A Trial of Sorcerers by Elise Kova

Title: A Trial of Sorcerers

Author: Elise Kova

Genre: Fantasy

Series: A Trial of Sorcerers#1

Hardcover, 364 pages 

Publication: March 4, 2021 by Silver Wing Press

Source: Personal Library
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Ice is in her blood.

Eighteen-year-old Waterrunner Eira Landan lives her life in the shadows — the shadow of her older brother, of her magic’s whispers, and of the person she accidentally killed. She’s the most unwanted apprentice in the Tower of Sorcerers until the day she decides to step out and compete for a spot in the Tournament of Five Kingdoms.

Pitted against the best sorcerers in the Empire, Eira fights to be one of four champions. Excelling in the trials has its rewards. She's invited to the royal court with the “Prince of the Tower,” discovers her rare talent for forbidden magic, and at midnight, Eira meets with a handsome elfin ambassador.

But, Eira soon learns, no reward is without risk. As she comes into the spotlight, so too do the skeletons of a past she hadn't even realized was haunting her.

Eira went into the trials ready for a fight. Ready to win. She wasn't ready for what it would cost her. No one expected the candidates might not make it out with their lives.

 

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve been wanting to read A Trial of Sorcerers since it first came out, but because it's part of the Air Awakens World I held off. I read the first Air Awakens book recently which was great and I thought I had enough knowledge of the world to attempt A Trial of Sorcerers. With that said, while it's not necessary to read the Air Awaken or Vortex chronicles (a spin-off of Air Awakens) first, I would recommend reading them in order. There were a lot of spoilers and I kind of wished I did.

 

A Trial of Sorcerers was a mash-up of The Last Air Bender and Harry Potter. The story is centered around a Waterrunner sorcerer, which in its name is a person with an affinity for the water element. Eira reminded me a lot of Elsa from Frozen, even the cover illustration was eerily similar in its depiction. Eira was very similar to Val, the FMC of Air Awakens. A young unassuming girl who turns out to be all-power, the best elemental user in her group. Like Val, Eira was always seen as the book smart underdog that no one notices…well except the most handsome, most popular boy in the school/kingdom. It was a very special snowflake vibe which I’m kind of getting tired of.

 

And as I mentioned before, Eira was depicted to be super intelligent but yet she made a foolish mistake one after another. She had incredibly poor judgment or lack thereof which resulted in harming not only herself but those around her. It wasn’t only reckless or selfish but just plain stupid. Like the title, the book mainly revolves around trials that’d help determine which four sorcerers will represent the Solaris Kingdom in the Tournament of Crowns. It’s not a surprise that Eira is a contender but of the four trials, only one she truly utilized her skills (history/book smarts). The rest was either due to dumb luck or cheating. 

 

I had high expectations going into A Trial of Sorcerers but was disappointed at the lack of substance and variety in the characters, plot, and backstory. I honestly feel as if the author recycled the characters and storylines and resorted to the same formula and tropes of her first novel/series. I mean, she does have four series all part of the same world. Despite all of this, I’m a tiny bit curious about what will happen when they reach Meru. Still debating if I should continue with the series or not. All in all, would I recommend this book? Perhaps if you’re new to the author and haven’t read any of the other Air Awakens World novels, then sure, why not. 

 

 

 

 

Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb

Title: Seven Faceless Saints

Author: M.K. Lobb

Genre: Fantasy YA

Series: Seven Faceless Saints #1

Hardcover, 400 pages 

Publication: February 7, 2023 by Little Brown BFYR

Source: I received a review copy in exchange for honest review.
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In the city of Ombrazia, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying and unjust power, playing favorites while the unfavored struggle to survive.

After her father’s murder at the hands of the Ombrazian military, Rossana Lacertosa is willing to do whatever it takes to dismantle the corrupt system—tapping into her powers as a disciple of Patience, joining the rebellion, and facing the boy who broke her heart. As the youngest captain in the history of Palazzo security, Damian Venturi is expected to be ruthless and strong, and to serve the saints with unquestioning devotion. But three years spent fighting in a never-ending war have left him with deeper scars than he wants to admit… and a fear of confronting the girl he left behind.

Now a murderer stalks Ombrazia’s citizens. As the body count climbs, the Palazzo is all too happy to look the other way—that is, until a disciple becomes the newest victim. With every lead turning into a dead end, Damian and Roz must team up to find the killer, even if it means digging up buried emotions. As they dive into the underbelly of Ombrazia, the pair will discover something more sinister—and far less holy. With darkness closing in and time running out, will they be able to save the city from an evil so powerful that it threatens to destroy everything in its path?

 

MY THOUGHTS

Seven Faceless Saints was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023, and it certainly didn't disappoint! Within the first few pages, readers were thrust head-first into a murder mystery. A Disciple (those with power) of Death was found murdered in his room and Damian, The Head Security of the Plazzo was tasked with finding the person who committed the crime. What initially looked like a isolated incident turned into a serial killer on the loose. With the assistance of another Disciple and Damian's former flame, the two set out to solve the murders...only to discover a more sinister plot that can destroy both of their world.

The novel takes place in the city of Ombrazia where Disciples rule with an iron hand. The next group in the hierarchy are the guards that protect the city, despite being born without powers. And finally, at the bottom are the unfavored, those without gifts/abilities, mortals that the city deems disposable and are often drafted off to the army to fight a never ending war.

I found the world building very interesting and well-done. Lobb's detailed description and explanation was straightforward and easy to understand.
Like the title says, there are seven saints, with each Disciple specializing in an ability to help serve the city. For example The Cunning Disciples specializes in poison, and Patience's Disciples deals with black smith metal work. I liked the dual narration, with each chapter alternating between Roz and Damian. We get to see each perspective on the situation and what they're feeling. Each alternating chapters connects and continues the dual narrating flawlessly, its like experiencing the character's emotions in real-time. I found it refreshing.

I thought Roz and Damien were great leading characters. Despite being somewhat polar opposite, they really complement one another. Roz was an impulsive big fireball of rage but ultimately wants equal rights for the citizens of Ombrazia. Damien is the opposite, always calm, composed and does everything by the book. His purpose is to serve, protect and find justice no matter a person's background.

I enjoyed Seven Faceless Saints, it kept me on edge and guessing all the way till the end. The plot was full of action and suspense, twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I loved that the villain was so unpredictable. I was shocked when it was revealed. And that ending...Superb! Seven Faceless Saints is the start to what I predict to be an amazing series. I can't wait to see what Lobb has in store for us in the the next book!

 

 

Magic Tides by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Tides

Author: Ilona Andrews

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Wilmington Years #1, Kate Daniels World

Paperback, 156 pages 

Publication: January 17, 2023 by NYLA

Source: Personal library
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Kate, Curran and their son, Conlan have left Atlanta, vowing to keep a low profile, and are settling into a new city and new house…but some things never change! Magical mayhem is about to erupt when Kate undertakes the rescue of a kidnapped youth, while Curran guards the homefront.

It should be a simple retrieval, but with monsters on land and sea, Kate’s got her work cut out for her. Still, she's never let her blade dull or her purpose falter. And that low profile? It’s about to wash away with the raging tides!

 

 

 MY THOUGHTS

The book lord has heard our pleads and have finally given us an additional story in the Kate Daniels’ world! Magic Tides is a novella that takes place approximately 10 years after book 10, Magic Triumphs and before Julie’s book, Blood Heir. I love being back in Kate’s world and seeing what Kate, Curran and Conlan been up to since we last saw them. Kate and the family moved away from Atlanta to a small town in North Carolina, trying to stay under the radar to live a simpler life. But its Kate we’re talking about. She may not look for trouble but trouble will find her regardless. During a home renovation, the relative of Kate’s contractor’s son is kidnapped. Kate doing what she does best and never one to turn a blind eye takes it upon herself to retrieve the young man.

It was an absolute blast to return to Kate’s world and although us readers been a way for a couple of years, it felt as if we’ve never left. Reading this felt effortless despite the 10 year break in the story. The authors did an amazing job at summarizing what we missed while we were gone, at the same time introducing us to new locations and characters. There was just the right amount of backstory. Everything was explained easily without feeling like info-dumping. With this book being a novella, the authors utilized every single word and space given. There was a lot of moving plots and characters but never once did I feel lost or rushed.

I loved Magic Tides! It oddly didn’t feel too short like the usual novellas, but I certainly wished there were more! It was great visiting old characters we’ve come to know and love but this new group of characters were just as fun and interesting and I can’t wait to see more of them! You can expect everything you love about the Kate Daniels series in this recent addition such as; snarky banter, kick-butt action, humor and just overall great and engaging storytelling. I am looking forward to more stories from Kate’s world, hopefully we won’t have to wait another couple of years!