Blood Debts
Terry J. Benton-Walker

Publisher: TorTeen

Pub Date:
April 4th, 2023
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Genre:
​YA Fantasy, LGBTQ


Synopsis:


Thirty years ago, a young woman was murdered, a family was lynched, and New Orleans saw the greatest magical massacre in its history. In the days that followed, a throne was stolen from a queen.


On the anniversary of these brutal events, Clement and Cristina Trudeau—the sixteen-year-old twin heirs to the powerful, magical, dethroned family—are mourning their father and caring for their sick mother. Until, by chance, they discover their mother isn’t sick—she’s cursed. Cursed by someone on the very magic council their family used to rule. Someone who will come for them next.


Cristina, once a talented and dedicated practitioner of Generational magic, has given up magic for good. An ancient spell is what killed their father and she was the one who cast it. For Clement, magic is his lifeline. A distraction from his anger and pain. Even better than the random guys he hooks up with.


Cristina and Clement used to be each other’s most trusted confidant and friend, now they barely speak. But if they have any hope of discovering who is coming after their family, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other and their family's magic, all while solving the decades-old murder that sparked the still-rising tensions between the city’s magical and non-magical communities. And if they don't succeed, New Orleans may see another massacre. Or worse.

​This book has all the earmarks of a great story.. a family steeped in tragedy, rich culture, a regional setting that always draws my attention, and plenty of societal intrigue. Well-written and moderately-paced, it moves well without leaving the reader behind.

Cris and Clem, the twins at the forefront of the Trudeau family, are both likable, easily relatable characters. Though they have strongly differing opinions at times and tend to bicker like only a brother and sister can, it's easy to see the bond between them. Their priorities align. Family comes first.

Both of the siblings have something they're struggling with and I found them to be sympathetic, but never weak. 

The magic system is well thought out, inspired obviously by known ritual magics, but presented in an interesting way. Generational magic is a gift, not a guarantee by birthright. Not everyone can conjure and certainly not as strongly as everyone else, which leaves for some very vengeful rivalries.

The familial warmth is honestly my favorite part of the story. I had really hoped for more of that New Orleans feel, but what little ambience of the fabled city existed.. was a little late to the party for me and not a frequent enough visitor. Though it resulted in me being less immersed and invested, it was still enjoyable.

About the Author:


Terry J. Benton-Walker writes fiction for adults, young adults, and children, which also means he spends a lot of time holed up in coffee shops. Terry is the author of Blood Debts, his magical young adult contemporary fantasy debut, coming from Tor Teen in the US on 4/4/23 and from Hodder & Stoughton in the UK on 4/6/23. Blood Debts is also publishing in Poland with Poznaski and We Need YA Books.

Alex Wise vs the End of the World, Terry’s apocalyptic middle grade contemporary fantasy debut, is also forthcoming from Labyrinth Road/PRH in Fall 2023.

Terry grew up in rural GA and holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Master's in Business Administration from Georgia State. He lives in Atlanta with his husband and son. When he’s not writing, he can be found gaming, eating ice cream, or both.
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You can connect with Terry on Twitter (@tjbentonwalker), Instagram (@icecreamvicelord), or his website: https://www.tjbentonwalker.com.

The Severed Thread
(The Bone Spindle #2)
Leslie Vedder

Publisher: Razorbill/PRH

Pub Date: February 7th, 2023
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Genre: YA Fantasy Romance


Synopsis:


Which threads of fate will hold—and which will break?

Clever, bookish Fi and her brash, ax-wielding partner Shane are back in this action packed sequel to the bestselling The Bone Spindle, the gender-flipped Sleeping Beauty retelling, perfect for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and The Cruel Prince.

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Fi has awakened the sleeping prince, but the battle for Andar is far from over. The Spindle Witch, the Witch Hunters, and Fi’s own Butterfly Curse all stand between them and happily ever after.

Shane has her partner’s back. But she’s in for the fight of her life against Red, the right hand of the Spindle Witch who she’s also, foolishly, hellbent on saving.

Briar Rose would do anything to restore his kingdom. But there’s a darkness creeping inside him—a sinister bond to the Spindle Witch he can’t escape.

All hopes of restoring Andar rest on deciphering a mysterious book code, finding the hidden city of the last Witches, and uncovering a secret lost for centuries—one that just might hold the key to the Spindle Witch’s defeat. If they can all survive that long…

Set in a world of twisted fairytales, The Severed Thread combines lost ruins, ride-or-die friendships, and heart-pounding romance.

Content Warning: past abusive/manipulative relationship, abusive parent figure

About the Author:


Leslie Vedder (she/her) is a queer ace author who loves fairytale retellings with girl adventurers and heroes! She grew up on fantasy books, anime, fanfiction and the Lord of the Rings movies, and met her true love in high school choir. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in creative writing and currently lives in Colorado with her wife and two spoiled house cats.

When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her watching anime and sci-fi shows, walking in the woods and pretending they’re enchanted forests, or playing old video games. She always collects all the Skulltulas in Zelda and all the Dalmation puppies in Kingdom Hearts.

Her debut YA novel THE BONE SPINDLE (Penguin/Razorbill) was an indie bestseller. The sequel THE SEVERED THREAD comes out Feb 7, 2023. Find her online at leslievedder.com.

Mysteries of Thorn Manor
(Sorcery of Thorns 1.5)
Margaret Rogerson

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pub Date: January 17th, 2023
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Genre: Young Adult Fantasy


Synopsis:


Elisabeth Scrivener is finally settling into her new life with sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn. Now that their demon companion Silas has returned, so has scrutiny from nosy reporters hungry for gossip about the city’s most powerful sorcerer and the librarian who stole his heart. But something strange is afoot at Thorn Manor: the estate’s wards, which are meant to keep their home safe, are acting up and forcibly trapping the Manor'’ occupants inside. Surely it must be a coincidence that this happened just as Nathaniel and Elisabeth started getting closer to one another…

With no access to the outside world, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas—along with their new maid Mercy—will have to work together to discover the source of the magic behind the malfunctioning wards before they’re due to host the city’s Midwinter Ball. Not an easy task when the house is filled with unexpected secrets, and all Elisabeth can think about is kissing Nathaniel in peace. But when it becomes clear that the house, influenced by the magic of Nathaniel’s ancestors, requires a price for its obedience, Elisabeth and Nathaniel will have to lean on their connection like never before to set things right.

​'Mysteries of Thorn Manor' is the follow-up novella to 'Sorcery of Thorns' and while I realize I've spoiled a bit of book one for myself, admittedly I'm even more eager to read it than I was before. This author's work is well-rounded, filled with whimsy where it fits, remarkable creativity, and just the right amount of dark, foreboding energy. 

While there's plenty of familiar themes incorporated within the world-building, the details really shine. Specifically, I found the way the grimoires.. and in general.. magic just left to its own devices for too long, was brilliantly handled. I adore the concepts of space and time.. and the chaotic nature of Rogerson's magic.

Nathaniel is lovely and just my type. He's got the tragic backstory, he's armored with deflection through humor, and he's been left damaged by his past. Damaged, but not broken. Elisabeth, while occasionally displaying traits I'm not wild about in female leads, is still a great character. She's kind and warm, mostly relatable, and has a tendency to sometimes take the blunt approach to a problem. The latter of which is really opposite her usual behavior and gives her a streak of unpredictability I quite enjoy.

All that aside, for some reason Silas is still my favorite character in the story. His actions are in direct conflict with everything he says of himself. Even his darker truths have origin in loyalty, making his choices about how to carry out what he needs to do completely palatable to me. Perhaps strangely, I'm deeply moved by him and I really hope there will be another story to come. There certainly seems to be room for one at the end of the novella.

Though I think I own all of Rogerson's books, in some cases.. more than one copy, this is the first of them I've read and I absolutely loved it.

About the Author:


Margaret Rogerson is the New York Times bestselling author of An Enchantment of Ravens.


An Ohio native, she currently lives near Cincinnati. She has a bachelor's degree in anthropology, and when not busy reading or she enjoys watching more documentaries than most people consider socially acceptable.

The Stolen Heir
(The Stolen Heir Duology #1)
Holly Black

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Pub Date: January 3rd, 2023
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Genre: Young Adult Fantasy



Synopsis:
Return to the opulent world of Elfhame, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and dangerous desires, with this first book of a captivating new duology from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black. 
A runaway queen. A reluctant prince. And a quest that may destroy them both.

Eight years have passed since the Battle of the Serpent. But in the icy north, Lady Nore of the Court of Teeth has reclaimed the Ice Needle Citadel. There, she is using an ancient relic to create monsters of stick and snow who will do her bidding and exact her revenge.

Suren, child queen of the Court of Teeth, and the one person with power over her mother, fled to the human world. There, she lives feral in the woods. Lonely, and still haunted by the merciless torments she endured in the Court of Teeth, she bides her time by releasing mortals from foolish bargains. She believes herself forgotten until the storm hag, Bogdana chases her through the night streets. Suren is saved by none other than Prince Oak, heir to Elfhame, to whom she was once promised in marriage and who she has resented for years. 

Now seventeen, Oak is charming, beautiful, and manipulative. He’s on a mission that will lead him into the north, and he wants Suren’s help. But if she agrees, it will mean guarding her heart against the boy she once knew and a prince she cannot trust, as well as confronting all the horrors she thought she left behind.

About the Author:


Holly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels, including the Novels of Elfhame, THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN, the Spiderwick Chronicles, and her adult debut, BOOK OF NIGHT.

She has been a finalist for an Eisner Award and the Lodestar Award, and the recipient of the Mythopoeic Award, a Nebula, and a Newbery Honor. Her books have been translated into 32 languages worldwide and adapted for film.

She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret library.