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House of Earth and Blood : a Crescent City novel
by Sarah J Maas
What it's about: Seeking oblivion in nightclubs in the aftermath of a shattering loss, half-fae Bryce is unwittingly dragged into a murder investigation at the side of a Fallen angel. By the best-selling author of the Throne of Glass series.
Debut: Urban fantasy adult debut from acclaimed YA author.
Review: "Maas’s adult readers and fans of Charlaine Harris will devour this ambitious, emotionally charged contemporary fantasy. Agent: Tamar Rydzinski, Context Literary." ~ Publisher's Weekly
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A Witch in Time
by Constance Sayers
What it is: After discovering that her teenage daughter is involved with a married painter in 1895 Paris, a witch casts a curse that binds the pair to relive the doomed affair and die tragically over and over again.
Debut: Dark magic creates a love triangle that spans lifetimes in this complex, genre-bending debut.
Review: "Offer this fascinating magical fusion of movies Groundhog Day and Somewhere in Time with the television series Quantum Leap to readers who enjoy stories that mix fictional characters with real historical figures." ~ Lucy Lockley, Booklist
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| Upright Women Wanted by Sarah GaileyWhat it is: a pulp SF Western set in alternate-timeline dystopian American Southwest and featuring an LGBTQIA cast.
What happens: After her best friend (and secret lover) Beatriz is executed for possession of Unapproved Materials, Esther Augustus seeks to hide in plain sight by joining the Librarians, who pose as "Morally Upright Women" while distributing seditious literature.
Reviewers say: "a feat of writerly sorcery that packs a sweeping political epic into fewer than 200 pages" (Booklist). |
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| Stormsong by C.L. PolkWhat it is: the 2nd book in the Kingston Cycle, focusing on politically engaged Dame Grace Hensley (sister of Witchmark protagonist Miles) and fearless photojournalist Avia Jessup.
Read it for: an Edwardian-inspired setting, a suspenseful plot rife with political intrigue, and a sweet f/f romance.
What about Miles and Tristan? After upending their society in Witchmark, the couple plays more of a background role here. |
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Upon a Burning Throne
by Ashok Banker
What it's about: After the death of the emperor of the Burnt Empire, the two young princes, Adri and Shvate, must pass the test of fire and sit upon the legendary burning throne, which incinerates the unworthy.
Debut: U.S. debut for bestselling Indian author.
For fans of: First of a new epic fantasy series inspired by an ancient Sanskrit epic and Indian mythology, Upon a Burning Throne evokes the expansive world-building and complex twists of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, N.K. Jemisin's Inheritance trilogy, and Ken Liu's The Dandelion Dynasty series.
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| The Lost Future of Pepperharrow by Natasha PulleyStarring: clairvoyant watchmaker Keito Mori, and his lover, Thaniel Steepleton, whose work with the Foreign Office takes the couple (and their adopted daughter) to Mori's native Tokyo, where Thaniel investigates supernatural activity and makes some surprising discoveries about his partner.
Why you might like it: This sequel to The Watchmaker of Filigree Street offers well-drawn characters, a Steampunk-infused Victorian setting, and an intricate plot whose seemingly unrelated parts fit together like clockwork. |
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| The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K.S. VillosoIntroducing: Queen Talyien of Jin-Sayeng, who survives an assassination attempt en route to a meeting with her estranged husband, who abandoned her the night before her coronation. (And that's just the beginning of her adventures.)
Read it for: a tough-as-nails heroine, immersive world-building, knotty political intrigue, and a shocking ending.
Series alert: Originally self-published, this debut by Filipina author K.S. Villoso kicks off the Chronicles of the Bitch Queen series. |
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Sword of Fire
by Katharine Kerr
What it's about: The first in a new Celtic-flavored fantasy trilogy, set a few centuries after a previous 15-book series concerning tangled fates, reincarnation, wars, and the relationships among humans, elves, dwarves, dragons, and other beings.To overthrow the so-called traditional legal system in Aberwyn, guildwoman Alyssa, to retrieve the evidence she needs, must embark on a perilous journey and elude the powerful lords who will kill anyone who threatens their privileges.
Series alert: New trilogy in the Deverry series.
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The Absinthe Earl
by Sharon Lynn Fisher
What its' about: Fairies, absinthe , and ancient secrets provide an adventurous backdrop for romance in this historical-fantasy romance.In 1882, there are rumors in Ireland of fairies returning to make their claim on the country's lands. After years of banishment, they've found a way to bridge the worlds between human and fairy, and the key might lie in absinthe.
For fans of: Fans of Gail Carriger and Leanna Renee Hieber will savor this promising series opener.
Review: "Anyone who loves a good supernatural story, along with a hefty dose of Irish legend and romance, will adore this new series." ~ Tiffany Austin, Booklist
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The Dark Mirror
by Juliet Marillier
What it's about: Fostered by one of the land's most powerful druids, young nobleman Bridei undertakes a series of mysterious tasks designed to teach him about the world and his destiny, but when he discovers a child seemingly abandoned by the fairie folk, he meets resistance in his determination to save her.
Review: "In this captivating tale based on the elusive history of the Picts, Marillier excels at breathing life into the past. Possessing the charm and sweetness of the very young, Bridei and Tuala keep their golden glow to the last page." ~ Paula Luedtke, Booklist
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Hood
by Steve Lawhead
What it's about: Presents a reimagining of the tale of Robin Hood in which the son of a king, Bran ap Brychan, flees the kingdom of Elfael after his father is killed and leads a band of thieves as they try to battle the Normans and take back the kingdom.
Series alert: Book 1 in the King Raven series.
For fans of: Douglas Nicholas, James Wilde and Erika Johansen.
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The White Mare
by Jules Watson
What it's about: Seeking to help her people hold out against enslaving Roman conquerors in 79 AD, Scottish priestess and princess Rhiann is forced into a political marriage, while exiled Irish prince Eremon is compelled to prove his military prowess and reclaim his throne by uniting the feuding tribes of his adopted country.
Review: "Careful attention to historic detail and the addition of a touch of magic and prophecy make this a strong fantasy debut and a good choice for most libraries." ~ Jackie Cassada, Library Journal
For fans of: Juliet Marillier, Signe Pike and Katherine Arden.
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Daughter of Albion : A Novel of Ancient Britain
by Ilka Tampke
What it's about: An abandoned baby girl in Britain, AD 43, is raised in the Tribequeen's kitchen and grows up serving her, until a chance encounter with a strange young man leads her to the tribal ancestors who believe she has a different destiny.
Review: "While fantasy lovers will enjoy the mysticism and world building, and historical fiction readers will appreciate the Roman invasion story line, there are also plenty of sensual scenes between Ailia and her two lovers for romance fans." ~ Emily Compton-Dzak, Booklist
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The Last Days of Magic
by Mark Tompkins
What it's about: Negotiating a fragile peace among the warring clans of the human and faerie worlds, the goddess Aisling is confronted by the forces of the Vatican and England, who have directed a clandestine student of forbidden magic to lead a war to drive all magical forces from the world.
Review: "Weaving together the consequences of choices, from the time of Adam and Eve to the mystical entities of medieval Ireland to the present day , Tompkins offers the reader a unique, intricate, and complicated story intersecting myth, magic , mysticism, and biblical lore." ~ Becca Smith, Booklist
For fans of: Sarah Beth Durst, Brandon Sanderson and Terry Brooks
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Forsyth County Public Library 660 W 5th Street Winston Salem, North Carolina 27101 336-703-3030www.forsythlibrary.org |
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