Fantasy – Page 9 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Gwen and Art Are Not in Love

Title: Gwen and Art Are Not in Love
Author: Lex Croucher
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Romance, LGBT, Fantasy
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: November 28, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Heartstopper meets A Knight’s Tale in this queer medieval rom-com YA debut about love, friendship, and being brave enough to change the course of history.

It’s been hundreds of years since King Arthur’s reign. His descendant, Arthur, a future Lord and general gadabout, has been betrothed to Gwendoline, the quick-witted, short-tempered princess of England, since birth. The only thing they can agree on is that they despise each other.

They’re forced to spend the summer together at Camelot in the run-up to their nuptials, and within 24 hours, Gwen has discovered Arthur kissing a boy, and Arthur has gone digging for Gwen’s childhood diary and found confessions about her crush on the kingdom’s only lady knight, Bridget Leclair.

Realizing they might make better allies than enemies, Gwen and Art make a reluctant pact to cover for each other, and as things heat up at the annual royal tournament, Gwen is swept off her feet by her knight, and Arthur takes an interest in Gwen’s royal brother. Lex Croucher’s Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is chock full of sword-fighting, found family, and romantic shenanigans destined to make readers fall in love.

Review:

Hundreds of years after King Arthur’s death, his descendant, Arthur, is betrothed to Princess Gwendoline. However, they can’t stand each other. They are forced to spend the entire summer together leading up to their eventual marriage. Soon after Arthur arrives at the palace, Gwen catches him kissing a boy. After she confronts him about it, Arthur finds Gwen’s diary where she fantasizes about kissing the only lady knight. Since they both like people of the same sex, they know they aren’t meant for each other, so they decide to work together. Gwen gets to spend more time with her lady knight, while Arthur gets closer to Gwen’s brother Gabriel. They eventually have to figure out a way to get around their future marriage and be with the ones they love.

This was a fun historical romance! It isn’t a retelling of the King Arthur story. Some of the characters are descendants of King Arthur, and most of them have been named after people from that era. Gwen, Arthur, and Lancelot were some of the names that were popular in the time period in the story. Though there were some serious moments, with the characters dealing with homophobia, there were also a lot of laugh out loud moments as well. It was very entertaining.

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love is a fun queer historical romance!

Thank you Wednesday Books for providing a finished copy of this book!

Content warnings: homophobia, death of parent

Have you read Gwen and Art Are Not in Love? What did you think of it?

Review: Iron Flame (The Empyrean #2)

Title: Iron Flame (The Empyrean #2)
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Red Tower Books
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: November 7, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

“The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.” —Xaden Riorson

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.

Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.

Review:

Violet and her fellow classmates are still reeling from the discovery at the end of Fourth Wing. She comes up against the new vice commandant, who doesn’t like her or her two dragons. Violet starts doing some research of her own and discovers a secret that was hidden at Basgaith for centuries. She’s the only one who could potentially save them all.

This was a great sequel to Fourth Wing! It was super long and detailed but I loved being in this world again. Violet’s second dragon, Andarna, is now one of my favourite characters. She’s so adorable! The ending of Iron Flame was surprising but not as shocking as the ending of Fourth Wing. I’m not sure where the story will be heading next, so I’m excited for the next book!

Iron Flame is a thrilling sequel!

Content warnings: death, abuse, death of parent, death of sibling, torture

Other books in the series:

Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1)

Have you read Iron Flame? What did you think of it?

Review: Camp Sylvania (Camp Sylvania #1)

Title: Camp Sylvania (Camp Sylvania #1)
Author: Julie Murphy
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Contemporary
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: June 6, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’ and Dear Sweet Pea comes a hilarious and spooky middle grade summer-camp story that takes a bite out of fat camp.

Magnolia “Maggie” Hagen is determined to be in the spotlight…if she can just get over her stage fright. This summer, though, she has big plans to finally attend Camp Rising Star, the famous performing arts camp she’s been dying to go to for three whole summers.

But on the last day of school, her parents break the news: Maggie isn’t going to Camp Rising Star. She’s being shipped off to fat camp—and not just any fat camp. She’s going to Camp Sylvania, run by world-famous wellness influencer Sylvia Sylvania, who is known for her soon-to-be patented Scarlet Diet.

When Maggie arrives at camp, things are…weird. There are the humiliating weigh-ins and grueling workouts, as expected. But the campers are also encouraged to donate blood—at their age! The cafeteria serves only red foods and the oddly specific rules change every day. There are even rumors of a camp ghost.

Despite these horrors, Maggie makes friends and starts to actually enjoy herself. There are even tryouts for a camp production of The Music Man! This place might not be so bad…until campers start going missing and suspicious things begin happening—especially after dark.

The camp ghost might be the least scary thing about this place….

Review:

Maggie Hagen is excited to be in the spotlight at her drama summer camp with her best friend Nora. However, on the last day of school, her parents break the news to her that she won’t be going to Camp Rising Star. Instead, she’ll be going to Camp Sylvania, which is a new fat camp run by her mother’s childhood camp friend, Sylvia. Things are strange at the camp right from the beginning. They have weigh-ins and workouts, but the kids also have to donate blood. The cafeteria only serves red foods, and the rules at the camp change daily. Maggie begins to suspect something dark is going on when kids disappear and strange things happen at night. She must work with her new friends to figure out what’s happening at the camp before she disappears forever too.

This story dealt with some tough body image issues that some kids have to face every day. Maggie knew she was bigger than most kids in her class, but it became a harsh reality when her parents decided to send her to fat camp. It made her feel like her weight was a part of her that needed to be changed. I found myself cringing at the scene when Maggie’s parents told her about fat camp, but it was also realistic. I can remember hearing people talk about my weight as a kid, and it isn’t a good memory. I liked that this body image subplot wasn’t as serious at the camp because there were other things going on. I thought it was obvious that there were vampires at the camp right from the beginning, but I’m not the target audience, so kids may not catch on as quickly as I did.

Camp Sylvania is a spooky middle grade camp story!

Content warnings: fatphobia, dieting, blood mentions

Have you read Camp Sylvania? What did you think of it?

Review: Starling House

Title: Starling House
Author: Alix E. Harrow
Genre: Fantasy, Contemporary, Gothic, Horror
Publisher: Tor Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: October 3, 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A grim and gothic new tale from author Alix E. Harrow about a small town haunted by secrets that can’t stay buried and the sinister house that sits at the crossroads of it all.

Eden, Kentucky, is just another dying, bad-luck town, known only for the legend of E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth-century author and illustrator who wrote The Underland–and disappeared. Before she vanished, Starling House appeared. But everyone agrees that it’s best to let the uncanny house―and its last lonely heir, Arthur Starling―go to rot.

Opal knows better than to mess with haunted houses or brooding men, but an unexpected job offer might be a chance to get her brother out of Eden. Too quickly, though, Starling House starts to feel dangerously like something she’s never had: a home.

As sinister forces converge on Starling House, Opal and Arthur are going to have to make a dire choice to dig up the buried secrets of the past and confront their own fears, or let Eden be taken over by literal nightmares.

If Opal wants a home, she’ll have to fight for it.

Review:

In Eden, Kentucky, there is a strange house that belonged to Eleanor Starling, the author of The Underland who disappeared. Everyone in the town avoids the house, and it’s occupant, Arthur Starling, at all costs. Opal has lived in Eden for most of her life. She lives in a motel with her younger brother, who she wants to give the best life. Opal has always been drawn to Starling House, seeing it in her dreams and nightmares, so when Arthur offers her a job with a huge paycheck, she accepts. However, Starling House is more haunted than Opal expected. Opal and Arthur must battle the beasts in the house before their nightmares take over.

Eleanor Starling’s book The Underland was based on her life at Starling House. Since Opal loved that book, she got to live in her favourite story when she went to the house, which is a reader’s dream. I think the story would have had more tension if it was a little shorter. There were some long descriptions and drawn out scenes that could have been condensed. At the beginning of the story, there were footnotes that expanded on what was written in a funny way. I wished those footnotes continued to the end of the story because they were entertaining.

Starling House is a spooky, gothic novel.

Thank you Tor Books and Raincoast Books for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death of parent, drowning, car accident

Have you read Starling House? What did you think of it?

Review: The Gifts That Bind Us (All Our Hidden Gifts #2)

Title: The Gifts That Bind Us (All Our Hidden Gifts #2)
Author: Caroline O’Donoghue
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary
Publisher: Walker Books US
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: June 7, 2022
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A spellbinding supernatural teen drama – and sequel to All Our Hidden Gifts.

Maeve and her friends have revealed their powers and banded together as a coven: Roe can pick locks, Lily sends sparks flying, Maeve can read minds and Fiona can heal any injury.

And even better than their newfound talents? Roe and Maeve are officially an item.

But with strange things happening at school, and old enemies appearing in new places, it soon becomes clear their powers are attracting all the wrong attention. It’s not long before Maeve’s gift start to wane, drained by someone – or something – that’s hiding even from her second sight…

The brilliant second installment in the Hidden Gifts series, with further titles to come.

Review:

The four friends in Kilbeg Ireland have magic powers that they use together to get stronger: Roe can pick locks, Fiona can heal any wound, Lily can create sparks, and Maeve can read minds. Roe and Maeve are officially dating too. However, their old enemies are still around. The Children of Brigid cult is infiltrating their school and trying to recruit girls to join. Aaron is still showing up wherever Maeve goes, and there is a new counselor in school who is eager to befriend Maeve. When their gifts begin to get weaker, the friends have to work together to figure out who or what is draining them.

This was a great second book in the series! It’s been a while since I read the first book, but the events in that one were referenced many times so I remembered what happened. The four friends came up against the extremist Christian cult Children of Brigid. Their beliefs directly attacked Roe’s queer identity. I liked how Roe was still figuring out his identity. So often teens in novels already know their identity or instantly know they’re queer, but two books into this series, Roe is still figuring it out like many kids and adults in the real world.

The Gifts That Bind Us is a great witchy novel!

Content warnings: homophobia, self-harm, parental abandonment

Other books in the series:

All Our Hidden Gifts (All Our Hidden Gifts #1)
Every Gift a Curse (All Our Hidden Gifts #3)

Have you read The Gifts That Bind Us? What did you think of it?

Review: Wrath Becomes Her

Title: Wrath Becomes Her
Author: Aden Polydoros
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: October 10, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Frankenstein meets Inglourious Basterds in this stunning Jewish historical horror novel from the award-winning author of The City Beautiful

Vera was made for vengeance.

Lithuania, 1943. A father drowns in the all-consuming grief of a daughter killed by the Nazis. He can’t bring Chaya back from the dead, but he can use kishuf — an ancient and profane magic — to create a golem in her image. A Nazi killer, to avenge her death.

When Vera awakens, she can feel her violent purpose thrumming within her. But she can also feel glimpses of a human life lived, of stolen kisses amidst the tragedy, and of a grisly death. And when she meets Akiva, she recognizes the boy with soft lips that gave warm kisses. But these memories aren’t hers, and Vera doesn’t know if she gets—or deserves —to have a life beyond what she was made for.

Vera’s strength feels limitless—until she learns that there are others who would channel kishuf for means far less noble than avenging a daughter’s death. As she confronts the very basest of humanity, Vera will need more than what her creator gave Not just a reason to fight, but a reason to live.

Review:

Lithuania, 1943: Ezra’s daughter, Chaya, was killed by Nazis. Since he couldn’t bring her back from the dead, he created a golem in her image to kill Nazis and avenge Chaya’s death. The golem, Vera, has many of Chaya’s memories, including the face of the man who killed her. Soon after Vera is created, their home is attacked and she is separated from Ezra. Vera meets Chaya’s old friend Akiva, and they go on a journey together to find Ezra and survive the war.

This story is a retelling of Frankenstein. It’s unfortunate that when this book was published, another war has just begun. There were many images in this story that reflected what has been on the news in the past couple of weeks. These may be triggering to some readers, but I felt like it was important to read, especially right now, to see a glimpse of what the people experiencing war are feeling. Though Vera was considered a “monster” because she wasn’t human, she learned humanity and realized that killing more people won’t bring back those that were lost.

Wrath Becomes Her is a powerful story.

Thank you Inkyard Press for providing a copy of this book.

Content warnings: war, death of child, death of parent, murder

Have you read Wrath Becomes Her? What did you think of it?

Review: Confetti Realms

Title: Confetti Realms
Author: Nadia Shammas, Karnessa
Genre: Graphic Novel, Contemporary, Fantasy
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: October 17, 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A group of teens are transported from a graveyard to another realm where they must collect teeth— and learn about themselves— in order to return home.

On Halloween night, when the moon is full, teenagers get up to mischief. But when an encounter with a giant, sentient puppet in a graveyard sends five teens to a mysterious dimension called the Confetti Realms, they must overcome obstacles in their own friendships–and collect the debted teeth owed to the puppet–in order to make their way home. But the allure of staying in a fantasy world is a hard one to beat, and going home to their normal lives is starting to sound less and less appealing for some. Will these friends return home?

Featuring a diverse cast of characters, this Tim Burton-esque, comedic, modern, and high-energy story is written by Eisner Award-winner Nadia Shammas, with art by Karnessa and colors by Hackto Oshiro.

Review:

On Halloween night, a group of four teens decide to explore a graveyard. They come across a mausoleum which has a giant puppet inside. He comes to life and sends them to another dimension called the Confetti Realms. He gives them the task of finding him five teeth from various creatures throughout the realm. If they find them all before that night, he will send them back home. However, as the night goes on, each of the friends realize that if they stay in the confetti realm, they won’t have to face their problems at home, so they must decide if they will stay or go back.

This story had lots of queer representation. It had a spooky atmosphere which is perfect for this time of year! The creatures they encountered were fun and entertaining. I laughed a few times while reading this graphic novel. I would have liked the ending to be less open ended because I like the closure of knowing exactly what happened.

Confetti Realms is a great Halloween graphic novel!

Thank you Mad Cave Studios for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: seizure (mention), panic attack (mention), homophobia (mention)

Have you read Confetti Realms? What did you think of it?

Review: Foul Lady Fortune (Foul Lady Fortune #1)

Title: Foul Lady Fortune (Foul Lady Fortune #1)
Author: Chloe Gong
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: September 27, 2022
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The first book in a captivating new duology following an ill-matched pair of spies posing as a married couple to investigate a series of brutal murders in 1930s Shanghai.

It’s 1931 in Shanghai, and the stage is set for a new decade of intrigue.

Four years ago, Rosalind Lang was brought back from the brink of death, but the strange experiment that saved her also stopped her from sleeping and aging—and allows her to heal from any wound. In short, Rosalind cannot die. Now, desperate for redemption from her traitorous past, she uses her abilities as an assassin for her country.

Code name: Fortune.

But when the Japanese Imperial Army begins its invasion march, Rosalind’s mission pivots. A series of murders is causing unrest in Shanghai, and the Japanese are under suspicion. Rosalind’s new orders are to infiltrate foreign society and identify the culprits behind the terror plot before more of her people are killed.

To reduce suspicion, however, she must pose as the wife of another Nationalist spy, Orion Hong, and though Rosalind finds Orion’s cavalier attitude and playboy demeanor infuriating, she is willing to work with him for the greater good. But Orion has an agenda of his own, and Rosalind has secrets that she wants to keep buried. As they both attempt to unravel the conspiracy, the two spies soon find that there are deeper and more horrifying layers to this mystery than they ever imagined.

Review:

Shanghai, 1931: Four years ago Rosalind Lang was brought back from the dead, with a drug that stops her from aging, sleeping, and allows her to heal quickly from any wound. She uses her new abilities to work as an assassin for the Nationalists under the code name Fortune. However, when there are a series of strange murders throughout the city, Rosalind’s mission changes. She must pose as the wife of another Nationalist spy, Orion Hong. Rosalind doesn’t trust him with her true identity, but she’s willing to work with him for the mission. As they investigate the murders, they discover they both have secrets that are connected to the bigger conspiracy happening in the city.

This book was an exciting beginning to this duology set in the world of These Violent Delights. I loved seeing the characters again. Rosalind and her sister Celia were intriguing in These Violent Delights but they weren’t the main characters, so I’m glad they get a larger role in this series. At the beginning, it was a little confusing to figure out who was on which side of the Nationalists and Communists, especially since there were many double agents with multiple identities. However, there were so many twists near the end of the story that I didn’t want it to end! I’m so excited to read the next book!

Foul Lady Fortune is another great story by Chloe Gong!

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death, stabbing, gun violence, death of sibling (mention), parental abandonment

Other books in the series:

Foul Heart Huntsman (Foul Lady Fortune #2)

Have you read Foul Lady Fortune (Foul Lady Fortune #1)? What did you think of it?

Review: DeadEndia: The Broken Halo

Title: DeadEndia: The Broken Halo
Author: Hamish Steele
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, LGBTQ
Publisher: Union Square and Co.
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Norma Khan has been split in two . . . literally! Dead End, the haunted hotel attraction at Phoenix Parks, has been rebuilt following the epic destruction that occurred there when Norma and her friends Barney and Pugsley saved the world. Unfortunately, Norma can’t keep herself together as a result. Not only is her friendship with Barney on the rocks, but she can’t seem to keep her own ghost inside her body. When Norma feels like she’s about to lose it all, her irksome friend and demon, Courtney, steps in to provide some unexpected support—though they are battling their own issues with identity and sense of belonging.

Meanwhile, Barney can’t face going back to Phoenix Parks and is mourning the loss of his beloved friend Pugsley. When his boyfriend, Logan, urges him to get a job, an opportunity from the demon planes comes knocking, and soon Barney is climbing the ladder of success in the Demon Wrestling Federation. Barney’s glory in the ring quickly comes crashing down when the friends discover they’ve stepped into an eons old battle between the demons and the angels. Can they keep their relationships and sense of self intact while doing battle with the forces of good AND evil?

Part workplace comedy, part supernatural horror adventure, with a splash of LGBTQ+ romance, The Broken Halo is perfect for fans of author Hamish Steele’s TV series Dead Paranormal Park who are in search of more adventures, for graphic novel lovers who want more diversity in their reads, or for anyone who has finished The Watcher’s Test and is ready for the next entry in the zany, creative, and laugh-out-loud funny world of DeadEndia.

Review:

Dead End, the haunted house at Phoenix Parks, was rebuilt after the tragic end of The Watcher’s Test. Norma can now split into a ghost and her relationship with Barney is still rocky. Barney isn’t ready to return to Phoenix Park yet, but he becomes a fighter in the Demon Wrestling Federation which earns him a lot of money. His success comes to a crashing halt when he’s set up for a dangerous fight. Norma, Barney, and their other friends must reunite to save the multi-planes of angels and demons.

This was a great second book in the DeadEndia series. I really liked seeing the characters again. Barney is trans, but that wasn’t as big of a plot point in this book as in the first. When the story went to the multi-planes and the battles between the angels and demons, the story drifted away from the main plot of Barney and Norma dealing with demons at the haunted house. I would have liked to see more of the fun stories that were in the first book. However, I loved the cliffhanger ending. I hope there will be another book in the series!

DeadEndia: The Broken Halo is a great graphic novel!

Thank you Union Square and Co. for sending me a copy of this book!

Have you read DeadEndia: The Broken Halo? What did you think of it?

Review: Goddess Crown

Title: Goddess Crown
Author: Shade Lapite
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Walker Books US
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: September 12, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this thrilling Afro-fantasy, the first set in the lush, opulent kingdom of Galla, a girl raised in secret must leave her sheltered rural home for the subtle dangers of the royal court, where she becomes caught up in deadly power struggles and romantic intrigue.

Kalothia has grown up in the shadows of her kingdom, hidden away in the forested East after her parents were outed as enemies of the king. Raised in a woodland idyll by a few kindly adult caretakers, Kalothia can hunt and fish and fend for herself but knows little of the outside world. When assassins attack her home on her sixteenth birthday, she must flee to the king’s court in the West—a beautiful but lethal nest of poison, plots, and danger, overseen by an entrenched patriarchy. Guided by the Goddess herself, can Kalothia navigate this most worldly of places to find her own role? What if she must choose between her country and her heart? Excitement, romance, and a charismatic heroine shine in this first book set in the unforgettable kingdom of Galla.

Review:

Kalothia has grown up for sixteen years in a secluded forest with Aunty and Teacher. Her parents were enemies of the King, so when Kalothia was born, she couldn’t stay with them for her own protection. When assassins attack her home and kill her guardians, Kalothia heads to the palace with her guard to find safety. However, Kalothia finds she has a new role at the palace, leaving her to decide between her heart, her country, and avenging the deaths of her loved ones.

This was a great fantasy debut! Though it’s a fairly short fantasy, at under 300 pages, the world-building was really well done. The story started out with just a couple of characters, and added characters as the story went on. This made it easier to get to know the world slowly from the beginning. The last 70 pages were really thrilling and intense. There were twists that I didn’t see coming. This was an enjoyable read!

Goddess Crown is a thrilling fantasy debut!

Thank you Walker Books US for sending me a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death of parent, abandonment, poisoning, stabbing

Have you read Goddess Crown? What did you think of it?