Review: Crown of War and Shadow by J.R. Ward

Crown of War and Shadow is a brand new, sweeping, slow-burn romantasy from #1 New York Times bestseller J. R. Ward, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and Jennifer Armentrout!

Crown of War and Shadow is the first book in the Kingdoms of the Compass series.

Crown of War and Shadow has

*Forced proximity/Only one bed

*Chosen mates

*Dark mercenary

*Who did this to you?

*Touch her and die

*I'll die for you

*Hidden magic

About the Book

An outcast burdened with a curse. A mercenary out for himself. A kingdom that must be saved.

In the deep, dark, dead of night, passions rise, and empires fall…

The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world.

No one is safe.

Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast within the walls of her small village because of her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.

Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.

She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen's crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.

Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.

The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.

But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though desire runs hot between them, adventure, danger, and betrayal lurk around every corner.

My Review

J.R. Ward brings a fresh voice to the romantasy genre in this epic tale of intrigue and prophecy.

I had some trepidation before picking up the book. I am a huge J.R. Ward fan and I absolutely LOVE her Black Dagger Brotherhood series and many of her other books, but some of her forays into other genres have not been as enjoyable so I wasn’t sure what to expect. 

Will this be a new story we haven’t heard of with an amazing plot and creative world building, or will it be a bandwagon book based on the current popularity of romantasy? 

I am thrilled to report that Crown of War and Shadow is that of the former!

I was immediately swept into the story as I learned of Sorrel’s hardships as an outcast trying to survive the harsh life of a poor orphan. But Sorrel’s got secrets. Big secrets. Forbidden secrets. Juicy secrets. 

One day a mercenary comes into town and takes an unnerving interest in Sorrel. Could he be her savior or her executioner? 

An attack on a couple of village children ignites a chain of events that rock Sorrel’s foundation to the core. The villagers blame Sorrel for the attack and despite the miracles she’s worked through her magic helping many families in the village, everyone’s out for her blood. Everyone except a mercenary with secret machinations of his own. 

Sorrel is shoved into a destiny she doesn’t understand and a responsibility too heavy to shoulder. With the help of her ruggedly handsome mercenary, Sorrel sets off to find the answers she seeks. The road ahead is full of danger and countless adversaries. Sorrel must learn to stop doubting herself and trust her instincts. 

What Fate has planned for Sorrel is far more dastardly than ever imagined. Safety is an illusion. Trust is deceptive. Victory is fleeting. And love is the biggest ass kicker of them all.

The mystery and suspense of the storyline had me on the edge of my seat! I spent my nights reading early into the morning hours because I couldn’t put the book down. When a secret was revealed, the story would bend Inception-style and completely shatter my reading experience with jaw-dropping precision! 

Crown of War and Shadow is an exciting read with a tenacious heroine, vibrant landscapes, and a meticulously crafted storyline that’ll leave readers breathless! 

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

DELUXE EDITION―featuring gorgeous stenciled edges, a foil case stamp, a detailed map, and designed endpapers!

Purchase Links*

Hardcover | eBook | Audiobook

About the Author

J.R. Ward is the author of over thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than 15 million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in 25 different countries around the world. Learn more at jrward.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Dawn of the North by Demi Winters

Dawn of the North is an epic saga packed full of action, intrigue, danger, mystery, secrets, betrayals, old enemies, new enemies, gods, monsters, and SO much more!

About the Book

A new age begins in the Kingdom of Íseldur in this sizzling third installment of the Viking-inspired Ashen romantasy the series.

The lost Volsik heir has finally returned to the people of Íseldur, and even with the warrior who’s captured her heart standing by her side, Silla’s task is monumental. She must earn the loyalty of the northern jarls to drive Ivar Ironheart from the throne and restore peace in the kingdom. But the secret she vigilantly guards threatens to ruin all her plans: A shard of a god lives in her mind, twisting her thoughts and deeds to His will.

Meanwhile, held captive on the mysterious isle of Zagadka, Saga Volsik fights to return to her sister in Íseldur. But when King Ivar sets his sights on the Zagadkians, she’s forced to make an impossible choice: fight for the man who stole her—and is now hell-bent on marrying her—or let the innocent people of his kingdom die.

As a poisonous mist threatens the realm, the sisters will delve into the unknowns of their magic to battle against evil. Return to the land of ice and fire, where a god awakens, a queen finds her power, and sisters must unite against the darkness threatening their realm.

My Review

The story is massive and the stakes are monumental as each character finds themselves facing adversity, hardships, trials and tribulations.

Silla: Trying to embrace her destiny as Eisa Volisk but wishing she could just be herself while constantly fighting the god of chaos in her mind, falling in love with Rey, and desperately trying to find her sister Saga.

Saga: Glad she is no longer under King Ivar’s tender mercies but is currently in a foreign land kidnapped by the roguish and deadly Kassandr, making plans to get back to Íseldur to find her sister Silla, carefully evaluating the Zagadka people as friend or foe while waiting for a knife in her back and fighting a deeply personal battle with herself.

Hekla: Trying to complete the job the Bloodaxe Crew was tasked with to eliminate the mist while dodging two suitors and the misogyny of the pig-headed warrior band that joined their cause in Roots of Darkness. Men, ugh! She is one of the toughest and most resilient warriors in the series.

Rey: Torn between protecting Silla and watching her walk into a birthright that’ll most certainly put her in more danger than ever before while navigating the sharks at court and preparing to join the in the fight against the mist, separating him from Silla. One must wonder if a more nefarious plot is afoot to cleave him from her side. Ha! He’d like to see them try, and so would Silla. 

Kassandr: Has brought trouble to his people but he did it to protect Saga. He wants to claim her for himself but faces an uphill battle with his father (the king) and brother to keep her in Zagadka all while secretly preparing the kingdom for the inevitable war he knows is coming despite the arrogant naysayers.

Eyvind: Second heir to Jarl Hakon, striving to get back in his father’s good graces after several “failures” but has been completely enchanted by the lovely–and magnificent–Hekla. He’s a bit of a mystery. 

Queen Signe: Wife of King Ivar, in mourning for her daughter and hungers for vengeance against Saga. Currently making plans of her own despite her husband’s scorned pride and war plans for retribution. Totally evil, cunning, duplicitous, and gravely underestimated.

And the list goes on and on and on… 

I was on the edge of my seat as I read chapter after chapter, hungrily devouring page after page. I knocked this thing out in 2 days. It was SO hard to put the book down to eat, sleep or do anything else. 

There are so many brilliantly crafted characters, dynamic landscapes, climactic story arcs, intricate plots and subplots, dangerous political climates, duplicity in all shapes and sizes, and SO many surprises! 

Demi Winters is a masterful storyteller and Dawn of the North her shining opus!

I cannot recommend this book enough! The Ashen series is a juggernaut in the fantasy genre and Dawn of the North is the absolute highest standard of excellence across all genres of literature.

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links*

Penguin Random House | Demi Winters Website

About the Author

Lover of all things fairy tales, fantasy, and romance, Demi lives in British Columbia, Canada with her husband and two kids. When she’s not busy brainstorming fantastical worlds and morally gray love interests, Demi loves reading and cooking. Learn more at demiwinters.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Roots of Darkness by Demi Winters

Roots of Darkness is a short, side story in The Ashen series. It’s an important part of the timeline and stars Hekla, one of the Bloodaxe crew’s strongest–and most damaged–warriors. Hekla has been through a lot in her life and instead of letting it defeat her, she uses it as fuel to throw on top of the already fiery spirit she has. 

About the Book

Join Hekla and the remnants of the Bloodaxe Crew as they battle the evil, poisonous mist threatening the citizens of Istré—and perhaps all of Íseldur—in a novella following the events of Kingdom of Claw.

Traveling the Road of Bones was only the start of Hekla’s troubles.

The Bloodaxe Crew have arrived at the village of Istré—beleaguered and missing three of their members. They might be down in numbers, but Hekla “Rib Smasher” is determined they’ll complete their job all the same: defeat the monstrous, sentient mist and keep the citizens of Istré safe. What she didn’t expect is for Istré’s bullheaded chieftain to block her every move.

Exasperated, Hekla throws caution to the wind for a single passion-filled night. But to her horror, the mysterious red-cloaked warrior to whom she’s spilled her deepest secrets is the Bloodaxe Crew’s new temporary leader and ally—Eyvind Hakonsson.

Hekla must now learn to play by Eyvind’s rules while guarding her heart. But when it becomes clear that his plans align with the chieftain’s, Hekla takes matters into her own hands.

Nothing will stop her from keeping the innocent people of Istré safe—not even the man who haunts her thoughts.

My Review

Hekla is in a man’s world always having to prove herself. Thankfully, the leader of the Bloodaxe crew–Rey–sees her worth and knows her contribution is priceless. That’s why he put her in charge at the end of the Road of Bones (Book 1) to go to Istré to complete the job they were commissioned to do.

While in Istré, what’s left of the Bloodaxe crew are biding their time and grieving the loss of a fallen crewmate until Rey’s childhood friend shows up with reinforcements to help complete the job. Hekla knows the local chieftain is hiding things from them and has become more of a hindrance than a help. She’s got a feeling the chieftain is placating her until “real warriors” can help solve the problem.

When the band of warriors show up 3 days early, Hekla gets a huge surprise when she finds out the dalliance she indulged in the night before is the one she’s been waiting for, Rey’s friend and second son to the Jarl of Kopa, Eyvind. Talk about awkward.

Now they have to work together, despite the simmering sexual tension, to defeat the mist and save the town of Istré. Working in close proximity to Eyvind and his warriors brings back lots of unpleasant memories from Hekla’s past. She does her best to shake them off while keeping the rest of the Bloodaxe crew together and proving to Eyvind’s warriors she’s more than capable for the job ahead. No problem right? Not. At. All.

I really enjoyed reading this short story and I loved that Hekla got the spotlight. Her past is a private pain she rarely shares and I loved learning more about her and how hard she had to fight to overcome her demons and the misogyny in the kingdom. I greatly admire Hekla and if anyone deserves a happily ever after, it’s her.

While Roots of Darkness leaves more questions than answers, it is an exciting installment to the series and I am SO glad we don’t have to wait long for the next book!

I highly recommend the entire Ashen series!

Purchase Links*

Penguin Random House | Demi Winters Website

About the Author

Lover of all things fairy tales, fantasy, and romance, Demi lives in British Columbia, Canada with her husband and two kids. When she’s not busy brainstorming fantastical worlds and morally gray love interests, Demi loves reading and cooking. Learn more at demiwinters.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: The Road of Bones by Demi Winters

Happy Release Week

The Road of Bones is the first book in an epic romantic fantasy series by Demi Winters.

Get your copy today!

About the Book

Silla Nordvig is running for her life.

The queen of Íseldur has sent warriors to bring Silla to Sunnavík, where death awaits her. When her father is killed, his last words set Silla on a perilous quest: travel the treacherous Road of Bones–a thousand-mile stretch haunted by warbands, creatures of darkness, and a mysterious murderer–and go to Kopa, where a shield-house awaits her.

After barely surviving the first stretch of road, a desperate Silla sneaks into a supply wagon belonging to the notorious Bloodaxe Crew. To make it to Kopa, she must win over Axe Eyes, the brooding leader of the Crew, while avoiding the Wolf, his distractingly handsome right-hand man. But the queen’s ruthless assassin has other plans and hunts Silla obsessively.

Will Silla make it safely to Kopa? Or will she fall prey to the perils of the Road of Bones?

Excerpt

 

Chapter 1

Skarstad

Silla Nordvig believed in the little signs the old gods left for mortals—­red skies to foretell surprise, the flíta to usher in change, and the black hawk as a herald of death. Above all else, she knew that bad fortune came in threes, so it should not have come as a surprise when those wretched bells started ringing. She jumped in fright all the same.

After washing the bread dough from her hands, Silla dried them on the coarse material of her homespun skirts. Ashes, she thought. This week was truly taking a toll on her. It had all started to unravel when Olaf the Red had requested tenancy payment a week ahead of schedule, stretching their threadbare budget beyond its limits. Next, Silla had burned her thumb while pulling barley cakes from the embers, dropping the full batch into the cookfire. Grains were growing more and more costly—­after three long winters in a row, crops were stunted, and the harvest would be grim. Silla had earned herself a stern verbal lashing for her mistake.

And now the third instance of ill fortune this week—­those foulsome bells.

Silla smoothed the floral embroidery along the belt of her blue apron dress, the same worn by all of Jarl Gunnell’s domestic hands, and made her way outdoors. The jangle of iron keys signaled the arrival of Bera, Jarl Gunnell’s wife and head of the household. Silla quickly found her place in line, fingers threading tightly together as Bera counted them.

“Twelve. All right on your way, you lot,” she said in a gentle voice, ushering them out. “Let us hope this is swift. For all involved.”

A light breeze caressed Silla’s face and pulled a few chestnut coils from her tightly woven braid as she stepped along the path. For a gray day, it was pleasantly warm, the sun obscured by clouds. A wasp buzzed at her face, and she swatted it away. Birds twittered from the gardens of the homestead. It was almost peaceful for a moment. Until the following toll of the bell, long and so loud, it set Silla’s teeth on edge.

She matched her steps to the others, keeping her eyes on the blue skirts of the girl ahead of her. They walked in a single line, making their way down the rutted lane. Silla didn’t have to look to know Jarl Gunnell and his men—­warriors, stablemen, and field workers alike—­would be following behind. The jarl was one of the few members of nobility who did not use enslaved thralls brought over from Norvaland, but if he had, they would join as well. The bells were nothing if not the great equalizer, demanding the presence of every Íseldurian over ten winters of age, regardless of class.

Silla glanced toward the stables but could not see her father. He’d be there, somewhere among the field workers, in his dirt-­stained gray tunic. He’d be wiping grime from his face, worrying about her, about them, deciding they’d lingered too long in Skarstad. It would be time for a fresh start. Another one.

They walked along the packed-­dirt road and through a gate in the stockade walls of the village, past timber homes topped with thatched roofs. While orderly woodpiles were stacked neatly before the homes, the cabbage yards overflowed with kitchen herbs and vegetables. Skarstad itself was small and unremarkable, interchangeable with most towns in Sudur lands. Silla should know; she’d lived in so many of them. Neatly laid out and encircled by tall defensive walls, it held two main thoroughfares that intersected in a central, tree-­lined courtyard. The mead hall was neatly maintained, the stoops well swept, the square stained with blood.

The bells grew louder as they approached the square, each clang more menacing than the last. The sounds vibrated through Silla’s bones, ratcheting her insides tighter and tighter with each step closer. Men and women, merchants and farmers alike joined them until a throng crowded the road. At last, they rounded the corner into the central courtyard. Silla shuffled toward the towering Klaernar warrior standing by a wagon piled with jagged black rocks; he passed one out to each who entered the courtyard. Silla kept her eyes low as she waited, knowing what she’d see if she lifted her gaze. Muffled voices floated through the square, pleading. Begging.

It is in vain, she thought with distaste.

The oppressive presence of the Klaernar warrior looming before her stifled the air. Occasionally called the Claws of the King, the Klaernar were all physically imposing, and Silla kept her gaze trained on the warrior’s boots. They were worn, smudged with dirt, a sight she found oddly comforting—­proof he was, in fact, human. If she lifted her eyes, Silla knew she’d see he wore a shirt of black chain mail, punctuated by screaming bear shoulder plates in shining silver. Knew that she’d see three claw marks tattooed along the man’s right cheek.

She’d heard rumors that the second sons of Íseldur were changed not just physically once they took the claw, but mentally as well. Something happened when they went through the Ritual and pledged themselves to King Ivar and his Bear God, Ursir. No matter how diminutive their stature before the Ritual, they returned transformed—­tall and built like mountains, their newly inked faces etched in permanent scowls. It was said they carried Ursir’s blessing in their veins, which only deepened Silla’s unease.

As the King’s Claw placed a chunk of raw obsidian in her palm, Silla’s hand dipped under its weight. She stared at the flat, glossy surface. How could something be so beautiful and yet so ugly all at once?

The resounding chimes startled her from her thoughts, so loud they were near deafening in the square. Silla lurched forward, eyes darting in search of the blues of Jarl Gunnell’s help. Somehow, she had lost them. Silla lifted her eyes, just for a heartbeat, to try to get her bearings.

It was a mistake; she’d known it to be but couldn’t stop herself. Three sets of V-­shaped columns stretched up from the circular dais in the center of the square, a runic altar stone centrally positioned. Each condemned was secured to a set of wooden pillars, arms stretched wide between them, feet secured together at the base. Iron bridles muzzled their faces and smothered their voices. A pity the contraptions didn’t shield their eyes; those unfortunate souls saw it all—­the crowd, the rocks, the imminence of death. Anticipation was an equal part of the punishment, Silla supposed.

She stood on shaky legs, her gaze locking with that of the woman in the middle. Her eyes were wild with fear, the whites flashing. Heart dropping like a stone, Silla realized she was not a woman at all but a girl in her early teens. The girl’s face swam, her brown eyes dissolving to Mother’s vibrant green, urging her to look away—­

No.

With a shaky exhale, Silla forced her gaze to the ground. Now was no time for those memories to surface.

“Next!” boomed the Klaernar, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Eyes searching, Silla finally caught sight of the blues and browns to her right and made her way quickly toward the group.

The little blond girl was with them, small and out of place among Jarl Gunnell’s help. Her unkempt hair was plastered to her neck, her face smeared with dirt. Haunting blue eyes, which tilted up at the outer corners, looked at Silla as the girl fidgeted with the hem of her torn and rumpled nightdress. “You should pay better attention,” came the girl’s young voice.

Silla had tried to guess the girl’s age, and her best estimate sat at five or six winters. “And you should mind your manners,” she said absently.

“What did you say, Katrin?” asked Bera, her voice stern.

Silla’s gaze shot to Bera’s steely face. “I—­it was not you to whom I spoke,” she muttered.

“Who then? Who were you speaking to?”

Her eyes flicked back to where the girl had stood moments before—­now nothing but empty space. You’ve said enough, thought Silla, pressing her lips together. Gather your wits, Silla Margrét.

“So hard to find good help,” muttered Bera. “Lazy or touched in the head.”

Silla inhaled deeply as she looked away. Spotting a familiar blond head threaded with gray, her eyes locked onto her father’s. He seemed to sag when he saw her, as though he’d been holding his breath. Beside him stood the kindly stablehand who’d provided them with furs and a few kitchen provisions when Silla and her father had first arrived in Skarstad—­Tolvik, if memory served her. A grim smile upon his face, Tolvik’s silver head dipped, and Silla returned the gesture.

The clouds parted, sunbeams streaming down from the sky, catching sparkling minerals in the flagstones of the street and warming Silla’s back.

Mercifully, the bells stopped. Several minutes passed, and the crowd grew larger, filling the square and spilling out into side streets. Hushed conversation and restless energy descended into the courtyard; the tension was so thick, you could cleave it with an axe.

Excerpted from The Road of Bones by Demi Winters. Copyright © 2024 by Demi Winters. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

My Review

The Road of Bones is an amazing, epic fantasy full of mystery, suspense, and secrets.

From the first chapter, I was deeply enthralled in the story of Silla’s fight for safety. The harrowing journey that awaits her is fraught with danger and despair. This humble kitchen maid must find the strength and cunning to survive the Road of Bones. But as her enemies are multiplying, and her web of deceit pushes her allies farther away, Silla will need the help of the gods to save herself from a fate far worse than death. 

What an incredible read full of adventure! I ate up the pages as fast as I could, stayed up late reading until I could no longer keep my eyes open, and gasped as each secret was revealed! There are twists and turns and so much subterfuge! Hold onto your seats and pay attention, you might miss something!

This is an absolute masterpiece. I highly recommend The Road of Bones and can’t wait for the next one!

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links

Penguin Random House

About the Author

Lover of all things fairy tales, fantasy, and romance, Demi lives in British Columbia, Canada with her husband and two kids. When she’s not busy brainstorming fantastical worlds and morally gray love interests, Demi loves reading and cooking. Learn more at demiwinters.com

Release Day Review: A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan

Happy Release Day!

A Fire in the Sky is the latest release from Sophie Jordan and it's really good!!!

The book is set in the same world as Ms. Jordan’s YA Firelight series. Everyone’s definitely all grown up in this adult romantasy😉 

You don’t have to read the previous series to know what’s going on in the book. Ms. Jordan does an excellent job fleshing out this magical world of intrigue.

About the Book

New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan returns to the high-stakes, sweeping world of dragons, romance, and drama first evoked in her bestselling young adult Firelight series, in a brand-new epic adult romantasy series.

Dragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying.

But human lust for power is immortal.

Dragon fire no longer blisters the skies over Penterra, but inside the lavish palace, life is still perilous…especially for Tamsyn. Raised in the glittering court alongside the princesses, it's her duty to be punished for their misdeeds. Treated as part of the royal family but also as the lowliest servant, Tamsyn fits nowhere. Her only friend is Stig, Captain of the Guard...though sometimes she thinks he wants more than friendship.

When Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands, descends on her home, Tamsyn’s world becomes even more dangerous. To save the pampered princesses from a fate worse than death, she is commanded to don a veil and marry the brutal warrior. She agrees to the deception even though it means leaving Stig, and the only life she’s ever known, behind.

The wedding night begins with unexpected passion—and ends in near violence when her trickery is exposed. Rather than start a war, Fell accepts Tamsyn as his bride...but can he accept the dark secrets she harbors—secrets buried so deep even she doesn’t know they exist? For Tamsyn is more than a royal whipping girl, more than the false wife of a man who now sees her as his enemy. And when those secrets emerge, they will ignite a flame bright enough to burn the entire kingdom to the bone. 

Magic is not dead...it is only sleeping. And it will take one ordinary girl with an extraordinary destiny to awaken it.

Excerpt

 

I stood on the other side of the painting, shrouded in darkness, only the thin spread of canvas between us, stretched taut like skin. Hidden in the secret passageway, invisible to those inside my father’s chancery, I held my breath.

I was invisible to them, but they were not invisible to me. I saw and heard everything and the fury pumped hard and fast inside me, battering inside my veins like a storm. My father intended to give one of his precious daughters to the Beast of the Borderlands in marriage.

One of my sisters.

I had never felt such rage, such helplessness. All my life it had been my duty to protect the princesses of Penterra. To be flogged in their place was a privilege ... At least that was what I had been taught.

Outraged breaths fogged from my lips as I glared directly into the ice-pale eyes of the man who thought to claim one of them.

Scant inches separated us, the air hot and crackling between us. His dark hair reached his shoulders, the sides braided close to his scalp. I could practically feel his breath through the flimsy barrier. I studied his hazy face through the fibers of the canvas, taking comfort that he could not see me in the darkness of the damp corridor, and yet…

Why had he stopped directly in front of the painting?

Why was he staring at me like he could see me? As though he was on the verge of reaching through the canvas and touching me? A fever rippled over my skin as I imagined those big hands closing around me.

It was impossible, of course. He could not know I was there.

The men began to disperse, the regent reminding them that a grand feast awaited. Several minutes passed before I felt composed enough to exit. With a push, the painting swung out like a door and I stepped down into the room, my slippers sinking into the rug covering the stone floor.

Turning, I made certain the painting was back in place with no hint that it had been disturbed. Satisfied, I turned around and walked directly into a wall. A hard wall with arms and hands that came up around me. A wall that possessed a deep, rasping voice. “I see this palace comes equipped with spies.”

The Beast.

Instantly I was assailed by the scent of him that I had noted earlier in the Great Hall. I was awash with it—with him. My nostrils flared. Wind and earth and horseflesh. And that indefinable something else.

Heat rippled over me, igniting my skin. I arched against the great slab of him, against pulsing, immovable muscle. I pushed my palms into his solid chest, desperate to break free.

I was fire. My entire body warmed at the contact, and fear clawed up my throat.

His eyes weren’t narrow slits any longer. They blasted me, wide and alert, battle-ready. This close, without a hazy barrier between us, I could see they were the color of frost, pale gray with a ring of darker blue. Gratification gleamed there. He’d sensed I was behind that painting and now he’d caught me.

“I am not a spy,” I said in a raspy voice I did not even recognize as my own.

“No? Who are you then?” Those eyes roamed my face and flame-red hair. His gaze lingered there, on my hair. The unusual color featured largely into the torments of my childhood when children of the court would call attention to it as a visible reminder that I was truly not one of them—that I was not a real princess, just a stray taken in by a generous king and a queen with a soft heart. “What are you?”

What was I? What was he?

His eyes absorbed me in a way no one ever had before. I was largely overlooked in the palace. Except when a whipping was required or when someone felt like ridiculing me for my ungainly height or my unfortunate hair or my dubious parentage.

Then, unbelievably, the brute lifted a hand.

I flinched.

He paused, his eyes communicating something to me. I could not say what, but I eased slightly. He waited a moment longer and then brought his big hand closer, touching a lock of my hair, rubbing it between his fingers gently, experimentally.

I felt a rumble then, and realized it was coming from me inexplicably, from my chest.

He released my hair. It fell back against my neck in a whisper and the iron bands of his arms came back around me, circling tighter, bringing me closer. My fingers flexed against his leather tunic like a kitten kneading its paws, unable to resist, unable not to move and explore.

“The question is … do you spy for yourself or someone else?”

Moments passed before I could speak. “I am … no one.”

He made a sound: part laugh, part growl. “Oh, sweetheart, you’re someone … something.”

I shivered despite the heat engulfing me.

“Unhand me,” I ordered.

Adapted from A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan. Copyright © 2024 by Sophie Jordan. Reprinted courtesy of Avon Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers via People Magazine - March 29, 2024 issue.

My Review

This is my first Sophie Jordan read and I am quite impressed.

Tamsyn is a whipping girl in a luxurious palace court. Raised alongside the King and Queen’s three daughters, Tamsyn is punished for the princesses' misbehaviors and has since she was a small child. It’s supposed to be a position of honor in the palace, but she’s basically a glorified slave. 

When warriors from the north come to visit the palace in a celebration of appreciation, the leader–The Beast of the Borderlands–has plans of his own. In recompense for the protection his clan of warriors provide the kingdom, Fell demands one of the King’s daughters to wed. He desires a position close to the king to effect change in Penterra for the better. 

The King doesn’t want to give away one of his precious daughters to this barbarian so he and his advisor devise a plan to bait-and-switch with Tamsyn. I mean, she was raised up with the girls, so she’s technically a princess, right? Oh what a tangled web we weave… 

What an exciting ride of mystery and masterpiece. 

The book includes an interesting storyline, colorful worldbuilding, a strong heroine with unknown origins and unbreakable will, and a fierce hero with a quiet tenderness, steel core of loyalty, and unwavering sense of duty.

I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative, the characters, and the lore. The story leaves readers with just enough juicy tidbits to keep us salivating for more! 

A Fire in the Sky is a delightful read and I can’t wait for the next book!

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

Kobo | Google Play | Harper Collins

About the Author

Country Park Portraits

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country, where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she’s the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of more than fifty novels. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she’s not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and streaming anything that has a happily ever after. Learn more about Sophie and her books at www.sophiejordan.net

Review: Warrior's Hope (Dark Protector #16) by Rebecca Zanetti!

Happy Release Day Rebecca Zanetti!!!

 Warrior's Hope is Book 16 in Rebecca's Dark Protectors series and is unbelievable! 

Readers are gonna learn today!

Get your copy today!

 

About the Book

This thrilling novel in the New York Times bestselling author’s popular Dark Protectors series takes readers on a wild ride as the only female vampire ever born brings a love triangle to its explosive conclusion—deciding the fate of battling factions as the forces of good and evil gather for the ultimate showdown.

As the only female vampire ever born, and the heir to two powerful immortal families, Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood has always felt the weight of fate and destiny. Now her heart is torn between two men and two different futures. It’s a choice between duty and love, peace and war, with the fate of everyone she loves hanging in the balance.

As the leader of the Kurjan nation, Drake has always known that mating Hope is the best path to avoiding war. He’s counting on her to know the same. . . . Paxton has been Hope’s best friend and protector since they were children. He would kill and die for her without a second thought. In fact, he’s always known that would be his path . . .

With deadly factions at her heels, Hope must decide whom to trust and where her loyalty lies—before the choice is taken away from her . . .

My Thoughts

Wow! Of all my preconceived notions, expectations and hopes I had for this book, they were completely obliterated! I had my mind blown so many times during the story. I felt bemused, bewildered, betrayed, befuddled and bedazzled! So many secrets revealed! So much action! So many WTF moments! I could not believe everything that happened! Clear your calendar and your day so you have uninterrupted reading time. You’re not going to want to miss a single moment of this fast-paced, emotionally draining, wild ride! Warrior’s Hope is the conclusion to The Seven story arc, but leaves lots of open questions which welcome a new arc for the Dark Protectors series. I’m looking forward to this new journey! Let’s Go!!!!

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book.

Purchase Links

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/2ukyzwzu

B&N: https://tinyurl.com/43vf5rj7

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/2czvp63z

KOBO: https://tinyurl.com/mpswwpjc

Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/ynx7vafk

Excerpt

Copyright by Rebecca Zanetti

****Spoilers if  you haven't read Garrett's Destiny****

**** spoiler **** spoiler **** spoiler **** spoiler ****

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The door opened, and she stepped out, nearly falling back when a bundle of energy rushed at her. She laughed and leaned down to pick up her younger brother, happy that she could do so without her arm killing her.

"Where have you been?" he asked.

She cuddled him close. "What do you mean where have I been? I was out doing tough girl stuff."

He leaned back to look at at her, both of his chubby little hands cupping her face. "You are a tough girl," he said.

"Yes, I am." She kissed the top of his head.

At two years old, Andrew Scott Kyllwood, also known as Drew, was pretty much the cutest thing on the planet. He had Zane's black hair and Janie's blue eyes, and already he could speak at a fifth-grade level. He was kind, and he was funny, and he was all his father's son.

"Dad!" he yelled, partially turning in Hope's arms.

Hope tossed the boy to Zane, who easily caught him and swung him in a circle. "How quickly they move on," she said.

Copyright by Rebecca Zanetti

About the Author