#CoolArt: New Cover Art for Alexander Darwin's 'The Combat Codes' Novel from Orbit Books

New cover art for a new expanded edition of 'The Combat Codes', book 1 of the trilogy written by Alexander Darwin.

You can read my review of the original book here.

'The Combat Codes' will be released June 13 2023 through Orbit Books.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'The Tyranny Of Faith' by Martina Fačková

'The Tyranny Of Faith' by Martina Fačková.

Cover art for the novel 'The Tyranny of Faith', book 2 in the 'Empire Of The Wolf' series written by Richard Swan, published February 2023.

#CoolArt: New 'The Witcher' Hardcover Edition Cover Art

Orbit Books have revealed the final batch of cover art for new hardcover editions in Andrzej Sapkowski's 'The Witcher' series; 'The Lady Of The Lake' and 'Season Of Storms'.

'The Lady Of The Lake' and 'Season Of Storms' will be available in November 2022, and released in the UK by Gollancz in 2023.

Cover art by Melanie Delon

Cover art by Tyler Jacobson

#CoolArt: New 'The Witcher' Hardcover Edition Cover Art

Orbit Books have revealed cover art for new hardcover editions of 'Baptism Of Fire' and 'The Tower Of Swallows', books 3 and 4 in Andrzej Sapkowski's 'The Witcher' series.

'Baptism Of Fire' and 'The Tower Of Swallows' will be available in October 2022, and released in the UK by Gollancz in 2023.

Cover art by Scott M Fischer

Cover art by Rovina Cai

#CoolArt: New 'The Witcher' Hardcover Editions

Orbit Books have revealed cover art for new hardcover editions of Andrzej Sapkowski's 'The Witcher' series.

'Blood Of Elves' and 'The Time Of Contempt' will be available in September 2022; 'Baptism Of Fire' and 'The Tower Of Swallows' available in October 2022, and 'The Lady Of The Lake' and 'Season Of Storms' in November 2022.

The series will be released in the UK by Gollancz in 2023.

An illustrated edition of 'Sword Of Destiny' will also be released in December 2022.

Cover art by Richard Anderson

Cover art by Magali Villeneuve

Cover art by Martina Fačková

#ArtOfTheDay: 'The Voice Of Reason' by Winona Nelson

'The Voice Of Reason' by Winona Nelson.

Interior illustration from the illustrated edition of 'The Last Wish', book 1 of 'The Witcher' series written by Andrzej Sapkowski, published December 2021 by Orbit / Gollancz.

Book Review: 'Sistersong' by Lucy Holland

Wow! This was beautiful and powerful!

 

'Sistersong' by Lucy Holland, is a reimagining of  'The Twa Sisters', an old English murder ballad that tells of a young girl drowned by her older sister in a song of jealousy, betrayal and tragedy. It also has it's roots in ancient folklore and the old pagan magic of the land, as well as exploring the identity of gender, and accepting oneself for who they truly are, in a world that is on the cusp of change and on the brink of war.

The book follows Riva, Keyne and Sinne, the daughters of King Cador, king of the post-Roman era kingdom of Dumnonia (now Cornwall, Devon and parts of west Somerset in the south-western corner of England), and although the King has turned away from the old magic in favour of Christianity, which is starting to sweep the land, the sisters still retain their link to the old ways and traditions. Each fighting for their own futures and the right to choose it.

The relationship between the sisters is the heart of the book, highlighting the strong bond of sisterhood between them and giving them each a sense of realism and depth, each chapter told through each sister as their personalities become intwined in the narrative. Riva, the introverted yet prideful eldest daughter that is a natural healer but is unable to heal her own scars; Keyne, born a daughter but has never truly felt comfortable in that role and longs to be seen and accepted as who they feel they truly are; and Sinne, the youngest sister, beautiful and carefree, longing for love and adventure. The narrative is driven by the threads of duty, identity and sibling rivalry between the sisters. But those threads begin to fray, unravel and eventually come apart when the 'magician' Myrddhin arrives back in the kingdom, as well as the appearance of the mysterious Tristan.

 

'Sistersong' is a slow paced, but immensely enthralling and immersive experience that captivated me from beginning to end. An emotional character driven narrative, told through three distinct voices, and rich, absorbing world building that blends magic and history together with a prose that felt lyrical and poetic. I've seen reviews where 'Sistersong' is compared to Madeline Miller's 'Circe', while yes it felt similiar in its narrative style, I felt it more reminiscent of the excellent 'Lancelot' by Giles Kristian, in its style of prose, magic and world building, which I also really enjoyed.

 

This was a powerful, emotional and compelling read that, from when I first saw the gorgeous cover art by Mel Four, captured my interest straight away. One of my favourites of the year and totally recommended!

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Book Review: 'Burning Kingdoms: Book 1 - The Jasmine Throne' by Tasha Suri

'The Jasmine Throne' by Tasha Suri, was a superb read, laying the foundation for a new trilogy inspired by the histories and epics of India, the 'Burning Kingdoms'.

The main perspectives of the book are Priya and Malini. One is a handmaiden with a hidden secret, harbouring an ancient and forbidden magic, and the other is a Princess banished by her brutally extremist and misogynistic Emperor brother to live out her days in seclusion in the Hirana temple. But when an incident at the temple reveals Priya's secret to Malini, it sparks them down a path that will bind them together, and begin a journey that could transform an empire!

Tasha does a great job with the two main characters. Morally grey women, from completely different backgrounds, finding a connection with one another, and willing to do what they feel is right, for freedom and rebellion, no matter the consequences. It made them feel authentic to me and easy to be emotionally invested in them. Their fierceness and determination, as well as their tenderness and passion, stood out for me as I turned the pages. I couldn't help but love them! The relationship that sparks between Priya and Malini is not exactly a whirl wind, but takes time for the trust between them to develop. This simmering bond helped deepen their development and slowly dial up the sapphic tension between the pair. It's a slow burn until the tension is finally released in a beautifully written scene by a waterfall.

The side characters are well written too, most notably Bhumika, Ashok and Rao, bringing their additional perspectives and motivations to the story, adding depth to the world outside of the Hirana, bringing an insight to a somewhat barbarous patriarchal society that is troubled by a disease and teetering on the brink of rebellion.

As with Tasha's previous 'Books of Ambha' duology - 'Empire of Sand' and 'Realm of Ash' - 'The Jasmine Throne' is beautifully written with engaging characters that drive the story in a compelling and expansive world, feeling more epic in scope, and captivating you from beginning to end, with its slow burn tension and deep dive into an intriguing, yet familiar world.

Tasha once again delivers a powerful and spellbinding read. I can't wait for book 2. Recommended!

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#ArtOfTheDay: 'Black Ships' by John Jude Palencar

'Black Ships' by John Jude Palencar.

Cover art for the paperback edition of the novel, book 1 in the 'Numinous World' series written by Jo Graham, published December 2009 by Orbit Books

Book Review: 'The Books Of Ambha: Book 2 - Realm Of Ash' by Tasha Suri

'Realm Of Ash' by Tasha Suri' is the sequel / companion to 'Empire Of Sand'. I really loved her style of prose and the themes within after finishing that book, and I was looking forward to reading another story set in her South Asian inspired world.

Where 'Empire Of Sand' was focused on Mehr, 'Realm Of Ash' switches the attention to her younger sister, Arwa, who we only met briefly previously. But instead of being a direct follow on of events of the first book, we flash forward several years, and Arwa is now a young woman. Having been brought up by her devout step mother in exile, surpressing her outlawed Amrithi heritage, Arwa is now in a period of grievance after surviving a brutal and infamous massacre, where she also lost her husband, and is on her way to a commune for widows. Whilst she is there, her Amrithi roots are discovered and she offers herself up to the Ambhan Royal Palace. It's there, in the service of the Emperor's daughter, that Arwa meets Zahir, the bastard outcast son of the Emperor. The two are soon put together and are collaborating in an effort to 'save' the Empire by visiting the realm of ash - the realm of the dead - in an efffort to find the soul of the Maha, the religious leader from the first book. The beginnings of an awkward romance start to bloom, but being drawn into court politics as well as a coup for the throne by one of Zahir's more fanatical brothers, throws everything off kilter, and Arwa and Zahir have to flee for their lives in an effort to escape the coup and to continue their 'heretical' work.

The world building of this series has been one of the delights, making the fictional landscape seem very real, and one of the best I've had the pleasure to be acquainted with. Tasha takes the lore that she built in the first book, and expands upon it, as we see how the Ambhan Empire has adjusted to life after the ramifications of the events from the 'Empire Of Sand' in the intervening years in between the books. The addition of the mysterious realm of ash adds another layer to an already intricate and spiritual world. The cultures of the Ambhan and Amrithi peoples are given further depth, with a deeper look at their beliefs and rituals, making them more alive and enriched, helped by part of the story being a journey, and the meeting new people and their customs along the way, instead of being limited to just one or two locations and only a few characters.

Themes about loss and grief are prevalent throughout the story, as we focus on Arwa, a young woman whose position of a widowed noblewoman, when we first meet her, means that she doesn't fulfil a 'use' in society anymore. She still finds it hard to come to terms with the loss of her husband, and the devasting incident that made her a widow, as well as her loss in her faith and her struggle to accept herself and her place in society. But Arwa's journey is ultimately also one of self discovery, especially after she meets Zahir, allowing her to re-discover herself and bloom once again.

'Realm Of Ash' is another beautifully written book, a slow burn that builds as the story progresses and one that pulls you deep into its lore, adding even more layers of depth to an already well developed world, plus compelling and engaging lead characters that you'll want to follow along their journey with, as well as a good cast of supporting characters too. Having fallen in love with 'The Books of Ambha' series, Tasha Suri will be an author whose works will always now go straight into my TBR list. I also had the chance to meet her at a book signing at a UK comic con last year, getting both books in the series signed in the process, which was a pleasure! I look forward to her next books with very enthusiastic anticipation!

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Book Review: 'The Books Of Ambha: Book 1 - Empire Of Sand' by Tasha Suri

'Empire Of Sand' is a wonderful (and award winning) debut novel from Tasha Suri. Set in a South Asian / Mughal Indian inspired fantasy world, where the ruling Ambhan Empire has oppressed and driven out the Amrithi clans, due to them communing through rites of dance and sigil with daiva, djinn like spirits that exist in between the human and ethereal planes. The Amrithi are now looked down upon with scorn and vitriol and are classed as little more than savages and heathens by the Ambhans.

The story follows Mehr, daughter to the Governor of the city of Jah Irinah in the Ambhan Empire. But with Amrithi blood in her thanks to her mother, a concubine in the Governor's court who was banished not long after Arwa, Mehr's younger sister, was born, the Governor's Palace where she lives has effectively become a golden prison, despite sheltering the girls from the wrath of the Empire outside. But when Mehr performs an Amrithi rite, in an attempt to try and find a friend during a dreamfire storm that engulfs the city, it brings her to the attention of the Maha, the religious leader of the Ambhan Empire. Soon a delegation of acolyte mystics are sent to Jah Irinah, forcing her into an arranged marriage with Amun, one of mystics in the dispatched entourage, and bringing her back to the Maha's compound, where she soon finds out that she is a pawn, caught in the middle of gods and men.

'Empire of Sand' is a slow burn kind of read, but definitely not a boring kind of read. The layers of lore of the Ambhan, Amrithi, and daiva are gradually peeled away as Mehr's journey continues, with plenty details revealing themselves, keeping me engrossed in the story and the world page after page. I was also immediately invested in Mehr as a character. She goes through so much, having to suffer and then adapting to situations she's pushed into, that you're rooting for her from the start. And yet by the end of book, she is unrecognisable from the Mehr we see at the beginning, becoming someone that is more stronger and confident in herself and in the love she finally finds despite all the hardship she has had to come through.

The prose is beautiful, lyrical and poetic, effortlessly sweeping you along in the story. With a magic system that is based on dancing and sigils, the writing style was certainly a great match. It's also a magic that I've not encountered in previous fantasy reads, and I enjoyed the originality and grace of the rites.

I've recently been enjoying fantasy reads that are breaking more and more away from the well worn medieval European fantasy tropes - books by NK Jemisin, Nnedi Okorafor, Rena Barron, JY Yang, RF Kuang and Samantha Shannon all spring to mind. It's great to see these ideas and other cultures from around the world being incorporated and inspiring some great reads. I really enjoy reading stories with protagonists and worlds inspired by cultures other than my own, and Tasha Suri's 'Empire Of Sand' is a worthy addition to that list. Recommended.

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