Tag: fantasy

Book Review: Bitterthorn – Kat Dunn

Book Review: Bitterthorn – Kat Dunn

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Release Date: May 4th 2023
Publisher: Andersen Press
Pages: 368
Find it on: Goodreads. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Blumwald is a town overshadowed by an ancient curse: in a sinister castle in the depths of the wild wood lives a monstrous Witch. Once a generation, she comes to claim a companion to return with her – never to be seen again. Now that time is drawing near once more…

Mina, daughter of the duke, is grieving and lonely. She has lost all hope of any future for herself in Blumwald. So when the Witch demands her next companion, Mina offers herself up – though she has no idea what fate awaits her. Stranded with her darkly alluring captor, the mystery of what happened to the previous companions draws Mina into the heart of a terrifying secret that could save her life, or end it.

Review

Bitterthorn tells the story of Mina, a young woman, and daughter of the duke of Blumwald. Once in a generation, Blumwald is terrorised by the Witch, who comes to take a new companion. Once taken, a companion is never seen again. When Mina is herself taken as the new companion, she finds herself living in a remote castle, strangely drawn to the Witch. But with so many secrets, will she find out the truth behind the disappearance of the previous companions?

I absolutely loved Kat Dunn’s Battalion of the Dead series so this was one of my most anticipated releases. As soon as I picked this one up I was immediately drawn into the story. The story is full to the brim with atmosphere and beautiful, lyrical writing. It has a very fairytale-like feel to the story and I couldn’t help devouring Bitterthorn in a single sitting. The story is well paced and there is plenty of mystery and intrigue to keep the reader wanting more. I really liked the setting and the remote castle really came to life in Dunn’s writing.

Mina is an interesting protagonist and I really enjoyed seeing her relationship with the Witch develop.  Mina is struggling to find a place she belongs and is determined to uncover the secrets in the castle. The Witch is similarly interesting and I loved seeing the dynamics in their relationship change and adapt as the story progressed. Bitterthorn definitely has some twists and turns and more than a few moments I wasn’t expecting. If you’re looking for a captivating, fairytale story, Bitterthorn is an absolute must read and has such a stunning cover. I completely adored this story and cannot wait to see what Kat Dunn writes next.

Book Review: No Heart for a Thief – James Lloyd Dulin

Book Review: No Heart for a Thief – James Lloyd Dulin

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Malitu #1
Publisher: G&D Publishing
Pages: 428
Find it on: Goodreads. Amazon.
Source: The author kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

We are the stories we tell ourselves…even the lies.

The Thief, a great spirit, and her descendants have abused their ability to steal magic for centuries. When Kaylo starts to hear the song of other people’s magic, he must learn to hide from his people as well as the invaders. A gift or a curse, Kaylo may be able to save his people from the Gousht Empire that claimed their land with this stolen magic.

Eighteen years later, Kaylo still prays to the spirits, but not out of loyalty or love. He knows better than to rely on those selfish bastards for anything. While hiding in the forest from his foolish acts of rebellion, he encounters a girl, Tayen, being pursued by two soldiers of the empire. Against his better judgment, he risks facing the consequences of his past to intervene.

When Tayen attempts to run off seeking vengeance for her family, he offers to train her to wield her magic and a blade. If he can’t convince her to relinquish her need for vengeance and stave off the demons of his past, he’s going to get them both killed.

Review

No Heart for a Thief is the first in a new epic fantasy series that follows Tayen, a young girl seeking vengeance for the murder of her family by soldiers of the Gousht Empire. When she meets Kaylo the famous thief with the ability to steal magic, he saves her and offers to help her learn how to control her magic and how to wield a weapon. As Kaylo and Tayen work together, Kaylo recounts his life and the mistakes he has made – will Kaylo be able to stop Tayen’s quest for vengeance and escape the demons he’s hiding from?

No Heart for a Thief really caught my eye because of the intriguing premise and right from the get-go I was hooked. Dulin has weaved a complex and compelling tale, one that I found myself dying to get back to when I had to put the book down. I really enjoyed Dulin’s writing style and the story was well paced, giving the reader plenty of time to get to know the characters and world. I similarly felt that the world building was well developed and am so eager to see more of the world in subsequent books. One of the things I enjoyed most about the writing were the dynamic action scenes that Dulin brought to life. No Heart for a thief is an action packed tale, and there are plenty of tense moments that will have the reader on the edge of their seat.

Although there is plenty of action the story feels very character focused. I really enjoyed the way the narrative unfolded, we follow Kaylo and Tayen in the current day as Tayen trains and they attempt to escape the Gousht soldiers. We also follow Kaylo as a young boy and see how his life unfolds, as he learns to control his power and grow into the person he has become. Both characters felt complex and well developed, each dealing with their own haunted pasts and it was interesting to draw similarities between them. I really liked both protagonists and cannot wait to see where the story will take them. Dulin has created a fascinating world with a really unique magic system. No Heart for a Thief is a clever and engaging read and I am already itching to read book two.

Book Review: The Foxglove King – Hannah Whitten

Book Review: The Foxglove King – Hannah Whitten

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment


Series: The Nightshade Crown #1
Release Date: March 7th 2023
Publisher: Orbit Books
Pages: 466
Find it on: Goodreads Waterstones 
Source: I bought a copy of this from my local Waterstones
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

When Lore was thirteen, she escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire. And in the ten years since, she’s lived by one rule: don’t let them find you. Easier said than done, when her death magic ties her to the city.

Mortem, the magic born from death, is a high-priced and illicit commodity in Dellaire, and Lore’s job running poisons keeps her in food, shelter, and relative security. But when a run goes wrong and Lore’s power is revealed, she’s taken by the Presque Mort, a group of warrior-monks sanctioned to use Mortem working for the Sainted King. Lore fully expects a pyre, but King August has a different plan. Entire villages on the outskirts of the country have been dying overnight, seemingly at random. Lore can either use her magic to find out what’s happening and who in the King’s court is responsible, or die.

Lore is thrust into the Sainted King’s glittering court, where no one can be believed and even fewer can be trusted. Guarded by Gabriel, a duke-turned-monk, and continually running up against Bastian, August’s ne’er-do-well heir, Lore tangles in politics, religion, and forbidden romance as she attempts to navigate a debauched and opulent society.

But the life she left behind in the catacombs is catching up with her. And even as Lore makes her way through the Sainted court above, they might be drawing closer than she thinks.

Review

Lured in by that beautiful cover and intriguing synopsis, I picked up The Foxglove King even though I haven’t gotten around to reading Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf yet. The story follows Lore, a young poison runner with the ability to channel Mortem – death magic. Channeling Mortem is illegal so when Lore is caught summoning she’s captured by the Presque Mort, an arm of the church where channeling Mortem is allowed. There Lore learns about a mysterious affliction that is wiping out entire villages and is tasked with using her magic to discover what is killing them. Having no choice but to accept Lore ends up in the Sainted King’s court, attempting to uncover the truth behind the killings, but will she be able to discover the truth before it’s too late?

This book sucked me in right from the very first chapter. It had such a fascinating premise and I found myself completely glued to the pages. The story is pretty quick paced, with plenty of action. The world building is well developed and I was so intrigued by the magic system in this world. It felt well fleshed out and it was so interesting seeing Lore continue to develop her abilities. One of the things that stood out most for me with this book were the scenes where Lore used her abilities. They were so atmospheric and intense and more than one sent a shiver down my spine. I’m so looking forward to seeing more of the magic in the next installment. The Foxglove King features so many things I love in fantasy books, it’s absolutely full of court intrigue, mystery, magic, and danger.

The characters in The Foxglove King are well developed and it was easy to see their motivations. Lore is a dynamic protagonist, she’s strong willed and clever and I really enjoyed seeing the story from her perspective. Gabe and Bastian are compelling characters too and I liked how the relationships between the three changed as the story reached the tense ending. The Foxglove King is a brilliantly told fantasy tale and one I can’t recommend highly enough.

Book Review: The Sinister Booksellers of Bath – Garth Nix

Book Review: The Sinister Booksellers of Bath – Garth Nix

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: The Left-Handed Booksellers of London #2
Release Date: March 21st 2023
Publisher: Gollancz
Pages: 416
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

There is often trouble of a mythical sort in Bath. The booksellers who police the Old World keep a careful watch there, particularly on the entity who inhabits the ancient hot spring. Yet this time it is not from Sulis Minerva that trouble starts. It comes from the discovery of a sorcerous map, leading left-handed bookseller Merlin into great danger. A desperate rescue is attempted by his sister the right-handed bookseller Vivien and their friend, art student Susan Arkshaw, who is still struggling to deal with her own recently discovered magical heritage.

The map takes the trio to a place separated from this world, maintained by deadly sorcery performed by an ancient sovereign and guarded by monstrous living statues of Portland Stone. But this is only the beginning, as the booksellers investigate centuries of disappearances and deaths and try to unravel the secrets of the murderous Lady of Stone, a serial killer of awesome powers.

If they do not stop her, she will soon kill again. And this time, her target is not an ordinary mortal.

Review

Garth Nix is back with an all new fantasy adventure featuring Susan Arkshaw and the mysterious booksellers. Picking up after the events of The Left-Handed Booksellers of London, the story follows Susan, Merlin and Viven as they are transported to a strange house taken out of time. There they find a series of murders have taken place and an ancient sovereign with the ability to animate stone. The ancient sovereign takes an interest in Susan and together with the help of the other booksellers, the trio must find a way to stop the Lady of Stone before she kills again.

I really enjoyed The Left-Handed Booksellers of London so I immediately picked up the sequel. This installment is just as action packed, featuring plenty of shoot outs, battles with mythical monsters and clever puzzles. This one felt particularly fast paced and I found myself turning pages quicker and quicker because I was so intrigued by the story. The plot is well executed and I enjoyed getting to know more about the magic that the booksellers and ancient sovereigns possess. Garth Nix continues to be one of my favourite authors, with all of his books delivering engaging storylines and compelling characters.

We stick with the three main protagonists as the previous book and Susan in particular feels well developed. I was really fascinated by her storyline, coming into her powers and trying to find a balance between living her normal every day life as an art student and the lure she feels towards her father’s powers. The story comes to a satisfying conclusion and was a really fun and engrossing read – I would love to read more about Susan and the booksellers and hope Nix continues to write more books in this world.

 

Book Review: The Faithless – C L Clark

Book Review: The Faithless – C L Clark

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment

Series: Magic of the Lost #2
Release Date: 7th March 2023
Publisher: Orbit Books
Pages: 558
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: I bought a copy of this book from my local bookshop
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

In the second installment of C.L. Clark’s Magic of the Lost trilogy, soldier Touraine and princess Luca must return to Balladaire to reclaim Luca’s throne and to face the consequences of dismantling an empire.

The rebels have won, and the empire is withdrawing from Qazal. But undoing the tangled web that binds the two nations will not be easy, and Touraine and Luca will face their greatest challenge yet.

Luca needs to oust her uncle from the Balladairan throne once and for all and take her rightful place as Queen. But he won’t let go of power so easily. When he calls for a “Trial of Competence” and Luca’s allies start disappearing from her side, she will need to find a way to prove her might. And she knows someone who can help…

Touraine has found a home in the newly free country of Qazal. But she soon realizes that leading a country and leading a revolution are two very different tasks. And, even more importantly, if Luca’s uncle doesn’t ratify the treaty, the Qazali could end up right back where they started.

Together, the two women will have to come overcome their enemies, their history, and their heartbreak in order to find a way to secure Luca’s power and Touraine’s freedom.

Review

C. L. Clark’s The Unbroken was one of my favourite reads of 2022 so I was dying to get my hands on a copy of The Faithless. Picking up after the events of book one, we follow Touraine as she travels to Balladaire as an Ambassador for Qazal. Touraine knows this will be no easy task and the future of Qazal rests upon her. Meanwhile Luca has returned home to take her rightful place as Queen, however, her Uncle is not willing to let the crown go. Luca must go through a Trial of Competence to prove she is ready for the throne, but with so few allies will she be able to rally the nobles to her cause and stop her Uncle stealing the throne?

I was so curious to see whether I would love The Faithless as much as I loved The Unbroken. I was so surprised to discover I loved this book even more than book one. As soon as the book arrived I couldn’t help picking it up (partly because of that stunning cover) and I was completely glued to the pages. The story is complex, well executed and utterly compelling. I enjoyed seeing more of the world in this installment and seeing all the sights and sounds of Balladaire come to life. The world building is excellent, with the reader getting the opportunity to learn more about the magic both in Qazal and in Balladaire.

Much like book one, The Faithless is full of action packed scenes. Clark has a way of writing really dynamic fighting scenes that really have the reader on the edge of their seat. There is also lots of political intrigue in the story and it was fascinating seeing Luca attempt to bring allies to her cause. The romance in the story is impeccable and I so enjoyed seeing how the dynamics between Luca and Touraine have changed over the course of the two books. The story is not only told from Touraine and Luca’s point of view, but we also get to see the story from Pruett’s perspective – something I hadn’t been expecting but really liked. Touraine and Luca are such fascinating characters – Luca is clever, doing everything she can to fight for her throne and do the right thing for her people. Touraine is struggling to find her place in the world and help Qazal survive after being liberated.

The Faithless is a brilliant, unputdownable read with complex compelling characters (I loved Ghadin too!) and an intriguing, well paced plot. If you’ve read The Unbroken you will not be disappointed in this sequel and I cannot wait to see where Clark takes things in book three.

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.