Fantasy Books

Today I have four amazing fantasy books for you, plus a lovely cocktail I created to drink while reading them all.

Her Dark Wings by Melinda Salisbury

Well, what does it say about me that I was glad the betraying best friend was already gone from the start of the book??? I think it was kind of a relief as I usually just get frustrated with the mean, annoying 'friends'.

I loved how the Greek customs and rituals are embedded in life in this town. I couldn't tell if it was actually supposed to be in Greece, or maybe a non-descript fictional land. Corey doesn't particularly want to get involved with the gods, but try as she might, she gets more and more entangled. But there seems to be a reason that she has caught their attention and now it is very difficult to go back to normal life.

A lot of the characters were really interesting. I particularly liked the furies, and the changing aspects of Hades and Hermes. This book was not exactly an action packed adventure, but the writing flows so easily that I read most of it in a day. Once I got into it I was fully engrossed and just didn't want to stop reading. This is definitely not just a standard Persephone retelling.

A Midnight Dark & Golden by Holly Race

It was wonderful to see how the relationship between Fern and Ollie has changed and grown over the three books, as well as how they individually have grown. And I was really interested in the revelations into their mother's past, finding out how things came to be the way they were.

This was such a thrilling end to the trilogy. After being almost completely destroyed by book 2 I was pretty nervous about how this would end (and I was right to be!) but it was definitely very satisfying. This trilogy is an investment well worth making.

Waking the Witch by Rachel Burge

'The caterpillar becomes a butterfly not through struggle, but surrender.'

There's lots of soul searching and learning to become what you're born to be, without having to let go of your own self. I really liked Tom, I felt so bad for him as he really made an effort with Ivy but she kept brushing him off and refusing to believe he might want to be friends!

The story was wonderfully chilling and atmospheric, but still had some unexpectedly funny moments. Almost nothing was what I expected, with so many twists, it's been a long time since a book surprised me so much!

This book felt completely different to The Twisted Tree by the same author, and I enjoyed this one much more. I am really hoping for a sequel though this book has a pretty satisfactory ending, it does seem open to more and I would love to find out what happens next for Ivy.

Small Angels by Lauren Owen

Reading this book was like listening to someone telling ghost stories around a camp fire, it was so creepy and atmospheric. Mockbeggar Wood felt like a main character itself, seemingly with feelings and opinions of its own.

There are a series of stories, all interconnected. The book goes back and forth in time between the past and the present, with various characters narrating. It was interesting how points of view changed the events, and how the memories were altered over time. Even the characters seemed changed through the story.

For these books I've created the Summer Fantasy cocktail. In a shaker with lots of ice, add 50ml Strawberry & Pink Peppercorn gin, 50ml lemon juice, 15ml blue curacao and 15ml grenadine. Shake and pour into a short glass filled with ice, top with a splash of soda.

The Last Monster by Dan Walker

Today on the blog, I have a very exciting post for you. As part of the blog tour for The Last Monster by Dan Walker, I have an interesting piece from the author himself, all about his favourite adventure books. Now, over to Dan...

Asking someone to pick their favourite books is like asking someone to pick a single sweet from a bag of their favourites – it’s possible, but you’d rather have them all!

Narrowing down a list of five adventure books was, therefore, very difficult. But I’m confident that if you pick up any of the below you are likely to have a good time.

The Hobbit

Still one of my favourite books. J. R. R. Tolkien’s story of the little hobbit Bilbo Baggins and his adventure with Gandalf and the dwarves to the Lonely Mountain to try and take back their home from the dragon Smaug is a classic for a reason. Full of adventure, a wonderful world and characters that you really care about. If you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for?

Northern Lights

Almost the modern(ish) equivalent of The Hobbit, Northern Lights tells the story of young Lyra and her adventure to try and rescue her best friend Roger, who’s been kidnapped. Another book stuffed with memorable characters (Iorek, anyone?) delicious villains who aren’t always what they seem and fantastical places, this is a series for anyone.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

A slightly older book by one of my favourite authors, Mark Twain. It tells the story of young boy with a big heart, and his journey with the slave Jim to find freedom. Equal parts hilarious, sad and thought-provoking, it’s an exciting story with a very serious message. Well worth reading today.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

I read a lot of books as a kid and have forgotten 99% of them. But one that will always stick with me is C. S. Lewis’ classic. As modern authors, fed on a diet of movies and games as well as books, we can sometimes forget what the imaginative world of a child is like. TLtWatW always reminds me that an ice world through a wardrobe is more than exciting enough to kick a story off. The rest is just icing on the cake.

Jurassic Park

I’m going to allow myself one books for adults here, as it was the first adult book I read, and led me onto a lifetime of reading. Michael Crichton was a master of the What if…? kind of plot and I think this is probably his best. What if dinosaurs were brought back to life and put in a theme park on an island? Bad things will happen, is the answer, and it’s a hell of an adventure!

I already have my copy of Last Monster which was just released on 4th August and I can't wait to read it! You can read my review of book 1 - The Light Hunters, and read on for a bit more information about book 2...

Book Summary

The Light Hunters have fought Monsters for centuries and Squad Juno are the very best at it. From cities to villages, the young group’s abilities are on show for all to see now that their powers don’t have to be used in secret. Every victory they have prevents a Monster from taking more victims, preventing more loss. Lux Dowd, Squad Juno’s healer, has had more than enough loss ... But a more immediate loss is that of his powers. Lux can’t – or won’t – heal his teammates. Whenever he tries, a terrible energy comes from within and hurts the people around him. Lux can’t afford to lose anymore of those he cares about. Sent on a mission that could end their war against the Monsters, the Light Hunters soon find themselves making new allies in their quest to unearth an Ancient secret that may be able to stop the attacks. Could this really be the last monster they fight?

Mina and the Slayers by Amy McCaw

If you've been with me a while you might remember the reveals I did for #TeamMina last year before the release of Mina and the Undead by Amy McCaw. Well I'm ecstatic to say I have more tantalising snippets for you this year. Announcing the sequel... Mina and the Slayers!

Today, just to whet your appetite, I can reveal the first 2 pages. But first a bit about the book.

Book Summary

NEW ORLEANS, 1995. MINA’S HAVING A KILLER HALLOWEEN.

Three months after Fang Fest, Mina’s settling into her new life.

Despite the teething problems in her relationship with Jared, she has her sister back, new friends and a part-time job to die for.

Over Halloween, Mina and the gang have planned a spooky week of Gothic restaurants, horror movies, ghostly tours, creepy carnivals and a costume ball.

But the fun doesn’t last. Mina is on work experience with Detective Cafferty while the police are investigating a savage masked killer and a rise in suspicious ‘animal attacks’.

During her own investigations, Mina discovers a mysterious group of slayers, who are battling to control the rogue vampires.

The threats circle closer as Mina spends her days with the police and nights with the slayers.

Will she and her friends survive Halloween without being staked, stabbed or bitten?

Warning: slight spoilers ahead!

And now what you've all been waiting for, the first 2 pages of Mina and the Slayers.

Also, check out some of my previous posts:

Amy McCaw Author Interview 

Mina’s Movies Recommendations

Mina and the Undead - Amy McCaw Chapter 1 Reveal