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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It’s been a busy week so there’s nothing new since the last one of these features, but with inspiration from Renay’s recent post on Lady Business, I’m going to be loud about a book I loved and link to my review of The Sourdough Compendium by A. G. Slatter again. It’s one of my favorite books I’ve read this year, along with The Poet Empress by Shen Tao and Bones of Jade, Flesh Like Ice by Gracie Marsden. (And if you want more book fantasy book recommendations, I’ll be sharing some with Meena of the Ashland Public Library again from 6:30 to 7:00 ET this Thursday evening!)
One new book showed up in the mail last week, and it sounds fantastic!
By Divine Rage (The Godsgift Cycle #1) by Roseanne A. Brown
This romantic dark fantasy novel will be released on April 13, 2027 (hardcover, ebook, audiobook).
This will be New York Times bestselling author Roseanne A. Brown’s first novel for adults. According to her website, By Divine Rage “turns fairytale archetypes on their heads to unflinchingly examine real-world issues like bodily autonomy, romantic agency, and how people in power can turn faith into a tool of oppression.” There is also more information on the book and characters on this page.
I love the sound of this: dark fantasy and fairy tales as inspiration, plus uneasy alliances and women using their rage!
In this dark and lush romantic fantasy, two women raised as pawns in a corrupt world must join forces with unlikely allies to harness their fury and break the cycle of violence—the first in the debut adult series from New York Times bestselling author Roseanne A. Brown.
This first edition hardcover features designed sprayed edges and full-color illustrated endpapers—while supplies last!
“One of my favorite fantasies in a long while . . . I’ll be counting down the days until I can get my hands on book two!”—Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of The Foxglove King
Every generation has a Godsgift: a young woman possessing the blood of the goddess of spring. Raised as a ward of the Church and betrothed to their immortal prophet, she is destined to fend off a devastating eternal winter.
But when this generation’s chosen one, the naïve Eulia, realizes she’s been groomed as a sacrificial lamb, she flees with the help of a mysterious warlock.
Left behind is Cleio, Eulia’s passionate and furious handmaiden, who, with the support of a stoic soldier, must take Eulia’s place as a false Godsgift and root out corruption from within.
Society would wrest their agency away, but these two women with a sisterhood forged in fire will not sit idly by as their fates are decided for them. Power is their destiny. Freedom is their right. And by divine rage, they will claim what is theirs.
Book One of The Godsgift Cycle
