Blog Tour (Book Review): Gunmetal Gods – Zamil Akhtar

On Jul 27, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, IFA Summer Challenge 2021, Review, Self-Published2 Comments

Hello!

Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘Gunmetal Gods’ by Zamil Akhtar organised by Storytellers on Tour. This is the first book in the Gunmetal Gods series, and it is also a Semi-Finalist in SPFBO 7.

I hope that you will check out the book and the authors, and enjoy the rest of the tour with the schedule in the banner below or (HERE).

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

Book Summary:

They took his daughter, so Micah comes to take their kingdom. Fifty thousand gun-toting paladins march behind him, all baptized in angel blood, thirsty to burn unbelievers.

Only the janissaries can stand against them. Their living legend, Kevah, once beheaded a magus amid a hail of ice daggers. But ever since his wife disappeared, he spends his days in a haze of hashish and poetry.

To save the kingdom, Kevah must conquer his grief and become the legend he once was. But Micah writes his own legend in blood, and his righteous conquest will stop at nothing.

When the gods choose sides, a legend will be etched upon the stars.

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6 Self-Published Recs: Standalones

On Jul 22, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Lists, Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week1 Comment

Hello!
Continuing the Six Recs series, I have some of those (seemingly) elusive standalones for you because sometimes you’re not in the mood for an entire series, or time is against you, and these six books are all brilliant ones to dive into.

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6 Self-Published Recs: Series You Need to Read

On Jul 21, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Lists, Self-Published Authors Appreciation WeekLeave a comment

Hello!

Today I am bringing you another six recommendations, and this time I have six completed series for you to add to the TBR. I love the anticipation of waiting for the next book (albeit impatiently), but sometimes you want to sink your teeth into one that you know is complete so that you can devour them all at once. Please check out the series and authors below!

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6 Self-Published Recs: Women in Self-Publishing

On Jul 20, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Lists, Self-Published Authors Appreciation WeekLeave a comment

Hello!

Today I am bringing you another six recommendations, and in the spirit of #WomeninSFF today I am focusing on self-published books by women. Most of these are very high on TBR, apart from the first which I have read and reviewed and the last one that I must sit down and write a review for. All are fabulous authors though, so I hope that you will check out their books!

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Book Review: Will of the Mischief Maker (An Orisha Tale) – Antoine Bandele

On Jul 19, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Childrens, Fantasy, IFA Summer Challenge 2021, Review, Self-Published, Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week1 Comment

Hello!

For my second review as part of Self-Published Author Appreciation Week, I am reviewing Will of the Mischief Maker by Antoine Bandele. Previously, I’ve read By Sea & Sky by Bandele and I had been meaning to pick up more of his work, and when I came across Will of the Mischief Maker it was love at first sight (yes, I know you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover… but look at that cover!!) and it seemed the perfect way to dive back into his work.

Book Summary:

What happens when a deity needs a human body?

They go to the source, of course.

Eshu the Trickster needs a mortal form for his mischievous plans, but the only other Orisha who can help him swore off the practice ages ago.

It will take careful scheming to convince the Original Architect to come out of retirement. Any misstep and Eshu will be thrown from the Sky Realm.

What’s worse, Eshu hasn’t visited the heavens for several centuries. Would his former comrade even be the same? How can Eshu persuade someone he barely knows anymore?

Find out in this prequel short story to The Gatekeeper’s Staff, a young adult fantasy based on the West African mythology of the Orishas.

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6 Self-Published Recs: Hidden Gems

On Jul 19, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Lists, Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week5 Comments

Hello!

And welcome to the start of Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week on the blog! For the entire week (with one very exciting exception) I will be celebrating and showcasing Self-Published books and authors. Each day will start with a recommendations post (6 recs every day, apart from Sunday which is slightly different to bring the week to a close and to add to those TBRs just a little more) based on a different theme each day. Most of the books I’m featuring are ones that I’ve already read, or which are on my imminent TBR and I will be linking to my reviews where relevant! In addition to this I will be reviewing three SP books each day this week, so it’s going to be a busy, busy week on the blog.

If you want to follow the event on twitter just keep an eye out on the tags #SelfPubAppreciation and #IndiesAreAwesome (which they are), and there is also a hub across at Witty & Sarcastic Bookclub where you will be able to find all the posts (once curated) in one place. And a massive shoutout to Jodie at Witty & Sarcastic Bookclub for organising this wonderful event, and to Anca for the graphics!

So, to kick things off today I delighted to be sharing six (plus a sneaky extra) books that deserve more love! Please check out these hidden gems, and if you have any underappreciated SP books to share then please drop them in the comments! (My TBR might weep, but I won’t).

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Cover Reveal: The Order of Chaos & That Good Mischief (Books 2 & 3 in The Nine Worlds Rising) – Lyra Wolf

On Jul 19, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Cover Reveal, Fantasy1 Comment

Hello!

I am delighted to be kicking off the week with not one but two cover reveals for Lyra Wolf’s The Nine Worlds Rising series. You can check out the cover reveal for book one – ‘Truth and Other Lies’ that was done with Storytellers on Tour HERE, and below you will find the stunning covers for ‘The Order of Chaos’ and ‘That Good Mischief’.

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Book Review: An Altar on the Village Green (Chained God #1)- Nathan Hall

On Jul 7, 2021Jul 7, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Horror, IFA Summer Challenge 2021, Review, Self-Published2 Comments

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be reviewing ‘An Altar on the Village Green’ by Nathan Hall, which was released on Monday. I do not have the words for how much I enjoyed every moment of this book, and I am so glad that it is the first book in the Chained God series because I need more.

Book Summary:

“If one suffers, I suffer. If one is chained, I am chained.”

My faith called me to become a Lance. My compassion drew me into one of the fallen lands. Through my connection with the Chained God, I alone can find and destroy the Horror that stains the land.

Death can no longer chain me.

But I couldn’t have imagined the madness waiting for me in this village. I’m not sure my faith can withstand the secrets I’ll uncover. Or that my compassion can survive the violence to come. This Horror may swallow me whole.

Death can no longer free me.

A creature stalks in the dark. Buildings burn. People die. An altar has been built on the village green.

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Book Review: The Living Sword – Pemry Janes

On Jul 4, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, IFA Summer Challenge 2020, Review, Self-Published3 Comments

Hello!

Today I am reviewing ‘The Living Sword’ by Pemry Janes, a novella and the first in the Living Sword series. The second book in the series ‘The Living Sword 2 – The Road Ahead’ is already out (UK | US), while the third book in the series ‘The Living Sword 3 – The Burden of Legacy’ is due for release on the 6th August this year and is now available for preorder (UK | US)

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

Book Summary:

Eurik was found adrift by the san and raised by them. Though he had read much about the outside world, he’d never considered leaving home. Not until his teacher revealed what he had inherited from his parents: a living sword, a sentient blade of rare power . . . and with it, the names of his father and mother.

Reluctant to go, yet curious, Eurik sets out to discover who they were, and what happened to them. But is he ready for all the attention his heritage will earn him? Can he survive in a world he has only read about?

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Blog Tour (Book Review): The Headlock of Destiny (Titan Wars #1) – Samuel Gately

On Jun 10, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-Published2 Comments

Hello!

Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘The Headlock of Destiny’ by Samuel Gately organised by Storytellers on Tour, this is the first book in The Titan Wars series.

I hope that you will check out the book and the author, and enjoy the rest of the tour with the schedule in the banner below or (HERE).

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

Book Summary:

Some say titans are descended from giants. Others say they are risen from men. But there’s never any debate about where to find them. They will be in the center of a roaring crowd, beating the hell out of each other. From contenders like the Savage and Scott Flawless to pretenders like Richard the Living Portrait and Troll-Blooded Thom, a titan’s lot in life is the same: To wrestle for dominion and glory in the squared circle.

Van, a quiet titan from the brewery town of Headwaters, wants no part in this. He’d prefer to be left alone with a beer. But destiny has him in a headlock, and it is prepared to drag him into battles that will shake the land and change his world forever.

Step into the ring with this one-of-a-kind novel, brewed special for fans of epic fantasy, fans of professional wrestling from the Golden Era and beyond, or simply fans of a good tale.

***

CW: Alcohol, Bullying, Physical Abuse, Poisoning, Police Brutality, Racism, Violence.

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