Book Shelf: Twice Dead (The Necromancer's Song #1) by Caitlin Seal

Naya, the daughter of a sea merchant captain, nervously undertakes her first solo trading mission in the necromancer-friendly country bordering her homeland of Talmir. Unfortunately, she never even makes it to the meeting. She's struck down in the streets of Ceramor. Murdered.

But death is not the end for Naya. She awakens to realize she's become an abomination--a wraith, a ghostly creature bound by runes to the bones of her former corpse. She's been resurrected in order to become a spy for her country. Reluctantly, she assumes the face and persona of a servant girl named Blue.

She never intended to become embroiled in political plots, kidnapping, and murder. Or to fall in love with the young man and former necromancer she is destined to betray.

More info on Goodreads....


Review:

Twice Dead is Caitlin Seal’s debut novel and is a luscious and delightful fantasy novel perfect for fans of Susan Dennard and Maria V. Snyder!

The daughter of a sea merchant trader, Naya is undertaking her first solo mission in the necromancer friendly country of Ceramor near her homeland when she is struck down on her way to meet an associate. Murdered in an alleyway, death is not the end for Naya as she awakens a wraith--a ghostly creature bound by runes carved into the bones of her former corpse. Brought back by a necromancer, Naya is recruited to be a spy for her native country and assumes the identity of a servant in order to discover political secrets. Becoming involved in kidnapping and murder isn’t what she signed on for and neither is betraying the young man she’s become to care about. Naya is soon struggling to see out with her mission, but with things not what they seem, the danger to those in Ceramor may be bigger than she ever anticipated…..

I was really impressed with Twice Dead, the first novel in what will be The Necromancer’s Song series by Caitlin Seal. Twice Dead was beautifully written and well-paced, introducing readers to a fantastic paranormal fantasy world of magic and resurrection. The world within the novel was well constructed and the concept of necromancy and the way people were resurrected and tied to their bones through runes and bonds were intriguing. It was fresh concept on Seal’s part and I think it was implemented wonderfully.

The heroine of Twice Dead, Naya, comes from a land that considers the undead monsters and those that resurrect them messing with what the Creator intended. It was intriguing to follow her through her transition from an ordinary girl who wakes up as something she has always thought an abomination to being comfortable in who she now is. Loyal to her country to a fault and a product of the society she was raised in, Ceramor and its inhabitants open Naya’s eyes to the true nature of the undead; making for a lot of confliction and inner turmoil as Naya wages a battle against herself and what she has been taught to be believe.

Personally I liked Naya and thought she was easy to follow. Naya wants to do the right thing and make her father proud, however as the novel progresses she learns a lot and begins to question what she has always known. It’s the growth in Naya that I really appreciated. She shows a lot of promise as the protagonist as she begins to master her abilities as a wraith and embrace who she is.

Naya’s lifeline to her new reality as a wraith comes in the form of Corten, a former necromancer and fellow wraith who helps Naya learn how to harness her abilities and how to survive her needs. Corten becomes a friend to Naya and of course romance blossoms between the two. Honestly, I thought Corten and Naya were really sweet as a couple. They connected well and there was as innocence and sweetness to their relationship.

Twice Dead comes to a heartbreaking ending with hard choices made and developments pushing forward the course of the story. I for one cannot wait to see what Caitlin Seal does next and will be eagerly awaiting the release of the next novel to see how Naya helps those she loves!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher via Netgalley (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Charlesbridge Teen
Format: Kindle ebook via Netgalley
Release Date: September 18th 2018
Pre-Order: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: I highly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more!

Owl Post #212

Inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, Owl Post allows us bloggers to showcase the books we've bought, won or received throughout the week and is hosted by Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries. We all know that the Owl Post is the fastest way to send and receive mail and they certainly make me happy every time they drop a book off.  

Hi guys and welcome to another Owl Post :) I got myself a trio of great books this week that I'm looking forward to reading.

  I Bought:

- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang 

This book looks soooooo good. Definitely one I'm dying to read. Hope to work it into my TBR pile soon! 

- If There's No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Jennifer L. Armentrout is one of my favourite authors and I can never pass up the opportunity to snag one of her books :)

  - The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton  I've heard a lot of great things about this book so I'm keen to discover it for myself.       And that's me this week :) What did the owls bring YOU this week?  

 

Book Shelf: Ash and Quill (The Great Library #3) by Rachel Caine

Held prisoner by the Burner forces in Philadelphia, Jess and his friends struggle to stay alive in the face of threats from both sides ... but a stunning escape guarantees worse is coming. The Library now means to stop them by any means necessary, and they'll have to make dangerous allies and difficult choices to stay alive.

They have only two choices: face the might of the Great Library head on, or be erased from life, and the history of the world, for ever.

Win or die. 

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Ash and Quill is the third novel in The Great Library series by Rachel Caine and is another unforgettable story of danger, exhilaration and action which is guaranteed to leave readers breathless.

Having escaped the clutches of the Library by the skin of their teeth, Jess and his band of ragtag friends now find themselves prisoners of the Burners and held in the walled cited of Philadelphia. The Great Library is determined to stop them by any means necessary and with Thomas’s inventions offering a new era in knowledge and literacy, staying one step ahead of their enemies is more important than ever. Jess will have to come up with his best plan yet if they want to find a way to take control back from the Library and even the playing field, but some costs are too much to pay and Jess and his friends may end up losing their souls in the process…..

Rachel Caine thrills again with the third instalment in The Great Library series. Navigating an enchanting world of danger and war, Ash and Quill see’s Jess, Morgan, Thomas, Wolfe, Santi, Dario, Glain and Khalida continue on in their fight against the unjustly Great Library. This novel is once again wonderfully written and paced and I am personally very captivated by the world which Caine has created. A world that is passionate about books is a world after my own heart and the nuances that Rachel Caine explores throughout the series bring the society to life with such flourish and flair.

Weaving elements of ancient cultures with modern, and occasionally magical, technology, Rachel Caine effortlessly brings excitement and enchantment to the story. Main protagonist Jess is a solid lead to follow throughout the story and the various characters Caine has included alongside Jess really bring life to the tale. The close bond between Jess and his friends continues to shine and the closeness and familial feel is wonderful. There’s moments of humour, danger and just that perfect hint of romance to keep readers highly entertained.

This series truly is beautifully unique. Captivating and powerful, Ash and Quill is a fantastic addition that is as easily as good as its predecessors. Racing towards a shocking ending, Ash and Quill marks a turning point in the series and leaves Jess and his friends in an even more dangerous position than when the story began.

I was not expecting some of the developments Rachel Caine from this thrilling story and am desperately looking forward to reading the next instalment as soon as it comes out!

Rating:
Source: Purchased by me
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Format: Paperback
Australian RRP: $16.99
Release Date: July 11th 2017
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: Another great book; this one leaves me dying for the next one!

Waiting on Wednesday #232

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....  

Sherwood by Meagan Spooner 

Releases on: March 19th 2019

Add on Goodreads!

 

Robin of Locksley is dead.

When news comes that he's fallen in battle at the King's side in the Holy Land, Maid Marian doesn’t know how she’ll go on. Betrothed to Robin, she was free to be herself, to flout the stifling rules of traditional society and share an equal voice with her beloved when it came to caring for the people of her land.

Now Marian is alone, with no voice of her own. The people of Locksley, persecuted by the Sheriff of Nottingham, are doomed to live in poverty or else face death by hanging. The dreadful Guy of Gisborne, the Sherriff’s right hand, wishes to step into Robin’s shoes as Lord of Locksley, and Marian’s fiancé. Society demands that she accept her fate, and watch helplessly as her people starve.

When Marian dons Robin's green cloak, and takes up his sword and bow, she never intended that anyone should mistake her for Robin, returned from the Holy Land as a vigilante. She never intended that the masked, cloaked figure she created should stand as a beacon of hope and justice to peasant and noble alike. She never intended to become a legend.

But all of Nottingham is crying out for a savior. So Marian must choose to make her own fate and become her own hero...

Robin Hood.

Thoughts:

Oh boy does this sound good! I love retellings on the best of days but this one looks like it's going to step outside the traditional gender roles and that makes it even more exciting! Can't wait to see what Meagan Spooner does with Sherwood as I do so love her novels!

What do you think of Sherwood? Are you a Robin hood fan?

And what are you waiting on this week?

Book Shelf: Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

OND ELDR. BREATHE FIRE.

Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield — her brother, fighting with the enemy — the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.

More info on Goodreads......


Review: 

Sky in the Deep is Adrienne Young’s debut novel is a powerful and vivid story set against an icy landscape and infused with Viking mythology, brutal and bloody violence and unexpected romance.

Seventeen year old Eelyn is a warrior; a fighter; a survivor. As a member of the Aska clan, Eelyn fights alongside her family and clan mates against their enemies, the Riki, in an ancient tradition and long standing rivalry. It’s simple; fight and survive. Until one day on the battlefield, Eelyn catches a glimpse of her long dead brother….fighting with the enemy clan. Soon taken prisoner by the Riki, Eelyn struggles to comprehend her brother’s betrayal. She must find a way to survive the harsh mountain winter even if it means relying on her brother’s best friend Fiske, a Riki warrior who only sees her as a threat. Torn between her loyalty to her clan and her growing feelings for Fiske, Eelyn will have to reassess her definition of loyalty and family as she finds herself caring for people she has always viewed as the enemy. And when the Riki village is attacked by a ruthless clan thought only to be legend, Eelyn will have to find a way for the Aska and Riki to work together before both clans are destroyed….forever.

I have to admit; I was somewhat apprehensive when I began Sky in the Deep as I hadn’t had any experience reading Viking themed novels in the past, nor am I a big fan of the violence and brutality that comes along with them. That being said, I had heard so many positive things about this story that I decided to give it a go….and I’m very glad I did. I really did enjoy Sky in the Deep and was delighted by the story that Adrienne Young has created.

Told through the poignant and powerful voice of Eelyn, Sky in the Deep is a compelling story. Beautifully written and with a genuine and authentic feel without author Adrienne Young feeling the need to bombard her reader with complex and complicated Norse and Viking history, Sky in the Deep is a very fast paced and exciting novel, that also features nice undertones of family and romance.

I liked the characters within the story very much including love interest Fiske and protagonist Eelyn who is a strong and easy to follow main character. Young sets up many moments of reflection and development as her characters struggle—again Eelyn most importantly—with the new reality of their lives. Decades of distrust and rivalry do not disappear overnight and I liked seeing Eelyn slowly begin to trust members of the Riki clan, even as she faced an internal war with what she had always known and what she was now witnessing.

Adrienne Young has created a great story of survival and romance that bridges the gap between clans and age old rivalry. Perfect for anyone wishing to dip their toes in the Viking genre while discovering a conflicting world of brutality and simmering hope, Sky in the Deep is a great read and proves Adrienne Young is an author to keep an eye on!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher via Netgalley (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Format: Kindle ebook via Netgalley
Release Date: April 24th 2018
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this and am keen to read more from Adrienne Young in the future!

Owl Post #211

Inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, Owl Post allows us bloggers to showcase the books we've bought, won or received throughout the week and is hosted by Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries. We all know that the Owl Post is the fastest way to send and receive mail and they certainly make me happy every time they drop a book off.  

Hello book lovers and welcome to another week's Owl Post!

  For Review:

 From Pantera Press: -  I Had Such Friends by Meg Gatland-Veness I've heard a lot of great things about this debut novel--looking forward to reading it!   Thank you Anabel!   I Bought:

- Burying Water by K.A. Tucker 

- Becoming Rain by K.A. Tucker 

I really adored Tucker's Ten Tiny Breath series and can't wait to read these two books. I was lucky to find them at my local second hand bookshop when I when to exchange some titles I didn't want anymore. 

- Sweet Ruin by Kresley Cole 

I LOVE the Immortals After Dark but I'm a little bit behind in the series but will be able to continue it with Sweet Ruin. Love what Kresley Cole does with this series!

  And that's me this week! What did the owls bring YOU this week?  

 

Book Shelf: The Wren Hunt by Mary Watson

Every Christmas, Wren is chased through the woods near her isolated village by her family's enemies—the Judges—and there’s nothing that she can do to stop it. Once her people, the Augurs, controlled a powerful magic. But now that power lies with the Judges, who are set on destroying her kind for good.

In a desperate bid to save her family, Wren takes a dangerous undercover assignment—as an intern to an influential Judge named Cassa Harkness. Cassa has spent her life researching a transformative spell, which could bring the war between the factions to its absolute end. Caught in a web of deceit, Wren must decide whether or not to gamble on the spell and seal the Augurs’ fate.

More info on Goodreads....

Review:

The Wren Hunt by Mary Watson is a unique and mysterious novel full of Irish folklore, deception and unexpected betrayals.

Every Winter Wren Silke is chased through the woods as part of a distorted childhood game by the boys of her village. As an augur, these boys are her sworn enemies, judges, but lucky for Wren her heritage remains a secrets from them. With their powers diminishing, Wren's grove send her undercover to intern at Harkness Foundation, the headquarters for some of the most powerful judges out there. Hoping to discover their secrets, Wren soon finds herself caught in a twisted game of cat and mouse and as her time at Harkness House begins to change her, Wren must make the ultimate choice in order to decide where her loyalties lay.

Having recently finished The Wren Hunt, I'm not completely sure how to wrap my mind around the book. Mary Watson has no doubt created a vivid and unique story; there's definitely nothing out there like The Wren Hunt but at the same time I feel as though the novel fell flat in many regards. Considering the uniqueness that was it's story, it had plenty of potential but there were elements of the novel that ultimately failed it in my eyes.

Set in a very atmospheric country Ireland, The Wren Hunt introduces the concept of two ancient magic practitioner’s; augurs and judges. From what I could wrap my head around, both groups practice magic through the use of natural means and rely on nature to harness and use its essence to fuel their power and abilities. Honestly, for the most part I struggled to really comprehend much of what Wren and her people did as well as the age old feud they had with the judges. I feel like Watson could have potentially set things up better whilst still harnessing in the Irish folklore and heritage she wove into the story. The Wren Hunt was still easy to follow as long as I didn’t get too caught up in this.

It wasn’t easy connecting with the characters of The Wren Hunt either. Though Wren was nice enough, I didn’t really care for anyone else within the story and found them bland and lacklustre. I liked her love interest Tarc and thought him likable, but I also struggled with the fact that he himself seemed to be a pivotal part in the plot development. Romance aside, I wanted Wren to make her choices based on what she learnt about the judge world and its people, not just because she liked a boy. All of Wren’s driving forced changed when she fell for Tarc and even though I appreciated their love story, I feel like the story could have benefited if it wasn’t written this particular way.

Despite my misgivings, there was something alluring about The Wren Hunt that kept be reading. Featuring a dreamlike aura and being rich in imagery, The Wren Hunt is a unique read for those who dare to try something a little different.

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Australia
Format: Paperback
Australian RRP: $14.99
Release Date: February 8th 2018
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: Though it didn't blow me away, The Wren Hunt was a unique story that might appeal to readers wanting something a bit different.