This ARC was in Illumicrate 6 and I didn’t so much read it as devour it in one sitting.
I liked Lawrence’s previous trilogy The Broken Empire so I knew his style but this book was just so good I couldn’t put it down.
It’s fantasy but it’s also a thriller. Nona Grey is given to the child-seller and sent off to the capital where her life is saved by a rather unusual (by our standards) convent.
Nona comes to see that what makes her different makes her special.
I desperately don’t want to spoil this for anyone but it’s really good. Lots of mystery and intrigue, great plotting and characterisation. Well written and gripping.
It’s properly published in April but I already can’t wait for the sequel which probably won’t appear till next year.
If you haven’t read the prequel, Six of Crows, go do so and come back.
Has Kez Brekker gone too far this time? After being double crossed at the end of Six of Crows he and his gang are after revenge.
An elaborate scheme to get what they’re owed and then some, but with enemies piling up and short on resources, can Kez and Co pull it off?
This is a read it in one sitting book, rip roaring alone at some pace and peopled with the characters I loved in the first book. Nina the Grisha Heartrender and her stoic Fjerdan love Matthew, fast on the draw Jesper and clever but illiterate Wylan.
This definitely needs to be read after Six of Crows, so much of the plot depends on knowing the first book.
I don’t want to say too much or spoil the book so I’ll post this very short almost a review.
If you love fantasy and thrillers, read Six of Crows and then read Crooked Kingdom.
I got this in my last Illumicrate and for some reason put off reading it till now. I think I just wasn’t sure about it. Foolish me. This book is a right cracker.
Mia Corvere was once a pampered daughter of a wealthy and important man, now she is a creature of death and shadows.
She wants vengeance for the deaths of her family and will train in the ways of the Red Church to get there, if it doesn’t kill her.
The writing is strong and the characters are fun, from a horse called Bastard to the shadow-cat only Mia can see, they’re richly drawn and as the plot thickens and gathers tempo I found it harder and harder to put it down.
The first in a planned trilogy Nevernight is set in an alternate world, with three suns in the sky and warring gods whose squabbles are echoed by their believers.
I do love a box of book related goodies so I treated myself to a Bookish Box. They come from the States so take a while to get here, but they’re worth it.
This month’s is Fantasy themed, one of my favourite genres, and every item has a link to a fantasy book or series.
I don’t drink coffee but I live with a caffeine addict, so while I won’t get any use out of this Passive Juice Motel Saphira Eragon Blend Coffee someone else certainly will.
I read the info card before I saw this so at first I was expecting a different kind of antler headband. However this is really cute and as I’m trying new hair styles in the heat, the Night and Day Baby Fantasy Antler Headband will be making an appearance on my head.
This cute bangle from The Geeky Cauldron, inspired by Game of Thrones almost set me off again. *spoiler * the death of Hodor really upset me, he was probably the noblest soul in the series and in the books.
Why is the coffee fuzzy?
The Mortal Instruments series isn’t one I’ve read so I may not be fully appreciating this tote bag from Fiction Tea, but since shops charge for plastic and canvas is washable, this will definitely be added to my hoard of shopping bags.
Antlers!
Finally there’s the exclusive Appraising Pages t-shirt from the Bookish Box’s creators. This month’s is printed with a quote from one of the fathers of fantasy – J.R.R Tolkien.
Hold the Door *sob*
I really like this box, even the packaging is lovely, and I’m pretty sure everything will get used and loved.
Bag story
Are you a fantasy reader? Or a Bookish Box subscriber? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
