Cover of The Iron King (Harlequin Teen)
I’ve read a lot of good books since my last Share the Love post. Let’s see, there’s…
- The Iron Queen, by Julie Kagawa
- The Iron Daughter, by Julie Kagawa
- The Iron King, by Julie Kagawa
- Darkest Mercy, by Melissa Marr
- The Unwanteds, by Lisa McMann
- The Girl of Fire and Thorns, by Rae Carson
- Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card
I’ve actually read more than these books, but I list these specifically to showcase the inordinate amount of fantasy that I’ve been reading lately. I wonder if that was a conscious decision on my part or not. I know I picked up Eon and Eona specifically to inspire me about an aspect of WIP2. And, I also picked up Ender’s Game (which I know is science fiction, but has fantasy elements I enjoy) and Among the Hidden for that reason, too. I know that somewhere in the recesses of my mind, my muses are tinkering with a post-apocalyptic fantasy, and I wonder if they’re hungry for more fantasy?
Maybe it’s a combination of the available e-galleys and ARCs that came my way, coupled with my need to read meatier works? After all, the fantasy genre does lend itself to intricate world-building, and often uses sociopolitical power dynamics to add conflict and tension to the narrative.
For example, take, The Girl of Fire and Thorns (newly released September 20). 
This book is full of political intrigue, magic, and adventure. Set in a world reminiscent of medieval Spain, the story centers around Lucero-Elisa de Riqueza (aka Elisa), Orovalle’s second-born princess. Though she is royal, her privileged status comes less from her royal lineage, and more from being a Godstone-bearer.
Once a century, God chooses a bearer during a baby’s naming ceremony by placing a Godstone (a living jewel) on the baby’s navel. The Bearer is destined to perform an Act of Service, and the mythos surrounding the Bearer sets in motion harrowing challenges that Elisa must overcome.
What appeals to me the most is the sheer amount of terrain that Elisa covers throughout the story. I loved the big-ness of this world. I loved experiencing the lush climates of Orovalle; the seaside of Joya d’Arena; and the desert mountains of the rebel stronghold. I loved the concept that all these various countries and people groups are on the precipice of war. But, what I love most? Carson weaves these settings and power plays brilliantly through the narrative, making the countries so unique they were almost characters in themselves. (Interested in reading the full review? You can read it HERE.)
Honestly, though, now that I think about it, this year’s obsession with fantasy probably started after reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor. My initial Good Reads reaction to it was…
“Holy. Crap.
This book was AMAZING!
I loved Every. Single. Word.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a beautiful example of what YA literature could be, and what I strive for in my own fiction. I wish books like these were available to me when I was a YA, but at least I can appreciate them and revel in them now!
Brava, Laini Taylor, for crafting such a remarkable story!”
…and, since this book is holy-crap-amazing, I wonder if I just wanted to keep experiencing that awe, thus glutting myself on more fantasies. Hmm.
(BY THE WAY, Daughter of Smoke and Bone will launch on Tuesday, September 27, but I was lucky enough to read an ARC of it back in June, thanks to my dear friend and crit partner, Kayla (which I talk about HERE) and I remember gushing about it to my friend, Carol, that she was awesome enough to give me a signed ARC (which I talk about HERE.))
I plan on putting up a full review of Daughter of Smoke and Bone next week, because, DUDE, you all need to read this book. For reals, yo.
SO, have YOU read any good books lately??
Liza Kane 
Awesome review of Daughter of Smoke and Bone! That’s so going on my TBR list – thanks for the great contest!
Thanks for playing, and I hope you get to read it soon and love it as much as I do!
Sounds like a good deal. I posted on Twitter with a mention, plus a blog post and the entry above. Also the Girl of Fire and Thorns looks really good, the synopsis seems pretty cool.
Thanks for all the shares! And, yes, Girl of Fire and Thorns was a fun read!
Happy anniversary and thanks for the great giveaway! I’m in for a tweet and a Facebook shout-out as well as a blog blast. It’s the least I can do for a book that’s got so many folks talking.
I know right?? That’s what I thought as well! Plus, I wouldn’t be shelling out the cash to buy just any book, you know what I mean?
Thanks for the shout outs!
Okay, I’ll facebook and I’ll tweet, and give you a nod on my blog. I’ll tell my husband and my dog too, but they’ll probably just look at me funny.
Ender’s Game is a great book.
Thanks for the giveaway! I’m dying to get my hands on the book!
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Book_Ninja/status/117760501995417600
And I’m not sure it counts but I yelled this out my apartment window. My neighbors must be freaked out. 🙂
Happy Anniversary!
You’re VERY WELCOME! and yes, yelling will count 😉
Thanks for the wishes!
After a review like that, how could you NOT want to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone?! It was already on my to-read list, but now I’m really jonesing to read it. 🙂
I’m in the middle of Delirium, and feel the same way. It’s written the way I hope to write — just plain amazing writing and SUCH a good story. I highly recommend Delirium if you haven’t already read it!
I feel that way with ANY Lauren Oliver book! Yes, I’ve read Delirium, and am currently reading Liesel and Po…That woman can WRITE!
Thanks for playing, and for tweeting out! 😉
Awesome! thanks for the chance to win at this giveaway. Your enthusiasm makes me want to read the book. At the very least, it’s on my to-read list now! 🙂
My pleasure! AWESOME BOOKS are meant to be shared and talked about!! 😀
I filled out the form, plus put it on FB and twitter! YAY!
Aw, thanks Abby! Nice to meet you!
Happy Anniversary!!! What are you planning on doing? hopefully not seeing Sarah’s Key:)
I loved all of the Iron Fey books! I can’t wait until Iron Knight!
Thanks Deana! And, nope, not watching Sarah’s Key! ^_^ But, we are planning to watch a yet-to-be chosen movie, and dining at our fave restaurant for steaks 😉
Originally, we intended on traveling *somewhere* warm and beach-y like we do each year…at the very least, road trip for the week to satisfy my travel bug. BUT, we’re also really close to finishing a lot of house projects, so I preferred the idea of having a closer-to-finished house that can be refinance soon rather than a getaway vacay!
I’ll RT for a few – I’ll limit to 3, since it doesn’t feel right to just keep sending it out to try and get a million entries. Sounds like a good book.
oh, that’s a good point! I didn’t think to limit the additional entries! I’ll say the maximum is four additional entries, with a total of five entries…
Thanks for playing!
I’m mentioning it on my FB page too, just to spread the word of spreading the love 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-McDuffee/264353726908836