Title: The Glass Magician Author: Caroline Stevermer Publisher: Macmillian-Tor/Forge Publication date: April 7, 2020 Genre: Fantasy Summary: It’s the Gilded Age, and there are three types of people in the world: the Sylverstri, who are closely in-tune with nature and look down upon the other two classes; the Traders, who have a human and an animal form and who also are the wealthy in the world; and the Solitaires, who are ordinary, normal people with neither powers nor wealth. Thalia is such a Solitaire, and has taken over her father’s act as a magician. But, when an act goes horribly wrong, she makes an unexpected discovery about herself and her family. And when another magician’s act…
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Book Review: The Last Smile in Sunder City by Luke Arnold
Title: The Last Smile in Sunder City Author: Luke Arnold Publisher: Orbit Publication date: February 25, 2020 Genre: Fantasy Summary: Just a few years ago, there was magic in the world. Magical creatures could tap into the river of it. Humans, though, were unable to touch it, so feared it and cut it off from the magical creatures. Now the creatures are suffering, having lost their magic, and are dying or trying to survive. In Sunder City, former soldier turned PI Fetch Phillips is Human, the human responsible for the magic loss. Living with the guilt of what he did, especially since he had loved a being of magic, he only takes cases from non-humans,…
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Book Review: Been There, Married That by Gigi Levangie
Title: Been There, Married That Author: Gigi Levangie Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Publication date: February 11, 2020 Genre: Women’s Fiction Summary: Agnes Murphy Nash has been married to big shot movie producer Trevor Nash for over a decade, but Trevor has decided he needs out of the marriage. Completely caught off guard, Agnes does the only sensible thing and chooses to fight tooth and nail for custody of their tween daughter Pep (short for Penelope), hoping that giving in on everything else won’t prolong their Hollywood-style divorce. Unfortunately, Trevor is determined to make her life a living hell, throwing wrenches into her life so he comes out looking his best. But, with a trio of Spanish…
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Book Review: Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri
Title: Realm of Ash Author: Tasha Suri Publisher: Orbit Publication date: November 12, 2019 Genre: Fantasy Summary: The Ambhan Empire has been plagued by a curse, which seems to have become worse since the death of the Maha. Now that the Emperor lies near death, it becomes gravely apparent to young widow Arwa, who hides the true lineage of her blood and the curse it carries, and bastard prince Zahir they must find the answers from their ancestors in the treacherous realm of ash. This is the second book in the Books of Ambha series. I did not know that going in, but I don’t feel like I necessarily needed to have read the first book.…
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Book Review: The Impossible Contract by K. A. Doore
Title: The Impossible Contract Author: K. A. Doore Publisher: Macmillan-Tor/Forge Publication date: November 12, 2019 Genre: Fantasy Summary: Book 2 in the Chronicles of Ghadid series, it takes place a few years after the events of the first book, The Perfect Assassin. This time, the story is centered on Thana, cousin to the assassin introduced in the first book. As the Serpent’s Daughter, she has a lot to live up to, which is also why she was chosen for a special contract: to kill Heru Sametket, second marabi advisory to the Empress. It seemed simple enough, until the dead became reanimated, and bent on destruction and death. Seeking to complete her contract, Thana ends up…
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Book Review: The Unexpected Past of Miss Jane Austen by Ada Bright and Cass Grafton
Title: The Unexpected Past of Miss Jane Austen (The Austen Adventures #2) Authors: Ada Bright and Cass Grafton Publisher: Canelo Publication date: November 7, 2019 Genre: Women’s Fiction, General Fiction Summary: The second book in the series, it picks up just where the first book ended. Just as Rose and Aiden have revealed their feelings to each other, Jane Austen pops back into Rose’s life. This time, she intends on taking Rose and Aiden back in time with her to 1813 with the sole intention of introducing Rose to the Austens’ eccentric neighbor, someone who might even have a connection to Rose herself. As a fan of Jane Austen, I couldn’t pass up the first book…
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Book Review: The Poison Garden by A. J. Banner
Title: The Poison Garden Author: A. J. Banner Publisher: Lake Union Publishing Publication date: October 22, 2019 Genre: Mystery and Thriller, Psychological Thriller Summary: I usually write my own summaries, but, in this case, I think the already existing one really does say it best: A woman’s idyllic life becomes a deceptive hall of mirrors in a thriller of exquisitely constructed psychological suspense by A. J. Banner, bestselling author of The Good Neighbor. Elise Watters seems to have it all—a blissful marriage, a gorgeous Victorian home surrounded by lush gardens, and a dream job running her late mother’s herbal boutique. But on the eve of her first wedding anniversary, Elise makes a shocking discovery that turns her…
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Book Review: Beside Herself by Elizabeth LaBan
Title: Beside Herself Author: Elizabeth LaBan Publisher: Lake Union Publishing Publication date: October 22, 2019 Genre: Fiction, Women’s Fiction Summary: Hannah is a happily married mother of two. Until she discovers her husband cheated on her. He assures her it’s over and literally becomes ill every time it comes up, but Hannah is still angry. After witnessing her best friend’s slow decline after her divorce, Hannah is caught between wanting a divorce and wanting to stay, but how can she even the score? By having her own affair, of course. Simple in theory, she quickly learns diving back into the dating pool is far from easy, and begins to learn what’s really important to her. To…
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Book Review: Sacred Bride by David Hair and Cath Mayo
Title: Sacred Bride, Book 3 in the Olympus series Authors: David Hair and Cath Mayo Publisher: Canelo Publication date: October 14, 2019 Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fantasy Summary: In Book 3 of the Olympus series, tension between Achaea (Greece) and Troy are mounting while Odysseus’ love for the forbidden Kyshanda of Troy only seems to be mounting. When Odysseus witnesses a new prophecy, a chain of events involving sister princesses Clytemnestra and Helen is set off, ultimately forcing the gods to choose between Achaea and Troy. This third book takes another step towards war with Troy as Odysseus works to unite Achaea to stand strong against the Trojans, using the two princesses. In a way, this…
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Book Review: The Throne of the Five Winds by S. C. Emmett
Title: The Throne of the Five Winds Author: S. C. Emmett Publisher: Orbit Publication date: October 15, 2019 Genre: Fantasy Summary: After Khir is conquered by Zhaon, the Great Rider’s daughter Mahara is sent to be the Crown Prince of Zhaon’s wife to secure peace. Komor Yala, Mahara’s friend and lady-in-waiting, is the only one to accompany her and protect her in a potentially hostile country. Seemingly welcomed, Yala quickly learns there are six princes angling for the throne and two queens and two concubines who will do anything to attain glory for their children. Caught in a deadly game, Yala must use all of her training with a deadly hidden blade to keep her princess…
