The Leaning Pile of Books is a feature in which I highlight books I got over the last week that sound interesting—old or new, bought or received in the mail for review consideration. 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.
Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and an Amazon Associate, and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Last week brought an unexpected surprise in the mail and an unexpected ebook purchase due to a snowstorm and power outage. But first, here’s the latest book review in case you missed it:
- The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong — This cozy fantasy novel about a traveling seer and found family was a perfectly decent book with some charm, but it didn’t have the sort of depth or characterization that makes a book stick with me.
On to the latest books!
The Tomb of Dragons (The Cemeteries of Amalo #3) by Katherine Addison
The final book in this trilogy set in the same world as The Goblin Emperor will be released on March 11, 2025 (hardcover, ebook, audiobook).
This series focuses on Celehar, the Witness for the Dead, and the first two books are as follows:
The links to the publisher’s pages above contain links to read excerpts from each.
Getting this in the mail was a pleasant surprise. I loved The Goblin Emperor (as well as Katherine Addison’s series published as Sarah Monette, The Doctrine of Labyrinths), but I still need to read the first book in this series and procure the second. It might be a good idea to do a reread soon, before starting the newer trilogy.
In The Tomb of Dragons, Katherine Addison returns to the award-winning world of The Goblin Emperor, deftly wrapping up The Cemeteries of Amalo trilogy.
Thara Celehar has lost his ability to speak with the dead. When that title of Witness for the Dead is gone, what defines him?
While his title may be gone, his duties are not. Celehar contends with a municipal cemetery with fifty years of secrets, the damage of a revethavar he’s terrified to remember, and a group of miners who are more than willing to trade Celehar’s life for a chance at what they feel they’re owed.
Celehar does not have to face these impossible tasks alone. Joining him are his mentee Velhiro Tomasaran, still finding her footing with the investigative nature of their job; Iäna Pel-Thenhior, his beloved opera director friend and avid supporter; Anora Chanavar, his stalwart friend and fellow prelate of Ulis; and the valiant guard captain Hanu Olgarezh.
Amidst the backdrop of a murder and a brewing political uprising, Celehar must seek justice for those who cannot find it themselves under a tense political system. The repercussions of his quest are never as simple they seem, and Celehar’s own life and happiness hang in the balance.
The Winter Prince (The Lion Hunters #1) by Elizabeth Wein
This is the first book in a YA fantasy series inspired by Arthurian legend. The publisher’s website has an excerpt from The Winter Prince, as well as the rest of the books in the series:
I’ve had this on my wish list for a while since I’ve seen it recommended for fans of The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner. When we had a power outage the other day, I wanted to make sure I had something to read on my Kindle in case it was out for a while. When I saw this was only $1.99 at the time, I snatched it up!
Brave Medraut is a fitting heir to the throne—but he can never be king—in this fantasy retelling of the legend of Mordred from the author of Code Name Verity.
Medraut is the eldest son of High King Artos, and would-be heir to the British throne—if not for an unfortunate circumstance of birth. Instead, his weak and unskilled half-brother, Lleu, is chosen as successor. Medraut cannot bear the thought of being ruled by the boy who has taken what he believes is rightfully his.
Consumed by jealousy, he turns to Morgause, the high king’s treacherous sister, who exploits Medraut’s shame and plots to take over the throne. But when Medraut discovers Lleu’s inner strength and goodness, he finds his battle is not just with the kingdom, but with the demons inside himself. Now he must choose where his allegiances truly lie.
Perfect for readers of Robin McKinley and Jane Yolen, The Winter Prince is an “engrossing” novel that “fantasy lovers and devotees of Arthurian legends will enjoy,” from an author who has won honors ranging from the Carnegie Medal to the Edgar Award (Booklist).
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Elizabeth Wein including rare images from the author’s personal collection.
