July officially passed in the blink of an eye! I'm having a hard time believing it's August, though August is my birthday month which should make it special. (I'm mostly just hoping it doesn't go so quickly—I love fall, but I don't need time flying by quite so much!) Here's what I read and enjoyed in July:
Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms by Sarah Wallace and SO Callahan (MM historical fantasy romance): This book was an absolute delight, just happy sigh wonderful. It's a very cozy fantasy romance set in a queer normative Regency-esque world with an interesting magical system. Roger and Wyn, who do not like each other at all, are thrown together by the magical council and given the task of solving a serious magical problem. Then, to make everything more complicated, a popular gossip column announces their engagement. When they are very much not engaged. It's a lovely slow-burn romance. I loved Roger and Wyn, loved the supporting characters and the representation and the world building. It's listed as the first book in a series, and I'm looking forward to what comes next. The audio was excellent. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199318868-breeze-spells-and-bridegrooms
The Brilliant Death and The Storm of Life by AR Capetta (Genderfluid fantasy romance): I read The Brilliant Death years ago before the second book in the duology had come out and enjoyed it, but I never got around to the second book. I was reminded of it recently and decided to reread it and then dive right into book two. The world building in this series brings to mind the unification of Italy (this is a fantasy world, not Italy despite the inspiration), though the description of the book references the mafia. Teodora is the daughter of the head of one of the five families of Vinalia and uses her secret magic (because stregas are figures out of fairy tales, not real) to protect her family. When the leader of the newly unified country sends out poisoned letters to the heads of the families, Teodora must go to the capital as her father's heir—his male heir. Shapeshifting strega Cielo becomes Teo's tutor as they travel together to the capital. Teo and Cielo are well matched and I loved the evolution of their romance is over the two books, as well as their journey to free their country from its tyrannical leader and brings its magic users into the light. https://www.goodreads.com/series/254550-the-brilliant-death
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo (Fantasy): I put a hold on this at the library as soon as it came out and waited impatiently for it to finally come in. When I finally got my hands on it (metaphorically, I suppose, since I read the ebook), I was not disappointed. I loved this book, like seriously loved it. Set in 16th century Madrid, this story perfectly combines historical fiction, historical fantasy, and romance. Luzia is a maid with a talent for magic that she hides just as carefully as she hides her Jewish ancestry, with fear of what the Inquisition would do to her. But when her employer finds out, Luzia is pushed into demonstrating her "little miracles" for the nobility, and she thinks maybe this will be a way to better her life. But then she garners the attention of powerful men trying to gain the king's favor and she is tossed into a world of intrigue and danger she's never experienced before. I'm doing a poor job explaining this, but I could not put it down. The characters, the historical and fantasy world building, the story, the romance were all wonderful. Highly recommended. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/133938808-the-familiar
The House of Shattered Wings by Aliette de Bodard (Fantasy): Early this year, I read de Bodard's Dragons and Blades books are seeing her describe the main characters as murder husbands (one of whom is a dragon, the other a fallen angel) and loved them. But I was, as I so often do, jumping in late in a bigger series. Those books are spin-offs of the Dominion of the Fallen series, and while I didn't have a problem understanding or enjoying them, I wanted the background and I'm finally getting around to reading that series, which begins with The House of Shattered Wings. In a Paris that is in ruins from an epic paranormal war, the Great Houses, all seemingly led by fallen angels, vie for power and control. This book is both fantasy and murder mystery, and the mystery was intriguing. The world was too, though I'm not sure I understand or am yet meant to how the earlier war started. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23601046-the-house-of-shattered-wings
The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten (Fantasy): I read Hannah Whitten's debut Wilderwood series and really enjoyed them, so this book, the first in her Nightshade Crown trilogy, has been on my radar for a while (my TBR pile is just way too long). Lore is a poison runner and necromancer, both of which are illegal. She has kept her power over death magic a secret since she was a child. Then everything goes wrong and her power is revealed. Lore expects to be executed, but the king instead forces her to work for him, using her magic and spying on his son. She is thrown into his court—opulent, glittering, and full of lies and intrigue—and into the plots being spun around her. The world building and magic system are interesting and Lore is a great character. There's the beginning of some forbidden romance here too and a love triangle between Lore, the prince, and the duke/priest assigned to watch/help her. I'm looking forward to reading the second in the series, though then I'll have to wait until next year for the conclusion of the series! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61463713-the-foxglove-king
What have you read and loved lately?
RSS Feed