I have not posted in so long! I missed book blogging, and I hope to work on this blog more consistently this summer. Here are some updates on books I read last year and enjoyed:
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland: This is Mai Corland’s debut fantasy novel. I loved Meredith Ireland’s contemporary YA novels, so I was excited to see how she would write a fantasy novel. (I highly recommend both of her YA novels, too! I’m so grateful to see more books by adoptees with main characters who are also adopted.) Five Broken Blades is one of the best fantasy novels I have read in a while. Corland perfectly balances intrigue, romance, and the creation of a magical world to create a vibrant novel that will live on in your mind. The sequel, Four Ruined Realms, is so amazing too, and I cannot wait for the finale which is coming out this year! I will not be getting over the ending. The finale is titled Three Shattered Souls (oh no). I highly recommend this trilogy. Please let me know if you read it because I would love to discuss with more people. (Also, the first editions are so spectacular. The jewel tone colors are so beautiful. There is also a very helpful map in each of the books and full colored artwork of the main characters on the endpapers.)
Heir by Sabaa Tahir: This is my favorite book in the Emberverse. Tahir’s writing compared to Ember (which was exceptional) is so amazing. She excellently balances three character perspectives whose journeys are equally interesting. Sirsha is my favorite character because she is strong and smart while also not being afraid to express her emotions. I also mentioned this in my review from December: Quil is my favorite male character Tahir has written. He is so charming and has a personality that reminds me of Elias with a bit less brooding, but still a very complicated past.
The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake: I only read this once, but I need to read it again. Blake writes a very intense ending to a trilogy that immediately captivated me with its commentary on how exploitative academia can be while using a contemporary fantasy setting. This is the best book of the trilogy.
Hope Ablaze by Sarah Mughal Rana: Hope Ablaze is one of my favorite contemporary books I have read in my life. I am so grateful that I got to read a copy early. I liked how Rana incorporated poetry throughout the book. Rana’s fantasy novel, Dawn of the Firebird, is coming out this December from Bloomsbury Publishing. Follow Rana’s Instagram to learn more!
Please let me know what you thought of these books if you’ve read them!
Solace in Reading 