As a history buff, dystopian author, and
historical drama addict, this book is everything I want in a story.
It
transports you to a gritty, dystopian world with a medieval flare. Best of all,
it doesn’t have magic, which makes it feel plausible.
In Defender of Walls, a
decade of famine has splintered the kingdom, but it is the merchants who suffer
most. The prose is exquisite, and the
characters are complex and endearing.
I love that this book doesn’t shy away
from tough situations and cringe-worthy moments, either. You feel the
characters’ hunger pains, their fears, their hatred, and their heartache. The
heroine’s gumption is inspiring, and the strong, broody hero’s compassion
melted my heart.
I loved everything about this book and devoured the entire
series!
Blake Suttone has a stomach full of grief and no food. A decade of famine has taken its toll on the splintered kingdom, but it is the merchants who suffer most. A wall stands between the hungry and the food, and the kingdom’s defenders stand guard atop it. Desperate times lead to desperate acts, and Blake will do whatever is necessary to ensure her family survives. But a growing attachment to a certain commander was never part of the plan. Now the man protecting the walls seems determined to guard her too.
I love a great historical fiction, and
Amy Harmon did not disappoint.
It follows the life of Deborah Samson, a young woman
dressed as a man so she can fight in the American Revolutionary War.
Her character development is
amazing, and how Harmon wove all of the character storylines together was
masterfully done. The love story was simply beautiful, and I will say that, as
someone who loves history but isn’t big on war stories, this one had me
obsessively listening.
I felt so many emotions reading this and could not
put it down. The narration of this audiobook was epically done.
From New York Times bestselling author Amy Harmon comes the saga of a young woman who dares to chart her own destiny in life and love during the American Revolutionary War.
In 1760, Deborah Samson is born to Puritan parents in Plympton, Massachusetts. When her father abandons the family and her mother is unable to support them, Deborah is bound out as an indentured servant. From that moment on, she yearns for a life of liberation and adventure.
Twenty years later, as the American colonies begin to buckle in their battle for independence, Deborah, impassioned by the cause, disguises herself…
Adrienne Young’s novels are transporting. Her worlds are enthralling (in this case, a little haunting), and her characters
are always intriguing.
Emery and August are no different in this book. I
actually put off reading Spells For
Forgetting because I’m not a huge “magic” fan. But this book is so much
more than that, and Young wove her magic system throughout the story deftly and
delicately, making it feel real.
The magic wasn’t only magic; it was the town,
the people, the atmosphere, and the mystery—all intricately sewn throughout
beautiful prose. I fell in love with Saoirse Island.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Lush with secrets, magic, and a past that won’t stay where it belongs, this novel is (quite fittingly) spellbinding.”—JODI PICOULT, author of Wish You Were Here
A deeply atmospheric story about ancestral magic, an unsolved murder, and a second chance at true love
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: She Reads
Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence on…
Centuries ago, the skies turned black, and for 300 years, Londoners survived in the dank underground tunnels of the city. Until one day, a stranger from a faraway land offered to save them. Though it wasn’t without cost... and he has come to collect.
When Selene is taken to Master Blackburn’s infamous estate, she fears she and the orphans she’s sworn to protect will meet a gruesome end, like so many others before them. But the beastly landowner is not all there is to fear, and Selene soon learns nothing in Briarwood is as it seems.
