The Leaning Pile of Books is a feature in which I highlight books I got over the last week that sound like they may be interesting—old or new, bought or received in the mail for review consideration (the latter of which are mainly unsolicited books from publishers). Since I hope you will find new books you’re interested in reading in these posts, I try to be as informative as possible. If I can find them, links to excerpts, author’s websites, and places where you can find more information on the book are included, along with series information and the publisher’s book description. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Last week I purchased a book that sounds fantastic, and I reviewed one of my new favorite books since the last time there was one of these posts:
- Review of The Wolf of Oren-Yaro (Chronicles of the Bitch Queen #1) by K. S. Villoso — This is an amazing character-driven epic fantasy with one of the best voices I’ve ever experienced, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series (coming this fall!).
Kingdom of Souls (Kingdom of Souls #1) by Rena Barron
Kingdom of Souls is currently available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook (with the paperback coming on August 11), and the ebook is currently $1.99 on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I’ve had my eye on this one so I couldn’t resist getting a copy!
Epic Reads has an excerpt from Kingdom of Souls, and there is a website with more information on this YA fantasy series and world.
Reaper of Souls, the second book in the series, is scheduled for release on February 16, 2021.
A girl with no gifts must bargain for the power to fight her own mother’s dark schemes—even if the price is her life.
Crackling with dark magic, unspeakable betrayal, and daring twists you won’t see coming, this explosive YA fantasy debut is a can’t-miss, high-stakes epic perfect for fans of Strange the Dreamer and Children of Blood and Bone.
“Magnetic and addictive. This book is black girl magic at its finest.”—New York Times bestselling author Dhonielle Clayton
Heir to two lines of powerful witchdoctors, Arrah yearns for magic of her own. Yet she fails at bone magic, fails to call upon her ancestors, and fails to live up to her family’s legacy. Under the disapproving eye of her mother, the Kingdom’s most powerful priestess and seer, she fears she may never be good enough.
But when the Kingdom’s children begin to disappear, Arrah is desperate enough to turn to a forbidden, dangerous ritual. If she has no magic of her own, she’ll have to buy it—by trading away years of her own life.
Arrah’s borrowed power reveals a nightmarish betrayal, and on its heels, a rising tide of darkness that threatens to consume her and all those she loves. She must race to unravel a twisted and deadly scheme… before the fight costs more than she can afford.
Set in a richly imagined world inspired by whispered tales of voodoo and folk magic, Rena Barron’s captivating debut is the beginning of a thrilling saga about a girl caught between gods, monsters, and the gift and the curse of power.
“Masterful.”—SLJ (starred review)
