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Why You Need to Read: “The Bone Shard Daughter”

The Drowning Empire, #1: The Bone Shard Daughter By: Andrea Stewart Published: September 8, 2020 Genre: Fantasy             I knew who I was. I was Lin. I was the Emperor’s daughter. I shouted the words in my head, but I didn’t say them. Unlike my father, I kept my face neutral, my thoughts hidden. Sometimes he liked it… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Bone Shard Daughter”

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The Midpoint of 2021: Favorite Speculative Fiction Books…So Far

Well, we've made it to the halfway point of 2021. I won't begin this post with the usual current events, but I will mention that I've been enjoying ALL of the sporting events that are taking place (i.e. Euro Cup, Copa America, NBA & NHL Playoffs, Summer 2020/21 Olympic Trials, etc.). More attention has been… Continue reading The Midpoint of 2021: Favorite Speculative Fiction Books…So Far

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Why You Need to Read: “The Light of the Midnight Stars”

The Light of the Midnight Stars By: Rena Rossner Published: April 13, 2021 Genre: Historical Fantasy/Folklore             There are tales of red-haired mountain men and women who could work miracles, of a people who could trace their lineage all the way back to the great King Solomon himself. Tales of a people who kept to themselves,… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Light of the Midnight Stars”

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Current Speculative Fiction Series I Need to Complete

The Poppy War, #3: The Burning God (2020) by R.F. Kuang As I mentioned in the last post, I've been meaning to read this final book in this bloody and brilliant historical grimdark trilogy. I did read the first couple of chapters, so I know that this story begins immediately where The Dragon Republic left… Continue reading Current Speculative Fiction Series I Need to Complete

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Reading Check-In: March 20th 2021

Yes, I'm "borrowing" this idea from Realms of My Mind This is not a review post. While I prepare to participate in some upcoming events (watch the livestream I participated for The Bone Shard Daughter here), I will continue to catch up on some of my reading. The reviews will be posted as they are… Continue reading Reading Check-In: March 20th 2021

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Why You Need to Read: “The Empire of Gold”

The Daevabad Trilogy, #3: The Empire of Gold By: S.A. Chakraborty  Published: June 30, 2020 Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction             Daevabad, in all its glory and infamy. The mighty brass walls embellished with the facades of its founders, her ancestors. The crush of ziggurats and minarets, temples and stupas; the dizzying array of clashing architecture and eras—each… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Empire of Gold”

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Why You Need to Read: “Tower of Mud and Straw”

Tower of Mud and Straw By: Yaroslav Barsukov Published: February 21, 2021 Genre: Fantasy             The tower took the length of the world—only it was an alien world, replicating itself over and over as it climbed to a distinct, ghostly gap into the clouds. Or did he stare down a well? (Part I. The Duchy. 5).             Critics have an… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Tower of Mud and Straw”

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Speculative Fiction Starters for Children and Young Adults

This article was written for the Martian Chronicle blog, but it was never posted so I decided to rewrite and to present it on my blog. Enjoy!             When children and adolescents show an interest in reading, we—as adults, and as readers ourselves—want nothing more than to load our recommendations and favorite books on to them. Unfortunately, not… Continue reading Speculative Fiction Starters for Children and Young Adults

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Why You Need to Read…My Most Anticipated Speculative Fiction Books of 2021

How many books will I read in 2021? Let me rephrase the question: how many books coming in 2021 will I get to read in 2021? I ask this question because I’m still going through all of the books I didn’t get to read last year—including all of the books that came out in 2020.… Continue reading Why You Need to Read…My Most Anticipated Speculative Fiction Books of 2021

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Why You Need to Read: “Harrow the Ninth”

The Locked Tomb, #2: Harrow the Ninth By Tamsyn Muir                                                                    Audiobook 19 hours and 51 minutes Published: August 4, 2020                                                      Narrated by: Moira Quirk Genre: Horror/Gothic/Dark Fantasy             The Reverend Daughter Harrowhark Nonagesimus ought to have been the 311th Reverend Mother of her line. She was the eighty-seventh “Nona” of her House; she was the first Harrowhark. She was… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Harrow the Ninth”