Author: Kristen
A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet The Leaning Pile of Books

The Leaning Pile of Books is a feature where I talk about books I got over the last week–old or new, bought or received 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. There were a couple of slow […]

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo October Patreon Book

October’s Patreon poll theme is young adult speculative fiction (I know, it seems like it should have been Halloween/horror themed, but I couldn’t find many books on my shelves that seemed applicable!). The choices were as follows: The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns #1) by Rae Carson Hidden Huntress (Malediction #2) by Danielle L. Jensen Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1) by Leigh Bardugo The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson The Wrath and the Dawn […]

Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton Review of Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton

Tooth and Claw, one of Jo Walton’s earlier novels, won the 2004 World Fantasy Award. Though it is often compared to Jane Austen’s work, the author cites Victorian novels in general and Anthony Trollope’s Framley Parsonage in particular as inspirations in her Dedication, Thanks, and Notes, adding “this novel is the result of wondering what a world would be like…if the axioms of the sentimental Victorian novel were inescapable laws of biology.” She imagined this by populating Tooth and Claw with dragons […]

Heartstone by Elle Katharine White The Leaning Pile of Books

The Leaning Pile of Books is a feature where I talk about books I got over the last week–old or new, bought or received 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. This week brought a few […]

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews Review of Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews

Magic Binds is the ninth—and penultimate—novel in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. It’s been one of my favorite ongoing series since reading the phenomenal third and fourth volumes, and I was particularly impressed by how the author(s) balanced plot and action with character development and relationships. The world mythology and the mystery and revelations surrounding Kate’s power and family were also quite well done. However, I’ve been disappointed in the series since book seven, and this trend continues […]