Cover Reveal: The Moonlit Woods by Eliza Tilton

Happy weekend my fellow bookworms!

I wanted to share with you a new book that is coming out that I am excited to read: The Moonlit Woods by Eliza Tilton. This is an adult fantasy romance novel that you can jump into once it is released on January 18, 2022! Ms. Tilton has stated that it will be book 1 out of 5, but it can be read as a standalone novel. 

Here is the official blurb and cover release:

When marriage or death are your only options, you break all the rules.

Rosalie is sold to the magistrate of Farrow's Gate to compete in a marriage competition. If she wins, her home is saved. If she loses, she’ll be forced to work off her family’s debt in an undisclosed location.

But the magistrate won’t just marry any human. He wants a mate whose magic rivals his own, and Rosalie can’t ever reveal just how powerful she is. In the world of Saol magic is regulated, and if the Magi Council discovered what she is, it won’t just be her life at risk.

Her only chance of escape is with the magistrate’s bodyguard, Baine: a dark, too handsome fae, and one who has no interest in helping a human girl.

Until one night in the moonlit woods when everything changes, and suddenly Rosalie is torn between what she wants and what is right.

Losing the competition means death, winning means the death of others, and Rosalie is out of time. If she doesn't choose soon, someone will do it for her.

Save it to your Goodreads profile and/or pre-order it on Amazon today. I cannot wait to read it!

~*~

Happy fall everyone! I am happy for the change of the season, as fall is such a beautiful time and it means there is so many new books coming out. What are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time! Stay safe and happy reading! :)

The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night

Hello Fellow Bookworms,

Today I have a fantasy novel review for you! When I received the book in the mail, I was very excited! The author, D.E. Night, has a beautiful website to showcase her book, The Crowns of Croswald, with an equally intriguing story blurb. The book reminded me very much of Harry Potter, with some elements of Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella thrown in. If you are a fan of any of these stories, The Crowns of Croswald is definitely for you! Take a look at the book trailer here.

(c) Stories Untold Press, D.E. Night

We begin with a character named Derwin Edgar Night (Get it? D.E. Night?), who is a scrivenist - a type of person who has magic and writes down every discovery he or she discovers. This could be something new, history in the making, sketching, etc. A scrivenist is paired with a person of royal status, as the two are the only types of humans to hold magic, whether it be internally (scrivenists) or via crown stones (royals) - sorry for you muggles out there! Derwin is about to go meet his royal counterpart, when chaos unfolds and the readers are then thrown to the beginning of the main plot and character, of Ivy Lovely. Ivy Lovely works as a scaldrony maid, a type of maid who works with scaldrons, or dragons who bake food/desserts in their mouths for humans to then eat. We learn that Ivy has only one friend, a dwarf  named Rimbrick, and loves to daydream, sketch, and read. She longs to leave her life of being a maid and go with her friend Rimbrick back to his homeland that is filled with magic. Little does she know, her wish comes true when she is fired from her position, finds out that she herself has magic within her, and her friend Rimbrick is nowhere to be found! He provides her with instructions and money to start a journey out of her old life and into her new, and it is then that she is visited by a cab that brings her to a school where she can learn her full potential - a school for scrivenists! Here, she begins to become more of herself, growing, learning, and figuring out what lies ahead for herself. While she has a knack for trouble, she is even better at making good friends and finding new discoveries and adventures.

The book is recommended for ages 8 - 12, though I would go older than that and say it is more of a young adult book. The world building took a bit of time to become accustomed to, as I quite felt like Alice in a world I knew nothing about (similar to Ivy!). The language is a bit difficult for younger readers, as there were a few words even I had to look up as they are not common language. Even so, Ms. Night has a way with words that wraps you up into a new world of fantasy adventure that captures you! I really enjoyed the story and honestly did not put the book down until I was finished! There's magic, mystery, (a little) love, friendship, dragons, libraries, and a good ending to make way for part two. 

The Crowns of Croswald is a whimsical fantasy that will be sure to sweep you off your feet. I am going to go on a bookstore search this weekend and pick up myself a copy of the sequel, The Girl with the Whispering Shadow!

Until next time!

(c) D.E. Night

About the author, D.E. Night (visit her website here and her blog here)

D.E.  Night is compelled to write and discover the world of Croswald, much like any scrivenist! The magic of imagination propels her to sit down at her desk and write everyday. She loves dreaming up whimsical creatures and steampunk machines, but hates outlines. Currently at work on the third book in the Crowns of Croswald Series, Night recharges by taking trips to Disney World, taking long baths, and spending time with her family and friends. Fans can connect with D.E. Night on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

The Wrong Foot by Stephanie Burgis

(c) Stephanie Burgis and Daily Science Fiction

The Wrong Foot is a cute twist on Cinderella, and the perfect size for a quick winter read! 

Have you ever read the story of Cinderella and wondered just how the shoe could fit just one person out of the whole kingdom? No? Well, I have and this story plays into the scenario perfectly! Our heroine, Sophia, has come into the predicament of fitting the shoe that was lost at a ball at midnight. Her mother is ecstatic that her daughter will become royalty, the prince is thrilled to find his long-lost love, and Sophia is utterly...miserable. What is one to do, when one prefers reading and studying to the politics of court? Read The Wrong Foot to find out - you can find it online here!

Stephanie Burgis always has great stories lined up, which is why she is one of my favorite authors! If this short story tickles your fancy, I highly recommend her other works, such as Snowspelled, which is for older audiences. If more YA is to your taste, I definitely recommend the adorable, dragon-filled story, The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart, or the series that introduced me to Ms. Burgis, Kat, Incorrigible.

Photo: Stephanie Burgis (Press Kit)

About the Author (from her website):

Stephanie Burgis grew up in East Lansing, Michigan, but now lives in Wales with her husband and two sons, surrounded by mountains, castles and coffee shops. She writes fun MG fantasy adventures and has published five so far, including The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart (Bloomsbury 2017), The Girl with the Dragon Heart (Bloomsbury 2018) and the Kat, Incorrigible trilogy (published in the UK as The Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson). She also writes wildly romantic adult historical fantasies, including Snowspelled (2017), Spellswept (2018) and Masks and Shadows and Congress of Secrets (Pyr Books 2016). She has published nearly forty short stories for adults and teens in various magazines and anthologies.

Storm Raven by K Hansen

Yo-ho-ho, how is it already the end of July? I love summer, but it calls for some exciting reads. I have been in a pirate mood lately (anyone for sailing?), so please read on for my latest book review.

Storm Raven by K. Hansen is a thrilling, action-packed pirate adventure! A mix of Pirates of the Caribbean, Les Miserables, and a bit of one of my favorite pirates series growing up, Bloody Jack! Storm Raven holds its own and will become a series to watch progress.

Neredya is most at home on a ship at sea. A young captain of the ship the Storm Raven, she her days stealing from the rich, only fighting if necessary. Unfortunately, Neredya bites off more than she can chew with one heist and ends up captured by the government, torn away from her crew, to navigate to the Shattered Sea. Her crew, on the other hand, gets sent to the mines, where they will toil away for the rest of their days. Here, the story splits between Neredya and her first mate Brynja, who seems a little more than bitter at not having the title "Captain." Neredya promises to save her crew, no matter what, and undergoes unexpected changes in doing so. Without spoiling the book, we are left at the end of a beginning of a war in which Neredya and her crew want to not be a part of, but in order to save the innocent people of their land and to escape Commander Erhan's constant following and promises to defeat them (Javert complex, anyone?), they may just have to battle it out in the upcoming sequel! 

Storm Raven was not what I expected. Once started, it grips you until the very end. The characters focus on two strong women, who can hold their own, no matter the circumstance. I was curious if there was going to be any romance, but there was none in this book. Only adventure, piracy, and a bit of the supernatural, which makes Storm Raven a really fun read. The level of detail and descriptions really add to the scenes. Add a bit of the Pirates of the Caribbean score and the beach, and you will feel right at home. I highly recommend reading this first book in the series--I know I cannot wait to read what happens next. I guess it is a pirate's life for me!

Photo: Emily Conroy At Love & Cupcakes LLC

About the Author (from his website):
K Hanson is the author of The Azrael Initiative, a thriller, and Storm Raven, a fantasy novel. He’s currently working on the second books for both series.

K lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he works as a software developer. In his spare time, when he isn’t writing, he enjoys reading, working out, playing video games, and spending time with his wonderful fiancee, Bobbi.

Some of his favorite authors are Tom Clancy, George R. R. Martin, and Sarah Maas.

The Underwater Ballroom Society

By: Stephanie Burgis, Ysabeau S. Wilce, Y. S. Lee, Iona Datt Sharma, Jenny Moss, Cassandra Khaw, Laura Anne Gilman, Shveta Thakrar, Patrick Samphire

A collection of stories by many fabulous and talented authors, The Underwater Ballroom Society focuses on one unifying theme: an underwater ballroom. From the dancing princesses, a martian female detective/spy, the fairy realm (in combination with some rock and roll, of course), to a creepy circus, you will find many fun and satisfying short reads. They will make you laugh, they will make you contemplative, and they will make you want to visit an underwater ballroom of your own. 

What sparked my interest in the book was a few things. First, I loved reading the series of books by two of the authors listed, namely Stephanie Burgis (Kat Incorrigible, The Dragon With a Chocolate Heart,  Snowspelled) and Y.S. Lee (The Agency Series). Second, how romantic and mysterious would plots be if they were to each feature an underwater ballroom? The stories are a must for those who love fantasy, mystery, romance, and adventure. I highly enjoyed reading The Underwater Ballroom Society and have now found new authors to enjoy! 

The Underwater Ballroom Society takes its name from the real life story of the Witley Park "underwater ballroom" (you can read more on this via Atlas Obscura here). Through a conversation between authors Tiffany Trent and Stephanie Burgis, they sparked an idea to create a collection of stories featuring an underwater ballroom. More authors joined in the conversation, each wanting to take part in such an endeavor, thus creating the masterpiece that is now available for your reading pleasure. 

If you would like to find out more about the authors, please visit them at their individual author sites below:
 
Ysabeau S. Wilce
Y.S. Lee
Iona Datt Sharma
Tiffany Trent
Jenny Moss
Cassandra Khaw
Stephanie Burgis
Laura Anne Gilman
Shveta Thakrar
Patrick Samphire
 

Philosopher's Crystal: Treacherous Terrain of Tassatarius by Marcin Dolecki

(c) Mustang Press and Marcin Dolecki

The Philosopher's Crystal is a philosophical fantasy that will pull you in, leaving you with the knowledge of several philosopher's basic ideals. Originally written in Polish, I read the translated English version and did not notice any discrepancies that would take away from the story. 

Our story begins with a bit of background from the all mighty Tassatarius, emperor of a land that despises his rule. He likes to play games with those who work for him, and is quick to sentence those who displease him to death. With curfews, forced political beliefs, and little rights for his citizens, people have been trying to break free from his power, but no one has yet been successful.

The story flashes to our main character, Philip, whose parents have been arrested for owning books and believing in other political beliefs than those demonstrated by Emperor Tassatarius. Philip just turned twenty, the legal adult age for those who live in his land, and is worried that the emperor will come after him next. He unexpectedly meets a girl named Julia, who was oddly around his home just before curfew hit. Taking a chance and being kind, Philip allows Julia to stay the night, even though the two are strangers. From here, the plot picks up quickly, and the pair are thrown into a time-traveling plot that (oddly enough) transports them to different famous philosophers from throughout time! Traveling to Roman Africa, Amsterdam, and even an Indian jungle, Philip and Julia meet Augustine of Hippo, Descartes, and Shankara--philosophers who willingly share their wisdom and views. This book has an ending that is more reality-based than fantasy, so take the plot as is and have fun with it!

The author, Marcin Dolecki, is an admirer of brevity, or the "concise and exact use of words in writing or speech," as stated in his foreward to the Philosopher's Crystal. This is important to know, as it helps sets the tone and pacing of the story. Mr. Dolecki's writing is very to-the-point, which benefits the reader when it comes to our main characters encountering famous philosophers. The explanations of each philosopher's ideals is short and elaborated with questions and counter-points from both Philip and Julia. The writing demonstrates knowledge without the jargon you may hear from a lecture or read in textbooks. It felt a bit like going back to school, which I mean in the fondest way possible. If I were in a philosophy course, I would want to read the Philosopher's Crystal as either part of my coursework or as a supplement to understanding basic ideals. I hope to read more philosophy fantasy books from Mr. Dolecki in the future!

If you enjoy debating the ideas of life and philosophy in general, and enjoy a thrilling, fast-paced story, then this is the book for you!

Photo by Beata Wysokińska (2014)

About the Author (from his website):

Marcin Dolecki is a philosopher (MA), chemist (MSc), and historian of chemistry (PhD).

He works as an educator at the Antonina Leśniewska Museum of Pharmacy (a division of the Museum of Warsaw). He gave lectures on the history of chemistry and philosophy at the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Warsaw.

He is an enthusiast of cycling, and has visited Italy, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine on his bike. He is also a big fan of ancient cultures, history of Ethiopia, and of vintage buses.

Snowspelled by Stephanie Burgis (Coming Soon): It will put a spell on you!

Snowspelled by Stephanie Burgis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Snowspelled by Stephanie Burgis (Coming Soon): It will put a spell on you!

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Romance

This novella is a quick read, a must for readers who follow Ms. Stephanie Burgis! I received a copy for reviewing purposes in exchange for my honest feedback.

Reading Snowspelled felt like dipping my toes into a pool - I know the book is short, but I want more! Luckily, more is what will come to be. Snowspelled is Book 1 of the Harwood Spellbook series, and I will definitely be looking forward to more stories on our lovely heroine and her equal partner/hero.

I loved that Ms. Burgis made her heroine able to think her way through her own problems and stand up to others with conviction! It is refreshing to see a strong female lead without a dystopian-type plot. Ms. Cassandra Harwood, as we are introduced, knows much about magic in a world where the women practice politics and the men practice magic. There is much intrigue with her background, as we are introduced to her story by the acknowledgement that something bad has recently happened to her personally, as well as the fact that she is no longer engaged to be married! But, what is a woman to do when a former finance makes his reappearance? Cause a little drama, because you know the book would not be as fun without it!

In all? I really enjoyed reading this book. While understanding that this is book one, I am looking forward to more of a world building experience in the next book. Snowspelled was a great introduction to the characters that I hope to grow closer to in upcoming books, it certainly left me questions about why certain things are run the way they are.



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