Synopsis Beyond the Wastes of Khulakorum, a storm is rising . . .
The Shaper of Ages is gone, and along with her, the Breaker-yet gods are not the only threat to the peace of the living.
Aldis Tennech, the once-great general of the armies of Gal’dorok, finds himself in exile. His only hope of reclaiming glory lies in the hands of a self-proclaimed emperor, and the unearthly powers that put him there. Meanwhile, improbable alliances are forged in the north as unexpected enemies rear their heads and threaten ruin-with a single thread in common, connecting them all.
In the sequel to his award-winning novel Gift of the Shaper, D. L. Jennings once again brings to life an epic tale of war and chaos as earthly armies fight for otherworldly prizes. Ancient powers lying dormant must be called upon, bringing strength to those who need it and conquest to those who seek it; battles will rage and cities will fall, but only the most desperate or reckless would seek . . .
. . . to awaken the three.
What I thought I received a copy of this book from the Author and R&R Book Tours, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When I agreed to read this book I was not sure what I was going to think about it. This is the second book in the Highglade series, and I have not read the first one so I was not sure how this was going to go. I can honestly say that this book can be read as a stand-alone. I did not feel like I was missing information. I was able to read and enjoy this book as a whole.
This book is fast-paced and I was pulled into the story quickly. Once I started this book I did not want to put it down. This is more of a military fantasy which is something I do not read much but it was written in such a way that I loved it.
It’s the start of another week. It’s Monday! What are you Reading is hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, this is a weekly event to share what we’ve read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.
Recent Books
Lycans and Legends: A Steampunk Fairy Tale by Melanie Karsak | (Steampunk Red Riding Hood #6) | Fantasy, Steampunk, Retelling | Add to Goodreads
Someone is trying to assassinate the Queen.After stopping a mysterious preternatural assailant wielding an enchanted dagger, Clemeny is on the hunt. Why is someone after Victoria? To find answers, Clemeny Louvel must travel to the one place she’s been avoiding, the Summer Country. Among the mist and standing stones, secrets about her case-and herself-are hiding. An ancient grudge with roots deep in the heart of Britannia is about to unfold on the Victorian stage. Unless Clemeny can stop it first.Dive into the exciting final chapter of Clemeny’s adventures in Lycans and Legends. Journey to gaslamp London in the 19th century in this steampunk retelling of the classic Red Riding Hood fairy tale by New York Times bestselling author Melanie Karsak.
Awaken the Three by D.L. Jennings | (Highglade #2) | Fantasy | Add to Goodreads
Beyond the Wastes of Khulakorum, a storm is rising . . .
The Shaper of Ages is gone, and along with her, the Breaker-yet gods are not the only threat to the peace of the living.
Aldis Tennech, the once-great general of the armies of Gal’dorok, finds himself in exile. His only hope of reclaiming glory lies in the hands of a self-proclaimed emperor, and the unearthly powers that put him there. Meanwhile, improbable alliances are forged in the north as unexpected enemies rear their heads and threaten ruin-with a single thread in common, connecting them all.
In the sequel to his award-winning novel Gift of the Shaper, D. L. Jennings once again brings to life an epic tale of war and chaos as earthly armies fight for otherworldly prizes. Ancient powers lying dormant must be called upon, bringing strength to those who need it and conquest to those who seek it; battles will rage and cities will fall, but only the most desperate or reckless would seek . . .
. . . to awaken the three.
Monstress #28 by Marjorie M. Liu | (Monstress (Issues) #28) | Comic, Fantasy | Add to Goodreads
Trapped in a burning city under siege, Kippa must survive against all the odds.
Monstress #29 by Marjorie M. Liu | (Monstress (Issues) #29) | Comic, Fantasy | Add to Goodreads
On the battlefield, Maika confronts the ghosts of Constantine and Kippa tries to make amends.
Monstress #30 by Marjorie M. Liu | (Monstress (Issues) #30) | Comic, Fantasy | Add to Goodreads
Who will win this crucial first battle between the Federation and Arcanics? And whose side is Maika on, anyway?
Adler #3 by Lavie Tidhar, Paul McCaffrey (Illustrator) | Adler Comics #3 | Add to Goodreads
From the World Fantasy Award-winning writer Lavie Tidhar and artist Paul McCaffrey (DC’s Men of War, TMNT) comes an all-new story written in the vein of Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen!
Irene Adler and her team of Victorian heroines encounter a mysterous villain, even more dangerous that Moriarty!
Altered Helix by Stephanie Hansen | (Altered Helix #1) | Mystery, Romance | Add to Goodreads
I didn’t want to take the traditional path. First, I wasn’t ready for college. Second, I was going to live with my best friend, Tiff, and work at the Haunted House. Third, did I mention the hot guy Josh that works there too?
The most exciting thing about Austria’s new job, at a local haunted house, was the fact that the toughest looking people screamed the loudest. But when she meets the boy without a home, Josh, Austria’s life takes intriguing and eventful turns. Up until now, Josh has managed to hang with his Street crowd, but they’re in danger, and so is Austria, the girl Josh recently fell for. The group finds themselves joining forces with previously considered enemies who also now find themselves in danger.
Deeply compassionate and full of twists, Altered Helix captures the struggle of polarized people that must work together for the greater good.
Currently Reading
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini | Science Fiction, Space Opera | Add to Goodreads
Kira Navárez dreamed of life on new worlds.
Now she’s awakened a nightmare.
During a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, Kira finds an alien relic. At first she’s delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move.
As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey of discovery and transformation. First contact isn’t at all what she imagined, and events push her to the very limits of what it means to be human.
While Kira faces her own horrors, Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity’s greatest and final hope . . .”
Ride the Wave by Elizabeth Briggs | (Her Elemental Dragons #4)| Fantasy, Romance, Reverse Harem | Add to Goodreads
The epic conclusion to the Her Elemental Dragons series!
The Black Dragon and her men may think they’ve defeated me and my mates, but we’re not giving up without a fight. We’re the only ones who can restore balance to the world, even if it means destroying my family in the process. This time we’re taking the battle to them and we will overthrow their oppressive rule—no matter the cost.
It’s the start of another week. It’s Monday! What are you Reading is hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, this is a weekly event to share what we’ve read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.
Recent Books
Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey | (Harper Hall of Pern #1) | Fantasy | Add to Goodreads
Journey to the wonder-filled world of Pern in the first volume of Anne McCaffrey’s best-selling Harper Hall Trilogy. Dragonsong is the spellbinding tale of Menolly of Half Circle Hold, a brave young girl who flees her seaside village and discovers the legendary fire lizards of Pern.
All her life, Menolly has longed to learn the ancient secrets of the Harpers, the master musicians of Harper Hall. When her stern father denies her the chance to make her dream come true, Menolly runs away from home. Hiding in a cave by the sea, she finds nine magical fire lizards who join her on a breathtaking journey to Harper Hall.
Anne McCaffrey’s enchanting tales of Pern, with all their colorful dragons and fantastic characters, have won her millions of fans around the world. The winner of the Hugo and Nebula Award, she is one of the best-loved writers in all of fantasy literature.
Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim | (Scavenge the Stars #1) | Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling | Add to Goodreads
When Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning, she fears her rash actions have earned her a longer sentence on the debtor ship where she’s been held captive for years. Instead, the man she saved offers her unimaginable riches and a new identity, setting Amaya on a perilous course through the coastal city-state of Moray, where old-world opulence and desperate gamblers collide.
Amaya wants one thing: revenge against the man who ruined her family and stole the life she once had. But the more entangled she becomes in this game of deception—and as her path intertwines with the son of the man she’s plotting to bring down—the more she uncovers about the truth of her past. And the more she realizes she must trust no one…
Star Daughter Shveta Thakrar | Young Adult, Fantasy | Add to Goodreads
The daughter of a star and a mortal, Sheetal is used to keeping secrets. Pretending to be “normal.” But when an accidental flare of her starfire puts her human father in the hospital, Sheetal needs a full star’s help to heal him. A star like her mother, who returned to the sky long ago.
Sheetal’s quest to save her father will take her to a celestial court of shining wonders and dark shadows, where she must take the stage as her family’s champion in a competition to decide the next ruling house of the heavens–and win, or risk never returning to Earth at all.
This gorgeously imagined YA debut blends shades of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust and a breathtaking landscape of Hindu mythology into a radiant contemporary fantasy.
Arrowood by Mick Finlay | (Arrowood #1) | Historical Fiction, Mystery | Add to Goodreads
London Society takes their problems to Sherlock Holmes. Everyone else goes to Arrowood.
The Afghan War is over and a deal with the Irish appears to have brought an end to sectarian violence, but Britain’s position in the world is uncertain and the gap between rich and poor is widening. London is a place where the wealthy party while the underclass are tempted into lives of crime, drugs and prostitution. A serial killer stalks the streets. Politicians are embroiled in financial and sexual scandals. The year is 1895.
The police don’t have the resources to deal with everything that goes on in the capital. The rich turn to a celebrated private detective when they need help: Sherlock Holmes. But in densely populated south London, where the crimes are sleazier and Holmes rarely visits, people turn to Arrowood, a private investigator who despises Holmes, his wealthy clientele and his showy forensic approach to crime. Arrowood understands people, not clues.
The Damned by Renée Ahdieh | (The Beautiful #2) | Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance | Add to Goodreads
Following the events of The Beautiful, Sébastien Saint Germain is now cursed and forever changed. The treaty between the Fallen and the Brotherhood has been broken, and war between the immortals seems imminent. The price of loving Celine was costly. But Celine has also paid a high price for loving Bastien.
Still recovering from injuries sustained during a night she can’t quite remember, her dreams are troubled. And she doesn’t know she has inadvertently set into motion a chain of events that could lead to her demise and unveil a truth about herself she’s not quite ready to learn.
Forces hiding in the shadows have been patiently waiting for this moment for centuries. And just as Bastien and Celine begin to uncover the danger around them, they learn their love could tear them apart.
Currently Reading
Ride the Wave by Elizabeth Briggs | (Her Elemental Dragons #4)| Fantasy, Romance, Reverse Harem | Add to Goodreads
The epic conclusion to the Her Elemental Dragons series!
The Black Dragon and her men may think they’ve defeated me and my mates, but we’re not giving up without a fight. We’re the only ones who can restore balance to the world, even if it means destroying my family in the process. This time we’re taking the battle to them and we will overthrow their oppressive rule—no matter the cost.
Beyond the Wastes of Khulakorum, a storm is rising . . .
The Shaper of Ages is gone, and along with her, the Breaker-yet gods are not the only threat to the peace of the living.
Aldis Tennech, the once-great general of the armies of Gal’dorok, finds himself in exile. His only hope of reclaiming glory lies in the hands of a self-proclaimed emperor, and the unearthly powers that put him there. Meanwhile, improbable alliances are forged in the north as unexpected enemies rear their heads and threaten ruin-with a single thread in common, connecting them all.
In the sequel to his award-winning novel Gift of the Shaper, D. L. Jennings once again brings to life an epic tale of war and chaos as earthly armies fight for otherworldly prizes. Ancient powers lying dormant must be called upon, bringing strength to those who need it and conquest to those who seek it; battles will rage and cities will fall, but only the most desperate or reckless would seek . . .
. . . to awaken the three.
Lycans and Legends: A Steampunk Fairy Tale by Melanie Karsak | (Steampunk Red Riding Hood #6) | Fantasy, Steampunk, Retelling | Add to Goodreads
Someone is trying to assassinate the Queen.After stopping a mysterious preternatural assailant wielding an enchanted dagger, Clemeny is on the hunt. Why is someone after Victoria? To find answers, Clemeny Louvel must travel to the one place she’s been avoiding, the Summer Country. Among the mist and standing stones, secrets about her case-and herself-are hiding. An ancient grudge with roots deep in the heart of Britannia is about to unfold on the Victorian stage. Unless Clemeny can stop it first.Dive into the exciting final chapter of Clemeny’s adventures in Lycans and Legends. Journey to gaslamp London in the 19th century in this steampunk retelling of the classic Red Riding Hood fairy tale by New York Times bestselling author Melanie Karsak.
It’s the start of another week. It’s Monday! What are you Reading is hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, this is a weekly event to share what we’ve read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.
Recent Books
Now I Rise by Kiersten White | (The Conqueror’s Saga #2) | Young Adult, Historical Fiction | Add to Goodreads
She has no allies. No throne. All she has is what she’s always had: herself.
After failing to secure the Wallachian throne, Lada Dracul is out to punish anyone who dares to cross her blood-strewn path. Filled with a white-hot rage, she storms the countryside with her men, accompanied by her childhood friend Bogdan, terrorizing the land. But brute force isn’t getting Lada what she wants. And thinking of Mehmed brings little comfort to her thorny heart. There’s no time to wonder whether he still thinks about her, even loves her. She left him before he could leave her.
What Lada needs is her younger brother Radu’s subtlety and skill. But Mehmed has sent him to Constantinople—and it’s no diplomatic mission. Mehmed wants control of the city, and Radu has earned an unwanted place as a double-crossing spy behind enemy lines. Radu longs for his sister’s fierce confidence—but for the first time in his life, he rejects her unexpected plea for help. Torn between loyalties to faith, to the Ottomans, and to Mehmed, he knows he owes Lada nothing. If she dies, he could never forgive himself—but if he fails in Constantinople, will Mehmed ever forgive him?
As nations fall around them, the Dracul siblings must decide: what will they sacrifice to fulfill their destinies? Empires will topple, thrones will be won…and souls will be lost.
The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson | Fantasy | Add to Goodreads
A heretic thief is the empire’s only hope in this fascinating tale that inhabits the same world as the popular novel, Elantris.
Shai is a Forger, a foreigner who can flawlessly copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic. Condemned to death after trying to steal the emperor’s scepter, she is given one opportunity to save herself. Though her skill as a Forger is considered an abomination by her captors, Shai will attempt to create a new soul for the emperor, who is almost dead.
Probing deeply into his life, she discovers Emperor Ashravan’s truest nature—and the opportunity to exploit it. Her only possible ally is one who is truly loyal to the emperor, but councilor Gaotona must overcome his prejudices to understand that Shai’s forgery is as much artistry as it is deception.
Brimming with magic and political intrigue, this deftly woven fantasy delves into the essence of a living spirit.
A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe | Young Adult, Historical Fantasy | Add to Goodreads
Thea Hope longs to be an alchemist out of the shadow of her famous mother. The two of them are close to creating the legendary Philosopher’s Stone—whose properties include immortality and can turn any metal into gold—but just when the promise of the Stone’s riches is in their grasp, Thea’s mother destroys the Stone in a sudden fit of violent madness.
While combing through her mother’s notes, Thea learns that there’s a curse on the Stone that causes anyone who tries to make it to lose their sanity. With the threat of the French Revolution looming, Thea is sent to Oxford for her safety, to live with the father who doesn’t know she exists.
But in Oxford, there are alchemists after the Stone who don’t believe Thea’s warning about the curse—instead, they’ll stop at nothing to steal Thea’s knowledge of how to create the Stone. But Thea can only run for so long, and soon she will have to choose: create the Stone and sacrifice her sanity, or let the people she loves die.
Shake the Earth by Elizabeth Briggs | (Her Elemental Dragons #3)| Fantasy, Romance, Reverse Harem | Add to Goodreads
The fate of the world rests on the shoulders of four sexy dragon shifters and the woman they’re sworn to serve…
It’s time for me to embrace my destiny as the next Black Dragon, the one who can control all five elements and bring balance to the realms.
I’ve bonded with two of my mates, Jasin and Auric, and now we continue our journey so I can become intimate with Slade and Reven. It’s a race against the Dragons we’re meant to overthrow, who will do anything to stop us from fulfilling our destiny.
We’re going to need allies if we want to defeat the Dragons, even if that means confronting the dark secrets of our pasts. But death and destruction follow us at every turn, and unlocking the hearts of my last two mates seems nearly impossible.
When all seems lost, will love be enough to save us?
Thief of Dreams by Bec McMaster | (Court of Dreams #0.5) | Fantasy, Romance | Add to Goodreads
Twenty brides. One prince. Who will survive when the competition turns deadly?
When Prince Keir of the Court of Dreams sends out a summons in search of a bride, the Wraith King sees a chance to steal the powerful Dragon’s Heart. He sends his best thief, Zemira Az Ghul, to penetrate the court as one of the potential brides.
All Zemira wants is freedom from the chains that bind her to the king, and if she finds the relic she’ll have it. But the Court of Dreams is more dangerous than she ever expected, and Zemira must soon choose between her freedom—and her heart.
The Blind Banker by Jay | (Sherlock #2) | Manga | Add to Goodreads
Manga adaptation of the second Sherlock BBC episode – printed in English in the US for the first time!
Holmes and Watson tackle brain-teasing crimes in modern-day London in this stunning Manga, presented in its original right-to-left reading order, and in the full chapters as originally serialized! Meet Holmes and Watson for the first time… all over again!
Currently Reading
Ride the Wave by Elizabeth Briggs | (Her Elemental Dragons #4)| Fantasy, Romance, Reverse Harem | Add to Goodreads
The epic conclusion to the Her Elemental Dragons series!
The Black Dragon and her men may think they’ve defeated me and my mates, but we’re not giving up without a fight. We’re the only ones who can restore balance to the world, even if it means destroying my family in the process. This time we’re taking the battle to them and we will overthrow their oppressive rule—no matter the cost.
Beyond the Wastes of Khulakorum, a storm is rising . . .
The Shaper of Ages is gone, and along with her, the Breaker-yet gods are not the only threat to the peace of the living.
Aldis Tennech, the once-great general of the armies of Gal’dorok, finds himself in exile. His only hope of reclaiming glory lies in the hands of a self-proclaimed emperor, and the unearthly powers that put him there. Meanwhile, improbable alliances are forged in the north as unexpected enemies rear their heads and threaten ruin-with a single thread in common, connecting them all.
In the sequel to his award-winning novel Gift of the Shaper, D. L. Jennings once again brings to life an epic tale of war and chaos as earthly armies fight for otherworldly prizes. Ancient powers lying dormant must be called upon, bringing strength to those who need it and conquest to those who seek it; battles will rage and cities will fall, but only the most desperate or reckless would seek . . .
. . . to awaken the three.
Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey | (Harper Hall of Pern #1) | Fantasy | Add to Goodreads
Journey to the wonder-filled world of Pern in the first volume of Anne McCaffrey’s best-selling Harper Hall Trilogy. Dragonsong is the spellbinding tale of Menolly of Half Circle Hold, a brave young girl who flees her seaside village and discovers the legendary fire lizards of Pern.
All her life, Menolly has longed to learn the ancient secrets of the Harpers, the master musicians of Harper Hall. When her stern father denies her the chance to make her dream come true, Menolly runs away from home. Hiding in a cave by the sea, she finds nine magical fire lizards who join her on a breathtaking journey to Harper Hall.
Anne McCaffrey’s enchanting tales of Pern, with all their colorful dragons and fantastic characters, have won her millions of fans around the world. The winner of the Hugo and Nebula Award, she is one of the best-loved writers in all of fantasy literature.
