Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Gena Showalter’s Kingdom of Tomorrow, which releases on September 1st 2025.

Twenty-year-old Arden Roosa knows only Ourland. Two worlds split and stitched together, with broken pieces from each, statues of fallen gods, and heavenly artifacts that are worshipped…or feared.

But nothing is more fearsome than the night.

A strange madness haunts the darkest hours, turning innocents into gleeful killers. Arden does her best to stay safe—until she reads a book written about her own life—The Book of Arden. And everything changes.

Forced to join Fort Bala Royal Academy, Arden is paired with the ruthless High Prince Cyrus Dolion. But while he trains her for combat against a mystical adversary, she can’t deny the sparks burning between them.

If her panic attacks and war games aren’t enough, Arden is also tapped to join the Tome Society, rumored guardians of an invisible library with books that foretell the future. But the more she learns about the society, the less she understands about Ourland, the gods…and the person she’s destined to be.

CHAPTER FOUR

Their throats are an open grave, with the sweetest venom dripping from their tongues.

—The Book of Soal 2.6.3.13

I lined up in front of the bus with the other gentry, gawking. Never had the mishmash of realms been more evident. Fort Bala was a wonderland and a hellscape, forced to coincide.

In the sky, sharp, opaque beams of sunlight glinted off the jagged seams between worlds, curling in the shape of roses. Thin white cloud wisps dusted the ethereal petals, giving an illusion of snow. The aerial bouquet bloomed across a baby blue sky and served as a backdrop for an imposing military compound. Half crystal palace, half concrete prison, all fascinating.

The yellow sand extended as far as the eye could see, broken only by a smattering of gnarled bladetrees that bloomed with strange orange flowers. The most flowers I’d seen anywhere other than the Rock, and my jaw slackened.

Hello, my beauties. What are you? Tiny ribbons of smoke wafted from an intricate web of spiraling, upraised roots, and I longed for a closer look.

Platoons navigated obstacle courses, sprinted along tracks, practiced with odd weapons, and trained in hand-to-hand combat. Directly before us was a metal dais. A group of armed soldiers surrounded it, guarding the four individuals who stood shoulder to shoulder on its center. I recognized the oldest. Tagin Dolion, king of CURED’s military forces and the only son of Emperor Piven Dolion, leader of CURED and the United Provinces of Ourland.

Up close, the clean-cut king was everything he seemed to be in televised interviews. Distinguished. Regal. Handsome and in command of his entire being. A little person around forty years old flanked him on his right while a midthirties female with a perma-scowl claimed the spot at his left. The fourth individual, the youngest male, looked to be in his late twenties. Apart from the five o’clock shadow gracing his strong jaw and a handprint branded into one side of his face, causing the skin to pucker and his eye to slightly droop, he greatly resembled the king. They bore the same heavily lashed eyes, aquiline noses, and plump bottom lips.

Despite their similarities, the younger guy was too rough and intense to be labeled handsome, but it didn’t matter. He was something far better: Interesting. A warrior forged in the heat of battle, any hint of weakness hammered out of him.

He was a little taller than Shiloh, and more muscular. Controlled brute force to the medic’s lean strength. He examined the world around him with an air of detachment.

Everything about him ignited a nervous reaction inside me. I didn’t like it. Not one bit.

Didn’t help that he was the king’s youngest son, High Prince Cyrus Dolion. I would stake my life on it. Like the rest of the world, I’d glimpsed photos and videos of the royal family throughout the years. Images depicting holidays with the family.

The high prince swept his icy gaze over the crowd, but swiftly slid his attention back to me. His lids narrowed to slits. My breath hitched, and my skin warmed. Caught staring. I looked away. My pulse continued to race. I really, really hated this.

“I’m in paradise,” Roman breathed, his expression awed. “This is my happy place.”

“I want to be anywhere else.” When a pallid Mykal realized what she’d said, she slapped a hand over her mouth. “That’s not what I meant to say. Let me rephrase. I’m so happy to be here, beyond grateful to help my family, but I’m nervous about the unknown. Not that I don’t trust CURED to look out for me.” She groaned. “I’ll stop talking now.”

I flashed her a sympathetic smile. “Trust me, I one hundred percent understand.”

Gratitude bathed her delicate features.

“Attention, lords- and ladies-in-training,” a harsh voice called.

Roman and Mykal dropped their bags, lifted their heads, and straightened their shoulders, so I followed suit. I made sure not to glance at High Prince Dolion again. No, thank you.

“I’m Archduke Baracas Heta,” announced the little person. “With me is King Tagin Dolion, High Prince Cyrus Dolion, and Duchess Echo Mimidae.”

Don’t look, don’t look, don’t look. The mantra always helped me with the Rock, but not with the emperor’s grandson. I failed to prevent my focus from darting his way. Oh, thank goodness! He stared straight ahead, no longer glaring at me.

“Our laws are simple,” Archduke Heta continued. “Obey the rules. Respect others. Combat the Madness. If anyone exhibits symptoms of the disease, even a commanding officer, you will inform a superior immediately. Always tell. Failure to do so could cost you and countless others their lives.”

He paused, scanning us. “After the Fall of Nations, when the Madness spread through civilization like wildfire, our forebears had to rebuild our great provinces from the ground up. Today, we’re better and stronger than ever, and I will happily die defending Ourland.”

Cheers resounded from the gentry. The second the archduke raised his hand, they quieted.

“I have no idea who any of you are, but I’m certain you’ve never ventured into the night. You think you comprehend what’s waiting for you out there. Let me assure you, you don’t.” Grim confidence emanated from him. “Most of you have never encountered glowers, the most insidious of the maddened. Worse than the newly broken, who rampage. Seemingly calm and rational. Stronger. Faster. Impervious to pritis stones. For decades, CURED has kept them from infiltrating public spaces, ensuring your safety. Now, it’s your honor and duty to protect CURED in return.”

No one uttered a word. Roman was too busy grinning. But me? I was spinning.

The archduke wasn’t done. “I didn’t pursue leadership, but the Madness called, and I answered. Now, you have done the same. For that, I commend you. But are you worthy to bear our name? We will find out.”

To ward off sickness, I pressed my palm against my midsection.

“At the end of your training, we’ll award the top lord or lady with a rare prize.” He stepped to the edge of the dais. “No taxes for the rest of your life.”

I blinked. In an instant, every fiber of my being craved that prize. I could supplement my mother’s income, ensuring she didn’t need to work from sunup to sundown, babysitting a monster child she no longer had the strength to corral. I would never again have to worry she’d end up in Gradon, prey for predators. But I wasn’t the only one bubbling over with sudden excitement. Everyone else wanted the prize too.

Didn’t matter. “I will be the top lady,” I whispered to myself. Though I had no idea what constituted such a title. The most captures or kills, probably. And loyalty. Strategy too. But it still didn’t matter. I would stop at nothing.

Roman heard my personal pep talk. “Shoot for most improved,” he advised me softly. “Top lord is the reason I’m here.”

I recognized a warning when I heard it and gulped. So competition was fierce? So what?

“Today,” Archduke Heta continued, “you’ll undergo a full medical examination. For the good of us all, you will consent to whatever tests and medications we feel you require.”

“Sir, yes, sir,” Roman boomed, and the rest of us echoed him.

Two soldiers motioned us to follow, and I picked up my bag. The pair led us up the hill, toward the palace/prison. I didn’t mean to, but I cast a final glance at the high prince as I neared his platform.

Our gazes collided, and my eyes widened. He was glaring so forcefully, his brand pulled taut. I must have done something to offend. Or maybe I resembled someone he despised. Ugh. No. It was my outfit. I’d probably violated sixteen different regulations.

“I didn’t get the what-to-wear memo, all right?” I muttered.

Perhaps he read my lips. Perhaps not. Either way, he blinked with surprise.

I was so flustered by the interaction, I tripped on my own foot. Cheeks on fire, I gripped my bag closer. Finally, I passed the leaders, putting the foursome in my rearview.

“So, this might not be the time and place, but I used to date Shiloh,” Mykal said from in front of me. “Thought you should know.”

I recognized a distraction when I heard it. “Go on.” Please.

“As you probably guessed, it didn’t last long and it didn’t work out, but I want him happy. You returned a smile I’ve missed seeing ever since his sister—never mind,” she mumbled, and said no more.

Oh, no. I could guess what had happened to his sister. The Madness. But she must have survived, since he’d mentioned having fun with her. Still. I knew the horrors of treatment, and my chest constricted with sympathy.

Grains of sand flung in every direction as I climbed the hill. “Why didn’t it work between you guys? You both seem pretty wonderful.”

“She fell in lurve with someone else. Mr. Mystery.” Roman tossed a toothy grin over his shoulder and wiggled his brows. “If you can get her to name names, please share with the rest of us. She’s so secretive.”

“Do you try to be the most annoying person on the planet, Roman, or does it come naturally?” Mykal grumbled.

Another toothy grin made an appearance. “It comes naturally, thank you for asking.”

Their easy banter helped ground me, keeping my usual panic at bay. I mean, I was in a strange place, with strange people, expected to fight an enemy I’d feared my entire life and, and, and—Breathe, just breathe.

A commotion up ahead yanked my attention outward. I forgot my problems as the trainee at the head of the line collapsed. Wait, the second and third collapsed too. Down went several others, one after the other. What the—Roman’s knees buckled. Mykal went down. My blood flashed cold. Did I detect a sickeningly sweet odor in the air?

Run!

I braced for launch, planning to go anywhere else as fast as my feet could carry me. But a thick fog blanketed my mind, and strength abandoned me in a rush. I wobbled, fighting to remain aware, internally screaming. Sleep. Vulnerable. No!

The more I battled, the more my nerve endings sizzled.

Don’t fight the pain. Shiloh’s voice boomed through my head.

Don’t fight.

So badly I wanted to heed him. How easy it would be to let go and drift off. But experience had taught me better. Trust no one. Sleep alone. Always alone. I was currently in public. But the pain! The heat.

Sweat poured over me, and muscles jerked. My lungs flattened, the ability to breathe gone. At last I tumbled into an endless abyss . . .

**

“—dead within a month, tops.”

“She might surprise us. I hear she fought the toxin longer than the beefed-up brute whose dad served with honors.”

“A by-product of fear, exactly what will get her killed. I’ve been here eight years and examined countless lords and ladies. Those with panic disorders never last long.”

The casualness of the conversation lured me from a deep sleep. I tried to make sense of the words, but my brain wasn’t fully online yet.

“She wakes,” the man muttered.

Finally I managed to hold my eyes open for several seconds. I groaned. The world was spinning. Inhale. Exhale. As the momentum slowed, memories invaded. The bus ride. Fort Bala Royal Academy. The competition and prize. Pain.

Stiffening, I took stock of my surroundings. I reclined on a medical gurney, inside a small sterile room cordoned off by a curtain. I still wore my running clothes. On the counter, my bag gaped open, the contents spilling out. Clearly someone had rooted through my stuff.

Tension snatched me in its jaws and held on with a vise grip. An unfamiliar young man and a thirtysomething woman in medical scrubs stood beside the gurney, a wheeled tray between them. The man plunged a needle into a vial, filled the belly of a syringe with gray liquid, and turned to stick me in the arm.

The sharp prick startled me from my malaise, and I yelped.

He didn’t react in the slightest.

“Who are you?” I demanded, gathering what remained of my strength. Yes! I collected enough to pull myself into an upright position. “What did you inject in me?”

“I’m Dr. Korey.” The woman extended her hand to the medic. He placed a second syringe in her palm. “You’re receiving vitamins, vaccinations, and anything else I think you need to survive interrealm travel and keep you and your teammates safe.”

Translation: Shut up and acquiesce.

A tide of frustration rushed through my veins. All my life, others had dictated what I could and could not do. From what building I lived in to where I worked to what I deserved to be paid. I rarely had a say in even the smallest details. If I’d dared to ask questions, I’d been rebuked without receiving a straight answer. But always I’d rolled with the punches. All before one.

With so much new being tossed at me, I was tempted to do something foolish and protest. A mistake I couldn’t afford. Just like I’d done every time before, I gathered and dumped the frustration into an ever-growing cauldron, letting it simmer in the shadows of my mind.

My fate rested in the hands of CURED. Considering I now contended for the title of top lady, I should do nothing to jeopardize my chances of victory. I must win that prize.

Saying nothing else, the doctor jabbed me with the second needle. I cringed as icy cold spread through my arm. I, too, held my silence.

From outside the room, a knight gripped the curtain and shoved the material aside. I looked beyond him, seeing a hallway loaded with other exam rooms, some open. Mykal sprawled on a gurney across from me, appearing as traumatized as I felt. Shiloh stood beside her. The sight of him served as an anchor to calm.

Our gazes met, and his beautiful features twisted with concern. I offered him a tentative smile, trying to tell him I was fine. Then High Prince Cyrus Dolion marched into my field of vision and hijacked my thoughts.

He stalked into my room, and my heart attempted to pound through my ribs. Stopping near my gurney, he claimed a file from the table. As he read, never speaking a word, he and his intensity dominated the space. Controlled power formed an almost tangible shield around him. But that was expected. What wasn’t? The incredible scent wafting from him, infiltrating every molecule of oxygen.

Mmm. What was that? Fairy dust and ambrosia? The sweet cologne so did not fit the skull and crossbones bottle.

“Nice to see you, Cyrus,” Dr. Korey greeted, her voice suddenly higher than it had been a few minutes ago.

Oh la la. They were on a first-name basis.

“Leave us,” he said, his deep baritone inviting no arguments. He didn’t glance up from the file.

The doctor’s colleague strode out without hesitation. She lingered, seeming to gear up to spew facts about me. The high prince remained preoccupied, reading the screen.

“My apologies if I wasn’t clear,” he said, amicable. “Go. Get out. Be gone.”

She worked her jaw, cast me a glare as if I were at fault, and exited the room, the curtain swishing behind her. Suddenly, I was alone with royalty.

His nearness put me on edge. I missed Shiloh and his measure of peace. Though I longed to call for the medic, I made the best move for my situation, kicking my legs over the side of the bed and standing. A wave of dizziness struck. I teetered but didn’t collapse.

Maybe standing without permission in the company of a decorated officer was a crime, maybe not. Either way, instinct insisted I prepare to run. Only stubbornness held me in place. Eye on the prize!

He didn’t protest my actions. “Twenty years old. Overachiever. A dedicated rule follower.”

The invasion of privacy nettled me more than ever. Teachers, doctors, advisers, and now military personnel had access to every physical, mental, and emotional test I’d ever taken, yet I did not. But just as before, I dumped my frustration and contained my protests, allowing not a sound to escape. Must win!

Then he said, “Willing to turn in a beloved family member you suspected of being infected.”

Guilt and shame I’d never shed flared with renewed fervor. “I did what was necessary to save my mother and others.”

“Oh, I know your reasons for doing it. Assume I’ve perused every report ever written about you, memorized each detail, and now comprehend more about you than you do. But even I’m not sure what you’re doing here.”

“Paying a debt. Sir,” I tacked on as an afterthought.

“You may call me High Prince. I’ll even answer to HP.” He scrolled to another page. “I’m aware of the reason listed in your file. I was asking if your death will make Mama glad she stayed in her nice, cozy Lucrea apartment and let you ship out to certain death, or if she’ll regret it for the rest of her life.”

A muscle jumped in my jaw. “I won’t die.” I couldn’t. The quality of my mother’s life rested on my shoulders. Because he was right. If I died, she would forever blame herself.

“Bubble Gum,” he said, finally glancing up from the screen. Our gazes locked. “I’m willing to bet you’re killed before our first excursion into Theirland.”

Lead dropped into my stomach. “Are you trying to scare me?” And did he really call me Bubble Gum?

He shrugged his broad shoulders, not the least bit abashed. “It’s too late for your withdrawal. I’m here to offer you a one-time opportunity. Serve as my assistant, and you’ll choose your roommate, meet high-ranking officials able to aid your chosen career, and never see combat. Instead, you’ll fetch and carry for me. When I have no more use for you, you’ll graduate to a safe office job to serve out the rest of your term.”

Okay, that sounded amazingly wonderful and checked all my boxes. No fighting glowers and other maddened. Right contacts. Safe office job. Yes, please and thank you.

And yet, I hesitated. “Are you offering me a choice or explaining what you expect me to accept?”

“With me, you will always have a choice,” he said, scrolling again. “But you alone are responsible for the consequences.”

A surprising turn. He was the grandson of CURED’s emperor, son of the military’s king, and a high prince on his own merit rather than lineage (supposedly). He could issue a command and compel me to obey or face imprisonment.

Whatever the reason for his show of mercy, I took advantage of my freedom and sought more information. “Will I remain a contender for top lady if I agree?”

A humorless laugh barked from him. He flipped up his gaze a second time, meeting mine. I ignored the little blip of my heart. “Entertain aspirations of being the best, do you, Bubble Gum?” When I pursed my lips in distaste, he laughed again. “You do. How novel. No, as my assistant, you are ineligible for the competition because you won’t be attending class, drills, or practice missions. So? What’s it to be?”

Good question. Did I stay safe or go for gold? Let fear paralyze me, preventing me from supplying my mother with the life she deserved, or keep my word and face my nightmares?

Plant seeds that could produce a long-term harvest for my well-being, or stick with the status quo?

Take the job, self-preservation shrieked.

But. A small voice in the back of my mind persisted. What about the prize? And not just the taxes, but the training. Learning how to protect myself.

“Well?” he prompted.

“I’ll do patrol,” I croaked. Maybe, if I put my all into this, I would experience true, lasting peace. The holy grail. A prize greater than the one CURED offered.

The barest hint of shock flickered over the HP’s expression. “You’re sure? The offer expires as soon as I leave.”

I wrinkled my nose, reminded of Ms. Butler’s offer to join Fort Bala. Hurry! Act now or lose out! “Is introducing an invisible ticking clock an intimidation tool I’ll be learning here?”

He ran his tongue over his teeth. “Perhaps you didn’t understand my proposal. As a lady, you’ll be forced to train alongside the others. You’ll be injured. That’s a guarantee. There’s a good chance you’ll break bones, get shot, be stabbed.”

My small measure of confidence cracked. By some miracle, I maintained a firm clasp on a sliver of hope. What he offered sounded good on the surface, but it also struck me as a trap. I wouldn’t face the maddened, but I would face him on a daily basis.

“I’m sure I don’t want to be your assistant.” If the worst happened and I did, in fact, get killed, I’d rather have a quick end. A trap was just a slow way to die.

“Very well. A foolish choice, but a choice all the same.” He gave me another of those negligent shrugs, as if he hadn’t cared one way or the other and returned the file to the cart. “The night will chew you up and spit out your bones. I would’ve kept you around.” With a cool smile, he headed for the exit, adding, “At least until you lost your flavor.”

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Kingdom of Tomorrow’ by Gena Showalter appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover new romance reads and tell us in the comments below if you will be picking up any of these recommendations!

Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine comes the clever, funny, and unforgettable story of a muscular, tattooed man hired as an assistant to two old women under the watchful eye of a beautiful retirement home manager.

The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Naomi and Ethan will test the boundaries of love in this provocative romance from the author of the ground-breaking debut, The Roommate.

Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of You Deserve Each Other comes a charming and unconventional romantic comedy about a woman who inherits a sprawling estate with a groundskeeper whose stoic exterior masks a surprising vulnerability.

To Love and to Loathe by Martha Waters
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

 The author of the hilarious To Have and to Hoax returns with an effervescent, charming, and swoon-worthy novel about a man and woman who never agree on anything until they agree to a no-strings-attached affair in this Regency-era romp.

Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For fans of “You’ve Got Mail,” a young woman juggles pursuing her dream job in radio while helping her family compete with the new halal restaurant across the street, in this sparkling new rom-com by the author of Ayesha at Last. 

The Kindred Spirits Supper Club by Amy E. Reichert
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Jobless and forced home to Wisconsin, journalist Sabrina Monroe can tolerate reunions with frenemies and kisses from old boyfriends, but not the literal ghosts that greet her in this heartwarming tale of the power of love and connection from acclaimed author Amy E. Reichert.

The Seat Filler by Sariah Wilson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The movie star and the dog groomer are one kiss away from the perfect love story. That’s the hiccup in a warm and witty romance by the bestselling author of Roommaid.

Hot Copy by Ruby Barrett
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A meet-cute-gone-wrong on his first day leads an intern to prove to his boss that he’s not the type of man she thinks he is, and they’re both forced to choose what matters more: work, or love.  

Maggie Finds Her Muse by Dee Ernst
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A sparkling romantic comedy starring a bestselling author who goes to Paris to overcome writer’s block and rediscovers family, independence, and love along the way.

The Duke Undone by Joanna Lowell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An artist stumbles upon a naked duke and an unlikely love story begins in this captivating Victorian historical romance.

The Warlord by Gena Showalter
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter begins a dark, sexy new series–Rise of the Warlords–with a fan favourite character from her beloved Lords of the Underworld series, Taliyah Skyhawk. The ice maiden faces off with her greatest enemy, a villain brutal beyond imagining.

Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A powerful and poignant speculative love story about a man and woman whose paths continue to cross in different lifetimes—a thrilling and imaginative exploration of what truly defines us and how our choices can change everything, perfect for fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife and Life After Life.

What April romance books are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post April 2021 Romance Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hidden inside every fairytale is a prophecy of events to come, and I play my part to perfection. Not that anyone understands my endgame—yet. But you will. Soon. I will set the record straight. Fair warning, my darklings. This tale isn’t for the faint of heart. Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who will perish when I call?

It’s funny because I have a love/hate relationship for fairytale retellings, but yet here I am reviewing my third retelling in 2019. Maybe I like them more than I think?

The Evil Queen by Gena Showalter took Snow White’s story and manipulated the events while still maintaining the integrity rooted at this fairytale’s core. So far I haven’t really seen many Snow White retellings so I don’t have much to compare it to, but I must say this one was a masterpiece.

Showalter’s writing blew me away. This is the first book I’ve read by her and it will definitely not be the last. It’s obvious she commits to her characters and maintains consistency in crafting them all. The dialogue and interactions between characters were executed with an authenticity that felt real and believable. It was as if she can predict what you as the reader are thinking and simultaneously answering it in the next line. It was on point! All this made the story flow very easily. She doesn’t bog down the story with too much description either and that is definitely something you want to see in a fairytale retelling because we know the iconic forest setting loved by most, so there’s no need to go into great detail. Showalter recognised that and instead took time and built up her characters and the differences between her version and Disney’s.

“Anger followed the shame. How dare anyone make me feel bad about being me? I wasn’t perfect, but I had a lot to give.”

There were so many times that I was rooting for the main character, Everly Morrow. People have deemed her the Evil Queen just because her sister couldn’t be. She’s constantly fighting assumptions and her determination to not give in is admirable. She is strong and I definitely loved her sassy and fierce attitude because it made her so funny to read! She has character and she’s just someone you can’t hate even if she does something that you don’t agree with. To me, I saw a lot of Regina Mills, the alter ego of the Evil Queen in ABC’s hit series Once Upon A Time. They share a lot similarities including their destined future as the villain and their fight to knock it off course. I also loved how she wasn’t above doing the “evil” thing if that’s what was needed. The most important quality to Everly and Showalter’s execution is how much care she took to convey Everly’s thoughts because they showed how her intentions were true, which showed her compassion and fight.

“And how had I ever considered his eyes frosted? Those shamrocks smoldered.”

Okay, I must get this out of the way now. Comparing eyes to shamrocks was ingenious! But let’s move on to who she’s describing, the Prince and Everly’s love interest. He’s strategic, gritty, and confident, and the chemistry between him and Everly was scorching! The way Showalter wrote it, readers were privy to all sorts of steamy thoughts from Everly and how much of a nervous wreck she was due to being blinded by hotness. It was funny because she always put on a brave face, but we knew how she felt and it made their love story adorable to read. This is definitely a tale with dirty banter and steamy romance, so you’ve been warned! Like I said, there are definitely sparks in this story and to say that your relationship status is complicated is a definite understatement in this book. There’s an abundance love stories in here, not just this one!

This world also incorporates other supernatural themes like the fey, winged creatures, and mer-folk and I really liked that added layer to the world. Plus, I loved Vikander, the cocky and seductive fae. He was hilarious and seemed to break up some tension with his relentless stabs at flirting. He was hilariously inappropriate to a fault!

If you’re a fan of Sarah J Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series, you might want to consider adding this book to your TBR, especially if you like Azriel because there’s a very similar character in here and he’s just as adorable!

I had a lot of fun reading this book and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fairytales and sassy heroines! Even if you’re like me and can’t seem to read many retellings, I urge you to check this one out because it has a lot of elements that differ from fairytales that get you hooked!

The Evil Queen is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers. Thanks to Harlequin Teen for providing The Nerd Daily with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Will you be reading The Evil Queen? Or have you already? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Classic fairy tales are turned on their heads as strong heroines take charge and save the princes and the world in this magical action and romance-filled trilogy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Everlife novels and the White Rabbit Chronicles, beginning with a teen prophesied to become the Evil Queen from Snow White who refuses to be pigenonholed into her destiny.

Far, far away, in the magical realm of Enchantia, creatures of legend still exist, magic is the norm, and fairytales are real. Except, fairytales aren’t based on myths and legends of the past—they are prophecies of the future. Though Princess Everly Morrow was brought to the mortal realm as an infant, she knows she’s destined to rule a kingdom in Enchantia, thus fulfilling a beloved fairytale. But which one?

At seventeen, when an ability to commune with mirrors manifests, she begins to suspect the truth, and it’s more sinister than anyone ever realized…

She is destined to be Snow White’s greatest enemy, the Evil Queen.

With powers beyond her imagination or control—and determined to prove herself good—Everly returns to the land of her birth, smack dab in the middle of the creepiest forest of all time. There, Everly meets Roth Charmaine, the supposed Prince Charming. Their attraction is undeniable, but their relationship is doomed. As bits and pieces of the prophecy unfold, Everly faces one betrayal after the other, and giving in to her dark side proves more tempting every day. Soon, she will have to choose. Be a hero and walk away, or become the queen—and villain—of her dreams.

The battle between good and evil is on!

The post Review: The Evil Queen by Gena Showalter appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

There’s also some exciting YA fantasy releases including Kat Cho’s Wicked Fox, which follows a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive, Taran Matharu’s Chosen, where a boy finds himself in another realm, and also Gena Showalter’s The Evil Queen, which is an intriguing retelling about the Evil Queen from Snow White.

In other fantasy releases, there’s Kevin J. Anderson’s Spine of The Dragon, which obviously features dragons so it could be a perfect post-Game of Thrones fix, Alexis Hall’s The Affair of The Mysterious Letter pays homage to Sherlock Holmes with a twist, and Karen Lord’s  Unraveling, which features spirits and myths.

Read on to discover our June fantasy and sci-fi picks and tell us below if you will be checking any of them out!

Recursion by Blake Crouch
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At once a relentless pageturner and an intricate science-fiction puzzlebox about time, identity, and memory, Recursion is a thriller as only Blake Crouch could imagine it—and his most ambitious, mind-boggling, irresistible work to date.

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
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Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret–she’s a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. Because so few believe in the old tales anymore, and with so many evil men no one will miss, the modern city of Seoul is the perfect place to hide and hunt. But after feeding one full moon, Miyoung crosses paths with Jihoon, a human boy, being attacked by a goblin deep in the forest. Against her better judgement, she violates the rules of survival to rescue the boy, losing her fox bead–her gumiho soul–in the process.

Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout
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Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers.

Spine of the Dragon by Kevin J. Anderson
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Bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson’s triumphant return to epic fantasy, Spine of the Dragon, is a politically charged adventure of swords, sorcery, venegeance, and the rise of sleeping giants.

The Affair of the Mysterious Letters by Alexis Hall
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In this charming, witty, and weird fantasy novel, Alexis Hall pays homage to Sherlock Holmes with a new twist on those renowned characters.

The Evil Queen by Gena Showalter
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In the realm of Enchantia, creatures of legend still exist, magic is the norm and fairy tales are real. Except, fairy tales aren’t based on myths and legends of the past—they are prophecies of the future. Raised in the mortal realm, Everly Morrow has no idea she’s a real-life fairy-tale princess—until she manifests an ability to commune with mirrors. Soon, a horrifying truth is revealed. She is fated to be Snow White’s greatest enemy, the Evil Queen.

The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t with Her Mind by Jackson Ford
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The Chosen by Taran Matharu
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Cade is settling into a new boarding school, contemplating his future, when he finds himself transported to another realm. He soon discovers their new world is populated with lost remnants from the past: prehistoric creatures, ancient relics, and stranger still―people. Overwhelmed by his new surroundings, Cade has little time to adjust, for soon he and his fellow classmates are forced to become contenders in a brutal game, controlled by mysterious overlords. But who are these beings and why did they choose these teens? Cade must prepare for battle . . . because hiding is not an option.

Unraveling by Karen Lord
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In this standalone fantasy novel by an award-winning author, the dark truth behind a string of unusual murders leads to an otherworldly exploration of spirits, myth, and memory, steeped in Caribbean storytelling.

The Girl In Red by Christina Henry
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From the national bestselling author of Alice comes a postapocalyptic take on the perennial classic “Little Red Riding Hood”…about a woman who isn’t as defenseless as she seems.

Fall, or Dodge In Hell by Neal Stephenson
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Fall, or Dodge in Hell is pure, unadulterated fun: a grand drama of analog and digital, man and machine, angels and demons, gods and followers, the finite and the eternal. In this exhilarating epic, Neal Stephenson raises profound existential questions and touches on the revolutionary breakthroughs that are transforming our future.

Across The Void by S.K. Vaughn
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A visceral space thriller—perfect for fans of Arrival and The Martian—following the sole survivor of a catastrophic accident in space that leaves her drifting in the void with only the voice of her estranged husband, a NASA scientist, to guide her back to Earth.

What June fantasy or sci-fi release are you most excited to check out? Tell us in the comments below!

The post June 2019 Book Releases: Fantasy + Sci-Fi appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below which one you are most excited for!

Muffin Top by Avery Flynn
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The only thing about me that’s a size zero is the filter on my mouth. I’ve got a big personality, a big rack, and a big number on the scale. And I’m perfectly fine with that. But when some random guy suggests I might not be eating alone if I’d ordered a salad instead of a hamburger I’m shocked silent, which is a feat, trust me. That brings us to one sexy fireman named Frankie Hartigan. He’s hot. He’s funny… And he’s just apologized for being late for our “date” then glared at the fat-shaming jerk. Next thing I know, he’s sitting down and ordering himself dinner. I have no problem telling him I don’t need a pity date… unless of course it’s to my high school reunion next week. Oops where did that last bit come from? And what do I do now that he’s said yes?!

Consumed by J.R. Ward
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the popular Black Dagger Brotherhood series comes a brand-new novel about arson investigator, Ann Ashburn, who is consumed by her troubled past, her family’s scorched legacy, and her current case: chasing a deadly killer.

Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks
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In the romantic tradition of The Notebook and Nights in Rodanthe, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks returns with a story about a chance encounter that becomes a touchstone for two vastly different individuals — transcending decades, continents, and the bittersweet workings of fate.

Fight or Flight by Samantha Young
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The universe is conspiring against Ava Breevort. As if flying back to Phoenix to bury a childhood friend wasn’t hell enough, a cloud of volcanic ash traveling from overseas delayed her flight back home to Boston. Her last ditch attempt to salvage the trip was thwarted by an arrogant Scotsman, Caleb Scott, who steals a first class seat out from under her. Then over the course of their journey home, their antagonism somehow lands them in bed for the steamiest layover Ava’s ever had. And that’s all it was–until Caleb shows up on her doorstep.

Shadow and Ice by Gena Showalter
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Knox of Iviland has spent his life competing in the All Wars, where vicious warriors with supernatural powers fight to the death to claim new realms. One winner takes everything—and all losers die. Vale London craves a fun arctic getaway with her foster sister before settling down to open a bakery. Street-tough but vulnerable, she is unprepared to find ancient gods escaping a frozen cave—merciless beings who target her when she inadvertently enters their war. Though Vale is now his enemy, Knox is consumed with lust and a fierce need to protect her. But only one combatant can prove victorious, and he will have to choose: live for freedom, or die for love.

Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost
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Master vampire Ian is unrepentant, shameless…and every shade of wicked. He’s made one too many enemies, including Dagon, a demon who now lays claim to his soul. Ian’s only chance to escape Dagon is to join forces with a Law Guardian. Veritas’ normal role is police, judge and jury to reprobates like Ian. But she has her own ax to grind with Dagon, so if she can use Ian as bait…well, all’s fair in law and war. As they scour supernatural hotspots to perfect their trap, Veritas soon realizes Ian’s devil-may-care, roguish image hides something much more powerful.

The Royal Runaway by Lindsay Emory
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For fans of The Princess Diaries and The Royal We comes a fun and daring novel about a modern-day princess who teams up with a spy to find out what happened to the fiancé who left her at the altar—and who just might get her own fairytale in the process.

A Brand New Ending by Jennifer Probst
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Ophelia Bishop was a lovestruck teenage girl when she and Kyle Kimpton chased their dreams to Hollywood. Kyle’s dreams came true. Ophelia’s did not. When Kyle chose his career over their relationship, Ophelia returned home to rural New York to run the family’s B & B. Now Kyle has come crashing back into her life, and all her defenses are down.

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
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When freelance writer Nikole Paterson goes to a Dodgers game with her actor boyfriend, his man bun, and his bros, the last thing she expects is a scoreboard proposal. Saying no isn’t the hard part–they’ve only been dating for five months, and he can’t even spell her name correctly. The hard part is having to face a stadium full of disappointed fans… At the game with his sister, Carlos Ibarra comes to Nik’s rescue and rushes her away from a camera crew. He’s even there for her when the video goes viral and Nik’s social media blows up–in a bad way. Nik knows that in the wilds of LA, a handsome doctor like Carlos can’t be looking for anything serious, so she embarks on an epic rebound with him, filled with food, fun, and fantastic sex. But when their glorified hookups start breaking the rules, one of them has to be smart enough to put on the brakes…

Fall by Kristen Callihan
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The first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways. In my defense, I didn’t know he was Jax Blackwood—who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip. Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands. Okay, it was a dirty move, but desperate times and all that. Besides, I never expected he’d be my new neighbor.

Not Quite Over You by Susan Mallery
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Silver Tesdal has a head for business and a mouth made for kissing, and banker Drew Lovato has his eye on both. But ever since he was dumb enough to let her go, she’s kept him at a distance. When the bank turns her down for a loan, Drew sees a double opportunity—he can finance her brilliant, unique idea to rock Happily Inc’s wedding industry and win back her trust. Despite her reputation, Silver’s not as tough as she seems. Losing Drew nearly destroyed her. Still, his kisses are as tempting as his offer to invest in her business. If she can’t quite get over him, maybe she should get under him and knock him out of her system once and for all.

One Day In December by Josie Silver
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Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn’t exist anywhere but the movies. But then, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there’s a moment of pure magic…and then her bus drives away. Certain they’re fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. Instead they “reunite” at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It’s Jack, the man from the bus. It would be. What follows for Laurie, Sarah and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered.

Check out what else is coming out this month on our Goodreads list!

What book are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

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