TBR Books

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

This book is full of color and beauty I forgot I was reading. Lazlo Strange is an orphan who doesn’t fit in. He’s obsessed with lost city of Weep and when a caravan arrives from the city after no contact for two hundred years he does whatever he can to go back with them and uncover the secrets of the city and possibly the blue skinned woman he’s been dreaming of. Completed duology. by Lena

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

Atmosphere, card magic, a mysterious fog, say less. Elspeth has a snarky monster in her head no one knows about. She allies with a highwayman to help save the kingdom from a fever. Completed douology. Loosely based on the Highwayman poem by Alfred Noyes. by Lena

The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song

Mulan retelling done right. I devoured this book in two days, my kids fended for themselves, it was fine. This delves into breaking societal norms and forging your own path. This is not a cute spin on Mulan but a dark, gritty dive into what it takes to make change happen. Complete duology. by Lena

Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop

This series holds a special place in my heart. It was one of the first high fantasy adult books I picked up as a teen. The Black Jewel trilogy follows three men as they support and follow a young Queen prophesied to cleanse the Blood of corruption. There is love, healing, laughter, and family. Complete trilogy with spin off books. Also check out her series The Others for a urban fantasy with shifters. by Lena

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross

How to explain this book and the magic? It feels like an Irish fairytale. Jack has magic in his music he uses to communicate with the gods. He comes back to the Isle of Cadence to care for his mother and sister and finds Adaira. This is book two of the Isle of Cadence duology. by Lena

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson

Painter lives in a world of darkness and his job is to paint away living nightmares and keep the city safe. Yumi is revered by her people to keep the spirits happy. When they start waking up in each other’s bodies they have to learn to live differently and find out how their worlds are connected. On-off book. by Lena

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

Did I just now discover T. Kingfisher? Yes. Do I feel slightly cheated? A little. This is a new favorite and a joy to read. This lighthearted and fun read had me laughing the whole time. Halla’s in-laws are trying to steal her fortune so naturally when she pulls a sword to kill herself and leave the money to her nieces, a man pops out of the sword. Long suffering Sarkis is drug along to help Halla find a lawyer and keep her out of trouble. Along the way they find paladins, moving forests, and love. by Lena

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen

This delightful second installment of Megan Bannen’s Tanria series follows Twyla and Frank, two middle aged park rangers for Tanria, the once former prison of the Old Gods. This have gone quiet until a mining expedition uncovers pink, glittery dragons? This is wild west gone fantasy romance. This is book two and can be read as a stand alone. by Lena

The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik

Book three of the of the Scholomance series had me in tears by the end. El has survived the Sholomance but finds out that graduation is causing problems in the world outside the school. Secrets are uncovered and new alliances made to bring the world back into balance. Completed trilogy. by Lena

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff

If you want a sweet happily ever after, turn away now. The job of the Silver Saints became infinitely harder when the sun set over thirty years ago and never fully rose again. Gabriel deLeon is the last of the Silver Saints, a holy order charged with ridding the world of vampires, and he’s been captured. Now he is telling his story to the very demons he spent his life trying to kill. Trilogy, book three releases in November. by Lena