Tag: fantasy

Book Review: Queen of Deception – Anna Stephens

Book Review: Queen of Deception – Anna Stephens

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Legends of Asgard
Release Date: March 7th 2023
Publisher: Aconyte Books
Pages: 352
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: I received an E-ARC of this book via Netgalley
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

All that stands between Hela and control of Elizabethan England are two legendary heroes and an army of Dark Elves, in this action-packed historical adventure from Marvel’s Legends of Asgard

A burst of magic from Midgard attracts the attention of Hela, Queen of Hel. The Goddess of Death craves power to enable her ultimate conquest of the Realms, and this new sorcery from Earth is tantalizing… Pursuing its source, Hela is appalled to find herself in Elizabethan England. From Asgard, Lady Sif and the valkyrie, Brunnhilde are also dispatched to Midgard, and neither of them have any love for Hela. Yet a still greater threat awaits: the Dark Elves see Midgard as the first battle in war of the Realms. Only a team-up between hated enemies can win the day, but how far can you really trust the Queen of Hel?

Review

Anna Stephens is back with a new Asgard novel, full to the brim with magic, action, and adventure. We are back following Lady Sif and the Valkyrie Brunnhilde as the head to Earth in search of the mysterious magic that is causing Brunnhilde nightmares. Arriving in Elizabethan England, the two warrior women must attempt to blend in and uncover what the Dark Elves are up to. The Asgardian warriors are not the only ones interested in this dark magic though. Hela, Queen of Hel has also arrived on Midgard, determined to take the magic for herself – Hela and the Asgardians are old enemies, but will they be able to team up in order to stop the Dark Elves from opening a portal between realms and waging war in Midgard?

As I mentioned in my review of The Serpent and the Dead, I know very little about the Marvel universe besides having watched the movies. I really enjoyed reading The Serpent and the Dead and was intrigued to see where things would go in this new novel. Much like the previous book this can be read without prior knowledge of the world and is a standalone story. I really enjoyed being back with Lady Sif and Brunnhilde, they are brilliant, fearless warrior women and it was so fun seeing them attempt to blend into the rules and trappings of Elizabethan England. The story also contains chapters from Hela’s point of view which I absolutely loved. She is dark, ruthless and determined to get what she wants – at any cost. I really enjoyed the relationship between her and William as it showed Hela might not be so heartless after all.

The story is quick-paced and I raced through it in just a few days. There are plenty of action-packed moments and Stephens does a brilliant job of writing dynamic battle sequences. This was a compelling adventure tale and if you’re a fan of Anna Stephens or the Marvel Universe, this is definitely a book worth checking out.

Blog Tour: The Jaguar Path – Anna Stephens

Blog Tour: The Jaguar Path – Anna Stephens

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment


Series: The Songs of the Drowned #2 (See my review of book one here!)
Release Date: February 16th 2023
Publisher: HarperVoyager
Pages: 626
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 Empire of Songs reigns supreme. Across all the lands of Ixachipan, its hypnotic, magical music sounds. Those who battled against the Empire have been enslaved and dispersed, taken far from their friends and their homes.

In the Singing City, Xessa must fight for the entertainment of her captors. Lilla and thousands of warriors are trained to serve as weapons for their enemies. And Tayan is trapped at the heart of the Empire’s power and magic, where the ruthless Enet’s ambition is ever growing.

Each of them harbours a secret hope, waiting for a chance to strike at the Empire from within.

But first they must overcome their own desires. Power can seduce as well as crush. And, in exchange for their loyalty, the Empire promises much.

Review

Anna Stephens is back with the next installment in her brilliant Songs of the Drowned series and we pick up with our main characters two years after the events of The Stone Knife – Lilla is a slave warrior, training to be part of the biggest and most ruthless army the world has ever known. He secretly hopes to spark a rebellion amongst his fellow slaves, but how can they overcome the might of the Empire? Xessa is a slave in the fighting pits, tasked with providing entertainment to those she despises, she knows she will never get out alive, but can she help her fellow Tokob survive long enough to claim freedom? Tayan is stuck in the heart of the Empire, surrounded by the most ruthless and power hungry people, but the Singer’s magic speaks to him in a way no one thought possible – can he survive long enough to understand how to wield it? Meanwhile, on the other side of the conflict, Pilos and Enet are at each other’s throats, each one determined to outwit the other.

Anna Stephens is one of my favourite authors so this book was one of my most anticipated releases for 2023. It has all the things that I love about her books – incredible world building, an intriguing plot with some surprises I didn’t see coming, and brilliant, complex characters you can’t help but become attached to. Despite the book being over 600 pages I raced through this and I am already desperate for more. Stephens has created such an interesting world in this series. The magic is so fascinating and I loved learning more about the song and the world as the story progressed.

I would say that this is a bit more on the slower paced side compared to The Stone Knife, but if anything that gives the reader the chance to become even more attached to the characters. It was fascinating to see how things changed for the characters compared to book one and there was so much growth and evolution for them. I absolutely adore Xessa (and Ossa), she is one of my favourite characters and I am terrified of how things might go for her in book three. All of the POV characters are really fascinating and I really liked Enet’s chapters as she’s so ruthless and determined to make all her plans come to fruition.

Just like The Stone Knife, The Jaguar Path is dark, gritty and has more than a few gruesome moments. Stephens does a brilliant job writing dynamic fighting scenes, with moments that practically leap off the page. I enjoyed every second of this book and I cannot wait to see how the story ends.

Book Review: The Last Tale of the Flower Bride – Roshani Chokshi

Book Review: The Last Tale of the Flower Bride – Roshani Chokshi

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Release Date: February 14th 2023
Publisher: Hodder Books
Pages: 304
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

A sumptuous, gothic-infused story about a marriage that is unraveled by dark secrets, a friendship cursed to end in tragedy, and the danger of believing in fairy tales—the breathtaking adult debut from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi.

Once upon a time, a man who believed in fairy tales married a beautiful, mysterious woman named Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada. He was a scholar of myths. She was heiress to a fortune. They exchanged gifts and stories and believed they would live happily ever after—and in exchange for her love, Indigo extracted a promise: that her bridegroom would never pry into her past.

But when Indigo learns that her estranged aunt is dying and the couple is forced to return to her childhood home, the House of Dreams, the bridegroom will soon find himself unable to resist. For within the crumbling manor’s extravagant rooms and musty halls, there lurks the shadow of another girl: Azure, Indigo’s dearest childhood friend who suddenly disappeared. As the house slowly reveals his wife’s secrets, the bridegroom will be forced to choose between reality and fantasy, even if doing so threatens to destroy their marriage . . . or their lives.

Combining the lush, haunting atmosphere of Mexican Gothic with the dreamy enchantment of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is a spellbinding and darkly romantic page-turner about love and lies, secrets and betrayal, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

Review

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is the sort of book that grips you as soon as you read the first page and absolutely does not let you go. The story follows a man obsessed with myth and fairytales as he ends up married to the mysterious and beautiful Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada. Their marriage is built on a promise that he must never look into her history or pry into her secrets. When the couple learns that Indigo’s aunt is dying they must return to Indigo’s family home – the House of Dreams and the bridegroom discovers a childhood best friend that mysteriously disappeared. Can he resist prying into Indigo’s past and what will be the consequences if he does?

I really enjoyed Roshani Chokshi’s Guilded Wolves series so when I heard about The Last Tale of the Flower Bride, I was incredibly intrigued. This book feels completely different and I think that really shows Chokshi’s talent as a writer. Despite finishing this book a while ago I still find myself thinking about it. Intricately plotted, the story is full to the brim with atmosphere and a sense of mystery. This story is beautifully written and the hazy, Gothic sense of unease that lingers throughout the story had me turning pages long into the night.

Chokshi does an amazing job of bringing the setting to life and images of the old, creaking house really sprang to life. The characters were so complex and fascinating, particularly as their secrets were revealed and things began to unravel. The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is a triumph and definitely my favourite book from Chokshi so far. If you’re looking for a book full of lush, lyrical prose and a captivating plot, this one is definitely a must read.

Book Review: The Serpent and the Dead – Anna Stephens

Book Review: The Serpent and the Dead – Anna Stephens

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Legends of Asgard #3
Release Date: September 21st 2021
Publisher: Aconyte Books
Pages: 336
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: I bought a copy of this at Cymera Festival
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

In The Serpent and the Dead, Brunnhilde the Valkyrie, the fearsome Asgardian warrior entrusted with conveying worthy souls to the heroes’ afterlife, stalks a battlefield finding only empty husks. Yet the souls are not already in Valhalla, or the lesser afterworlds—they have vanished.

She enlists the aid of the valiant Lady Sif, and together they scour Asgard for answers. Rumors abound of towns being attacked by a horde of soldiers who cannot be killed. Someone is building an immortal army and stealing Asgardian souls… A worthy challenge for two of Asgard’s mightiest champions!

The Serpent and the Dead is the third prose novel in the LEGENDS OF ASGARD line, which is set in the legendary realm of Asgard and rich in Norse-inspired mythology, follows The Head of Mimir and The Sword of Surtur. These fantastical stories centering on Thor’s daring companions celebrate heroism, adventure, fate, honor, and myth, bringing their stories to the fore. Raise a flagon of ale and enjoy tales of the extraordinary exploits of heroes and heroines from the Ten Realms.

Review

The Serpent and the Dead is a fun and fast paced fantasy tale that follows Lady Sif and the Valkyrie Brunnhilde as they embark on a quest to discover why some souls on the battlefield are disappearing before they can be escorted to Valhalla. When they two arrive at a small town they hear about attacks taking place from fearsome creatures that cannot be killed. Determined to uncover what is going on and rescue the missing souls, Lady Sif and Brunnhilde must use every ounce of their strength to uncover this evil enemy.

I must preface this review by saying I know next to nothing about the Marvel universe. I’ve seen the movies and that’s about as far as my knowledge goes. I picked this one up because Anna Stephens is one of my favourite authors and I will read anything she writes. For me, I was able to enjoy the story and get to know the characters without having much prior knowledge. This feels so different to the books I have come to expect from Stephens, but I nonetheless had an excellent time reading it. The book is well plotted, full of action with a really engaging story.

One of the things I enjoyed most about The Serpent and the Dead is the relationships. Lady Sif and Brunnhilde are really strong, complex characters and I loved seeing their friendship continue to grow even under such difficult circumstances, and when there were times they weren’t sure they could trust each other. There’s also an established couple in the story – Brunnhilde and Inge and it was interesting to see them attempt to protect and look after each other on such a perilous journey.

Overall The Serpent and the Dead is an engaging, action-packed read. Anna Stephens writes incredible battle scenes and there are lots of really epic moments in this story. If you’re a Marvel fan or you’re looking for a gripping fantasy tale steeped in Norse mythology, definitely check this one out.

 

Book Review: Seven Faceless Saints – M K Lobb

Book Review: Seven Faceless Saints – M K Lobb

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Seven Faceless Saints #1
Release Date: February 7th 2023
Publisher: Titan Books
Pages: 400
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: I received an E-ARC of this book via Netgalley
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

In the city of Ombrazia, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying and unjust power, playing favorites while the unfavored struggle to survive.

After her father’s murder at the hands of the Ombrazian military, Rossana Lacertosa is willing to do whatever it takes to dismantle the corrupt system—tapping into her powers as a disciple of Patience, joining the rebellion, and facing the boy who broke her heart. As the youngest captain in the history of Palazzo security, Damian Venturi is expected to be ruthless and strong, and to serve the saints with unquestioning devotion. But three years spent fighting in a never-ending war have left him with deeper scars than he wants to admit… and a fear of confronting the girl he left behind.

Now a murderer stalks Ombrazia’s citizens. As the body count climbs, the Palazzo is all too happy to look the other way—that is, until a disciple becomes the newest victim. With every lead turning into a dead end, Damian and Roz must team up to find the killer, even if it means digging up buried emotions. As they dive into the underbelly of Ombrazia, the pair will discover something more sinister—and far less holy. With darkness closing in and time running out, will they be able to save the city from an evil so powerful that it threatens to destroy everything in its path?

Review

Seven Faceless Saints lured me in with that intriguing title and beautiful cover. Set in the world of Ombrazia, the story follows our two main characters – Damian and Roz – as they attempt to uncover the truth about a series of murders that have taken place. Damian is head of security at the Palazzo, and recently returned from the war, he wants nothing more than to solve the murders and make his father proud. Roz is a disciple of the saint Patience, meaning she has magic and a more privileged life than many around her. But Roz never wanted to be a disciple and is strongly against the unjust systems that cost her father his life when he was killed as a deserter. While by day she is a disciple, by night she is part of the rebellion desperate to turn things around for Ombrazia’s people. Damian and Roz have a difficult history, but can the two team up and discover what is killing innocent people?

This was such a dark and addictive read. I found the concept so intriguing – a murder mystery set in a fantasy world and the fast-paced plot really kept me hooked. The story has solid world building and I must admit the reveal at the end did, in fact, take me by surprise. I really enjoyed Lobb’s writing style and there is plenty of time spent laying out the lore around the saints and the magic in the story. I am definitely keen to know more about the saints and am so intrigued to find out where Lobb will take things in book two.

Where I think Seven Faceless Saints shines is our two main protagonists. Told from both points of view, both characters are well developed as the story progresses. Roz is still grieving the loss of her father, determined to help the rebellion and her friends. Damian is tortured by the things that happened during the war and wants to solve the mystery and live up to his father’s name. Both characters have a difficult past and it was nice to have two characters already have a history instead of meeting for the first time. There is quite a heavy romance focus in the story, however, it was well executed. Overall Seven Faceless Saints is an impressive debut and if you’re looking for a dark fantasy story with plenty of magic, mystery, and romance, this will definitely be up your street.

Blog Tour: Shield Maiden – Sharon Emmerichs

Blog Tour: Shield Maiden – Sharon Emmerichs

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment


Release Date: February 2nd 2023
Publisher: Ad Astra
Pages: 416
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones. 
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

Having grown up hearing tales of her uncle, the great King Beowulf, Fryda’s one desire is to become a shield maiden in her own right. Yet a terrible childhood accident has left Fryda disabled – thus, she believes, thwarting her dream of becoming a warrior-woman for good. But still, somehow, she feels an uncontrollable power begin to rise within herself.

Meanwhile, a great celebration of Beowulf’s reign is underway, and Fryda’s house is soon overrun with foreign kings and chieftains. Amidst the drunken revelry, a discovery is made that threatens the safety of Fryda’s entire clan – and her own life. Enraged, Fryda resolves to fight for her people, no matter the cost… and all the while, her powers seem only to grow stronger.

But she is not the only one to feel its effects. For, buried deep in her gilded lair, a dragon is drawn to Fryda’s untamed power, and is slowly awakening from a long, cursed sleep…

Review

Shield Maiden is a beautifully written fantasy tale that follows Fryda, a young girl with a dream of becoming a shield maiden. After an accident in her childhood leaves her disabled, she believes she will never achieve that dream – no matter how badly she wants it. When her Uncle Beowulf comes to visit the clan and celebrations begin, Fryda uncovers a plot that threatens the safety of the people she loves most. Determined to do what she can to protect her people, Fryda soon feels a strange power growing inside her, but Fryda isn’t the only one who feels the power stirring and a dragon long sleeping might finally awake.

I admit I don’t know all that much about Beowulf but between the intriguing synopsis and that stunning cover I was incredibly keen to read Shield Maiden and I absolutely was not disappointed. This fast-paced fantasy retelling feels incredibly well crafted and lots of research has gone into creating the story. I immediately felt transported to this fascinating setting and I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. It was so easy to get lost in the story that I found myself sitting down to read a chapter and ended up reading for hours at a time. There’s plenty of action in the story and more than a few tense moments. The tension really ramps up towards the end of the story and that final battle scene definitely had me on the edge of my seat.

The characters are really interesting in this story and I really liked Fryda as a main character. There is quite a heavy romance focus in this story, the romance felt well developed and I really liked seeing their relationship develop as the story progressed. I also really liked that there were chapters from the point of view of the dragon, these were really intriguing and had me desperate to know more each time. Shield Maiden is a really captivating historical fantasy tale and if you’re looking for a story full of compelling characters, tense fighting, and a dragon then this one should definitely be on your TBR list.

Book Review: The Stone Knife – Anna Stephens

Book Review: The Stone Knife – Anna Stephens

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: The Songs of the Drowned #1
Release Date: November 26th 2020
Publisher: HarperVoyager
Pages: 608
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: I bought a copy of this from my local bookshop
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

For generations, the forests of Ixachipan have echoed with the clash of weapons, as nation after nation has fallen to the Empire of Songs – and to the unending, magical music that binds its people together. Now, only two free tribes remain.

The Empire is not their only enemy. Monstrous, scaled predators lurk in rivers and streams, with a deadly music of their own.

As battle looms, fighters on both sides must decide how far they will go for their beliefs and for the ones they love – a veteran general seeks peace through war, a warrior and a shaman set out to understand their enemies, and an ambitious noble tries to bend ancient magic to her will.

Review

The Godblind Trilogy by Anna Stephens is one of my all time favourite series, so I was incredibly intrigued to pick up the first in a new duology from the author. Set in the land of Ixachipan, this multi-perspective tale tells the story of people from two very different nations – those from the Empire of Songs and those of the free tribes, determined to resist the rule of the empire. Every other tribe has fallen to the Empire of Songs and the magical music that weaves through everything and everyone. The Empire will stop at nothing to make the Tokob and Yalotlan fall in line, but will they be able to resist where everyone else has failed?

This is such a compelling story and one I could not get enough of. Despite being over 600 pages, I raced through this book and Stephens does a magnificent job of weaving the plot together. The story is well paced, giving the reader a chance to get to know this fascinating world that’s full of compelling characters. One of the things I loved most about Godblind was the level of worldbuilding and The Stone Knife is just as well developed. I loved learning about the magic in this world, about the song that envelopes everything and the magic of the tribes. The drowned were also completely fascinating and I can’t wait to learn more in book two.

The story has plenty of action scenes and there are more than a few dark and gruesome moments that fans of Godblind have no doubt come to expect. Stephens does a brilliant job of writing battle scenes that leap off the page, each one creating a tense atmosphere that leaves the reader on the edge of their seat. Where the story shines most is the captivating characters – there are a number of POV characters who are on opposing sides and seeing these characters and their beliefs clash made for some very compelling reading. All the POV characters felt incredibly well developed, each with their own motivations. Generally, I find when I read a big epic fantasy story like this there are particular characters that I am most interested in, but with The Stone Knife I felt invested in all of them and I cannot wait to see where the story takes them. I absolutely loved Xessa and Tayan and while she’s a bit terrifying, I was completely fascinated by Enet.

The Stone Knife is a brilliant, unputdownable epic fantasy story. It was an immediate five star read and I cannot wait to read more from Anna Stephens in the future.

Book Review: Godkiller – Hannah Kaner

Book Review: Godkiller – Hannah Kaner

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Release Date: January 19th 2023
Publisher: HarperVoyager
Pages: 304
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Kissen kills gods for a living, and she enjoys it. That is until she finds a god she cannot kill: Skediceth, god of white lies, who is connected to a little noble girl on the run.

Elogast fought in the god war, and helped purge the city of a thousand shrines before laying down his sword. A mysterious request from the King sends him racing back to the city he destroyed.

On the way he meets a godkiller, a little girl and a littler god, who cannot find out about his quest.

Review

Godkiller is a compelling and hard to put down fantasy tale that follows the Godkiller Kissen as she stumbles upon a young girl who has become connected to the god of white lies. Kissen cannot kill the god without harming the girl and so embark on a quest to help separate the two. On the journey, they meet Elo, a baker on a quest of his own. Will the three survive the quest long enough to find the answers they seek?

I loved every second of this book! It features a really fascinating world with intricate world building. I really enjoyed learning about the gods and magic in this story and was so impressed with the amount of detail and history. The world was so intriguing and I can’t wait to see where Kaner takes things in book two. The story is well-paced, there’s plenty of action to keep the reader on the edge of their seat but also plenty of time to get to know the characters and the magic. Godkiller felt like such a unique take on the fantasy tale and I definitely found myself hungry for more. Godkiller is a book that’s hard to look away from and I ended up reading the last hundred pages in a single sitting as I just had to know how it was all going to end.

Godkiller has a fantastic cast of characters and I grew quite attached to all of them. They are well crafted, each dealing with their own secrets and determined to do what’s right. Kissen is such a badass protagonist and she was probably my favourite, but I loved Elo, Ina and Skedi too. The relationship between Ina and Skedi is a really fascinating aspect of the tale, they’re bonded together and desperate to find out about their pasts, but as the story progresses their relationship begins to change and it was so compelling to read about. Godkiller is my first five star read of 2023 and it is one impressive debut. If you’re looking for an epic fantasy adventure that you won’t want to look away from, Godkiller is definitely a must read!

Book Review: The Stolen Heir – Holly Black

Book Review: The Stolen Heir – Holly Black

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Elfhame #4
Release Date: January 3rd 2023
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Pages: 368
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: I ordered a copy of this from Book Depository
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

A runaway queen. A reluctant prince. And a quest that may destroy them both.

Eight years have passed since the Battle of the Serpent. But in the icy north, Lady Nore of the Court of Teeth has reclaimed the Ice Needle Citadel. There, she is using an ancient relic to create monsters of stick and snow who will do her bidding and exact her revenge.

Suren, child queen of the Court of Teeth, and the one person with power over her mother, fled to the human world. There, she lives feral in the woods. Lonely, and still haunted by the merciless torments she endured in the Court of Teeth, she bides her time by releasing mortals from foolish bargains. She believes herself forgotten until the storm hag, Bogdana chases her through the night streets. Suren is saved by none other than Prince Oak, heir to Elfhame, to whom she was once promised in marriage and who she has resented for years.

Now seventeen, Oak is charming, beautiful, and manipulative. He’s on a mission that will lead him into the north, and he wants Suren’s help. But if she agrees, it will mean guarding her heart against the boy she once knew and a prince she cannot trust, as well as confronting all the horrors she thought she left behind.

Review

The Stolen Heir was one of my most anticipated releases for 2023. The Cruel Prince trilogy is one of my favourite YA series of all time and I was really excited to return to the world of Elfhame. The story is full of magic and adventure, but for me, I didn’t fall in love with it quite as much as I did The Cruel Prince.

The Stolen Heir tells the story of Suren, once the child queen of the Court of Teeth, she has been exiled to the human realm. She spends her time foraging in the woods, releasing mortals from their bargains with the fae and longing to return to the human family she once lived with. When Suren runs into Bogdana from the Court of Teeth, she is saved by Prince Oak, heir to the throne of Elfhame. Oak requires Suren’s help in a dangerous quest to rescue his father, but doing so will take her back to the Court of Teeth and the life she left behind. Will she survive returning to that deadly place and can Prince Oak really be trusted?

There was lots about The Stolen Heir that I really enjoyed. Holly Black really is the queen of faerie and I love her writing style and the way she brings this world to life. While the story did feel a little slow in some parts, overall it was engaging and compelling enough that I ended up reading half the book in one sitting. There is a reveal that happens at the end of the story that I guessed pretty early on, but I am nonetheless very intrigued to see where the story will go in book two.

Suren is probably what made this book for me. She’s a really interesting and complex character, dealing with a harrowing childhood and just trying to find her place in the world. I liked seeing her relationships develop with the other characters in the story and I can’t wait to see where the story is going to take her. Overall this a fun, entertaining read, full of Black’s trademark writing. If you’ve read The Cruel Prince series and are intrigued by this one I would definitely say it’s worth picking up.

Blog Tour: The Witch and the Tsar – Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

Blog Tour: The Witch and the Tsar – Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment


Release Date: December 8th 2022
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Pages: 400
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

In this stunning debut novel, the maligned and immortal witch of legend known as Baba Yaga will risk all to save her country and her people from Tsar Ivan the Terrible—and the dangerous gods who seek to drive the twisted hearts of men.

As a half-goddess possessing magic, Yaga is used to living on her own, her prior entanglements with mortals having led to heartbreak. She mostly keeps to her hut in the woods, where those in need of healing seek her out, even as they spread rumors about her supposed cruelty and wicked spells. But when her old friend Anastasia—now the wife of the tsar, and suffering from a mysterious illness—arrives in her forest desperate for her protection, Yaga realizes the fate of all of Russia is tied to Anastasia’s. Yaga must step out of the shadows to protect the land she loves.

As she travels to Moscow, Yaga witnesses a sixteenth century Russia on the brink of chaos. Tsar Ivan—soon to become Ivan the Terrible—grows more volatile and tyrannical by the day, and Yaga believes the tsaritsa is being poisoned by an unknown enemy. But what Yaga cannot know is that Ivan is being manipulated by powers far older and more fearsome than anyone can imagine.

Olesya Salnikova Gilmore weaves a rich tapestry of mythology and Russian history, reclaiming and reinventing the infamous Baba Yaga, and bringing to life a vibrant and tumultuous Russia, where old gods and new tyrants vie for power. This fierce and compelling novel draws from the timeless lore to create a heroine for the modern day, fighting to save her country and those she loves from oppression while also finding her true purpose as a goddess, a witch, and a woman.

Review

This absolutely stunning book captured my attention right from the very beginning. I was completely hooked and did not want to put it down. The story follows half-goddess Baba Yaga, who mostly keeps to herself in the woods, helping those who seek her out. When her old friend Anastasia comes seeking her desperate for help, she knows she cannot hide in the shadows anymore but must embark on an epic adventure to protect Russia from Tsar Ivan the Terrible.

The Witch and the Tsar is the perfect read for a dark winter night. Full of gorgeous writing, this is the kind of book that when you put it down you are just itching to pick it back up again. Full of folklore and magic, The Witch and the Tsar is a very impressive debut novel. The story is well paced and the vivid descriptions of the wintry landscape really came to life in Gilmore’s writing. The story is full of political intrigue as Russia is on the brink of chaos. I loved the way the author mixed folklore and Russian history to create such a rich story. The story felt incredibly detailed and well researched and fans of Katherine Arden’s Winternight Trilogy are sure to fall in love with this one.

The characters in the story are well crafted, and Yaga makes for a fascinating protagonist. Having lived a long time she has seen and learned much and she was such an interesting character to read about. I loved the relationship she had with her three companions and I was absolutely rooting for her right till the end. The Witch and the Tsar is a beautiful, well plotted historical fantasy retelling that I couldn’t help but fall in love with. If you’re looking for something that will keep you reading long into the night, this one should definitely be on your wishlist.