Tag: Anna Stephens

My 10 Most Anticipated Books for 2022

On By Rowena AndrewsIn ListsLeave a comment

Hello!

The first list post of the week is taking a look ahead to 2023 as Hogmany looms. This year has been a great year for books, and next year is already shaping up to be a great year with both new releases and those already on my TBR.

For the purposes of this list, I have only included books that are (a) coming out in 2023 and (b) as confirmed as they can be (allowing for life and everything else that might get in the way.

And because I have no self control I might have snuck an extra one in too…

However, before we get into that list. I also want to shout out the following who may or may not have books out in 2023, but would be on my most anticipated list if and when they do (and who I will wait however long it takes for their books). Firstly, Sarah Chorn who has the Necessity of Rain in the works which is shaping up to be one of the most emotional and beautiful books, and I am already very much in love with this book and can’t wait to see the finished product whenever it is ready. Secondly, Luke Tarzian who is currently working on a project called Atrocious Puppets, and every snippet he has shared so far has been hauntingly compelling to read. Another is Nathan Hall who is working on A Fort of Winter which is the sequel to An Altar on the Village Green which was my favourite book of 2021. And finally, Jonathan Nevair who has just released Stellar Instinct which was such a fun read, and whose Wind Tide series is absolutely fantastic, and I look forward to discovering what his next project is going to be!

And now on with the list…

Continue reading “My 10 Most Anticipated Books for 2022” →

Book Review: The Serpent & The Dead: A Marvel Legends of Asgard Novel – Anna Stephens

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Traditionally-Published2 Comments

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be reviewing The Serpent & The Dead by Anna Stephens, which is out on kindle today and will be released in physical format next month! It feels like far too long since I read anything by Anna Stephens (It’s not because I reread Darksoul a short while ago) and it was a joy to dive back into her writing, and in a completely new world!

*Disclaimer: ‘I was given a copy this book in exchange for an honest review, all views are my own.’*

Serpent and the Dead, The by Anna Stephens – Aconyte Books

Book Summary:

An extraordinary duo of Asgardian Heroines battle across the Ten Realms, in this epic fantasy adventure set in Marvel’s Legends of Asgard

In the midst of a bloody conflict, Lady Sif, the valiant Asgardian warrior, watches her close friend die in glorious battle – but her soul is not taken to the eternal halls of Valhalla. Furious and petrified that the afterlife for her and all Asgardians is in peril, she enlists the aid of Brunnhilde the Valkyrie, the fearsome warrior entrusted with conveying worthy souls to the heroes’ afterlife. Together they scour Asgard for answers. Rumors abound of towns being attacked by a horde of soldiers who cannot be killed. Someone is building an immortal army and stealing Asgardian souls… A worthy challenge for two of Asgard’s mightiest champions!

Continue reading “Book Review: The Serpent & The Dead: A Marvel Legends of Asgard Novel – Anna Stephens” →

Book Review: The Stone Knife (The Songs of the Drowned #1) – Anna Stephens

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Traditionally-Published9 Comments
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Hello!
Today I am delighted to be reviewing ‘The Stone Knife’ by Anna Stephens. This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2020, and I have been looking forward to it ever since it was first announced, because the Godblind Trilogy is one of my all time favourite series and I absolutely adore how Anna Stephens writes. I was over the moon to receive an e-arc from netgalley, as I don’t think I have ever requested a book so fast.

Needless to say, I went into this one with very high expectations – and I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest, and now I am eagerly waiting for November when I will get my hands on the beautiful edition from Goldsboro Books as part of the SFF Fellowship, and you can bet I will be devouring it a few more times before the second book comes along.

Disclaimer – I received an e-arc via netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Book Summary:

A fantasy epic of freedom and empire, gods and monsters, love, loyalty, honour, and betrayal, from the acclaimed author of GODBLIND.

For generations, the forests of Ixachipan have echoed with the clash of weapons, as nation after nation has fallen to the Empire of Songs – and to the unending, magical music that binds its people together. Now, only two free tribes remain.

The Empire is not their only enemy. Monstrous, scaled predators lurk in rivers and streams, with a deadly music of their own.

As battle looms, fighters on both sides must decide how far they will go for their beliefs and for the ones they love – a veteran general seeks peace through war, a warrior and a shaman set out to understand their enemies, and an ambitious noble tries to bend ancient magic to her will.

Continue reading “Book Review: The Stone Knife (The Songs of the Drowned #1) – Anna Stephens” →

Book Review: Bloodchild (Godblind #3) – Anna Stephens

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Traditionally-Published, Wyrd & Wonder3 Comments

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Hello,

Posting this a little later than planned, as I have been out of sorts the last few days with lockdown getting to me. As it turns out, this means I get to post it on day 30 of the challenge – fond farewells (for now) – because not only are there many farewells in this book, but this entire trilogy leaves me a book hangover every time and fills my heart with far too many feelings. So, it’s a fond farewell to the Godblind trilogy (until I read it again).

I will have some mini reviews, and a wrap-up post (and what comes next) post up tomorrow.

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Book Summary:

Rilporin has fallen and Corvus, King of the Mireces, reigns over an occupied land. The raiders and their dark religion have conquered, but victory came at a terrible price – the death of a god – and sparks of resistance glimmer on all sides.

In the south, Mace gathers the survivors of Rilpor’s armies. Among the fierce tribes of Krike, Crys and Dom search for allies and for the truth of what binds them to the Gods of Light. And in the royal palace itself, Tara – once a soldier, now a slave – hopes to ignite a rebellion.

But time is against them. A child will soon be born with the power to return the Dark Lady from death, and the long-prophesied final battle for the future of Rilpor and Mireces, of humans and gods, is near.

Continue reading “Book Review: Bloodchild (Godblind #3) – Anna Stephens” →

Book Review: Darksoul (Godblind #2) – Anna Stephens

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Traditionally-Published, Wyrd & Wonder3 Comments

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Hello!

Today I am continuing my reread and review of the Godblind Trilogy as part of #WyrdandWonder. Today I am looking at Darksoul – the second book and possibly my favourite of the entire trilogy. The review for the third book – Bloodchild – will be up tomorrow.

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Book Summary:

The Wolves lie dead beside Rilpor’s soldiers, slaughtered at the hands of the Mireces and their fanatical army.

The veil that once kept the Red Gods at bay has been left in tatters as the Dark Lady’s plans for the world come to fruition. Where the gods walk, blood is spilled on the earth.

All that stands between the Mireces army and complete control of the Kingdom of Rilpor are the walls of its capital, Rilporin, and those besieged inside.

But hope might yet bloom in the unlikeliest of places: in the heart of a former slave, in the mind of a soldier with the eyes of a fox, and in the hands of a general destined to be king.

Continue reading “Book Review: Darksoul (Godblind #2) – Anna Stephens” →

Book Review: Godblind (Godblind #1) – Anna Stephens

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Traditionally-Published, Wyrd & Wonder5 Comments

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Hello!
As part of #WyrdandWonder and because I had read these books before this blog existed, I decided to revist and reread the Godblind Trilogy by Anna Stephens. This has been one of my favourite trilogies ever since I discovered it – devouring Godblind and Darksoul in a couple of days just a few weeks before book three – Bloodchild was unleashed. This series destroyed me in the best possible way, and I have reread it many times since then, and my first book-inspired tattoo that I had always thought would be LOTR related, was actually based on this series instead.

Today I am reviewing book one – Godblind, while reviews for book two and three up at tomorrow and Tuesday respectively, because each one deserves its own love and rambling.

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Book Summary:

There was a time when the Red Gods ruled the land. The Dark Lady and her horde dealt in death and blood and fire.

That time has long since passed and the neighbouring kingdoms of Mireces and Rilpor hold an uneasy truce. The only blood spilled is confined to the border where vigilantes known as Wolves protect their kin and territory at any cost.

But after the death of his wife, King Rastoth is plagued by grief, leaving the kingdom of Rilpor vulnerable.

Vulnerable to the blood-thirsty greed of the Warrior-King Liris and the Mireces army waiting in the mountains…

Continue reading “Book Review: Godblind (Godblind #1) – Anna Stephens” →