Review - King of Scars

King of Scars

by Leigh Bardugo

Also look out for the Grishaverse Netflix show coming the year!!

What they say: Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

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What I say: The Grishaverse world building is so detailed and creative that it's always a treat whenever Leigh Bardugo gives us another story set there. It's also very timely with the Netflix show coming soon, hello Ben Barnes as the Darkling...

I'm a fantasy geek so I love all the detail in King of Scars. It was great to see more of Nikolai, Zoya and Nina, plus the expansion of the Grishaverse from the original trilogy and Six of Bones.

Secrets and lies. Power and betrayal. Love and hope. These are at the centre of the story and the battle to save Ravka.

Nikolai made me smile with his usual mixture of concerned royal and flirty banter. He was never going to have an easy time as ruler but he's got a whole load of unexpected problems on top of the usual political ones.

Zoya is a total badass who doesn't worry about offending anyone. Her charm is in her loyalty, bravery and the verbal and actual smackdowns she delivers to anyone stupid enough to be intrigued by her beauty. A thorny rose.

I have to admit I wasn't the biggest Nina fan until now. I'm not really sure why but I was engrossed in her story here and meeting Hanne.

Oh the ending! Really? I'm not sure whether to cheer, shout or cry at this point...!

4.5 Stars in my Sky!

Coming Soon - Neliem

Neliem

by Clare Di Liscia

An outcast rejected by her own people after a plague wipes out half the population on her island is offered a new life by way of marriage to a complete stranger until she finds the inner strength to be the hero she and her people deserves, and fights back testing her willpower with the aid of a mysterious dagger given to her by a dying boy. 

Amazon * B&N * Google Play * Indiebound * Kobo

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Releases 21st May!

FEARLESS - Review

FEARLESS - NAMELESS #3 by Jennifer Jenkins

What they say: In exactly twenty-three days, Gryphon will offer his life to Chief Barnabas in exchange for the lives of his best friend and mess brothers. Until then, he must keep his plans from Zo while avoiding the Wolves of the Allied Camp. But Gryphon is not the only one harboring secrets. To spare her own life, Zo has made a blood oath promising to help the Kodiak Clan free their families living as Nameless slaves. When Gryphon learns the truth — that the peaceful life he’d planned for Zo is not secure — he divulges a secret that will give the Allies the upper hand against the Ram.

Now, The Great Move is underway and a final battle between the Wolf, Ram, Kodiak and Raven cannot be stopped. Strength will be tested. Loyalties will be questioned. Alliances will form. In a world of uncertainty and danger, Zo and Gryphon may finally have what they’ve each always wanted. 

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Coming soon from Month9Books

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!

What I say: FEARLESS follows on from the previous two instalments NAMELESS and CLANLESS and is not a standalone.
I'm going to keep this as vague as possible, and yes, I'm aware this is a strange thing to write in a review, but I'm really concerned about not including any spoilers. I don't want to ruin any of the action or romance.
Oh the drama! We jump right back into the action with Zo and Gryph. Gryphon is facing a terrible fate and a rapidly decreasing decline. He's also not about to blab about whats going on if he can help it and as always keeps things pretty close to his chest. I wanted him to realise that he doesn't have to fix everything all the time and to know how much he means to Zo and the others.
Zo has her own problems with the big bad to defeat and a deal to keep. She's something of a reluctant leader who has found herself as a central figure in the revolution *ahem* war against the Ram. I kept chanting to myself "Don't be a pawn. Don't be a pawn!" as I really didn't want to see any more people using her.   Jennifer Jenkins always manages to keep the pace and tension so that I never felt bored. Although I have to admit there were a few moments when I was extremely concerned about what was going to happen next. The feels!
I'm a big fan of this series but was particularly nervous about reading FEARLESS because I wasn't sure where Jenkins was going to take the story - I'm still not over the Tris in Allegiant saga. I was desperate for my favs to make it through the final battle and for Zo and Gryphon to find their HEA. I'm going to leave it right there and finish my review by commenting on how much I've enjoyed the series particularly Jenkins's detailed world building, clans and the nameless alike.

4 - 4.5 Stars in my Sky!

Author links:
Goodreads * Website * Twitter

Waiting on Wednesday: Salt & Stone

Salt & Stone (Fire & Flood #2)

by Victoria Scott

What they say: What would you do to save someone you love?
In Fire & Flood, Tella Holloway faced a dangerous trek through the jungle and across the desert, all to remain a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed for a chance at obtaining the Cure for her brother. She can't quit--she has to win the race, save Cody, and then fight to make sure the race stops before it can claim any more lives. In the next legs of the race, across the ocean and over mountains, Tella will face frostbite, sharks, avalanche, and twisted new rules in the race.

But what if the danger is deeper than that? How do you know who to trust when everyone's keeping secrets? What do you do when the person you'd relied on most suddenly isn't there for support? How do you weigh one life against another?

The race is coming to an end, and Tella is running out of time, resources, and strength. At the start of the race there were one hundred twenty-two Contenders. As Tella and her remaining friends start the final part of the race, just forty-one are left--and only one can win. 

Expected publication: Feb 24th by Scholastic.

Book & Author links:

Goodreads * Website * Twitter * Facebook

Why I'm Waiting on Salt & Stone:

1. I really enjoy Victoria's writing.
2. With Fire & Flood being so good, how could I not want to read the sequel?!
3. I love Tella!!