|
|
|
|
|
|
The Ashfire King by Chelsea AbdullahAfter fleeing a patricidal prince, merchant Loulie al-Nazari and banished prince Mazen bin Malik find themselves in the realm of jinn. But instead of sanctuary, they find a world on the cusp of collapse. The jinn cities, beneath the Sandsea by the magic of its kings, are sinking. Amid the turmoil, political alliances are forming, and rebellion is on the rise. When Loulie assists a dissenter—one of her bodyguard’s comrades—she puts herself in the center of a centuries-old war. Trapped in a world that isn’t hers, Loulie must decide: Will she carry on someone else’s legacy or carve out her own?
For fans of S. A. Chakraborty, J. R. R. Tolkein, and Saara El-Arifi.
|
|
|
|
The Dark Mirror by Samantha ShannonFaced with a mysterious memory loss, Paige Mahoney navigates a revolution against the oppressive Republic of Scion, uncovering in Venice the dangerous Operation Ventriloquist, while seeking the truth about her past and the key to stopping Scion's rise. This is the long-awaited fifth installment of Shannon’s Bone Season series.
Review: "The stakes are high, the pace is rapid, and Shannon’s gift for evocative prose makes the shadowy streets of Venice come alive." ~ staff, Publishers Weekly
|
|
|
|
Shield of Sparrows by Devney PerryShield of Sparrows is a slow-burn, high-stakes romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros―where enemies become lovers, monsters stalk a cursed realm, and a forgotten princess finds the strength to tear off her crown and become the warrior she was never meant to be.Review: "Readers looking for a slow-burn romantasy with rich political intrigue and a protagonist forced to create her own fate will find much to enjoy. A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown." ~ Kirkus Review
|
|
| The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-GwangThey say that if you send a letter detailing your troubles to an abandoned house on the edge of Rainbow Town, you could receive a ticket to the Rainfall Market that will change your life. Dissatisfied and lonely Serin, accompanied by a magical cat, must find her happiness at the market within one week or lose herself forever.
For fans of cozy and whimsical magical realism such as The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi and The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee. |
|
| Aunt Tigress by Emily Yu-Hsuan QinTam has sworn off her predator ways, living separate from the Chinese tiger spirits that run in her family. But when her Aunt Tigress dies under mysterious circumstances and leaves Tam as her executor, Tam has to put her life and her crush on her classmate Janet on hold to dig into her past.
For fans of queer mythology-inspired urban fantasy such as N.K Jemisin's The City We Became. |
|
|
|
The Anatomy of Magic by J.C. CervantesLilian Estrada, who has memory magic, has prided herself on her ability to work hard and use science instead of magic to heal people. However, after a patient dies during a routine operation, she flees to her family’s ancestral home in Mexico. This home is no ordinary home, but rather the enchanted Hacienda Estrada. Returning home puts Lily back into the orbit of her first love, Sam, whom she thought she would marry until the day Sam told her he didn’t love her anymore. Deeply hurt, Lily closes off her heart (both figuratively and literally, with magic) so that no one else can hurt her. Seeing Sam again stirs up lots of feelings, and Lily must contend with her past before she can move forward.
Review: "Cervantes has crafted a winning tale of a woman who embraces uncertainty and releases control on her road to forgiveness and healing. Readers who enjoy family drama, second-chance romances, and a touch of magic will enjoy this book." ~ Lynnanne Pearson, Booklist
|
|
|
|
The Combat Codes
by Alexander Darwin
Murray Pearson, once a famed Grievar Knight who represented his nations' interests in brutal hand-to-hand combat, searches for the next champion and finds him in an orphaned boy named Cego who is making a name for himself in underground combat rings.
Review: "Clearly drawn martial arts bouts add action and drama to the narrative. This dark tale of martial arts and ancient Codes in a fallen world will captivate readers who crave action." ~ Kirkus Review
|
|
|
|
Phoenix Unbound
by Grace Draven
Draven creates an irresistible new world full of action and cataclysmic upheaval in this fantasy romance. Fire witch Gilene’s village considers her duty-bound to burn on the Empire’s sacrificial pyre, every year: she survives the fire and escapes. When her abilities are noticed, she’s forced to fight in the service of a sadistic empress, and then famed gladiator Azarion ruthlessly coerces Gilene into helping him in escape slavery and reclaim his legacy.
Review: "Draven adeptly shifts perspectives at just the right moments to masterfully build emotionally complex characters. Readers will be pulled in by the inner turmoil that besets this formidable pair of survivors, who are frequently at odds with each other, and themselves. As Azarion and Gilene’s relationship shifts from an uneasy truce to admiration and ultimately love, Gilene must choose whether to return to doing her painful duty or embrace a new life at Azarion’s side. Draven’s outdone herself with this magnetic heroine and a magical world readers will be eager to return to." ~ staff, Publishers Weekly
|
|
|
|
The Rage of Dragons
by Evan Winter
Born without talents in a world dominated by rare dragon-summoning women and magical soldier men, young Tau survives murderous attacks on his loved ones before resolving to become society's greatest swordsman.
Review: "Winter's debut will draw strong comparisons to George R.R. Martin and Brandon Sanderson, and the strong African influences and ties create a singular, exciting epic with intriguing characters and culture. Readers will be clamoring for the next installment." ~ Kristi Chadwick, Library Journal
|
|
|
|
Midnight Falcon
by David Gemmell
Banished from his native country, Bane the Bastard, the illegitimate son of the Rigante king Demonblade, makes his living as a gladiator in the blood-drenched Empire arenas, thirsting for revenge against those who have wronged him, while the armies of the Stone prepare to destroy the Rigante.
For fans of Patrick Rothfuss, Jonathan Mayberry and Kel Kade.
|
|
|
|
Bloodguard
by Cecy Robinson
Leith of Grey is a gladiator in the Kingdom of Arrow, only four bouts away from the title of Bloodguard, which will bestow him with enough money to help save his ailing family. When he kills her fiancé in the arena, Leith strikes a deal with the elven Princess Maeve: her assistance in ascension to Bloodguard, in exchange for his hand in marriage.
With political intrigue and complex relationships galore, this bloody romantasy will attract fans of Scarlett St. Clair's King of Battle and Blood and Olivia Rose Darling's Fear The Flames.
|
|
|
|
Kill the Queen: A Crown of Shards Novel
by Jennifer Estep
Estep (Poison Promise, 2014) starts an exciting new fantasy series full of magic, fierce women, and revenge. Everleigh Blair was orphaned at a young age after her parents’ murders, and she became the royal charge of her cousin, Queen Cordelia. Despite her royal pedigree, she is more servant than guest because she apparently lacks magic. This misperception is the thing that saves her during a royal massacre. Escaping with just the clothes on her back, Everleigh seeks out the Black Swan gladiator troupe, hoping they can turn her into a fierce warrior—because it’s going to take someone strong and cunning to avenge the murdered Blair royalty and overthrow the queen.
Author alert: Best known for her Elemental Assassin novels, urban fantasy writer Jennifer Estep ventures into epic fantasy in this 1st book in the Crown of Shards series.
|
|
|
|
Magic Strikes
by Ilona Andrews
When her werewolf friend Derek is attacked and left for dead, mercenary Kate Daniels investigates and stumbles upon a dark plot, involving a secret no-holds-barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament--a discovery that could forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community.
Series alert: Book three in the Kate Daniels series.
For fan of Patricia Briggs, J. R. Ward and Kelley Armstrong
|
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
Forsyth County Public Library
660 W. Fifth St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
336-703-2665forsythlibrary.org |
|
|
|