The Royals of Dharia, books 2 and 3: Second Daughter and First Daughter

The other day I reviewed the first book in this series, I have since read the other two books.

Given the titles of the subsequent books, I was pleasantly surprised to see they are both still written from the perspective of Amiri, the Third Daughter.  In the first book, you fall in love with this independent young woman, so I am glad to see how the story develops through her eyes.

At the start of the second book we discover that Seledri, the Second Daughter of Dharia, has been poisoned, so Amiri postpones her wedding to go care for her sister.  This is complicated by the fact that Seledri, is is also married to the man in line for the Samir throne, but all is not at peace there, and it looks as if all is heading towards war.

The third book looks at Nahali, the First Daughter of Dharia, who has to take over from her mother who is injured, to be acting Queen of Dharia in this time of war.  In the role that she was born for can she work with her younger sister Amiri to achieve peace, or is she more concerned with her reputation and rule?

I read these books in a few days, I really enjoyed them.  

I hadn't realised that they were written in "Bollywood style" until I read the reviews after writing my own a few days ago.  Having chosen the book based on title and author's name (Q in my list, if you're following), I had no idea.  Yet, in my mind's eye, I did place the story in the kind of Indoasian landscape, whether it's 'realistic' or not, totally bypassed me as I'm used to reading fantasy.
Similarly I hadn't come across Steampunk as a specific literary genre - I just think of it as a fantasy / SciFi crossover - but that really fits, and I will be looking out for more books along these lines.

There are twists and turns in these books, romance, politics, and advancing technology.  If only there were dragons, it would be my perfect book!

Third Daughter by Susan Kaye Quinn

Third Daughter is my Q in my series of authors and I enjoyed it so much, that I have bought the next book in the series, Second Daughter.

The blurb says: 

Sneaking out of the palace wasn’t one of Aniri’s best ideas. But she’s the Third Daughter of the Queen of Dharia—zero responsibilities and zero royal duties. She’s just the backup daughter, in case her older sisters’ arranged marriages—to take the crown or broker an alliance—don’t quite work out. But once Aniri reaches her 18th birthday, she’ll be truly free… and then she can marry the charming fencing instructor she meets for fevered kisses in the forest.

But then the impossible happens—a marriage proposal. From a barbarian prince in the north, no less. And if Aniri refuses, the threat of their new flying weapon might bring war.

So she agrees to the young prince’s proposal, but only as a subterfuge to spy on him, find the weapon, and hopefully avoid both war and an arranged marriage to a man she doesn’t love. But once she arrives in the sweeping mountains of the north, she discovers the prince has his own secrets… and saving her country may end up breaking her heart.

This book surprised me by how much I enjoyed it.  It is a romance, full of both high and low emotions.  You are really transported into Aniri's world and feel what it must be like to have your chance of freedom snatched away from you.  Aniri is a head-strong, independent young lady, which is great to read about as the protagonist in a romance novel!  Not only that, Susan Kaye Quinn has created a world that satisfies my love of fantasy novels too - a different world, with it's own royalty, deception and technology.

I don't know if this book would be classed as Young Adult, given the age of Aniri, however, it certainly won't only be enjoyed by teens, as I enjoyed it lots.  

Wind Rider by Teddy Jacobs

This is the second book in the Return of the Dragons series.

Wind Rider continues the story of Anders Tomason, a 16yo boy who has recently learned he is the prophesied Three Bloods Prince, and it is up to him to beat The Dark Lord, who happens to be his uncle!

The blurb says:

Anders Tomas (sic) already found a magic sword and clashed with his evil uncle in SWORD BEARER. Now he returns in this second adventure, and continues his struggle with the evil chemical forces that threaten his world, enlisting, in the process, the help of the dragons.

 Again, this book is fast based so adult readers may not find it has enough depth to keep their interest.  However, reading it as aimed for teens, the story has a good pace and keeps you wanting more.

Unfortunately, two books is not much of a series (not to mention that the series is entitled Return of the Dragons - which only appear halfway through the second book) and as this book was published back in 2012, it looks unlikely that there will be a third book any time soon.  As such, the ending is a bit swift, and though Anders wins a battle in this book, it is clear that he hasn't won the war. 
I cannot find much out about the author - for example his website was updated in 2013 - so I hope he's ok. 

One way you could get enjoyment from how this ends, however, is if you use it as an opportunity to encourage your teen/preteen to do some creative writing themselves and to finish the story themselves.

Sword Bearer by Teddy Jacobs

Another YA book, and "J" in my alphabet.  Sword Bearer is a fantasy surrounding a 16 year old boy, Anders, who now gets to train with a real sword.

The blurb says:

You swung a staff until you were ready to swing a sword. Then you went on all kinds of adventures -- fighting monsters, casting spells, and saving damsels in distress. At least that was how it was supposed to work, but I didn't believe a word of it.

BOOK ONE OF THE EPIC FANTASY SERIES RETURN OF THE DRAGONS

Locked in his room in the castle, young Anders yearns for adventure. Until the day he opens a magic portal and a girl bursts into his locked room with a chemical warlock hot on her trail.

And adventure finds him -- an adventure full of danger, full of blood, fire, demons and evil. To face it, he'll need the sword given him by his blademaster, need the ancient words his grandfather gave him on his deathbed. Need the song that runs in his own blood, in his veins.

A sword will be reforged, magic words discovered, battles fought, friends made and lost, secrets revealed. And blood will be spilled. But will blade, word and blood be enough?

I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did.  It was quite obvious from the beginning that this book was aimed at teens, but I would allow my preteens to read this (first they'd have to enjoy reading, and then they'd have to enjoy fantasy - unfortunately they seem to have follow after my husband here...).  

It was predicted on my kindle that it would take 4 hours to read, but actually took much less than that.  The action comes fast and furious and I couldn't put it down.  There were a few typos, and if this book was to be aimed at adults I would have expected it to be fleshed out a bit more, but as I said, I did enjoy this book.  So much so, I have just bought the second in the series.

The Forbidden City by Alexander Grant

The Forbidden City was my chosen 'G' from all the books I have unread on my kindle.

It tells the adventures of General Leandros, the King's Lion.  Prince Assaf assassinated the king in order to take his place, and a group of soldiers loyal to the rightful king, plus General Leandros, abandon their old country and seek refuge in Indra.  Unfortunately, Assaf has now pronounced himself Emperor and he looks to conquer all surrounding lands to expand his empire.

The blurb says:

It was the perfect plan. Murder the King and use his legions to restore the Empire. Only flaw; the man who created the legions managed to escape. No big deal. He was only one man, right?
Immerse yourself within the magical world of the Eagle Empire through the first book of the King's Lion Tales. Spectacular battles, high level strategy, romance, Gods, shamans, magicians and miraculous spices are making a truly entertaining read.
They sent his own legions to hunt him down. Assassins lurk behind every corner. The woman he loves is in danger. As if these are not enough, they plan to unleash a terrible ancient evil to plunge the world into warfare and bloodshed.
But he is not an ordinary man. He is a legend. General Leandros, the undefeated King's Lion. Now he is coming back armed with steel and magic. In a world full of intrigue, sorcery and enchantment, where Gods and humans play lethal power games, the King's Lion fights one breath-taking battle after another across an entire continent. The future of the Empire and of the woman he loves depends on him. Will his genius manage to save the world?

I enjoyed this story.  I liked the plot, and though there is a lot going on (battles, deception, gods, magic, love) all the twists and turns make sense and though they may not always be expected, they do not come out of nowhere, itms.  As expected when reading a story about a general, much of the book centres around the battles and strategies of warfare - that said, when I chose the book (based on the title alone, once I sorted by author for G) I didn't expect it to be as heavily based on battle.

This is the first book of the trilogy, but I have enjoyed it as a standalone.

Edited to add: Alexander Grant has been in touch and he is hoping to write a 4th book in the series!

Truthbearer by Hans Erdman

Truthbearer is by Hans Erdman, so is my 'E' book in the sequence (not a difficult sequence, being alphabetical...).  It's a Christian Fantasy where different worlds come together.  Connor Clark is from First Earth (or Earth, as we Earthlings call it), but finds himself in another land called Gewellyn.

The blurb says:

A shadow of evil covers the world, and Connor Clark has spoken out against that evil. When his wife is executed for refusing to renounce her faith, Connor escapes and enters a strange world of elves, wizards and the Deep Magic. A world not yet controlled by the dark magic of evil. A place called Gewellyn. Connor is given a quest. Together with Iolena, the beautiful banished Elven queen, and the rogue elf bounty hunter Meta Kai, he is to take the Truth of the coming evil to the Nine Worlds. But first, they have to save Gewellyn itself.

The newly revised edition of "Truthbearer" begins the epic, award-winning Christian fantasy series, The Gewellyn Chronicles, and the story of the Truthbearer, the Most Beautiful Woman in the Nine Worlds, and the bounty hunter who is destined to become the greatest she-elf in history.

I have to say I was disappointed in this book.  It has such potential to be really really good.  Lots of fabulous ideas that I wanted to get my teeth into.  I just couldn't get to grips with how it was written: too much too fast. In the first chapter My Journey, it is written "To this day, I have no idea whether what I am living is real or a dream. Whether it is part of a medically induced coma, or I am really living this existence..." and that is exactly how this book feel when you read it: fast paced and jumping from one thing to the next. Then this happened. Then that happened. Then they were here.  And then there again.  And the next, and the next, and the next. 

The story itself isn't too bad, I just wanted the opportunity to slow down and enjoy it.  Some of the things that happened were far too easy, and I know this will sound oxymoronic, but this fantasy just wasn't realistic enough for me.  I read to the end of the book, so didn't hate it, but I won't be following the rest of the series.

[Edit: The author has given me the sequel to read to see if his writing style has improved.  My review of that book is here and I have added the next book to my wishlist.]

The Lost Heir by E G Foley

I actually listened to this book as an audiobook.  Audible Stories have given free access to a selection of audiobooks for children, for as long as schools are closed due to coronavirus.  Sitting in the garden with DD2, I started listening to this book because it was her age-level and sounded like I book that I would also find interesting. Next thing I know, DD2 had wandered off, and I'm thoroughly enjoying this book.  I don't listen to books that often, but it has given me a chance to sit in the sunshine, doing my latest MosaiCraft project whilst listening to the story.

The blurb says:

Take a dash of Harry Potter and a splash of Oliver Twist, add a pinch of steampunk and a sprinkle of Victorian fairy lore, and what do you get? The Gryphon Chronicles! A rollicking fantasy adventure series that’s as much fun for grownups as it is for kids.

Strange new talents...

Orphan Jake Reed is a smart, plucky twelve-year-old pickpocket living by his wits on the streets of Victorian London. Lately, he’s started seeing ghosts—then discovers he can move solid objects with his mind! He has no idea why, but it seems to be the reason that a Sinister Gentleman and his minions now come hunting him. Suddenly on the run for his life, the rascally lad plunges headlong into a wondrous world full of magic and deadly peril. A world that holds the secret to the greatest question haunting him: who he really is. The answer leads the rough-and-tumble guttersnipe to a mysterious stranger’s mad claim that he is the long-lost heir of an aristocratic family…with supernatural powers.

But with treacherous enemies closing in, it will take all of Jake’s wily survival instincts and the help of his friends—both human and magical—to solve the mystery of what happened to his supposed parents, Lord and Lady Griffon, and defeat the foes who never wanted the Lost Heir of the great magical House of Griffon to be found.

So, yes I did enjoy this book.  It's a shame my children didn't give it a chance (they'll only sit still for watching TV or playing computer games) and listen to it whilst drawing or anything, as I think they would have liked it.  I know I would have liked it when I was a child.  There are 6 books in The Gryphon Chronicles, and though I have no intention of reading more myself, I thought the book was good.  It was very well written, with lots of excitement in the story.

The Magemother by Austin J Bailey

Working through the unread books on my kindle, I am skipping books that are for very young children, but reading books that are aimed at teens.  I'm also going through my books and choosing them based on author's last name (so I previously read and A, this is B for Bailey and next I'm reading C).

This book is actually aimed at Middle-schoolers (I had to look that up, and seems to be roughly 10-13yo), so slightly younger than any of the books I usually read.

The blurb says:

An invisible girl. A missing mage. A world in need…

Brinley has spent most of her life lost in her own imagination, teaching bullfrogs to do gymnastics and pretending to be invisible. Now, when a magic bell from another world summons her across time and space on a journey to find her mother, she will discover real friendship, face true evil, and overcome her greatest fears in order to save the ones she loves.

The Mage and the Magpie is the first book in Austin J. Bailey's Magemother series: an epic middle-grade fantasy adventure series with witches, shapeshifters, and cliffhangers, and awesome kids (There are no boring adults in this book!).

I could tell this book was aimed at children - slightly quicker pace with less description and depth than I'm used to, but actually it was still really enjoyable.  I'm not going to read the subsequent books in the series, but if my children were looking for a fantasy book I would encourage them to read this and I would buy the following books for them.  (And admittedly, once I've bought them, for the kids, I probably would end up reading them.)

The book is really well written and the story is easy to follow, even though you are following multiple characters at times.  I like books with a sense of good prevailing over evil, and even though there are sad bits, the book is built up as an adventure and you cannot always predict what will happen next.

Gauntlet of Iniquity and Keep of Dragons by Daniel Adorno

Having recently read The Blade Heir, I went on to read the next two books in the series: Gauntlet of Iniquity and Keep of Dragons.  These books continue the story of Lucius as he tries to fulfil his destiny in being the Ellylei.

I'm not going to talk too much about the story itself, because I don't want to give away any spoilers; but over the two books there is treachery, rebellion, secrets, promises, love, battles, death, heartache and much more.

I do remember reading some of the reviews saying they didn't like this series because the dragons are baddies. Yes, they are, but that shouldn't put you off.   As much as I enjoy books where dragons are portrayed as intelligent creatures, it's good to occasionally read a book that rewrites the script somewhat.

The story is well written, and keeps the right level of suspense.  Some of the sub-plots are predictable, but it just means it's an enjoyable read that's comforting.  It is easy to read, and a couple of times I had to force myself to stop reading so I could get some sleep.

I would definitely read some more of Daniel Adorno's books in the future.

The Blade Heir by Daniel Adorno

I bought this book (for free, obvs, lol) a while ago but thought it sounded interesting by the title.  Now I have my new kindle and can sort books into 'read' and 'unread' I'm now choosing new books to read based on alphabetical order of the author plus whether the title sounds like it'll be good.

The blurb says:

The Dragons Have Awakened...

Lucius suffers each night from recurring nightmares of a black dragon called Kraegyn. The frightening dreams signal the return of the dragon tribes that wreaked havoc on the peoples of Azuleah centuries ago. Confused and uncertain of his role in the gathering storm, Lucius joins his elf brother Siegfried on a perilous journey to reforge the Requiem Sword--the blade which once defeated Kraegyn.


Lucius' quest will take him through the kingdom of elves, dwarves, and faeries. Though he will gain allies on his quest and uncover secrets surrounding his past, can Lucius survive long enough to stop Kraegyn's ascension?

The Blade Heir is Daniel Adorno's debut novel and is an epic fantasy tale modeled after the works of C.S. Lewis, Stephen R. Lawhead, and Michael J. Sullivan.

Lucius is a human who lives with his adopted elf-family amongst the elves.  He soon discovers that the fate of humankind rests with him, and he needs to go on a quest accompanied by his elf-brother.  Along the way he meets various allies and enemies, and learns more and more about Yesu and the divisions between humans, elves, dwarves, faeries, as well as the Draknoir and their evil leader.

I really liked this book.  It is easy to read and has much more going on than I was initially expecting, especially as this is Daniel's debut novel.  Having read some of the other authors listed in the blurb, I can definitely see the influences they ave had, and that makes me want to read the story more.  In a fantasy world full of magic and mythical creatures, I am intrigued to see how the story develops, and how the various strands fit together.  And, ultimately, whether what I expect/hope will happen (in regards to various scrolls and prophesies within the story) will actually happen.

Rather than just adding the sequel to my wishlist, I have actually bought it immediately so I can keep reading Lucius' story.

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

Keen-eyed readers may notice that I've already done a review of this book with this picture.  That was a summary of the whole series (albeit with the blurb from this book) done from memory as I do really like these books.

This time, however, I was recommending this book to someone and because it's been a long time since I have read them, I have decided to reread them, not only to refresh myself of the story, but also to see the story now that I know how it ends.  (Don't worry, no spoilers here!)

I am not disappointed!  It's amazing how much detail there is in the book that I hadn't noticed the first time through.  There are hints as to what is ahead, both the short-term and also longer-term in other books of the series; and all the riddles and deciphering of old texts make perfect sense.

I read this book in just a few days (eight to be exact, according to goodreads) and even though I knew what was coming, I couldn't put it down.  There was much more packed into this first book than I remembered, and even though I remembered the overarching story, there were some details (eg about Nosy) that I had forgotten.

If you enjoy reading fiction, this book is for you.  It's filled with drama, twists, hierarchical society, battles, raiders, royalty, assassinations, love, honour and a smattering of magic.  Even though I intended to alternate between rereading this series and reading new (to me) fiction, I've already started on book 2 because it is so gripping.

Abducting Abby by S E Smith

Abducting Abby is the first book in the Dragon Lords of Valdier series.  A strong, independent woman lives alone on a remote mountain, resistant to the charms of the local sheriff.  Suddenly, she comes across an injured man on the mountain and tends to him as he returns to health.  The man, however, is an alien and falls in love with his nurse, whom he calls his true mate.  Despite a language barrier, she starts to have feelings for him, even while knowing he is soon to return home.

The blurb says:

The beginning of an epic saga! Discover new worlds, clashes of cultures, schemes of power, revenge, rescues, and above all, hope….

Abby Tanner was content to live on her mountain creating works of art and enjoying the peace and quiet until a golden space ship crash lands with the King of the Valdier inside, desperately hurt.

Zoran Reykill knew he had to find a safe place to heal after he escapes from a Curizan military post. When his symbiosis Mothership takes him to an unknown planet he finds more than he expects – he finds his true mate. The only problems are Abby doesn’t understand a thing he says and the local sheriff wants her, too.

Clearly, this book is a mix of fantasy, sci fi, and romance.  There are explicit sex scenes, so not suitable for teens.  They are also very male-dominant, so not entirely realistic (as if the rest of the book is...).

I read this book in a day because I couldn't put it down. I liked the writing and it was very easy to read. You do have to suspend some disbelief, as you do for many books in this genre, but the story is gripping and action-packed, not just a soppy romance - the alien who crash landed, was being tortured on a different planet due to being a King, and is still being hunted.

This is the first of 11 books in the series, and I have added the next one to my wishlist.  I would like the subsequent books to be focusing on the alien war, the kingdom, the battles etc, however judging by the book titles, they will be focusing on the romance/sex side of things, so though it is now on my wishlist, it won't be one of the first books I buy (when I start buying books again).

Skip by Perrin Briar

I read this book in a day and I was a bit disappointed, as it has the potential to be a really good bit of Sci Fi/Fantasy.

Jera Wythnos is betrothed to a wealthy family, in order to protect her own family from ruin.  However, she discovers the brothers are not all they seem to be.  Unable to get out of the engagement she decides to run away in the middle of the night.
Meanwhile, Elian Stump walks into a clock shop, claiming to be looking for a job.  The old watchmaker turns him down, until a cuckoo makes an appearance and the watchmaker changes his mind.
Jera manages bribes Elian to allow her to hide in the shop, when those searching for her break in and damage the clock tower, causing Jera and Elian to Skip forward in time.

The blurb says:

A Mysterious Clock Controls Time. What Happens When It Breaks? The clock tower is the center of the town of Time. It counts down the hours, minutes and seconds of every passing day. But unbeknownst to the local inhabitants, it is at the center of a great deal more than that. It is the center of the universe and controls time itself. But it is old and beginning to break, sending the world’s inhabitants skipping forward and back through time. Seventeen-year-old Jera Wythnos, betrothed to marry a powerful lord, runs to escape her responsibilities and pursue her dream of traveling the world. Hot on her heels is her betrothed, moving heaven and earth to find her before the wedding day. Elian Stump is an outlaw on the run from a bungled heist, but he carries with him a dangerous secret that threatens to either free or ensnare the world. They confront sinister forces at every turn, hell bent on preventing them from achieving their goal, and taking control of the clock tower for themselves. The universe has chosen this unlikely pair to collect all three replacement clock pieces scattered across the world before the clock tower, and time, breaks for good. On their journey they make friends and enemies, encounter strange and wonderful mythical creatures, and face their own internal demons.

The book is very fast paced, and doesn't go into the depth of character that I would have liked.  Additionally, the first book just stops, presumably to encourage you to buy book 2, whereas I prefer books to be roughly self-contained (even if there are overarching stories throughout the series) or at least a lead-in to the following book.  Not having read the next one, for all I know this could have been one large book that has been split up in order to make the author more money.  Book 2 isn't available on Kindle, and I didn't enjoy the story enough to warrant putting a paperbook on my wishlist.

Blood Singers by Tamara Rose Blodgett

The synopsis says:

A sub-species of human beings.

Twenty-year-old Julia Wade, a young woman tragically widowed, is in the middle of a bizarre bid between two mythical species who are vying for the unique gift she holds: the property of her blood. The vampires need her to balance the food load of the human species and give them their coveted "Lightwalkers." The Were wish to be moonless changers, and a Rare One such as Julia can make that a reality.

Julia wants to belong to herself.

Can she free herself and begin a new life?

I read this book, and the next two in the series, within 3 or 4 days.  It gripped me from the beginning, as good fantasy can.
At first, you don't know what is real as you are following the protagonist, Julia, and intermixed there are flashbacks, dreams and scenes with other characters; however as the story progresses all the threads join together as the different races (Singer, Vampire and Were) join together towards a common goal.

It's a Young Adult book, and though there needs to be 'mating' in order for the magical properties of the Singer blood to be shared with a different race, it's not an adult book - just a bit of snogging and actually, Julia is a virgin and holds on to her virginity as long as she can.

I really enjoyed the books, and have put books 4-6 on my wishlist so I can find out what happens next.

Love Me, Dreamy by Laura Burton

It is always a privilege to be asked to review a book by an up-and-coming author.  This is the third book I have read by Laura Burton, and the third in her Love Me series (the previous two being Love Me, Crazy and Love Me, Sweetie).

Love Me, Dreamy is another cozy romance, with a paranormal twist.
The blurb says:

Sitting on a park bench, Amelia can't remember how she got there. But when a young, Californian surfer wanders up, figuring it out doesn't seem so important. The chance meeting leads to a date and then another. Sparks fly and although she never imagined falling in love with someone so much younger than her, he's perfect. 

That is... except for the strange men in black suits who keep showing up. Are they being followed? 

Toby knows a secret, but if he tells Amelia, he risks losing her forever. With the guardians set on tearing him away from her, he whisks Amelia to another part of the world. They're safe, but not for long. Their relationship is put to the ultimate test, when Toby and Amelia stand at the top of a waterfall. With only one chance to stay alive, he asks her to take a leap of faith. Amelia thinks they will surely die, but Toby insists it's the only way to be together.

As someone who reads a fair bit of fantasy/sci-fi/paranormal fiction this book was not what I was expecting.  That's not to say it is bad, not at all.  I got through the 300ish pages in a couple of days.  It was very easy to read and very enjoyable; it was just not what I expected.  I'm not going to give any spoilers because it is worth reading, but means it is hard for me to expand on what I was expecting and the actual story-line.  I just wish we could have found out a bit more about the guardians.Who are they? Why are they there? If this hasn't happened before, why are they needed in the first place? How do they travel? How do they know?  If there was to be a spin-off from this book, that is the direction I would be hoping for.

The love story between Amelia and Tody is captivating.  Toby helps Amelia discover herself, face her fears and become more spontaneous.  He is charming, being a gorgeous surfer who seems to have fallen in love at first sight, despite their age gap, and Amelia starts to fall for him too.  They travel together across the globe, and Amelia has many new experiences with her beau, until the guardians get closer and they have to make a life-changing choice: should they jump?

For those who don't normally like paranormal fiction, don't let that put you off.  It's another well-written love story that will make your heart soar.

The Fourth Element Trilogy by Kat Ross

I love reading, and consuming new (to me) books, and I'm glad to be back in the habit. I am very glad to have read the Bible in 6 months, as I'd not done that before, but I think I will go back to reading it slower over a year, and having more time to read other stuff.  As I've mentioned before, I do enjoy reading classics, (having just finished Lorna Doone) but they require more concentration, whereas I relax the most when I can submerge myself into another world and devour the contents.  I read quickly, and love it when I find a book that I cannot put down.


Four days ago I started reading The Fourth Element Trilogy by Kat Ross. I chose this book(s) because I am working through all the books I have on my Kindle, and am trying to read them before I buy more, as I'm a bit of an addict.  Before my actual Kindle died (I now use Kindle app on my phone) I wrote on a sheet of paper (that ended up being 12 sides of A4) all the books I hadn't read yet, because my Amazon account doesn't actually register whether I've read a book yet, just that I've bought it.  (Or if it does, I'm not technologically minded enough to work out how to do it!)  So, I choose my books based on the title alone.  I decided to read this one because the title sounded interesting, and because it's a trilogy, I knew I wouldn't read it too fast - or so I thought...


The blurb says:

They are the light against the darkness.
The steel against the necromancy of the Druj.
And they use demons to hunt demons….

Nazafareen lives for revenge. A girl of the isolated Four-Legs Clan, all she knows about the King's elite Water Dogs is that they leash wicked creatures called daevas to protect the empire from the Undead. But when scouts arrive to recruit young people with the gift, she leaps at the chance to join their ranks. To hunt the monsters that killed her sister.

Scarred by grief, she's willing to pay any price, even if it requires linking with a daeva named Darius. Human in body, he's possessed of a terrifying power, one that Nazafareen controls. But the golden cuffs that join them have an unwanted side effect. Each experiences the other's emotions, and human and daeva start to grow dangerously close.

As they pursue a deadly foe across the arid waste of the Great Salt Plain to the glittering capital of Persepolae, unearthing the secrets of Darius's past along the way, Nazafareen is forced to question his slavery—and her own loyalty to the empire. But with an ancient evil stirring in the north, and a young conqueror sweeping in from the west, the fate of an entire civilization may be at stake…

So begins an epic story of adventure, romance and betrayal that leads to undiscovered magical realms and a final confrontation with a demon queen bent on destroying them all.

Given that I have read nearly 1000 pages in 3 days (as I actually finished the trilogy yesterday), you can take for granted that I enjoyed it.  It is really well written, and set in a partly fantasy and partly historical world.  The writing was really good, and I liked the fact that we were looking on things from the pov of a different culture.  I'm not going to give anything away in this review, but when some of the historical aspects come to light, I was quite pleased with myself that I had worked them out beforehand, though the identity of the young king of the enemy was a surprise to me.

Having read the books so fast, I couldn't put them down.  I was only slightly disappointed in the ending, because I felt it ended and everything was wrapped up a bit too quickly, and I wanted to experience more.  However, there is a subsequent series called The Fourth Talisman* where you can see what happens next the the characters.  I haven't bought these books yet, because I am trying to work through the ones on my list, but I look forward to coming back to this world and seeing what happens next to Nazafareen.

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

This past week I have been really busy, so I hadn't finished reading my 50 chapters of the Bible, which in turn meant I hadn't read as much of my current fiction book as I would have liked.  Not only that, but once a year (roughly) I read a Classic, as there are many great books that I haven't read.  However, as it the case with this one, the language is slightly old fashioned so requires a bit more concentration than some of the easier to read books, so that makes me read it even slower.

So, I thought I would give a review of a book (and series) that I have read in the past.  I only discovered this author around 5 years ago, because the first book which I'll review below, was free on Kindle.  As I've said in previous book reviews, most the books I have are free - and then I get hooked and end up buying the rest of the series, as I did in this case.  Then I read through all the books of all the series so fast (even with books by other authors in between) that I ended up waiting and having to pre-order the final book back in 2017.  These books were so good, that I still remember all the stories and characters and think of them as part of my life.  (Yes, I am sad/geeky enough that when I read a good book it impacts me deeply.)

This 'series' of books, is actually a collection of 5 trilogies (where one trilogy is actually a tetralogy...).  Whilst the trilogies can be read in any order, I just happened to read them in the correct order, and so I would recommend that.  I will list them all below, in order, and you can make your mind up yourself.

The first book, of The Farseer Trilogy, is called Assassin's Apprentice.  It starts when a young boy, Fitz - named because he is the bastard son of a royal - is removed from him home and taken to the castle.  As the illegitimate son of a prince, Fitz is sent to be looked after by the stableman Burrich.  Eventually, Fitz meets the mysterious Chade, the royal assassin, who trains Fitz up in his art.


The blurb says:

The kingdom of the Six Duchies is on the brink of civil war when news breaks that the crown prince has fathered a bastard son and is shamed into abdication. The child’s name is Fitz, and his is despised.

Raised in the castle stables, only the company of the king’s fool, the ragged children of the lower city and his unusual affinity with animals provide Fitz with any comfort.

To be useful to the crown, Fitz is trained as an assassin; and to use the traditional magic of the Farseer family. But his tutor, allied to another political faction, is determined to discredit, even kill him. Fitz must survive: for he may be destined to save the kingdom.

This is fantasy at its best, imo.  There are kings and castles, magic and mystery, friendships and rivalries, love and battles, dragons and prophets, death and birth.  If you like any of these things in your fantasy, you'll learn to love them all, as the stories of each character is woven beautifully throughout the series.  As you read more books, you'll come to a new understanding of what happened in the earlier books and why, as revelations, twists and turns keep the story fresh and alive.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a bit of escapism.

Here is the list of books in the series.

The Farseer Trilogy
Assassin's Apprentice
Royal Assassin
Assassin's Quest

Liveship Traders Trilogy
Ship of Magic
The Mad Ship
Ship of Destiny

The Tawny Man Trilogy
Fools Errand
The Golden Fool
Fool's Fate

The Rain Wild Chronicles
Dragon Keeper
Dragon Haven
City of Dragons
Blood of Dragons

The Fitz and the Fool Trilogy
Fool's Assassin
Fool's Quest
Assassin's Fate

King Arthur and Her Knights books 4-6,7 by K M Shea

Yesterday, I wrote a post reviewing the first 3 books in this series, and ended saying I was about to buy the next set.  Well, I did, and the book after that!

Spoiler Alert:
Though there's no spoilers of these books in the review ahead, if you want absolutely no inkling about what happened in the first book (beyond what I wrote yesterday), don't read any further!

So the next 3 books in the series are called Embark, Enlighten and Endeavor. By the time I was reading this book, I was hooked and needed to find out what happened next.  Britt's biggest secret, her gender, is finally found out and spreads throughout her knights. She has to try and regain their trust and loyalty, whilst facing other enemies.

The blurb says:

Britt Arthurs has finally settled into her role as the substitute King Arthur. She’s even made peace with her growing feelings for her surprisingly young and handsome wizard advisor, Merlin. If only it could last. 

It took two years for Britt to be crowned King of Britain, raise Camelot, and establish the Round Table. It takes only a moment to bring everything crashing down on her. 

When Britt's biggest secret--her true gender--is revealed, she realizes that there is a price for her lies. For the knights of Camelot--whose loyalty she has won through blood, sweat, and tears--might never forgive her.

Perhaps even more devastating, at a time when Britt needs him most, Merlin becomes aware of her love and pushes her away in the most painful of ways. Merlin won’t let anything, including his own heart, stand in his way of a united Britain. Or so he tells himself.

Can Britt reclaim her knights’ loyalty and reconcile with the wizard who she loves as more than a counselor?

When I finished these three books, even though I had only bought them that day (yes, I'm a fast reader, but was still 370 pages) I had to buy the final book so that I knew how the story concluded.

By this time, Britt finally feels at home in Camelot and settled in this century. Endings is a fitting title at the end of this series as it tries to bring all the threads to a satisfying conclusion.  However, life is never easy for our hero, and she faces the might of Rome as the Emperor tried to conquer Britain.  Not only that, she had to watch as Merlin pretends to fall in love with Lady Vivien.

The descriptions says:

Peace never lasts. Britt has finally settled into her life as King Arthur. Her knights know her real identity, her lands are are free from war, and she has friends and a family she loves. 

But all of this is threatened when the Roman Emperor invades.

Merlin thought Rome was his greatest fear, but as he finally recognizes his own feelings for Britt he discovers a greater terror: Britt coming to harm. Merlin will do anything to protect her, even if it means distracting the evil magic user, Lady Vivien, by acting the part of her lovesick fool. 

Old enemies and allies make an appearance as Britt forges new alliances for the sake of the impending war and tests her knights as never before. In order to repel the Romans and assure Camelot's survival, Britt must achieve Merlin's greatest ambition and unite all of Britain. 

Will she succeed, or will she fall on the battlefield?

I like a book with a decent ending where everything gets neatly wrapped up.  However, there are still twists and turns.  In my mind I guessed how the story would wrap up, and I was wrong.  Some parts were on the right lines, but in a different way to what I was expecting.  I was happy with the ending, and pleased I read the series.

King Arthur and Her Knights by K M Shea

I am going through my kindle, and trying to read more of the saved books, rather than buying new books every time I get a voucher (such as for Christmas).


So, I chose this book because I was interested to explore the idea of King Arthur being a woman.  I didn't expect this book to start in modern times, and it is actually due to Merlin's magic that a woman is unexpectedly taken back in time, and told she is to be the new king.  Only Merlin and her closest knights are aware of her real gender.


The blurb says:

In a place and time not her own, one woman must risk everything to protect her life, her kingdom, and her heart.

Britt doesn’t want to be a leader, and she definitely doesn’t want to pretend she is the legendary King Arthur. But history has other plans.

A magical summons back through time lands Britt into the schemes of the surprisingly young and handsome wizard Merlin. He has some bad news: the real Arthur has disappeared, and the sword in the stone has chosen Britt to take his place. 

But life in ancient Britain isn’t safe. The kingdom is fragmented, with enemies on all sides, and there’s little chance for mercy if Britt’s real identity and gender is exposed. Britt will soon find herself fighting for her life again and again on behalf of her people.

And then there’s Merlin. Focused on his goal to unite Britain, he’s oblivious of Britt’s growing feelings for him. Or so she thinks. But what future can they have in a world that only sees them as monarch and confidant?

Don’t miss this collection of the first three stories in the bestselling King Arthur and Her Knights series plus exclusive bonus content not available anywhere else.

The finished King Arthurs and Her Knights series is based on Arthurian legends and lore. It is sprinkled with humor, love, and more than a dash of magic. If you enjoy strong characters and tales about the Knights of the Round Table, check out the King Arthurs series today!

I found it a bit difficult to get into initially, mainly because it wasn't what I was expecting.  I would also say that I don't think I'm the intended demographic; I would say this is more a book for teenagers or young adults, but still can be enjoyed.  It is easy to read, however, and the books are much shorter than I expected.  I think there is scope for the author to either expand the books a bit (delve into the lives of the characters a bit more), or collate some of the books together.  But was enjoyable enough that I have just purchased the second set (books 4-6) in the series.

The Old Man at the End of the World by AK Silversmith

Gerry, an old man, is tending his allotment by planting leeks he had bought from the supermarket when he realizes the Zompocalypse has started.

The blurb says:

The end is nigh.... and Gerald Stockwell-Poulter has had quite enough of it already. Pesky business altogether. All this hiding and running about. Makes Brexit look like a doddle.
After 87 largely well-behaved years as a model citizen, less than four hours into the ‘zompocalypse’ and he has already killed a neighbour, rescued a moody millennial drug dealer and forged an unlikely allegiance with a giant ginger Scotsman. And it isn’t even tea time.
Join Gerald as he and his newfound allies navigate the post-apocalyptic English countryside in their hilarious bid to stay off the menu.

The Old Man at the End of the World is a short comedy, only 68 pages, so took me only an hour to read this morning, but there are chapters if you don’t have the time to dedicate to a book in one sitting. Whilst it wasn’t laugh-out-loud funny, it was very humorous with bizarre situations and Gerry’s stereotypically English response to being chased by flesh eating zombies.

This book is actually the first ‘bite’ of a series, so there is more to read it you wish. I enjoyed the book enough to put the second book on my Amazon Wishlist, but not enough to buy and consume the next one immediately.