I was excited to dive back into the world Sara Raasch has created with her Snow Like Ashes series. Ice Like Fire is the second novel, and I am thankful to report that despite not being as strong as Snow Like Ashes, it did not fall victim to second book syndrome. Told in alternate perspectives of those of Meira and Mather we see what has befallen Winter and begin a quest to save their people and perhaps all the kingdoms of Primoria.
Are you looking for a steampunk fantasy adventure? Snag a copy of The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher the first book in the The Cinder Spires series. Have you ever read a book that you deliberately tried to savor? The Aeronaut’s Windlass was such a book for me. As soon as I slipped into the world, I knew I wanted to stay awhile. I limited myself to fifty to seventy-five pages a day. (sometimes a few more to end a chapter) At almost 600 pages, it gave me an adventure I could look forward to every evening.
After loving Harvesting, I was excited to begin The Shadow Aspect by Melanie Karsak, the second novel in her Harvesting series. Karsak perfectly blends fantasy and horror creating a tantalizing, nail-biting story that kept me on edge.
Reawakened by Colleen Houck takes the reader on an adventurous quest from New York City to the tombs of Egypt. Wrapped in Egyptian mythology Awakened and its tale of good vs evil and forbidden romance will captivate listeners. While I struggled with aspects, I quite enjoyed the narrative voices of Phoebe Strole and Mark Deakins and this original fantasy.
Sorcerer to the Crown, by Zen Cho lured me with its promise of an alternate London, magic and Fae. Politics, prejudice and magic are central themes in this fantasy set against an alternate Regency England. Despite some issues, Sorcerer to the Crown with its dry humor and colorful character ended up making me smile.
