Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Warbreaker

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: N/A

Publication: June 9, 2009, 688 pages

Source: Audiobook, Libby

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Warbreaker is the story of two sisters, who happen to be princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, the lesser god who doesn't like his job, and the immortal who's still trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago.

Their world is one in which those who die in glory return as gods to live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren's capital city and where a power known as BioChromatic magic is based on an essence known as breath that can only be collected one unit at a time from individual people.

By using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be accomplished. It will take considerable quantities of each to resolve all the challenges facing Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris; Susebron the God King; Lightsong, reluctant god of bravery, and mysterious Vasher, the Warbreaker.

MY THOUGHTS

I think most readers have at least heard of Brandon Sanderson or read one of his books. With his extensive catalog, I decided that this would be the year I finally started one of his works. I chose Warbreaker, which, in hindsight, probably wasn’t the best entry point. The synopsis and rave reviews promised an epic fantasy, but unfortunately, I didn’t experience that at all. There were many aspects I disliked, and I didn’t even find it mildly enjoyable.

First, the cover and title felt misleading. Siri is featured on the cover, yet the book is named after another character. In the grand scheme of the story, with so many characters, Siri and Vasher were two of the main ones, but their roles felt small and somewhat insignificant. They had plenty of page time, yet their presence barely moved the story forward. It’s hard to explain, but their impact just didn’t feel substantial.

At first, the worldbuilding intrigued me. The concept of colors and Breath as a magical system was unique; people could animate inanimate objects by drawing color from their surroundings, provided they had accumulated enough Breath. To gain Breath, they had to take it from another living person. Things became more complex with the introduction of gods and the Returned: people who had died but were brought back to life and worshiped as deities. While the idea was interesting, the execution became confusing and convoluted. The reasoning behind the Breath system and its connection to the gods was poorly explained, and when the truth was finally revealed, it felt underwhelming and inane.

Character-wise, I immediately disliked Vivenna. She was one of the dullest protagonists I’ve ever read. Though she underwent significant development over the course of the book, she remained unlikable. Siri, the younger princess who became the Hallandren Queen, fared slightly better. Initially dismissed as the useless princess, she actually grew over the course of the book. However, I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. Vivenna, Siri, Lightsong, Vasher, Denth, Tonk Fah, the God King, and even the side characters all felt underdeveloped. None of them had a single memorable moment or defining trait. As the story progressed, I lost interest in the story and didn't care what happened to them.

The pacing was a major issue. Warbreaker was unnecessarily long, with the middle section dragging painfully. Then, after all that buildup, thousands of Lifeless marching on Idris, Vasher’s hidden army, there was no actual battle scene? The ending felt rushed, abrupt, and anticlimactic. One of the worst ending I've read in a long time.

Overall, I don’t recommend this book. It was drawn out for far too long, and I honestly wish I had DNF-ed it instead of wasting so much time, only to be left disappointed.

The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman

Title: Isles of the Gods

Author: Amie Kaufman

Genre: YA Fantasy

Series: Isles of the Gods #1

Paperback, 464 pages 

Publication: May 2, 2023

Source: I received a review copy in exchange for a honest review.
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When Selly's father leaves her high and dry in the port of Kirkpool, she has no intention of riding out the winter on land while he sails to adventure in the north seas. But any plans to follow him are dashed when a handsome stranger with tell-tale magician's marks on his arm boards her ship, presenting her and the crew with a dangerous mission: to cross the Crescent Sea without detection so he can complete a ritual on the sacred Isles of the Gods. What starts as a leisure cruise will lead to acts of treason and sheer terror on the high seas, bringing two countries to the brink of war, two strangers closer than they ever thought possible and stirring two dangerous gods from centuries of slumber...

MY THOUGHTS

Isle of the Gods by Amie Kaufman is an engaging, fast-paced Young Adult fantasy that skillfully weaves together a story of magic, sleeping gods, and high-seas adventure. It's been over 500 years since the gods last walked the earth. While they may be asleep, Alinor's god, Barrica the Warrior, remains visually present for the kingdom through its prosperity. In contrast, Mellacea’s god, Macean the Gambler, lies dormant, mirroring the kingdom's struggle to keep faith amidst hard times.

Every year, the Kingdom of Alinor sends a representative to make a sacrifice to Barrica to ensure continued blessings. This year, however, was different. The Queen has chosen her brother, Prince Leander, to perform the task, but he has delayed the task until now. With tension brewing between Alinor and Mellacea, Leander embarks on a stealthy mission to the sacred Isles of the Gods, hiding his identity to avoid those who wish him harm. But when things quickly go awry, the prince, along with a magician seafarer, and historian, find themselves racing against time to reach the isles.

I was hooked from the start! Kaufman wasted no time throwing readers into the heart of the action. We met the three main protagonists early on as they board the Lizabetta and swiftly set sail for the Isles of the Gods. However, forces were already conspiring to prevent the prince from completing his mission, and the ship was attacked before the journey truly began.

The tension between Alinor and Mellacea was skillfully portrayed through five different points of view, which help readers understand both sides of the conflict. The alternating perspectives of Selly, the magician seafarer; Prince Leander; Historian Keegan; Jude, the errand boy of a crime boss; and Laskia, the crime boss’s sister, offered a well-rounded view of the unfolding events.

I’m usually not a fan of multiple POVs, but I actually enjoyed all of these characters. Each one was well-developed, with distinct personalities and motivations. They felt real, flawed, and deeply human—even Laskia, who, while despicable, had understandable reasons for her actions.

The magic system in this world was intriguing. Magicians could connect with any of the five elements, but to do so, they must offer a token or sacrifice of personal value. This exchange adds a unique layer of depth to the magic. Another fascinating aspect was the gods’ ability to create Messengers—individuals chosen to channel a god or goddess’s powers. This divine connection adds a rich element to the story.

Overall, Isle of the Gods is a captivating read, packed with thrilling moments, well-developed characters, and an inventive take on gods and magic. I can’t wait to dive into the next installment, The Heart of the World, and see where Kaufman takes these characters next!

Threaded by Tay Rose

Title: Threaded

Author: Tay Rose

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Solstice Cycle # 1

Paperback, 600 pages 

Publication: May 1, 2024

Source: Personal Library
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In a world where magic means servitude, being giftless is a blessing.

Mariah’s twenty-first birthday was supposed to bring freedom: from expectation, from scrutiny, from the oppressive lord reigning over her hometown. When a summons from the Queen puts those dreams at risk, she has no choice but to follow through—even if it means a future she doesn’t want or deserve.

Thrust into a world of cutthroat politics, secret rituals, and ruthless power grabs, Mariah is forced to come to terms with her new position as terrifying hidden magic begins to awaken in her veins. Meanwhile, the brooding, disgraced royal heir selected to serve in her sworn guard inexplicably hates her, yet he can’t seem to stay away. As the kingdom’s delicate balance shifts and crumbles, Mariah’s freedom seems further away than ever.

Relationships blossom, schemes are unearthed, and gods are awakened… yet her heart may be the biggest threat of all.

Love is a weakness. But will fate weave a different thread?

MY THOUGHTS

Threaded was a pleasant surprise. I honestly haven't heard much about the novel, but a sub was featuring the book; so, I thought I would give it a go. Like most Romantasy-Fantasy novels these days with the Chosen One Trope, Threaded centers around a young woman on the brink of turning twenty-one. All her life she dreamt of escaping the everyday norm, to travel the world. But on her twenty-first birthday, The Queen requests all those of age to present themselves before her and one will be chosen as the newest Queen Apparent. Our Heroine Mariah is of course chosen and thus begins her journey to becoming Queen.

If anyone has read The Legacy series by Melissa E. Roehrich, then you'd enjoy this as well. Because the two series are very, very similar. Especially with the involvement of Gods and Goddess and how the Heroine is written. I thought the world-building and magic system was interesting. Mariah's first task as the Queen Apparent necessitate that she chooses seven men to form her guards and seven women to be her ladies in waiting. For the men, she has to bond to them magically and is only breakable in death. 

Overall, I thought Mariah was a good heroine, but I've been seeing a pattern in most Fantasy Novel: Feminine Rage. Half the time Mariah was either raging at the world about her situation or repeatedly telling the reader how much she never asked to be Queen and the other half; she actually steps up to the task and acts like a Queen worthy of her people. But it was constantly a whiplash, hot and cold when it came to Mariah's emotions. And speaking of hot and cold, Mariah's love interest is practically the same. One minute he acts very caring and the next he treats her badly. It goes on like this for majority of the book. It was tiring to read. And the love interest, isn't really likable nor has any redeeming qualities. 

Despite these slight criticisms, I do plan on picking up the sequel when it comes out, but I won't be rushing to read it. I am curious as to what will happen next. I hope Mariah leans more to becoming the powerful Queen that she could be and less an angry petulant child. I am also tired of all the feminine rage and rollercoaster emotions I've been seeing in books...unless someone can write it better. 

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

Title: A Fate Inked in Blood

Author: Danielle L. Jensen

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Saga of the Unfated # 1

Hardcover, 432 pages 

Publication: February 27, 2024
Source: Personal Library
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Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish, but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband’s back.

Freya’s dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region’s jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son, Bjorn. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret: She possesses a drop of a goddess’s blood, which makes her a shield maiden with magic capable of repelling any attack. It was foretold such a magic would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath the one who controls the shield maiden’s fate.

Believing he’s destined to rule Skaland as king, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders Bjorn to protect her from their enemies. Desperate to prove her strength, Freya must train to fight and learn to control her magic, all while facing perilous tests set by the gods. The greatest test of all, however, may be resisting her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. If Freya succumbs to her lust for the charming and fierce warrior, she risks not only her own destiny but the fate of all the people she swore to protect.

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve been looking forward to A Fate Inked in Blood since I first heard Jensen was writing it. I read her Bridge Kingdom duology and enjoyed it, so I had high hopes for this brand-new series. I had never read a Viking novel before but had always been intrigued by Norse history and mythology.

A Fate Inked in Blood started off strong as readers were introduced to Freya, who is blessed with the blood of the goddess Hlin and is surrounded by a prophecy that makes her one of the most dangerous and sought-after women in all of the kingdoms. And that’s exactly what happens in the story. We see different men vying for control over Freya’s fate, going as far as destroying lives and villages to get to her.

 At first, I kind of admired Freya’s strength and determination to perhaps change her fate or at least gain a modicum of control over her life. Everything she did was in the hopes of protecting the people she loved. That is an admirable trait, but not when the people she loves treat her poorly or use her to their own advantage. I went from admiring her to despising her. She knew people were using her, was told directly to her face, and yet she kept putting them before herself. By the end of the book, I absolutely hated Freya and could care less about what happened to her. SPOILERS INCOMING.

At the end of the novel, she was so angry that Bjorn was lying to protect her that she was willing to return to the POS Snorri, whom she knew from the beginning was willing to sacrifice everything and everyone, family included, in the hopes of becoming King of Skaland. She knew he saw her as a means to an end, a piece of property to control, someone less than human; despite it all, she was willing to choose the bigger evil of the two. It made no sense. Freya’s actions are mostly led by her angry emotions rather than logic, which is why she did what she did in the story and why everyone feared her.

 I had such high expectations for this novel and am surprised by all the rave reviews. I’m certainly in the minority. Freya is an unlikable and immature heroine who made stupid choices, one after the other. The ending left a lot of unanswered questions, and while I want to know what happens next, I’m not sure I’ll be picking up the sequel.

The Queen of Days by Greta Kelly

Title: The Queen of Days

Author: Greta Kelly

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy/Steampunk

Series: N/A

Hardcover, 384 pages 

Publication: October 24, 2023 by Harper Voyager 
Source: Personal library 
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For Balthazar and his family of thieves, stealing a statue during the annual celebration of the god Karanis was just a good bit of fun…or a way to stick it to the governor who murdered his parents. And yeah, the small fortune in reward doesn’t hurt—even if his boss also hired the mysterious Queen of Days to join the crew as “the weapon of last resort...”

Whatever that means.

But Bal doesn’t know the ceremony isn’t simply empty words and dusty tradition; it’s true magic. The kind of magic that rips open a portal for the god himself. Only the idol that Karanis planned on using for a body now lies broken at the Queen of Days’ feet. And half of it is missing.

With the aid of a lovable brawler, a society lady turned bomb maker, a disgraced soldier, and a time-eating demon, Bal must hunt down the missing half of the statue if he has any hope of earning his money, keeping his crew alive…and perhaps even saving all of humanity. But as his journey sends him racing through the city—and across realities—he discovers that doing all this might just doom the city.

The city be damned. It’s time to kill a god.

MY THOUGHTS

I'm always looking for a good hiest novel and The Queen of Days delivered. Bal and his crew is hired to steal an artifact from the Governor's temple with one stipulation. They must aquire assistance from the infamous thief, The Queen of Days, Tass.

Bal and his crew thought The Queen of Days was nothing more than myths and legends since they've never personally seen her and they're born and bred of Cothis. Except she's real and not entirely human. In exchange for helping them retrieve the artifact, they must each give up a month's time of their life. From the get-go the assignment goes sideways when an ancient God inhabits the Governor's body and it seems like everyone in Cothis is after Bal, his crew and Tass.

I enjoyed The Queen of Days much more than I expected to. The main storyline of vengeful Gods trying to takeover the human realm has been done many times but what stood out from this novel were the characters. As I got to know more of Bal and his crew, his family and of Tass and her background I grew more invested in their lives and was rooting for them to take out the bad guy. However, the downside is this is a standalone so all that character development felt a bit surface level and rushed. The book was open ended but I could see more possible stories involving these characters. The stories are there and I hope the author gives these characters more stage time.

The Magic system was fascinating. Tass is a demigod, part god-part human and her life-force hinges on taking time from human or energy from the netherworld (I think). It was funny to see the Crew's realization that the Gods they worship are truly living beings and some of them resides alongside humanity in every day life and no one is the wiser. We met Tass's brother, Uncle and Grandfather...and I want to meet more of the family. Finger crossed for more books in this world!

Overall The Queen of Days was a great read. There's plenty of action and heart and characters you can't help but root for. If you love a fun and thrilling heist novel; I highly recommend Tbe Queen of Days!

 

 

 

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan

Title: Wicked Saints

Author: Emily A. Duncan
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Something Dark and Holy #1
Hardcover, 385 pages
Publication: April 2, 2019 by Wednesday Books
Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
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A girl who can speak to gods must save her people without destroying herself. A prince in danger must decide who to trust.

A boy with a monstrous secret waits in the wings.

Together, they must assassinate the king and stop the war.

In a centuries-long war where beauty and brutality meet, their three paths entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light.

My Thoughts

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book that touches upon the subject of Gods and Godliness. Wicked Saint is a story of a clergy girl with the ability to hear the Gods and wield their powers. That alone piqued my interest. However, it took me quite some time, months to finish Wicked Saints. I’m not familiar with Slavic history or the culture so I cannot attest to its accuracy or spelling. But I thought it was an otherwise nice change to see and learn about gods I’ve never heard before.

Wicked Saints featured two opposing sides of what I believe is the same country (not sure if that was ever indicated) Kalyazin and Tranavia, who’ve been at war for centuries. The main difference between the two was one believed in the gods and the other does not. Our heroine, Nadya a Kalyazian is out on a mission to stop this long, never-ending feud by going after the Tranavian King.

Readers weren’t given clear explanations as to why some believed in Gods while other didn’t, why or how the feud began or why the Tranavian King banned the gods and their teaching from his kingdom. There were too many plot-holes for my liking. And then the characters. I kinda liked Nadya at first, the naive and sheltered girl in the mountains with hidden powers. But of course once she fled the mountain she became a wholly different person. I’d normally say that attributed to growth and experience but it wasn’t the case. Nadya was very hot-cold and as the story progressed egotistical as she believed (and others) that she was the answer, the chosen one to defeat the evil-doers. Meh, I’m over the snowflake formula. The two leading boys of the story weren’t any better. Serefin is your typical prince, sarcastic and charming but deep down he wants more to life than what is expected of him. Malachiasz is dark and mysterious…again your typical ‘’bad boy’’. The author mentioned her inspiration for him was Kylo Ren, I definitely can see the similarities and was not impressed. In the end I didn’t care for any of the characters and was never invested in the story.

I was genuinely intrigued and engaged in the first half of the book but by the midway point I lost interest and wanted it to be over. I read too far to DNF, so I forced myself to finish it. All in all, it wasn’t the best debut, Duncan had some moments but not enough to save the book itself. With that said, I will not be picking up the sequel. 

 

 

 

Death Doesn't Bargain by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Title: Death Doesn't Bargain Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Deadman's Cross # 2

Hardback, 384 Pages
Publication: May 8, 2018 by Tor Books

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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The Deadmen are back...
But so are the demons who have broken free of their eternal prison and are bent on mankind's destruction. The worst of the lot is Vine, determined to claim their lives for taking hers. She will see the world burn...and has the perfect lure to destroy them all. One of their own.

Kalder Dupree has never known a day of mercy. Born to the cruelest of mer-races, he sacrificed himself for his crew and is in Vine's hands. He expects no mercy or rescue.

Yet Cameron Jack is determined to set Kalder free. As a Hellchaser, it's her calling, and she cannot allow even a not-so-innocent to be tortured for an act of kindness that spared her damnation.

To defeat evil, it sometimes takes an even worse evil, and Cameron is willing to do whatever she must to make this right. If Vine thought she had her hands full before, she hasn't seen anything nearly as powerful as Cameron's resolve.

Death Doesn’t Bargain continues the saga of Devyl and his crew of deadmen. After the events of Deadmen Walking, Kalder Dupree was captured by Vine, Devyl evil ex-wife. The crew was about to jailbreak Kalder from Vine’s grasp when they discover Kalder back with them and among the living. But their reunion is cut short when a mythical sea beast puts everyone in danger and the only way Kalder could save everyone was to send them through a portal to his home, the undersea kingdom of Wyneria.

A new book in the series meant new lead couple, featuring Kalder and Cameron. Both of whom I adored in the first book. What I really liked about the Deadman’s Cross series is while there’s a different lead couple, the over storyline, arc of the story is connected between all books in the series. This isn’t the norm, or at least from what I’ve seen in the Paranormal Romance genre. I only read two other series that follow the same format, which I also enjoyed and they usually keeps me along for the ride. I’m not a big fan of standalone novels.

In the first book readers were taken aboard Devyl/Mara’s ship and were on the high seas, so it was only fitting that we went under the sea this time… to Kalder’s home. I loved the change of location and focusing on Kalder’s family, the merfolks. Mermaids are so underrated in the Urban Fantasy/Fantasy genre so it was refreshing to see them taking center stage. I also like how Kenyon incorporated different mythology into the series, albeit at times a bit random like Kalder’s true lineage. And while I haven’t read Kenyon’s other series, I know of them and their characters’ name due to their popularity; and many of the characters make an appearance towards the end of the book.

Overall Death Doesn’t Bargain was a good sequel. I thought it started strong but by the time we got toward the end everything fizzled a bit. The ending ended with another kidnapping, this time two crew-members, so it will be interesting to see how the deadmen plan to rescue them and defeat Vine for good! 

Beneath the Haunting Sea by Joanna Ruth Meyer

Title: Beneath the Haunting Sea
Author: Joanna Ruth Meyer
Genre: Fantasy
Series: N/A

Hardcover, 400 pages
Publication: January 9, 2018 by Page Street Kids

Source: I received a review copy from Saichek Publicity in exchange for a honest review.

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Can't you hear it, Talia?

Can't you hear the waves singing?

Sixteen-year-old Talia was born to a life of certainty and luxury, destined to become Empress of half the world. But when an ambitious rival seizes power, she and her mother are banished to a nowhere province on the far edge of the Northern Sea.

It is here, in the drafty halls of the Ruen-Dahr, that Talia discovers family secrets, a melancholy boy with a troubling vision of her future, and a relic that holds the power of an ancient Star. On these shores, the eerie melody of the sea is stronger than ever, revealing long-forgotten tales of the Goddess Rahn. The more dark truths that Talia unravels about the gods' history--and her own--the more the waves call to her, and it may be her destiny to answer.

 Beneath the Haunting Sea was a wonderful surprised. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and who would’ve known that this was exactly the book I needed to read. Not only was the imagery and writing beautifully detailed and written but it was also the perfect self-discovery, fantasy adventure that we need more of. Many reviewers mentioned that this was very Jane Austen-ist, and I couldn’t agree more. Beneath the Haunting Sea is in the same vein as Lord of the Rings, The Princess Bride, and Stardust…so if you’ve enjoyed any of the aforementioned novels; then you’ll love Beneath the Haunting Sea.

Meyer hits the ground running with her debut young adult novel as readers are introduced to Talia, who was destined to be a future queen one minute and an exiled princess the next. After the coup d'etat, Talia found herself shipped off to Ruen-Dahr and betrothed to a boy she’s never met. It is there that she learns about her true lineage; that has her and her betroth Wen’s lives entangled. I haven’t read many novels involving sirens or sea gods/goddesses, so picking this book up was a breath of fresh air amid all the Urban Fantasy books I’ve been reading. I loved Meyer’s writing, she had me glued to the story from page one. And while I normally hate flashback scenes, Meyer expertly woven them into the story/dialogue that I found myself looking forward to hearing the tales of Rahn and the Billow Maidens.

Talia was a pretty good protagonist, most of the time. She is without a doubt independent and brave considering everything she’s been through and it is a lot. But I couldn’t help find her interaction and infatuation with Caiden vexing. On one hand, yes I know she’s just a teenager and she sees a handsome young man that she’s bound to be swooned by his charm but by when you reached the end of the book, everything was for naught. Meaning, the story line involving Talia and Caiden was pointless and brought nothing to the story except some teenage angst. This would be my only complaint because it took up a fair amount of page time which I thought could’ve been utilized better but It didn’t make me enjoy the book any less. I also really liked Wen, Talia’s betroth, he’s such a caring sweet heart. Although I felt bad for him for the majority of the book, he definitely got the short end of the stick. On a random note, can I just saw how awesome are these characters names? I thought it was perfect for each of the characters…Talia, Wen, Caiden, Blaive…love it!

Beneath the Haunting Sea is what I’d call a hidden gem of 2018. I haven’t heard much press about it until it was put on my radar for review and I glad for it! Beneath the Haunting Sea is a story about fate, love, selflessness and embracing who you are. I highly recommend Beneath the Haunting Sea to all Gothic Victorian, Fantasy, Jane Austen-lovers; this is a debut you don’t want to miss!