Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Twins imbued with incredible magic and near-immortality will do anything to keep their family safe—even if it tears the siblings apart—in the first book of a mythic epic fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of Wilder Girls.

Rhea and her twin brother, Lexos, have spent an eternity helping their father rule their small, unstable country, using their control over the seasons, tides, and stars to keep the people in line. For a hundred years, they've been each other's only ally, defending each other and their younger siblings against their father's increasingly unpredictable anger.

Now, with an independence movement gaining ground and their father's rule weakening, the twins must take matters into their own hands to keep their family—and their entire world—from crashing down around them. But other nations are jockeying for power, ready to cross and double cross, and if Rhea and Lexos aren't careful, they'll end up facing each other across the battlefield.

Review:

It's hard to be original when it comes to fantasy novels.  There are a plethora of books with magical kingdoms, and political intrigues.  But In A Garden Burning Gold, by Rory Power, I found a truly unique plot.  What if powerful families had magic that was needed to maintain life on earth?  The members of the central family in this book, literally make the stars come out at night, and change the seasons.  They hold the ultimate power, and yet they are all too human.  

This novel had complex characters and plots within plots that kept this a page-turner for me.  I really enjoyed the world-building, family relationships, and the story.  The many twists kept this an entertaining book.  This is the first of a trilogy, and I can't wait to read the next installment.  

What I Liked:

World-building:

This is a world filled with magic.  Rhea and her family have magical powers that they used to be stewards of the land.  And also to keep their subject in line.   Rhea's father, Vasilis, is a Stratagiozi, a man with god-like powers.  He has the ability to pass some of his powers onto his children.  Each of his children have certain powers. Lexos, is the caretaker of the stars and tides, Rhea can change the seasons, Chysanthi brings color to the world, and Nitsos creates and maintains the world's creatures.  Vasilis has the strongest powers; he has the power to determine when people die.  They are a formidable family, so it's no wonder everyone wants to keep clear of them.   They also seem to be immortal.

Family Relationships:

Vasilis is a cruel man who likes to belittle his children and pit them against each other.  As Lexos and Rhea are twins, they are closest to each other.  But Rhea knows that Lexos, just like her father, expects Rhea to do as she is told.  Chrysanthi, is their younger sister, and is always cheerful.  She doesn't seem to have any motive other than to keep the peace.  This is hard to do as Nitsos, the youngest sibling, is bitter that his father doesn't see his value.  This causes many arguments and tense moments between the siblings.  

I found the family dynamics to be surprisingly realistic, in a toxic sort of way.  All the siblings want to curry their father's favor.  And their dad, as abusive as he is, just wants to be left alone.  He doesn't really see his children as anything more than puppets. 

Story:

The story is filled with sibling rivalry, plots and sub-plots, and lots of betrayals, as many players compete for power in this universe.  Rhea, who must choose a husband (and later kill him to change the seasons) for the winter.  It's kind of like the Hunger Games. Wherever her next consort comes from, that region will have a prosperous season.  The just have to sacrifice someone to Rhea.  Her father has told her who to choose.  But, for the first time ever, Lexos, wants her to make a different choice.

All of this centers around Vasilis attempt to maintain his hold on power.  The only way other families can take his kingdom, is by killing Vasilis...and his entire family.  So, it's in all the siblings best interest to support their dad, even if he's a jerk.  And there are many factions that would love to see him fall, including Rhea's new consort.  Can she find a way to stop him, and avoid falling in love with him?  

What I Was Mixed About:

Characters:

As much as I enjoyed the relationships between the siblings, I didn't really connect with the characters.  With the exception of Rea's sister Chrysanthi, none of the characters are good people.  Rhea, Lexos, and others betray each other, and kill with no remorse.  Nearly everyone has an ulterior motive, so that no one can be trusted.  This made it very hard to root for anyone.  I did see a lot of growth with Rhea, and loved that she developed a conscience...eventually.  I think in the next book, these characters will have many opportunities to grow. 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  April 5th, 2022

Author:  Rory Power

Publisher:  Del Rey

Genre:  Fantasy

Page Length:  432 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A great premise with wonderful world-building, this is a solid beginning to a new fantasy series.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Paris, 1925: To enter the Secret Circus is to enter a world of wonder-a world where women tame magnificent beasts, carousels take you back in time, and trapeze artists float across the sky. But each daring feat has a cost. Bound to her family's strange and magical circus, it's the only world Cecile Cabot knows-until she meets a charismatic young painter and embarks on a passionate love affair that could cost her everything.

Virginia, 2005: Lara Barnes is on top of the world-until her fiancé disappears on their wedding day. Desperate, her search for answers unexpectedly leads to her great-grandmother's journals and sweeps her into the story of a dark circus and a generational curse that has been claiming payment from the women in her family for generations.

Review:

I first became familiar with Constance Sayers when I read her novel, A Witch in Time, for my book club.  It was a good blend of the modern with the supernatural.  The Ladies of The Secret Circus moves further into the fantasy realm, with much of the novel set in the magical "Secret Circus", and the rest set in a small Virginia town.  Both settings had wonderful world-building, intriguing characters and a plot full of mystery and suspense.  This was a fun, exciting read.

What I Liked:

World-Building:

I enjoyed both the small town of Kerrigan Falls, Virginia and the chic world of Paris in the nineteen-twenties.  Sayers got the details of a small town just right.  Everyone had known each other since childhood.  This could be stifling, but also a comfort in difficult times.  I loved the details of how the downtown area changed over the years.  While there were several new businesses run by the younger generation, they were all housed in older buildings.  The radio station used to be a pharmacy, and the new coffee shop had been repurposed from a feed and supply shop.  

In the world of nineteen-twenties Paris, there was both excess and destitution.  While the young and carefree lived it up in bars and nightclubs, many people barely eked out a living.  Artists, especially, suffered in order to afford their paints.  

The Circus itself was a gothic nightmare, run be a daemon, Althacazur.  All of the performers were living in their own personal Hell.  There was a whole mythology associated with the Circus.  People in Paris would need to desperately willing to do anything in order to the Circus, and only then would they receive a ticket.  Did they sell their souls for this?  Possibly so.  But the Circus itself was so magical, people were eager to do whatever it took to get in.

Characters:

In Kerrigan Falls, Lara has been left on the altar by her fiance, Todd.  Is he really missing or did Todd just skip out on his wedding?  Lara is both angry that he abandoned her, and worried that he may actually be missing.  It's hard for her to move on.  

Lara relies on Ben, the police chief. At first, he is a strong, reassuring presence as Todd's disappearance brings news outlets from all over the U.S.  But when a year passes and there is still no lead on what happened to Todd, Lara begins to see Ben as a person she enjoys spending time with.  Ben, a divorced man who is a good ten years older than Lara, is obviously interested in Lara.  But he also worries that Lara isn't ready to move on.  I liked that even though Ben was very comfortable with himself, he still wasn't sure about starting a relationship with Lara.  He was also a shot of realism to the story that kept the novel from going over the top with the fantasy elements.

Cecile (of the Circus) is very innocent considering she lives in actual Hell.  Her Father, Althacazur, seems to indulge her, but is harsh with her twin sister, Esme.  Yet, Cecile is terribly jealous of Esme, who is the star of the circus.  Cecile doesn't feel as though she is really a part of the circus, since she only helps behind the scenes.  She is constantly looking to be valued by others.  It's no wonder that when a Parisian painter is interested in her, she falls madly in love.

Esme is both a tragic figure and a villain in the story.  Given how she is punished by Althacazur, it's no wonder she resents Cecile.  She has many reasons for hating her sister, which are revealed as the story progresses.  While this doesn't excuse her behavior, it does explain it.

Plot:

The main plot takes place in the more realistic world of Virginia, where there have been several mysterious disappearances, each thirty years, to the day, apart.  Somehow, they are connected to the Barnes family and their ancestor's past in the Secret Circus.  As Lara grieves for her missing fiance, she begins to learn about the Secret Circus, and it's connection to her family.  The portion of the plot reminds me more of a crime novel than a fantasy book, with Ben, the no-nonsense cop, following the clues.

Whenever the story switches to 1925 Paris, we are transported to a strange, gothic world.  Cecile and her sister are humans living among daemons and magical creatures.  One false move, and the punishment could be being sent to the White Forest (where people go mad) or worse.  

The main plot in the circus portion of the book revolves around the rivalry between Cecile and her sister, Esme, and their infatuation with a French painter.  This is a wonderful vehicle for the author to delve into the fabulous Paris of the nineteen-twenties.  Famous artists, such as Hemingway, Picasso, and Gertrude Stein make cameo appearances.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 23rd, 2021

Author:  Constance Sayers

Publisher:  Redhook

Genre:  Fantasy

Page Length:  448 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A suspenseful fantasy tale with the excitement of the circus and a murder mystery, as well.  A page-turner.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Michael Kingman thought he was going to die by the executioner’s axe, forever labeled as a traitor. Still alive, and under the protection of the Orbis Mercenary company, Michael and his family and friends are deeply involved in the seemingly rival conspiracies that are tearing The Hollows apart. With the death of the King, both the Corrupt Prince and his sister Serena are vying for the throne, while the Rebel Emperor is spreading lies amongst the people, and all of them want Michael dead. This is a story of betrayal, murder, and rebellion, and in this direct sequel to the debut novel The Kingdom of Liars, also some hope for justice.

Review:

For the most part, I try not to review books in a series unless I have read the previous books first.  Imagine how dismayed I was when I finally had time to read The Two-Faced Queen, by Nick Martell, only to realize that this was book two in a series!  I guess I was too enamoured by the beautiful cover when I requested it from NetGalley.

"Okay," I thought, "no problem. I can knock out the first book, then move on to the next one."

So, I downloaded the The Kingdom of Liars (book one) from the library and learned that it was nearly 600 pages!  I then checked on how long The Two-Faced Queen was, also around 600 pages.  Oh boy!  Well, after a marathon of reading over the last week and a half, I have finally read both novels.  My head is spinning from the rich world-building, the huge cast of characters, and layered storytelling.  It was totally worth it.

What I Liked:

World-Building:

This fantasy book has a complex world of magic, and societies, with checks and balances built into both systems.  Only some could use magic, but it's use came at a price.  The most common type of magic was called Fabrications.  People lose memories each time they use this type of magic.  The stronger the magic, the more memories a person loses.  If someone uses a small amount of magic they may forgets the name of an object.  If they use a large amount of magic  they forget entire days, or who their loved ones are.  Eventually. if one uses too much magic, they become a Forgotten, who loses all their memories.  I loved this check on power.  

The society that the novel is set in is really complicated.  The kingdom is called Hallow, and there is a rigid class system in place.  Besides royalty, there are high and low Nobles, several organized religions, military divisions like the Ravens and Scales, Mercenaries, and then there is the Kingman family.  This family is not royalty, but is directly bound to the royal family.  They are just as influential as the royals, and are the only people who can speak freely to (and be a check on) the royals they are bound to.

Language:

While I am not a person who normally likes lots of cursing in books, I found the language used in this novel to be quite refreshing.  Yes, this is a fantasy world that seems to be set in medieval times (aren't they all).  But there are an abundance of F bombs and other, more modern, speech.  Yes, the author could have made up curse words.  But, I've always felt that device was a bit trite.  If you have a bunch of twenty-something people together, no matter the time, there ought to be a fair amount of cursing, carousing, and bad behavior.  This made the characters much more relatable for me.

Characters:

The focus of the story is on Michael Kingman, who feels the full weight of his family's legacy.  He and his siblings, Gwen and Lyon, have been told over and over that they are to live a life of service to Hallow.  They really reminded me of the Kennedy clan in America.  There are people in this family who have done amazing things, and others who never live up to their potential.  Since their father has been found guilty of killing one of the royal princes ten years earlier, the Kingman family have been in disgrace.  But Michael never believed his father was guilty.  Now Michael has been accused of killing another royal, and he must convince Serena, the princess he is bound to, that he didn't do it.

There are many other characters who feel the weight of family history on their lives.  Besides Michael and Serena, there is Dark, a Mercenary who is hell-bent on destroying his father.  Chloe, a Raven who must try to live up to her mother's high standards as the group's leader.  Trey, Michael's best friend, grew up in an abusive situation and is determined to lift up his section of the kingdom out of poverty.  Everyone is driven to prove themselves.  There are a lot of backstories to keep track of.  However, the author weaves a tale where this all makes sense.  Thankfully, if the reader does become confused, there is a handy list at the front of the book to show who belongs to which family, and what part of society.

Story:

There are plots, and sub-plots, enough to make your head spin.  There is the constant threat that a royal or a nobel will kill Michael to avenge the death of Serena's father.  There is the thread about Michael's mother trying to rebuild the family's place in society.  There is a plot about immortals who may secretly be controlling everything.  There are several love stories happening as well.  All of this is happening while a rebellion is expected occur in the near future.  

At times, it was difficult to understand just where the story was headed.  Is it a story about the Princess's ascension to the throne?  Is this a story about a serial killer who is targeting pretty much everyone?  Or is this a story of revenge on the Kingman family by those who have been wronged by them in the past?  If you answered yes to ALL of these questions, you would be correct!  This is why the book is nearly 600 pages.

The story really goes in a million directions and it takes a while for everything to come together.  But, the result is a richly layered story in a vibrant world.  I really felt I could follow it for several hundred more pages, and I would still be enthralled. 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 23rd, 2021

Author:  Nick Martell

Publisher:  Gallery/Saga Press

Genre:  Fantasy

Page Length:  592 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Filled with a rich world and exciting characters, this is a wonderful fantasy series that you will gladly want to read more and more.  A thrilling page-turner.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Al MacBharrais is both blessed and cursed. He is blessed with an extraordinary white moustache, an appreciation for craft cocktails – and a most unique magical talent. He can cast spells with magically enchanted ink and he uses his gifts to protect our world from rogue minions of various pantheons, especially the Fae.

But he is also cursed. Anyone who hears his voice will begin to feel an inexplicable hatred for Al, so he can only communicate through the written word or speech apps. And his apprentices keep dying in peculiar freak accidents. As his personal life crumbles around him, he devotes his life to his work, all the while trying to crack the secret of his curse.

But when his latest apprentice, Gordie, turns up dead in his Glasgow flat, Al discovers evidence that Gordie was living a secret life of crime. Now Al is forced to play detective – while avoiding actual detectives who are wondering why death seems to always follow Al. Investigating his apprentice’s death will take him through Scotland’s magical underworld, and he’ll need the help of a mischievous hobgoblin if he’s to survive.

Review:

I have been a huge fan of Kevin Hearne for many years.  I love the Tales of Pell series (his collaboration with author Delilah S. Dawson), and I have read five of The Iron Druid series.  Ink & Sigil, takes place in the same universe as The Iron Druid, but follows a completely new set of characters.  Set in historic Glasgow, this book has a fun cast of characters, and a story that was highly entertaining.

What I Liked:

Setting:

Although I have been to Scotland (many years ago), I have not visited Glasgow.  But the author paints such a vivid picture of the city, that I feel like I have been there.  He mentions not only historic places, but bars, libraries and scenery that make me want to visit this wonderful place.

World-Building:

Aside from the real-life setting, the world of Ink & Sigil is steeped in the magical world, and mythology of the Fae.  There are many magical creatures, and planes of existence that are explained.  But you don't need to have read any of the Iron Druid books to understand the rules of this universe.  This is a self-contained series, so it's quite accessible.

Characters:

Al is a really likable, human character.  Unlike the Iron Druid, he is not immortal, and I love that he is on the older side.  He has seen a lot of life, but still has much to contribute to the world.  He is also complicated.  I like that he wasn't perfect.  But he did (mostly) try to do the right thing.

Al's sidekick is a hobgoblin named Buck.  I enjoyed how they got to know each other, with both characters testing each other's mettle.  Buck is mischievous and Al must keep a careful eye on him.  Even with Al's diligence, Buck manages to find ways to mess with Al.  This was super fun and entertaining.

I also enjoyed the character of Nadia.  She is many things (including being Al's accountant),  but most importantly, she is Al's Battle Seer.  I love how no-nonsense she is, and that she has a girlfriend.  This allows a friendship to grow between Al and Nadia, without the complications of a possible romance.  

Story:

The story is basically a mystery:  when Al's apprentice Gordie dies suddenly, he finds out that Gordie has been selling magical creatures.  Why was he doing this, and who was buying them?  I loved the parallels made between the book's plot, and the plight of immigrants caught up in real-life human trafficking. I enjoy how a book can bring up real-life issues using fantasy to illustrate social ills.  Strangely, using magical creatures as stand-ins for immigrants actually makes the point that people who are tricked into slavery are worthy of dignity and respect.  If we can develop sympathy for hobgoblins, we can certainly see immigrants as people.

Rating: 

Release Date:  August 25th, 2020

Author:  Kevin Hearne

Publisher:  Del Rey Books

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Page Length: 336 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation: A promising start to a new fantasy series, filled with an entertaining mix of characters.  If you enjoy fantasy, you will love this book.