The House of Always Tour – Review & Giveaway

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About the Book

Publisher : Tor Books (May 11, 2021)
Language : English
Hardcover : 544 pages
ISBN-10 : 1250175674
ISBN-13 : 978-1250175670

For fans of Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss, The House of Always is the fourth epic fantasy in Jenn Lyons’ Chorus of Dragons series that began with The Ruin of Kings.

What if you were imprisoned for all eternity?

In the aftermath of the Ritual of Night, everything has changed.

The Eight Immortals have catastrophically failed to stop Kihrin’s enemies, who are moving forward with their plans to free Vol Karoth, the King of Demons. Kihrin has his own ideas about how to fight back, but even if he’s willing to sacrifice everything for victory, the cost may prove too high for his allies.

Now they face a choice: can they save the world while saving Kihrin, too? Or will they be forced to watch as he becomes the very evil they have all sworn to destroy.

You can purchase The House of Always at the following Retailers:

        

Praise for The House of Always

“Lyons has cleverly taken the epic fantasy tropes of prophecy and lineage and stood them on their heads, all while delving deep into her multidimensional characters and spinning great battles with high body counts.” ―Booklist, starred review

Praise for THE RUIN OF KINGS

“[A] jaw-dropping, action-packed story of betrayal, greed, and grand-scale conspiracy . . . Lyons ties it all together seamlessly to create literary magic. Epic fantasy fans looking for a virtually un-put-down-able read should look no further.” ―Kirkus, starred review

“Rich, cruel, gorgeous, brilliant, enthralling and deeply, deeply satisfying. I loved it.” ―Lev Grossman, author of The Magicians

“It was one hell of a ride. I gobbled it up and was hungry for more.” ―Glen Cook, author of The Black Company

“The Ruin of Kings is a fascinating story about a compellingly conflicted young hero in an intriguingly complex world.” ―L. E. Modesitt, Jr., author of the Recluse series

“A thriller plot of revenge and loyalty with a get-under-your-skin and keep-you-reading-all-night mystery at its heart. I loved it.”―John Gwynne, author of Malice

“The Ruin of Kings revs up with the glitz of a high-speed, multi-level video game, with extreme magic and a teen hero with angst.” ―Janny Wurts, author of The Curse of the Mistwraith

Review

This book!!!! I waited so long!!! It was well worth the wait!!! Ok, so for fans of the A Chorus of Dragons you are absolutely going to love this one! And for newbies to the series, what are you waiting for? Go back to book one, grab a copy, and start this series! It’s well worth it for all my epic fantasy lovers and casual fantasy lovers alike.

I don’t want to give anything away plot wise, but you’re going to want to read this book ASAP! It, as to be expected, starts off strong and just keeps building as you become more and more invested in the story. So it’s safe to say it’s just as addicting as all the other books in the series, which means you’re going to want to put aside a good chunk of time to binge this (although I feel as if it’s not AS long as the others? But maybe my brain is playing tricks on me).

But yeah, this book was all I could ask for and then some. I don’t often read lengthy fantasy books (I’d all too easily fall down a rabbit hole since they’re my favorite), but when I do I’m never disappointed. However, this series is one of the extra amazing ones in the bunch!

About the Author

Photo Credit: Matthew & Nicole Nicholson, Dim Horizon Studio

Jenn Lyons’s childhood was spent in the safe havens of local libraries and bookstores, where even as her artistic talents began to develop she continued to nurture her love of science-fiction, fantasy, and noir detective stories. Being pale, not a friend of sunlight, and not much of a morning person, she set her sights on a career that would allow her to stay indoors or work at night (her favorite career pick was ‘cat burglar’) but she was devastated when she discovered that she would not, in fact, ever be able to marry Batman. Older but wiser, she turned from the life of a jewel thief to tackle a career as a graphic artist and illustrator, spending the next 20 years working in print media and advertising. A woman with too many hobbies (a list that included video games, fountain pens, table-top RPGs, LARPing, comic books, and costume design), Lyons was irresistibly drawn to making things up storytelling.

After making a dramatic shift in careers from graphic artist to video game producer, Jenn Lyons dedicated herself to writing. The Ruin of Kings and the Name of All Things, the first two books in Lyons’s five-book debut epic fantasy series from Tor Books, A Chorus of Dragons, are available now. The third book in the series, the Memory of Souls, arrives August 2020.

Jenn Lyons lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, Michael Lyons (who is also a writer — and may or may not be Batman), a bunch of cats, and a whole lot of tea.

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Tour Schedule

WEEK ONE

MAY 10th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

MAY 11th TUESDAY Kait Plus Books EXCERPT

MAY 12th WEDNESDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT

MAY 12th WEDNESDAY TTC Books and More GUEST POST

MAY 13th THURSDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW

MAY 13th THURSDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

May 14th FRIDAY Casia’s Corner EXCERPT

MAY 14th FRIDAY The Momma Spot REVIEW

WEEK TWO

MAY 17th MONDAY The Bookwyrm’s Den REVIEW

MAY 17th MONDAY I’m All About Books EXCERPT

MAY 18th TUESDAY Book Briefs REVIEW

MAY 19th WEDNESDAY Rajiv’s Reviews REVIEW

MAY 19th WEDNESDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW

MAY 20th Nay’s Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

MAY 20th THURSDAY Sarai’s Hidden Treasures REVIEW

MAY 21st FRIDAY Ya It’s Lit REVIEW

Giveaway

–  3 Winners will receive a Copy of THE HOUSE OF ALWAYS by Jenn Lyons.
– 1 Winner will receive THE HOUSE OF ALWAYS Storytellers BOX.
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

The Helm of Midnight Tour – Review & Giveaway

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About the Book

ASIN : B0879J44XZ
Publisher : Tor Books; 1st edition (April 13, 2021)
Publication date : April 13, 2021
Language : English

A legendary serial killer stalks the streets of a fantastical city in The Helm of Midnight, the stunning first novel in a new trilogy from acclaimed author Marina Lostetter.

In a daring and deadly heist, thieves have made away with an artifact of terrible power–the death mask of Louis Charbon. Made by a master craftsman, it is imbued with the spirit of a monster from history, a serial murderer who terrorized the city with a series of gruesome murders.

Now Charbon is loose once more, killing from beyond the grave. But these murders are different from before, not simply random but the work of a deliberate mind probing for answers to a sinister question.

It is up to Krona Hirvath and her fellow Regulators to enter the mind of madness to stop this insatiable killer while facing the terrible truths left in his wake.

You can purchase The Helm of Midnight at the following Retailers:

        

Praise for The Helm of Midnight

“The Helm of Midnight transports readers to an intensely unique and creative world, with interwoven secrets and heart-pounding action. Bloody, ambitious, and absolutely riveting.” ―Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter

“A mysterious and mind-ripping journey through the mystic depths of time and the darkness of the human psyche.” ―Matt Wallace, author of the Sin du Jour and Savage Rebellion series

“Beautiful and vicious, The Helm of Midnight will snare you with its intriguing mystery and then enthrall you with its rich characters and inventive world.” ―Megan E. O’Keefe, author of Velocity Weapon

Review

This. Book. Is. So. Good. And it’s honestly what I’ve needed. I don’t know about you, but reading for me this year has been weird so far. I’ve just found myself so stressed and all over the place and honestly my reading has done the same thing. And this book just reeled me right back in with a style that just really takes it back to what I love to read most. I mean I loveeee fantasy, as you can probably tell, but I also love a really intricately woven story and world as well as some dark murderous aspects. And this book delivered.

Ok, now this book is fantasy but it’s not TOO fantasy. So fantasy wary readers I urge you to give this one a try. And fantasy lovers, like myself, I also urge you to read this because you’ll still love it. Especially if you’re into a sort of steam punk, serial killer, almost want to say anime (you know that niche) vibe. Plus I really loved the characters. So there’s just a really excellent combination of character development, plot (which sometimes gets lost in fantasy I will admit), and world building (yay!).

Now, I just have to say I need more now. I mean, I know we’re getting more to this series but I’m an impatient person at heart. Especially when I really find something I like. But alas, I shall wait. And I hope to convince you to wait along with me.

About the Author

Photo Credit: Jeff Nelson

The open skies and dense forests of the Pacific Northwest are ideal for growing speculative fiction authors–or, at least, Marina Lostetter would like to think so. Originally from Oregon, she now resides in Arkansas with her spouse, Alex. In her spare time she enjoys globetrotting, board games, and all things art-related. Her original short fiction has appeared in venues such as Lightspeed, Uncanny, and Shimmer Magazine. Her debut novel, NOUMENON, and its sequels, NOUMENON INFINITY and NOUMENON ULTRA, are available from Harper Voyager. Her first fantasy novel, THE HELM OF MIDNIGHT, is forthcoming from Tor. In addition, she has written tie-in materials for Star Citizen and the Aliens franchise. She is represented by DongWon Song of the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency, and she tweets as @MarinaLostetter.

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Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Tour Schedule

WEEK ONE

APRIL 12th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

APRIL 13th TUESDAY Kait Plus Books EXCERPT

APRIL 13th TUESDAY Rajiv’s Reviews REVIEW

APRIL 14th WEDNESDAY Movies, Shows, & Books GUEST POST

APRIL 14th WEDNESDAY Lady Hawkeye EXCERPT

APRIL 15th THURSDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW

APRIL 16th FRIDAY A Dream Within A Dream EXCERPT

APRIL 16th FRIDAY Casia’s Corner REVIEW

WEEK TWO

APRIL 19th MONDAY Ya It’s Lit REVIEW

APRIL 20th TUESDAY Nay’s Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

APRIL 20th TUESDAY Polish & Paperbacks REVIEW

APRIL 21st WEDNESDAY Metaphors and Miscellanea REVIEW

APRIL 21st WEDNESDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW

APRIL 22nd THURSDAY Gwendalyn’s Books REVIEW

APRIL 23rd FRIDAY The Bookwyrm’s Den REVIEW

APRIL 23rd FRIDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

Giveaway

5 Winners will receive a Copy of THE HELM OF MIDNIGHT by Marina Lostetter
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

Infinity Reaper Review

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About the Book

Emil and Brighton Rey defied the odds. They beat the Blood Casters and escaped with their lives–or so they thought. When Brighton drank the Reaper’s Blood, he believed it would make him invincible, but instead the potion is killing him.

In Emil’s race to find an antidote that will not only save his brother but also rid him of his own unwanted phoenix powers, he will have to dig deep into the very past lives he’s trying to outrun. Though he needs the help of the Spell Walkers now more than ever, their ranks are fracturing, with Maribelle’s thirst for revenge sending her down a dangerous path.

Meanwhile, Ness is being abused by Senator Iron for political gain, his rare shifting ability making him a dangerous weapon. As much as Ness longs to send Emil a signal, he knows the best way to keep Emil safe from his corrupt father is to keep him at a distance.

The battle for peace is playing out like an intricate game of chess, and as the pieces on the board move into place, Emil starts to realize that he may have been competing against the wrong enemy all along.

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review

Has this week both been THE LONGEST week and flown by at the same time or is that just me? I feel like I’m just losing all sense of time but I’m super glad I’m getting in this review today! Because I really love these books. And I may have been waiting for Infinity Reaper since last year. Just saying. And dare I say it… I may have loved this one even more than book one!

You know why I love these books so much? It’s simple, the world building is just divine. Plus I mean the story is amazing too but you know, priorities. And I just love that I got to know even more about this complex world in Infinity Reaper. But this picks right up following book two and we are taken on an adventure that is going to make you go through some emotions so buckle up!

Sorry this review may be a smidge shorter than normal, but my brain feels like it’s about to implode so I’m leaving it at this. Remember, I’m losing all sense of time. Plus allergies. So. Much. Pollen. But anyways, GET THIS BOOK AND READ IT ASAP!

About the Author

Adam Silvera is the New York Times bestselling author of More Happy Than Not, History Is All You Left Me, and They Both Die at the End. His next book What If It’s Us is co-written by Becky Albertalli (Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda) and releases on October 9th, 2018.
He writes full-time in New York City and is tall for no reason.

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*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

The Second Bell Tour – Feature

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About the Book

To the world you are an abomination; a monster with unholy abilities. You’re shunned and left to fend for yourself. Your only chance of survival is to tap into that dark potential – would you do it?

In an isolated mountain community, sometimes a child is born with two hearts. Such a child – a striga – is considered a dangerous demon, which must be abandoned on the edge of the forest to protect the community. The only choice the child’s mother can make is whether to leave her home with her infant, or stay behind and try to forget.

Miriat made her choice. She and her nineteen-year-old striga daughter, Salka, now live a life of deprivation and hardship in a remote village, where to follow the impulses of the other heart is forbidden.

But Salka is headstrong and young, and when threatened with losing everything, she is forced to explore the depths of her true nature, testing the bonds between mother and child.

File Under: Fantasy [ Breaking Taboos | Hidden Shadows | Hungry Like the Wolf | Slavic Story ]

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Pre-Order Incentive

The Broken Binding bookshop will be selling signed coloured bookplates – designed by Gabriela – with pre-orders of The Second Bell.

Link to Order

About the Author

Gabriela was born and raised in Poland, brought up on a diet of mythologies and fairy tales. She spent her summers exploring the woods, foraging and animal tracking with her family. At 19, Gabriela moved to London to study English Literature and obtained an MA in Literature and Modernity. She has worked as an assistant editor and as a freelance writer. Gabriela’s short stories have been selected for the Editor’s Choice Review by Bewildering Stories and have been featured on the Ladies of Horror Fiction podcast. She lives in London with her husband and two children.

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Tour Schedule

Knights Ransom Tour – Review & Giveaway

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About the Book

Publisher : 47North (January 26, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 431 pages
ISBN-10 : 154202529X
ISBN-13 : 978-1542025294

From Jeff Wheeler, the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain novels, comes an epic new series of warring kingdoms, deadly family rivalries, and fearless loyalty.

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. A brutal war of succession has plunged the court of Kingfountain into a power struggle between a charitable king who took the crown unlawfully and his ambitious rival, Devon Argentine. The balance of power between the two men hinges on the fate of a young boy ensnared in this courtly intrigue. A boy befittingly nicknamed Ransom.

When the Argentine family finally rules, Ransom must make his own way in the world. Opportunities open and shut before him as he journeys along the path to knighthood, blind to a shadowy conspiracy of jealousy and revenge. Securing his place will not be easy, nor will winning the affection of Lady Claire de Murrow, a fiery young heiress from an unpredictably mad kingdom.

Ransom interrupts an abduction plot targeting the Queen of Ceredigion and earns a position in service to her son, the firstborn of the new Argentine dynasty. But conflict and treachery threaten the family, and Ransom must also come to understand and hone his burgeoning powers—abilities that involve more than his mastery with a blade and that make him as much a target as his lord.

You can purchase Knight’s Ransom at the following Retailers:

        

Praise for Knight’s Ransom

“Jeff Wheeler has always been one of our more dependable storytellers. Knight’s Ransom adds to his reputation. A fine page-turner.” —Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author.

“With this superlative epic fantasy…Wheeler does an expert job of reintroducing his fantasy world through the eyes of sympathetic characters that fans and new readers alike will root for. This is sure to be a hit.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“[Wheeler] adds elements of Arthurian legend to the start of the First Argentines series…along with splendid palace intrigues and battles.” —Booklist (starred review)

Review

This is my second book by Wheeler and I was so excited to dive back into his writing. Especially with an epic fantasy like this book. And ooo boy was it beyond amazing. And now I know that I need to go back and read all of the other books from this world. Which, I’m not mad about because I’ll take fantasy gladly any day.

But where do I begin. I think with the characters. I adored the characters in this book and how they grew and developed throughout it. And there is a lot of time spent developing the characters, which I really love when a fantasy book does that. I feel like sometimes fantasies get so focused on the plot that the characters fall to the wayside, or vice versa really, and this one felt like a nice sorta in-between with a little more focus on the characters but still a solid plot. And you know a solid plot is a must after reading a synopsis like this. Which I guess leads me to the pacing of this book. A lot happens in this one within a short span of time and I couldn’t get enough of it!

So this is one that you should definitely check out. Nudge nudge, wink wink. But seriously, there’s a lot to offer in this book and it really delivers exceptionally well throughout. And I truly look forward to seeing what Wheeler comes up with next as well as exploring some of his older works that are already waiting for me to binge.

About the Author

Photo Content from Jeff Wheeler

Jeff Wheeler took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to write full-time. He is a husband, father of five, and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeff lives in the Rocky Mountains. His books have been on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller list 5 times (for The Thief’s Daughter, The King’s Traitor, The Hollow Crown, The Silent Shield, and Prism Cloud) and have sold more than 4 million copies. His novels have also been published or will be published in many languages: Italian, Chinese, Hungarian, Turkish, Polish, Spanish, Russian, and German.

He is also the founder of Deep Magic: the E-zine of Clean Fantasy and Science Fiction (www.deepmagic.co), a quarterly e-zine featuring amazing short stories, novellas, and sample chapters.

You can usually find Jeff at Emerald City Comic Con, New York Comic Con or at writers conferences.

He welcomes hearing from readers: jgwheels /at/ gmail dot com

If you are interested in purchasing signed copies of his books for friends, family, or your own collection, please e-mail: WOJWbooks /at/ gmail dot com

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Tour Schedule

WEEK ONE

FEBRUARY 22nd MONDAY JeanBookNerd PODCAST

FEBRUARY 23rd TUESDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW

FEBRUARY 24th WEDNESDAY TMBA Corbett Tries to Write EXCERPT

FEBRUARY 25th THURSDAY Lady Hawkeye EXCERPT

FEBRUARY 26th FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT

FEBRUARY 26th FRIDAY Reading Adventures of a Book Dragon EXCERPT

WEEK TWO

MARCH 1st MONDAY Ya It’s Lit REVIEW

MARCH 2nd TUESDAY Nay’s Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

MARCH 2nd TUESDAY Ms. Cat’s Honest World REVIEW

MARCH 3rd WEDNESDAY Casia’s Corner REVIEW

MARCH 4th THURSDAY The Bookwyrm’s Den REVIEW

MARCH 4th THURSDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW

MARCH 5th FRIDAY Gwendalyn’s Books REVIEW

Giveaway

10 Winners will receive a Copy of KNIGHT’S RANSOM by Jeff Wheeler.
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

Posted in Blog Tour, Book Feature, Book giveaway, Books, Bookstagram, Fantasy, Jean Book Nerd, Jean Book Nerd Tour, Ratings, ReviewTagged 47 North, Book, book blogger, Book giveaway, book review, Book tour, bookblogger, bookreview, bookreviews, Books, booksta, Booksta Tour, Bookstagram, Fantasy, giveaway, Jean Book Nerd, Jean Book Nerd Storytellers BOX, Jean Book Nerd Tours, Jeff Wheeler, Knights Ransom, The First Argentines

Curse of the Divine Tour – Review

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About the Book

Book 2 of Ink in the Blood
Publication Date: February 9th, 2020
Publisher: HMH Books

Return to the world of inklings, tattoo magic, and evil deities as Celia uncovers the secrets of the ink in order to stop Diavala once and for all. This eagerly anticipated sequel to Ink in the Blood is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Wicked Saints.

Celia Sand faced Diavala and won, using ink magic to destroy the corrupt religion of Profeta that tormented her for a decade. But winning came with a cost. Now Celia is plagued with guilt over her role in the death of her best friend. When she discovers that Diavala is still very much alive and threatening Griffin, the now-infamous plague doctor, Celia is desperate not to lose another person she loves to the deity’s wrath.

The key to destroying Diavala may lie with Halycon Ronnea, the only other person to have faced Diavala and survived. But Halcyon is dangerous and has secrets of his own, ones that involve the ink that Celia has come to hate. Forced to choose between the ink and Diavala, Celia will do whatever it takes to save Griffin—even if it means making a deal with the devil himself.

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Amazon

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IndieBound

Review

You know, I was extremely eager to read this series for the interesting magic system alone. Well, that and the covers. I loveeeee the covers. And I have to delightedly say that these books have no disappointed! I find that a lot of the time I’m swayed into books and get overly excited and then they just don’t live up to that excitement. So, in sense, I get even more excited when books actually do what I wanted them to! So on that note, psst, go read these.

While I really loved the second book in this duology I have to admit that it took me a smidge to get back into. I don’t know if it’s just because it’s been a while since I’ve been in this world or if it just had a slower start than the first book, but once I did get fully invested I fell just as much in love with it as I had while reading the first book. There was also so much more that this book was able to bring since we are already familiar with the world and magic system. And you know I love when books get a chance to expand on what we already know.

This series was honestly one of my biggest highlights recently. I think I’ve just been hitting so many slumps lately that when I find a book that really hits all of the marks I get that much more excited. But then again I also REALLY always love duologies. So I guess it just had that right combination to make me fall in love.

About the Author

Kim Smejkal writes dark fantasy for young adults and not-so-young adults, always with a touch of magic. Her debut novel, INK IN THE BLOOD, released from HMH in early 2020, and the sequel, CURSE OF THE DIVINE, will release on Feb. 9, 2021.

When she’s not writing, she’s homeschooling her kids, tutoring other people’s kids, and voraciously hoarding any precious alone time. Though she grew up on the Canadian prairies, she now lives with her family on beautiful, muse-satiating Vancouver Island. She is represented by Daniel Lazar of Writers House.

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Tour Schedule

Feb 15th

The Baroness of Books – Welcome Post
Day Leitao – Spotlight Post
Geekiemind – Review

Feb 16th

The Clever Reader – Guest Post
Pop Reads Reviews – Review

Feb 17th

Musings of Souls – Review, Interview
PopTheButterfly Reads – Review

Feb 18th

Kait Plus Books – Interview
Avni Reads – Review

Feb 19th

Ya It’s Lit – Review

Instagram Tour Schedule

Feb 15th

@book_baroness – Welcome Post
@chroniclesofkayy
@the_reading_prince

Feb 16th

@thecleverreader
@_popreads_

Feb 17th

@yourlocalbookreader
@a_bookish_dream

Feb 18th

@onemused
@avnireads

Feb 19th

@ya.its.lit
@bargain.and.books
@rampant_reading

*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found Tour – Review & Giveaway

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About the Book

Book Title: Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found
Author: Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Release Date: February 16, 2021
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy

Magic has all but disappeared in Brooklyn, but one tenacious young magician is determined to bring it back in this exciting middle grade mystery.

Kingston has just moved from the suburbs back to Echo City, Brooklyn–the last place his father was seen alive. Kingston’s father was King Preston, one of the world’s greatest magicians. Until one trick went wrong and he disappeared. Now that Kingston is back in Echo City, he’s determined to find his father. Somehow, though, when his father disappeared, he took all of Echo City’s magic with him. Now Echo City–a ghost of its past–is living up to its name. With no magic left, the magicians have packed up and left town and those who’ve stayed behind don’t look too kindly on any who reminds them of what they once had. When Kingston finds a magic box his father left behind as a clue, Kingston knows there’s more to his father’s disappearance than meets the eye. He’ll have to keep it a secret–that is, until he can restore magic to Echo City. With his cousin Veronica and childhood friend Too Tall Eddie, Kingston works to solve the clues, but one wrong move and his father might not be the only one who goes missing.

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Penguin

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Review

I mean, a book about magicians is bound to be good. And make it a middle grade book and you know it’ll be a hit! But what I really like is that there is diversity in this middle grade story. Plus there’s so much adventure and fun found within these pages. And it’s really just an enjoyable story.

It seems like I’m in a middle grade mood lately and I’m really happy I’ve been checking out some of these books recently because I’ve come to the realization that it has been a LONG time since I’ve kept up to date with middle grade books. Which is a shame because some of the most popular books out there are middle grade. And I mean, I feel this is when a love for reading really flourishes, so good books are bound to come. And Kingston is such an excellent addition to this list of good middle grade books. There were just so many elements to it that really amplified the importance and quality of the story.

I really enjoyed this one and look forward to seeing what this collection of authors comes up with next. This was such a magical read but there was also so much more to it. I can see many people falling in love with this one and think it’d be quite popular amongst all of the middle schoolers.

About the Authors

Rucker Moses is the pen name of Craig S. Phillips and Harold Hayes Jr. They both hail from Atlanta and started telling stories together at the University of Georgia. Together, they’ve been nominated for three Emmys for writing in a children’s program and have written for TV shows based on books by R. L. Stine and Christopher Pike. They also make virtual reality experiences and own a production company named SunnyBoy Entertainment. In no particular order, their favorite things to write about are ninjas, magic, space, and abandoned amusement parks. When not doing all that, they are hanging with their wonderful families at home in Los Angeles.

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Theo Gangi is a novelist and writing teacher based in Brooklyn. He’s written several acclaimed novels and short stories, and he’s worked on shows for Netflix. He writes far-out adventures that happen right next door. He directs the MFA program at St. Francis College and lives with his wife, young son, and their dog. Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found is his first book for young readers.

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Website

Twitter

Tour Schedule

February 15

Turn the Page Tours – Welcome Post/Author Interview

February 16

Ya Its Lit – Book Review
Belle’s Archive – Spotlight

February 17

The Book View – Author Interview

February 18

Leann Reads Books – Book Review
Nat Reviews Books – Book Review

February 19

Kait Plus Books – Author Interview

February 20

Reading Stewardess – Book Review

February 21

Whimsical Blessings – Author Interview

BOOKSTAGRAM TOUR

February 15

Turn the Page Tours – Welcome/Blogger’s Choice
Midnightbooklover – Book Review

February 16

Ya.its.lit – Blogger’s Choice
Belleeeey_ – Blogger’s Choice

February 17

Books_and_Dice – Blogger’s Choice
TheBookViewBlog – Blogger’s Choice

February 18

Leannreadsbooks – Blogger’s Choice
Natreviewsbooks – Blogger’s Choice
Technicolorybooks – Blogger’s Choice

February 19

DJReadsBooks – Book Review
Kait Plus Books – Blogger’s Choice

February 20

Skygoddess1 – Blogger’s Choice
Mellasmusings – Book Review

February 21

Whimsicalblessingsblog – Blogger’s Choice
Turn the Page Tours – Closing/Blogger’s Choice

Giveaway

Enter to win one (1) finished copy of Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found by Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi! Open USA only. There will be 1 winner.

Giveaway starts: Monday, February 15, 2021

Giveaway ends: Monday, February 22, 2021 at 12:00 a.m. CST

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*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

The World Between Blinks Review

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About the Book

Discover a magical world where lost things are found.

Whenever cousins Jake and Marisol get together, adventure follows. They have their late Nana to thank for that. Her epic trips and treasure hunts were the stuff of family legend.

This summer, with the whole family reuniting for one last vacation at Nana’s home, the cousins are in for a legendary trip of their own.

Following a map Nana left behind, Jake and Marisol sneak out to a nearby lighthouse—then accidentally slip into another world! The World Between Blinks is a magical place where all kinds of lost things (and people!) end up. Everywhere they turn, the cousins find real mysteries from history—plus a few they thought were only myths.

But the man who holds the key to Jake and Marisol’s return journey doesn’t want to be found . . . and if the cousins don’t catch him fast, they could end up lost in this world for good.

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Review

Isn’t this book just so cute?! And then add in these amazing authors and I knew before even picking it up I was in for a treat. But let me tell you, the story doesn’t disappoint either. I always find that I either really appreciate middle grade books or I’ve just gotten far too old to get into it. And this was one of those that anyone of any age can pick up and fall in love with. It’s just so cleverly written and a wonderful story.

There’s just so much to unpack with this story because there’s so many elements that were woven into the story. There are the unique fantasy elements found within but there are also some darker deeper elements mixed in with the story. We get to dive into grief and how children deal with losing someone close to them, something many of us have to deal with at such a young age.

Overall this is such a wonderful story that anyone can relate to. The world is unique and the concepts are fresh. Plus adding in dealing with loss just makes this such a more meaningful and touching book.

About the Authors

Amie Kaufman is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author of young adult fiction. Her multi-award winning work is slated for publication in over 30 countries, and is in development for film and TV. Raised in Australia and occasionally Ireland, Amie has degrees in history, literature, law and conflict resolution. She lives in Melbourne with her husband, their rescue dog, and an extremely large personal library.

You can sign up for her newsletter to see what she’s working on, hear when she releases a new book, and be automatically entered for giveaways: www.eepurl.com/6Ya8j

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Ryan Graudin was born in Charleston, South Carolina, with a severe case of wanderlust. When she’s not traveling, she’s busy writing and spending time with her husband and wolf dog. She is the author of Invictus, the Wolf By Wolf duology, The Walled City, and the All That Glows Series.

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*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!*

The Brass Queen Review

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About the Book

In 1897, a fiery British aristocrat and an inept US spy search for a stolen invisibility serum that could spark a global war.

Miss Constance Haltwhistle is the last in a line of blue-blooded rogue inventors. Selling exotic firearms under her alias, the ‘Brass Queen,’ has kept her baronial estate’s coffers full. But when US spy, Trusdale, saves her from assassins, she’s pulled into a search for a scientist with an invisibility serum. As royal foes create an invisible army to start a global war, Constance and Trusdale must learn to trust each other. If they don’t, the world they know will literally disappear before their eyes.

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Review

What’s more fun than a period piece? A gaslight fantasy is! I just have always had a soft spot for books like these that bend multiple genres into one. And it’s even better when the book has me giggling throughout reading it, like The Brass Queen did.

I mean, there’s just so many elements to this plot that point to an amazing story. And with excellent writing/storytelling on top of that I easily saw why so many people fell in love with this one. Because I did too. I loved the characters, the setting, and the twisty plot. And I mean, you just gotta read it and fall in love with it just as much as I did.

I left this review a little open ended because I think the story is just so much… fresher without knowing too much about the plot. The synopsis gives you just enough to know what you’re getting into and then the book itself gives you just so much more and so much development. So crack this one open and fall into this world!

About the Author

Elizabeth Chatsworth is a British author and actor based in Connecticut. She loves to write of rogues, rebels, and renegades across time and space.

Elizabeth is a Writers Of The Future winner, a Golden Heart® finalist, a Pitch Wars alumna, and a member of the SFWA. She is the author of THE BRASS QUEEN (January 2021), an award-winning fantasy set in an alternate Victorian age.

When she’s not writing, Elizabeth works at the Westport Library and is also a voiceover actor. There’s a rumor she possesses the world’s best scone recipe.

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*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

A Song for the Road Review

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About the Book

An outcast in her tight-knit community, Larkspur endures her poor health with help neither from her family nor her fickle sweetheart. At a yearly moon festival she beseeches the spirits for better luck…but they lead her to a foundling elf child she did not want and a quest she did not ask for.

Yet she and the mute spryte form a bond over their shared struggles. When danger arrives at their cottage, Larkspur sets out with the girl she’s named Gentian from the country of her homefolk into the land of songs and tales itself.

Through leagues of treacherous border woods lies miraculous Beledan, where the dwarf chieftains quarrel amongst themselves and, far to the north, the mysterious elves marshal for war…

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Review

Phew! It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted a review for a book not on a tour! But it’s just been so chaotic on my end that I literally haven’t had much time to read. PLUS I had to pack up my books because of some home renovations (good lord do I not want to ever move now, haha!). And on top of all of that I decided to go a little crazy and take my booksta in an entirely new direction. But I’m back now and I’m so happy that my first post back with my new and (maybe) improved self is about A Song for the Road. Because, if you haven’t noticed, I’ve been sharing the heck out of this book and now I also get to gush about just how much I loved it.

There’s something that I really love about this style of fantasy and Labadie always manages to make me fall in love with her characters and worlds. Her writing is just so elegant and beautiful that I get transported into the story. And everything is just so well done. There is excellent world building, character development, and the plot is just amazing. And there’s something about it that feels so nostalgic while also being fresh and entirely new.

I wish there were more stories like this out there, but then again I also don’t because then I’d probably feel overwhelmed and underwhelmed by everything. As it is, stories like A Song for the Road really get to shine and stand out when I read them. And I hope that more and more people find this treasure of a book!

About the Author

Catherine Labadie lives in the mountains of the picturesque Carolinas with her husband and her dogs Fannie, Heidi, and Zoey. She’s written and self-published five novels: four new adult fantasy books and one young adult dystopian.

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