Geetha Krishnan's Blog

Blurb

Max Dupont stars in his own adventure in the second installment of the Broken Union series, taking place one year after Ancient as the Stars.

Captain Maxine Dupont of the Earth Union is a rogue. A maverick. A clear-headed arbitrator of right and wrong– rules be damned.

But even Max stumbles when he encounters his latest challenge. The Union is collaborating with former enemy Mars to fix the collapse of interstellar travel, but at the cost of vulnerable citizens. Max has to figure out where his loyalties lie–and if treason is a price he’s willing to pay for doing the right thing.

Meanwhile…

Lieutenant Ren Yilmaz has finally found a crew. A home. A rewarding career, on the ESS Knight.

But Ren gets drawn into a web of espionage. Her captain, Max, has shady dealings with anti-Union rebel groups and assigns her shipmates off-the-books tasks. It’s Ren’s duty as an officer to investigate. Snooping can be disastrous. Not only would she be betraying her newfound family, but Ren has secrets too–and if she digs too far, her own past as a spy could get spectacularly exposed.

As tensions mount, the choices Max and Ren make will test their loyalty not only to the Union, but to each other–and the crew they call family.

My Review

I’ve read Ancient as the Stars which is in this same series and therefore I had high expectations of this book. Loyalty to the Max didn’t disappoint.

This time, we get a glimpse of Max and his crew, of which Ren is one now. On the ESS Knight, she has found a family to belong, one which accepts her without question, but Max is always a maverick who must forge his own path.

With interstellar travel being impossible, the ships are stranded, but Max is not someone to sit idle. He recruits Ren into some espionage, which leads to some discoveries. Some of them are things Max never wanted anyone to know.

With her trust in her captain faltering, Ren has to make a choice. Does she follow Max or betray him and the crew that she calls family?

What I loved the most here is Max’s voice. It is so distinct from Ren’s or Karenna’s. It’s reflective of his whole personality where he appears larger than life even as he is combating chronic pain. Max’s backstory and thoughts reveal so much about him as a character. I loved him in Ancient as the Stars and I love him even more in this.

Chronic pain/illness is not often seen in speculative fic, so I was really glad to see it here. If you love space operas, conflicting loyalties, complex characters who are very relatable, and an intriguing plotline that makes you question who is in the right and who is in the wrong, you will love this book.

Also, queer and chronic pain rep.

You can find Loyalty to the Max here!

Blurb

At twenty-two, Saeryn has scars she can’t explain and a three year memory gap. An exotic family vacation away from her fractured past is meant to help her regain balance… except that the desert sands are calling to her with an eerie familiarity, and Malatrius—a stranger met by anything but chance—claims to know what happened during the times she can’t remember.

But to trust Malatrius’s words means believing in sorcery and traveling to another world. It also means putting her future in the hands of her father’s longtime rival who has reasons to hate them both, because with every restored memory Saeryn realizes that not only did Past Saeryn keep secrets from both Malatrius and her father—she’d also made a choice that could threaten the desperate scheme she’d risked her life for.

And now Saeryn faces the same choice once more.

Losing her life will be a minor inconvenience, but losing her memories again could be the end of her.

Memories of Sorcery and Sand is a standalone character driven fantasy with dual timelines and told both in 1st and 3rd POV. If you like books that slowly unveil their mysteries and secrets, get your copy now!

My Review

I’ve previously read Humanborn from this author and had loved it, so I had expectations. I knew this was different, and the author described this book as a passion project, and after reading this all I can say is that we need more passion projects because this was so so good!

It revolves around Saeryn who is on a vacation with her parents and a nobleman who her mother hopes she will marry. Saeryn has recently woken up from a coma and there is a three year gap in her memories following the hiking accident that landed her in a coma. She also has strange scars she can’t explain, even with the accident. She’s close to her father but distant from her mother and barely tolerates the presence of the suitor her mother has picked for her, safe in the knowledge that her father would stand by her choices.

A chance encounter with a stranger called Malatrius, an encounter the man claims was due to Saeryn’s insistence, has her recalling bits from her past. Her father is not happy with Malatrius’ presence and warns her from him, but even so, he agrees in the end to let Malatrius try and get Saeryn her memories back.

It means leaving behind everything she knows and travelling to another world, where Malatrius claims he belongs to. It means believing in sorcery and the bits of memory that show her she had been Malatrius’ slave.

But if it could fill the gaping emptiness inside her, Saeryn is ready to take her chances.

From the beginning, this book gripped me, and I finished it in half a night. The mystery of Saeryn’s missing memories, the recollections of her past, and the switch of PoV from first person (present Saeryn) to third person (recollecting her past) left me wanting more.

This isn’t a fast paced book by any means, but it has a lot packed into the short space, and I loved how slowly everything unfolded and how each twist was revealed slowly, slotting itself into place that’s the puzzle of Saeryn’s past.

Saeryn herself is a relatable character who I was rooting for from the first. I loved the other characters too, even the bad ones, because they all came across as real people. There is a romance here that’s very much important to Saeryn even if not to the plot.

If you love portal fantasies with complex and realistic characters, an intriguing character driven plot, and villains you would love to hate, this book is for you.

Highly recommended!

Get Memories of Sorcery and Sand here and here

Of Friction by S.J. Lee (Altered Earth 1) Blurb

Decades of hostilities. A chance for peace. Caught between belligerent groups, will this operation be her last?

Sam “Valkyrie” Ryan is reeling. Struggling with her brother’s recent decision to make their next assignment his last, the recon specialist fights to change his mind. But she has no time to process her emotions when they’re tasked to protect a pivotal reconciliation summit between the Altered and Humans from human-supremacist terrorists.

Distracted by a charming medic, the golden-haired marine struggles to stay focused as events quickly unravel. And with the conflict becoming dangerously unpredictable, secrets from the past catch Sam by surprise as she uncovers a plot to destroy all of humanity.

Can she stop a violent and oppressive history from spiraling into a catastrophic future?

Of Friction is the fast-paced first book in the Altered Earth dystopian military speculative fiction series. If you like strong women, tense action, and slow-burn dynamics, then you’ll love S.J. Lee’s gripping story.

Buy Of Friction to launch a critical mission today!

My Review

I signed up for an ARC of book 2 and so had to read book 1. I think a lot of my reads this year has started like this.

This is a book that takes place in a futuristic earth which has been affected by climate change. In an attempt to survive the radiations and other factors, investment was made into genetic research, which resulted in the creation of the altered: a superior race of humans who were stronger, bigger and had abilities to survive the harsh conditions. But though research was able to create the altered, it couldn’t change anything about the existing human race.

As is expected, tensions and war happened between the humans and altered, with the altered having a distinct advantage. But some of the altered wanted peace and didn’t agree with the genocidal tendencies of their leaders. They overthrew their sovereign, and a tentative peace was established between humans and altered.

A group of Altered calling themselves the promised believes in the extinction of humanity, while human extremists called Children of Charon wants to get rid of all the altered.

This much is background for the book, some of which is explained straight, and some we can infer from the story.

Sam Ryan is a marine, who has grown up in the UMF, the military force that protects the humans. Her older brother, Scott has raised her, and she followed him to join the marines when she was twelve.

When the story opens, Sam is in her twenties and is feeling raw in the aftermath of her brother’s decision to leave the marines once his present contract term is up. Sam has never wanted to be anything other than a marine and has already sent in her request to renew her contract. She is angry with Scott who refuses to explain why he wants to leave, and Sam feels betrayed.

Sam and Scott have been loaned to a squad called Echo who has been tasked with the mission of finding the Children of Charon in the south and ensuring they don’t do anything to mess up a peace summit happening between the altered royals and the human leaders. Though the mission appears straightforward, their trip to the south is nothing like Sam or the team expects, and they are having to fight for their lives.

I loved this book from beginning to end. There is never a dull moment. The bonding that happens between Sam and the rest of Echo, the way Sam’s worldview changes slowly, how her relationship with Scott changes, and Sam’s budding attraction to Miriam, the medic of the team, are all brought out well. There is tension throughout the book, and we know that shit will hit the fan, and yet, we are caught by surprise when it does.

I adored Sam and the rest of Echo, and there are some deaths in the book that were as shocking as they were heart wrenching. It ends in what might be a cliffhanger, which makes me glad I’m having an ARC copy of Book 2.

I ended up threatening the author after reading this, but that aside, if you love queer, military Sci Fi with a character driven plot, you will love this book.

It’s also an SPSFC semi finalist this year.

Of Abrasion by S.J. Lee (Altered Earth 2) Blurb

Altered supremacists. Humanity on the brink of annihilation. Two lives entangled.

Miriam Tanner is in shock. After finding the severed arm of the woman she rejected despite her growing feelings, the Special Operations Group combat medic spirals while genetically engineered Altered refugees flood her human city. As tensions between the two groups escalate, her world shifts again with the nightmare news that the Apostates, Altered terrorists, have overthrown their government.

In attempts to ensure humankind’s survival, Miriam and her team embark on missions to turn the tide of a looming war. But as the stakes rise higher, she’s in danger of not only losing herself, but the fight for victory.

Can Miriam and Echo change the course of the war?

Of Abrasion is the thrilling second book in the Altered Earth dystopian military speculative fiction series. If you like complex characters, fast-paced twists and turns, and human dynamics, then you’ll love S.J. Lee’s descent into chaos.

My Review

This is the second book of Altered Earth. Miriam is in shock as she thinks Sam is dead, but she has no time to grieve. The conflict between the wunbies aka the promised and the normal altered escalates even as altered refugees flood the human city. Echo gets a super secret mission, and Sam is having an experimental surgery to get a new arm.

Sam has to navigate an acquaintance with an altered royal, conflict with her squad commander, and delays on the part of medical that refuses to allow her to return to SOG, and a new relationship with Miriam. Scott’s return to Station City and yet another Echo Mission that excludes her has Sam feeling depressed.

But when the wunbies overthrow the altered royalty and attack Station City, Sam has to make some hard decisions about how far she’s willing to go to push back.

This was a chonk of a book, but it didn’t feel that way at all, with how the author managed to maintain the tension throughout. The characterisation is extremely good, and I really wanted to shake Sam and Miriam at times. Neither of them know how to communicate, and naturally, misunderstandings arise.

This one too ends in a cliff hanger type of place, but alas! Book 3 isn’t on then horizon yet. I once again threatened the author with various fates, but don’t let that put you off! This is an excellent book, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes character driven stories and sci fi.

My Boss is the Devil by Ben Schenkman (The Devil You Know 1)Blurb

What’s better than being a college dropout twenty-something working as a barista in New Haven, CT? Just about anything.

Nick would give anything to escape the dead-end life he’s made for himself. He gets the offer of a lifetime from Lucifer himself, to trade his apron for a suit. Should he really consider becoming an agent of the Devil? With the way things are going for Nick, of course he should.

Lucifer wants to give Nick a chance to do what he always wanted, to help people, wielding power and influence to make their dreams come true. He would have to sell his soul, but the Devil is a gambling man and lets Nick experience his new life before he has to sign on the dotted line. Can he use the Devil’s power for good, and make his mark on the world, or will he fall victim to his own desires and lose his humanity?

As if that wasn’t enough, the very friend that made the meeting with Lucifer possible turns on Nick, and he needs to do some quick thinking to come out on top. Maybe the ends justify the means, but there are no easy answers.

Finding the balance between good and evil is about to require a lot of coffee.

My Review

I have been meaning to read this series for a while, and finally got around to it, helped by a migraine which prevented me from doing nearly anything else.

Nick is a barista, and a college drop out. He hates his job, but loves the work, ie making coffee. He is a coffee addict as well as a foodie. The job pays his bills, rent, and all, but he feels himself stuck. He wants to help others, but he can’t even help himself on most days.

Everything changes when he accompanies a few friends to a cemetery where they do a ritual to summon the devil. Nick is just a spectator, and is shocked when Lucifer appears before him, offering him a deal.

In short, Nick gets the life he always dreamt of, gets to help people, but in return, he has to sell his soul to the Devil. Lucifer is a gambling devil, though, and allows Nick to try before he buys.

To add to his woes, the leader of the satanists who Nick has accompanied to the cemetery is angry enough to kill Nick to take back what he feels is his own opportunity.

I loved the premise of this, with a devil who’s not evil incarnate, but is more of a businessman than everything. Lu is my favourite, though I really really love Nick. The existential crisis he has after Lu’s visit and the way he spirals feel very believable.

Working for the devil is not as bad as it’s made out to be, especially since Nick is helping people. Even so, he is constantly questioning himself and his choices, even as he justifies them.

But the end in some cases do justify the means, and we don’t need to be working for the devil to rationalise our choices. Despite agreeing to the trial period, Nick does it for all the right reasons and remains a good man.

The prose is full of humour, and I loved how confused Nick gets, and how he’s able to retain his own ethics and values.

Highly recommended if you like a light hearted book that manages to make you think at the same time.

Dueling Shoulder Angels by Ben Schenkman (The Devil You Know 2)Blurb

Selling his soul to the Devil was the best decision that Nick ever made. He got the girl, saved the day, and settled in for a comfortable career at Devil Co. That means it’s the perfect time for God to have other plans for him– and guess who shows up to try and poach Nick for Their organization? Why have one complicated job working for a personified deity, when you can have two?

Caught between worlds, and moonlighting for the “good guys,” Nick learns his deal with Lucifer might not be what it seems. Uncovering a scheme to take advantage of the Devil himself rocks Nick to his core, and makes him question everything. The line between good and evil gets blurrier by the day, and Nick doesn’t know which shoulder angel to trust.

His partner Amy, a witch growing into powers of her own, warns him of the danger he faces, but can’t stop Nick from running headlong into it. Can Nick save himself, or will Amy need to make an ally of a former foe to save him from a fate worse than decaf?

My Review

This continues Nick’s tale. He and Amy are going steady, Lu trusts Nick and his deal with the Devil has stopped giving him sleepless nights.

But of course, that’s when god decides he should take a hand. Nick is thriving under Lu’s care, and now, God wants to poach him. They go by Leslie, and Nick decides to work for them on the side.

Following a lead given by God’s people, Nick uncovers a conspiracy to trick Devil Co into helping the wrong person. But when Nick gets kidnapped by the conspirators, it’s up to Amy to save him, in alliance with a former enemy.

I loved the characterisation of God in this. Not just that they’re nonbinary, which is awesome, but also that they, just like Lu, aren’t really omniscient. And their organisation is a mess.

Also, Nick is the chosen one, and I won’t change my mind. He’s wanted by everyone. I love that Amy gets a PoV in this, because she’s one awesome character. Their relationship is like GOALS. Rob’s redemption Arc is believable, and I’m glad he got one even though I was quite happy to hate him in Book 1.

Lu is still my favourite. Leslie doesn’t compare at all!

Too Many Gods in the Kitchen by Ben Schenkman (The Devil You Know 3)Blurb

It’s good to be the boss, but be careful what you wish for.

Nick got what he wanted and now has to establish an agency to audit Heaven and Hell’s operations. Rob is his right-hand man, but Amy has responsibilities of her own and owes a favor to the local coven. Nick’s plans go out the window when a mystery client shows up and throws everything into chaos, representing a new godly power no one expects.

Things get even more complicated when Rob uncovers a massive loophole that threatens the natural spiritual order. Tensions run high between the agency and a psychic con man. If that wasn’t enough, Amy’s bill comes due and the spirits come calling when she discovers a magical dilemma of epic proportions. Caught between loyalties, she must decide where they lie.

Our trio faces their largest challenge yet, and the threads they chase threaten to tie everything in knots. Will Nick be able to deal with the elephant in the room, or will everything come crashing down?

My Review

The third book in the series, this one continues Nick, Amy and Rob’s adventures. Nick and Rob are partners in the new agency to audit both God Co and Devil Co. Amy is a consultant. Rob and Lester, office manager at Devil Co, are dating, and life is good.

Or is it?

Nick gets a proposal from Elphas Co, which represents the Hindu deity, Ganesha, and they had subcontracted Devil Co, which has resulted in a file coming to Nick. Meghna, their client needs a blessing from Lord Ganesha to escape the clutches of an asura who will claim the souls of her family if she fails. One of her ancestors entered into a deal with the asura in return for a successful business, and the asura can claim their souls after three generations. No one except Meghna cares, and Nick’s attempts to convince her father fails miserably.

Rob is after a case of his own, when a file about a soul in purgatory catches his attention. It leads to a rabbit hole and a scam involving souls. Thousands of souls are involved and they’re neither in heaven nor hell AND not in purgatory either. A family of mediums have them enslaved inside glass statues.

Amy has her own problems after a trapped soul contacts her. She manages to make contact with the deity who helps her with her witch magic, and he tells her to solve the problem of the souls who are unable to cross over. It’s like they’re all trapped under a heavy weight.

Soon, they realise that all three problems have common threads and resolving one can lead to resolving all. But in the meantime, they have to deal with murderous asuras and a mafia like family.

I must say that I love the Hindu mythology aspects in this. As a Hindu and a mythology fan, I adore it whenever it’s incorporated into a book, and it’s done so well in this.

The characters are so good. Amy and Rob both get their own POVs and character ARCs. Rob and Lester, just like Amy and Nick, make a cute couple whose relationship is based on communication, honesty, respect as well as love. Seriously, I adore both couples!

The side characters like the coven that Amy is a part of, Meghna, the people from Elphas group, and WALT, the preacher friend of Nick’s are all well realised.

I was so happy to see the theme of female friendships where Amy wants to have more female friends even though she’s in an amazing relationship with someone who’s always in her corner. The coven fulfils that need in her, and I love to see it!

And the food descriptions. Nick is a foodie and the descriptions are too good. My diabetic, depressed, ADHD arse was craving carbs and sugars and caffeine.

I really want more books in this series!

You can find the series here and here

Blurb

My Review

I really dropped the ball on this review. I meant to have it done earlier, but then life, depression, migraine, and more life happened.

I have been waiting for this one since I read Book 1 of this series. The Fall is All There is was awesome, so I had a lot of expectations.

Needless to say, this book met and exceeded all of them!

Petre Mercy is working for his sister, Queen Anoise, having sworn himself to her service. The rebellion headed by their brother, Edgar is hitting hard, and as head of the Mercy Guard, Petre is scrambling to keep up.

They manage to choke Edgar’s finances and even recover the Recollection Helm, which their mother manages to repair, and with the help of Mercedes Blackheath and her people, they’re at an advantage. When an opportunity arises to capture Edgar’s wife, they take the chance, hoping to end Edgar’s rebellion.

But nothing has ever gone Petre’s way for a long time, and when things appear too good to be true, that’s when everything goes to shit.

Once again, this book has been a rollercoaster of emotions, the strange technology, and completely unhinged family dynamics. I was ripe for murder by the end, because HOW DARE THE AUTHOR!

There’s plenty of action, violence, gore, and I adore all the strange technology in this. There are a lot of characters I hate in this book. In fact, nearly everyone except Petre. I love Avram a LOT, and Fabian remains a favourite despite everything, but Petre’s siblings are UGH. CAN I UNALIVE THEM?

Also, can I UNALIVE HIS MOM AND A CERTAIN SICK B***H WHOSE NAME STARTS WITH G?

I also want to unalive the author because the Book ENDS IN A CLIFFHANGER!

But if I unalive them, I won’t get the next book, so they gets a pass. But I want to unalive everyone else.

Just go read it! READ IT EVERYONE!

This is so so worth it!

You can find the book here!

Blurb

As a Victorian clergyman’s daughter, Edith Worms has seen everything — until a mythical salamander tumbles out of the fireplace into her lap. When a letter arrives from estranged relatives, Edith is swept away to a crumbling gothic Abbey in the wilds of Yorkshire.

Wormwood Abbey isn’t just full of curious beasts and ancient family secrets: there’s also a tall, dark, and entirely too handsome neighbour who is strangely reluctant for her to leave.

An unexpected bond with her prickly cousin Gwendolyn gives Edith a reason to stay in this strange world — especially when it turns out that Edith herself may have a role in guarding her family’s legacy.

But not all of the mysteries of Ormdale are small enough to fit in her lap…and some of them have teeth.

WORMWOOD ABBEY, Book 1 of The Secrets of Ormdale, is a cosy gothic novel of mystery, dragons, and the perils of friendship, perfect for fans of EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES and Maria Grace.

My Review

This is a book I really enjoyed but couldn’t review since my laptop was in shop and by the time I got it back, I’d completely forgotten.

Better late than never.

Edith Worms is a clergyman’s daughter. Her mother is dead, but she has a stepmother who’s as good as and a younger brother. She is an independent, self-possessed young woman who’s treated as such by her parents. When her father’s brother and son die in an accident, he becomes the master of Wormwood Abbey, his ancestral home. Though none of them wants the place, they feel compelled to go there and see what state the estate is in. They’re also hoping that they could find a way to settle Edith’s cousins who are the inhabitants of the Abbey.

But when they reach there, Edith discovers a secret room and a mysterious salamander. The lawyer they have hired seem to be interested in the old house more than he should be and Gwendolyn, her cousin seems to be hiding secrets as well.

The book has a gothic feel but is also very cozy. Edith and Gwendolyn are both well realised characters, and I liked the prose that suits the time period well. The mystery of the abbey was presented well, and its unravelling was every bit as exciting as I expected.

A well written historical fantasy with both cozy and gothic feels, this should appeal to most readers.

You can find Wormwood Abbey here and here

Blurb

In the war, the mythborn killed her friends, but now humanborn Kaja needs to work with them to uncover a conspiracy or Dublin’s streets will run red with blood once more.

Less than a decade ago, the Magiclysm, a tear between Earth and another place, brought magic to Ireland—and worse, it brought back the mythborn. The war that followed left Dublin scarred, and cursed Kaja Modrzewska with chaotic magic that will eventually claim her life.

Struggling with wartime nightmares, Kaja seeks normalcy amongst the volatile peace working as an information broker when a series of explosions across Dublin threatens to reignite the war. Both sides are eager to blame the other, so Kaja reluctantly agrees to investigate.

But finding the terrorists responsible means working alongside the mythborn’s elite killers, and uncomfortable wartime secrets coming to light. Kaja, who had saved a mythborn’s life during the war, finds out she has a life debt of her own, and as she juggles her allegiances and obligations, she’ll have to decide where her loyalties lie, with her old human allies or the mythborn.

My Review

This is my first book from this author and I enjoyed it a lot. The book happens in an alternate reality Ireland, where a magiclysm has happened, opening a rift between our world and another, bringing creatures of myth and magic into the world. The mythborn and humans engage in a destructive war for a few years before agreeing on a tentative peace.

Kaja Modrzewska is a humanborn. Though she’s human, she has been affected by magic and can do magic, but it’s also killing her. She was a scout during the war, and all she wants now is for the peace to last.

When she discovers a plot to destroy the fragile peace, she allies with the mythborn to find the perpetrators, but little does she know the consequences of that decision to herself and to the world.

I loved the lore, and the worldbuilding. Though it’s the real Ireland, it’s also changed by the arrival of magic and the mythborn. Kaja is a realistic character, and the other minor characters are equally real. They’re all flawed with their own motivations and prejudices, but ultimately, they’re all trying to do what they think is right, and to keep the peace.

Trauma is a real theme in the book, as is the question of what it means to be human. Kaja was born human, but magic has changed her so much she can only call herself humaborn now. But even so, her humanity shines through her actions.

The only minor gripe I had is the impression I got that Kaja thinks the mythborn as better than humans. I don’t know if it’s something the author intended, but it’s the impression I got, which I didn’t like.

But even with that, this is a five star read for me, and I’ll be checking out the remaining books in this series too.

If you like urban fantasy, intriguing plotlines, characters who are realistic and flawed, and high stakes, you will love this book.

You can get Humanborn here and here

Book 1: Heart of DustBlurb

“Doran had a problem, and it wasn’t that he’d been stabbed.”

Iole City is in turmoil. Doran Ó Seanáin, leader of the Black Lung Gang, is determined to bring the Lord Archon – Iole’s tyrannical ruler – down for his brutal treatment of the miners. But Doran has more to deal with than getting stabbed, a stalemate and city-wide lockdown that’s seeing his gang of ex-miners being slowly starved out of their base – his daughter Grace has turned against him, and the weight of his wife’s death two years prior haunts them both.

Things start to look up when he’s inexplicably drawn to Nathaniel Morgenstern, the apotheker with a mysterious past he owes his life to, but Doran is in way over his head. The fate of the mines hangs in the balance; the clock is ticking and the Archon is closing in. Doran’s plan to break the cycle may very well be his last.

My Review

This was my first book by this author, and I had no idea what to expect.

But my heart being ripped from my chest wasn’t it.

Doran is the leader of the Black Lung Gang, an association of miners who are striking against the policies of the Archon of Iole City. He’s also a man grieving the death of his wife three years ago, and the subsequent estrangement from his daughter, Grace.

Doran had slipped to alcoholism in the wake of his wife’s murder, which not only estranged Grace, but also some of his closest friends. Rhian, his deceased wife, was a privileged member of the noble class, but who left that life behind for Doran, founded the Miners’ Liberation Association and was working for the rights of the miners to safer, regulated working conditions and better pay. After her death, the Archon undid everything she was working for and Doran changed the association to the Black Lung Gang and has been trying to carry on her work, albeit in a more violent way.

The miners’ strike has been going on for two years and a demonstration turns violent. Doran is stabbed and he kills the guard who stabs him before escaping. He ends up in an apothecary by Nathaniel Morgenstern who takes care of his injuries, stitches him up, and sends him on his way.

Doran has been pulled out of his grief and alcohol induced spiral by Tsa Lien, his second in command, who isn’t even a miner. She is the Broker who has a network of informants spread throughout the city.

For some reason, Lien doesn’t like his association with Morgenstern, but Doran finds himself seeking the apothekar more and more. His attempts to reconcile with his daughter falls flat and Grace is betrothed to the Archon now.

In desperation, Doran forms the idea to blow up the mines. The mines are the lifeblood of the city and the only item of trade they have. It also has religious significance to the Arajoni, who treat it as a gift from their goddess Sionnan.

In the midst of the chaos of his life, Doran’s only refuge is Nathaniel’s shop and his presence, but Nathaniel is hiding secrets of his own. Addicted to a toxic drug called Death’s Embrace made from a poisonous plant, his days are numbered, but that isn’t the worst thing about him.

From the beginning, this book grabbed me and refused to let me go. Doran, Nathaniel, and Lien are all extremely relatable characters who felt real. There are no chunky blocks of text to describe the past, the world, the religion, and yet, all of it is brought to life vividly.

The prose is evocative and made me feel everything that much more intensely.

There aren’t many fantasy elements in this, no magic or anything and the world that Doran inhabits is very grim and stained with coal dust.

I was able to guess the main plot twist about Nathaniel, so good was the author’s foreshadowing.

On a side note, I was reading this while waiting for my daughter’s medical appointment at the hospital.

Immediately on finishing it, I started the next book.

If you love character driven fantasy with complex characters, well developed worlds, and fast paced plots, you will find this right up your alley.

You can find Heart of Dust here and here.

Book 2: Soul of AshBlurb

‘You can run, but you will never be free.’

Half a year after the events of Heart Of Dust, Doran Ó Seanáin now finds himself trapped between two worlds while belonging to neither. Held in contempt by the upper class for the turmoil he caused during Archon Bryson’s reign and resented by the miners for selling out, Leonora Darkwater’s bid to purchase the mines from the crown may be his salvation. But the offer is far more complicated than it appears, and the only person Doran trusts is the same man who threw his life into chaos.

Haunted by his past, held hostage by his debt to the Archon, and a slave to the poison that keeps him alive, atonement feels perpetually out of reach for Nathaniel Morgenstern. Too much damage has been done and too much has gone unsaid for time alone to heal the wounds between him and Doran.

Unfortunately, time is the one thing they don’t have as their lives collide once more. There are vipers in Arajon; the mines aren’t finished with Doran, and the sand in Nathaniel’s hourglass is running out.

My Review

This one continues the story. The Archon is dead, and Grace, as his widow has taken charge of Iole City. She ends the strike by acceding to the miners’ demands, but Doran, as her father, lives with her in the Archon’s palace now. He is not trusted by the miners and is out of place among the nobles.

This one also has Nathaniel’s POV, and he is struggling. Grace spares his life, but he is now indentured to the mines, and required to pay back the money the Nameless took, even though he wasn’t the recipient of the full amount. Aside from finances, and a guilty conscience, he is also struggling with his feelings for Doran and his addiction to Death’s Embrace.

Grace has to find a way to appease the nobles without making the lower classes suffer, and she is increasingly struggling to keep up with the demands of being the Dowager Archon and the ruler of the city. She has been trying to reach out to the Valley, to seek the High Druid’s help, but the High Druid has refused every one of her invitations.

Doran is also struggling with reconciling his feelings for Nathaniel with guilt over Rhian, and when Lenora Darkwater, one of the nobles whose roots, like Doran’s, are in the Valley, wants to buy the mines, he is beginning to consider it positively.

But Lenora is hiding something, and her secrets may destroy more than the mines and the miners’ dreams.

Once again, fast paced but with enough room for the characters to grow, to find themselves, to deal with their own inner monsters while having to survive a world that seems determined to trample them underfoot. I loved that Nathaniel got his own PoV in this because he is such an intriguing character.

Despite having been an assassin for most of his adult life, and a killer since fourteen, he comes across as a good person, with a capacity for kindness that is astounding.

Incredible character work, a compelling plot, and evocative writing all combine to form yet another unforgettable book.

I’m off to read the next book.

You can find Soul of Ash here and here

Book 3: Throne of LiesBlurb

There are vipers in Arajon, from the Valley to the Bronze.

Grace Harrington, the Dowager Archon of Arajon, is approaching her first anniversary on the throne she claimed following the death of her husband, slain at her own hands.

But her position is so precarious that even the unwelcome presence of the former assassin Nathaniel Morgenstern, watching over her at her father’s behest, cannot protect her from her enemies. The city’s press has turned against her, the Bronze is rallying behind Odessa White, and her last hope of support from the Druids has gone up in smoke.

The lies are adding up. A coup is coming for Grace, and she is running out of people in the city to trust…

My Review

Grace’s precarious throne is on the verge of being usurped by Odessa White, who is married to Bianca, who has a blood tie to the previous Archons. Doran and Nathaniel are exploring their newfound feelings, Lien and Nathaniel has found a balance in their relationship, and nothing is heard from Lenora, so things are both peaceful and not.

When Grace’s envoy to the valley is found dead in a way that suggests ritual execution by the druids, her captain of the guards wants to take an army to the valley, which Grace refuses. A shooting at a public protest has already caused a cull in the ranks of the guards, but when the dismissed guards are all hired by nobles as bodyguards, Doran fears a coup in the making with the new private army of the nobles.

When the former captain of guards confirm his fears, Doran, Nathaniel, and Lien has to find a way to protect Grace. Nathaniel acts as her bodyguard, while ostensibly being her herbalist, but Grace’s hatred of him hasn’t lessened an iota.

When Grace’s grandmother is poisoned on the eve of an important event, they fear that a coup is closer than ever.

This one was as fast paced as the rest. I love Grace and how her struggles and her emotions are both brought to life so vividly. She is such a mature character that it’s hard to remember she’s only eighteen and already dealing with so much. Even Doran has to be reminded by Nathaniel that his daughter is only eighteen.

The end of this book has my heart in complete tatters and therefore, I have to read the next book IMMEDIATELY.

You can find Throne of Lies here and here

Book 4: Valley of SecretsBlurb

This city of fools will be brought to order!

Deposed, her father presumed dead, her friends slaughtered and the cavern in chaos, Grace Harrington is on the run and entirely alone. The only ally she has left is the man she hates most in the world: Nathaniel Morgenstern, the assassin who murdered her mother and seduced her father.

Grace’s only hope of reclaiming the throne and saving her people is to seek the aid of Éamon Tadhg, the High Druid of Arajon. But she needs to survive the hostile streets of Iole City before she can even think about fleeing to the Violet Valley.

Nathaniel made a vow to Doran to protect Grace, but he could never have imagined how quickly and horrifically their lives would fall apart.

Grieving the dual losses of the man he loved and his new friend Tsa Lien, Nathaniel devotes himself to the service of the overthrown Lady Archon who despises him – even if it costs him everything he is.

My Review

This is the longest book in the series, and no wonder, it has a lot of things to tie up. It’s not the last book of the series, but does offer some kind of closure, so readers can wait for the next book with some modicum of peace.

The coup has Grace and Nathaniel hiding out in the immigrant quarter of the Sīzhèn District, where he, Doran, and Tsa Lien had their weekly Mahjong game. Grieving Tsa Lien and Doran, both of them have no one but each other, even though Grace still hates Nathaniel.

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

Except Tsa Lien isn’t dead. She isn’t even human or even a she. It’s a Shadow Eater, just as Nathaniel had said when they first met. The shadow eater had possessed the dying twelve year old Tsa Lien, had made her identity its own, and had forgotten its own origins. Despite its propensity to consume souls, the worse the better, the memory of Tsa Lien refuses to let go.

The Nameless were originally made to counter the Shadow Eaters, the ones without names, souls, with poison running in their veins, and armed with the only weapon capable of harming the Shadow Eater. But it’s Nathaniel who finally brings the Shadow Eater back, forcing it into becoming Tsa Lien once again.

Though Lenora Darkwater has agreed to help Grace, and has helped in spreading the word of her survival and in cobbling together a resistance, her motives are still suspect.

Doran is also not dead, having been saved by a wisteria growing between the rocks. He manages to climb to the fall cells, to rescue Gertrude and make his way out. He manages to make his way to Sīzhèn District, and has a brief reunion with Nathaniel and Tsa Lien.

Because Grace has decided to go to the Valley, to seek the blessings and support from the Druids, and Doran is going with her.

But the Druids of the Valley are not going to be impressed by an obvious Southerner who hasn’t appeared to accept her Valley heritage, who hasn’t made the pilgrimage to the Valley despite having been the ruler of Iole City for a year.

What is worse, Nathaniel and Tsa Lien are contacted by the Helvetic Ambassador who informs them that an army of Wardens is on their way, and whether they come as an invader or a support to Grace depends on their choices. The wardens are the very ones whose destruction of their homeland left Nathaniel an orphan and his people homeless and unmoored. But unless they ally themselves, Iole city would be the next Haderach.

As I said at the beginning, there is a closure at the end, and a tinge of hope in the horizon despite all the challenges that come with it. A Warden Sanctum is in Iole city now, and Lenora is missing. The Silent Sisters are watching, and the Helvetic Empire is not going to be content with being a silent spectator anymore.

All the same, there is hope, for Iole City, for Grace, Doran, for Nathaniel, for Lien and I’m content with it for now.

If you love well developed fantasy worlds with fast paced, compelling plot lines, complex, flawed,  and well rounded characters who feels real, you should give this book and this series a try.

You can get Valley of Secrets here and here

I’ve read only the first two books of this series, so I’ll be reviewing those now, and as I read more books, I’ll update this review

Book 1: The Man and the CrowBlurb

Some witches curse, others are cursed. And sometimes, the cursed want revenge.

This short story was previously published in Spellbinding: An Anthology of Magic (2019).

My Review

This was a short and sweet book. It starts with Jessica coming home to find her housemate, Claire, dead and a scarred man with a crow standing over the body. The man is polite, pays her for cleaning, and tells her to call the authorities before leaving with a notebook from Claire’s things.

The man, Enlil, is a witch and his partner, Aris, has been cursed by a coven to be a crow. They can communicate telepathically, and they have been searching for the coven witches for five hundred years.

More than the curse, the coven witches have also tried to burn them alive, one of the members had raped Aris’ sister, and he was killed in turn by the law after Enlil had turned in evidence. In short, the coven is not a set of good people.

They find the final member of the coven, who breaks the curse, but Aris kills her anyway, because she didn’t deserve to live anyway.

I enjoyed the voice, the humour, the banter between Enlil and Aris. Though the book has a happy ending, there are more books in the series, so Enlil and Aris’ adventure hasn’t ended yet.

You can get The Man and the Crow here

Book 2: A Spellbook for the Once CursedBlurb

The curse is broken and Aris is once again human, but settling into a normal routine proves difficult. Especially when Enlil rescues a stray crow who won’t stop watching him.

My Review

This one continues the story of Enlil and Aris from The Man and the Crow. Aris may be free of the curse, but trauma is real, and he has a hard time dealing with it. He spent centuries as a crow, having no control over his body, and he fears getting cursed again. He even doubts Enlil’s love for him.

But when their quest for finding a shapeshifting spell leads to the death of someone they know, Enlil and Aris have to figure out how to deal with Enlil’s twin.

This was also an extremely short read, but again, just as good as the first one. It’s entirely from Aris’ point of view, and I felt so many emotions. His trauma is dealt with realistically, and respectfully.

If you love fantasy, curses, and queer characters, you will love this book.

You can find A Spellbook for the Once Cursed here

Blurb

Five years of stolen peace in the mountains ends when Archangel Remiel, Heaven’s most elite investigator, finds Raphael and Dante’s sanctuary. Tasked with sending the fugitives to their lawful executions, she forces the couple into a life on the run.

Meanwhile, Raphael stumbles upon a clue to his mother’s lost legacy—the archeological artifact that caused her murder all those years ago might be within reach, and it might throw all of Heaven into chaos.

So, the chase is on.

Raphael and Dante travel through three continents, on their way to a secluded island in the Holy Land while evading Remiel’s elite guardian squad. With a prize for their capture, they’re forced to clash with old friends and foes, all eager to exploit their situation for personal gain, and their bond is tested in ways they never imagined.

But the closer they get to the truth, the higher the stakes become. What secrets lie buried in the Holy Land? And will Heaven survive what they uncover—or will it burn?

My Review

This is the second book in a series, and I haven’t read the first one, so I’m sure I’m lacking a lot of context for a lot of things.

That said, I enjoyed this from start to finish. It revolves around an angel, Raphael, and his demon lover, Dante, who are both on the run from the guardians, who are like the police, I believe. It’s a world of angels, and demons are the outcasts of the society. Dante has some powers, like flight, telekinesis and such. Angels don’t have any powers, it seems.

While I didn’t get most of the context behind the world building, like the Virtues etc, I was able to follow the plot and characters very well.

Dante and Raphael have been hiding in a mountain cabin for five years, but their past has caught up with them. On the run from the guardians, they plan to go to the Holy Land where Raphael’s mother has found a machine called the Commander. Though they don’t know what it does, Raphael thinks its discovery was what got his mother killed.

Raphael belongs to a royal bloodline and gets flashbacks from the memories of his ancestors. He’s pretty much useless in fights and all, so Dante is the one who has to protect him. On the way, they have skirmishes with other angels and demons, and Raphael’s brother, Gabriel joins them on their quest at one point.

I loved the relationships between the characters. I would die for Raphael and Dante and if they don’t get a happy ending, I’ll burn this world. Seriously. Raphael’s relationship with Gabriel also feels very real and relatable. Both of them have regrets over Michael, their older brother who was abused by their father, and who is in prison now.

The book ends in a cliffhanger, BUT it’s not available in India. Neither the first book or this one or the last one. I got this one as a review copy, but I’m so sad since I want to read the rest of the series and I can’t. I would have liked to read the first one at least so I could get more context but yeah, that happened.

If you love queer fantasy, characters you can root for, and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, you will love this book.

You can find The Secrets of Heaven here and here