The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer  It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Hope you’ve had a good week?

Back to school for my son this week and I had an eye test and I also had 7 inches of hair cut off!

My eye test wasn’t the best because I was told I’ve got something that means my retina could detach easily. I was so grossed out and thinking about it that I forgot to ask for more details!

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New Arrivals

Nothing! See how good I’m being! But I should probably fess up and say I don’t include ebooks here, maybe I should!

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What I’ve Read

Live and Let Lionel by Caroline Peckham
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

🎧 My Husband and I by Ingrid Seward
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Look out for my reviews soon!

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You might have missed…..

Review – To Cage a God by Elizabeth May
Review – The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker
Review – A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
Review – So This is Ever After by FT Lukens

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What have you read lately?

Title: So This is Ever After

Author: FT Lukens

Arek hadn’t thought much about what would happen after he completed the prophecy that said he was destined to save the Kingdom of Ere from its evil ruler. So now that he’s finally managed to (somewhat clumsily) behead the evil king (turns out magical swords yanked from bogs don’t come pre-sharpened), he and his rag-tag group of quest companions are at a bit of a loss for what to do next.

As a temporary safeguard, Arek’s best friend and mage, Matt, convinces him to assume the throne until the true heir can be rescued from her tower. Except that she’s dead. Now Arek is stuck as king, a role that comes with a magical catch: choose a spouse by your eighteenth birthday, or wither away into nothing.

With his eighteenth birthday only three months away, and only Matt in on the secret, Arek embarks on a desperate bid to find a spouse to save his life—starting with his quest companions. But his attempts at wooing his friends go painfully and hilariously wrong…until he discovers that love might have been in front of him all along.

~ Firstly, that cover, makes my heart squeeze.
~ Secondly, that plot – consider me intrigued!
~ Thirdly, the narrator was absolutely fabulous, like one of the best I’ve ever listened to!

I really enjoyed this, in fact I listened to it in a day because I didn’t want to stop listening!

Arek, the chosen one and Matt his childhood friend (and Mage) and their bunch of found family have completed their mission but now Arek finds himself as King and needs to bond before he is 18…..and there isn’t much time left!

I smirked and laughed, this book was very funny and you can expect:

Fab friendships,
Miscommunication,
Inappropriate boners,
Slow burn romance,
Murder crow,
An old castle complete with staff,
A time dependent ‘mission’
How they call it bedroom activities!!!!!

This book made me feel light and floaty in the heart area!!

Title: A Tempest of Tea

Series: Blood and Tea #1

Author: Hafsah Faizal

On the streets of White Roaring, Arthie Casimir is a criminal mastermind and collector of secrets. Her prestigious tearoom transforms into an illegal bloodhouse by dark, catering to the vampires feared by society. But when her establishment is threatened, Arthie is forced to strike an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary to save it—and she can’t do the job alone.

Calling upon a band of misfits, Arthie formulates a plan to infiltrate the dark and glittering vampire society known as the Athereum. But not every member of her crew is on her side, and as the truth behind the heist unfolds, Arthie finds herself in the midst of a conspiracy that will threaten the world as she knows it.

This is a to a new-to-me author and I was pulled in by Spindrift, a teashop by day, and a bloodhouse for vampires at night…..with gangs!

I listened to the audio and the narrator was fab.

So….introducing our band of misfits:
Arthie: basically a criminal mastermind,
Jin: Arthie’s brother in all but blood,
Laith: guard and unlikely companion,
Matteo: pretty, artistic vamp,
Flick: master forger.

After Arthie has to take drastic action to save her teashop, a heist is planned (I do love a heist!)

What follows is just what the blurb promises: dark, action-packed, and swoonworthy!

The banter was great, the world building sublime and the tension, including romantic, was off the charts!

Although Arthie and Jin’s sibling bond was so, so strong, my favourites were Jin and Flick – my heart!

That ending was explosive! I need that next book!

Title: The Scarlet Alchemist

Series: The Scarlet Alchemist #1

Author: Kylie Lee Baker

Zilan dreams of becoming a royal alchemist, of providing for her family by making alchemical gold and gems for the wealthy to eat in order to stay young forever. But for now, she’s trapped in her impoverished village in southern China, practicing an illegal form of alchemy to keep food on the table—resurrecting the dead, for a price.

When Zilan finally has the chance to complete her imperial exams, she ventures to the capital to compete against the best alchemists in the country in tasks she’ll be lucky to survive, let alone pass. On top of that, her reputation for raising the dead has followed her to the capital, and the Crown Prince himself seeks out her help, suspecting a coming assassination attempt.

The more Zilan succeeds in her alchemy, the more she gets caught in the dangerous political games of the royal family. There are monsters lurking within the palace walls, and it’s only a matter of time before they—and secrets of Zilan’s past—catch up with her.

Zilan dreams of becoming a royal alchemist and leaves her impoverished village with her cousins, Wenshu and Yufei, to take the trials. But Zilan has a (not well kept) secret, she can resurrect the dead! 

Zilan draws the attention of the Crown Prince Li Hong and, much worse, the attentions of the Empress. She was so cunning and just vile! She  reminded me of the stories I’d heard about the roman emperor, Nero.

Hong, however, was my hero in this story, yes he’s sweet and yes he won’t stand up to the empress but he knows what he wants and he wants Zilan. I LIVED FOR THAT!

I absolutely loved this book, it was fast paced, had so much action and drama and also a sweet romance blossoming. There was also power struggles, an evil alchemy duck (!) and I was hooked!

I do love a historical fantasy that’s on the darker side!

That little twist near the end, that ending! Book 2 please because I need to know what happens! (I can’t say what I want to here because of spoilers but I really want souls to be sorted out – vague enough?!)

Title: Sunbringer

Series: Fallen Gods #2

Author: Hannah Kaner

Professional godkiller Kissen and her companions—young noble Inara and knight Elogast—return in a winding adventure in a world overflowing with magic, beauty, and danger.

Godkiller was one of my favourite books of last year so I was happy when Sunbringer arrived and I dived straight in!

I really wanted to be sucked into the journey of Kissen, Elogast, Inara and Skediceth against Arren, I wanted to love it as much as I did book 1 but was so conflicted because I didn’t.

The first 3 quarters of the book were really slow and Inara got on my nerves for most of it!

But then……the last quarter was action packed and made me remember why I loved this world and these characters!

There was a jaw drop moment that I loved and a heartfelt moment that made me really feel like I was there and another jaw drop at the end that sets up for book 3 nicely! 3.5 stars

‘In fire you will be lost. In ink, you will live forever.’

Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Topic: Bookish Superpowers I Wish I Had

What a fab topic! I couldn’t resist but to add some outlandish ones!

* I’d love to be able to read a book a day without fail!

* I’d give my fave authors a superpower so they could write a book very quickly, then give to their editors to edit it quickly and then to the printers to print it quickly!!!!

* Invisibility so I could hide and read without being disturbed!!!

* Manipulate time so my work day would finish after an hour then I could read for longer!

* The ability to summon new rooms and shelves built so I could have more books!!!!

* The superpower of willpower to not be taken in by every special edition I see!

* Another willpower superpower to not request every arc I see!!!!

What would yours be?

Title: To Cage a God

Series: These Monstrous Gods

Author: Elizabeth May

To cage a god is divine.

To be divine is to rule.

To rule is to destroy.

Using ancient secrets, Galina and Sera’s mother grafted gods into their bones. Bound to brutal deities and granted forbidden power no commoner has held in a millennia, the sisters have grown up to become living weapons. Raised to overthrow an empire―no matter the cost.

With their mother gone and their country on the brink of war, it falls to the sisters to take the helm of the rebellion and end the cruel reign of a royal family possessed by destructive gods. Because when the ruling alurea invade, they conquer with fire and blood. And when they clash, common folk burn.

While Sera reunites with her estranged lover turned violent rebel leader, Galina infiltrates the palace. In this world of deception and danger, her only refuge is an isolated princess, whose whip-smart tongue and sharp gaze threaten to uncover Galina’s secret. Torn between desire and duty, Galina must make a choice: work together to expose the lies of the empire―or bring it all down.

We follow foster sisters, Sera and Galina, whose foster mother experimented on them by implanting gods. The mother was executed for being part of the Rebellion, the Faithless. But the girls have their own path mapped for revenge for the Empress.

When they arrive at the palace we then meet Katya, Vitaly and Princes Vasilisa who are also important players in the story.

If you like books with devious plans, fighting for a cause, morally grey characters, power mad nobles and sisterly bonds, then this book is for you.

I loved the romances, second chance (sort of) and sapphic.

As usual I fell for the assasin, he stole my interest and my heart, Vitaly, his devotion for Sera made my day!

Another character who had my full interest was Vasilisa. First of all she was mysterious and full of secrets and then she blossomed into herself, her character growth was immense.

The second half of the book is where it piqued my interest, the first half fell a bit flat for me, it was painfully slow but at the same time important things weren’t explained I felt.

Even though this is billed as adult I’d say it was more YA with a bit of steam thrown in!

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer  It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Hope you’ve had a good week?

This week my son was off of school for half term but I still had to work (it’s crazy times at the mo coming up to the end of tax year!) and it was Shrove Tuesday aka Pancake Day so we indulged in a couple of pancakes each! Lemon and sugar is the king of toppings!

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New Arrivals

Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner

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What I’ve Read

🎧 A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Brothersong by TJ Klune
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Look out for my reviews soon!

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You might have missed…..

Review – An Education in Malice by ST Gibson
Review – Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse

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What have you read lately?

Title: Fevered Star

Series: Between Earth and Sky

Author: Rebecca Roanhorse

There are no tides more treacherous than those of the heart. —Teek saying

The great city of Tova is shattered. The sun is held within the smothering grip of the Crow God’s eclipse, but a comet that marks the death of a ruler and heralds the rise of a new order is imminent.

The Meridian: a land where magic has been codified and the worship of gods suppressed. How do you live when legends come to life, and the faith you had is rewarded?

As sea captain Xiala is swept up in the chaos and currents of change, she finds an unexpected ally in the former Priest of Knives. For the Clan Matriarchs of Tova, tense alliances form as far-flung enemies gather and the war in the heavens is reflected upon the earth.

And for Serapio and Naranpa, both now living avatars, the struggle for free will and personhood in the face of destiny rages. How will Serapio stay human when he is steeped in prophecy and surrounded by those who desire only his power? Is there a future for Naranpa in a transformed Tova without her total destruction?

The next round with the crew of the Between Earth and Sky!

Xiala, a ships captain who can control the water with her Song,
~ Nara, the Sun Priestess,
~ Serapio, a man who has been told he will be a god,
~ Okoa, the Crow Clan matron’s son, trained warrior.

A lot of devastation happened at the end of Black Sun so I wondered where this book would take us and also the characters in their new directions.

It was really good but the pacing did feel off in some places. I don’t really want to say more about the plot or even the characters because you need to journey with them and experience it!

Xiala is still my fave (totally rooting for Xiala and Serapio!) which brings me to names….I read book 1 but listened to book 2 and realised I had totally been mispronouncing some names wrong, was an eye opener!

Can’t wait for book 3!