Zili In The Sky Book Blog

6 July 2018

Fri-YA The Traitor's Ruin

Look at that cover!!

The Traitor's Ruin - The Traitor's Circle #2

by Erin Beaty

What they say: After proving her worth in book one as a deft spy and strategic matchmaker, Sage Fowler is now comfortably positioned in high society as the royal tutor. When she’s called upon to teach his majesty’s soldiers how to read and write, she jumps at the chance to serve her kingdom of Demora—and to be reunited with her fiancé, Captain Alex Quinn.

During a skirmish, Sage and Alex are separated. She watches him die before he can deliver important military intel—or so she thinks. She escapes from the enemy and makes an unlikely alliance with a mysterious soldier from a third nation. As Sage tries to rally their support against a common foe, the important political alliance is plagued by secrets and betrayal.

Can Sage complete Alex’s mission and save her kingdom once more?

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Kiss of the Royal - Tour & Review

Kiss of the Royal

by Lindsey Duga

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: July 3rd 2018

Entangled Teen

In the war against the Forces of Darkness, the Royals are losing. Princess Ivy is determined to end this centuries-long conflict once and for all, so her new battle partner must succeed where the others failed. Prince Zach’s unparalleled skill with a sword, enhanced by Ivy’s magic Kiss, should make them an unstoppable pair—but try convincing Zach of that.

Prince Zach has spent his life preparing for battle, but he would rather be branded a heretic than use his lips as nothing more than a way to transfer magic. A kiss is a symbol of love, and love is the most powerful weapon they have—but try convincing Ivy of that.

With the fate of their world on the line, the battlefield has become a testing ground, and only one of them can be right. Falling for each other wasn’t part of the plan—but try convincing their hearts of that.

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Purchase HERE!

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!

What I say: Kiss of the Royal has a real reverse fairy tale vibe. Instead of kisses symbolising true love and happily ever after, kisses hold the power to save lives and love is outlawed.

Society is ruled by the Royal families who have magical powers. These powers are passed on through blood lines. Princesses can administer healing magic through kisses to help their partnered Princes. I have to admit I do like the sentiment that kisses can heal and act as a powerful weapon in times of war. War is a big part of the book in a very fairy tale evil Queen kinda way.

Princess Ivy possesses all kinds of powerful magic but has bad luck when it comes to battle partners. Her new partner Prince Zach isn't keen for her to use her kiss on him, even refusing her help when he would really benefit from it - she can't understand why.

To say Ivy and Zach don't exactly get on when they meet is a big understatement. Zach's very dismissive of her and her abilities which is a big knock to her pride. She thinks he's arrogant and rude. The slow burn in their relationship which goes from angry acquaintances to friends is certainly entertaining.

I loved the drama, angst, romances and of course the kisses. More please!

4 Stars in my Sky!

Author Spotlight:

Lindsey Duga developed a deep love for courageous heroes, dastardly villains, and enchanting worlds from the cartoon shows, books, and graphic novels she read as a kid. Drawing inspiration from these fantastical works of fiction, she wrote her first novel in college while she was getting her bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University. By day, Lindsey is an account manager at a digital marketing agency based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. By night, and the wee hours of the morning, she writes both middle grade and young adult. She has a weakness for magic, anything classical, all kinds of mythology, and falls in love with tragic heroes. Other than writing and cuddling with her morkie puppy, Delphi, Lindsey loves catching up on the latest superhero TV show, practicing yoga, and listening (and belting) to her favorite music artists and show tunes. KISS OF THE ROYAL is her YA debut novel.

Website * Twitter * Instagram * Facebook * Goodreads * Amazon

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YA Bound Book Tours

Whatcha Reading Wednesday - Daughter of the Pirate King

I'm late to the party with this one...

Daughter of the Pirate King - Daughter of the Pirate King #1
by Tricia Levenseller

What they say: There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I’ve gotten what I came for.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

More info...

Where Have All the Elves Gone - Book Blitz

Where Have All the Elves Gone

by Christian Warren Freed

Urban Fantasy / Paranormal

Date Published: April 1, 2018

Publisher: War Fighter Books

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Everyone knows Elves don’t exist. Or do they? Daniel Thomas spent years making a career of turning his imagination into the reality of best selling fantasy novels. But times are tough. No one wants to read about elves and dragons anymore. Daniel learns this firsthand when his agent flatly says no to his latest and, what he deems, to be greatest novel yet. Dissatisfied with the turn to zombies and vampire lovers, he takes his manuscript and heads out to confront his agent.

His world changes when he finds his agent dying on the floor of her office. Too late to help, he watches as her dead body disintegrates into a pile of ash and dust. Daniel doesn’t have time to ponder what just happened as a band of assassins breaks in, forcing him to flee to the Citadel and the home of the king of the high elves in order to survive. Daniel soon discovers that all of the creatures he once thought he imagined actually exist and are living among us. His revelation comes at a price however, as he is drawn into a murder-mystery that will push him to the edge of sanity and show him things no human has witnessed in centuries

Buy here:

Amazon * Lulu * Author Site

Author Spotlight:

Christian W. Freed was born in Buffalo, N.Y. more years ago than he would like to remember. After spending more than 20 years in the active duty US Army he has turned his talents to writing. Since retiring, he has gone on to publish 17 military fantasy and science fiction novels, as well as his memoirs from his time in Iraq and Afghanistan. His first published book (Hammers in the Wind) has been the #1 free book on Kindle 4 times and he holds a fancy certificate from the L Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest.

Passionate about history, he combines his knowledge of the past with modern military tactics to create an engaging, quasi-realistic world for the readers. He graduated from Campbell University with a degree in history and is pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Military History from Norwich University. He currently lives outside of Raleigh, N.C. and devotes his time to writing, his family, and their two Bernese Mountain Dogs. If you drive by you might just find him on the porch with a cigar in one hand and a pen in the other.

You can find out more about his work by following him...

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Giveaway:

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Books To Movies Monday - Mortal Engines

Out of all of the book adaptations releasing this year none have me more excited than the prospect of seeing Philip Reeve's AWESOME post-apocalyptic steampunk Mortal Engines on the silver screen!!

Oh and did I mention that Hugo Weaving is playing Thaddeus and Robert Sheehan is Tom? Need more convincing? The movie adaptation has been written by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens!

The bad news is that we have to wait until December to watch the movie!!

In the meantime why not read the book?

First released in the early 2000s the blurb says:

"It was a dark, blustery afternoon in spring, and the city of London was chasing a small mining town across the dried-out bed of the old North Sea."

The great traction city London has been skulking in the hills to avoid the bigger, faster, hungrier cities loose in the Great Hunting Ground. But now, the sinister plans of Lord Mayor Mangus Crome can finally unfold.

Thaddeus Valentine, London's Head Historian and adored famous archaeologist, and his lovely daughter, Katherine, are down in The Gut when the young assassin with the black scarf strikes toward his heart, saved by the quick intervention of Tom, a lowly third-class apprentice. Racing after the fleeing girl, Tom suddenly glimpses her hideous face: scarred from forehead to jaw, nose a smashed stump, a single eye glaring back at him. "Look at what your Valentine did to me!" she screams. "Ask him! Ask him what he did to Hester Shaw!" And with that she jumps down the waste chute to her death. Minutes later Tom finds himself tumbling down the same chute and stranded in the Out-Country, a sea of mud scored by the huge caterpillar tracks of cities like the one now steaming off over the horizon.

In a stunning literary debut, Philip Reeve has created a painful dangerous unforgettable adventure story of surprises, set in a dark and utterly original world fueled by Municipal Darwinism -- and betrayal.

Add to your GR TBR here!

YA Fun - Summer Books

It seems to be doom and gloom all the time these days so today I'm focusing on some cute summer books to read at the beach or in your chosen spot.

Rather than new books I've selected five of my old favs...