Crown and Serpent: A Fate of Eyrinthia Novella by Heather Frost

 

Genre: YA Fantasy (Villain Origin Story)

Series: Fate of Eyrinthia (Prequel)

Release Date: August 25, 2023

All she wanted . . .

Seventeen-year-old Iris Winn loves her quiet life with her father, studying the poisons that fascinate them both. But after his sudden death, Iris is now the ward of her estranged aunt and uncle. In order to claim her inheritance, she must live in the capital city of Lenzen for one year. While there, she must attend parties, balls, and participate in every other vapid thing the elite of Ryden value. Iris doesn’t care about learning their rules or joining their ranks–her only goal is to endure the next year. Then she meets Prince Henri Kaelin.

Everything they demanded . . .

Every young woman in Lenzen wants Henri–except for Iris. Unfortunately, the prince only has eyes for her. The king has decreed that Henri must choose a bride before his birthday, and Iris is determined it won’t be her. Dodging a prince’s focused attention while placating her relatives and the rest of Ryden’s high society is exhausting–and more dangerous than Iris could have ever imagined. She is about to learn that not all games are innocent, and some smiles are more lethal than poison. Luckily, Iris is a quick study, and this is a game she is determined to win.

She would take it all.

*Crown & Serpent is a Fate of Eyrinthia prequel novella that’s actually the length of a novel. This villain origin story was released after Royal Rebel, but it can be read at any point in the series.*

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

Here it is!  The backstory for King Henri (booooo) and Queen Iris (booooo) who are the most evil, horrible, awful, terrible villains in a series that I absolutely love.  I was equally terrified and excited heading into this story and rightly so.  (Yikes! Haha.)  But how can you turn down a chance at a glimpse into how these two people not only came together but came to reign with such terror and evil?  I couldn't.  Ugh.  It was SO, SO good.

This author does such a good job at weaving this backstory for Henri (booooo) and Iris (booooo) that is so believable.  You can see the events that triggered them and shaped into warped things in their minds.  It's like a train wreck you can't look away from.  And can I just say something here?  Poisons are SCARY!!

I was surprised at a few things and caught off guard with others.  In the end, I was completely satisfied and felt justified with my hatred for Henri (booooo) and Iris (booooo).  I'm not giving away more details because I want you to experience this for yourself.  If you haven't started this series, what are you waiting for?!?!  It's seriously one of my very favorites.  

Content:  peril, violence, death.  Kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Dreamer (The Dream World Chronicles #1) by Camille Peters

 

Eden has a secret: she has the ability to see and enter others’ dreams, a most inconvenient power when one is an outcast living in a magic-phobic village and yearning to fit in. When she accidentally exposes her powers, Eden discovers that her uncanny abilities connect her to the Dream World, home to the magical beings responsible for creating dreams, and the first place Eden has felt she truly belongs.

Standing in her way is the formidable Dream Council, which questions whether she should remain in their world. Unless Eden can prove she’s truly a Dreamer, she’ll lose all her magical powers and be forced to return to Earth. Proving herself turns out to be more difficult than she anticipated. When Eden is assigned to create dreams for a newborn mortal, her opponent—the talented Nightmare Darius—makes it his personal mission to uncover her secrets, which could result in her permanent banishment.

Eden struggles not only to outwit her foe, but also to prevent herself from falling in love with him, all while finding herself entangled in mysterious events as the Nightmare Realm begins to eclipse the Dream Realm, threatening not just her chances of remaining in her new home, but the balance of the universe itself. As Eden fights to fit into this world of dreams and magic, she finds herself on a journey of self-discovery that will take her down a path that forces her to confront an unknown darkness within herself, leading her to realize she’s not who she initially believed, nor does she belong where she thinks she does.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

Happy new release to this book and this author!

First, I have to shout out my love for the cover of this book.  It so perfectly represents what is inside and I think it is beautiful.  

I have to admit that fantasy books can be a bit hit or miss for me.  I thought the premise of this book sounded cool though so I wanted to try it out and I've read books by this author before and enjoyed them.  This book is a YA book, with a target age of 12-18.  That sounds about right.  The characters come across young.  Even the older ones.  So yeah, target range is spot on except this book is LONG.  Over 400 pages, which makes it not really great for most 12 year old's (and sometimes even adults like me!)  There was a LOT of description and the plot moves forward slowly.  If you love descriptive books, you will love this one.  

The author clearly put a lot of thought and effort into this idea.  It is creative and imaginative.  I liked many parts of it.  I didn't have a lot of emotional investment in the characters but the story concept and the cover?  Two thumbs up.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Champion of the Titan Games (Dragonwatch #4) by Brandon Mull

 

Who will win the battle between Dragons and Giants?

As the war with the dragons intensifies, all eyes are turning to Titan Valley for help. A dragon sanctuary unlike any of the others, this one is home to enslaved dragons ruled by the powerful Giant Queen, one of the five monarchs of the magical world. In addition, it houses the arena for the Titan Games, a series of gladiator-style battles presided over by none other than Humbuggle, the demon who stole Seth’s memories!

Seth is seeking for his memories. Kendra is seeking for Seth. And everyone is seeking to stop the dragons from taking over the world—everyone but Ronodin, the dark unicorn, who has his own devious agenda. In the monstrous battle between giants and dragons, who wins? In the race to retrieve a magical talisman that could help win the war, can Kendra trust Seth? Will they find the answers they desperately need in a realm of trolls and titans? Or are more betrayals imminent?

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book * 

There are some full on fans of this series out there and my husband is one of them.  He's loved this series since the very beginning of Fablehaven.  I am not the biggest fantasy fan so this isn't a series I'm naturally drawn to but I've bought them (or agreed to review them) all because, well, husband.  😊  So, now that you know that you know this little tidbit, the following is my husband's review of this book.  

The world of Fablehaven is always so much fun. A new book release in the world of Fablehaven is something I anticipate with eagerness. Brandon Mull does a good job writing the stories to include both Kendra and Seth. That being said, the previous story, Master of the Phantom Isle felt more like it focused on Kendra. For me, Champion of the Titan Games seems more a story for Seth. Seth’s hunt for his memories takes him to exciting places with fun twists.  Can he look at things a certain way?  How should he respond to an unseen presence? 

The arena games are exciting with mysterious participants and secrets to be uncovered. With angry dragons, a looming giant threat, and the Wizenstone at stake, there most assuredly will be a fight. A flying ending with some special challenges provides the icing on the cake! Fans will love this book!   

This book is part of a series that should be read in order.  This book and series is perfect for all ages.  It has a 5-6th grade reading level but younger kids would love hearing this book read aloud.  And, as I stated above adults love this series as well.  😉

Content:  peril, mild violence

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

 

The Will and the Wilds by Charlie N. Holmberg

Enna knows to fear the mystings that roam the wildwood near her home. When one tries to kill her to obtain an enchanted stone, Enna takes a huge risk: fighting back with a mysting of her own.

Maekallus’s help isn’t free. His price? A kiss. One with the power to steal her soul. But their deal leaves Maekallus bound to the mortal realm, which begins eating him alive. Only Enna’s kiss, given willingly, can save him from immediate destruction. It’s a temporary salvation for Maekallus and a lingering doom for Enna. Part of her soul now burns bright inside Maekallus, making him feel for the first time.

Enna shares Maekallus’s suffering, but her small sacrifice won’t last long. If she and Maekallus can’t break the spell binding him to the mortal realm, Maekallus will be consumed completely—and Enna’s soul with him.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

I absolutely love when a cover perfectly represents what is inside.  This one is so pretty too- I love the colors.

Enna is an endearing character.  Her soul is a main source of focus in this story and for good reason.  It really does burn brightly and purely.  As Enna shares her soul with Maekallus, he begins to feel and realize things long forgotten.  I loved the contrast between dark and light in relation to Enna's soul.  The relationship develops slowly between Enna and Maekallus as they work through a common problem that binds them.   

The story also progressed slowly but picked up a bit about half way though.  I just finished reading a fast paced, high intensity book so maybe the contrast between that book and this one made it feel extra slow to me.  This book definitely wasn't intense and didn't involve my emotions much.  It was however, sweet and gentle with a unique plot and likable heroine.  This author does a good job of weaving in the magical to spark imagination.  While this wasn't my favorite book by this author, I did enjoy it and would easily recommend it to teenage (and older) fantasy lovers.  The ending really was magical. 💜

This book is on Kindle Unlimited.

Content:  kissing, mild peril, mild violence

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Master of the Phantom Isle (Dragonwatch #3) by Brandon Mull

 

Cursed by the Key of Forgetting, Seth has lost all memory of his past—his relationships, his experiences, and who he really is. For now he will align with his new mentor, Ronodin, the dark unicorn, who takes him to the Phantom Isle, the secret gateway to the Under Realm. Though Seth is not formally a prisoner, Ronodin wants to use him and his shadow charmer powers for his own dark ends.

Kendra is frantic to find her missing brother, but the quest will take her and her companions, including Warren, Tanu, and Vanessa, far from Wyrmroost to Crescent Lagoon—a recently fallen dragon sanctuary made up of many islands and underwater domains. Its caretaker has regained a foothold on one of the islands. If Kendra and her friends can save that sanctuary, they might uncover the answers they need to rescue Seth.

With each sanctuary the dragons overthrow, Celebrant, the Dragon King, comes closer to the dawn of a new Age of Dragons. With the forces of darkness on the march, can Kendra and her allies gather enough power to win the epic dragon war?

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

Dragonwatch, Master of the Phantom Isle doesn’t miss a beat, picking up right where the last book left off.  The dragons are still at it, seeking domination, and it’s hard to imagine a greater threat.  Though in this adventure a greater threat does reveals itself.  Can Kendra stand against this dark threat without the help of Seth?

For Seth, life is hard when dealing with memory loss and the choices one makes under those circumstances gets to the heart of the character.  It is fun exploring Seth’s character more in depth when past choices can no longer influence the present ones.  The true desires of Seth’s heart manifest themselves.

The book takes the reader to tropical places with beaches and palm trees but it’s certainly no vacation with peril everywhere ranging from plants that want to eat you, to the undead and a raging triclops.  Yet in the midst of all the trials Kendra is still willing to give her all for her brother.

From underwater adventures, to deep and dark places from your worst nightmares, this book provides another fun read from Brandon Mull.  There are even a few surprise twists! This is a great series and adds another prized addition to the Fablehaven / Dragonwatch series.  I look forward to reading the series again; Master of the Phantom Isle gets an A+.

This is a series you must read in order as each book builds on the previous book.

Content:  peril, mild violence

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.  

About the Author:

Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncy balls, squeezable stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his four children and a dog named Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Brandon loves meeting his readers and hearing about their experiences with his books.

www.brandonmull.com  Follow the author on Instagram @writerbrandon and Facebook @authorbrandonmull  

Shattered Worlds, Author Jane Redd Spotlight and a Giveaway!

Escape into twenty-three epic worlds that will leave you breathless.

From dystopian nightmares to gorgeous steampunk and fantasy settings to fairy-tale retellings and beyond, SHATTERED WORLDS has every story you've been dying to get your hands on!

This unique Young Adult/New Adult collection, inspired by the creative minds of today's New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling authors, promises to satisfy your cravings for action and adventure as you experience rune magic and time-travel, overthrow corrupt governments, meet reapers and aliens, battle dragons, fall hopelessly in love, and break ancient curses, right alongside some of the bravest characters in fantasy fiction!

Each book within this collection is exclusive to the set and can't be found anywhere else.

Preorder now for your passport to SHATTERED WORLDS!

Purchase Links

Amazon // iBooks // Nook // Kobo // Google Play

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35122753-shattered-worlds

Meet Author Jane Redd!

Writing under Jane Redd, Heather B. Moore is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than a dozen historical novels set in ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She attended the Cairo American College in Egypt and the Anglican International School in Jerusalem and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University. She writes historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore, and romance and women’s fiction under the name Heather B. Moore. It can be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom.

Join H.B. Moore’s newsletter list for updates at www.hbmoore.com/contact.

Visit JANE REDD BOOKS on Facebook for series updates.

Social Media Links

Website // Amazon Author Page // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Goodreads

The Grim Reaper has been collecting souls of the dead for hundreds of years, but even the Master of Death has to pass on his reign. Unfortunately, his progeny is not quite ready to replace him.

Cora Grim, daughter of the Grim Reaper, is suddenly thrust into her father’s role. Leaving the Underworld on her own to bring back the dead souls, she discovers that the Master of Death neglected to tell her one thing. She can still fall in love.

You can pick up Mistress Grim as part of the Shattered Worlds box set.  I had the privilege of reading Mistress Grim pre-release and I really loved it.  It has romance but intrigue, danger and action as well.

Cora is the daughter of the Grim Reaper.  She defied my ideas of what a grim reaper would be.  I loved her heart, courage and determination.  And Leo?  Ummm, yumma yumma.  Sign me up for some of that.  He and Cora were perfectly matched and they fought hard to have that.

I was pulled in from the very beginning of this story and it was over way too soon.  I wanted more of Cora and Leo.

Meet the other authors in this fantastic boxed set:

Shattered Worlds Authors

- J.L. Weil, USA Today Bestselling Author

- J.A. Culican, USA Today Bestselling Author

- J.A. Armitage, USA Today Bestselling Author

- N.R. Larry, NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author

- Jane Redd, USA Today Bestselling Author

- Miranda Hardy, USA Today Bestselling Author

- Julie Hall, International Bestselling Author

- Cameo Renae, International Bestselling Author

- Jen Minkman, International Bestselling Author

- Cindy M. Hogan, Bestselling Author

- Elana Johnson, Bestselling Author

- Rebecca Rode, International Bestselling Author

- Audrey Grey

- Nichole Giles

- Katy Haye

- Cortney Pearson

- Elizabetta Holcomb

- Ali Winters

- Kristy Tate

- Liz Long

- AG Henley

- Ainsley Shay

- Jay Noel

- Emily Martha Sorensen

The Shattered Worlds authors have generously offered to give away 17 e-books to one winner. Fill out the form to enter! Open INT.

Entry-Form

Moss Forest Orchid (Silver & Orchids, Book One) by Shari L. Tapscott

What happens when a feisty adventuress, a lord looking to make his own way in the world, and a handsome sea captain set out to find Kalae's rarest and most valuable flower?

Trouble—and lots of it.

Lucia needs a job, and she needs one fast. Looting dragon hordes hasn't proven profitable lately, and she's tired of waiting tables. Her business partner usually finds the work, but Sebastian isn't speaking with her, and Lucia's getting desperate.

Luckily, Lucia finds a simple request posted on a community board. All the man wants is an orchid. Nothing to it.

Except the flower only grows in a montane cloud forest in Grenalda... And Lucia must take a ship through sea serpent-infested waters to get there... And her new helpful friend—the one and only, dashing Captain Avery Greybrow—just might be a pirate.

At this rate, Lucia's not sure if she'll ever reach the orchid. But she's determined to try.

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

Shari Tapscott is one of my favorite authors.  I literally gobble up her books.  My obsession started with the Eldentimber Series and I've been a fan ever since.  I've been looking forward to this new series since I heard about it and even more so when I read the prequel novella last week.  I love that Shari writes books that I enjoy and that I feel comfortable passing on to young teenager readers and up.  Her books are fun, adventurous and clean.  

The characters in this book are so great.  They are distinct and their voices shine through.  I fell in love with them.  Lucia is trouble with a capitol T.  She finds herself in the worst scrapes, mostly because she just cannot control that mouth of hers.  She is impulsive and I just loved her.

Sebastian and Lucia share the same sense of adventure, but other than that, they are pretty much polar opposites.  Sebastian is methodical and deliberate.  He plans and prepares.  He is constantly getting Lucia out of her many scrapes.  Sebastian and Lucia have known each other since they were little and that history, that level of knowing each other, keeps them bound together.

Now that I've read this book, I want a pocket dragon!  Lucia has one in this book but he turns out to be more than she expected.  I can't wait to see what that dragon becomes in the follow up books!  

I loved this book and I'm so excited for this series!  If you haven't read anything by Shari, you really, really must.  

Today is release day for Moss Forest Orchid!  You can pick it up on Kindle Unlimited if you have that.  Happy Reading!

Content:  Clean, some mild action and violence

- I received a copy of this book from the author but have also purchased my own copy.  All opinions expressed are my own.

The Prophecy: A Young Adult Romantic Fantasy (The Healer Series Book 4) by C.J. Anaya

Armed with memories of her past life and the identity of her true soul mate, Hope is bound and determined to fulfill her destiny and heal the veil...on her own terms, that is. Unfortunately, Hope's inability to play by the rules causes a rift in the group and discord with Tie. Dark forces are at work fighting to tear them apart, while Victor, Ms. Mori, and Dr. Fairmont attempt to understand Tie's role in saving the world.

Hope's inability to sense the veil, Angie's visions of loved one's deaths, Kirby's vulnerability, and an unwanted bond with a dangerous kami are certain to prevent her from ending the conflict once and for all. The group needs answers found in an ancient prophecy and written in a language few understand.

And they have no idea where it is...

And Amatsu's servants are hunting them...

And the veil is failing...

 * Goodreads * Amazon * Everywhere Else *

This is the fourth book in the Healer Series.  You really, really need to read these books in order as they all build upon each other.  This is the perfect time to get started on this series because the box set containing the first three books is free right now on Amazon.  Yay!!

This series is a mash up of so many different things-  Asian mythology with Gods and Goddesses, supernatural creatures, fantasy elements, and romance.  It has great forward momentum and it's hard to put down.

In this fourth book it was nice to have everyone together again, in the same realm, fighting together to save the day.  It's the culmination of the previous books, setting the stage for the final show down.  And what a show down it was!  All the pieces started falling into place and everyone had to sacrifice to get to the end.

I've really enjoyed this series.  I read through the first three quickly and then had to wait a whole two months for this last book.  Waiting = Torture.  :)  This book was worth the wait to finally have some closure.  There are still some loose ends here- especially regarding Angie- that I'm hoping will spark a new series maybe?  Or at least another book focusing on Angie and her new love triangle.  Here's to hoping!!

Content:  Mild swearing, intense kissing, some violence

- I was given a copy of this book for free.  A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

Daughter of Winter (Fairy Queens #3) by Amber Argyle

Bargains. Only the truly desperate make them. Only the truly desperate need them. And always, the desperate pay.

The silence and never-ending dark of winter are all Elice has ever known, for she is the daughter of the Winter Queen. Isolated in a northern queendom with only the seals for company, she dreams of color and music and life. So when a whaling ship crashes just offshore, she doesn't hesitate to rescue the lone survivor, Adar, who quickly becomes her friend. She must keep him hidden from her mother at all costs, for if the Winter Queen discovers him trespassing, she'll kill him.

When her mother reveals just how dark her soul has become, Elice realizes she is as much a prisoner as Adar. To ever know true freedom—to ever become the woman she was meant to be—she must flee with him. But in their flight, she begins to see hints of something more nefarious. The darkness that has taken hold of her mother is spreading, staining the world with its influence.

Unbeknownst to Elice, a bargain was made long ago. A bargain she was born to fulfill.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

This book swept me away to a far off place of ice and cold where light and warmth rarely come.  <shiver>  Poor Elice knows nothing other than the cold world her mother, the Winter Queen has created.  Elice has such a soft and gentle heart that longs and dreams for more than the harsh world she lives in every day.  The only source of love and gentleness for Elice comes from her grandfather and one of the fairies.

I love how Elice saves animals and reads books.  She loves to dream and create things.  These things make her instantly likable and easy to connect with.  Even her mother's cruelty cannot suffocate the goodness in Elice.

This book was so vivid in nature.  I could easily picture the ice world and it's cold inhabitants.  A sense of foreboding is always there- throughout the whole book.  Dangerous things are alluded to, but never come to complete fruition in this book.  This book feels like the set up for the big bang that is still to come.  It kind of leaves you hanging at the end.  Well, not kind of.  It does.  

The pacing is good although not quite as fast as the previous books.  I felt like the intensity and violence, although still there, were taken down a notch compared to the previous books in this series.  That isn't a bad thing, just something I noticed.  I enjoyed this book and I'll be looking for the next book.  I can only imagine the awful things coming for Elice.

This series always has the prettiest covers.  I love this one.  It perfectly represents what is contained inside.

Content:  Some violence but otherwise clean

My thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Bearskin by Jamie Robyn Wood

When Conrad, Moiria, and Heppson’s evil enchantress mother tries to convince them to follow her dark ways, they must each decide where the line lies between good and evil, magic and mythology. Based on a lesser-known fairy tale, this young adult book features an impossible romance, an intricate plot, and twists you won’t see coming.

 * Goodreads *Amazon *

I am not familiar with the fairy tale this book is based on so I was pretty clueless coming in.  I would like to find and read the original fairy tale though and see how it compares.

For me this book was very slow going.  I had a really hard time staying with the book and in the moment.  The first chapters are pretty much all in the characters head with very little dialogue or action going on.  It was really hard to get through.  I realize the author was setting things up for what comes later and much of it was important information but it really was tedious to be in each character's head for so long.

I started enjoying things more when Heart starting interacting with Bear.  I had more dialogue and the story started progressing more quickly (although still slowly compared to most YA fantasy books).  The last couple chapters of the book are by far the best as we reach the climax and the characters reach their potential.

I felt like this book was more technical than emotional.  I was reading the story but I wasn't feeling the story.  I was more like an outsider looking in on a story unfolding.  I really liked the concept though there was just something lacking in the execution.

Content:  Clean.  No swearing or sexual situations.  Mild violence and some dark magic.