Sue's Saturday Suggestions #16

Interesting Books

(Descriptions from Goodreads)

The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson, reviews at Beauty In Ruins, Civilian Reader, Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review & The Little Red Reviewer

Shai is a Forger, a foreigner who can flawlessly copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic. Condemned to death after trying to steal the emperor’s scepter, she is given one opportunity to save herself. Though her skill as a Forger is considered an abomination by her captors, Shai will attempt to create a new soul for the emperor, who is almost dead. Probing deeply into his life, she discovers Emperor Ashravan’s truest nature—and the opportunity to exploit it. Her only possible ally is one who is truly loyal to the emperor, but councilor Gaotona must overcome his prejudices to understand that Shai’s forgery is as much artistry as it is deception.

Govinda by Krishna Udayasanker, review at Fantasy Book Critic

Aryavarta – the ancient realm of the noble.

For generations, the Firstborn dynasty of scholar-sages, descendants of Vasishta Varuni and protectors of the Divine Order on earth, has dominated here. For just as long, the Angirasa family of Firewrights, weapon-makers to the kings and master inventors, has defied them. In the aftermath of the centuries-long conflict between the two orders, the once-united empire of Aryavarta lies splintered, a shadow of its former glorious self.

Now, the last Secret Keeper of the Firewrights is dead, killed by a violent hand, and the battle for supreme power in the empire is about to begin.

The Legend of Rachel Petersen by J.T. Baroni, review at Fangs For the Fantasy

Did his book raise the dead? Outraged when The Post Gazette overlooks him for a promotion, thirty-nine year old sports writer, Christian Kane quits and moves to the country to write fiction. Inspiration flows from a grave he stumbles upon in the woods. He compiles The Legend of Rachel Petersen, a fascinating story revolving around the dead twelve year old girl lying beneath the weathered tombstone. His book becomes a Best Seller; then Hollywood makes it in to a blockbuster movie. Kane becomes rich and famous, but only to have Rachel rise from the grave to seek revenge on him for slandering her name.

Mage’s Blood by David Hair, review at Fantasy Book Critic

Most of the time the Moontide Bridge lies deep below the sea, but every 12 years the tides sink and the bridge is revealed, its gates open for trade.

The Magi are hell-bent on ruling this new world, and for the last two Moontides they have led armies across the bridge on 'crusades' of conquest.

Now the third Moontide is almost here and, this time, the people of the East are ready for a fight ... but it is three seemingly ordinary people that will decide the fate of the world.

The Whisper Jar by Carole Lanham, review at Dark Wolf’s Fantasy Reviews

“I do not know what you have done, but put your mouth right here. Confess your crime to this fruit jar as though it were God’s ear.” ~ from The Whisper Jar

Some secrets are kept in jars — others, in books. Some are left forgotten in musty rooms — others, created in old barns. Some are brought about by destiny — others, born in blood. Secrets — they are the hidden heart of this collection. In these pages, you will encounter a Blood Digger who bonds two children irrevocably together; a young woman who learns of her destiny through the random selection of a Bible verse; and a boy whose life begins to reflect the stories he reads… Most importantly, though, if someone should ever happen to offer you a Jilly Jally Butter Mint, just say “No!”

I have listed these titles in earlier SSS posts: check out my SSS Books Page for links to more reviews

Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillis, review at Fantasy Faction

Blades of Winter by G.T. Almasi, review at Gizmo’s Reviews

The City’s Son by Tom Pollock, review at A Dribble of Ink

Every Day by David Levithan, review at Capricious Reader

Forge of Darkness by Steven Erikson, review at The Speculative Scotsman

A Guile of Dragons by James Enge, review at Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review

Hidden Things by Doyce Testerman, review at Fantasy Faction

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, review at Gossamer Obsessions

Giveaways

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making by Catherynne M Valente at The Book Smugglers

The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning at My Bookish Ways