The emperor's reign has lasted for decades, his mastery of bone shard magic powering the animal-like constructs that maintain law and order. But now his rule is failing, and revolution is sweeping across the Empire's many islands. Lin is the emperor's daughter and spends her days trapped in a palace of locked doors and dark secrets. When her father refuses to recognise her as heir to the throne, she vows to prove her worth by mastering the forbidden art of bone shard magic. Yet such power carries a great cost, and when the revolution reaches the gates of the palace, Lin must decide how far she is willing to go to claim her birthright - and save her people.
Tag: book blog
Reread Review: Green Rider (Green Rider #1) by Kristen Britain
On her long journey home from school after a fight which will surely lead to her expulsion, Karigan G'ladheon ponders her future as she trudges through the immense forest called Green Cloak. But her thoughts are interrupted by the clattering of hooves as a galloping horse bursts from the woods, the rider slumped over his mount's neck, impaled by two black-shafted arrows. As the young man lies dying on the road, he tells Karigan that he is a Green Rider, one of the legendary messengers of the king, and that he bears a "life and death" message for King Zachary. He begs Karigan to carry his message, warning her not to read it, and when she reluctantly agrees, he makes her swear on his sword to complete his mission "for love of country." As he bestows upon her the golden winged-horse brooch which is the symbol of his office, he whispers on his dying breath, "Beware the shadow man..." Karigan's promise changes her life forever. Pursued by unknown assassins, following a path only her horse seems to know, and accompanied by the silent specter of the original messenger, she herself becomes a legendary Green Rider. Caught up in a world of deadly danger and complex magic, compelled by forces she cannot understand, Karigan is hounded by dark beings bent on seeing that the message, and its reluctant carrier, never reach their destination.
Flamefall (The Aurelian Cycle #2) by Rosaria Munda
After fleeing the revolution and settling into the craggy cliffs of New Pythos, the Dragonlords are eager to punish their usurpers--and reclaim their city. Their first order of business was destroying the Callipolan food supply. Now they're coming for the Dragonriders. Annie is Callipolis's new Firstrider, and while her goal has always been to protect the people, being the government's enforcer has turned her into public enemy number one. Lee struggles to find his place after killing kin to prove himself to a leader who betrayed him. He can support Annie and the other Guardians . . . or join the radicals who look to topple the new regime. Griff, a lowborn dragonrider who serves New Pythos, knows he has no future. And now that Julia, the Firstrider who had protected him, is dead, he is called on to sacrifice everything for the lords that oppress his people--or to forge a new path with the Callipolan Firstrider seeking his help. With famine tearing Callipolis apart and the Pythians determined to take back what they lost, it will be up to Annie, Lee, and Griff to decide what to fight for--and who to love.
The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth #2) by N. K. Jemisin
This is the way the world ends... for the last time. The season of endings grows darker as civilization fades into the long cold night. Alabaster Tenring – madman, world-crusher, savior – has returned with a mission: to train his successor, Essun, and thus seal the fate of the Stillness forever. It continues with a lost daughter, found by the enemy. It continues with the obelisks, and an ancient mystery converging on answers at last. The Stillness is the wall which stands against the flow of tradition, the spark of hope long buried under the thickening ashfall. And it will not be broken.
When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain (The Singing Hills Cycle #2) by Nghi Vo
The cleric Chih is travelling when they find themselves surrounded by three tigers. In order to keep themselves alive through the night, they tell the story of a tiger and her lover.
The Bitter Twins (The Winnowing Flame Trilogy #2) by Jen Williams
The plan that Tormalin the Oathless and Noon the Fell Witch created in order to save the world backfired, and now the threat is even more imminent. With weakened allies and almost no knowledge of their foe, they start out on a journey to find information that will hopefully turn the tides of a losing battle.
Assassin’s Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy #1) by Robin Hobb
Fitz is born a bastard to the King-in-Waiting, and automatically, he can either become a threat or a tool to the royals. Without much of a choice, he becomes a tool, learning to become an assassin while growing up in a court surrounded by enemies.
A Deadly Education (The Scholomance #1) by Naomi Novik
Fantasy, 336 pages, published in 2020 El must navigate Scholomance, the deadly school for those with magic. But in a setting where allies are key, El has always been an outsider with no one to rely on. Spoiler Free Review: ★★★ Before I say anything, I want to point you to this article about racism…
Continue reading ➞ A Deadly Education (The Scholomance #1) by Naomi Novik
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
A retelling of Dracula's brides that spans centuries and countries.
Lightbringer (The Empirium Trilogy #3) by Claire Legrand
The conclusion of the story of the Sun Queen and the Blood Queen.