The Leaning Pile of Books is a feature where I discuss books I got over the last week–old or new, bought or received in the mail for review consideration (usually unsolicited). 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.
Last week was a terrific week for books in the mail since both of these new arrivals appeared on my anticipated speculative fiction releases of 2018 list.
Also last week, I posted a review of The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco. I loved Tea, the main character, and how Rin Chupeco told her story through two different perspectives and timelines—showing just how much can change in five years and adding fascinating dimension to Tea’s character.
And now, on to the latest books!
The Defiant Heir (Swords and Fire #2) by Melissa Caruso
The second book in the Swords and Fire trilogy will be released on April 24 (trade paperback, ebook).
This will also be Melissa Caruso’s second published novel, and I’m very excited about it since The Tethered Mage is an exciting, compulsively readable book that kept me up reading until 2:00 AM. I loved the world and characters, and The Tethered Mage was one of my favorite books of 2017.
The publisher’s website has an excerpt from The Tethered Mage. And if you missed it, Melissa Caruso recently wrote an excellent Twitter thread on fighting in ballgowns (with Disney princess examples!).
Across the border, the Witch Lords of Vaskandar are preparing for war. But before an invasion can begin, they must call a rare gathering of all seventeen lords to decide a course of action.
Lady Amalia Cornaro knows that this Conclave might be her only chance to smother the growing flames of war, and she is ready to make any sacrifice if it means saving Raverra from destruction.
Amalia and Zaira must go behind enemy lines, using every ounce of wit and cunning they have, to sway Vaskandar from war. Or else it will all come down to swords and fire.
City of Lies (The Poison Wars #1) by Sam Hawke
This epic fantasy debut novel will be released on July 3 (hardcover, trade paperback, ebook, audiobook).
Editor Diana Gill wrote a Behind the Bookshelf essay on the Tor-Forge blog in which she discusses what makes a book stand out from the rest using City of Lies as an example—and it sounds fantastic!
I was seven years old the first time my uncle poisoned me…
Outwardly, Jovan is the lifelong friend of the Chancellor’s charming, irresponsible Heir. Quiet. Forgettable. In secret, he’s a master of poisons and chemicals, trained to protect the Chancellor’s family from treachery. When the Chancellor succumbs to an unknown poison and an army lays siege to the city, Jovan and his sister Kalina must protect the Heir and save their city-state.
But treachery lurks in every corner, and the ancient spirits of the land are rising…and angry.
