Historical, fantasy, and mystery are my top three favorite genres, so a steampunk mystery should be right up my alley! Read on for my full review ...

© 2023 Moonshell Books

Title: The Clockwork City [Lady Georgia Brunel Mystery #1] 
Author: Shelley Adina
Published: 2023 by Moonshell Books, Inc.

About the Book:

"A painting holiday in steampunk Venice. A villa on the canal. A body in the water? 

Lady Georgia Brunel, widowed a year, has been looking forward to her holiday in the Duchy of Venice with her companion, Millicent Brunel. The clockwork city's annual art exhibition is in full swing, and old friends and new acquaintances make for an exciting social whirl. The married Sir Francis Thorne would pursue her if he dared. Several members of the nobility, including those with connections to Lord and Lady Dunsmuir, make entertaining companions. And Georgia will never admit that Dustin Seacombe, the disheveled and irritating Texican Ranger who steps on one's gown and will not confide his business in Venice, is the most interesting of all. 

And then early one morning, the body of Sir Francis washes up on the water stairs at the Brunel villa. An empty gondola floats nearby. Many assume it is an accident. The Duchy police assume a lover's quarrel, with Georgia as their suspect. For there are powerful factions in the city who want this case solved and submerged as soon as possible. Georgia and Millie must act quickly to clear her name and discover the real murderer, before Georgia finds herself dancing with death instead."

The Artist Librarian Review:
I'm a longtime fan of steampunk costuming and cosplay, but I haven't read many steampunk novels. Though The Clockwork City was my first steampunk mystery, it definitely won't be my last! Thrust into the amateur detective role to clear her name when she falls under the polizia's suspicions, Lady Georgia is a plucky protagonist, in a similar vein of Nancy Drew or Miss Marple. Shelley Adina also shines in establishing her fantastical steampunk re-imagining of Venice as a clockwork city with gondola filled waterways. I don't want to spoil any of the plot, but fans of the golden age of detective fiction or cozy mysteries looking to expand their horizons might enjoy this fantasy tinged, yet historically-inspired, steampunk novel!

[Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review purposes via Just Read Tours.]

About the Author:

"Shelley Adina is the author of more than 50 novels published by Harlequin, Warner, Hachette, and Moonshell Books, Inc., her own independent press. She writes steampunk adventure and mystery as Shelley Adina; as Charlotte Henry, writes classic Regency romance; and as Adina Senft, is the USA Today bestselling author of Amish women's fiction. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Lancaster University in the UK. She won RWA's RITA Award(R) in 2005, and was a finalist in 2006. She appeared in the 2016 documentary film Love Between the Covers, is a popular speaker and convention panelist, and has been a guest on many podcasts, including Worldshapers and Realm of Books. When she's not writing, Shelley is usually quilting, sewing historical costumes, or enjoying the garden with her flock of rescued chickens."

 As a Youth Services Librarian, I'm always on the lookout for new middle grade fiction. Check out this debut from Luke X. Cunningham that just released this week!

Book Title: LEO Inventor Extraordinaire
Author: Luke Cunningham
Published: 2021 by Zonderkidz  

About the Book:

"In this middle-school adventure mystery perfect for puzzle solvers, a young orphan named Leo discovers clues to his past when he finds a series of tunnels below his school. But to unlock the answers, he’ll need every skill and invention he has—even if his inventions don’t always work. A “lifer” at the secluded Academy of Florence, Leo has never met his parents ... or anyone in his family for that matter. His current “family” is his mechanical monkey and robot lion, who along with his charming best friend and fellow lifer, Savvy, only get him into trouble. But after Leo’s latest experiment goes catastrophically wrong, he finds a mysterious clue that opens an underground maze—one that seems to have been created for him to solve. Leo hopes the tunnels will help him discover the identities of his parents and the reason he’s an orphan in the first place. Instead, he finds that his past and possibly even his future is somehow linked to the innovative Wynn Toys company, whose genius president mysteriously disappeared years before. Leo must use his creativity and scientific know-how to revive the toy company, oust its dastardly leader, and discover the fate of his real family."

About the Author:

"Luke X. Cunningham is an Emmy-nominated writer from Philadelphia. Previously, he spent three years as a writer for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He developed a passion for the Renaissance while earning a history degree from Brown University. He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, with his wife and their son, Finn. LEO: Inventor Extraordinaire is his first novel. You can connect with him online on Twitter."

Initial Thoughts:
I know several of my patrons are always on the lookout for clean fiction and while it's not always a problem in middle grade fiction, Zonderkidz published titles are usually a safe choice to direct these families to. Though clocking in at 400 pages, there are many fun small illustrations throughout by artist Theresa Chiechi. The Da Vinci style inventions and Renaissance inspirations definitely have a STEM/STEAM connection that hopefully will draw tween readers as well. I'm looking forward to reading LEO: Inventor Extraordinaire! 

Do you have a favorite real life or fictional gadgeteer/inventor?

[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via participation with Turn the Page Tour.]

GIVEAWAY:

If this sounds like a book you'd like to read, check out how to purchase a copy or enter our tour giveaway! Three (3) winners will receive a print copy of of Leo: Inventor Extraordinaire. This giveaway ends on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 12am CST. USA residents only. Enter via Rafflecoper here! 

Be sure to check out the rest of the book tour stops as well!

Read on for a review on a unique YA fantasy from Enclave Publishing's new YA imprint and a chance to win a gift basket and an autographed copy!

2020 Enclave Publishing

Book: The Vault Between Spaces
Author: Chawna Schroeder
Published: 2020 by Enclave Escape

About the Book:

Every legend must start somewhere…
No prisoner who enters the gates of HopeWell ever leaves. But from the moment Oriel sets foot inside Anatroshka’s most formidable prison camp, she unsettles both commandant and prisoner alike with eyes that see beyond the surface and music that trails her everywhere.

Petite and delicate though she appears, Oriel bows before neither threat nor punishment. Moreover, she makes no attempt to hide her intention: Oriel plans to escape the inescapable HopeWell.

But when facades are stripped away and myth becomes clothed in flesh, what begins as a prison break becomes a mission to stop the invasion of evil itself.

The Artist Librarian Review:
Coming from Enclave Publishing's new YA imprint, Enclave Escape, Chawna Schroeder's unique fantasy isn't for everyone, but those looking for a more classic fantasy with a hint of dystopia and the supernatural may enjoy this stand alone novel.

Where most fantasy novels are multi-volume or serials, the world Anatroshka is contained within a stand alone novel.  While this is something I appreciate as a reader to have a contained story without having to wait months or years for the continuation or conclusion, I think it was one reason why I wasn't able to completely invest and connect with the world and characters: I'm more accustomed to longer, meandering series.  Of course, as a reader you don't want "info dumps" to introduce you to a new fantasy world and characters, and Schroeder doesn't resort to it, but I did find myself wishing that I could have bit more info as a reader.  The details I did receive as a reader left me wanting more, but it feels like just enough information is given to immerse you into the story, which I suspect is because it is a stand alone. 

While being marketed as a YA and published through Enclave's new YA imprint, it didn't necessarily feel like a YA novel with a teen protagonist.  This isn't necessarily a negative.  Though Oriel seems to be the main character based on the synopsis, to me it felt more like an ensemble cast, with no characters outshining or taking center stage over the others.  But it was also hard for me to connect with the characters for some reason:  From young Brandon in the military, grizzled prisoner Gareth, to the otherworldly Jaki, the characters were intriguing, but left me wanting more.  Again, I feel this may be because of the stand alone nature of the book and with a length of 289 pages, it had to be succinct and tight.  There is an author's note at the end of the book which helped clarify the different species/races and some of the mythos of the world that I wish could have gotten worked in a bit more into the story itself.

But overall, The Vault Between the Spaces contains an intriguing premise of angelic beings, faerie-like creatures, elemental powers, and spiritual threads that will come together perfectly for certain readers.  Though this novel didn't quite hit the mark for me personally, Chawna Schroeder has a lot of potential as author and I am interested in seeing what she dreams up next.

[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this novel for review purposes through Celebrate Lit Blog Tours.]



About the Author:

Chawna Schroeder is Minnesotan writer who enjoys snow, chai tea, and playing “what if?”—even if that game occasionally gets her into trouble. She also loves stretching both her imagination and her faith to their limits and helping others to do the same. As a result, her writing explores the vastness of God, His multifaceted nature, and the potential of a life lived with Him. This means both learning the boundaries He created for our protection as well as demolishing the human boxes that restrict both God and people.

When she isn’t reading or writing, a variety of other activities fill her “free” time: practicing piano for church, preparing Sunday school lessons, studying the biblical languages, or working on one of her handwork projects while enjoying a movie.

Chawna’s other books include Beast, a coming-of-age fairytale for teens and adults, and the Bearing the Sword curriculum, which teaches the basics of discernment to teens through in-depth Bible study and media analysis. You can connect with Chawna through her website (www.chawnaschroeder.com), blog (www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/ChawnaSchroederAuthor/).

I often find the final book in a trilogy plays a pivotal part of how I view the series as a whole. If successful and well-written, I will return to it over and over again.  If lackluster or disappointing, it can dim the excitement and joy I felt for the earlier installments.  Read on for my review of  Curse Bound --author J.L. Mbewe's conclusion to her debut fantasy trilogy ...


Title: Curse Bound (The Hidden Dagger #3)
Author: J. L. Mbewe
Published: 2019 by BrokenSeed Books

About the Book:

"Kael's worse fears have come true. Betrayal has shaken the Guardian Circle, the High Guardian is dead, and Ayianna and Prince Vian are in the hands of the Sorceress, but he and his companions must finish their quest, before they can attempt a rescue mission. Unfortunately, Desmond's parting gift left them stranded on the western cliffs of Nälu. Jathil, once heir to the throne of Arashel, believes her father will aid them, but first she must face the crimes of her past. When she does, she could never believe the outcome, nor the rippling effect it would have on the nations. Meanwhile the Alliance braces for war, but division threatens to undermine their efforts. When Nerissa returns from Ganya with the dragon regiment, she discovers a bigger problem. The curse bound are waking. As the quest nears completion, Kael is forced to choose between his heart and duty, and neither choice bodes well with him. Either way, he will face the Sorceress and her armies sooner or later. The battle for Nälu has begun and there can be only one victor."

The Artist Librarian Review:

It's bittersweet to come to the end of this trilogy that I started reading nearly 5 years ago with Secrets Kept.  Curse Bound covers events immediately after Darkened Hope and follows several different groups of characters from the original quest: Ayianna and Prince Vian traded their lives for the safety of their friends and are now captive in the heart of enemy territory.  Kael, Jathil, and Tariq frantically search for the final ingredient to craft a life-saving tonic.  Finally the remnants of the Guardian Circle prepare for war in the city of Praeten and watch over the sleeping cursed bound citizens in Kvazkhun.

Though it's been over a year since I last read this series, I was able to quickly reacquaint myself through the character list at the beginning of the book which spotlights each main character and their role in the series thus far.  I think it would be possible for someone to jump straight to Curse Bound, but reading the trilogy through would be more preferred to give background and foster connection to the characters.  The story continues where it left off from the previous book at full speed. 

Appropriately, considering the title, much of the conflict of the novel comes through curses: Some are physically affecting curses, like the harpy curse which threatens to consume Ayianna or the Sorceress' curse on the plains' people that compel them to serve her.  Others are subtle, like Kael's struggles to overcome his past failures or Vian's status as the marked firstborn of King Valdemar that makes him a target of Semine, who is convinced that his sacrifice will allow her evil mistress Raezana to rise again.

While I did enjoy the conclusion of this trilogy, I did feel a slight letdown on the ending in regards to the fate of one antagonist, because the story feels complete minus that one character.  However, I have a feeling that perhaps it was intentionally left open-ended by the author so she can return to this story world and write more about Nälu in the future ... Other than that, I think overall, with diverse characters, detailed world building, and a subtle spiritual thread, The Hidden Dagger Trilogy is a solid indie debut for author J. L. Mbewe and is unique entry in the growing Christian Fantasy market.


[Disclosure: I received a complimentary ARC of this book for review purposes through the participation of this blog tour.]

About the Author

Writing as J. L. Mbewe, Jennette is an author, artist, mother, wife, but not always in that order. Born and raised in Minnesota, she now braves the heat of Texas, but pines for the Northern Lights and the lakes of home every autumn. She loves trying to capture the abstract and make it concrete. She is currently living her second childhood with her wonderful husband and two precious children who don’t seem to mind her eclectic collections of rocks, shells, and swords, among other things. Here, between reality and dreams, you will find her busily creating worlds inhabited by all sorts of fantasy creatures and characters, all questing about and discovering true love amid lots of peril. Her debut novel, Secrets Kept, was nominated for the 2014 Clive Staples Award. Her second novel, Darkened Hope was a semi-finalist for the 2017 Alliance Award.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, July 8^th

• Sparks of Ember: Spotlight & Book Excerpt
• Kathrese McKee: Author Interview
• Safe Return Doubtful: Character Interview
• Starlight Reviews: Book Review of Curse Bound

Tuesday, July 9^th

• The Heart of a Scribe: Guest Post on Writing
• Imperial Scribis: Book Review of Secrets Kept
• The Artist Librarian: Guest Post on Music of Nalü

Wednesday, July 10^th

• Elisabeth Wheatley: Author Interview
• Fairies, Fantasy, and Faith: Guest Post on World-Building

Thursday, July 11^th

• The Quirky Book Nerd: Book Review of The Hidden Dagger Trilogy
• The Genre of Imagination: Author Interview
• Unicorn Quester: Guest Post of Characters as My Little Pony

Friday, July 12^th

• Jessica Belmont: Book Review of Curse Bound
• Unicorn Quester: Video Book Review

Saturday, July 13^th

• She Hearts Fiction: Book Review of Curse Bound
• The Artist Librarian: Book Review of Curse Bound

Sunday, July 14^th

• Unicorn Quester: Blog Tour Wrap-Up

I loved featuring fantasy author J.L. Mbewe as a guest blogger several years ago where she shared the inspiration behind some of the styles and clothing of her world of Nälu.  This week on July 11th, Curse Bound, the final book in The Hidden Dagger Trilogy will be released!  To celebrate, Laura A. Grace of Unicorn Quester has organized an awesome blog tour I'm happy to participate in and I have the honor of hosting Jennette on my blog again --this time to talk about the music of her diverse fantasy world!  Don't forget to read on after for info about a special Facebook Party (with prizes!) and find links to the rest of the blog tour:


I know. It sounds funny, doesn’t it? It’s a book. Why would we even think about the music you would find within the pages of a book? It’s not like you can listen to it while you’re reading. YET. Although, I have heard rumors and people talking about possibly creating the technology to couple music while you’re reading. Personally, I don’t think I’d like it, but that’s a different post for a different time. Ha!
When we write, we aren’t just creating pictures with words. We are immersing you in another time and place, a place rich with color, smells, flavors, and sounds. I might have gotten a little carried away with world-building, but today, it all pays off. I get to share a little about the sounds you would hear if you were to visit some of the places within Nälu.

And IF you’ve read A Princess No More, you will have greater insight into a certain pivotal scene in Curse Bound. But we are getting ahead of ourselves.





This is just a taste of some the music behind the scenes. When building the world, I didn’t assign music to all the cultures and people groups. I went deeper when the scene called for it. Like when I mention the music. To be able to describe what Ayianna or the other characters were hearing, I wanted to hear it for myself. Or at least, I had to know what kind of instruments they might hear or be available to them. Thanks for having me, Jen!

 [Thank you for giving us a glimpse of the music you envisioned in your stories, Jennette!  I might pull up a playlist of these types of music next time I read your books!  Readers: Do you listen to music when you read?   Why or why not?  I occasionally will listen to instrumentals or soundtracks that I think fit the book I'm currently reading.] 

About Cursed Bound

"Kael's worse fears have come true. Betrayal has shaken the Guardian Circle, the High Guardian is dead, and Ayianna and Prince Vian are in the hands of the Sorceress, but he and his companions must finish their quest, before they can attempt a rescue mission. Unfortunately, Desmond's parting gift left them stranded on the western cliffs of Nälu. Jathil, once heir to the throne of Arashel, believes her father will aid them, but first she must face the crimes of her past. When she does, she could never believe the outcome, nor the rippling effect it would have on the nations. Meanwhile the Alliance braces for war, but division threatens to undermine their efforts. When Nerissa returns from Ganya with the dragon regiment, she discovers a bigger problem. The curse bound are waking. As the quest nears completion, Kael is forced to choose between his heart and duty, and neither choice bodes well with him. Either way, he will face the Sorceress and her armies sooner or later. The battle for Nälu has begun and there can be only one victor."

 

About the Author

Writing as J. L. Mbewe, Jennette is an author, artist, mother, wife, but not always in that order. Born and raised in Minnesota, she now braves the heat of Texas, but pines for the Northern Lights and the lakes of home every autumn. She loves trying to capture the abstract and make it concrete. She is currently living her second childhood with her wonderful husband and two precious children who don’t seem to mind her eclectic collections of rocks, shells, and swords, among other things. Here, between reality and dreams, you will find her busily creating worlds inhabited by all sorts of fantasy creatures and characters, all questing about and discovering true love amid lots of peril. Her debut novel, Secrets Kept, was nominated for the 2014 Clive Staples Award. Her second novel, Darkened Hope was a semi-finalist for the 2017 Alliance Award.

 

Party Time! 

Curse Bound is coming soon! Join us as we celebrate its release on July 11th, 2019 at 7pm - 10pm CST. There will be plenty of bookish fun, games, and giveaways. AND we have special guests Kyle Robert Shultz, Lindsay A. Franklin, and Jenelle Leanne Schmidt who will be joining us and sharing about their books.
 

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, July 8^th

• Sparks of Ember: Spotlight & Book Excerpt
• Kathrese McKee: Author Interview
• Safe Return Doubtful: Character Interview
• Starlight Reviews: Book Review of Curse Bound

Tuesday, July 9^th

• The Heart of a Scribe: Guest Post on Writing
• Imperial Scribis: Book Review of Secrets Kept
• The Artist Librarian: Guest Post on Music of Nalü

Wednesday, July 10^th

• Elisabeth Wheatley: Author Interview
• Fairies, Fantasy, and Faith: Guest Post on World-Building

Thursday, July 11^th

• The Quirky Book Nerd: Book Review of The Hidden Dagger Trilogy
• The Genre of Imagination: Author Interview
• Unicorn Quester: Guest Post of Characters as My Little Pony

Friday, July 12^th

• Jessica Belmont: Book Review of Curse Bound
• Unicorn Quester: Video Book Review

Saturday, July 13^th

• She Hearts Fiction: Book Review of Curse Bound
• The Artist Librarian: Book Review of Curse Bound

Sunday, July 14^th

• Unicorn Quester: Blog Tour Wrap-Up

Over the years, I have read hundreds of books, and on occasion, I have run into several characters that reminded me a bit of myself.  This Top Tuesday was a fun theme to try out and is from the That Artsy Reader Girl blog.

"I looked at him, and saw myself." - Hiccup Haddock III (DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon)



1. Felicity Merriman (American Girl Series by Valerie Tripp):
--The American Girl series and Little House on the Prairie books got me into historicals when I was in elementary school.  While Felicity and I don't really have a lot in common personality-wise (she felt much braver than me and abhorred "proper lady" things like sewing and such), she was the first book character that had siblings in the exact same gender and order as I did (until my youngest brother came along).  I also could totally relate to her as the eldest and her relationship with Nan the "perfect younger sister" too!

2. Meg Murry (A Wrinkle in Time et al. by Madeleine L'Engle):
--From the very first chapter, Margaret "Meg" Murry came alive and was instantly relatable as a young tween/teen.  Meg was also the oldest child and her feelings of awkwardness, ordinariness, and dislike/frustration with herself (I think self-loathing is too harsh a term, but you know what I mean) ... I felt she was just like me (minus her genius level math skills).  Watching Meg grow up throughout the books made me hope that those awkward adolescent phases would pass and that I might run into a Calvin O'Keefe of my own someday ...

3.  Lehman Bardon (The DragonKeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul)
--While I adore and slightly relate to the protagonist wizard apprentice and DragonKeeper, Kale Allerion, I chose to list Bardon, the by-the-book squire introduced in the second novel of this series.  Initially, Kale thinks of him as a strict, stuffy rule follower, but I could relate to Bardon's caution and introvert tendencies.  Being thrust on a quest because his superior denies him the chance to become a squire, the young lehman questioned what his future would hold if unable to continue down the path to knighthood that he had trained for his whole life.  That uncertainty of the future was something I was familiar with when I first read the series as a young adult ...

4.  Jennifer Lim (Sushi Series by Camy Tang):
--While I love all of the cousins in the Sakai family, Jennifer Lim was the one whose personality seemed closest to my own.  I'm thankful that Camy Tang chose to write a novella for Jen after she finished the trilogy covering her other cousins, but I've always wished that it could have been a full length novel like the other girls got ... Not sure if Zondervan still has publishing rights for the Sushi Series, but if so, they TOTALLY dropped the ball when they could have hyped up this series as the Contemporary Christian Fiction alternative to Crazy Rich Asians (which was also published years before CRA)!

5.  Barriss Offee (Star Wars Legends novels by various authors)
--Before the animated Clone Wars series messed it up, I really liked Barriss Offee --serious, studious, compassionate ... I could relate to her type of upbringing and balancing what you were taught and how that works when the rest of the world doesn't share all of those views ...

6.  Matthias (Redwall by Brian Jacques)
--There's so many characters that Brian Jacques created that I love, but Matthias was the first.  He's clumsy, makes mistakes, but he doesn't give up and becomes a legendary hero in his own right. 

7.  Jill Pole (The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis)
--In case you haven't sensed a theme with these characters ... I relate to those ordinary, everyperson types.  Jill isn't brave at first, but through Aslan and her adventures in Narnia, finds her voice and the courage to stand out and be a hero.

8.  Princess Yona (Yona of the Dawn manga by Mizuho Kusanagi)
--A sheltered princess forced to grow up quickly after her father loses the throne to an usurper, I can relate to Yona's slight obliviousness at times, but also to her sense of justice and desire to rely on herself and not trouble others.

9.  Elinor Dashwood (Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen)
--I always picture myself as the least emotional sister, the one the holds it together, the oldest, responsible one ... Kind of like Elinor.  While she's not my favorite Austen heroine (it's Lizzy Bennett of course), I think she's the one who's the most like me.

10. Rose Campbell (Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott)
--Even though it was written over 100 years ago, Rose was going through a lot of things girls everywhere do when growing up. I could relate with Rose in many aspects ... troubles with superficial friends, temptation to do things (i.e. read books) that parents or guardians don't want you to, wanting to make a difference with your life, using your gifts for good, trying to discover your heart and letting yourself fall in love ... not that I've fallen in love, when Mac Campbell is out there setting high standards, LOL.

Who are some literary characters that you relate to?

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the publication of Jill Williamson's first novel, By Darkness Hid, she is offering special limited HARDCOVER editions of her popular Christian Fantasy trilogy as a reward in her Kickstarter campaign to fund audiobook recordings of the series ...

"Waiting on Wednesday"/"Can't Wait Wednesday" is a weekly meme now hosted by Wishful Endings, where you feature a yet-to-be-released title you're anticipating!


Title: Blood of Kings Trilogy
Author: Jill Williamson
Re-Release Date: Fall 2019 by Enclave Publishing

About By Darkness Hid (Book #1):

"Given the chance to train as a squire, kitchen servant Achan Cham hopes to pull himself out of his pitiful life and become a Kingsguard Knight. When Achan's owner learns of his training, he forces Achan to spar with the Crown Prince--more of a death sentence than an honor. Meanwhile, strange voices in Achan's head cause him to fear he's going mad. While escorting the prince to a council presentation, their convoy is attacked. Achan is wounded and arrested, but escapes from prison--only to discover a secret about himself he never believed possible."

Why I'm WoW about The Blood of Kings Trilogy:
I think I won a copy of By Darkness Hid from a book blog or some giveaway.  I had seen the book online before, but it was published by Marcher Lord Press (now known as Enclave), a smaller, kind of indie Christian Speculative Fiction press and ... I don't know, I never thought to give it a shot.  I still remember being only a few chapters into the book and thinking, "This is pretty mature for Christian Fantasy," --but in a good way!  Most of the Christian Fantasy I'd read previously were aimed at kids or teens, but reading this as an adult, I felt like it was an engaging read for teens and adults equally.

 (While I later found and enjoyed authors like Patrick W. Carr, who writes Christian Fantasy aimed at adults and teens, his first book wasn't published until 2013.)  The world-building is wonderfully done and best of all the characters:  Jill writes some of the best, most real, and believable teen male protagonists I've seen in Christian Fiction.  Her female protagonists are wonderful too, as well as the supporting cast of characters, but for some reason, I'm always drawn to her teen male characters, which is unusual for me ...

Anyway, Jill's Kickstarter to create audiobooks of this amazing trilogy has been fully funded for ALL THREE BOOKS!  But there's still just under two days left if you want to join in a snag a copy of the series in hardcover AND get the audiobook versions as well (the lowest tier for that is $80, but it breaks down to about $13.33 each for 6 books, which is a pretty great price for a hardcover and audiobook on discs.  I'm also excited since Jill revealed on social media that the hardcovers will have a new author's note and upgraded map as well.

There's some other cool rewards like these book cover pillows too!!!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jill Williamson (@jill_williamson_author) on May 1, 2019 at 11:59am PDT

 So awesome, right???  If you're interested, you can learn more about the different reward tiers and all the details about this Kickstarter campaign, but be sure to join in quick, since there's just under two days to go! 


  [No compensation from the author or publisher etc. was received for this post, I'm just a fan who really loves this series!!!]

"Waiting on Wednesday"/"Can't Wait Wednesday" is a weekly meme now hosted by Wishful Endings, where you feature a yet-to-be-released title you're anticipating! Today, I am happy to be participating in the official cover reveal of Nadine Brandes' next historical fantasy, Romanov!

Title: Romanov
Author: Nadine Brandes
Release Date: May 7, 2019 by Thomas Nelson

© 2019 by Thomas Nelson

About the Book:

"The history books say I died.

They don’t know the half of it.

Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov was given a single mission: to smuggle an ancient spell into her suitcase on her way to exile in Siberia. It might be her family’s only salvation. But the leader of the Bolshevik army is after them . . . and he’s hunted Romanov before. Nastya’s only chances of survival are to either release the spell, and deal with the consequences, or enlist help from Zash, the handsome soldier who doesn’t act like the average Bolshevik. Nastya’s never dabbled in magic before, but it doesn’t frighten her as much as her growing attraction for Zash. She likes him. She thinks he might even like her . . . That is, until she’s on one side of a firing squad . . . and he’s on the other."

Why I'm "WoW" about Romanov:
So when everyone thinks about a historical fantasy retelling of Anastasia Romanov's story, I'm sure most picture the 1997 Don Bluth animated musical ... Or at least, I did as seen in my bookstagram post below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Artist Librarian (Jen) (@theartistlibrarian) on Sep 27, 2018 at 1:35amPDT

While the actual life of Anastasia Romanov is quite tragic, she's had a vivacious fictional life in various films, novels, and even a Broadway musical mostly based on the aforementioned animated movie. Because of my love for Don Bluth's Anastasia and enjoyment of Nadine's previous books ... Let's just say my expectations are high! It's gonna be a loooong wait until May 2019.

Also, this cover!  My initial reaction was that while the layout was well composed and designed beautifully (art school wasn't a total waste, guys, haha) --I was concerned that it doesn't quite scream YA fiction --it looks like it could be an adult historical novel (perhaps an intentional thought?) ... nothing says fantasy about it either. But it is growing on me the more I look at it and I have seen similar YA fic covers ... =)

To get updates and learn more about author Nadine Brandes, be sure to check out her website!

What do you think of the cover? Have you read any historical fantasy novels? Want to talk about the animated (or Broadway) Anastasia? Leave a comment below! Also, if you've participated in "WoW" feel free to share!

Throwback Thursday to a novel I read for my Books and Literature for Young Adults course during "library school." We had to chose an ALA (American Library Association) Teens' Top Ten nominated novel and write a "booktalk" and review for it.

© Scholastic

Title: The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy #1)
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Published: 2012 by Scholastic

"One of the great books I finished last week was The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen, whom you may know as the author of the Underworld Chronicles, a humorous fantasy series.  This is the first book in the Ascendance trilogy, and was voted #2 of the 2013 Teens' Top Ten. If you enjoy medieval styled fantasies (or even if you don't), The False Prince is definitely worth a look.

'Four boys, one treacherous plan, and an entire kingdom to fool.'

The land of Carthya hovers on the brink of war and needs a strong king to lead its people.  Nobleman Bevin Conner schemes to save the kingdom (and gain some power himself) by placing King Eckbert's long lost second son, Prince Jaron, onto the throne.

There's just one problem:  Most of the nobles assume Prince Jaron to be dead after pirates attacked and destroyed his ship five years ago. 

Taking four orphan teens who resemble the young prince, Conner gives them two weeks of intense training in swordsmanship, riding, history, manners --the education of a royal. The deception will give them a life of wealth and power beyond their dreams. But only one boy can be chosen:

Will it be quiet and humble Latamer?
Tobias, intelligent and eager to please?
The most athletic and strong, Roden?
Or will it be Sage, a defiant street thief?

When it is revealed just how devastatingly far Conner is willing go for his deception to succeed, the teens realize their lives hang perilously at sword point.  Can they even trust each other in this world of secrets, intrigue, and lies?  Full of action, readers will keep the pages turning in this fast paced adventure novel.

Can a pauper become a Prince? 
Find out in book one of the Ascendance trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen."

Medieval style fantasy worlds were my favorite as a teen. While only 342 pages long, The False Prince has 54 short chapters. I wouldn't be surprised if it was written with reluctant readers in mind.

Our protagonist Sage has sarcastic, quick wit, and an even quicker tongue which often gets him in trouble. While female characters were a bit lacking, they were there in a supportive friendship role, but I think it worked with this type of fast paced, tight plot. Oh, and that plot twist! Maybe some will think it cheap (I felt almost betrayed for a moment), but I don't think teens would be disappointed with the ending.

The novel also plays with themes of identity:  Is your role in life something you can pick up, try out and cast aside? Teens often experiment with who they are as they discover or mold their identity, how they want others to see them, etc. so I saw echoes of that in this story, though with much higher stakes. One review I read called it "Game of Thrones meets The Hunger Games." Content-wise, it's a bit of an exaggeration, but you can see elements from those series such as medieval political intrigue and teens caught up in a life or death, high stakes competition.  All in all, I enjoyed this novel and quickly went to seek out the remaining books in the trilogy.

The Kinsman Chronicles is off to a world-shattering start with the release of The End of All Things, completing book one of Jill Williamson's epic fantasy novel, King's Folly. 

© 2016 by Bethany House

Title: The End of All Things (The Kinsman Chronicles #1, King's Folly: Part III)
Author: Jill Williamson
Published: 2016 by Bethany House Publishers

About the Book:

Part 3 of Jill Williamson's Epic Fantasy Series The Kinsman Chronicles.

With the Five Realms on the brink of total destruction, everyone faces a final mad scramble to find a safe haven. The realm is divided on what should be done. Wilek and Trevn join those who are preparing the realm for a seaward evacuation, but the king stands in their way. Wilek must battle against his own father to try and save the people of Armania.

The End of All Things is collected together with parts 1 and 2 in King's Folly.

Previous Reviews: Darkness Reigns (King's Folly: Part I) & The Heir War (King's Folly: Part II)

The Artist Librarian Review:
The Kinsman Chronicles is off to a world-shattering start with the release of The End of All Things, completing book one, King's Folly (which is available now in print).  If you've been following the digital releases like me, note that the three e-book titles refer to the three sections King's Folly is separated into, so you don't have to buy King's Folly unless you want a physical copy or all three parts in one book.

In this final portion, Jill Williamson finishes setting the stage for what is sure to be an incredible series.  Between convincing King Echad of the eminent danger their people face from natural disasters signaling the end of their world, uncovering sinister secret societies, and evacuating Armania to find refuge on the sea, Wilek, Trevn, and their allies definitely have their hands full!

Though confusing at times for me to keep straight, I enjoyed reading about this large cast of characters.  The only POV character I don't really care for is Charlon (especially with what happened with my favorite female character at the end). However I have the feeling that like Harley Quinn or Catwoman in the Batman universe, Charlon might have some sort of antihero or sympathetic villain role, though she's more misguided than evil, or she could even be redeemed by the end of the series.  Also, a few side characters jumped into the limelight with wonderful moments that I won't disclose so as not to spoil, but wow!  I hope some of them might get POV chapters in the next book.

Even without the loose connection to Williamson's previous fantasy series, I'm now hooked regardless. Looking forward to reading King's Blood (or the three part ebooks: Kingdom at Sea, Maelstrom, and Voices of Blood) --especially with the title of part III!

[Disclosure: I received a digital ARC from the author for review purposes.]


About the Author:

Jill Williamson writes fantasy and science fiction for teens and adults. Jill grew up in Alaska, staying up and reading by the summer daylight that wouldn't go away. This led to a love of books and writing, and her debut novel, By Darkness Hid, won several awards and was named a Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror novel of 2009 by VOYA magazine. She loves giving writing workshops and blogs for teen writers at www.GoTeenWriters.com. She now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two children, and a whole lot of deer. Visit her online at www.jillwilliamson.com.

Have you read any of Jill Williamson's books before?  What is your favorite type of speculative, fantasy, or sci-fi fiction?

Today, I'm happy to welcome fantasy author J.L. Mbewe to The Artist Librarian to share a little about her amazing world of Nälu (and an awesome giveaway)!  When I first read Jennette's debut novel, Secrets Kept (reviewed here), I was struck by vivid clothing descriptions and diverse-inspired fantasy cultures.  If you follow me on other social media like Facebook or Instagram, you probably know I love sewing and costuming --so I was very excited that Jennette agreed to guest blog on Nälu fashion!  So, with no more delay, here's Jennette:

Medieval-inspired. (image source)

Thank you, Jen!


I love learning about other cultures. Food. Customs. Languages. Locations. And clothes! When we embark with Ayianna on her journey, we see the usual European medieval clothing. Hey, we have to start somewhere, and we are jumping into an epic fantasy quest. The adventure is just beginning!

Image courtesy of J.L. Mbewe

The Esusamor Elves of Zurial
The embroidery around the edges of their garments are inspired by my husband’s shirts from Zambia.

[Wow, I don't know what this type of embroidery is called, but it's so intricate and beautiful!]

The Saryhemor Elves of N’dari
These are the desert elves, so their clothes reflect that with a Middle Eastern flare.

Dwarves

Will we see female dwarves? (image source)

Within the realms of the dwarves, you will find Germanic influences such as clothing inspired by the dirndl and lederhosen.The Igazin of Kvazkhun wear bright and bold colors, but the clothing of the Stozic dwarves of Ta’vazi are more subdued. Common fabrics among these two clans are wool and leather. Mohair is the specialty of the Klovan dwarves of Stratuvec.

[I immediately thought of the Hobbits in Lord of the Rings --they have dirndl-like inspired dresses and things.]
 
The Haruzo of Bonzapur

Salwar kameez (image source)

Since these feline-shapeshifters live on the edges of the Zriab Desert, their clothing reflect an Egyptian and Indian influence. Thin linens, silk, or chiffon-like fabrics are popular, depending on their position in society. Sheath-style dresses are common as well as salwar kameez-inspired outfits.

[So I'm totally obsessed with salwar kameezes now after one image search ... here's a slightly contemporary version.]



The Haruzo of Arashel

These feline-shapeshifters live in the northern reaches of the Kha Vaaro Mountains. Their clothing resembles a Celtic and Scottish-feel.

(Image source)

The Kaleki of Ganya
Then there is the merfolk. Clothing did not become important to them until trade grew between the nations. They developed a special silver fabric that repels water and won’t interfere if they choose to wear it while they swim. Mermen wear wrap-like kilts, the merwomen wear short robes inspired by traditional Asian clothing.

[Traditional Japanese happi coats are what I imagine as the basis for the Kaleki merwomen's attire. Thanks so much for this behind the scenes peek, Jennette!]

Which of these fantasy cultures would you want to learn more about?  Which style of clothing would you buy?  Do you have a favorite fantasy fashion or outfit?  What series is it from?  Let me know in the comments!

About Darkened Hope (The Hidden Dagger #2):

The Secret Keeper is on the run, but does she know the secret she keeps?

Ayianna is a cursed half-elf betrothed to Desmond, but her heart belongs to another. After discovering the cure for the Sorceress's curse, she and her companions embark on a dangerous quest to retrieve the ingredients.

When dragons descend upon their party, Ayianna realizes the Sorceress is searching not just for the corrupted dagger, but a human sacrifice that will open a portal to the underworld. Battling deadly creatures and natural disasters, Ayianna is forced more and more to confront her insecurities and conflicted heart.

Now she must decide whether to be true to her family or true to herself. As the nations rally for war, betrayal threatens to destroy them all, and it's a race against time to return before the curse devastates the plains people.

Available on Kindle and in Paperback. 

About the Author:

Writing as J. L. Mbewe, Jennette is an author, artist, mother, wife, but not always in that order. Born and raised in Minnesota, she now braves the heat of Texas, but pines for the Northern Lights and the lakes of home every autumn. She loves trying to capture the abstract and make it concrete. She is currently living her second childhood with a wonderful husband and two precious children who don’t seem to mind her eclectic collections of rocks, shells, and swords, among other things. Here, between reality and dreams, you will find her busily creating worlds inhabited by all sorts of fantasy creatures and characters, all questing about and discovering true love amid lots of peril. She has two short stories published in The Clockwork Dragon anthology, and four short stories set in the world of Nälu. Her debut novel, Secrets Kept, was nominated for the 2014 Clive Staples Award, and its sequel, Darkened Hope was just released in May 2016.

Stay up-to-date with all things Nälu and her journey as a writer mama at JLMbewe.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and/or Pinterest

Enter to win a copy of Darkened Hope and more below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

EDIT:  I totally forgot to add the info on rest of the blog tour!

Monday

• A look at the Fashions of Nälu with The Artist Librarian (You're Here!)

Wednesday:

• An interview with Prince Vian over at Jenelle Leanne Schimdt’s blog.
• J.L. Mbewe author interview hosted by Heather L. L. FritzGerald.

Thursday:

• A look at the Powers of Nälu over at Zachary Totah’s blog.

Friday:

• A Behind the Scenes post with Rosalie Valentine exploring world-building and how Nälu came to be.
• And finally, stop by DJ Edwardson’s blog for a look at J.L. Mbewe's journey with this story and as an author.

Saturday:
Click the image below to learn more about the Darkened Hope Facebook Release Party this Saturday!  Chat about the books, answer questions, take a quiz, eat some virtual food, and have fun!  Plus you can win a copy of Darkened Hope, other fantasy novels, giftcards, bookish-swag, and more! Invite your friends and come join us!  No knowledge of the series is required, though book 1, Secrets Kept, is on sale for $0.99 this month!