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ABOVE THE ASHES

BOOK ONE OF THE BLOOD AND HEXES TRILOGY

A blend of the paranormal and the romantic that ably sets the stage for the next series entry.

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The first installment of Fernandez’s Blood and Hexes trilogy weaves a tale of witchcraft, vengeance, and supernatural conflict across centuries.

The story opens in Plymouth, England, in 1689, with 15-year-old Sybil Cotterill and her mother, Olivia, fleeing for their lives. The Cotterill family are no strangers to persecution, due to their practice of witchcraft. Olivia prepares Sybil for a life of secrecy and gifts her a magical silver pentacle, but they’re ultimately unable to avoid the witch-hunters pursuing them. Once caught, Sybil and her neighbor, Constance, are sentenced to death; however, Sybil’s magical abilities keep her alive while entombed for 300 years. She awakens in modern-day Salem, Massachusetts, struggling to understand the new world around her. She’s driven by a desire for vengeance against those who victimized her and her family, and soon finds herself entangled with Marcelo Abana Flores, a Spanish conquistador-turned-vampire, and Cauac, an Incan spellcrafter. Marcelo was transformed into a vampire after an encounter with an Incan demon, and he still struggles with his new identity and his powers, as well as guilt and a desire for redemption. Cauac’s failed attempt to summon a demon in 1532 led to the destruction of his people and connected him to Marcelo and to a broader conflict involving supernatural forces. The narrative converges in Machu Picchu, where Cauac is working to amass a demon army. Overall, Fernandez successfully conjures multidimensional characters, as when he shows Sybil’s evolution from a witch on the run to a powerful and vengeful figure. Marcelo’s conflict with his vampire nature and his quest for redemption effectively add another layer of emotional complexity. Additionally, the author’s writing style is engaging and descriptive as it captures the romantic tension between Sybil and Marcelo: “He lost himself in her eyes that had seen so much life and tragedy. She seemed on the verge of tears, and he only desired to bring her joy and respite.” However, the book’s brevity may leave some readers unsatisfied.

A blend of the paranormal and the romantic that ably sets the stage for the next series entry.

Pub Date: June 24, 2024

ISBN: 979-8321144381

Page Count: 233

Publisher: Independently Published

Review Posted Online: June 27, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2024

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IRON FLAME

From the Empyrean series , Vol. 2

Unrelenting, and not in a good way.

A young Navarrian woman faces even greater challenges in her second year at dragon-riding school.

Violet Sorrengail did all the normal things one would do as a first-year student at Basgiath War College: made new friends, fell in love, and survived multiple assassination attempts. She was also the first rider to ever bond with two dragons: Tairn, a powerful black dragon with a distinguished battle history, and Andarna, a baby dragon too young to carry a rider. At the end of Fourth Wing (2023), Violet and her lover, Xaden Riorson, discovered that Navarre is under attack from wyvern, evil two-legged dragons, and venin, soulless monsters that harvest energy from the ground. Navarrians had always been told that these were monsters of legend and myth, not real creatures dangerously close to breaking through Navarre’s wards and attacking civilian populations. In this overly long sequel, Violet, Xaden, and their dragons are determined to find a way to protect Navarre, despite the fact that the army and government hid the truth about these creatures. Due to the machinations of several traitorous instructors at Basgiath, Xaden and Violet are separated for most of the book—he’s stationed at a distant outpost, leaving her to handle the treacherous, cutthroat world of the war college on her own. Violet is repeatedly threatened by her new vice commandant, a brutal man who wants to silence her. Although Violet and her dragons continue to model extreme bravery, the novel feels repetitive and more than a little sloppy, leaving obvious questions about the world unanswered. The book is full of action and just as full of plot holes, including scenes that are illogical or disconnected from the main narrative. Secondary characters are ignored until a scene requires them to assist Violet or to be killed in the endless violence that plagues their school.

Unrelenting, and not in a good way.

Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023

ISBN: 9781649374172

Page Count: 640

Publisher: Red Tower

Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2024

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  • New York Times Bestseller

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BLOODGUARD

An expertly crafted page-turner with unpredictable twists, steamy romance, and magical creatures.

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  • New York Times Bestseller

A princess and a gladiator join forces amidst political intrigue and bloody carnage in Robson’s fantasy novel.

For the citizens of the wealthy kingdom of Arrow, the most exciting entertainment can be found in the arena—for the gladiators from the surrounding kingdoms, it’s a relentlessly brutal series of fights to the death. The combatants hope to win enough matches to earn the royal title of “Bloodguard,” which will allow their families to immigrate to Arrow. Leith, a gladiator in his mid-20s, is a skilled fighter driven by his desperation to support his mother and two younger sisters (and by the rage built from years of killing his peers for an audience’s delectation). After killing the arrogant Lord Filip (who challenged him to an impromptu duel) and subsequently emerging victorious in a surprise melee with a group of his peers and a dragon, Leith is getting closer to becoming a Bloodguard. He attracts the attention of Princess Maeve, a 20-year-old healer. Now that her fiance, Lord Filip, is dead, she’s in dire need of a noble spouse so that she can claim the throne when she turns 21. Maeve proposes a deal: She’ll help Leith achieve the Bloodguard status in exchange for his hand in marriage. But as their relationship blossoms, problems arise when royal secrets are revealed and government corruption is exposed. Soon, they’re not just vying for a title and a crown—they’re fighting for their lives. Robson’s novel is an exciting blend of action, palace intrigue, and romance in a high fantasy setting. The story unfolds through the perspectives of Maeve and Leith, who are both compelling and well developed, with flaws, foibles, and distinctive voices. The supporting characters are equally intriguing. Readers will love the richly detailed worldbuilding and combat sequences, as well as the use of snarky, modern language (“Of course the only royal offering me help is one who’s clawing her way to the throne, not already sitting pretty on one. That tracks,” Leith gripes). The book’s thoughtful queer representation and exploration of oppression and exploitation are also noteworthy.

An expertly crafted page-turner with unpredictable twists, steamy romance, and magical creatures.

Pub Date: Oct. 22, 2024

ISBN: 9781649374059

Page Count: 448

Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books

Review Posted Online: Sept. 3, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2024

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