As the year draws to a close, the air is filled with a sense of anticipation and reflection. For avid readers and fantasy enthusiasts alike, a Book Haul is an event that sparks excitement and wonder. Picture this: shelves brimming with magical worlds, epic adventures, and characters that leap off the pages into your imagination. Join me as we embark on a journey through the enchanted realms of literature, exploring the amazing reads that have found their way into my collection.
The shelves groan under the weight of new arrivals, each book a portal to uncharted territories. It’s a never-ending cycle – the more we read, the longer our To-Be-Read (TBR) list becomes. But who can resist the temptation of a well-crafted fantasy novel? The allure of unexplored lands, mythical creatures, and the clash of good versus evil beckons us, ensuring our TBRs are an ever-expanding universe, much like the fantasy worlds we eagerly dive into. In this last book haul of the year, expect to discover hidden gems and time-tested classics that promise to transport you to realms beyond imagination.
That’s what the elders say, but eleven-year-old Akrist has squinted at empty skies his whole life. The dragons have abandoned them, and it’s Akrist’s fault. He’s cursed. Like every other firstborn son, he has inherited the sins of his ancestors. In his camp, he’s the only eldest boy left. Something happened to the others.
Something terrible.
When Akrist befriends Tanar, an eldest boy from another tribe, he discovers the awful truth: they’re being raised as sacrifices to appease the Goddess and win back her dragons. The ritual happens when the dual moons eclipse. Escape is the only option, but Akrist was never taught to hunt or survive the wastelands alone. Time is running out, and he has to do something before the moons touch.
This self-published fantasy novel has caught my attention right from the start! Why am I eager to jump into it? Well, imagine a Stone Age fantasy, a realm that I’ve seldom explored in my reading adventures. This book has secured a prime spot on my to-read list, and I can hardly contain my anticipation to lose myself in the enchanting magic and mystery that awaits within its covers.
Jun Ironway, hacker, con artist, and only occasional thief, has got her hands on a piece of contraband that could set her up for life: evidence that implicates the powerful Nightfoot family in a planet-wide genocide seventy-five years ago. The Nightfoots control the precious sevite that fuels interplanetary travel through three star systems. And someone is sure to pay handsomely for anything that could break their hold.
Of course, anything valuable is also dangerous. The Kindom, the ruling power of the three star systems, is inextricably tied up in the Nightfoots’ monopoly – and they can’t afford to let Jun expose the truth. They task two of their most brutal clerics with hunting her down: preternaturally stoic Chono, and brilliant hothead Esek, who also happens to be the heir to the Nightfoot empire.
But Chono and Esek are haunted in turn by a figure from their shared past, known only as Six. What Six truly wants is anyone’s guess. And the closer they get to finding Jun, the surer Chono is that Six is manipulating them all – and that they are heading for a bloody confrontation that no one will survive unscathed.
I’m genuinely excited about diving into ‘The Burning Stars’—all thanks to a glowing recommendation from one of my favorite YouTubers, Tori Morrow. While I usually find myself steering clear of Sci-Fi literature, the prospect of a political Sci-Fi narrative caught my attention. Tori’s enthusiasm for the book, coupled with my curiosity about a genre I haven’t explored much, led me to think, ‘Why not give it a shot?’
These are dark times for the Kingdom of Khalad. As the magical mists of the Veil devour the land, the populace struggles beneath the rule of ruthless noble houses and their uncaring immortal king.
Kat doesn’t care about any of that. A talented thief, she’s pursuing one big score that will settle the debt that destroyed her family. No easy feat in a realm where indentured spirits hold vigil over every vault and treasure room. However, Kat has a unique gift: she can speak to those spirits, and even command them. She’ll need every advantage she can get.
Kat’s not a hero. She just wants to be free. To have her old life back. But as rebellion rekindles and the war for Khalad’s future begins, everyone – Kat included – will have to pick a side.
I’ve harbored a long-standing desire to delve into the works of Matthew Ward, but the sheer heft of his previous fantasy series always gave me pause. So, when I discovered his new series, it felt like the perfect opportunity to finally explore his storytelling prowess without the commitment of tackling doorstopper-sized tomes. What particularly caught my attention in this new endeavor? The enticing word ‘Thief’! Moreover, let’s take a moment to appreciate the cover – it’s nothing short of breathtaking. As they say, don’t judge a book by its cover, but when the cover is as visually stunning as this one, it certainly adds an extra layer of anticipation.
She’s a revolutionary. Humanity is running out of options. Habitable planets are being destroyed as quickly as they’re found, and Naira Sharp thinks she knows the reason why. The all-powerful Mercator family has been controlling the exploration of the universe for decades, and exploiting any materials they find along the way under the guise of helping humanity’s expansion. But Naira knows the truth, and she plans to bring the whole family down from the inside.
He’s the heir to the dynasty. Tarquin Mercator never wanted to run a galaxy-spanning business empire. He just wanted to study geology and read books. But Tarquin’s father has tasked him with monitoring the settlement of a new planet, and he doesn’t really have a choice in the matter.
Disguised as Tarquin’s new bodyguard, Naira plans to destroy the settlement ship before they land. But neither of them expects to end up stranded on a dead planet. To survive and keep her secret, Naira will have to join forces with the man she’s sworn to hate. And together they will uncover a plot that’s bigger than both of them.
The Blighted Stars is a literary adventure that I’m convinced will be an absolute page-turner, and it’s this certainty that fuels my eager anticipation. The synopsis hints at a dynamic interplay between the two main characters, suggesting a relationship filled with tension and perhaps a touch of irritation. Frankly, that prospect excites me even more—there’s something captivating about characters who get under each other’s skin, and the promise of such dynamics adds a layer of complexity that I find utterly appealing. Beyond the narrative allure, the cover of The Blighted Stars is a work of art in itself. It’s not just eye-catching; it’s downright beautiful.
A traitor is executed, his name ripped away from history. Now the kingdom stands on the brink of a succession war that could bring the country to its knees. Forces stalk the darkness, moving pawns into place in a deadly game.
Gehrin and his brothers were not meant to witness the execution, but now they find themselves trapped in the center of a political quagmire. When Gehrin faces the loss of everything he knows, will he also lose himself?
To the south, tribal warlords clash in an endless cycle of violence. Syndri, the daughter of a chieftain, kills for the honor of her people. An alliance with a foreign queen offers the power to unite the tribes, but at what cost?
A book from a Booktuber? And one of my favorites, no less? Naturally, my curiosity was piqued, and I wasted no time in placing my order! I’m well aware that Tori, the author, delves into emotionally charged reads, and that’s precisely what I’m anticipating in her own story. As I eagerly await the arrival of my copy, the bombastic reviews from other reviewers have only fueled my anticipation further. The buzz surrounding the book has been nothing short of spectacular, leaving me on tenterhooks, eager to experience the narrative magic that others have already celebrated.
Snagged a few more books, but let me spill the tea on the real MVPs – the ones that have my bookish heart doing somersaults. These are the cream of the crop, the ones I’m seriously buzzing to crack open. Now, here’s the lowdown: I’m crossing my fingers, toes, and everything in between, hoping to devour these literary treasures in the not-so-distant future. I’ve got my sights set on a reading binge, determined to tackle these gems and shrink that towering pile of unread books. No more adding fuel to the TBR fire – it’s time to make a dent in the stash and let these books shine! Here’s to hoping procrastination doesn’t rear its tempting head, and I can indulge in these reads sooner rather than later. Let the bookish adventure begin!
The Reading Stray 
So, no more books this year? 😉 A great choice 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe I don’t know :3 maybe some more :3
LikeLike