Last year I listened to and loved The Walled City by Ryan Graudin, and knew that without a doubt I would listen to Wolf by Wolf his newest release. Set in an alternate 1956 where the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule the world. The story that unfolds in Wolf by Wolf was dark, brilliant and extraordinary.
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.
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.
I love a good dystopian, it is what drew me to the young adult genre and when I saw reviews for An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir I was excited about the promise of a roman-world with violence, oppression and dual narratives. When an opportunity to review the audio presented itself, I dove headfirst. I am so glad that I did. An Ember in the Ashes was beautifully written and executed.
