Tag: fantasy books

Book Review: The Price of Fear – Miles Lyon

Book Review: The Price of Fear – Miles Lyon

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: The Wretched Trilogy #1
Release date: February 24 2026
Publisher: Indie
Pages: 487
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: The author kindly sent me an E-ARC to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

For a Godless like Azreal the Wretched, peace might be a more profitable time, but it’s no less bloody…

A decade into the armistice with Inath, the North, once united against invasion, finds itself a divided kingdom. Azreal – an infamous mage of the Northern military – operates in his native land as a contract killer, employed to hunt traitors by a king who is squabbling against his would-be usurpers.

But when the completion of his latest bounty unveils a foreign plot to dethrone the North altogether, Azreal is the only one who can cross the border and respond in kind…

Or he would have been, until betrayal at the final moment resulted in his killing of the wrong man and capture by those that he’s spent half his life fighting.

Now, imprisoned and awaiting his execution for the murder of an Inathian crown prince, Azreal finds himself across the interrogation table from Anamira Lestrade. A career criminal investigator, Ana is tasked with extracting the truth behind the assassination or dying in failure – linking the two through one last story that could stave off both their gruesome ends.

Possessed of few friends, countless enemies, magic blades that feast on his emotions, and the haunting rumors of how he won his name, Azreal the Wretched’s narrative pits him against traitorous conspiracy, brutal magical feuds, and broken promises of love. And if there is any hope of making it out alive at its end, he’ll need to conquer the price it cost him to paint the tale

Fear.

Review

Holy shit, this was a rollercoaster of a book. If you’re a grimdark fan, you do not want to miss The Price of Fear.

Initially, I was keen to pick this one up because of that brilliant cover, but the premise is so intriguing – Azreal the Wretched is one of the Godless, and he’s currently imprisoned for the murder of the crown prince of Inath. Justice Anamira Lestrade is tasked with extracting his confession before his execution. If she doesn’t succeed, she too will be executed. As Azreal recounts his dark and bloody tale, Ana soon learns there might be more to this story than she ever thought possible.

I absolutely adored this book, and it is without a doubt one of my favourite books of the year so far. This book is action-packed, it is gruesome and bloody and a completely captivating plot. I inhaled this book in just a few days, and I am already counting down the days till the release of book two. This grimdark tale has excellent worldbuilding and a really unique magic system that I was completely fascinated by – all the Godless have different powers, but that power comes at a cost, and everyone pays a unique price for that magic.

There were lots of things I loved about this book, but the standout has got to be our main character, Azreal. He’s witty and sarcastic, and the dark humour in this book definitely had me cackling on more than a few occasions. I particularly enjoyed the scenes between Azreal and Ana as she attempts to extract his story and he tries his best to push her buttons in the process. The characters all felt really well developed, and I cannot wait to see where Lyon takes the characters in the next two instalments.

The Price of Fear is an addictive, wild ride of a book. If you’re a fan of authors like Joe Abercrombie and Jay Kristoff, you definitely need to check this one out  – it’s going to be right up your street.

Book Review: Red City – Marie Lu

Book Review: Red City – Marie Lu

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: The New Alchemists #1
Release date: October 14 2025
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 518
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

Alchemy is the hidden art of transformation, an exclusive power wielded by crime syndicates who market it to the world’s elite in the form of sand – a drug that enhances those who take it into a more perfect version of more beautiful, more charismatic, simply more.

Among the gleaming skyscrapers and rolling foothills of Angel City, alchemy is controlled by two rival syndicates. For years, Grand Central and Lumines have been balanced on a razor’s edge between polite negotiation and outright violence. But when two childhood friends step into that delicate equation, the city – and the paths of their lives – will be irrevocably transformed.

The daughter of a poor single mother, Sam would do anything to claw her way into the ranks of Grand Central in search of a better life. Plucked away from his family as a boy to become a Lumines apprentice, Ari is one of the syndicates’ brightest rising stars. Once, they might have loved each other. But as the two alchemists face off from opposite sides of an ever-escalating conflict, ambition becomes power, loyalty becomes lies, and no transformation may be perfect enough for them both to survive the coming war.

Review

Red City is my first book from Marie Lu and it was such a rollercoaster ride. This urban fantasy tale follows two people caught in the middle of two rival syndicates who fight for control of alchemy. Where once they might have fallen in love, now they are on opposite sides of a rivalry that is only going to get worse.

Red City was such an addictive read. Marie Lu is an author I’ve always wanted to try, and I’m so glad I got to read this one because I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed Lu’s writing style, and I was sucked into the story very early on. The worldbuilding was well done, and I loved the dark, gritty, dangerous setting of Angel City. I thought the alchemical magic system was really fascinating, and it was well explained without dumping lots of information on the reader.

Red City has some really compelling characters, and I thought the romance was executed perfectly. This felt very much like a character driven story, and I grew really attached to Sam and Ari as the story progressed. Sam is determined to find a better life, and joining the ranks of Grand Central is her ticket to the life she dreams of. Ari is the new young talent in Lumines, but he has been cut off from his family and his heritage. Lu really explores themes of family and identity in this story, and I cannot wait to see where she takes these characters in book two.

Overall, I thought Red City was a captivating urban fantasy tale with a brilliant mix of action and character progression. It’s marketed as ‘The Godfather meets The Magicians’ and I think that’s a perfect comparison. If you’re looking for a fantasy story with characters that will stick with you, Red City is a book you do not want to miss.

Book Review: Secrets of the First School – T L Huchu

Book Review: Secrets of the First School – T L Huchu

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Edinburgh Nights #5
Release date: October 16 2025
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 400
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

I’ve had my arse kicked more times than I can count

Ropa Moyo is dead, banished to the Other Place by the reanimated spirit of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville of Scotland. Turns out being on the losing side sucks worse than being skint.

Now, the Cult of Dundas intends to ascend to godhood, spreading their corrupting reach from Edinburgh to all of Scotland’s schools of magic. Ropa must find some way to escape the Other Place, save her sister and gather allies across the country before Edinburgh falls.

A royal plot, a family secret and a stolen body. As Scotland descends into petty in-fighting, Ropa’s only hope lies in her grandmother’s final the first school of magic.

An ancient power is returning . . . and is hungry for revenge.

Review

T. L. Huchu is back with the final instalment of the Edinburgh Nights series – and it’s a wild ride.

Following on from the events in book four, we follow Ropa as she finds herself dead and banished to the otherlands. The Cult of Dundas is determined to ascend to power, and Ropa must find a way to return from the dead, save the ones she loves, and stop the country from falling. But with so many secrets and so many lives at stake, will Ropa succeed?

I’ve loved every instalment in this series and Secrets of the First School is no exception. Fast paced and incredibly engaging, I couldn’t put this book down.

Ropa has such a strong narrative voice, and I have absolutely loved seeing her grow as a character over the course of the five books. She’s brilliant and sarcastic and isn’t afraid to say what she thinks, but she’s also loyal and brave too. She’s joined by a really compelling cast of characters, and I would love for there to be a spin-off series with some of the other characters.

As this is the final book in the series, I won’t say too much about the plot, but there were lots of twists, secrets finally revealed, and overall, the series comes to a really satisfying conclusion. I love the Edinburgh setting, but I loved that we traveled to new places in this installment, including the Isle of Iona, which is my favourite place to visit.

Huchu has done a magnificent job of bringing the series to a close, and if you’re looking for an engaging fantasy series full of adventure and mystery, I highly recommend the Edinburgh Nights series.

Book Review: The Trials of Empire – Richard Swan

Book Review: The Trials of Empire – Richard Swan

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Empire of the Wolf #3
Release date: February 8th 2024
Publisher: Orbit Books
Pages: 496
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: I ordered a copy of this book from Waterstones
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

THE TIME OF JUDGEMENT IS AT HAND

The Empire of the Wolf is on its knees, but there’s life in the great beast yet.

To save it, Sir Konrad Vonvalt and Helena must look beyond its borders for allies – to the wolfmen of the southern plains, and the pagan clans in the north. But old grievances run deep, and both factions would benefit from the fall of Sova.

Even these allies might not be enough. Their enemy, the zealot Bartholomew Claver, wields infernal powers bestowed on him by a mysterious demonic patron. If Vonvalt and Helena are to stand against him, they will need friends on both sides of the mortal plane—but such allegiances carry a heavy price.

As the battlelines are drawn in both Sova and the afterlife, the final reckoning draws close. Here, at the beating heart of the Empire, the two-headed wolf will be reborn in a blaze of justice . . . or crushed beneath the shadow of tyranny.

Review

The Trials of Empire is the third and final instalment in Richard Swan’s Empire of the Wolf trilogy, a series that follows Justice Sir Konra Vonvalt and his protege Helena. In this final instalment, we follow the pair as they attempt to stop Claver from destroying the empire once and for all but Claver now wields dark and demonic powers that even Vonvalt might not be able to defeat. They must find allies where they can and even they might not be enough. Will the empire survive or will Claver ascend the imperial throne?

The Justice of Kings and The Tyranny of Faith were both five star reads and favourites of the year for me so going into this I had pretty high expectations. If possible, I’d give The Trials of Empire six stars. This book is so well executed and so gripping that I could not tear myself away from it. Swan has done a magnificent job of bringing the series to a close and has absolutely cemented this series as one of my all time favourites.

Like the previous instalments, The Trials of Empire is dark, bloody and gruesome. The writing is vivid and engaging and there are some truly horrifying and grisly that practically leapt off the page. The world is really fascinating and I really enjoyed getting to learn more about the holy dimensions and the monsters that reside there. After three books I’ve become quite attached to the characters in this series and I was so intrigued by the way they’ve grown and changed as the story has progressed. Particularly in this instalment as the effects of all they’ve been through really begins to get to them.

The Trials of Empire is full of action and Swan does a brilliant job of writing dynamic battle scenes. I am so sad that this story has come to an end and would read a hundred more books in this world. The Trials of Empire will without a doubt be on my best books of the year list and if you haven’t had a chance to pick up book one yet, this series is one you do not want to miss.

Book Review: Dark Water Daughter – H M Long

Book Review: Dark Water Daughter – H M Long

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: The Winter Sea #1
Release date: July 11 2023
Publisher: Titan Books
Pages: 457
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

A stormsinger and pirate hunter join forces against a deathless pirate lord in this swashbuckling Jacobean adventure on the high-seas.

Launching the Winter Sea series, full of magic, betrayal, redemption and fearsome women, for readers of Adrienne Young, R. J. Barker and Naomi Novik.

Mary Firth is a Stormsinger: a woman whose voice can still hurricanes and shatter armadas. Faced with servitude to pirate lord Silvanus Lirr, Mary offers her skills to his arch-rival in exchange for protection – and, more importantly, his help sending Lirr to a watery grave. But her new ally has a vendetta of his own, and Mary’s dreams are dark and full of ghistings, spectral creatures who inhabit the ancient forests of her homeland and the figureheads of ships.

Samuel Rosser is a disgraced naval officer serving aboard The Hart, an infamous privateer commissioned to bring Lirr to justice. He will stop at nothing to capture Lirr, restore his good name and reclaim the only thing that stands between himself and madness: a talisman stolen by Mary.

Finally, driven into the eternal ice at the limits of their world, Mary and Samuel must choose their loyalties and battle forces older and more powerful than the pirates who would make them slaves.

Come sail the Winter Sea, for action-packed, high-stakes adventures, rich characterisation and epic plots full of intrigue and betrayal.

Review

The first in a new series from H M Long, Dark Water Daughter is a tense and gripping tale that follows stormsinger Mary Firth who finds herself forced on board the ship of infamous pirate Silvanus Lirr. In order to escape him she seeks protection with Lirr’s rival, but he isn’t all that he seems and has dark secrets of his own. Samuel Rosser is working on board The Hart, a ship determined to bring Lirr to justice. Rosser, once a naval officer is determined to capture Lirr and restore his good name. Will the two be able to succeed and at what cost?

Dark Water Daughter is a rich and engaging story, one that took me a little while to get into. While there is plenty of action the story feels quite slow paced, giving the reader a chance to understand the world and setting. Long has created a really fascinating world with the ghistings and different types of magic. I am hoping we get to explore even more of that in the next book in the series. I love pirate books and stories set at sea and this one was brilliant at bringing the sights and sounds of swashbuckling pirates to life. I really liked that the story had a cold and wintry setting and that really shone through in the story. This is my first book from H M Long but I really enjoyed their writing style and am definitely keen to read more work from them in the future.

Dark Water Daughter has some compelling characters and I really liked both Mary and Samuel. Each one felt complicated and well crafted and I really enjoyed getting to know them and exploring their histories. Mary, in particular, was my favourite, she is strong willed and determined to succeed despite everything she faces. Dark Water Daughter is a gripping, detailed pirate fantasy and one I think plenty of fantasy fans will fall in love with. If you’re looking for a tense, compelling tale set at sea, full to the brim with action and magic, this could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Blog Tour: The Generation Killer – Adam Simcox

Blog Tour: The Generation Killer – Adam Simcox

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: The Dying Squad #2
Release Date: August 18th 2022
Publisher: Gollancz
Pages: 320
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis
On the sixth day, God created MANchester. On the seventh, The Generation Killer intends to tear it down.

There’s a new serial killer in Manchester – and it’s up to a dead guy to catch him. Joe Lazarus, specifically: his latest Dying Squad assignment demands he bring to justice The Generation Killer, a psychopath who murders the oldest member of a family, as well as the youngest. Joe and his new partner Bits have mere hours to catch the killer and save his latest kidnap victim.

Joe’s former partner, Daisy-May has her own problems. Children in the Pen are going missing and Daisy-May resolves to find out who’s taking them, one of the many, Warden-of-the-Pen jobs on her to do list. Her predecessor The Duchess won’t be able to lighten her load; she’s tracked her terrorist-in-waiting sister, Hanna, to Tokyo. The Duchess doesn’t know what Hanna’s planning, she only knows that unless she stops her, it’s going to be very bad news for the living…

Review
The Generation Killer is the newest installment in Adam Simcox’s The Dying Squad series. In this sequel, we follow Joe Lazarus on his newest assignment for the Dying Squad. He’s tasked with taking down The Generation Killer – a serial killer who murders both the oldest and youngest member of the family. Teaming up with his new partner Bits, they have to race against the clock to save The Generation Killer’s latest victim. Meanwhile, Joe’s former partner Daisy-May has her own case to deal with – Children in the Pen are going missing and Daisy-May must use all her wits to find out who’s taking them.

This series is such a fun, fresh take on the crime thriller. It’s a fascinating blend of police procedural and urban fantasy. It’s fast paced, addictive, and has more than a few eerie moments. There are also plenty of plot twists and pretty much all of them I didn’t see coming. The story is set in Manchester, a city I’ve visited on quite a few occasions so it was so interesting to see Simcox bring the city to life in the story.

The characters are well crafted in this story and I really enjoyed seeing how they tackle the challenges in their investigations. There’s also plenty of really quick, funny dialogue in the story which definitely kept me wanting more. While The Generation Killer could absolutely be read as a standalone book, I’d definitely recommend picking up The Dying Squad first. If you’re looking for an utterly compelling, fresh take on the crime thriller with loads of tension and atmosphere, this series is a must read.

Blog Tour: The First Binding – R. R. Virdi

Blog Tour: The First Binding – R. R. Virdi

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Tales of Tremaine #1
Release Date: August 16th 2022
Publisher: Gollancz
Pages: 832
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review

Synopsis

All legends are born of truths. And just as much lies. These are mine. Judge me for what you will. But you will hear my story first.

I buried the village of Ampur under a mountain of ice and snow. Then I killed their god. I’ve stolen old magics and been cursed for it. I started a war with those that walked before mankind and lost the princess I loved, and wanted to save. I’ve called lightning and bound fire. I am legend. And I am a monster.

My name is Ari. And this is the story of how I let loose the first evil.

Review

The First Binding is the first in a new epic South Asian inspired fantasy series and it is without a doubt my favourite read of 2022. Reminiscent of The Name of the Wind, the story follows storyteller Ari as he recounts his life story. The First Binding was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it was an unforgettable, magical tale.

There are so many things about this book that I loved. For starters, I have been in a horrible reading slump for weeks and this was the book that pulled me out. Despite being over 800 pages, I read this book in just a few days because I could not look away. Virdi has an incredibly, beautiful writing style. Each sentence felt so well crafted and The First Binding is definitely the kind of book to be savoured. This is a slow burn, coming of age story, one that fantasy fans will completely fall in love with.

The First Binding is an incredibly well executed story. Given the scope, that’s no mean feat and I am so excited to see where the story goes next. Ari is a truly fascinating character and Virdi has done a brilliant job crafting our main protagonist. He is a fascinating, flawed character and I loved seeing him go on this incredible journey.The world building felt so detailed and well fleshed out and I enjoyed learning about the magic in this world.

The First Binding is a unique, compelling fantasy tale. A beautifully told story from start to finish, this is the kind of book that will stay with you long after you finish reading. It’s easy to see why this book has so much hype already and it’s so well deserved. If you’re looking for an epic fantasy story full of magic and lyrical writing, this one is absolutely not to be missed.

Blog Tour: The Garden of Empire – J. T. Greathouse

Blog Tour: The Garden of Empire – J. T. Greathouse

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: Pact and Pattern #2 (See my review of book one here!)
Release Date: August 4th 2022
Publisher: Gollancz
Pages: 448
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

WAR MAKES MONSTERS OF EVERYONE.

Foolish Cur, once named Wen Alder, finds that his allies in the rebellion might cross any line if it means freedom from the Empire. But he can’t overcome a foe as strong as Emperor Tenet alone.

REBELLION HAS UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

Koro Ha, Foolish Cur’s former tutor, discovers the Empire is not so forgiving of those who raise a traitor. And their suspicion may cost him and his people more than he can imagine.

THE GODS ARE LURKING IN THE SHADOWS.

As war against the Empire rages, Foolish Cur knows there is a greater threat. The emperor plans his own coup against the gods, and they will wreak destruction if he tries. To stop him, Foolish Cur might have to risk everything – and resort to ancient magics that could tear the world apart.

Review

The Garden of Empire is the second installment in J. T. Greathouse’s Pact and Pattern series. The Hand of the Sun King was one of my favourite reads of last year so I was really excited to see where Greathouse would take the story next. Following on from the events in book one, where Foolish Cur finds himself in the middle of the war between the Sienese and the Nayeni. He knows the Emperor plans to fight a war against the gods themselves and will destroy everything in his path as he does so. Foolish Cur must do everything he can to stop him, even resorting to an ancient magic that could destroy everything.

Just like The Hand of the Sun King, Garden of Empire is a hugely engrossing read. Greathouse continues to expand on the worldbuilding and I was hooked from the very first chapter. I really liked that the reader gets the chance to learn more about the magic system and understand how it works. Greathouse has a really nice writing style and it was so easy to get lost in the story. One thing that did surprise me was the introduction of different POV characters in this installment as book one is all told from the same perspective. This was a really interesting addition as it added multiple layers to the story and allowed the reader to see things from a different angle.

One of the most interesting things about this series is our main protagonist Foolish Cur. Greathouse has created a really fascinating character who is at times flawed and unlikeable. I enjoyed seeing him grow through the course of Garden of Empire, particularly as he reflects on the events that have led him to where he is and the decisions he has made. Garden of Empire is an incredibly fascinating fantasy tale, with a few twists I definitely did not see coming. If you’ve already read Hand of the Sun King this is an absolute must read and I am already looking forward to book three.

 

Blog Tour: Glorious Poison – Kat Dunn

Blog Tour: Glorious Poison – Kat Dunn

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Battalion of the Dead #3 (See my review of book one  (Dangerous Remedy) and book two (Monstrous Design)
Release Date: June 9th 2022
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Pages: 432
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

The daring and dramatic conclusion to Kat Dunn’s epic C18th French Revolution trilogy ‘with lashings of lust, love, sacrifice, betrayal and horror’.

Robespierre is dead. The Reign of Terror is over.

As Royalist strength grows, the Duc de L’Aubespine plots a coup that will consign the revolution to history. With Olympe in his clutches, he believes nothing can stop him. But he’s reckoned without the intrepid Battalion of the Dead!

Reunited in Paris, Ada is poised for action – but if she plays her hand too soon, everything she’s sacrificed to gain his trust will be lost. Meanwhile, an unlikely alliance with an old enemy might be Camille’s only option to save Olympe and stop the duc in his tracks.

The glittering and macabre bals des victimes and the eerie catacombs make the perfect backdrop for the final episode of the Battalion’s tale.

Review

Glorious Poison is the third and final book in Kat Dunn’s brilliant Battalion of the Dead series. Picking up after the events of Monstrous Design, we follows Camille and her battalion as they attempt to rescue Olympe from the hands of the Duc and stop him from destroying the revolution.

For the last two years the installments of this series have been among my favourite books of the year, so Glorious Poison was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022. I absolutely did not want this series to end and ended up rereading books one and two over a weekend in preparation. Dunn has done an incredible job of bringing all the characters and story arcs together. The ending was everything I was hoping for and while I’m sad it’s over, I cannot wait to see what Kat Dunn writes next.

I won’t say much about the plot because it is the third book in the series, but safe to say there is plenty of action and moments that will have you on the edge of your seat. I love seeing the tricky situations the battalion finds themselves in and the clever ways they get out. I love the historical setting in this series and Dunn’s vivid and beautiful writing really brights the sights and sounds of 18th Century France to life.

While I absolutely love all the action and heists in this series, what has captivated me most throughout the three books are the brilliant characters. They have all gone on such a journey over the three books and I am so sad to say goodbye to them. Dunn brings the story to a satisfying conclusion and I think the battalion will forever be some of my favourite characters of all time. I am not particularly a romance person but I love the relationship between Ada and Camille. They’re both such fascinating characters dealing with secrets from their past and I really enjoyed the way Dunn developed their relationship over the course of the series.

Glorious Poison is a magnificent conclusion to an epic YA fantasy series. If you’re caught up with the series you absolutely need to pick up Glorious Poison. If you haven’t yet had the chance to pick up Dangerous Remedy, now is the perfect time to binge the entire trilogy.

Blog Tour: The Girl and the Moon – Mark Lawrence

Blog Tour: The Girl and the Moon – Mark Lawrence

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment


Series: Book of the Ice #3
Release Date: April 28th 2022
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Pages: 544
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

The fate of the world hangs from the Moon

The green world overwhelms all of Yaz’s expectations. Everything seems different but some things remain the same: her old enemies are still bent on her destruction.

The Corridor abounds with plenty and unsuspected danger. To stand a chance against the eyeless priest, Eular, and the god-like city-mind, Seus, Yaz will need to learn fast and make new friends.

The Convent of Sweet Mercy, like the Corridor itself, is packed with peril and opportunity. Yaz needs the nuns’ help – but first they want to execute her.

The fate of everyone squeezed between the Corridor’s vast walls, and ultimately the fate of those labouring to survive out on ice itself, hangs from the moon, and the battle to save the moon centres on the Ark of the Missing, buried beneath the emperor’s palace. Everyone wants Yaz to be the key that will open the Ark – the one the wise have sought for generations. But sometimes wanting isn’t enough.

Review

The Girl and the Moon is the third and final instalment in Lawrence’s unputdownable Book of the Ice series. Mark Lawrence is one of my favourite authors and The Girl and the Moon was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022. I absolutely loved every second of this story and it is without a doubt one of my favourite books of the year.

Picking up after the events of The Girl and the Mountain, the book is full to the brim with action and there were more than a few moments I was on the edge of my seat. I was hooked from the very beginning and I honestly had to force myself to put the book down. Lawrence has such a brilliant way of keeping the reader engaged and hungry for more. I’d be hard pushed to pick my favourite book in this trilogy because they have all been equally compelling.

Lawrence really does an excellent job of bringing everything together in this book and there were more than a few moments that I wasn’t expecting. I must admit that although I think the ending was brilliant, I’m sad to say goodbye to the incredible characters Lawrence has created. Yaz and her friends are so well crafted and I absolutely did not want to say goodbye to them. I won’t say much about the plot given this is the final instalment, but safe to say there is plenty to keep the reader hooked.

The Girl and the Moon is a rollercoaster of a book and one you do not want to miss. This is a multi-POV story and Lawrence manages to bring all the threads of their stories together seamlessly. Like all of Lawrence’s books the worldbuilding is excellent, the plot action-packed and the characters fascinating. If you haven’t yet had a chance to pick up this series (or any books by Mark Lawrence for that matter), I can’t recommend it highly enough.