In a famine-stricken village on a dusty plain, a seer shows two children their fates. For a family’s eighth-born son, there’s greatness. For the second daughter, nothing. In 1345, China lies restless under harsh Mongol rule. And when a bandit raid wipes out their home, the two children must somehow survive. Zhu Chongba despairs and gives in. But the girl resolves to overcome her destiny. So she takes her dead brother's identity and begins her journey. Can Zhu escape what’s written in the stars, as rebellion sweeps the land? Or can she claim her brother’s greatness – and rise as high as she can dream?
Author: azucchi
Storyteller, bookseller and reviewer. Enjoy my thoughts and short stories.
Women in SFF Readalong: Week 2
Here we are folks, the second week of the Fantasy Hive's readalong of The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty, and the action is definitely starting! At the end of the first section, Nahri and Dara were in the middle of the desert, running from the ifrit and heading towards Daevabad in a tenuous alliance, while Ali, in the city itself, has found himself back in the palace, and in charge of the city guard. All three are hurtling towards situations they are not looking forward to being in, which makes this next part very interesting. You can see what my thoughts on week one were over here, but now let's look at this week's questions - please be advised there will be spoilers up until chapter 15.
Review: Map’s Edge by David Hair
Soldier, sorcerer and exiled nobleman Raythe Vyre has run out of places to hide. When the all-conquering Bolgravian Empire invaded, Raythe grabbed his daughter Zar and after taking part in a disastrous rebellion, they washed up on the edge of the continent. Now he's found a chance of redemption for himself and the precociously talented Zar: a map showing a hitherto unknown place that's rich in istariol, the rare mineral that fuels sorcery. Mining it will need people, but luckily there are plenty of outcasts, ne'er-do-wells and loners desperate enough to brave haunted roads through the ruins of an ancient, long-dead civilisation, to seek wealth and freedom.
Women in SFF Readalong: Week 1
I do love a read along, and this month I'm joining in with The Fantasy Hive as they read The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty. This was one that's been on my list to read for a couple of years, and this was the perfect excuse to finally pick it up! Please be aware… Continue reading Women in SFF Readalong: Week 1
Women in SFF: Lifetime Achievement Awards
The Fantasy Hive blog have an awesome Women in SFF feature, and July is the month for it! As part of this, there's a really fun photo challenge, and we're taking some of those to the next level! Today's prompt is 'Life-Time Achievement Award' (actually, it's yesterday's prompt, but life gets in the way). We decided to do something a little different for it, and we set five categories and nominated a book, author, or character each. Here are our final choices, but we'd love to hear what you think!
Review: Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
Shiori'anma, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs in her veins. And on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted, but it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother. A sorceress in her own right, Raikama banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes, and warning Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.
First Lines Friday: Female Debut Authors in SFF
I can't believe it's already July, I have lost all track of time this year! But the exciting thing about it being July is that The Fantasy Hive are doing a month-long feature to celebrate women in Sci-fi and Fantasy. We're very excited to join in via the Photo Challenge over on instagram and using… Continue reading First Lines Friday: Female Debut Authors in SFF
Mid Year Check In
It's the last day of June, so we're half way through the year and I've seen the 'Mid Year Freak Out' tag pop up on plenty of book blogs and booktube channels. This is my first year participating, and I believe the tag was created by Chami and Earl Grey Books. My version might be… Continue reading Mid Year Check In
Review: Of Honey and Wildfires by Sarah Chorn
What began as a simple scouting expedition becomes a life-changing ordeal for Arlen Esco. The son of a powerful mogul, Arlen is kidnapped and forced to confront uncomfortable truths his father has kept hidden. In his hands lies a decision that will determine the fate of everyone he loves—and impact the lives of every person in Shine Territory. The daughter of an infamous saboteur and outlaw, Cassandra has her own dangerous secrets to protect. When the lives of those she loves are threatened, she realizes that she is uniquely placed to change the balance of power in Shine Territory once and for all. Secrets breed more secrets. Somehow, Arlen and Cassandra must find their own truths in the middle of a garden of lies.
Review: Artifact Space by Miles Cameron
Out in the darkness of space, something is targeting the Greatships. With their vast cargo holds and a crew that could fill a city, the Greatships are the lifeblood of human occupied space, transporting an unimaginable volume - and value - of goods from City, the greatest human orbital, all the way to Tradepoint at the other, to trade for xenoglas with an unknowable alien species. It has always been Marca Nbaro's dream to achieve the near-impossible: escape her upbringing and venture into space. All it took, to make her way onto the crew of the Greatship Athens was thousands of hours in simulators, dedication, and pawning or selling every scrap of her old life in order to forge a new one. But though she's made her way onboard with faked papers, leaving her old life - and scandals - behind isn't so easy. She may have just combined all the dangers of her former life, with all the perils of the new . . .
