The days are getting colder and the skies are frequently overcast. For me, this time of year is the coziest, relaxing, most feel-good part of the year. A cozy winter is best complemented with a pile of nice books to read. I have some books that have been piling up on my reading list for a while now, so here they are!
RoseBlood - A.G. Howard: This book is about a girl named Rune Germaine who moves to a boarding school outside of Paris to pursue her musical talents. Rune is a talented singer who suffers from a mysterious affliction that leaves her sick and drained at the end of every performance. She soon discovers that Roseblood Conservatory, an Opera House turned music school, actually houses a Phantom. She also meets a mysterious boy named Thorn. He frequents the graveyard near the Opera House and isn't enrolled in any of the classes at the school. Thorn is a bit odd as he dresses in clothing that seems to be straight from the 19th century. He also seems to appear and disappear randomly. Rune realizes that in Thorn's presence, her affliction is cured. Thorn finds himself falling for Rune, all while the Phantom of Roseblood Conservatory has other plans for Rune. The Phantom wants Rune for a very specific and dangerous purpose. As their love grows, Thorn is faced with an impossible choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or save her and face the wrath of the Phantom, the only father he's ever known. This book is a modern take on The Phantom Of The Opera.
The Ecliptic - Benjamin Wood: This book is about a small forested and secluded island called Portmantle, located off the coast of Istanbul. This island is a refuge for many lost artists, musicians, writers, architects, and creatives with lost or faded talents. Elspeth "Knell" Conroy is a talented painter who has lost faith in her abilities and fled the art scene in 1960s London. She spends her nights locked away in her studio, tirelessly creating a new masterpiece in an effort to hone her talents once more. All established routines are disrupted when a disaffected teenager named Fullerton arrives at the refuge. He is plagued by a recurring nightmare that steers him into danger. Knell is left behind the pick apart the mystery. Where did the boy come from, what is The Ecliptic, and how does this all relate to their old lives in London?
The Shadow Wand - Laurie Forest: This book is the third book in The Black Witch series. This series revolves around a powerless witch named Elloren Gardener, who's grandma was once the prophesized Black Witch. Everyone expected Elloren to be the next Black Witch, but her whole life she lacked magic. Her grandma had led a revolutionary war between the various magic races and established the witches and warlocks (the Gardenarians) as the superior race. Elloren uncovers more about herself and her past as she begins attending Verpax Academy, a school for magical beings. She meets faeries, mermaids, wolves, dragons, elves, pixies, and so on. Making friends with magical beings other than witches, Elloren has the realization that she does not agree with the racist rhetoric pushed by the Gardenarians. She starts to see how the Gardenarians have been oppressing and abusing the other magical races. Elloren's prophecy dictates that she will become the Black Witch and battle the strongest Icaral (Dragon) in the land and lead the Gardenarians to victory once more. Elloren learns that the very Icaral she is destined to kill is none other than a boy named Yvan, who she met at school and has grown fond of. Elloren defies her destiny and joins The Resistance and stands against her very own people to abolish the racism raging between the various magical races.
The Ninth House - Leigh Bardugo: Alex Stern is the least likely girl to ever get into an Ivy League school like Yale. She is a dropout who has been involved in shady ordeals, drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much worse. She is also the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Her life changes completely when she is offered admission to Yale University at her hospital bed. She can't help but wonder why a world-famous elite university would want her. Upon her arrival to Yale, Alex is tasked by her benefactors to monitor the activities of Yale's secret societies. Beneath the school are eight windowless tombs where these secret societies convene. These elite groups are made up of the rich and powerful who have ties to huge businesses, Hollywood, Wall Street, and the government. Their occult activities turn out to be more sinister and extraordinary than anyone could have ever imagined.
Dividing Eden - Joelle Charbonneau: Twins Carys and Andreus were never destined to rule Eden with their older brother next in line to inherit the throne. After, assassins kill the king and crown prince, Eden is in desperate need for a new monarch. The line of succession is no longer clear and with a ruling council scheming to gain power, the twins only have one option. They must compete in the Trial Of Succession to determine who is worthy to rule the kingdom. The sister and brother have always kept each other safe. Now with the Trial Of Succession, their bond and trust will be tested. As the kingdom divides further, Carys and Andreus have to compete for the crown, with the thirst for power tearing them apart.
Frostblood - Elly Blake: 17 year old Ruby is a Fireblood who have concealed her powers of heat and flame from the cruel Frostblood ruling class her entire life. But when her mother is killed, the rebel Frostbloods demand her help to overthrow their bloodthirsty king. Ruby agrees to come out of hiding and take her revenge. Despite her unpredictable abilities, Ruby trains with the rebels alongside the infuriating yet irresistible Arcus, who sees her as nothing but a weapon. Before they can take action, Ruby is captured and forced to compete in the king's tournaments that pit Fireblood prisoners against Frostblood champions. Now she has only one chance to destroy the cruel ruler.
Well, this wraps up the list! I have gotten a few more books recently as well and I will make a post about those soon. As I go through these books and read them, I will be posting book reviews covering each. What is on your "To Be Read" pile this year?
Thank You For Reading
-ISBAH XOXO
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