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.
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Two new books were added to the TBR last week, both of which are by authors who have written work I love.
The Desert Talon (The Crowns of Ishia #2) by Karin Lowachee
The second novella in The Crowns of Ishia trilogy will be released on February 11 (trade paperback, ebook, audiobook). The conclusion to the series, A Covenant of Ice, will also be released in 2025: on June 17.
Karin Lowachee wrote my favorite science fiction series (The Warchild Mosaic), and The Mountain Crown, the first book in her new fantasy series featuring dragons, is one of my favorite 2024 releases. It’s one of those books that feels incredibly immersive with lovely writing that brings everything to life, and the dragons and the way they communicate is really interesting. Needless to say, I’m excited for both The Desert Talon and A Covenant of Ice!
The exciting sequel to the gunslinging, dragon-riding world of The Mountain Crown
Sephihalé ele Janan sits in a prison cell in the southern island of Mazemoor, dreaming of escape. After months in a provisional prison for fighting for the imperial Kattakans, Janan is sponsored by another refugee who was once a part of his scattered family. Yearning to build a life on his sister’s land with the dragons their people revere, the peace Janan seeks is threatened by a ruthless dragon baron who covets both Janan’s connection to the earth and the battle dragon to which he is covenanted.
The conflict may drive Janan to acts of violence he hoped to leave behind in the war, and bring more death to the land Janan now calls home.
The Desert Talon is a story of two groups of people who, despite a common ancestry, have diverged so far in their beliefs that there appears to be little mutual ground—and the conflict may well start to unravel the burgeoning hopes of a country, and a man, still recovering from the ravages of war.
The Lotus Empire (The Burning Kingdoms #3) by Tasha Suri
The final book in this trilogy was released last month (hardcover library edition, trade paperback, ebook, audiobook).
The Jasmine Throne, the first book in this series inspired in part by the Mahabharata and the history of the Mughal Empire, is amazing. I especially loved the main heroines and how it explored the different ways they navigated their patriarchal culture.
Although I wasn’t quite as enamored of the second book in the series, I had to purchase a copy to find out how the trilogy ends—especially considering how much I love Tasha Suri’s other series, The Books of Ambha.
This sweeping epic fantasy brings the acclaimed Burning Kingdoms trilogy to a heart–stopping close, as an ancient magic returns to Ahiranya and threatens its very foundations, Empress Malini and priestess Priya will stop at nothing to save their kingdoms—even if it means they must destroy each other.
Malini has claimed her rightful throne as the empress of Parijatdvipa, just as the nameless gods prophesied. Now, in order to gain the support of the priesthood who remain loyal to the fallen emperor, she must consider a terrible bargain: Claim her throne and burn in order to seal her legacy—or find another willing to take her place on the pyre.
Priya has survived the deathless waters and now their magic runs in her veins. But a mysterious yaksa with flowering eyes and a mouth of thorns lies beneath the waters. The yaksa promises protection for Ahiranya. But in exchange, she needs a sacrifice. And she’s chosen Priya as the one to offer it.
Two women once entwined by fate now stand against each other. But when an ancient enemy rises to threaten their world, Priya and Malini will find themselves fighting together once more – to prevent their kingdoms, and their futures, from burning to ash.
