and powerful voice. Now, available for the first time comes the complete collection of Leckie's short fiction, including a brand new novelette,  Lake of Souls.

Journey across the stars of the Imperial Radch universe.

Listen to the words of the Old Gods that ruled  The Raven Tower.

Learn the secrets of the mysterious Lake of Souls.

And so much more, in this masterfully wide-ranging and immersive short fiction collection from award-winning author Ann Leckie.
"

I haven't read all of Ann Leckie's different worlds in her works, but I've read a few and I'm excited to check this out, especially with the inclusion of a new novelette.


A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
Publication: April 9th, 2024
Dell
Paperback. 352 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"Once a young woman uncovers a dark secret about her neighbor and his mysterious new wife, she’ll have to fight to keep herself—and the woman she loves—safe in this stunning queer reimagining of the classic folktale The Selkie Wife.

When a sharp cry wakes Jean in the middle of the night during a terrible tempest, she’s convinced it must have been a dream. But when the cry comes again, Jean ventures outside and is shocked by what she discovers—a young woman in labor, already drenched to the bone in the freezing cold and barely able to speak a word of English.

Although Jean is the only midwife in the village and for miles around, she’s at a loss as to who this woman is or where she’s from; Jean can only assume she must be the new wife of the neighbor up the road, Tobias. And when Tobias does indeed arrive at her cabin in search of his wife, Muirin, Jean’s questions continue to grow. Why has he kept his wife’s pregnancy a secret? And why does Muirin’s open demeanor change completely the moment she’s in his presence?

Though Jean learned long ago that she should stay out of other people’s business, her growing concern—and growing feelings—for Muirin mean she can’t simply set her worries aside. But when the answers she finds are more harrowing than she ever could have imagined, she fears she may have endangered herself, Muirin, and the baby. Will she be able to put things right and save the woman she loves before it’s too late, or will someone have to pay for Jean’s actions with their life?"

I'm always drawn to reimaginings of folktales, and this sounds like it'll be a really fascinating read. 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Review: The Bitter Crown by Justin Lee Anderson

 

The Bitter Crown (Eidyn #2) by Justin Lee Anderson
Orbit
Publication Date: December 5th, 2023
Paperback. 560 pages.

About The Bitter Crown:

"A war once held in the shadows now escalates into full-scale revolution in the second novel of Justin Lee Anderson’s epic Eidyn Saga. The fog of war is lifted and the conspiracy at the heart of Eidyn finally exposed. Now that they know the truth, Aranok and his allies must find a way to free a country that doesn’t know it’s held captive. But with divided loyalties and his closest friendship shaken, can their alliance hold against overwhelming odds? The quest to retake the country begins here."

I was blown away by The Lost War when I read it last year, and–like most people–I was completely shocked by the twist at the end which left me dying for the sequel and left The Bitter Crown a lot to live up to. Fortunately, The Bitter Crown was an excellent sequel and continued the story with consistency and intrigue to almost match the first book.

The Bitter Crown picks up not too far from where The Lost War left off and we’re thrust right back into the world with all the characters we know from the first book. I won’t say specifically what the big twist from the first book is because it’s honestly a very substantial spoiler/twist that I would really hate to ruin for anyone, but this sequel generally deals with the fallout of that big twist and what happens next. All of our characters must now decide what to do about the conspiracy they’ve uncovered, and not everyone agrees on just what to do or how to treat certain players involved, whether on their team or not.

I’ve really enjoyed following and getting to know all of the different characters and perspectives in this series, but I will say that there were quite a few times in The Bitter Crown that I felt exceptionally frustrated by some choices that were made and some of the arguments that arose between characters. Some of this made sense, as I’m sure there would be a lot of tension and conflicting opinions on how to handle things, but sometimes it just felt more generally annoying than critical to the plot.

We also see major development occur with each character we follow, largely because of a major event from The Lost War that occurs and means that big changes are, essentially, inevitable. It was interesting to watch everyone come into their own and rediscover who they are, what their motivations are, and where they stand on many different situations. I also appreciated that there was a lot of exploration of moral ambiguity among the characters and that I think really fits well with the rest of the story and general themes explored in this series so far. Loyalties are definitely tested and there are a lot of different types of ties between people explored and tested, and I especially appreciated that so many of the outcomes from these tests were varied and unexpected at different times.

The Bitter Crown felt very much  like a second book in a series and I don’t mean that in a negative way, as it did exactly what it was supposed to. There was an abundance of time spent figuring out how to deal with the immediate fallout from what happened in the first book and it felt incredibly realistic with how everyone opted to move on. There continues to be an immense amount of political intrigue and machinations occurring in every corner of this world, and I’ve liked the many different explorations of power and approaches towards handling things.

Anderson's pacing in The Bitter Crowns leans to the slower side, which allows readers to really immerse themselves in the characters’ internal struggles and intricacies of the world-building. There was a lot of planning going on in this book that I enjoyed getting to spend time on, as it allowed for a lot of introspection into the characters as well as further exploration of the world itself. That being said, there was still plenty of action and plenty of time spent progressing the plot and preparing us for the third book and what I’m sure are many more crazy things to come.

Overall, I’ve given The Bitter Crown four stars! While I didn’t love this one quite as much as The Lost War, this has been a really thrilling fantasy series and I’m absolutely hooked to find out where Anderson will take the story next.


*I received a copy of The Bitter Crown in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org


Monday, March 11, 2024

New Release Spotlight: All Our Yesterdays: A Novel of Lady Macbeth by Joel H. Morris

Today I'm delighted to share with you all a spotlight for Joel H. Morris' new release, All Our Yesterdays, out tomorrow, March 12th! This is a debut historical fiction novel that follows the life of the young Lady Macbeth years before the events of Shakespeare's play takes place. I was shocked that this was Morris' debut novel, as it is both ambitious and excellently executed with engaging and eloquent prose. Below, you'll find some information about the book including a brief a synopsis, some early praise, and some additional information about the author. Be sure to have a look–and happy reading!


ABOUT ALL OUR YESTERDAYS:
Author:  Joel H. Morris - Website
Pub. Date: March 12th, 2024
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pages: 363

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop.org  


SYNOPSIS:
A propulsive and piercing debut, set ten years before the events of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, about the ambition, power, and fate that define one of literature’s most notorious figures: Lady Macbeth


Scotland, 11th Century. Born into a noble household and granddaughter of a forgotten Scottish king, a young girl carries the guilt of her mother’s death and the weight of an unknowable prophecy. When she is married at fifteen to the Mormaer of Moray, she experiences the violence of a sadistic husband and a kingdom constantly at war. To survive with her young son in a superstitious realm, she must rely on her own cunning and wit, especially when her husband’s downfall inadvertently sets them free.

Suspicious of the dark devices that may have led to his father’s death, her son watches as his mother falls in love with the enigmatic thane Macbeth. Now a woman of stature, Lady Macbeth confronts a world of masculine power and secures the protection of her family. But the coronation of King Duncan and the political maneuvering of her cousin Macduff set her on a tragic course, one where her own success might mean embracing the very curse that haunts her and risking the child she loves."


Early Praise:
“[A] beautiful interpretation, which is so rich in its descriptions and well-crafted characters. . . A most enjoyable setup for the Scottish play.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“All characters are drawn with inventiveness and depth. . . Entirely illuminating. . . [A] beautifully realized tale of a daughter, mother, and wife ultimately at the mercy of Fate’s unknowable interventions.” – Booklist

“A gorgeous evocation of a mother and son in a prison of their own too-powerful story, All Our Yesterdays is a triumph of both research and imagination, a heartbreaking and revelatory read.” – Jennifer Croft, author of The Extinction of Irena Rey

“Intriguing. . . Crisp, no-nonsense prose conveys the narrative’s gathering darkness [and] Morris intelligently explores the era’s gender dynamics. . . [An] entertaining prequel to Shakespeare’s complex and haunting tragedy.” – Publishers Weekly

“[A] wonderfully atmospheric novel. Morris drops the reader into a fully realized 11th-century world with all the sights and sounds. Carefully chosen words and small details shape this fearful and foreboding world. . . [A] rich study of one of the most vilified literary characters.” – Historical Novels Review

“As sharp and cutting as an obsidian dagger, Joel H. Morris’s All Our Yesterdays dives deep into Lady Macbeth’s backstory, replacing desire with fear, calculation with grief, and loss, not ambition, as the spark that ignites her bloody journey. You’ll never read Shakespeare’s play the same way again.” – Liz Michalski, author of Darling Girl

About the Author:
(bio from author's website)

Joel H. Morris is the author of All Our Yesterdays, his debut novel. He has worked most recently as an English teacher and, for the past twenty years has taught language and literature. He is the recipient of a year-long Fulbright Research Scholarship for archival research in Germany. Prior to earning a doctorate in comparative literature, he spent several years as a bookseller before joining a small maritime expedition company as a sailor. His essays, translations, and stories have appeared or are forthcoming in Lit Hub, Electric Literature, Crime Reads, Michigan Quarterly Review, Copper Nickel, Pembroke Magazine, and others. He lives in Colorado.



Friday, March 8, 2024

The Friday Face-Off: Current Read #25

                  Friday Face Off New

 Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme at Books by Proxy. Join us every Friday as we pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.  You can find a list of upcoming topics at Lynn's Books.


This week's topic is:
Current Read #25

I recently saw The Last Yakuza by Jake Adelstein on sale and decided to check it out because why not learn more about the yakuza? I've been really enjoying it so far and have been pretty hooked by Adelstein's nonfiction accounts and in-depth research into not only the culture and lifestyle of the yakuza, but also various area of Japanese culture. Adelstein covers a history of the yakuza through a biography of sorts about Makoto Saigo. If you're ever in the mood for some nonfiction, this has been a great choice so far!

     
2023 US Paperback | 2018 French 

     
2018 Polish | 2017 French

     
2016 US Hardcover | 2023 US Kindle

My choice(s):
I think these are all pretty great covers! I'm particularly drawn to the two French editions (I think the first one at least is evoking the art style of the traditional tattoos), as I find the artwork captivating.  I also like the different US versions and think they bring something interesting to the mix of as well. Which cover(s) do you like the most?

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Mini-Review: Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan

 

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan
Orbit
Publication Date: February 27th, 2024
Paperback. 448 pages.

About Fathomfolk:

"Welcome to Tiankawi – shining pearl of human civilization and a safe haven for those fleeing civil unrest. Or at least, that’s how it first appears.

But in the semi-flooded city, humans are, quite literally, on peering down from skyscrapers and aerial walkways on the fathomfolk — sirens, seawitches, kelpies and kappas—who live in the polluted waters below.

For half-siren Mira, promotion to captain of the border guard means an opportunity to reform. At last, she has the ear of the city council and a chance to lift the repressive laws that restrict fathomfolk at every turn. But if earning the trust and respect of her human colleagues wasn't hard enough, everything Mira has worked towards is put in jeopardy when a water dragon is exiled to the city.

New arrival Nami is an aristocratic water dragon with an opinion on everything. Frustrated by the lack of progress from Mira's softly-softly approach in gaining equality, Nami throws her lot in with an anti-human extremist group, leaving Mira to find the headstrong youth before she makes everything worse.

And pulling strings behind everything is Cordelia, a second-generation sea-witch determined to do what she must to survive and see her family flourish, even if it means climbing over the bodies of her competitors. Her political game-playing and underground connections could disrupt everything Nami and Mira are fighting for.

When the extremists sabotage the annual boat race, violence erupts, as does the clampdown on fathomfolk rights. Even Nami realises her new friends are not what they seem. Both she and Mira must decide if the cost of change is worth it, or if Tiankawi should be left to drown."

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this debut fantasy novel from Eliza Chan. The first thing I have to touch on, however, is how absolutely gorgeous I think the cover for Fathomfolk is–it's truly a work of art! Fathomfolk takes place in a world where humans and fathomfolk live together in a very tense, fractious environment that has led to much unrest and poor living conditions for fathomfolk who have suffered as a result of the humans' actions. 

What I liked: I loved the setting of a semi-submerged city and all the different fathomfolk that inhabit this world, including sirens, kelpies, seawitches, and more. I thought the world-building was incredibly expansive and rich, with a lot of complexity to it that made it something I was constantly curious to learn more about. That being said, this also ended up being a bit of a con as well, which I'll get to later in this review. I also thought there was some well-written real-world commentary on topics such as social hierarchies, socioeconomic issues, privilege, and poverty. I appreciated that there were POVs from different characters in very different roles in this world, which added important varying perspectives and allowed readers to see different aspects of the world.

What I didn't like: As mentioned, the world-building was rich and complex, but unfortunately this at times ended up feeling as though the author just tried to do a bit too much in one book that wasn't quite big enough for it all. As much as I appreciated the differing POVs, I also felt that there were a bit too many characters to keep track of overall and I lost interest during certain POVs that just didn't grab my attention, which caused the pacing to feel a bit disjointed at times as well. I think this book had a lot of potential and it certainly is an impressive debut, but I often felt like there were just a few too many ideas thrown in at once and it could've been pared down a bit in places or expanded in others. 

Overall, this was a very promising debut and although I think this book could've used a bit more cohesion, I'd definitely be curious to read more set in this world or from this author as the creativity was really top notch. I've given Fathomfolk three stars. 


*I received a copy of Fathomfolk in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org