Tag: Luke Tarzian

Blog Tour (Extract & Book Review): A Cup of Tea at the Mouth of Hell (Or, An Account of Catastrophe by Stoudemire McCloud, Demon) – Luke Tarzian

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-PublishedLeave a comment

Hello!

Attempt two at this as the train wifi and wordpress ate the first one. Today I am delighted to be joining the Escapists Tours blog tour for A Cup of Tea at the Mouth of Hell by Luke Tarzian. This was my book of the year for 2022. I was honoured to be a beta reader and arc reader for this book, and I have read it countless times since. I ADORE this book, so I am glad to be able to shout about it again. Below you will find an extract to whet your appetite, as well as my review, with a few new comments in (brackets) as I’ve revisited the book this week.

There is also currently a chance to win a copy of this fantastic book for yourself over on my twitter (this is not linked to the blog tour)

Please do check out the rest of the posts from tour.

Book Summary:

BRIEFLY, A WORD ABOUT ORDER

Order is the focal point around which existence revolves. Without order there is only chaos. And in the halls of Damnation (pronounced Dam-NAWT-ion, thank you kindly) the first sign of impending chaos is a cup of tea made without the water having first been well and properly boiled in a kettle.

Why is this relevant, O nameless narrator, you ask? Who cares about the preparatory order of tea in the fires of Hell?

Lucifer, dear reader. After all, how does one expect to properly greet the newcomers to Hell without having first had a hot cup of tea to bulwark the cold?

Behold The Morning Star, frantic on the annual Morning of Souls, the arrival of Damnation’s newest recruits.

Someone has misplaced the kettle.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Extract & Book Review): A Cup of Tea at the Mouth of Hell (Or, An Account of Catastrophe by Stoudemire McCloud, Demon) – Luke Tarzian” →

My ’10’ Favourite Books of 2022 & My Book of the Year

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Lists2 Comments

Hello!

It’s that time of year again when we look back at the books we’ve read and loved this year, and while 2022 has been A YEAR, I was blessed with many fantastic books (and an evergrowing TBR from the ones I didn’t get too). It’s always difficult to narrow that down to ten (and I did sneak in an extra one), and then my absolute favourite on top of that (because I have no self control). Now these are my personal favourites, whether because of emotional resonance, sheer enjoyment, favourite characters or any one of the many criteria readers love books, and I’ve listed them in no particular order (because I can’t choose and they’re all bloody good and you should absolutely add them to your TBR for 2023 if you haven’t already read them.

This year, all the books featured are indie/self-published which reflects just how much of my reading falls into that category these days. There are wonderful trad books out there and I still really enjoy them, but indie books are just so wonderfully varied and the community so rich that I find myself leaning that way more and more.

Now without further ado…the list!

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Blog Tour (Book Spotlight): The World Maker Parable & The World Breaker Requiem (Adjacent Monsters duology) – Luke Tarzian

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Book Spotlights, Fantasy, Review, Self-Published1 Comment

Hello!

Today it is my pleasure to join The Write Reads blog tour for The World Breaker Requiem by Luke Tarzian with a spotlight post for both books in the Adjacent Monsters duology. This is one of my favourite series and I’ve read both books multiple times so far and working on this post has made me want to read them again! It’s a series that deserves so much love and I hope that you will check out the rest of the tour and give the books a shot – below you’ll find info on both books and my previous reviews.

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Book Review: The World Reaper Odyssey – Luke Tarzian

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-PublishedLeave a comment

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be reviewing the novelette ‘The World Reaper Odyssey’ which is part of Luke Tarzian’s omnibus edition of the Adjacent Monsters series which came out yesterday (digital) and will be out in physical copies in a couple of days. There are no words to describe how excited I was when this omnibus edition with a bonus novelette was announced, and I grabbed the digital copy straight away and I will getting the physical once it’s released (I mean just look at that cover, who wouldn’t – plus I need a matching set!).

You can check out my reviews for the other books in this omnibus edition here:

The World Maker Parable | The World Breaker Requiem | The World Breaker Requiem: Deep Dive

Book Summary:

Both books in the Adjacent Monsters duology, plus a bonus novelette, compiled in a digital boxset and print omnibus.

THE WORLD MAKER PARABLE

Guilt will always call you back…

Rhona is a faithful servant of the country Jémoon and a woman in love. Everything changes when her beloved sets the ravenous Vulture goddess loose upon the land. Forced to execute the woman she loves for committing treason, Rhona discovers a profound correlation between morality and truth. A connection that might save her people or annihilate them all.

You are a lie…

Varésh Lúm-talé is many things, most of all a genocidal liar. A falsity searching for the Phoenix goddess whom he believes can help him rectify his atrocities. Such an undertaking is an arduous one for a man with missing memories and a conscience set on rending him from inside out. A man whose journey leads to Hang-Dead Forest and a meeting with a Vulture goddess who is not entirely as she seems.


THE WORLD BREAKER REQUIEM

Prince of Woe…

Avaria Norrith is the adopted heir to the Ariathan throne. But that means little to a man who, for the better part of fifteen years, has sought and failed to earn his mother’s love. Fueled by pride and envy, Avaria seeks the means to prove himself and cast away his mental chains. When he’s tasked with the recreation of The Raven’s Rage he sees his chance, for with the infamous blade he can rewrite history and start anew.

Daughter of the Mountain…

Erath has not felt sunlight for a century. Not since Ariath condemned her people to a life of darkness with their misuse of The Raven’s Rage. But when an old friend comes seeking the remnants of the ancient sword, Erath cannot contain her curiosity and resolves to lend her aid. Is it true-can history be revised? Can her people be reclaimed?

Toll the Hounds…

They are hungry-and they are here.

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Blog Tour (Deep Dive): The World Breaker Requiem (Adjacent Monsters #2) – Luke Tarzian

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-Published1 Comment

Hello,

Much later than planned thanks to being ill, but I am delighted to be part of the Escapist Book Tour for one of my favourite books – The World Breaker Requiem by Luke Tarzian. This is the second, standalone book in the Adjacent Monsters series, which was my series of the year for 2021. I absolutely adore this book, it has rapidly become of my most reread books and every time I read it, I’m finding new bits to love.

You can check out my original review of this book here and my review of the first book, The World Maker Parable here.

Book Summary:

Prince of Woe…

Avaria Norrith is the adopted heir to the Ariathan throne. But that means little to a man who, for the better part of fifteen years, has sought and failed to earn his mother’s love. Fueled by pride and envy, Avaria seeks the means to prove himself and cast away his mental chains. When he’s tasked with the recreation of The Raven’s Rage he sees his chance, for with the infamous blade he can rewrite history and start anew.

Daughter of the Mountain…

Erath has not felt sunlight for a century. Not since Ariath condemned her people to a life of darkness with their misuse of The Raven’s Rage. But when an old friend comes seeking the remnants of the ancient sword, Erath cannot contain her curiosity and resolves to lend her aid. Is it true—can history be revised? Can her people be reclaimed?

Toll the Hounds…

They are hungry—and they are here.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Deep Dive): The World Breaker Requiem (Adjacent Monsters #2) – Luke Tarzian” →

Book Review: The World Breaker Requiem (Adjacent Monsters #2) – Luke Tarzian

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-Published3 Comments

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be reviewing The World Breaker Requiem by Luke Tarzian, the second book in the Adjacent Monsters series which will be released on the 21st of this month (so you still have time to read book 1 and preorder this one, and you will find the links below). You can find my review for the first book in the series – The World Maker Parable here. I apologize in advance if I’ve rambled but I loved this book so much that it’s hard to do it justice in a review – all I can say is that it is fantastic and you want to get your hands on it as soon as possible!

‘Disclaimer: I had the honour and pleasure of being a beta reader for this book, but all thoughts (and rambling) are my own. ‘

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Book Summary:

Prince of Woe…

Avaria Norrith is the adopted heir to the Ariathan throne. But that means little to a man who, for the better part of fifteen years, has sought and failed to earn his mother’s love. Fueled by pride and envy, Avaria seeks the means to prove himself and cast away his mental chains. When he’s tasked with the recreation of The Raven’s Rage he sees his chance, for with the infamous blade he can rewrite history and start anew.

Daughter of the Mountain…

Erath has not felt sunlight for a century. Not since Ariath condemned her people to a life of darkness with their misuse of The Raven’s Rage. But when an old friend comes seeking the remnants of the ancient sword, Erath cannot contain her curiosity and resolves to lend her aid. Is it true—can history be revised? Can her people be reclaimed?

Toll the Hounds…

They are hungry—and they are here.

Continue reading “Book Review: The World Breaker Requiem (Adjacent Monsters #2) – Luke Tarzian” →

Book Review: The Laughing Heart (Shadow Twins) – Luke Tarzian

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-PublishedLeave a comment

Hello!

Today I’m reviewing The Laughing Heart by Luke Tarzian. This was originally a story in the Dark Ends Anthology, and is currently one of the amazing books available in this Indie Fantasy Giveaway. The Laughing Heart is part of the Shadow Twins series, and you can read my review of the first book Vultures here – and I am so excited to see what Tarzian is going to do in the next book House of Muir.

Also, The World Breaker Requiem, the second book in the Adjacent Monsters series is out next month and it’s going to be bloody fantastic, so n

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Book Summary:

THE LAUGHING HEART follows the early years of one Cailean Catil, introduced initially in VULTURES. Still reeling from the death of his husband Bar, a young Cailean takes up arms against the fallen angel Galska Nuul in an effort to release the city of Harbanan from the monster’s hold. But as Cailean quickly learns, things aren’t exactly what they seem. Once marked, always marked.

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