Book two has been sent off to my beta readers for initial feedback, so I’m free of the deadline cave for a little while. To celebrate, I’m giving away three signed ARCs (advance reading copies) of Polaris Rising! See below for details on how to enter!
Here is the back cover copy. If you’ve seen the galley copy, this will look very, very familiar.
A space princess on the run and a notorious outlaw soldier become unlikely allies in this imaginative, sexy space opera adventure—the first in an exciting science fiction trilogy.
In the far distant future, the universe is officially ruled by the Royal Consortium, but the High Councillors, the heads of the three High Houses, wield the true power. As the fifth of six children, Ada von Hasenberg has no authority; her only value to her High House is as a pawn in a political marriage. When her father arranges for her to wed a noble from House Rockhurst, a man she neither wants nor loves, Ada seizes control of her own destiny. The spirited princess flees before the betrothal ceremony and disappears among the stars.
Ada eluded her father’s forces for two years, but now her luck has run out. To ensure she cannot escape again, the fiery princess is thrown into a prison cell with Marcus Loch. Known as the Devil of Fornax Zero, Loch is rumored to have killed his entire chain of command during the Fornax Rebellion, and the Consortium wants his head.
When the ship returning them to Earth is attacked by a battle cruiser from rival House Rockhurst, Ada realizes that if her jilted fiancé captures her, she’ll become a political prisoner and a liability to her House. Her only hope is to strike a deal with the dangerous fugitive: a fortune if he helps her escape.
But when you make a deal with an irresistibly attractive Devil, you may lose more than you bargained for . . .
Want to guarantee yourself a copy when it releases? Preorder now! :)
To enter to win an ARC, here are the rules. Please read them all! Incomplete entries will be ignored.
1. The entry period starts now and ends on September 28, 2018 at 12:00PM CDT. You must be eighteen or older. Open to US and international readers.
2. Leave ONE top-level comment below and tell me about a book you’ve enjoyed recently or your favorite book. Duplicate top-level comments will be deleted. You are welcome to reply to other comments, though, because those won’t count as entries.
3. Comments must be on the blog post on my site (www.jessiemihalik.com). Comments on Facebook, Goodreads, etc. won’t count.
4. Come back after 9/28 and see if you’ve won! Winners must claim their book. Instructions will be included in the winning post. Any books unclaimed after a couple weeks will be rolled into a future giveaway.
Want even more chances to win? Sign up for my author newsletter! I’ll be giving away an ARC a month from now until release. That’s five more chances to win!
EDIT: CONTEST CLOSED! Winners will be announced soon!
Woot! Excited! My favorite book (lately) is Written in Red by Anne Bishop. I am reading Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet right now. Super good!
That’s an awesome series, I loved all of the books. I recently finished the first spin off book as well, Lake Silence, which is different but also great.
The last book that I thoroughly enjoyed was “Magic Triumphs” by Ilona Andrews.
I’d been wanting to read it for the longest time and it was better than I’d imagined. I’m grateful they gave us closure while still room for more stories in that world.
I’m looking forward to their next read.
That was my choice as well!
I loved magic thriumph as well and I was sad to see the series end! But iron and magic was an exciting start to a spin off!
Iron and Magic was wonderful. I really hadn’t expected to like it and root for Hugh :D They’re really amazing authors to pull something like that off.
I’m reading and loving the Agents of Crown series of Lindsay Buroker. The first book was actually a serial on her blog first, book 2 is out and book 3 will be out in oktober I think. It’s a great series with classic fantasy figures like elves and dwarfes, but with that typical witty humor and wimsy of all her books.
Thank you for mentioning this writer. I just grabbed one of her books to read on my Kindle,,, so far it’s wonderful.
Oh, I think I read some of her books, they were great.
I’ll look into these knew ones, thank you :)
Oh man that’s so easy, the end of an era with “Magic Triumphs” by Ilona Andrews. I’ve been following their work since the beginning of the Kate Daniels series so it was bittersweet to see it end. So grateful that Ilona suggested you and your work on her blog!
I recently enjoyed “Exile’s Throne: The Empress Game Trilogy 3” by Rhonda Mason. Great characters with a well developed story arc and a satisfying resolution.
One of the few perks of getting old is that you no longer care if people think you’re stupid.
What and where is a, “Top level comment?”
Is there a, “Low level comment?”
A top-level comment is a comment that is not a reply to another comment (e.g., the comment you just made). Reply to this comment with the answer to the question and I’ll count your entry. :)
I’ll bet you thought you were a writer, not an educator eh. Thus, in actual fact, the comment I’m making now is not, “Top level.” I need a new dictionary. lol
I read, “Iron and Magic.” It is, as are many of the books I’ve enjoyed in the last few years, an Ilona Andrew’s contribution. I bought it thinking I’d need it only because I have all their other books, and didn’t want one to be missing from my bookshelf. It has become my favourite of all their books. They took a character who I loved to hate and not only made me like and admire him, but made me care what happens to him and his people. Truly it is a cathartic moment in literature.
I just read Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews – and it was AWESOME. I really enjoyed seeing how they took the time to consider what Happily Ever After meant to Kate and Curran, and I love the ways they left openings for spin-offs. Of course, now I am re-reading all of the series which is sucking up my time.
I’m still infatuated with the Court of Thrones series by Sarah Maas. *sigh* Rhys.
BTW congrats on exiting the deadline cave!!!
I love, love, love Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews!
So sad that Kate and Curran’s story is done, but am eagerly awaiting their next stories!
I’m enjoying the innkeeper serial currently being posted weekly
Though I loved Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews, I’m going with Iron Magic because to turn an evil character into a hero is genius!
I love boojs by CJ Cherryh, Ilona Andrews, Keri Arthur, Kate Danley and many more.
Si-Fi and Fantasy with a touch of romance, always the best ?
I am a bit late to the series but I am currently enjoying “The Trouble with Twelfth Grave” by Darynda Jones.
Whilst I love Ilona and Gordon’s work and my favourite is Magic Rises, I would say a book I’ve read recently and really enjoyed was Stars Uncharted by S K Dunstall. It was such a well built world and engaging story and has brought me back to sci-fi in a big way as been in an urban fantasy kick for a while now! :o)
I really enjoyed Pathfinder’s Way by T.A. White. I’m currently reading the third book in the series Wayfarer’s Keep. If you haven’t heard of it, give it a go, I highly recommend!
I really enjoyed Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews
I recently devoured (and loved!) Ilona Andrew’s much anticipated last Kate Daniel’s book, Magic Triumphs. Can’t wait to get a chance to do the same for Polaris Rising!!!
Welcome to the outside world. My current fave book is Crosstalk by Connie Willis. I am impatiently awaiting Magic Triumphs but to tide me over I’ve borrowed Iron and Magic from Hoopla to read instead. I would love to be selected to have an ARC of your book!
My latest read was Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eanes. An excellent fantasy novel.
My all time favorite book is All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren. Haven’t ever watched the movie but I’ve heard bad things.
Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews. Fabulous ending to a great series. Lisa Edmonds Alice Worth series, just read the ARC of Heart of Ice. Bright Ruin ARC by Vic James. My reads this week. Such great authors/books. Too many more to mention.
I can’t pick just one! Although Ilona Andrews has been killing it lately with Iron and Magic and now Magic Triumphs! So worth the wait. Speaking of waiting, it’s been AGES since the first snipets of Polaris Rising were published, and I’m dying over here…
I read The Last Sun by K.D Edwards and loved it.
Thank you for letting us do a recent book and not just a favorite. There is no way I could choose a single favorite book!! :)
I just finished The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black and really enjoyed it. Was a nice, light read in between some longer books on my list.
I’m also in the middle of Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames and loving it. I have the second one, Bloody Rose, on my shelf for when I’m done. :)
Iron and magic by Ilona Andrews…I was so mad they wrote a book about a bad guy but then I saw you recommended it and I reluctantly got it. Now it’s my favorite! I love the redemption story and the play on characters who seem at first black and white but are actually a million shades of gray when revealed in different lights! Since Ilona Andrews introduced me to you it’s quite fair that you brought me back to them after I had given up on the Kate Daniels saga.
Different times call for different books- serious, funny, romantic,… Recently I find myself re-reading a few books by Ilona Andrews and Sarah J. Maas. But the one I am reading now is Maud’s novella (Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews). Just today the first part of chapter 15 has been posted. Can hardly wait until the next installment.
I really enjoyed book 7 in the Dowser series “Champagne, Misfits, and Other Shady Magic” by Meaghan Cianna Doidge. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love Nalini Singh and pretty much everything she has written. I’m also currently listening to A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir and am really enjoying it.
I’m currently lovin’ on a serial that’s not published yet; but I can’t WAIT!! It’s Ilona Andrews’ Sweep of the Blade currently on their website. And also re-reading the Kate Daniels series so I delay the gratification moment of reading the final book of the series just released.
I read Dirty Headlines by L. J. Shen last night. It was a fast, sexy read. I loved it. Honestly one of my all time favorite books is Windflower by Laura London (aka Sharon and Tom Curtis) a wife & husband writing team. My other favorite writing team is Ilona Andrews.
I found “From Lukov with Love” on your Recommendations page. I had seen it a few times via Amazon recommendations, but didn’t actually get the book and read it until your recommendation, and I loved it. The author did such a good job pulling me into the heads of the characters. I especially liked that Jasmine at first was a bit prickly and hard to like. As I read more, I grew to like her more as I got to know her better.
I have a few books on the go all the time, today I read some of Poison Fruit, by Jacqueline Carey. It’s the third in the Agent of Hel series. I am also rereading Patricia Briggs series while I wait for the next book. And I am waiting on Lionheart by Thea Harrison by rereading her elder series. And did I just read that chapter 15 of Maudes story is ready by Ilona Andrews? I have to check that out!
After following The Queens Gambit I am hooked on your writing too! Thanks for the chance to win!
One of my all time favorite series is the Liaden Universe by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller but currently I’ve been reading the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne.
I’m currently re-reading the Kate Daniels series leading up to the series finale Magic Triumphs.
I’m really excited to get to read Polaris Rising. The excerpts have me hoooked!
I just finished reading Toucan Keep a Secret by Donna Andrews. I discovered her series at the library when I was looking for an Ilona Andrews book. If you enjoy kooky characters and random animal references with a mystery thrown in, you’ll probably like her Meg Langslow series.
The recent book that just amazed me was Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone.
It’s extremely well written with a first person POV that is needed for the story. I never usually buy audiobooks for books I haven’t read first, but I clicked on the sample for this one (after buying the ebook) and couldn’t stop listening.
Thank you Jessie for the chance to win an ARC.
I can’t decide which is my favorite book so here are a few of my favorites. Magic Triumphs (parting is such sweet sorrow!), Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (Amaranthine Saga Book 1) by Forthright and Mira Grant’s Into the Drowning Deep.
I really enjoyed Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames. Great action, world building and such a fun series.
I can’t wait for Polaris Rising, its one my preorder haha, and Arc would be icing for the cake :). Thank you Jessie!
Currently enjoying Cast in Deception by Michelle Sagara and just finished Magic Triumphs. Love finding new authors reading the comments.
My recent favorites are all covered above: anything from Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thomson books and the Others series from Anne Bishop.
An old favorite is The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley. A young woman finds both her future and her past land where the blood of kings carries magic.
Blue Sword! Did you know it is a free read on Kindle and available on overdrive through local libraries? I had only read Deerskin and Sunshine before reading Blue Sword. I am now convinced that whatever McKinley writes, I should probably just get it. :D
That was my favorite a long time ago too! It was so lyrical and sucked me in way more than the old school male sci-fi authors I’d been reading at the time.
I love to read. It is my go-to distraction method for relaxation. That being said, I came to Polaris Rising and Queens Gambit via my love for strong female characters who are funny, self-aware, and a bit silly. The book I have recommended most to others lately is Deanna Raybourn’s “A Curious Beginning: A Veronica Speedwell Mystery”. Ms. Raybourn’s writing is tight! It is a combo of Eloise James/ Jo Walton/ Ellis Peters influence that hits you as you speed through each page. For some reason, this book hit all my keys. It is not sf/fan but it is full of suspense, character, and incredible world building.
Like many other I thoroughly enjoyed Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews. I also read the 2nd Murder Bot novella, Artificial Condition, by Martha Wells and Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (Amaranthine Saga Book 1) by Forthright. I also just finished listening to The Accidental Highwayman by Ben Trip. I had been in a reading slump so I’m glad that the last couple of weeks have been filled with good reads!
I am currently re-reading Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews. I first saw the excerpt for Polaris Rising on her site, and I have been counting down ever since!
I just finished Magic Triumphs and loved it. I am currently reading Hazard by Devon Monk.
My most recent favorite that’s not been mentioned has to be Hailey Edwards How to Dance an Undead Waltz. I really enjoy a lot of the previously mentioned authors but would like to recommend Ms. Edwards’ book. This is a great way to find new authors. Thanks Ms. Mihalik!
Destructions Ascent by T. White, third book in the series absolutely amazing the work building sucks you in and I love Tate so much as she has her softer moments without totally falling to pieces and with Ryu she does not all of a sudden become some silly little girl. Brilliant series recommend it 100%
I have been re-reading ‘Magic Triumphs’ by Ilona Andrews. After waiting so long for the conclusion, I read it super fast and have had to go back through to read it again (& again) to soak it in.
Also re-reading Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles.
So hard to pick a favorite book! Some great ones have been mentioned in the comments. Just finished re-reading Kate Elliott’s Highroad Trilogy for a space opera fix, tried Witchmark by C L Polk and thought it was lovely.
Thanks for the chance to win an ARC of Polaris Rising ☺ The snippets have been great! Heading over for the latest Innkeeper installment now…..
Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews
Although seeing some of the other books people have listed I may have to try those now!
I just finished reading The Revived by A. M. Sohma. It’s the third book in her Second Age of Retha series. I’ve also been rereading the Linesman books by S. K. Dunstall.
I love seeing what other people have been reading!
I just finished Revived too. You have excellent taste!
I’ve also just finished the Linesman triology by S.K. Dunstall. It’s a great series, with excellent world building and unique ideas. I can’t wait to see what their next series will be like.
I am reading Jean Johnson “A Soldiers Duty ” OMG what a great series . I am now on book 2 and will be buying all of the series. It is a SF , a female herione , but nothing like Jessies books . I reccomend reccomend this series although Jessies books are still my favourite.
and Dear Jessie I would reccomend this series for you .
Thanks again for your books x Jean ( ha ha not Johnson )
You’re going to love it. It was so hard to stop and go to work between books.
I absolutely loved, loved, loved!!! Lake Silence, by Anny Bishop! I love and adore her “The Others” series. You get totally sucked into the books, the world building and characters are just plain amazing!
My favorite book series is the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. Their latest book was amazing and made me incredibly happy. So, I guess at this point, that makes Magic Triumphs my favorite book! If I have to choose a book other people have not mentioned, I am currently reading Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa and enjoying it although it’s in a different format than I’m used to. I didn’t see that one mentioned. Thanks for the chance to win an signed ARC, and I look forward to your books!
In a completely different genre, the last book I thoroughly enjoyed was The bean trees, by Barbara Kingsolver.
I loved the two-book Clocktaur Wars Series by T. Kingfisher. Highly entertaining; I blazed right through them. I’m also a huge fan of the Blood Trails series by Jennifer Blackstream. Can’t wait for book 4!
I love Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series and found you through her website. I am very excited to read her Magic Triumphs book, but I am a teacher and the beginning of the year is a mess, so I need to wait until I am more organized.
I love these blogs and story snippets, it is so amazing to read thoughts and watch stories develop.
The best ones of read recently is the Lady Astronaut of Mars books – Calculating Stars and The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal. It made me feel like a kid again, dreaming of being an astronaut. The heroine is a jewish white woman in the 1950’s space program after an asteroid hits earth pushing the space program into overdrive to get colonists to Mars.
I’m also re-reading Kate Daniels. I love everything Ilona Andrews publishes and also enjoy Karen Chance books. Devil’s Claw was very good and I’m impatiently waiting for the next Cassie Palmer novel.
I`ve also just finished re-reading Amanda Bouchet`s Kingmaker Chronicles and I`m now starting Ilona Andrews`Magic Triumphs.
These comments are pure gold. Guess my TBR pile will be growing again *ohwell*
I love all genres but my LATEST is called “RYAN’S BED” by Tijan. I love books that I get so caught up in a book I don’t care the age of the main players at all. This book made me feel wonderful angst, with happy and sad at once. The end was so unexpected and one of the best endings to a book I have read in a long time….not giving any *spoilers out.
Thanks for a chance to win an Signed ARC of “Polaris Rising”
I loved Magic Triumphs.
I’m a big fan of Ilona Andrews and I was going to write about Magic Triumphs, but… I don’t want to repeat all the vows written before ?
So, apart from Andrews team works, I was looking for something to read which help me with the hard times I have had recently. I was looking for something what taking me away from all the troubles. I found Rachel Bach’s “Paradox Trilogy”
And… WOW! I honestly was thinking of taking a day off from work to finish the books. Great heroine, brooding, dark hero, interesting secondary characters, great, fast paced books, full of action and adventure. I’m so happy I found it. I can truly recommend it to anyone.
Rachel Bach writes fantasy as Rachel Aaron and is just as good. Her ‘Heartstrikers’ series is all about a dragon shape changer in a modern day post magic apocalypse and ‘The Legend of Eli Moonpress’ series is about a thief whose magic allows him to talk to everything (animate/inanimate) She is a really underrated author and i love eveything she writes
Had no clue! Loved the paradox set. Thank you for the info! Would write in full sentences, but feel the need to windowshop amazon.
I really enjoyed your The Queen’s Gambit, and I’m looking forward to Polaris Rising! :D
Recently I read and enjoyed Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews.
Also thanks for this thread of comments because now I have many suggestions of new books to try!
Hi all, :)
I have multiple favourite books, I will spare you a list.
Most recently I have read the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews. These three books are easily included in my list of favourites. I have no gripes to name, and eagerly await the future releases.
Another notable mention, and books that I think I should reread again soon are the Poison Study series by Maria V. Snyder. Originally a trilogy, I was gifted the books for my birthday quite a few years ago. I could not put them down!! :) It is about a young woman who after being convicted of murder is offered the chance to live and become a poison taster for the leader of the nation. I loved it!!
Thanks, Dani
Looking forward to Polaris Rising (already pre-ordered)! One of my favorite books is Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh. Kaleb and Sahara are a fantastic couple who have an incredible history. I love stories that start with a childhood friendship.
I am so excited for your new book! So glad I found you through Ilona .
I just finished Phantom Pains 2nd in the Arcadia Project Series
by Mishell Baker. Excellent read just starting book 3!
My favourite book is Neverwhere from Neil Gaiman. The mood, the characters and the settings left a deep impression.
I’m late to this party!
So many favorites to choose from, it depends on my mood! But Hidden Legacy by Ilona; I frequently binge read all 3 as one big book, but if I can only pick one, then BFM.
Thank you
Well, going with a recent read, I finally read “The Queen’s Gambit” the other day. :-) It’s been waiting patiently on my kindle ever since it came out, so I feel really bad I forgot and let it languish there for so long… I really enjoyed the story, and it was fascinating getting to see the changes from the version initially posted and how you made the story and characters stronger.
Reading everybody’s favorites, I know I’ve fallen in with a like-minded bunch! A trip to the library is definitely in order to check out some of the recommendations. Fellow fans of Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Anne Bishop, Amanda Bouchet, Sarah J Maas, et al. might also enjoy Kim Harrison and Kelley Armstrong, two more of my favorite authors.
Happy Reading!
Recently I read Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone and it was amazing! It wasn’t fantasy, it was an amazing revenge story. I loved everything about the book and the ending was just … perfect, as far as I was concerned. It was recommended by Ilona Andrews on their blog – which means I am also part of the chorus that loved Magic triumphs and Iron and Magic.
I’ve just finished both ‘Magic Triumphs’ and ‘Iron and Magic’, both by Ilona Andrews. Whilst they were both awesome, I would have to say that my vote goes to Hugh D’Ambray’s book, because I didn’t believe that Hugh could be turned into a hero – but the Authorlords did it! ?
Recently I read and enjoyed Right Behind You by Lisa Gardner, switching genres for a change of pace and a couple nightmares!
I just finished Jean Johnson’s “Theirs not to reason why” about a precognitive who changes everything in order to preserve the universe. So good!
I love this series! And the prequel trilogy The Salik War as well
Choosing a favorite book is too hard, but a book I really enjoyed recently (along with the rest of the trilogy is Third Daughter by Susan Kaye Quinn. It is a fantasy book that takes place in a world with three main countries that are all matriarchal. The main character is the third daughter of the only country to have daughters in this generation, so her oldest sister will become queen of their country, her second sister married the oldest son of their ally country and will become queen, and then the prince of the third country comes to marry her for a political alliance. It is really fascinating and fun.
I just finished “Magic Triumphs” by Ilona Andrews and loved it! I’m also really looking forward to The Iron flowers (books two in the Black Witch Series) by Laurie Forest.
Thanks for running this giveaway!
I love all Ilona Andrews books, but I’m currently reading Shadow’s Bane by Karen Chance. All the Dorina Basarab books are so much fun!
My all time favourite narrative is The Odyssey by Homer. I am currently translating Book 7 with my translation group and I simply love it. The micronarratives from a single phrase, sentence construction, mythology- simple amazing. The Iliad is second favourite for pretty much the same reasons.
In recent literature I enjoy The Discovery of Witches. Looking forward to the next installment.
Oh boy this is difficult.
One of the books I’ve enjoyed recently is ‘Tinker’ by Wen Spencer. In fact I think her entire backlist is incredible, along with the most recent release ‘Black Wolves of Boston’ .
I recently read a book called “Jane Doe” by Victoria Hellen Stone. It was one of Ilona Andrews recommendations. It is kind of a mystery thriller but mostly a psychological. The main character is a woman name Jane, who also just happens to be a sociopath but not the murdery kind. She is just cold and amoral. Her best and only friend in the world (Meg) has recently killed herself after being in a emotionally abusive relationship and now Jane is out for revenge.
I really liked how well Victoria Stone showed Jane coldness of emotions while still showing that Jane is not psychopathic killer. It was interesting to see the tactics of a abuser get broken down while see it not effect Jane in the least bit as she figures out the best way to take out her revenge on the person that took her best friend away from her.
It was not really my normal read but after reading the sample chapter I was hooked and I would recommend checking out the free sample chapter to see if it pulls you in like it did for me.
Lindsay Buroker’s trilogy about an awkward scholar of ancient languages (in a non-Earth setting) whose recent work for her government as a wartime codebreaker brings her to the attention of the enemy government. They need a translator to use an archeological find with ancient and deadly technology and abduct her to force her to assist them. She finds an ally and eventual romance in another prisoner–a former enemy admiral with MacGyver-like skills. The series order: Encrypted; Enigma (short story); Decrypted. Lots of fun!
I enjoyed your Queens Gambit and am looking forward to Polaris Rising! I found you through Ilona Andrews website – I love anything they write. Plus I enjoy the various series by Faith Hunter, Grace Draven, CE Murphy & Patricia Briggs. Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone, To the Bone by Danielle Monsch and Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox by Forthright. And the list goes on ……
Favorite book is pretty difficult to pin down for me, but I have really enjoyed all of Ilona Andrews’ works, including Magic Triumphs. I also did a re-read of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society after watching the movie and concluded that the book is still better.
The best book I’ve read recently isn’t fiction – Algorithms of Oppression by Safiya Noble – it’s about how the systems we create (search engines, artificial intelligence) surface the implicit culture of bias, racism, and sexism with their discovery tools.
I just read the Broken Earth trilogy by J.K. Jemisin and was blown away. All 3 books won the Hugo award, and the 3rd book won the Nebula award. You never see anything besides the 1st book in a series win the better of the 2 awards, but after reading it I totally see why. The first 2 books were solidly good, but the 3rd book blew them out of the water. I was left releasing a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.
I just finished Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews. A fantastic book to finish off a fantastic series!!
Really looking forward to this book! I recently enjoyed Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews :)
So nice of you to give some away *.* !
I’m also a huge fan of Ilona Andrews and everything that they write (as it is Ilona and Gordon writing should I say “they” or “she” ? haha). More specially I loooved the Kate Daniels series -no surprises there haha.
Recently I read some of Keri Arthur’s books and loved them. The last series I read was Outcast. It was very interesting, I liked how the plot went, she took her time. No rush in telling the story. Action but nothing happening too fast that it is confusing. Some characters changed, some didn’t, I like their intensity and complexity, but they also were funny and “lovable”. I liked how things went, though I didn’t like when some pieces of information were too often repeated. Overall I loooved it :)
I just read “Jane Doe” by Victoria Helen Stone, which is very much outside my normal fantasy/sci fi/paranormal romance that I’ve been reading the last few years. I did really enjoy it, although the ending was slightly unsatisfying, I would highly recommend it.
I just finished Ilona Andrew’s Magic Triumphs and loved it!
I absolutely love books that have intelligent female characters who don’t need to muscle their way through everything but still can if they need to. Thus, one of my favorite series is the Inkeeper series by Ilona Andrews. She posts it in serial format on her website before publishing it and I love Dina and Maud. Always a fun read!
I too am part of the book devouring hoard and found you through Ilona Andrews.
To add something different to the list, I enjoyed the Perdition trilogy by Ann Aguirre.
Yes! Such a great trilogy :)
I just enjoyably finished The Revived by A. M. Sohma and am waiting impatiently for the next and last? of this series to come out. It is the third in her gaming series that starts with The Luckless- just to throw something totally different out here!
I just finished the Kate Daniels series which I love and adore! I’m also super excited for the last book in Sarah J. Mass’s Thrown of Glass series to come out next month… I might be *cough cough* sick that day for some reason?!
Choosing a favourite book to recommend is such a hard thing to do, there are so many to choose from! A book with a gentler pace really hooked me in when i read it. It was a recommendation on the Ilona Andrews blog that put me on to it earlier this year, and I have re-read it many times since. It’s called Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox, is written by Forthright and is, in my opinion, a beautiful read.
I agree, Barbara: Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox, by Forthright, was excellent! I’m looking forward to Book 2 (Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal), coming out later this month.
And no I am not entering the drawing; I will be purchasing the book for our library when it releases and won’t have time to read it before then, although I appreciate your generosity in making it available, Jessie!
Lol I had just posted my entry talking about that book when I saw your comment. Glad to know I wasn’t the only one who thought is was beautiful XD Really looking forward too for the next books
I actually just read two great series: linesman by SK Dunstall and Murderbot diaries by Martha Wells. Both were really good.
Thank you for the *international* giveaway!
Asking for a favorite book is like asking about a favorite child. I see a lot of love for Ilona Andrews – I think a lot of us have come this way after their recommendation. I’m grateful, since I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here :), but I thought I’d go a little further afield… I’m currently re-reading (well, listening to) a series by Lynn Flewelling I’ve loved for a while, starting with “Luck in the Shadows”. I can’t even begin to describe it, but fans of fantasy, thief/spy heros, wizards, and intrigue should check it out. Flewelling’s writing is LGBT friendly too.
Thanks again!
I’m actually in a little reading slump, sadly. I’m just in that so tired state that nothing is being particularly good, y’know. But one of the last books I’ve read – before I got myself in this slump -, and that is still living in mind, is Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox, which was an Ilona Andrews’ rec too (seen other people saying the same thing ;D). I thought it was so amazing that I ignored work and next-day deadlines and read it until 4 am. It was that good. I actually cried for no other reason than that it such was beautiful writing, and poignant and delicate. I don’t know, I guess I got caught by the book’s thrall and I’m still in love with it. But really, one of the best reads of this year, for sure.
I recently completed the Broken Earth trilogy by N. K. Jemisen. So much fun. After that, I sped through The Murderbot Diaries novellas by Martha Wells. Long term favorites are books by Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, John Scalzi, Brandon Sanderson, Brian McClellan, and Seanan McGuire. The ones that started it all for me were Dune, Ender’s Game, and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
I’m finishing an ARC of Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven. She’s one of those authors I horde her books to read when I can really savor them. This is another good one!