its_justine's reviews
274 reviews

The epic game continues in Grim Solace, the ambitious and unrelenting sophomore installment in The Chasing Graves series.

And so we carry on with our journey into a battle of life and death, where mysteries are bound to arise from beneath the punishing sands. The so-called “Dead Gods” scheme with hopes of fixing a fractured world, but as with all the others with skin in the game, who can presume their true intentions? Factions lurking in the shadows cast by Araxes’ spiring towers at sunset clash for supremacy with no regard for collateral damage and the only measurements of success are either in the weight of their copper half-coins or the number of white feathers upon the breasts of the wronged. With the introduction of a whole new multitude of monsters and mayhem, only the grains slipping through the hourglass will tell who will reign triumphant.

We begin right where we left off as Caltro finds himself in the clutches of another who will gladly use him as easily as he himself uses his tools to breach an impenetrable vault. As he is passed from one bad situation to the next, he internally struggles on which path to freedom will best suit his selfish needs. However, a gift given to him by the gods proves him a valuable asset to all the parties involved in the fight for power.

Temsa continues to carve a path to the top of the food chain, a path drenched in blood and littered with carnage. His unfounded and blind ambition, as well as his willingness to play both sides of a raging war, may be his demise as the loyalty of those closest to him begins to waver.

Empress Nilith races to reach Araxes to fulfill her master plan while outrunning a group of bandits fueled by a malicious grudge. Her path is rife with horrors, both natural and man-made, but her belief that she can undo the travesties set forth by those before steadily pushes her forward.

There are others with curious and unknown designs working in secret and outside of earshot that may very well play a crucial role in the outcome of the game. Will their crafty planning turn the tide as a hopeful victor reaches the finish line?

Grim Solace is a wonderfully realized story dominated by impeccable and deepening character development, and while book one introduced a cast of great characters, this one allows us to peek deeper into their minds and witness their struggles and machinations. The story moves along at a breakneck pace as peril awaits at every turn. The cunning and danger are palpable and the overall feeling is grim and futile, however there remains a seed of hope that there will be justice where justice is due. A welcomed dark, snide humor breaks up the aura of complete hopelessness, making Caltro’s passages particularly enjoyable to read. Galley also beautifully graces the pages with exotic and vividly depicted places and creatures, making a read that remains captivating throughout. When things begin to settle down to an almost ordinary level, he throws in a fresh and fantastical adversary or hellish landscape, challenging your brain to let go and believe in the unbelievable.

The threads are beginning to come together, even though we are left grasping the edge with several cliffhangers. The story is becoming more compelling with each chapter and I’m really excited to see how Galley concludes this tale, which has definitely piqued my interest and violently drawn me in. As I dive deeper into this world, it’s becoming more difficult to decide on who I’d like to see victorious, because if I’ve learned anything from these exquisite characters, it’s to trust no one. The fight for Araxes continues in Breaking Chaos due out March 4th.

A huge thank you to Ben Galley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. Grim Solace will be available via Amazon on January 24th - go preorder it now!

When I first began the Winternight Trilogy with The Bear and the Nightingale, I knew I had embarked on a journey so special, it would be one to stay with me well after it concluded. Now that I’ve closed the final pages of The Winter of the Witch, I can easily say this has become one of my favorites of all time. Arden has created something beautifully magical with her debut series, urging readers to suspend their disbelief and find solace around a smoky campfire in a dark and snow-covered forest.

This is a tale of acceptance and finding comfort in one’s own skin. Of faith and loyalty. Of balance, respect, and the power of love. In it, Vasya must finally find her rightful place amidst the worlds of men and of those beyond, shunned by one for being different and not fully accepted by the other due to her ignorance. In her quest to bring these two together, she learns to believe in her true self and completely concedes to her wild abilities; her growth is truly stunning. Sacrifices are made, battles are fought, oaths are pledged, all in hopes of forging a world where humans and devils can live together in peace.

The final book is a bit darker with a brutality we have yet to witness in the series. A mob-fueled burning, torture, war, death. But while these shadows fall over ‘Rus, the midnight moon remains bright, bearing hope to both man and chyerti alike. This story is charming and mystical, but also tragic and heart-wrenching, much like the harmony between life and death, which is a paramount concept throughout.

“What will you say to the God you despise,” Vasya whispered, breathing short and thin with fear, “when you go into the darkness? All men must die.”

Arden’s prose is exquisite and poetic, carefully breathing life into the lands of myth making them breathtaking and completely tangible. The characters she has given voice to are as alluring and diverse as the seasons they hail from. The romance is subtle, but as dazzling as the stars on a clear winter night. Finishing this series has been bittersweet for me, as I wish I could lose myself in this world for just a bit longer, but its ending is so completely satisfying. If you’ve had any doubt of whether you should dive into this adventure, I highly recommend you give it a try. I'm really excited and looking forward to seeing where Arden transports us in the future.

After being introduced to Briz and Bayla: The Bronze Age Bounty Hunters through Kickstarter with mention that “an alpha reader has referred to [it] as Assassin’s Creed meets the Boondock Saints”, I knew I couldn’t pass this one up. This is the first book I’ve read by author Jeramy Goble and without knowing what to really expect, I’m excited he has created a solid foundation for Moving Targets, a series I believe has a bright future ahead of it.

The story takes us across the Mediterranean from the diverse islands of Greece onto the sweltering sands of Egypt, as a man seeking to fulfill a bounty and a girl on a quest for vengeance cross paths and embark on a journey that will undeniably change both their lives forever. Agreeing to help each other achieve their own goals, they learn their pasts may not be so different, as they’ve both faced crushing loss that has paved their roads to the present. After encountering an enigmatic people in the desert, they soon find themselves embroiled in a plot of intrigue over the unification of Egypt, facing deception at every turn. When they believe they’ve reached the end of their journey, confronting who they believe is responsible for the murders of Bayla’s family, they’re thrown into a whole new world of magic, gods, and a secret war that has been raging from time immemorial.

The tale is told through two separate first-person points of view, each with a voice so initially distinctive - Briz, the selfish bounty hunter with a mind for only monetary gain and Bayla, the selfless magic-wielding orphan, always seeking to do the right thing. While the two outwardly appear as polar opposites, the balance created in their wake changes them both for the better, making them the ideal pair. Both haunted by pain, they each provide the other the strength needed to endure.

Although the path of vengeance is usually portrayed as being bathed in blood and despair, this story is surprisingly clean and hopeful. While pulling motivation from the darker trends of storytelling, it refuses to descend into the grim and bleak, which I certainly found refreshing. Highly descriptive fight scenes and beautifully painted action dominate a good portion of the book, but the real bloody bits are omitted, allowing the reader to remain focused on the adventure itself. And what an adventure it is! Mysticism is interweaved into an alternate history of our own ancient civilizations, adopting and utilizing documented cultures and religions to create something truly wondrous.

I will admit I found the beginning to be a bit rocky, but Bayla’s first encounter with Briz proved to be a major turning point for me, bringing a whole new depth to the story. The unexpected magical twists and turns not only increase the scope of this fantastical world Goble has created, but also brought about a whole feeling of wonder I so often associate with this time period and area of the world. I’m really looking forward to seeing where this duo ends up next, because that epilogue definitely had me craving for more.

A Flight of Broken Wings is a charming and beautiful blend of science fiction and urban fantasy with a unique and beautifully-executed concept, and a riddle that had me guessing until the very end. This is the first book I’ve read by author Nupur Chowdhury, and without any idea on what kind of world I was about to be delivered to, I was pleasantly hooked a mere few pages in, unable to put it down. It’s always exciting to be introduced to new authors that you know have a promising future.

Ruban Kinoh has experienced such profound loss, he has dedicated his life to battling the Aeriel threat and rid the world of humankind’s greatest enemy. Upon learning of a new weapon formula that could finally give men the upper hand in this ongoing, centuries-long war, he learns of an Aeriel plot to steal said formula right from under the noses of its chief scientists. Along the way, Ashwin Kwan, a mysterious stranger, becomes interwoven into Ruban’s life and insists on aiding in the investigation that could potentially determine the faith of the entire world. This probe and a series of strange events lead them on a cross-country journey that delivers them right into the grasp of Tauheen, the brutal and extremely coercive last Aeriel Queen, all while a human mole is secretly passing her crucial information. Do Ruban and Ashwin have what it takes to untangle this web of conspiracy before it’s too late?

This is a tale of opposites - gentle love and crushing loss, shadowy deceit and immense loyalty. It is a tale of adversity and overcoming what you’ve been conditioned to believe - having faith where you’ve always believed faith is not due. It teaches us that where we believe to see an enemy, there may be a friend in disguise and jumping to conclusions is always detrimental to everyone.

Chowdhury's dynamic character development is superb, creating clear heroes and adversaries that each possess their own tragic flaws. Ruban’s past, which is painfully presented to us in the first few pages of the book, serves as a solid stepping stone into understanding his disposition throughout. His animosity towards those who took everything away from him as a child clearly blinds him to the telltale signs that keep appearing. Ashwin, at first presented as a dainty, pompous, air-headed noble, quickly becomes a charismatic and crucial player in the outcome of this ongoing war. Tauheen is vicious and manipulative and has found herself the enemy of both human and Aeriel alike. Dialog is witty and full of emotion, beautifully creating bridges between unlikely allies.

I’m also fond of the wonderfully crafted environment that pulls reference from our very own world. Vivid descriptions and smartly placed tertiary characters really bring Chowdhury's creation to life. Her magical depictions of various towns and cities make this adventure feel overwhelmingly real and immersive. Our trip into Vaan, the land of the Aeriels, is breathtakingly dazzling.

Abject horror and brutality is hinted at throughout, but never truly shown to readers in actuality, perfectly preventing the story from spiraling into the category of ‘dark fantasy’, regardless of its darker themes. Being a story of war with a despicable tyrant, this story remains relatively unsullied.

I’m ecstatic I have been given the opportunity to read this and am looking forward to seeing where The Aeriel Chronicles takes us next. While the threads of the main conflict have been tied, I believe there is much more on the horizon. A wonderful story I highly recommend.

A huge thank you to Nupur Chowdhury for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

But there’s a knot, must be in all of us, mustn’t it, a protectiveness when we think of the fields, faces and songs that rise in our memories on our thinking of home.

There’s a steep price to pay, both in coin and blood, in making sure the paths that lead home are safe for those seeking their bloodlands. For the Circle is vast and rife with a wildness and dangers and mysteries that none until now have attempted to tame. Teyr Amondsen, ex-soldier of renown, hopes to use the wealth she has gained over the years of countless battles to build a road that will unite the fractured clans and bring secure and fair trade to all. Shortly after embarking on her perilous mission, she bears witness to the ruthless acts of a merciless warlord who intends to unify the Circle through fear, forcing her to change tactics, only to be met with crushing loss. Regardless of the trials she faces, Teyr’s fortitude will see her through the cold, dark winter, and she means to see her dreams come to fruition, no matter the cost.

The Winter Road is a brutally and beautifully intense, emotional tale of perseverance, of revenge, and of love and loyalty. While I anticipated the pages to be oozing with action and soaked in blood, I don’t think I was truly prepared for the level of sentimentality that formed the backbone of this stunning book. It was traumatic and harrowing, but you never lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel, even when it appears all hope is lost. It begins with chapters alternating between the past and the present, smartly and comfortably submerging the reader into a world with an already-developed history, then blooms into an epic journey peppered with battles, deceit, and aid in unexpected places.

Selby’s characterization is absolutely incredible - he has created some of the most in-depth and three-dimensional characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of being introduced to. With a relatively large cast and quite a few names to remember, I cannot think of even one that felt shallow in the slightest. Teyr is, by far, my favorite female lead that has ever graced the pages of any fantasy story I’ve read over the years. She’s strong, honest, with a drive that surely causes envy amongst her peers, however, she has weaknesses that are so often overlooked when creating a genuinely badass warrior, making her feel completely human and, in turn, fragile. Khiese’s development is also brilliant. He is everything opposite expected of a warlord - small and slight, but with a sharp mind and as much tenacity as our leading lady. They are each a formidable enemy to the other, making the conflict authentic and engaging. Each of Selby’s supporting characters, no matter how inconsequential they may seem, play a huge role in fleshing out and advancing this story, often adding another note of emotional turmoil that draws you in deeper.

Observing the world through the eyes of Teyr Amondon, we’re fully immersed in a turbulent and treacherous setting, where only the strong survive, and oftentimes those meet resistance, as well. Throughout you’ll find gems that vividly depict the harshness of the land and the misfortunes the characters meet.

The furs have been made to fit me, for winter comes to the Circle and it rouses the ghosts of these lands, howling over the rocks, clawing like a bear.

We suffer the freeze. We rejoice in the thaw. We cross the Circle and feel the mud underneath our fingernails and smell the sharp aroma of plant needed for brews. It is a world so gorgeously painted and memorable, and one that definitely envelopes readers with its vastness.

The Winter Road was one of my most anticipated books of 2018 and the only disappointment was in myself for waiting so long to finally get to it - we’ll just have to label it one of my favorite reads of 2019. I’m excited to see if the author returns us to this world in the future, because there are plenty of rich aspects and interesting people I would definitely love to learn more about. If you’re on the hunt for something dark with a lot of heart, seek no further, this is the one you’re looking for. I highly recommend.

This is a tale of a young man, an outcast, who has carried the burden of unwarranted blame for many years after an attack on his village that left two people dead, one of which was his own father. His life changed that fateful night, and he has been haunted ever since with scornful whispers and looks of contempt from all those he held dear. Reduced to a forager with no Knack, he lives out his days in solitude and relies solely on the kindness of the village healer for survival. One night he dreams of a boy, a prince, and witnesses the Magpie King valiantly protect his village from the monsters that come at night, or so he believes. He wakes questioning the validity of these visions. But that night, the dream returns and he continues his adventure through the eyes of Adahy as he sleeps. Has he finally developed his Knack or are these dreams a warning of what’s to come?

They Mostly Come Out at Night is an enchanting story with a genuinely unique concept, relying heavily on the many darker mechanics of magical, old-time folklore to draw its readers in. As with many folktales, this certainly has a cautionary air, pinpointing the consequences of greed, mistrust, and complacency in your expected lot in life. It reminds its readers that there is always more to be found beyond the edge of the forest for those willing, while also proving there is such thing as wanting too much.

We’re presented with alternating chapters of the main storyline and fables known to both low and high Corvae, the people of the forest. At first, it seems these short yarns are random, but Patrick beautifully weaves these into a magnificent tapestry that serves as a core foundation to explain the current state of of the world surrounding us, which I found to be absolutely marvelous. When the pieces began to finally fall into place, I was blown away with the thoughtful intricacies that went into creating this story, making this truly a wonderful experience.

The world itself is so carefully crafted with deep histories and a multitude of strange people and creatures. Dipping its toes into the realm of horror, there’s no shortage of shadowed monsters and menacing characters to keep you on the edge of your seat. As the story progresses, there’s a profound sense of tragedy that begins to bleed in, adding a whole new dimension and forewarning us of what may happen in the future. I found it interesting when I began to see parallels between Lonan’s own life and that of Adahy, again amazed at the amount of punch packed into this relatively short book.

They Mostly Come Out at Night is an amazing introduction in Patrick’s Yarnsworld universe and I’m excited to dig deeper. The legend within surely matches the whimsical feel of the book’s cover, which, if I may point out, is gorgeous. If you’re in the mood for a story that is very reminiscent of a tale told around a campfire, this is the one! Onto the next!