Ocean's Echo

Pages: 464 

Publisher: Orbit 

Released: 3rd of November 2022 

When Tennal - a rich socialite, inveterate flirt, and walking disaster - is caught using his telepathic powers for illegal activities, the military decides to bind his mind to someone whose coercive powers are strong enough to control him.

Enter Lieutenant Surit, the child of a disgraced general. Out of a desperate need to restore a pension to his other parent, Lieutenant Surit agrees to be bound to Tennal and keep him conscripted in the army, a task that seems impossible even for someone with Surit's ability to control minds.

Tennal just wants to escape, but Surit isn't all that he seems. And their bond may just be the key to their freedom.

What I Have to Say 

This book caught my attention at the start, but I got bored of it. It started out with very fanfic tropes and if it had continued in that vein, I think I would have really liked it, but for me there wasn't enough about the relationship between the two guys. It didn't have much romance in it. They were just getting to know each other and then suddenly they were in love? It just didn't hit for me. 

I was really interested in the syncing and the way it would work for two minds to sync as well, so the fact that they put that off for so long disappointed me. It raised interesting issues about conscription and consent though and that was good to see. 

In all, I just wasn't that into the book. I guess I was reading it for a romance when it was more political than that. But some bits were interesting. 

 

3 stars 

My thanks goes to Netgalley and Orbit for providing me with this copy for review. 

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Pages: 320 

Publisher: Tor 

Released: 10th of November 2022 

High Fantasy with a double-shot of self-reinvention

Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen.

However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve.

A hot cup of fantasy slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth. 

What I Have to Say 

This was just what the fantasy genre needed. A nice refreshing tale about an orc who opens a coffee shop, this book hit the spot quite nicely and made me crave coffee and cinnamon buns in the process. I would love this to bring new stories to the fantasy genre, because there's so much scope for slice of life stories in fantasy and sci fi books. It's a chance to explore worlds in more calm relaxing ways without the protagonist being whisked off to  save the world. I just absolutely love this idea. 

The story itself was great too, though it was probably the uniqueness that made me rate it so highly, it had a strong plot and a really loveable cast of characters. My favourite was Thimble the rattkin, but the other characters are notable as well. It was really easy to see the friendship and camaraderie that formed between the characters. 

If I had to make one complaint it's that the romance wasn't introduced until really late into the book. I'd have liked a stronger romance especially since it was sapphic which is always my favourite type of romance and the two characters worked so well together. If it had been a little more slow burn this book would have been absolutely perfect. 

5 stars 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Tor for providing me with this copy for review. 

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

Pages: 576 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK 

Released:  8th of November 2022 

The shadows have risen, and the line is law.

All Bree wanted was to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death. So she infiltrated the Legendborn Order, a secret society descended from King Arthur’s knights—only to discover her own ancestral power. Now, Bree has become someone new:

A Medium. A Bloodcrafter. A Scion.

But the ancient war between demons and the Order is rising to a deadly peak. And Nick, the Legendborn boy Bree fell in love with, has been kidnapped.

Bree wants to fight, but the Regents who rule the Order won’t let her. To them, she is an unknown girl with unheard-of power, and as the living anchor for the spell that preserves the Legendborn cycle, she must be protected.

When the Regents reveal they will do whatever it takes to hide the war, Bree and her friends must go on the run to rescue Nick themselves. But enemies are everywhere, Bree’s powers are unpredictable and dangerous, and she can’t escape her growing attraction to Selwyn, the mage sworn to protect Nick until death.

If Bree has any hope of saving herself and the people she loves, she must learn to control her powers from the ancestors who wielded them first—without losing herself in the process.

What I Have to Say 

I love these books so much!! I love Bree and Alice. I love the world of Legendborn and Bloodcasters and how the problems of race and privilege are woven into the story, without bogging it down. I love the tension and the action and just learning more about this world. I don't love the cliffhangers, which leave me hanging so often, but they definitely do their job to keep me reading! 

This book was a good sequel, it wasn't quite as good as Legendborn but I still enjoyed it immensely. I loved learning more about the world and seeing it expand as they moved out of Legendborn territory and into the wider world of magic users. And I definitely loved seeing more of Alice as she is so badass and perfect. I also really loved how dark it got with the regents.  I can't wait to see Bree kick their asses. 

My only hang-up really was that Bree didn't fight many of her own battles. She had all this training in weaponry and fighting, but because she can't call ether she can't fight at all? I felt that was a bit of a cop out. Especially when seeing Alice trotting around all happy with being able to protect herself because she has a pair of brass knuckles. I just don't like seeing Bree sidelined like that and made to be something to be protected rather than the awesome powerful girl she has the potential to be. 

Other than that though, I really loved it. I can't wait for the next instalment! 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with this copy for review. 

The Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan

Pages: 480 

Publisher: Harper Voyager 

Released: 10th of November 2022 

The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin—the daughter of Chang’e, and the mortal archer, Houyi—as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope.

After winning her mother’s freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon, and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power.

While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation. Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would.

As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation – to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love… even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.

The epic conclusion to her sweeping Celestial Kingdom series, Sue Lynn Tan’s tale of Xingyin, the daughter of the moon goddess, delves deeper into beloved Chinese myths, weaving them into a wholly new and magical story. 

What I Have to Say 

These books are everything to me. Chinese mythology, political intrigue, a strong female main character, what more would you want? These books are beautiful and an absolute joy to read. 

While the mythology is probably my favourite part and have made me want to learn more about the myths that inspired the story, I want to talk most here about the writing. To me the writing is perfect. It describes things in such a richly detailed and invocative way so that you can picture the scene so clearly. I had to stop several times just to reread stuff and appreciate the beauty of the text. 

I also loved the political intrigue, how there were so many different factors and Xingyin had to navigate all the loyalties and conflicts between the different nations while working to save the world. 

I will be an avid reader of whatever Sue Lynn Tan writes next and I will definitely be rereading these books over and over again. 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with this copy for review. 

The October Witches by

Pages: 352 

Publisher: UCLan Publishing 

Released: 1st of September 2022 

There’s so much to love about October – Halloween, pumpkin everything and MAGIC. Especially magic. But for nervous young witch Clemmie, this October might see the stars descend on her for the first time, bringing with them a whole month of chaotic new power. She’s spent twelve years watching her mum, aunts and cousin receive their October power and knows that, for the Merlyns, magic can get very messy.

And there are those who want to harness their magic and make it last beyond October. It’s a bold experiment, until Clemmie and her coven find themselves in mortal danger. What price must be paid for magic that never ends? Or for having magic at all? 

What I Have to Say 

I think I went into this in the wrong mood. I wanted something warm and cosy with nice autumnal vibes. Which in a lot of way this was, but I would have liked a smaller adventure. A witch getting used to her powers, not a huge war between the Merlyns and the Morgans. 

The actual story was very good. I loved the feelings of family it invokes as well as the unlikely alliances. I loved the sense of hope in the bonds of friendship that it brought up. Also Bobby. Bobby was perfect and I want a Bobby of my very own. 

In all, it wasn't what I was looking for but it was still a good book. Perfect for anyone looking for action and adventure and high stakes. Recommended to drink with a nice warm mug of soup by you. Pumpkin flavour optional. 

 

4 Stars 

My thanks go to Netgalley and UCLan Publishing for providing me with this copy for review. 

Hex Appeal by Kate Johnson

Pages: 318 

Publisher: One More Chapter 

Released: 1st of October 2022 

It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus…

Essie Winterscale lives in a huge and ever-changing house in the village of Good Winter, in deepest, darkest Essex. She lives with various witches of various ages, one of whom is still a bit salty about having been burned at the stake in 1635, one who keeps accidentally casting fertility spells, and one who knits things that create the future.

All Essie ever wanted was to have a normal life but in the end she found herself drawn back to Beldam House because she just can’t stop her witchiness (although the ability to instantly chill wine is pretty awesome, even she has to admit).

Into this coven of chaos stumbles gorgeous, clueless Josh, their new landlord – and he’s just discovered his tenants haven’t paid rent since the 1700s! As Josh is drawn further into the lives of the inhabitants of Beldam House, Essie is determined to keep him at broomstick’s length. That is, until a family secret, lying hidden for centuries, puts Josh firmly under her spell…

What I Have to Say 

To say this book wasn't for me is an understatement. I really was not interested in this story at all. At first I was interested in the relationship between Essie and Josh but it was just a bit predictable and dull. Except for one key element, I could see the drama coming from a mile off and the thing that I did see was more plot based than relationship. 

The house was interesting and I would have loved to have found out more about it and spent more time there but the plot took us away too fast. The witchhunting bits, I found a bit hammed up and the bit where they just abandoned the plot for a sex break just irritated me. 

It takes a really good romance to pique my interest and this just wasn't it. 

Two stars

My thanks go to One More Chapter and Netgalley for providing me with this copy for review. 

Twice Hexed by Julia Tuffs

Pages: 304 

Publisher: Orion Children's Books 

Released: 23rd of June 2022 

Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Sex Education - Jessie Jones has just discovered she's a witch, but she still has to deal with the patriarchy. A feisty, funny YA series about discovering your place ... and your power.

After a summer of surfing, sunbathing and fine-tuning her new witchy skills, Jessie starts Year 11 feeling hopeful. She feels like her life-ducks are finally in a row - and at school, she has her sisterhood of Summer, Libby and Tabitha supporting her. Callum Henderson and his toxic masculinity minions have eased off enough for it the girls to feel like they can breathe again, so this year should be a breeze, right?

Wrong.

New year, new troubles.

Mysterious new girl Sloane has just arrived ... and did she mention she's a witch?

Twice the powers, twice the problems...

The funny, angsty, punchy YA series is perfect for fans of Holly Bourne.

What I Have to Say 

Jess is back and she's in trouble. This time it isn't just new powers she's got to deal with. New girl Sloane is on the scene and she is baaaad news. 

I loved how these books take normal teenage issues and add in magic. The first book was sexism and bullying. This time it's friendships and mean girls. It was perfect the way that Sloane was introduced and started throwing up red flags straight away. It's a familiar story and with a bit of dark magic it gives it just that hint of the supernatural. 

I said in my previous book that it was a bit predictable and how that was actually quite nice. And this one is much the same. Toxic new girl comes and starts separating the main character from her friends. It was relaxing as I read it, because I knew that it would all turn out okay in the end. I knew that Jess was good at heart and will do the right thing. 

The only thing I wasn't keen on was the animal death, but that does come hand in hand with dark magic, so I was prepared for it. I was also a bit disappointed because it looked at the start like they would talk about the actual issues men face (toxic masculinity for example) and expand on the feminist message, especially with Sloane being so anti- man, but they didn't. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Orion's Children's Books for providing me with this copy for review.