Pub Day Picks // September 8, 2020

Another Tuesday, another great day of books being published. While today’s list is a little small, it’s quite mighty. One of these books I’ve already tried to read. One of these books comes from a series I’ve been wanting to read. One of these books is brand new to my radar, but I cannot wait to read. Let’s see if you can guess which one is which! Just kidding, here’s what I’m excited that’s out in the world today.

Master of Poisons by Andrea Hairston

Ok, let’s be truthful because there’s no need to lie. I tried to read the ARC of this book last week and had a little bit of troubling following along. At the moment, I put a pin in the book. However, I want to go back to it maybe later this month when I’ve read a bit more and then see if I feel any different about it. The story is definitely complex with some very interesting characters, but I couldn’t wrap my brain around the way its written. And I wasn’t having much luck with finding a book I could read, devour, and just bask in the overwhelming glow of, so I decided to put this aside for later.

The world is changing. Poison desert eats good farmland. Once-sweet water turns foul. The wind blows sand and sadness across the Empire. To get caught in a storm is death. To live and do nothing is death. There is magic in the world, but good conjure is hard to find.

Djola, righthand man and spymaster of the lord of the Arkhysian Empire, is desperately trying to save his adopted homeland, even in exile. Awa, a young woman training to be a powerful griot, tests the limits of her knowledge and comes into her own in a world of sorcery, floating cities, kindly beasts, and uncertain men.

Awash in the rhythms of folklore and storytelling and rich with Hairston’s characteristic lush prose, Master of Poisons is epic fantasy that will leave you aching for the world it burns into being.

Iron Heart by Nina Varela

This is the book and series that I want to get into. Iron Heart and Crier’s War both sounds like the kind of fantasy novels I want to get into. Of course, it’s a book that’s been on my radar but haven’t made the time to read yet. Perhaps this will be the push I need. Here’s more about the book.

For too long the cruel, beautiful Automae have lorded over the kingdom of Rabu, oppressing the humans who live there. But the human revolution is on the rise, and at its heart is Ayla. Once handmaiden, now fugitive, Ayla escaped the palace of Lady Crier, the girl Ayla had planned to kill . . . but instead fell in love with. Now Ayla has pledged her allegiance to Queen Junn, whom she believes can accomplish the ultimate goal of the human rebellion: destroy the Iron Heart. Without it, the Automae will be weakened to the point of extinction.

But playing at Ayla’s memory are the powerful feelings she developed for Crier. And unbeknownst to her, Crier has also fled the palace, taking up among travelling rebels, determined to find and protect Ayla.

As their paths collide, neither are prepared for the dark secret underlying the Iron Heart.

In this stunning sequel to acclaimed author Nina Varela’s Crier’s War, the love that launched a revolution must now pave the way for a whole new era . . . and the ultimate change of heart.

The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

This is the one I didn’t know existed until recently. I heard so many good reviews about this one and how this is THE BOOK of the year. I don’t know about you, but when your friends tell you a book is incredible, I take that as truth and grab it as soon as it’s available. Luckily, it’s available starting today!

In an empire controlled by bone shard magic, Lin, the former heir to the emperor will fight to reclaim her magic and her place on the throne. The Bone Shard Daughter marks the debut of a major new voice in epic fantasy.

The emperor’s reign has lasted for decades, his mastery of bone shard magic powering the animal-like constructs that maintain law and order. But now his rule is failing, and revolution is sweeping across the Empire’s many islands.

Lin is the emperor’s daughter and spends her days trapped in a palace of locked doors and dark secrets. When her father refuses to recognise her as heir to the throne, she vows to prove her worth by mastering the forbidden art of bone shard magic.

Yet such power carries a great cost, and when the revolution reaches the gates of the palace, Lin must decide how far she is willing to go to claim her birthright – and save her people.