Saturday Spotlight

Saturday Spotlight: Black Water Sister by Zen Cho

| reddjena05
Black Water Sister
Paperback, 384 pages
Published May 11th 2021 by Ace Books

“Cho effortlessly balances a variety of tensions at play…Highly recommended”

—Booklist, STARRED review

“Cho’s multifaceted characters, like her masterful plot, are never quite what they first appear…This is must-read fantasy.”

—Publishers Weekly

“An immersive tale of family secrets, deities, spirits and religious belief. Cho offers a complex emotional roller-coaster of a read.”

—Library Journal

When Jessamyn Teoh starts hearing a voice in her head, she chalks it up to stress. Closeted, broke and jobless, she’s moving back to Malaysia with her parents—a country she last saw when she was a toddler.

She soon learns the new voice isn’t even hers, it’s the ghost of her estranged grandmother. In life, Ah Ma was a spirit medium, avatar of a mysterious deity known as the Black Water Sister. Now she’s determined to settle a score against a business magnate who has offended the god—and she’s decided Jess is going to help her do it, whether Jess wants to or not.

Drawn into a world of gods, ghosts, and family secrets, Jess finds that making deals with capricious spirits is a dangerous business, but dealing with her grandmother is just as complicated. Especially when Ah Ma tries to spy on her personal life, threatens to spill her secrets to her family and uses her body to commit felonies. As Jess fights for retribution for Ah Ma, she’ll also need to regain control of her body and destiny—or the Black Water Sister may finish her off for good.

Zen Cho is the author of a short story collection and two historical fantasy novels, Sorcerer to the Crown and The True Queen. She is a winner of the Crawford, British Fantasy, and Hugo Awards, and a finalist for the Locus and Astounding Awards. Born and raised in Malaysia, she now lives in the United Kingdom.

I was granted early access to an e-arc for this title from the publisher through NetGalley and I’m sad to report that I haven’t read it yet. I’m very excited for it and hope to read it soon, which is why I’m featuring it today. Luckily, this one was released in the US as a trade paperback, so I’m more likely to just purchase a finished copy to read and review rather than trying to read the e-arc as I much prefer paperbacks. Anyway, have you had a chance to read this one yet? What did you think?

Saturday Spotlight: Fantasy Movies – Post Thirty Five of Stay Home Order

| reddjena05

Today, as part of my participation in Wyrd & Wonder, I just want to explore some of my favorite fantasy movies. Specifically, the ones that no one seems to talk about. I wish to go on a bit of a rant about why these are in my top rewatches and how they became my go-to gushes.

Continue reading →

Saturday Spotlight: Willa and the Whale by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

| reddjena05

Willa and the Whale

Hardcover, 256 pages
Expected publication: March 3rd 2020 by Shadow Mountain

When Shadow Mountain contacted me about reading and reviewing or spotlighting this book, I thought it sounded very cute and adorable for middle grade.  But it shares a release date with two other books that I’ve already committed to and the month is full of fabulous releases, so I only committed to a spotlight.

Continue reading →

Saturday Spotlight: Pivot by L.C. Barlow

| reddjena05

This week I have a bit something different for you.  I’m participating in a blog tour put together by Meg Eden.  If you’re looking for a creepy fall/Halloween read, why not give Pivot a try?  I haven’t read it personally, but it looks really interesting.  And totally matches the season!  I’m hoping to read it before we move into winter.  Also, check out the next post in the tour, Tehben, tomorrow for a giveaway!  Everyone loves a good giveaway, right?  Continue reading to learn more about the author and book!

lcbarlow

Description: L.C. Barlow’s paranormal horror novel PIVOT (74,000 words) follows Jack Harper, adopted daughter of a cult leader and an assassin, who breaks free from her intended role in life, after receiving an incredible power from a supernatural creature in the basement of her father’s home. Fans of Barry Lyga’s I Hunt Killers and Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl will love this story of a killer turned rescuer, who escapes her harrowing environment and liberates others along the way… including those Cyrus has already killed. Publisher’s Weekly says: “Barlow’s gorgeous writing will easily propel readers through the rest of the series.”

Continue reading →

Saturday Spotlight: Tortall: A Spy’s Guide by Tamora Pierce

| reddjena05

Tortall: A Spy's Guide

Hardcover, 320 pages
Published October 31st 2017 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Today’s spotlight is on a book long in the making, but is not a novel.  This is a companion to the fantastic world created by Tamora Pierce, Tortall.  One of my favorite places, and my answer to the question, “What magical realm would you visit/live in?”  Many of my favorite, inspirational characters live within this universe, Daine, Alanna, Numair, and so many others.  I’m super stoked that Numair’s prequel series comes to us so soon!!  In just a few short months, so this book can trigger memories and refresh your sense of the world and what’s been happening.
Needless to say, I’m very excited to read this book and add it to my collection.  Maybe someone will get it from my wishlist for Christmas 🙂

Summary:

The secrets of Tortall are revealed. . . .

As Tortall’s spymaster, George Cooper has sensitive documents from all corners of the realm. When Alanna sends him a surprising letter, he cleans out his office and discovers letters from when King Jonathan and Queen Thayet first ascended the throne, notes on creating the Shadow Service of spies, threat-level profiles on favorite characters, Daine’s notes on immortals, as well as family papers, such as Aly’s first report as a young spy and Neal’s lessons with the Lioness. This rich guide also includes the first official timeline of Tortallan events from when it became a sovereign nation to the year Aly gives birth to triplets. Part history, part spy training manual, and entirely fascinating, this beautiful guide makes a perfect gift and is ideal for anyone who loves Alanna, King Jonathan, Queen Thayet, Kel, Neal, Aly, Thom, Daine, Numair, and the unforgettable world of Tortall!

Saturday Spotlight: Ex Libris: Stories of Librarians, Libraries, and Lore by Paula Guran

| reddjena05

Ex Libris: Stories of Librarians, Libraries, and Lore

Paperback, 384 pages
Published August 8th 2017 by Prime Books
OMG, there’s finally an anthology that focuses on how awesome libraries and librarians are in a fantastical way!  Can’t wait to read these and discover was new authors and revisit some favorites.
Have you read this one yet?  What did you think?  Do you know of any other anthologies that feature libraries, magic books, or librarians?

Summary:

Portals to all the knowledge in the world, libraries are also created universes of a multitude of imaginations. Librarians guide us to enlightenment as well as serving as the captains, mages, and gatekeepers who open the doors to delight, speculation, wonder, and terror. Both inspire writers of speculative fiction to pen wonderful tales woven around them.
This captivating compilation of science fiction and fantasy short fiction showcases stories of librarians-mysterious curators, heroic bibliognosts, arcane archivists, catalogers of very special collections-and libraries-repositories of arcane wisdom, storehouses of signals from other galaxies, bastions of culture, the last outposts of civilization in a post-apocalyptic world . . . grand adventures and small sagas of the magical places we call libraries and the wizards who staff them!

Saturday Spotlight: Akata Witch and Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor

| reddjena05

I’m so excited to read this series!  I don’t remember how I found out about it at first, but now I’m seeing it everywhere, and that makes me so happy!  Since I love learning about different cultures, I’m fascinated by the concept of African mythology and practices to be included.  It’s definitely different than the average fantasy being published, and I’m ready to have my mine blown by something new.  Akata Witch just came out in paperback earlier this week, and Akata Warrior published later this year!

Akata Witch (Akata Witch, #1)

Paperback, 349 pages
Publication: July 11th 2017 by Speak

Continue reading →

Saturday Spotlight: Willow Born by Shanna Miles

| reddjena05

Willow Born

Kindle Edition, 242 pages
Expected publication: June 1st 2017 by Rochelle and Reed Publishing, LLC
If you’re looking for diverse read in the fantasy genre, this promises to be quite the exciting release.  I just downloaded the book from NetGalley after seeing the beautiful cover and finding the author on Twitter.  The first couple of pages jump right into the story and sound so fascinating!  I can’t wait to read this one 🙂

Summary:

Years ago, witch hunters came to Carolina and devoured the Willows. Sixteen-year-old Collette, a powerful empath, was one of them. A part of a long line of witches that stretches back as far as the slave auctions of Charleston, she was especially gifted.

Decades later, a series of strange kidnappings prompts a member of her secret coven to make a plea for help and Collette is chosen to answer the call.  But things have changed. Angels have come out of the divine closet and everyone is on the lookout for the supernatural.

Snatched from the Void, she has to choose between a normal life and following the warrior path of the Willows, a coven she didn’t know she belonged to. Soon, problems pile sky-high as she struggles to keep the boy who could blow her cover at arm’s length and her sanity as family secrets come to light in the midst of a serial killer.

In the end it all comes down to destiny, death  and the grey places between good and evil. But then again, when you’re Willow Born death can be just the beginning.

Spotlight Saturday: The Dastardly Miss Lizzie by Viola Carr

| reddjena05

The Dastardly Miss Lizzie (Electric Empire, #3)

Paperback, 464 pages
Expected publication: April 18th 2017 by Harper Voyager
While I haven’t yet finished reading book one, I’m really excited that book 3 is coming out soon!!  The beginning of this series is just so intriguing, and I love how the author portrays the two distinct personalities.  Also, the covers are beautiful!

Summary:

Dr. Eliza Jekyll must turn to her dark side, Miss Lizzie Hyde, to stop a madman targeting London’s most important scientists and sorcerers terrorizing the city with dark magic in this third Electric Empire novel—a dazzlingly original steampunk fantasy set in the gritty world of alternate Victorian London, with echoes of H G. Wells classic, The Time Machine

Being two people in one body isn’t easy. Metropolitan Police crime scene physician Eliza Jekyll is trying to maintain a semblance of control, even as her rebellious second self, Lizzie, grows increasingly wild—threatening the respectable Eliza’s reputation and her marriage to Remy Lafayette, the Royal Society investigator and occasional lycanthrope. With England on the brink of war, Remy’s away in sorcery-riddled Paris on a secretive mission that grows ever more sinister. Has he been an enemy agent all along? Or is coping with Eliza’s secret divided self finally driving her mad?

Eliza needs her mind clear and sharp if she’s to catch an evil genius who is killing eminent scientists. The chase uncovers a murky world of forbidden books, secret laboratories, and a cabal of fanatical inventors whose work could change the world—or destroy it—and who may hold answers to Eliza’s past.

As sorcery-wielding terrorists attack London, Eliza discovers her own enemies are closing in, driving her to desperate measures—enlisting the aid of the wily, resourceful, mercurial Lizzie—to thwart the killer. But Lizzie’s got her own life now, and true to her nature, will resort to the devious and diabolical to keep it. Even if it means throwing Eliza to the wolves, and letting the world burn. . .