Demeter is a goddess who strives only for peace. Even when atrocities are committed against her Demeter chooses to live in peaceable seclusion with her loved ones rather than rage war against those who wronged her. Her daughter, Core, is her rock and in her Demeter sees all that is right with the world. But when Core is the one who is in danger… when Core is the one hurt… When Core is the one threatened… When Core is the one taken from her… well, then all bets are off. That is when Demeter’s full anger is realised. And when Demeter is angry no one wins.
A kingdom on the verge of war. A King on the verge of insanity. An assassin on the verge of freedom. A princess on the verge of embracing her power. But the scales could tip either way. As the days tick down to Elena’s coronation, she and Yassen will have to learn to trust each other if they are to get the outcomes that they both want.
The world this book is set in offers a unique amalgamation of science-fiction and fantasy. On one end of the spectrum are the futuristic pulse guns, hovercars, and a man merged with metal; on the other, god-gifted fire magic and a woman with blades for hair. At first, I found this quite jarring, but as I read on, these contrasting elements began to blend seamlessly into the fabric of the world. The success of this is, I think, down to the carefully crafted but simple descriptions. The magic is limited to the royal family and very specific in nature, so there is no question of technology being surplus to requirement or redundant in comparison. The technological advancements all have an easily identifiable utilitarian purpose and are introduced with clear context and explanations.
Similarly, the culture and history of the fantasy world hold great depth and breadth without ever overwhelming the reader with unnecessarily complex details. We are introduced to a variety of neighbouring nations, but only the ones essential to the plot are explored beyond the basics. There is a well-established religion with a clear hierarchy, and its ceremonies and rituals are used as the backdrop for multiple important plot points. Yet there is never more background information than is needed to set the atmosphere of the scene, leaving the reader entranced with no risk of growing bored.
A varied cast of characters plays centre stage in this world. Their relationships have more complexity and nuance than the court politics, making them the shining light of this book. There is not an inch of Leo, Yassen, or Elena’s characters that is not explored and a whole rainbow of emotions is played out. One character that I would have liked to see more of is Ferma; she makes for such a strong and important character, yet we learn very little of her history.
Overall, Aparna Verma leaves no room for confusion or contradiction but plenty of space for praise!
A long time ago a virus turned the human race infertile. Now Lowrie and Shen are the last children of a dying and dwindling human race. They know that one day it will just be the two of them left. Yet it isn’t until a sickness in their community that the reality of this truly hits. And they realise they are not ready to be alone. But how can two teenagers find a solution when the generations before them have already failed?
Herla is cursed. Once she had a cause, but no power; now she has power without a cause. As Lord of the Wild Hunt she is shackled to the bloodlust and to the never-ending passing of time. When her mind finally breaks through the fog, the only thing on it is revenge. Revenge and the face of a Queen that inspires feelings she didn’t even know she could still have.
King Ine rules fairly from the comfort of his halls, writing laws and navigating the politics of court. It is his wife and Queen, Æthel, who rides out to fight the battles of their kingdom. Together they hold all the qualities one could want in a ruler. Unfortunately they have one flaw in their relationship: a lack of physical intimacy which leads the court to blame Æthel for their lack of an heir. And there is one who would use this weakness against them.
All three must join together, with as many allies as they can muster, if they are to face the Otherworldy threat that aims to destroy all of Britain. Enemies must come together and differences must be put aside. And they only have until Samhain until the door to their enemy swings wide open.
Natasha’s life has been defined by a single word, spoken over her at her christening by the mysterious and powerful Drosselmeyer. That word was ‘dark’. Yet more impactful even than this was the word he spoke over her twin, Clara. Forevermore one was known as the dark sister and the other the light sister; you can imagine who most people preferred.
From a young age, Medea’s powers have ostracised her. Even her own family hate her magic and spurn her for it. When the opportunity arises for her to use her powers and finally prove their worth to her father, she takes it. Yet it is still the magic he respects, not her. Cue Jason, the first person to look on her without fear or hatred and the first to offer an escape from the suffocating walls of Colchis palace…
The King of Lacharra leaves the forest, after being lost for months, with a new bride in tow and the entire castle falls instantly under her thrall. Except for Ryn; the King’s daughter doesn’t like how her father has changed and she doesn’t like the new Queen’s cruelty that no one else seems to see. She only wants to reveal the truth and get her father back. Instead she is forced to flee the kingdom in silence with only her newly-turned swan brothers for company and thoughts of saving them her only comfort.
Kore has lived in isolation her entire life, her mother’s desperate plan to keep her little girl safe from the lecherous men that fill the Greek pantheon. Except Kore isn’t a girl anymore, she’s a woman, and it is time for her father to sell her off to the highest bidder. Whilst her mother works to make sure the chosen husband isn’t the worst of the lot, Kore makes her own plans.
There is only one man, one god, who has never starred in her mother’s cautionary tales and he just so happens to live in the one place neither of her parents can reach her: the underworld. Little does Hades know that his entire world is about to be turned upside down by a goddess with a penchant both for flowers and for breaking the rules.
Rescued from a now underwater London, January is offered refuse on Mars. The gravity there means that he is much stronger than the locals and best suited to factory work. It’s a long way from the glamour of the London stage, but at least it’s a living. That is until he says the wrong thing to the wrong person and his second chance is yanked out from under him. Could he possibly be lucky enough to get a third?
Escape to the Bookshelf 