Fantasy – Page 23 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Blood Like Magic (Blood Like Magic #1)

Title: Blood Like Magic (Blood Like Magic #1)
Author: Liselle Sambury
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 15, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A rich, dark urban fantasy debut following a teen witch who is given a horrifying task: sacrificing her first love to save her family’s magic. The problem is, she’s never been in love—she’ll have to find the perfect guy before she can kill him.
After years of waiting for her Calling—a trial every witch must pass in order to come into their powers—the one thing Voya Thomas didn’t expect was to fail. When Voya’s ancestor gives her an unprecedented second chance to complete her Calling, she agrees—and then is horrified when her task is to kill her first love. And this time, failure means every Thomas witch will be stripped of their magic.
Voya is determined to save her family’s magic no matter the cost. The problem is, Voya has never been in love, so for her to succeed, she’ll first have to find the perfect guy—and fast. Fortunately, a genetic matchmaking program has just hit the market. Her plan is to join the program, fall in love, and complete her task before the deadline. What she doesn’t count on is being paired with the infuriating Luc—how can she fall in love with a guy who seemingly wants nothing to do with her?
With mounting pressure from her family, Voya is caught between her morality and her duty to her bloodline. If she wants to save their heritage and Luc, she’ll have to find something her ancestor wants more than blood. And in witchcraft, blood is everything.

Review:

Voya has been waiting for her Calling, a trial that gives a witch her powers. When it finally comes, Voya is given a seemingly impossible task: she must destroy her first love. If she fails her task, her family will lose their magic. Voya has never been in love. She signed up for a genetic matchmaking service, and she gets matched with Luc, an infuriating intern at the genetic company. Voya has a fast approaching deadline to complete her trial, so she has to fall in love as soon as possible to save her family. Voya doesn’t want to kill her first love, but she’ll have to make some tough decisions to save her family.

This was such a thrilling fantasy novel! The witches in this society had to use their blood to use their magic. There were lots of scenes where blood was used, especially in the first few pages. Genetics were also an important part of this story. It is set in a couple of decades in the future. People could purchased changes to their DNA to alter their appearances. They even used DNA to find compatible partners. This is a plausible future, but it caused some moral and ethical problems.

I loved that this story was set in Toronto. There were so many authentic references that I could relate to because I’ve always lived in Toronto. The Caribbean festival Caribana was an important event in the story. Caribana was the deadline for Voya to complete her task. In this story, it wasn’t just a celebration of Caribbean culture but also a celebration for Black witches in the city. I loved how this book combined real places and events in the city with the fantasy world of the novel.

I loved Blood Like Magic and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in an honest review.

Review: Of Princes and Promises (St. Rosetta’s Academy #2)

Title: Of Princes and Promises (St. Rosetta’s Academy #2)
Author: Sandhya Menon
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 8, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi comes the second installment in a brand-new series set an elite boarding school that’s a contemporary spin on fairy tales, this one a delightful, romantic twist on The Frog Prince.
Caterina LaValle is determined to show she’s still the queen of St. Rosetta’s Academy. Sure, her crown may be slightly askew after her ex-boyfriend, Alaric, cheated on her, but she’s a LaValle. She’ll find a way to march right back in there, her hands clutching the strings to the whole puppet show. This time, she’s going to be untouchable.
Rahul Chopra knows that moment he shared with Caterina LaValle at the winter formal meant something. Surely she feels it, too. He’s a little uncertain how someone like him (socially inept to a point way past “adorkable”) could fit into her world, but he’s loved Caterina for years. He knows they’ll find a way.
When Caterina finds out Alaric is taking a supermodel to the upcoming gala, she knows she cannot arrive without the perfect date. But the thought of taking another superficial St. R’s boy exhausts her. The solution? Sweet-but-clueless Rahul Chopra and a mysterious pot of hair gel with the power to alter the wearer into whatever his heart desires.
When Rahul tries it, he transforms instantly into RC—debonair, handsome, and charming. But transformation comes with a price: As Rahul enjoys his new social standing, the line between his two personas begins to blur. Will he give up everything, including Caterina, to remain RC? Or will this unlikely pair find their way back to each other?

Review:

Caterina LaValle is the queen of St. Rosetta’s Academy. Everyone wants to be her friend and will do anything to be close to her. When Rahul Chopra comforted Caterina at a winter dance following her breakup with her boyfriend, Rahul fell in love with her. Now, they’ve returned to school after their winter break, and Rahul is hoping his relationship with Caterina can begin. When Caterina finds out that her ex-boyfriend is bringing a supermodel to a gala, she has to find a date quickly. She decides to transform Rahul into the perfect date. With some magical hair gel, Rahul becomes the confident and charming RC, who dazzles everyone at the party. Rahul loves this new persona and thinks he has to keep it up to be with Caterina. When his two identities begin to merge into one, he has to decide who he really is to win Caterina’s heart.

I wasn’t very familiar with the story of the Princess and the Frog before reading this story. I knew that a Princess kissed a frog, turning him into a Prince, but I haven’t read or watched any adaptations of that tale so I didn’t know what to expect from this story. I love how this series has a touch of magic in these fairytale retellings. Most of it could take place in the real world, except for the magical hair gel that literally transforms Rahul into RC. That brings a fairytale element into a contemporary story.

I was surprised at the twist at the end of the story. I knew one character was acting a little strangely, but I didn’t know why. I couldn’t have predicted the twist, so it made the ending tense and exciting. There was a bit of a teaser for the next book in the epilogue. I hope there will be another St. Rosetta’s Academy book because I love this setting and the characters.

Of Princes and Promises is another fun Sandhya Menon book!

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Other books in the series:

Of Curses and Kisses

Have you read Of Princes and Promises? What did you think of it?

Review: Verity Fairy: Snow White

Title: Verity Fairy: Snow White
Author: Caroline Wakeman
Genre: Children’s, Fantasy
Publisher: DK Publishing
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 29, 2021
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

This sweet early chapter book provides a brand new perspective on the classic fairy tale Snow White.
This delightful book with beautiful, illustrated characters is a magical retelling of the classic Snow White fairy tale with a twist.
In this captivating interpretation of a classic fairy tale, children can rediscover the much-loved story of Snow White while exploring the kingdom of the fairies–a place where all of the classic fairy tales coexist and intertwine. In this retelling of Snow White, youngsters can follow Verity and her fairy friends in the Fairy-tale Kingdom and see how they help good prevail over evil, making sure everyone lives happily ever after. Verity means truth, and that is exactly what she does: she tells the truth, ALL the time, and it often gets her into a lot of trouble! It’s a spellbinding behind-the-scenes look at the battle between Snow White and her evil stepmother, with an extra sprinkling of fairy dust. Gorgeous characters, simple text, and a splash of humor make Verity Fairy: The Real Story of Snow White a captivating book to share. A perfect gift for every young child to enjoy, it will spark curiosity and imagination, while gently encouraging conversation around the difference between right and wrong.

Review:

The fairy named Verity is sent into the fairytale Snow White to be the voice of her stepmother’s mirror. Verity must make sure that Snow White stays alive. However, Verity can only tell the truth, so when she’s asked who is the loveliest of them all, she answers Snow White. This makes the Wicked Queen want to kill Snow White, so Verity had to work to counteract the Wicked Queen’s attack on Snow White.

This story was a fun twist on the fairytale of Snow White. The character of the Queen’s talking mirror isn’t prominent in most adaptations. Since Verity was inside the mirror, and she could only speak the truth, she couldn’t lie to the Queen about who was the loveliest. The only potential problem with this narrative in a children’s book, is that Verity causes problems when she tells the truth. The purpose isn’t to teach kids not to tell the truth, though the truth got Verity into trouble.

I liked that some words were defined at the bottom of the pages. Words that may be new to young readers had definitions. I loved books with those kinds of learning moments when I was a kid because then I could learn words without having to stop reading and look in a dictionary. This was a great addition to this book.

Verity Fairy: Snow White is a fun children’s fairytale retelling!

Thank you DK Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Other books in the series:

Verity Fairy: Sleeping Beauty

Have you read Verity Fairy: Snow White? What did you think of it?

Review: The Tea Dragon Tapestry (Tea Dragon #3)

Title: The Tea Dragon Tapestry (Tea Dragon #3)
Author: Kay O’Neill
Genre: Children’s, Graphic Novel, Fantasy, LGBT
Publisher: Oni Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 1, 2021
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Join Greta and Minette once more for the heartwarming conclusion of the award-winning Tea Dragon series!
Over a year since being entrusted with Ginseng’s care, Greta still can’t chase away the cloud of mourning that hangs over the timid Tea Dragon. As she struggles to create something spectacular enough to impress a master blacksmith in search of an apprentice, she questions the true meaning of crafting, and the true meaning of caring for someone in grief. Meanwhile, Minette receives a surprise package from the monastery where she was once training to be a prophetess. Thrown into confusion about her path in life, the shy and reserved Minette finds that the more she opens her heart to others, the more clearly she can see what was always inside.
Told with the same care and charm as the previous installments of the Tea Dragon series, The Tea Dragon Tapestry welcomes old friends and new into a heartfelt story of purpose, love, and growth.

Review:

Greta’s Tea Dragon, Ginseng, is having trouble adjusting to life without her former owner. Greta tries to help Ginseng while also figuring out how to impress a master blacksmith enough to take her on as an apprentice. Her friend, Minette, receives a gift from the monastery where she used to live, which brings back some old memories of her ancestors. Greta, Minette, and their friends and family have to learn how to adjust to the changes in their lives.

This is the final book in the Tea Dragon series. This is a great series because it has so much diversity. Some characters are non-binary. Most of the characters are like humans in behavior, but some have animal-like features. This gives them a diverse variety of appearances.

An important theme in this story was adjusting to life changes. Greta had to figure out how to make her Tea Dragon feel comfortable enough with her. Minette was adjusting to her new place with this group of friends. She had to learn to accept her history to be able to move on with her future.

The Tea Dragon Tapestry is a great conclusion to this graphic novel series.

Thank you Oni Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Other books in the series:

Have you read The Tea Dragon Tapestry? What did you think of it?

Review: Savage Beard of She Dwarf

Title: Savage Beard of She Dwarf
Author: Kyle Latino
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Publisher: Oni Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 16, 2020
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A heartwarming graphic novel that tells the story of a lonely dwarf searching for her place in the world.
She Dwarf believes herself to be the last dwarf in existence. Hoping to find evidence to the contrary, She Dwarf sets out on a mission to find the lost dwarven city of Dammerung. But Dammerung isn’t on any map and will not be easily found. Strong forces stand in She Dwarf’s way. Begrudgingly forced to take on a partner to aid in her mission, She Dwarf is joined by war barbarian, Hack Battler. Together, the pair will face vengeful shorcs, sludge demons, mutant bear monsters, and more. When warned by an elf named Drift of the dangers of searching for the lost city, She Dwarf will come face to face with the consequences of her quest. Driven by memories of her mother, She Dwarf is more determined than ever to unearth the truth of the dwarves.
Savage Beard of She Dwarf is a fantasy webcomic seen in book form for the first time. From comic writer and artist Kyle Latino, this YA graphic novel packs all the epic adventure and delightful humor with a heartwarming story of a lonely dwarf searching for her place in the world.

Review:

She Dwarf believes she is the last dwarf in existence, but she wants to travel to the dwarf kingdom of Dammerung to see if there are any others still alive. She Dwarf is joined by a fighter, named Hack Battler, who she defeated in a beard battle. They are warned along the way to Dammerung of how dangerous this quest is, but She Dwarf is determined to make it to the dwarf homeland.

This graphic novel was so funny. It had some clever twists on the classic fantasy journey tale. She Dwarf is a female dwarf with a long beard. She is able to use the beard for fighting as well as style. She traveled with Hack, who was clueless most of the time. There were a few laugh out loud moments that I really enjoyed.

She Dwarf and Hack met different fantasy creatures along the way. There was an elf who helped them after proving their strength in a battle. There were goblins and a dragon. There was even a creature with real bears in place of arms. These fantastical characters made the story unpredictable and exciting.

Savage Beard of She Dwarf is a fun fantasy graphic novel.

Thank you Oni Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Witch King

Title: The Witch King
Author: H.E. Edgmon
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, LGBT
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 1, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

To save a fae kingdom, a trans witch must face his traumatic past and the royal fiancé he left behind. This debut YA fantasy will leave you spellbound.

Wyatt would give anything to forget where he came from—but a kingdom demands its king.

In Asalin, fae rule and witches like Wyatt Croft…don’t. Wyatt’s betrothal to his best friend, fae prince Emyr North, was supposed to change that. But when Wyatt lost control of his magic one devastating night, he fled to the human world.
Now a coldly distant Emyr has hunted him down. Despite transgender Wyatt’s newfound identity and troubling past, Emyr has no intention of dissolving their engagement. In fact, he claims they must marry now or risk losing the throne. Jaded, Wyatt strikes a deal with the enemy, hoping to escape Asalin forever. But as he gets to know Emyr, Wyatt realizes the boy he once loved may still exist. And as the witches face worsening conditions, he must decide once and for all what’s more important—his people or his freedom.

Review:

Wyatt is a witch who ran away from his home and his marriage contract with a fae prince. The prince, Emyr, finds Wyatt in Texas, where Wyatt has found his transgender identity. Emyr has to bring Wyatt back to their kingdom, Asalin, so they can get married and fulfill their blood contract. However, Wyatt has bad memories of Asalin and doesn’t want to return. He will do anything to get out of this marriage. Wyatt is forced to travel to Asalin with his human best friend Briar, where he discovers Emyr may still be the boy he used to love. Tensions run high between the witches and the fae, leading Wyatt and Emyr to make life changing decisions.

This is the YA fantasy book I’ve been waiting for! I loved that the main character was transgender. Wyatt’s gender identity was an aspect of his personality but not his entire character. There were many moments where Wyatt commented on when someone treated him respectfully or not. Some of the ignorant and mean characters misgendered him or used his deadname (former name). He felt respected and acknowledged by characters who used his correct pronouns, even to refer to moments in the past. These were informative scenes that taught me about being transgender.

In this fantasy world, witches are non-fae children born to fae parents. Since they are considered outsiders in their family, they are ostracized from society and are often abandoned as children. Wyatt compared being a witch in that world to being queer in the real world. Wyatt had experienced being a witch and being queer. This metaphor of the witches and fae compared to being queer was a refreshing take in a fantasy novel.

The Witch King is a fabulous, diverse fantasy! I highly recommend it!

Thank you Inkyard Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

About the author:

H.E. EDGMON H.E. Edgmon was born in the deep south but has had many homes, dropped out of school to do gay stuff, and is at least a little feral.

In both their writing and daily life, they aim to center the voices of Indigenous people, trans people, and survivors of trauma. It is always their goal to make fascists uncomfortable.

They have an eccentric little family of their own design, several very sensitive pets, and a lot of opinions. They can most often be found on Twitter @heedgmon.

Where to buy:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-King-Duology/dp/1335212795/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-witch-king-he-edgmon/1137425923

IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335212795

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Witch-King/H-E-Edgmon/9781335212795?id=7303188004859

AppleBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-witch-king/id1526009284 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/H_E_Edgmon_The_Witch_King?id=9q70DwAAQBAJ

Have you read The Witch King? What did you think of it?

Blog Tour Review: The Edge of Strange Hollow

Title: The Edge of Strange Hollow
Author: Gabrielle K. Byrne
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Imprint
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 18, 2021
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Welcome to Strange Hollow. Beware the Grimwood.
Poppy Sunshine isn’t like everyone else in Strange Hollow. She’s not afraid of the Grimwood, home to magical creatures like shape-shifters, fairies, witches, and even a three-headed dog.
Banned from the wood by her parents, Poppy longs to learn everything about it and imagines joining her mother and father as they hunt the forest’s cursed magical objects. So when her only family disappears on a routine expedition, she and her friends must break every rule to save them. But Poppy soon discovers that things in the Grimwood are rarely what they seem…
And the monsters who took her parents may not be monsters at all.

Review:

Poppy Sunshine is a human who lives in Strange Hollow. The Grimwood is outside of her house and filled with magical creatures. Poppy isn’t scared of the Grimwood like the other people in town because her parents are the only humans allowed in. However, Poppy’s parents won’t let her go inside. Poppy decides to break their rule and enter the woods with her friend, Mack the elf. She soon learns that her parents have disappeared. Poppy has to travel through the Grimwood to find her parents and unite her divided world.

I love it when fantasy worlds have a connection to our real world. Strange Hollow is a town filled with humans who are scared of the magical creatures in the Grimwood. This human connection to the fantasy world always makes it seem like the story is closer to our reality.

This story was about two groups who were divided by their beliefs. Penny bridged the gap between the humans and the magical creatures since she was friends with both of them. This is both a timely and an historical issue, since there always seem to be large and dangerous conflicts going on in the world. Penny was a strong character who fought for both sides since she was connected to both of them. She was the only one who had this unique position between the humans and the magical creatures. This was an example of how a conflict that had lasted for many generations could be resolved with the strength of a little girl.

The Edge of Strange Hollow is a great middle grade fantasy novel.

Thank you Imprint for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

About the author:

Gabrielle Kirouac Byrne lives in the rainy wilds of the Pacific Northwest, where she writes fantasy for kids of all ages. Gabby studied opera in Philadelphia, medieval studies in New York, literature in Scotland, and marine biology in Washington. Stories are the common thread that tie all her interests together. When she’s not writing, you can find her fishing spineless zooplankton out of the Salish sea with her family. In Gabby’s debut MG fantasy, RISE OF THE DRAGON MOON, the princess of a frozen Queendom fights to free her mother from the clutches of treacherous dragons. Gorgeous world building, and lush prose will immerse readers in this coming-of-age adventure in which a fierce girl tackles insurmountable odds with wit, strength, and heart.

Tour schedule:

May 17th
Kait Plus Books – Interview
lousbookstuff – Review & Favourite Quotes
TLC Book Nook – Review & Mood Board

May 18th
Twirling Book Princess – Promo Post
The Writer’s Alley – Review & Mood Board

May 19th
Stuck in Fiction – Promo Post
Sugar, Spice and Stories – Review
Mahkjchi’s Not-So-Secret Books – Review & Mood Board

May 20th
Subtle Bookish – Interview
The Book Dutchesses – Review

May 21st
Nine Bookish Lives – Promo Post
Books tales by me – Mood Board
Jill’s Book Blog – Revew

May 22nd
dinipandareads – Review & Top 5 Reasons to Read The Edge of Strange Hollow
I Dream in Books – Review & Playlist

May 23rd
Frolic Media – Interview
The Nuttybookworm Reads Alot – Review
Balancing Books and Beauties – Review & Top 5 Reasons to Read The Edge of Strange Hollow

Where to buy:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Edge-Strange-Hollow-Gabrielle-Byrne/dp/1250624665/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Edge+of+Strange+Hollow+by+Gabrielle+K.+Byrne&qid=1615750133&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-edge-of-strange-hollow-gabrielle-k-byrne/1136619246

Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Edge-of-Strange-Hollow-Gabrielle-K-Byrne/9781250624666

Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-edge-of-strange-hollow/9781250624666-item.html?ikwid=The+Edge+of+Strange+Hollow+by+Gabrielle+K.+Byrne&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=fb1607e37d9139d15f4cd3420c11cda1IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250624666

Giveaway:

One winner will receive a finished copy of The Edge of Strange Hollow. The giveaway starts on May 17^th and ends on May 24^th.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fc15a59532/

Have you read The Edge of Strange Hollow? What did you think of it?

Review: How to Save a Queendom

Title: How to Save a Queendom
Author: Jessica Lawson
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: April 20, 2021
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From critically acclaimed author Jessica Lawson comes a whimsical fantasy about an orphaned twelve-year-old girl who is called upon to save her queendom when she finds a tiny wizard in her pocket.
Life’s never been kind to twelve-year-old Stub. Orphaned and left in the care of the cruel Matron Tratte, Stub’s learned that the best way to keep the peace is to do as she’s told. No matter that she’s bullied and that her only friend is her pet chicken, Peck, Stub’s accepted the fact that her life just isn’t made for adventure. Then she finds a tiny wizard in her pocket.
Orlen, the royal wizard to Maradon’s queen, is magically bound to Stub. And it’s up to her to ferry Orlen back to Maradon Cross, the country’s capital, or else the delicate peace of the queendom will crumble under the power of an evil wizard queen. Suddenly Stub’s unexciting life is chock-full of adventure. But how can one orphan girl possibly save the entire queendom?

Review:

Stub is an orphan, who is an apprentice at a tavern. She is kept outside and lives with her only friend, her scrawny pet chicken, Peck. Then one day, while she’s in the woods, she discovers a tiny wizard who can fit in her palm. The wizard, Orlen, comes from the Queendom, but has been magically bound to Stub. Along with her new friend Beaman, Stub has to return Orlen to the capital city to save the Queendom from an evil queen.

This was a fun adventure story. Stub started out the story as an orphan who didn’t have any control over her life. She was bullied and threatened by the woman she lived with and worked for. She didn’t have a choice but to stay there. Once she met Orlen, she had a reason to sneak away and escape the evil woman she worked for. She was finally able to take control of her life.

The story was also fast paced. The characters passed through different parts of the land, from the small town to a forest to a swamp and ultimately the capital city. It was fun to see all of these different places in the fantasy world. The ending was action packed with magical deception.

How to Save a Queendom is a fun middle grade fantasy.

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Gamayun Tales I

Title: Gamayun Tales I
Author: Alexander Utkin
Genre: Children’s, Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Publisher: Nobrow
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: March 10, 2020
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Enter a world of magic and adventure in this stunning series based on traditional Russian folklore. Collected into a beautiful new paperback edition for the first time!
Alexander Utkin’s Gamayun Tales are fresh and modern adaptations of familiar Russian folktales, teamed with bold and beautiful illustrations. Jam-packed with stories of magical quests and talking animals, golden chests that turn into palaces and encounters with terrifying Water Spirits, there’s no end to the adventure in these books!
Series Overview: The Gamayun Tales are colorful stories based on Slavic mythology.

Review:

This graphic novel is a collection of stories told by Gamayun, a bird in Russian folklore who can see the future. The tales begin with talking animals, then they tell the story of a merchant and his family and the deals he makes with kings without understanding the consequences.

Each of the tales in this book were connected but they could be read on their own as well. Sometimes folktales with a moral or a lesson can have a tragic outcomes. I found that these stories had positive endings, even if they didn’t seem so at first. Everything worked out in the end, which makes it a fun, positive story for kids.

This was a beautiful book. It is printed on thick paper, which makes it feel like an art book. The illustrations had vibrant colours that made the story a fun read. The beautiful illustrations matched the tone of the folktales perfectly.

This is such a beautiful graphic novel of Russian folktales. The story continues in Gamayun Tales II, so I’m excited to read it soon!

Thank you Nobrow for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Other books in the series:

Gamayun Tales II

Have you read Gamayun Tales I? What did you think of it?

Review: Call Down the Hawk (Dreamer Trilogy #1)

Title: Call Down the Hawk (Dreamer Trilogy #1)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, LGBT
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: November 5, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The dreamers walk among us . . . and so do the dreamed. Those who dream cannot stop dreaming – they can only try to control it. Those who are dreamed cannot have their own lives – they will sleep forever if their dreamers die.

And then there are those who are drawn to the dreamers. To use them. To trap them. To kill them before their dreams destroy us all.
Ronan Lynch is a dreamer. He can pull both curiosities and catastrophes out of his dreams and into his compromised reality.
Jordan Hennessy is a thief. The closer she comes to the dream object she is after, the more inextricably she becomes tied to it.
Carmen Farooq-Lane is a hunter. Her brother was a dreamer . . . and a killer. She has seen what dreaming can do to a person. And she has seen the damage that dreamers can do. But that is nothing compared to the destruction that is about to be unleashed. . . .

Review:

Ronan Lynch is a dreamer. Dreamers can bring things into the real world from their dreams, but if the dreamer dies, the things they have dreamed will permanently go to sleep. Jordan Hennessey is a dreamer and a thief. The dreamers are also being hunted. Carmen Farooq-Lane is one of the hunters, who had a brother who was a dreamer and a killer. The dreamers must try to survive the hunters but also the killers that are only found in their dreams.

This story had Maggie Stiefvater’s beautiful poetic language. The rhythm of the sentences almost made it feel like I was in a dream while reading it. There are so many small scenes that seem unrelated to the plot at first, but they end up having an important clue or introducing an important character. I think you could read this book over and over and notice new things every time.

This book is the first in a trilogy that is based on The Raven Cycle. Ronan was one of the main characters in The Raven Cycle. Ronan is a complex character who could probably fill multiple book series with his extensive history as a dreamer. This story mentioned some of the things that happened in The Raven Cycle, but I would recommend reading The Raven Cycle before this one, so that you have the background of the characters.

I loved this book! The second one in the series comes out in a couple of weeks, so I can’t wait to read it!

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Wings of Ebony by J. Elle

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Other books in the series:

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Verity Fairy: Sleeping Beauty by Caroline Wakeman

Hope the Happiness Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Other books in the series:

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Princess Princess Every After by Kay O’Neill

Dewdrop by Kay O’Neill

Other books in the series:

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Girl Haven by Lilah Sturges

Dark One, Vol. 1 by Brandon Sanderson, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Infinity Son by Adam Silvera

Between Perfect and Real by Ray Stoeve

About the author:

Where to buy:

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Rise of the Dragon Moon by Gabrielle K. Byrne

Changeling by William Ritter

About the author:

Tour schedule:

Where to buy:

Giveaway:

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

The Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody

The Memory Thief by Jody Lynn Anderson

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

Gamayun Tales II by Alexander Utkin

How to Survive in the North by Luke Healy

Other books in the series:

Goodreads Synopsis:

Review:

What to read next:

All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater

Swamp Thing: Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvater, Morgan Beem (illustrator)