Book Review: Dragon Mage by Ava Richardson

Title: Dragon Mage

Author: Ava Richardson

Publisher: Relay Publishing

Date: 2017

Synopsis:To unite a fractured kingdom, a reluctant hero must rise. 

Neill has been charged with the impossible task of bringing the Middle Kingdom together to fight the burgeoning threat posed by the rogue sorcerer Ansall and his dragon Zaxx. Neill longs for his old life as a mere foot soldier for his father responsible only for his family’s well being, and is unsure about whether he is fit to lead an army. Neill’s contemplative nature forces him to consider every aspect of the problems he faces, but often makes it difficult for him to take action—and failure to act could mean the deaths of many. 

Now, echoing Char and their dragon Paxala, his duty beckons him to lead the Dragon Riders—and take his rightful place as king—but with doubt and new enemies creeping in, his resolve will be tested. When the mysterious Dark Prince arrives with an offer, Neill will have to make a decision that could change the course of history. As Ansall grows in strength by harnessing black magic, Neill must choose between his own desires and the welfare of the entire kingdom. Can he rise to the challenge before it’s too late?

Cover reveal: New Suns, edited by Nisi Shawl #NewSuns

Good morning, everyone!

I have a cover reveal for you all this morning. I am, quite literally, so excited for this book. Or, rather, anthology.

I don’t normally go for anthologies – I like longer books that take me forever and a day to get through. But the synopsis for this sounds absolutely incredible, and it is definitely one I would love to read when it comes out.

If you’re interested in science fiction, fantasy or even horror, then you’re going to want to read on. If you’re looking for a diverse range of authors, then you’re also going to want to read on.

So, with many thanks to Rebellion Publishing, I present to you…New Suns…

Book Review: The Oyster Thief by Sonia Faruqi

Author: Sonia Faruqi

Title: The Oyster Thief

Publisher: Pegasus Books

Date: 2018

Synopsis: Coralline is a shy mermaid in the Atlantic Ocean whose idyllic life is ruined by an oil spill that gravely sickens her little brother. Desperate to save him, she embarks on a quest to find a legendary elixir.

She encounters a human man, Izar, who’s left his life on land behind to find a cure for his dying father. He doesn’t tell her that his family runs Ocean Dominion, an enemy corporation whose ships plunder her waters daily.

Fate pushes the two of them together, even though their worlds are at odds. Accompanied by a colorful troupe of animals, Coralline and Izar travel through coral reefs and seabed cities, trailed by murderous adversaries and warring ships. Their secrets threaten to tear them apart, while a growing attraction adds to the danger. Ultimately, each of them faces an impossible choice. Should Coralline remain with the world she knows, including her fiancé, or should she relinquish everything for a stranger who might betray her? And Izar holds a secret of his own—one that might cause him to lose Coralline forever.

Book Review: Revenant Gun by Yoon Ha Lee

Synopsis: When Shuos Jedao wakes up for the first time, several things go wrong. His few memories tell him that he’s a seventeen-year-old cadet–but his body belongs to a man decades older.  Hexarch Nirai Kujen orders Jedao to reconquer the fractured hexarchate on his behalf even though Jedao has no memory of ever being a soldier, let alone a general.  Surely a knack for video games doesn’t qualify you to take charge of an army?

Soon Jedao learns the situation is even worse.  The Kel soldiers under his command may be compelled to obey him, but they hate him thanks to a massacre he can’t remember committing.  Kujen’s friendliness can’t hide the fact that he’s a tyrant.  And what’s worse, Jedao and Kujen are being hunted by an enemy who knows more about Jedao and his crimes than he does himself…

Book Haul (May)

It wasn’t my fault!

Honest, it wasn’t.

I only went onto The Works to buy a friend’s birthday present. And the next thing I know, seven books just happen to have jumped in my basket, and still been there when I checked out.

Actually, only six jumped in. Then I was under the postage, so naturally I had to go and find another.

I forgot how cheap books from The Works are. Admittedly, you can’t always find what you’re after. But on this occasion, not only did I find something I had only just decided the day before I was going to buy, I also found books that I’ve been struggling to get hold of.

With seven new books taking pride of place on my bookshelf, that could only mean one thing: book haul time!

Cover Reveal! Deep Blue by Jane O’Reilly

Hello you lovely book bloggers!

I have a cover reveal for you today. It’s been a little while since I did one of these, and I’m very excited to share this one with you. I think the cover is absolutely gorgeous and although I hadn’t come across the author before, it’s made me intrigued about the book!

Just to get those taste-buds tingling, here’s the synopsis:

Date: 27th September 2188.
Vessel: The Alcatraz 2. Prison Ship
Location: UNKNOWN

Jinnifer Blue opens her eyes to find herself in a ship that is the source of her darkest nightmares. Her plan to expose the horrific truth behind the government’s secret Second Species programme has failed, and now she’s being turned into a weapon by her worst enemy . . . her mother.

At the other end of the galaxy Caspian Dax, ferocious space pirate and Jinn’s sometime lover, is facing an even more terrifying fate. He’s being forced to fight in the arena on Sittan, a pitiless, ruthless alien landscape where blood is the only prize that matters. They will use him, destroy him, change him.

Jinn has only one chance – to go to Sittan and find Dax before his mind is completely destroyed. She must rely on her friends and one old enemy, leave her beloved ship the Mutant behind, and travel to a hostile planet. But hardest of all, she must keep faith that when she finds Dax, there will be something left of the man she knew.

One thing’s for sure: the fight has only just begun.

Book Review: Scribes by James Wolanyk

Synopsis: Pawns in an endless war, scribes are feared and worshipped, valued and exploited, prized and hunted. But there is only one whose powers can determine the fate of the world . . . 

Born into the ruins of Rzolka’s brutal civil unrest, Anna has never known peace. Here, in her remote village—a wasteland smoldering in the shadows of outlying foreign armies—being imbued with the magic of the scribes has made her future all the more uncertain.

Through intricate carvings of the flesh, scribes can grant temporary invulnerability against enemies to those seeking protection. In an embattled world where child scribes are sold and traded to corrupt leaders, Anna is invaluable. Her scars never fade. The immunity she grants lasts forever.

Taken to a desert metropolis, Anna is promised a life of reverence, wealth, and fame—in exchange for her gifts. She believes she is helping to restore her homeland, creating gods and kings for an immortal army—until she witnesses the hordes slaughtering without reproach, sacking cities, and threatening everything she holds dear. Now, with the help of an enigmatic assassin, Anna must reclaim the power of her scars—before she becomes the unwitting architect of an apocalyptic war.

Book Review: Dragon Bonds by Ava Richardson

Synopsis: The Darkening has risen… 

Agathea Flamma and Sebastian Smith now face an overwhelming enemy. The rapid spread of the Darkening, a threat arising from the mists of legend, looms over the entire land. With both their families torn apart by the conflict and betrayal lurking around every corner, one mistake could doom the kingdom.

They’ll have to decide where to put their faith: blood ties or newfound friends?

After the destruction of the Dragon Academy, it’s up to Thea and Seb to gather their loyal comrades—and forge uneasy new alliances—to quell the ancient menace and face the evil Lord Vincent. With civil war raging, the Dragon Riders must race against time to find the legendary Dragon Stone, the only tool they have to fight against the endless darkness that threatens to swallow them all.

Book Review: The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden

Synopsis: For a young woman in medieval Russia, the choices are stark: marriage or a life in a convent. Vasya
will choose a third way: magic…

The court of the Grand Prince of Moscow is plagued by power struggles and rumours of unrest. Meanwhile bandits roam the countryside, burning the villages and kidnapping its daughters. Setting out to defeat the raiders, the Prince and his trusted companion come across a young man riding a magnificent horse.

Only Sasha, a priest with a warrior’s training, recognises this ‘boy’ as his younger sister, thought to be dead or a witch by her village. But when Vasya proves herself in battle, riding with remarkable skill and inexplicable power, Sasha realises he must keep her secret as she may be the only way to save the city from threats both human and fantastical…

Book Tag: The Great British Bake Off Tag

My book tag catch up continues! I was tagged by the amazing Zezee with Books for this one. She is one of my favourite bloggers and I always squeal over her reviews, so please go and check it out! This was created by Zaheerah Khalik, so don’t forget to check out her awesome blog too!

I have to admit that I don’t watch the Great British Bake Off *hides*. But I obviously know what it is, and any tag that has the potential to involve cake is fine by me!

So, onto the tag..!