It’s been awhile since I’ve read a YA Fantasy/Romance vampire book and it’s great to get back to the genre. This book is a new twist, combining the Civil War and supernatural beings. I listened to the audio of the book and the narrators did a fantastic job portraying the numerous characters and instilling the danger they went through and the anger, desperation, grief, and determination of then during the story. Jerusalem is a black woman that spent years on a plantation as a slave with her family under the rule of a cruel and vicious vampire. After gaining her freedom she joins the military fighting the Confederate Army. She discovers she’s a Saint, people with enormous strength and incredible reflexes, and is paired with an ancient vampire, Alexei, and other Saint allies. The Saints often have special weapons that help them harness their power and Jerusalem’s is an ancient spear.
Wow! This is a fantastic first book in a new YA Fantasy series. I can’t believe it’s the author’s debut novel. This book immediately grabbed my attention and I read late into the night because I just could not put it down. It’s full of cruel rulers, a unique magic system, a fierce FMC, and a world weary of war with their neighbor.
I know I’m late to the party on this book, and I get why it is so popular. Is it perfect? No. But it’s a fun, crazy ride. Books that involve a deadly training academy are my jam. They always have plenty of insane challenges, found family bonding, and of course, the obligatory off-the-chain crazy villain(s). This book has it all – plus dragons!
Last week I missed participating in TBR Beyond Tours book tour for this book because I was in Instagram “jail” (when they don’t let you like/comment/follow), but I’m so happy to finally share this engaging book that is out now. I’m just getting into it, so check back later for my full review. It’s an engaging, fast-paced book with great world building and interesting characters. I’m really enjoying it so far.
I thoroughly enjoyed this romantasy debut about a young queen, Gwen, and the commoner guard, Tyreal, who has sworn to protect her with his life. Gwen and Tyreal have known each other since they were children and though unspoken, have loved each other from the beginning. That love is forbidden, however, because tradition dictates that she must marry a fellow royal.
I devoured this YA Historical Romance book in one day. It was such a fun read, with vampires, angry villagers, vampire hunters, dukes, court intrigue and revenge. The main character, Count Lucian, has been a vampire for centuries. He’s gotten comfortable living in a remote old castle with his servants and protege. But, all good things come to an end and he’s chased out of his castle by a group of vampire hunters.
I’m happy to be a part of TBR Beyond Tours book tour for the new YA Fantasy At the End of the River Styx by Michelle Kulwicki that came out on Sept. 24, 2024.
I just started reading this book and I’m already hooked. I love the two main characters and can relate to their feelings of guilt and shame. The book is beautifully written and I can’t wait to see what happens. I’ll write a full review once I’ve finished the book.
Sixteen-year-old Alexia has a secret; she’s a Varien—burdened with the gift of shooting stars through her skin. And after watching her best friend Sarai get falsely accused of murder upon changing into a Varien, Alexia wants no one to know. She keeps her secret tight and close until an accident with her strange abilities critically injures her father—threatening her identity to be revealed. Alexia flees and goes on the run to avoid death row. While in transit, she meets Greta, a quirky antique shop owner who promises her safety with other Variens in a realm called The Grove.
Alexia is skeptical, but once she learns Sarai has been kidnapped from prison and taken to The Grove to be sacrificed by Revenirs, a secret society of hitmen, she becomes intent on finding and saving her from another dire fate.
Greta introduces Alexia to The Grove and her new home at Malveaux Prep Academy and Sanctuary—a premier school for Varien teens to study and hone their knowledge and skill. There, Alexia rooms with a pyrokinetic hothead who can’t stop kissing her boyfriend and takes tours with her assigned campus mentor—a wise-cracking morphing teleporter named Kyle.
With the help of her newfound friendships, Alexia delves deeper into The Grove’s hidden history for clues on the present. All she wants is to find Sarai and save her. But the closer she gets to the Revenirs, the more danger she and her friends are in. Alexia must decide if friendship is worth the wrath of war, suffering, and even worse … betrayal.
For Legendborn and Gen V fans, The Gifted Society adds to the mosaic narrative discussion of who is allowed to harness power, adventure, and admiration. With its dark and light academia themes of fantasy and found family, it creates a world which provides a whimsical and sweet escape.
Tatiana White grew up on a creative diet of comics, poetry, film, essays, and books.
An advocate for diversity, Tatiana studied the mechanics of film, creative writing, and journalism with the overall goal of altering narratives and imagery imposed on black youths and adults. She achieved a bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Communications and went on to work for various Bay Area media staples before returning to her first love: storytelling.
When Tatiana’s not toiling over her computer, she’s occupied with her life as wife to her college sweetheart and full-time role as mother of two girls (or mutants, as she likes to call them) and a cantankerous schnauzer.
A young woman chosen as the crown prince’s bride must travel to the royal palace to meet her new husband—but her world is shaken when she discovers the dark truth the royal family has been hiding for centuries—in this lush fantasy debut perfect for fans of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night and Violet Made of Thorns.
Princess Ying Yue believed in love…once upon a time.
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