The City Between Series by W.R. Gingell | Weekend Reads (Lauricia Matuska)

 Pet lives alone in the house where her parents were murdered.

Of course, “Pet” is not her real name. It’s more of a job title, really. But when the knowledge of someone’s real name can grant power over that person, it’s better to keep that name to yourself. Especially when dealing with arrogant fey, eternally adolescent vampires, and the other denizens of the realms Behind and Between.

Four years after her parents were killed, Pet discovers another body hanging, horribly mutilated, outside her bedroom window. While she tries to avoid discovery inside her house, two fey and a vampire begin investigating the murder outside. This leads to them buying Pet’s house without knowing that she still lives inside and is exactly how she becomes the human pet of three other-worldly detectives.

Greetings and happy New Year’s Eve! I’m not one for resolutions -- I try to make improvements on an as-needed basis and for me they are, alas, regularly needed. However, I can agree that one thing I resolve to do every year is read good books. So, as we celebrate another transition from old to new, I’m thrilled to recommend that your first read for the new year be The City Between Series by W. R. Gingell. This series is a collection of urban fantasy detective stories set in Australia. The entire series consists of ten novels and two novellas that tell the story of a snarky mostly eighteen-year-old who is thrust into the politics of the worlds Behind and Between as she tries to make sense of and resolve the murders of her parents. You don’t have to read the companion novellas in order to understand the books that follow them, but I recommend that you do because the events that occur in them are referenced frequently in the subsequent stories. (Read Cloudy With a Chance of Dropbears after Book 5 and read All the Different Shades of Blue after Book 6.)

These stories drew me in because Pet is so delightfully snarky. She is also relatable in many ways, and, while naive about much, she is very capable. Her interactions with the other characters in the series are witty and droll enough that I laughed out loud several times. While the series is extensive, the story lines are masterfully woven together at a pace that kept me engaged throughout the series. I even thought I’d take a bit of a break between the books so that I didn’t become bored, but I found myself jumping into them one right after the other, instead.

If you enjoy paranormal / urban fantasy with a hint of mystery and a bit of snark, then I highly recommend you begin your reading for 2022 here. I’d also love to hear your new year reading recommendations, along with other questions, observations, and remarks about all things related or relatable to Lands Uncharted, in the comments below.

As ever, it has been a delight to be among the authors who blog here. We hope you have a wonderful 2022 filled with grace, love, and peace. From all of us here to all of you, happy reading!

Weekend Reads: King Arthur and Her Knights by K.M. Shea (Kimberly)

Launch your November curled up with a fantastically fun reimagining of the King Arthur legends!

King Arthur and Her Knights: The Complete Series by K.M. Shea

My Rating - 4.5 Stars

I have to admit that I was not expecting to love this series when I first picked it up at the beginning of this year. Genderswapped King Arthur? Or, more accurately, a modern day young woman magically transported back to the days of King Arthur and she's going to be the new king? Despite my love for K.M. Shea's other series, I was skeptical that I would enjoy this one on the same scale. I was very wrong. And I'm so glad I finally read it!

This is such a fun series! Britt Arthurs is transported from modern day England to the days of King Arthur (right before Arthur is supposed to pull the sword from the stone). The reason? Merlin is absolutely determined to see the warring little kingdoms of Britain united under one king. And he won't let minor details such as the real Arthur running away or that his magic has brought a woman from centuries in the future instead of a man stand in the way of his schemes to see Britain united. And he's not an old man either. This Merlin has more in common with the BBC tv series than the aged wizard of legend as far as looks and age are concerned. 

I love Britt and her journey. She started out knowing little of the King Arthur legends aside from what was in her guidebook (which made the journey back in time with her) and a deep loathing for Lancelot (and Guinevere by default). Her starting the Lancelot Hate Club was a hilarious response to the usual fawning over the man. Especially when you find out who else is part of the club. But Britt is just as determined as Merlin about certain things, such as teaching her knights to be the chivalrous men of legend and acquiring the Round Table if it's the last thing she does. Britt has such a great growth arc in this series and even her knowledge from the guidebook serves as part of her foibles.

Britt and Merlin have a fantastic and funny relationship filled with all the feels, especially as the series moves on. But I also adore her knights and their relationships with her as well as the different ways they change throughout the series. Sir Kay is an awesome big brother to her, even if he can be a smidge overprotective. ;)

Whether you're familiar with the King Arthur legends or only know bits and pieces, I highly recommend this series! With the trademark K.M. Shea humor, adventure, and sweet romance, this collection of six novellas and one novel is nearly a thousand pages long, which makes it a fantastic way to spend the weekend! And as a bonus, the collection is currently on sale for a limited time!

Happy Reading!

Kimberly A. Rogers

Weekend Reads: The Raven Boys (Lauricia)

 I am a huge fan of fairy tales. I mean the old classic, Brothers Grimm type. It began when I was an early teen, on a visit to my grandparent’s house. I was in a fit of pique with my cousins, and I was bored out of my mind, so I half-heartedly picked over some forgotten books gathering dust on a bookshelf in a back room. I found The Blue Fairy Book, opened it without any real expectation of even being remotely interested, and fell into a genre that has dominated my literary preferences ever since.

I think that’s why I was so drawn to The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, which resonates with the same vibe that forever defines fairy tales for me.

I’m not sure when, exactly, I fell in love with this book, but I noticed that love by page 60, when the author produced two quotable lines within two pages (one which just happens to already be a personal mantra). This is an urban paranormal read that I couldn’t put down.

Blue Seargent, the story’s protagonist, lives in a house full of women psychics. Not carnival fortune-tellers, but legitimate psychics. Her talent? Amplifying the power of others. That’s it. That’s also why it’s so surprising when Blue interacts with the spirit of a boy named Gansey on the corpse road. What’s even more surprising is when she meets him in person shortly afterward and becomes caught up in his quest to find the body of the Welsh king Glendower. Blue’s not sure whether she wants to kill Gansey or kiss him, but either action would mean his demise.

This story is filled with so many things that I love: Welsh mythology, a snarky protagonist, humor, and a genre-based story that doesn’t rehash all of the old genre tropes. And ravens! Did I mention the raven?

I normally don’t read paranormal stories, but the title and blurb of this book caught my eye, so I gave it a try. I’m so glad I did! I devoured the book in two sittings, and am on my way to buy the rest of the series.

A caveat for those who are sensitive to things of the occult (in the way some are sensitive to the magic in Harry Potter): This is a paranormal story, so it deals in a minor way with things like tarot cards, demons (who are presented as evil, not desirable), and witchcraft (also presented as undesirable). If any of these things is a sensitive area for you, you may want to pass on this book.

Story Snippets: Guardian Prince by Lauricia Matuska (Lauricia)

Greetings, all and happy fall. Only THE best season of the year. I adore the way the light takes on a richer tone and the air takes on a mysterious smell, and the mist... having grown up in a land-locked, semi-arid desert, I can't tell you enough how I adore misty mornings. I hope that you're finding this time of year just as enchanting.

Here's a snippet of my most recent release, Guardian Prince (book two in the Ceryn Roh series), for you to enjoy during these magical autumn days. When you've finished, I'd love to know what your favorite season is and why. Tell me in the comments below! 

        Sabine expected to walk into complete blackness. Instead, she found the cave faintly illuminated by a multitude of green luminescent specks draped like a canopy across the cave ceiling. At first, she compared them to stars—although she knew she was now inside the cliff and could not see the sky, she could think of no better way to describe them. Upon closer inspection, however, she noticed the lights were moving, squirming over one another, like—
         “Glow worms,” Koen stated, his head craned back to study the ceiling. “Gaoth will be beside himself when he learns of this.”
         “He eats them?” Sabine guessed.
         Koen chuckled dryly. “He can’t resist them though they make him very ill. His droppings glow for days.”
         Sabine grinned. Ahead of her, Gaelan snorted.
         A thought of Bree twinged Sabine’s heart. She wondered how the dog was doing without her, then reminded herself that Bree had Gaoth for company. Besides, Sabine would only be gone for a few sennites. The dog would be fine.
         For some reason she couldn’t explain, Sabine had expected the labyrinth to be constructed of carved stone, so the ruggedness of the path they now stood on surprised her. The glow worms were so numerous that they provided enough light to see by, but only just. Even so, everyone agreed it would be best to not use additional light, yet, in case it alerted the Rüddan to their presence. Because of this, Sabine stumbled several times as her toes got caught in shadow-concealed holes.
         Sabine checked the cuff often, worried that she would misjudge the distance between the twists and turns of the path. Fortunately, the glow on the armband seemed to fade behind them as they followed the trail, indicating where they were as they moved. Sabine was grateful for this, because the strain of peering through the gloom was making her head throb and her eyes ache so that when they came upon the first turn, she almost walked right past it.
         “Turn here,” she called, directing the others off the main path.
         “Are you sure?” Gaelan furrowed his brow. “We’ve already passed two branches just like this.”
         Sabine nodded. Displaying the armband, she explained how the path was fading as they followed it.
         “We’re here,” she pointed a fingernail to the spot where the black path behind them met with the red glow before them and turned right. “And we go there.”
         Gaelan nodded but said nothing before stepping into the new tunnel.
         Sabine led them like this for a while, constantly checking the armband and indicating turns as they came upon them. The others followed without much comment.
         Then the path ended.
         “What now?” Gaelan asked as they faced a wall that blocked any forward movement on the path.
         “The cuff says to turn right again,” Sabine said, looking from the cuff to the wall and back again.
         “I’d love to,” Gaelan remarked. “Would you like to tell me how?”
         “Look around,” Koen said. “Labyrinths are full of concealed paths. You just have to find them.”
Sabine’s face burned, the heat of embarrassment scalding her cheeks. What would she do if she had led them to a dead end? Could she have misread the armband, maybe misunderstood how it worked? She scanned the wall in front of her desperately, so focused that she almost missed the clue that revealed the hidden path Koen had suggested they find.
         It was the breath of cold air that caught her attention. She had stumbled yet again as she moved to inspect a new section of the wall and had paused to massage her ankle when the wisp of cold passed her face.
         “Did you feel that?” she called softly to the others.
         “Feel what?” Koen said as he drew near.
         “A small wind, as if from outside.”
         “Wind?” Gaelan’s voice carried across the path. “In a cave?”
         “Maybe a cross tunnel,” Aodhan countered.
         Sabine surveyed the wall doubtfully.
         “Don’t expect it to be obvious,” Koen cautioned. “The easy paths are often the deadly ones.”
Sabine nodded, not really sure what she was looking for until she felt another puff of cold air. Following the direction it came from, she examined the shadowy crannies and nooks until she found an opening that turned out to be much wider than it had initially appeared.
         “Over here,” she called to the others. “This crack is wider than it looks. If we go single-file, we can fit through it easily.”
         “The glow worms stop here, so we’ll need a light,” Aodhan said as he peered over her shoulder. “A dim one, though. The Rüddan will discover our presence soon enough without our announcing it.”
A moment later an orb of light blossomed in the darkness. Hovering near Koen’s shoulder, it was just bright enough to illuminate the path clearly. Sabine was glad for this since the new tunnel was just as rugged as the one they were leaving.
         The air grew colder as they walked. At first, Sabine welcomed it. The chill refreshed her as it cut through the still, dank cave air. Soon, however, it grew chilly. Not long after that, it became uncomfortable enough for Sabine to draw her cloak around her. Unfortunately, everything she wore was still damp, so the chill soon sank into her core.
         “Human, does that map of yours indicate any new turns?” Gaelan asked, apparently unfazed by the drop in temperature.
         Sabine checked the armband. “Not for a while yet.”
         “Then that gate is going to be a problem.”
         Squinting into the gloom ahead, Sabine envied her companions’ superior eyesight. She continued forward, reluctant to admit she saw nothing. “There’s no mark on the cuff to indicate any sort of barrier, but that’s not necessarily significant. It could be the map only marks distance and direction.”
        “Let’s hope so.”
         Just then, Sabine spied the gate, as tall and as wide as her former home in Khapor. Small black mounds dotted the ground before it, splayed randomly in a half-circle array. Yes, she agreed silently, wrinkling her nose as she caught a whiff of a charred, acrid smell. Let’s hope so, indeed.

Weekend Reads: Gretchen and the Bear by Carrie Anne Noble (Lauricia)

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but let's face it: we all do.

Or at least, we are drawn to books because of their covers. This was especially the case for me with my recommendation for this weekend's read: Gretchen and the Bear.

Those of you who have been following the blog for a while know I don't often read fairy tale retellings; not because I don't like them but because my go-to flavor of the genre is epic fantasy. However, Carrie Anne Noble and I are members of the Realm Makers tribe of authors, and I had seen the book's cover often enough in group circles to recognize it on sight. It called to me each time I encountered it until, in a bit of an emotional funk and wanting to escape into a fantasy reminiscent of those I read when I was younger, I decided the pastel colors and girl-riding-a-bear silhouette looked as though it would satisfy my longing for a bit of nostalgia.

I was enchanted almost instantly because the setting of the story does something I've heard of but have yet to experience: it blends science-fiction and fantasy.

What?

Gretchen and the Bear is set in a future where humanity has destroyed the planet and must live on an orbiting space station. After the last human leaves, the fey who remain on Earth regenerate it. Once it is again inhabitable, the planet is divided into human-inhabited North America and fairy-dominated Britannia. But the fey openly despise humanity, and no one who travels to Britannia ever returns.

Unfortunately for sixteen-year-old Gretchen, her step-sister Ruby has run away to Britannia to meet her fairy boyfriend. Gretchen's step-mother has sent her after Ruby with an ultimatum: if she doesn't bring Ruby home, her father will die.

Forced to search a magic forest filled with hostile fey for a sister who doesn't want to be found, Gretchen is lost and desperately in need of help when she happens upon the cottage home of a family of bear shape-shifters and gets mistaken as the heroic Silverhair of Bearfolk legend. The mix-up completely blindsides Gretchen's search, forcing her in a new direction that turns all of her goals and plans upside down. And just when you think the story is over, it moves in a direction that's unpredictable yet true, which made the book very satisfying.

Gretchen and the Bear is exactly the type of story I was looking for. The blend of science-fiction and fantasy is masterful and the fairy tale elements are true to the genre without being cliché. This is one story you don't want to overlook.

New Release: The King's Spell (Lizzie)

It's here! I am so excited to share the release of The King's Spell with you today! This book has been begging to meet the world for a long time. In 2013 I published my first novel (The Beast's Enchantress, later re-released as The Rose and the Wand in 2017). In that book, there is a handsome gentleman and his brother who turn out to be among the bad guys. I liked them, one in particular, too much to leave them among the villains, however, so I began a story for them, and hinted at it at the end of The Rose and the Wand. Magic Collector Lord Devryn Collins in The Rose and the Wand now gets his chance to be a hero under his true name of Devryn Ashby, in The King's Spell. 

THE KING’S SPELL, Realm and Wand, book 1

Only a king can banish sorcerers and strip enchanters of their power. Only a king is immune to spells and potions. Only a king knows the truth behind the legends. Until now.

Magic Collector Devryn Ashby may have deserved the curse that saps his magic-manipulating abilities, but it certainly won’t help him with the task King Reginald has assigned him. Instead of allowing him to continue hunting for those who stole the powerful Enchanter’s List, the king makes Devryn trainer-in-magic to the mischievous enchantress Lady Meredith Lofton.

Except for an occasional matchmaking exploit, Lady Meredith has little use for her power of enchantment—until the king asks her to train in magical warfare techniques. This both excites and terrifies her. And irks her, for she refuses to be bossed around by the critical Devryn Ashby, a man she’s not even sure she should trust. 

But as dangers increase and the sorcerers’ schemes unfold, Devryn and Meredith must choose whom to follow—their own desires and prejudices or their king. Only a king knows how much the kingdom depends on their choice.

With danger, wit, mystery, a hero learning to be heroic, and a mischievous enchantress, The King's Spell (book 1 of Realm and Wand) is a clean fantasy with a "Jane Austen romance meets fantasy adventure" feel. You can purchase it here. It is set in my larger Magic Collectors story world, but you don't have to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one. 

What others are saying about The King's Spell

I thoroughly enjoyed The King’s Spell. Set in a Jane Austen-esqe world with fascinating magic, mystery, and intriguing and enjoyable characters, this book is a must for readers looking for something more than the usual medieval fantasy fare. I need the next book (and a cup of tea) now!

~Morgan L. Busse, author of the award-winning Ravenwood Saga

A compelling mystery wrapped in a complex and richly detailed world.

~H.L. Burke, fantasy author and Realm Award winner

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The unique, fully realized magic system captured my interest and the realistically developed characters held it, binding me to the unpredictable, compelling plot that kept me guessing. I didn’t want the story to end, and I may have wailed in despair when it did. 

~Lauricia Matuska, author of The Healer’s Rune

The King’s Spell draws readers more deeply into Kitchens’ unforgettable world of manners, magic, adventure, and romance. Half-magic Devryn Ashby is just as delightful a hero as anticipated, especially when paired off against the mischievous enchantress Lady Meredith Lofton. With just the right balance of wit and danger and an entertaining cast of multi-faceted characters, I can’t wait for the next installment!

~Laurie Lucking, award-winning author of The Tales of the Mystics

Story Snippets: Guardian Prince (Lauricia)

Greetings once again, all!

I hope you are well and well-read. We are getting A LOT of rain where I live, but my house is high and dry, so I'm not too worried. Plus, it's great reading weather, and school's almost out for the summer, which means A LOT of reading time for me!

Today I'm sharing a snippet from my recent release, Guardian Prince (book two in the Ceryn Roh Saga). As you know, I'm a huge fan of fantasy, but it always vexed me that a deity-based magic system could be ultimately controlled by mortals. I always that thought that if mortals received magical ability from a deity, that deity should have the authority to decide when and if the mortals get to use it, or else why was he/she the deity? In Guardian Prince, I chose to explore what a deity-based magic system would look like if the deity whose power is being used not only could but did say, "No." This excerpt is one of Sabine's introductions to that kind of magic system. I hope you enjoy!

    Sabine followed a dry stream bed until she came upon a large stone jutting out into the path. Water marks stained the lower half, revealing the gradual recession of the river that had once flowed around the rock. The top was relatively smooth and flat, so Sabine sat upon it, settling into the safe, familiar comfort of being alone in the woods.

    She had not been there very long when she heard the snap of a twig. Sabine tensed, suddenly alert, but the noises of the animals around her continued unchanged, so whatever had moved nearby was not unfamiliar to the surrounding animals. Since this meant it was not an Aethel, she relaxed.

    “You have good instincts,” Koen said as he emerged from behind a nearby tree, “but you dropped your guard too soon. Although the forest knows me, that doesn't mean I'm safe for you.”

    “Koen,” Sabine greeted the Dryht tersely. Frustration flared within her, stirred to new life by his intrusion. “What are you doing here?”

    One corner of the Dryht's mouth curved wryly. “Communing with the forest. It's what Dryht do. Mind if I join you?”

    Before Sabine could say no, he sat beside her on the rock.

    “How soon do you expect to hear from Gaoth,” Sabine asked, her tone more terse than she intended. 

    “The bird is fast, but he gets distracted. A juicy berry here or a lovely she-raven there, and business is a lost priority. I don't expect him until morning.”

Sabine nodded, but grimaced inwardly. So much for that topic. “So...you knew my friend Mariel?” 

    Koen nodded. “She did much to fight for the freedom of your people. She was not strong in her use of magic, but she was diligent. She worked hard to master her ability.”

    Sabine shook her head. “I never would have thought it.”

    “That was rather the point,” the Dryht countered. “What about you? Your mentor believed you held even more potential than your friend. Shall we find out?”

    “What, now?”

    Koen glanced around, exaggerating the action as if to make a point. “You have pressing business elsewhere?”

    “All right,” Sabine consented. She truly wanted to say no, but it was clear the Dryht was not going away. “How do we begin?”

    "Technique,” Koen stated simply. “The last time we spoke of this, we discussed how all magic comes from one of two sources: the will of Torian or of Nymhon, depending on whom you serve. So. Now you learn how to tap into that power.”

    “Let me guess,” Sabine said when she recognized the Dryht's silence as a prompt. “A prayer? A chant? An incantation?”

    “All of those are options,” the Dryht conceded, his tone reluctant, “but each of them is time consuming. It's really just a simple matter of the will. You focus on what you want to happen, will it to occur, and it happens.”

    “As long as Torian allows it,” Sabine amended, recalling the night of Aodhan’s rescue. She had certainly wanted the arrowhead out of his shoulder, but nothing had come of it.

    “Yes, there is that. Still, calling on your will is much faster than any other option and is preferable in any number of situations.”

    Sabine was about to ask for an example, but she remembered when she had first used magic to rescue Danelle's baby from being still-born and kept quiet. As she considered it further, she could imagine many instances in healing when time made all the difference. “I suppose this method is the easiest to learn as well?”

    “Actually, no. The benefit to prayers, chants, and the like is that they help you narrow your focus and pinpoint your will. It takes much discipline to focus your will without them, because you can be easily distracted by everything around you. You must be able to block everything else out.”

    That shouldn't be a problem, Sabine mused, since she had been blocking out distractions all her life: her mother's criticism and negativity, her sister's snide comments. Blocking things came easily to her. 

    “Sabine,” Koen prompted. “Are you still listening?”

    “Yes,” she replied, chagrined at the way she had let her thoughts wander. So much for focus.

    “Then watch.” The Dryht held out his hand. A moment later a butterfly rested in his palm, opening   and closing its wings a few times before fluttering away.

    "Did you make that?"

    Koen chuckled and pointed to the opposite bank of the dry riverbed. “No. Creation of something from nothing is reserved only for Torian and the Creator God. I simply moved it from that flower over there.”

Weekend Reads: Kingdom of Beauty by Deborah Grace White (Kimberly)

Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale of all, so I love finding new retellings like Kingdom of Beauty by Deborah Grace White!

Kingdom of Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast (The Kingdom Tales Book 1)

My Rating - 4.5 Stars

Deborah Grace White is a fairly new author whose retelling launches her second series. I originally read her first series, The Kyona Chronicles, a YA epic adventure fantasy, last year and enjoyed it. So I was excited to find out she was also venturing into fairytale retellings. Kingdom of Beauty is set in the same world as the Kyona Chronicles but on a completely different continent and area of the world, so it's not necessary to read the first series to enjoy this one. Although there is a bonus connection nod via the dragon.

Kingdom of Beauty is a fun, lighthearted take on the tale as old as time. Felicity was an interesting mix of vulnerability and determination in her role as the beauty with an absentminded father and a somewhat useless spoiled older brother. Where some might scream at the sight of the monstrous form of the cursed Prince Justin, she is more inclined to laugh. I liked the way her word has value to her and that's part of the driving reason behind her willingness to keep the agreement to stay in the cursed castle.

Prince Justin is a grumbly beast who was forged into a cold heart by an even colder father. I enjoyed reading how he changes and grows over the course of the book. The twists to the original tale don't stray too far in regards to the enchanted castle and servants, but I enjoyed the combination of Felicity being able to see and interact with both beast and servants while others who manage to get inside have the experience of completely invisible servants and beast. It was a fun nod to the original. I also liked the twist to the Beast's nightly question from the original fairytale.

While this story is complete, I really enjoyed the glimpses White offers of future fairytales to come in this series. The hero of her second book, Kingdom of Slumber: A Retelling of Sleeping Beauty, has a decent cameo in this book. I liked getting to know a bit of his personality ahead of time. It makes me eager to find out what will happen in his own book. There was another very intriguing clue regarding one of the neighboring kingdoms' princesses that I'm extremely interested in seeing play out, but I won't spoil that one. ;) 

All in all, Kingdom of Beauty is a fun Beauty and the Beast retelling that will appeal to the lovers of the classic fairytale. I can't wait to see how the dragons play a role in the rest of the series as well as some of the other hints for the overall series world. And Kingdom of Slumber is on preorder to release in May!

How do you like your retellings? Fairly faithful to the original or looser reimagings? (I personally enjoy both.) Let me know!

Happy Reading!

Kimberly

Weekend Reads: Melanie Dickerson and the Importance of Jellybeans (Mary)

 Pretty much everyone who knows me knows I love the Medieval era. Those who know me beyond passing acquaintance know that I'm slightly obsessed with it.

Those who know me very, very well, know that during our teens, my best friend and I actually kept journals of "our lives" that we wrote as though we were living in the Medieval era. That's how deep my obsession goes. Granted, we were wildly inaccurate historically speaking, creating instead some kind of weird, mostly fictional, Medieval/Renaissance/sheer fantasy alternate universe in which the drama ran outrageously high and we both spent the majority of our time either being kidnapped or proposed to--sometimes both, for good measure.

We spent hours every week--sometimes hours per day--pouring our dramatic little souls onto the pages of those journals, and looked forward with giddy excitement to seeing each other every Friday, when we could exchange journals, read each other's adventures and exploits from the previous week, and add to them our own adventures for the next week.

Looking back at those journals now I think "Oh my goodness, I want to die..." but at the same time, there is still an appeal to living in that world, as much as I blush to admit it. The castles and knights and gorgeous clothes and pageantry and coats of arms and tournaments...but with enough fantasy thrown in to break the historical rules whenever I need or want to, to conform to the story I'm telling.

I think that's why I love the work of Melanie Dickerson so much.

(My most recent Melanie Dickerson read)

Melanie Dickerson's books are a relaxed blend of Medieval historical fiction and fairy tale/fantasy, but in my opinion they don't fit neatly into either category. There are too many anachronisms to really call it historical, but they are too historical to really qualify as full-fledged fantasy, either.

And I think that's part of what appeals to me. Dickerson's books are fun, relaxing, easy reading, and don't require a lot of thought to follow--the kind of books that I like to call "jellybean reading."

You can't live a healthy lifestyle if all you ever eat is jellybeans--they aren't going to power you through a 5k or boost your immune system or keep you satisfied all day at work--and in the same way I don't believe that you can have a balanced, well-rounded literary diet if all you ever read is Melanie Dickerson.

But boy, jellybeans sure taste good.

 If you want a little something sweet and enjoyable (and let's be honest, jellybeans are just cute to look at), if you want something with a variety of flavors but the same basic form and format, if you're feeling down and need a sweet, colorful little pick-me-up, nothing quite hits the spot like jellybeans.

I know people who won't touch a sugary snack like jellybeans, and I know people who won't read books like Melanie Dickerson because they're "fluff." But I would argue that, just as jellybeans can have an important cheering-up effect, "fluffy" reads can be an important part of a literary diet.

Sometimes I'm just too tired to read nonfiction or heavy, "serious" literature. Sometimes I'm sad and don't want to read anything emotional or that deals with super heavy topics. And, I'll be honest, sometimes I get nostalgic about living in a Medieval fantasy world with my best friend, and just want something to remind me of that.

Literature doesn't exist only to educate and challenge us. Literature also exists to comfort, to console, to be a friend, to help us relax, to just have fun. Different books and different authors fulfill different purposes with their work, and who's to say that the jellybeans you use to cheer up and have some fun aren't as important to a balanced, varied diet and lifestyle as an 8-ounce steak or a spinach salad you use to build up your muscle and get some serious work done?

Weekend Reads: Grace by Contract by Rachel Rossano (Kimberly)

Happy National Fairy Tale Day! In honor of the day, I'm sharing Grace by Contract, the first book in our own Rachel Rossano's new fairytale retelling series!

Grace by Contract (Once Upon a Duchy Book 1)

My Rating - 4.5 Stars

I'm always excited when a favorite author ventures into a new subgenre. Venturing into fairytale inspired books beginning with my all time favorite fairytale, Beauty and the Beast? Yes, please!

Grace by Contract is the story of a very different Beast and Beauty from what I usually see in retellings and reimagined takes on the classic tale. To begin with our beast, Silas, is a man left scarred by a tragic event but he's far closer to the gentle Beast of the original fairytale (only without the nightly proposal) than to the usual interpretations of a beastly temper to go with the appearance. I love both versions of the beast, but there's something so sweetly adorkable about Silas who is a little grumbly (all the more understandable since he deals with pain and migraines) but a genuinely caring and gentle protector. His injuries caused by a fire in his past help set the stage for Grace entering his life beyond the role of an indentured servant.

Grace is also not your typical Beauty given the fact she is the eldest sister, not the youngest, and her youngest sister is the one actually named Beauty. She's a force to be reckoned with and one of my favorite examples of quiet strength in a woman who isn't afraid of difficult choices when she needs to find a way out of a bad situation threatening her more vulnerable youngest sister. Her lack of fear or pity toward Silas and his scars is endearing. As is the fact she's not afraid to remind him (and a few other characters) of the "proper manners" expected to be adhered to by nobles toward servants such as herself. I can't help smiling over her gentle but stubborn insistence to certain nobles' chagrin.

I adore this story! Silas and Grace's romance is a wonderful interpretation on seeing beneath the surface and coming together as equal partners despite the challenges of class differences among other things. It is such a swoon-worthy relationship that you just have to cheer. The bad guys are perfectly believable in their roles. Whether it's a bully of a housekeeper or a scheming noble who will no doubt cause future trouble in this series, they are excellent characters. Of course, it's not just Silas and Grace or the bad guys who are this vibrant. I love the side characters ranging from a steward with secrets of his own (and a not so secret loathing of sheep) to Valiant the collie pup! I look forward to seeing how the seeds hinting at future stories will be further developed as the series progresses.

This is a series set in Rossano's already established world involving her Rhynan and Theodoric series. However, Once Upon a Duchy is set in its own corner so it's not necessary to read the other series before launching full speed into this series. It is also a completely non-magical world, which I both love and respect because adapting fairytales without using any magic can be extremely challenging. Rossano has pulled it off phenomenally complete with a sweet swoony romance mixed in with a little mystery and intrigue plus brilliant layered characters and worldbuilding.

Grace and Silas' story has swept me off my feet! I cannot wait for the next entry in the series, Reclaiming Ryda, which is a mashup of Rapunzel with East of the Sun, West of the Moon! It will release later this year.

In celebration of National Fairy Tale Day, tell me your favorite fairytale and retelling! Have you read Grace by Contract yet?

Happy Reading!

Kimberly

Weekend Reads: The Near Witch by V. E. Schwab (Lauricia)

Greetings, all!

As I’m writing to you this month, Texas is emerging like a burrowing mammal from our great Icepocolypse. The sun is finally shining in a clear sky, and the temperature is finally scheduled to rise above freezing. Those of you in the north may scoff, but we southerners are simply not prepared for this type of weather. As a meme I saw phrased it, “I love that no one in Texas owns actual snow clothes. It’ll snow and you’ll see everyone outside in mismatched pajamas and a hoodie.” Not to mention four layers of socks on our hands for gloves. It just doesn’t make sense to own clothing for weather that usually occurs only once in a decade or so!

But enough of the weather. We’re here to talk about books you need to read. For this weekend, I recommend The Near Witch by V. E. Schwab.

In the village of Near, the winds on the moors sing a haunting song. It’s best not to listen too closely, though, because bad things happen to those who do. Like the boy Jack, whose mysterious death led to the mob hunt and murder of the Near witch two generations ago.

Lexi knows the story, but still the wind calls, its haunting tune trying to tell her something if only she would listen just a little closer. She can’t let the wind distract her, though, because the children of Near are disappearing, whisked away from their beds during the night. Lexi has to find out why, or her little sister could be next.

The Near Witch is one of those stories that contains everything I love about the fantasy genre: mystery, magic, a touch of romance, and an able heroine I can relate to. It’s a “quiet and strange” story, in the author’s words. Quiet and strange in the style of Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones and Neverwhere and Stardust by Neil Gaiman. Quiet and strange in the way that I am most drawn to in a story.

I don’t remember how I found this book, but I am supremely glad that I did, and that I bought the hardback version because it’s going to have a long life on my shelf of treasures. I hope you adore it just as much.

Until next time, happy reading!

Weekend Reads: The Spoken Mage series by Melanie Cellier (Sarah)

 

I don’t know about you, but I love series, especially if they’re already complete and I can follow the character journeys from beginning to end, as quickly as my time permits. The Spoken Mage series offers one such experience, with four books in the initial series, one companion book about side characters, and a follow up series (partially released) already available. 

The first book, Voice of Power, introduces us to Elena, a girl with an ability believed impossible. Her existence shakes the foundation of the existing mage system in the kingdom of Ardann and earns her many enemies. She's installed in the Royal Academy for mages, and nearly everyone there wants to see her fail. Those who desire her success do so only because they wish to study her and gain an advantage in the exercise of their own powers. Many view her powers as a threat to the kingdom (or conversely, as a weapon to be wielded against their enemies)—and as such, her life is in constant danger.

I appreciated Elena’s devotion to family and her determination to make the best of the difficult situation she landed in. Sometimes her hasty speech and various immaturities felt a bit much, but they were also believable for a teen without guidance in a difficult situation. Elena has ample room to grow as the series continues, both in character and the exercise of her abilities, and thankfully, she takes those opportunities. 

I found the general concept of The Spoken Mage world intriguing, with its foundation resting on the power of words, a power so great that those without an innate gift cannot read or write without accidentally unleashing explosive and deadly force. It begs many questions about how a world would function without the written word available to most of society (although certainly for much of our own world’s history, only the upper classes were literate) and provides an interesting exploration of those concepts. 

In addition to a fresh world concept, this YA academy series has a slowly unfolding romance and plenty of conflict found in the burgeoning power that Elena must learn to control, an ongoing war with a neighboring nation, and various factions struggling for control within Ardann. The series is an entertaining quick read with nice twists and a satisfying conclusion. I’d especially recommend it for any teens in your life. 

Are you a series reader or do you prefer standalone novels?

It's Party Time! (Katie)

This week marks the release of The Rebel Princess, book 2 in my princess series. To celebrate, I'm throwing a book release party right here on Lands Uncharted! The best part? You're all invited!

First, we must have snacks! Have a few, and don't forget to grab a drink!

Now that we're all prepared with yummy goodies, let's talk books! Fairy tale retellings are some of my favorite types of books. I love all stories of princesses, adventures, and mysteries. Here are a few that inspired me to write my own, as well as a few I've read since!

(Where have I seen that author's name before?! *wink wink*)

The Dreamworld Duology, which I devoured!

All books by my dear and talented friend Melanie Dickerson!

Oldies but goodies, and oh so good at that!

I'm thinking The Selection was the first book I read that introduced me to this world of nontraditional princess stories!

Brimming with mystery and palaces!

The best part about these books is that none of them are exactly new, and most can be found in your local library. You'll have to let me know if you've read any of these or if you've added any to your TBR pile.

DRUM ROLE PLEASE!

Now let's talk about our guest of honor, The Rebel Princess! Here's where you can learn all about her online!

Goodreads

Instagram @KatieClarkBooks

Facebook @KatieClarkBooks

www.katieclarkwrites.com  

Amazon

A traitor. A future king. A doomed love story.

Merry Stern has never been a spy, but when she's offered asylum in exchange for her help uncovering remaining rebel bands, she accepts in hopes of freeing her father.

Working with the royals is no easy feat, especially considering that Prince Gregory Hamilton considers her untrustworthy and duplicitous. As she and the prince navigate their uncomfortable relationship, Merry is introduced to questions she did not know she possessed; questions of light and darkness, good and evil.

Princess Roanna is finally engaged to Prince Benjamin of Lox, only the marriage seems stalled, and she cannot determine at whose hand. The Dawsons won't let her out of their sight, Chester's Wake is focusing all efforts on finding their lost princess, and Lox refuses to acknowledge her position entirely.

Truth and lies are brought to light as those who seek to control and destroy are finally uncovered in The Rebel Princess.

I'm so excited to introduce Merry and Gregory's story to the world! I hope you've enjoyed my little virtual celebration, and if you happen to read The Rebel Princess I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by, and happy reading!

Weekend Reads: The Secret Princess by Melanie Cellier (Kimberly)

Hi everyone! Can you believe we’re midway through JUNE already? This year is flying by, isn't it? But I have the perfect summer escape in today’s book! For fairytale and adventure/intrigue lovers, The Secret Princess by Melanie Cellier is just the ticket!

The Secret Princess: A Retelling of The Goose Girl (Return to the Four Kingdoms Book 1)

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

This retelling of the Goose Girl is the first book in Cellier’s third fairytale retelling series. While the book takes us back to the kingdom that started it all in The Princess Companion and brings several secondary characters from the second series into the spotlight, there’s enough background worked in that you can pick this book up without reading the first two series. But if you want to read from the beginning, there’s eleven novels and three novellas between the preceding series.

In The Secret Princess, I loved that we were able to go back and see the changes that happened in Arcadia during the twelve year time gap from that first novel including character cameos. This is something I absolutely adore when it happens because I so enjoy being able to check in on previous characters and discover what’s happened since we last saw them. Now I have to admit that Goose Girl is actually not one of my personal favorites and I can sum it up in one word: Falada. And if Falada is included in a retelling, there’s normally a heartbreaking adherence to the original fairytale. So I actually don’t read very many Goose Girl retellings and the main reason I picked up The Secret Princess was because I trust Cellier’s style and I was very hopeful that she would find a non-traumatic solution to the Falada situation. She totally delivered on that trust! Arvin is the most sarcastic, prideful, and hilariously sassy talking horse I’ve met! Think Bree from Horse and His Boy only even more sarcastic. I laughed so hard at his “I’m far better than a mere horse thank you very much” vibe and he’s now one of my favorite sass masters. The perfect answer to Falada and I hope we see him again as the series progresses.

I very much enjoyed Giselle and her interactions with just about everyone. The way she ends up in her situation and gets stuck there is simply perfect because it tackles those logic questions from the original fairytale in just the right way. And then we bring in the intrigue/adventure. From the moment Giselle is separated from her companions (and why) to the intense ending, there’s a wonderful current of intrigue and suspense. And the red herrings! Oh, they were just right in this one since Cellier actually made me guess at the shadowy background villain and then second guess. I was wrong both times on one piece, which actually made me pretty happy because it was a good surprise when the truth was finally revealed. The other piece was another red herring where I really waffled on calling it or not. And I loved the twist with Philip because I did not see that coming. All the twists and red herrings were the perfect amount of satisfying without veering into frustration.

This is such a fun read and I would love to go into even more exact details but I won’t because SPOILERS! I will say that the next book in the series, a Cinderella retelling, won’t be out until next year which leaves lots of time to catch up on the entire Four Kingdoms and Beyond universe if you’re just jumping in.

Have you read this one yet? What did you think about it? What are some other Goose Girl retellings I should check out?

Until Next Time,

Kimberly A. Rogers

A Trio of Must-Reads (Lauricia, Weekend Reads)

Greetings all! I hope this installment of Lands Uncharted finds you safe and well. I am holed up in my little nook of forest, where I have been quarantined since my school’s Spring Break. The good news is all of this down time has given me plenty of opportunities to indulge in reading of all kinds (both for entertainment and for learning), which means I have a trio of stories to recommend for this weekend’s reading (in no particular order).

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

This enchanting story retells the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche from the perspective of Psyche’s sister, Orual. As will all good retellings, it examines the story from a perspective I never contemplated in the original. With the original, I questioned Psyche’s faith in her husband. This version, however, explores jealousy, betrayal, and loss, as well as the complexities of love. Written in classic C.S. Lewis style and voice, reading this story left me feeling nostalgic for other C.S. Lewis works and prompted me to look anew at my understandings of the story’s themes. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking to read something that will leave you thinking.

  

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Another story about the power of love, this is the tale of Luna, a baby left as a sacrifice to placate the witch who lives in the forest. That witch, however, doesn’t know why the babies are left to die. She makes it her business to collect them and adopt them out to loving homes in nearby villages. All of that changes, though on the night she rescues Luna and gives the baby moonlight to eat.

Peopled with unique characters you’ll never forget and told in a way that leaves you feeling wistful and nostalgic, this enchanting story will stay with you for a long time. It is one of those stories that will become part of your personal cannon, as it has mine.

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Miryem is the daughter of a money lender who has such a soft heart that he hesitates to collect on the debts owed him. Driven by the poverty her family lives in, the disgust with which the people of her village regard her, and the failing health of her mother, Miryem takes matters into her own hands. Hardening her heart to call in the debts owed her father, Miryem soon reverses the bad fortune of her family and gains a reputation for being able to spin silver into gold. This gains the attention of a neighboring fey king, who comes looking for Miryem and the riches she is said to follow her.

This story is a fabulous retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale. Filled with overtones of Jewish and Slavic cultures, the story world is richly developed and unique. The characters are also exquisitely drawn, and the plot is robust, unique, and memorable.

I’m very excited to share these stories with you. I hope you get the chance to read one, if not all, of them. If you do, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Weekend Reads: EmberHawk by Jamie Foley

Oh. My. Goodness, y'all! I'm so excited to share my pick for this installment of Weekend Reads that I've tossed out my "professional" tone for the introduction and gone into full-on, unfiltered "me" voice! I honestly could not wait to review this book, and I kept worrying that someone would get to it before I could. For real, though!

That being said, I am beyond thrilled to introduce you to Jamie Foley's new book, EmberHawk (Book One in the Katrosi Revolution Series). Known for The Sentinel Trilogy, her YA dystopian series, Jamie breaks new ground in the fantasy world with EmberHawk and it's already scheduled sequel, SilverBlood. One of the things I loved about EmberHawk was the rogue-ish fox character of Felix, not to mention its gorgeous cover... but I'm rambling in my excitement. Without further ado... I present to you the review:

War is threatening in the Malano Empire. Conflicts between ranchers on the border and outlying tribes are increasing, causing hostilities to flare even as drought scorches the land.

With her father and older brother away preparing for war, Kira must help her ailing mother, her grandmother, and her younger brother maintain their family's ranch, but the drought has made resources scarce. Desperate to find a cure for her mother's mysterious illness, Kira supplements her family's resources by trapping animals in the wilderness across the border. Her family is barely holding on, but they're making it.

Until Kira accidentally shoots a tribal scout with an arrow.

He shouldn't have been on her ranch in the first place. Even so, if Kira doesn't make things right, this incident could spark a war that no one wants.

Set in a world where elementals roam the land and are worshiped as gods, is a fantasy unlike any other. The story world is a unique blend of ancient Eastern an American frontier that blends the two in a unique way, presenting a fresh take on fantasy culture.

EmberHawk is a tightly-woven story peopled with quirky, enduring characters that readers can relate to. The fast-paced plot drew me in and kept me engaged without sacrificing character development, and I thoroughly enjoyed the magic system and world building. The details dropped throughout this story like clues also hint at a richly-developed sequel that I can't wait to read.

I hope you pick up a copy of EmberHawk and that you enjoy it as much as I did. If you do, I'd love to hear what you think of it. Let me know below.