Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from 13 Little Love Stories: An Anthology Inspired By Taylor Swift Songs, which releases on June 30th 2026.

If you could live inside one Taylor Swift song for a day, which would you pick? In this shimmering anthology, thirteen acclaimed, bestselling authors do just that, reimagining some of Taylor’s most iconic songs as love stories. 

Whether you’re in an era of fairy lights and folktales or diss tracks and dance floors, here’s a playlist that features all the hits: The soaring high note of first love. The minor key of heartbreak. And the steady rhythm of true friendship and self-discovery.

As clever and unforgettable as the songs that inspired them, these stories are sure to play on repeat in your head and your heart. 

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Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Laura Sebastian’s Poison In Their Hearts, which is out June 18th 2024.

They were promised for marriage since birth, and raised to bring down kingdoms, but the triplet princesses of Bessemia’s true destiny has always been to die—and one already has. Since Sophronia’s murder Princesses Daphne and Beatriz have discovered the truth: that they are pawns in their mother’s game. A scheme that will see her empress not just of Bessemia, but the entire continent of Vesteria. But the princesses have their own plans.

Beatriz and Daphne are still separated by a continent, and there are enemies everywhere, but now they have allies, and they stretch across the borders of Vesteria. Sophronia’s husband, the deposed King Leopold; Violie, a former spy for Empress Margaraux; and Beatriz’s missing husband, Pasquale and his lover, Ambrose. Now, with their help and the magic of the stars above, the princesses are ready to make their final stand.

But whispers of an ancient prophecy follow them–there are secrets from the their past that have yet to be revealed—and every move they make, the empress seems to always be one step ahead them. If there’s any hope for the princesses, the girls will need to use every skill their mother taught them, trust in the magic in their veins, and defy fate, itself—or all is lost for the people of Vesteria.

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The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Poison In Their Hearts’ by Laura Sebastian appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, Laura! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hi! I’m happy to! My name is Laura Sebastian and I write fantasy books for kids, teens, and adults. I’m originally from Miami, Florida, but I now live in London, England with my two dogs, Neville and Circe. When I’m not writing, I can probably be found experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen or tending to my garden.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I can’t remember a time where reading didn’t play a large part in my life and I remember being in high school, skimming the shelves of my high school library in search of a new book but I couldn’t find the exact type of story I wanted to read, so I decided to try writing it myself. That book didn’t go anywhere, but a dozen tries and a decade later, my debut novel, ASH PRINCESS, was published!

Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!

THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK (no matter how many times I read it, I always forgot the ending and got scared), ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine, and CIRCE by Madeline Miller, which I loved so much I named my dog Circe!

Stardust in Their Veins is the second installment in your Castles in Their Bones trilogy! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Princess spy sisters creating chaos.

What can readers expect?

Castles in Their Bones ends with what is admittedly the cruelest cliffhanger I’ve ever written, so I can promise readers that Stardust in Their Veins isn’t anywhere near that bad, but there’s still plenty of twists and turns, alliances and betrayals, and a heavy dose of romance to round it out. The vast majority of the first book takes place in three locations with three entirely separate casts of characters, but in Stardust, readers will get to see characters crossing over and colliding with each other—in one case quite literally when someone’s fist collides with someone else’s nose! Without getting into spoiler territory for the first book, readers will also see how the sisters process their loss in very different but equally messy ways. And, of course, there’s just as much plotting and poison and subterfuge as there was in Castles!

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring further?

In Castles, each chapter was written from the limited 3^rd person point of view of one of the sisters, but in Stardust, another character gets her own point of view. Unlike Beatriz, Daphne, and Sophronia, who are princesses, Violie is a commoner, and it was interesting to show how she sees this world differently than they do.

I also got to flesh out the magic system more in this book. It’s based on a fantasy astrology system, so I’ve had a lot of fun coming up with different constellations and their meanings and exploring all the ways lore around stars and the availability of magic stardust might shape the world of Vesteria.

Can you give our readers a little teaser for the third installment?

I’ve written the first draft, but I’m very wary of jinxing it because really, anything can change between now and when it hits shelves next year, but each sister has a book that focuses a little more on them (and features them on the cover!): Castles was Sophronia’s, Stardust is Beatriz’s, and so book three will be Daphne’s. From what I’ve heard from readers, she’s the most polarizing of the three, though I’ve always found her the most fun to write. Also, I’ve seen the cover and the artist, Lillian Liu, captured Daphne perfectly!

Your first novel published five years ago. What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned as a writer?

I can’t believe it’s been five years already! One lesson I’ve learned is how to edit, with the guidance of the amazing editors I’ve been lucky enough to work with. When I first started writing, I thought editing meant moving commas around and running spellcheck, but now I know it can often mean breaking the stories’ bones, resetting them, and sewing the whole thing up again while ensuring the organs remain intact and the heart keeps beating. (I’m not a surgeon, so I fully admit that metaphor may be a mess, but hopefully you get the idea.)

What’s next for you?

Apart from Castles in their Bones 3, which is in the works as I write this, I’ve got a few projects in the works, but all in the early stages. Hopefully I can share more about them soon!

Lastly, are there any 2023 releases our readers should look out for?

Ooh, 2023 is such a great year for books! The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi is out now and I absolutely adored it. I’m also reading Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong, which I’m having trouble putting down. I’m also anxiously awaiting the sequel to Katherine Webber and Catherine Doyle’s The Princess Switch, which is one of few books that’s had me actually laughing out loud while reading it.

Will you be picking up Stardust in their Veins? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Laura Sebastian, Author of ‘Stardust in Their Veins’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The YA genre is not holding back when it comes to 2022’s upcoming book releases! Between the months of January and June, readers are going to be delighted as to what they can get their hands on with books from favourite authors, to those making their debut!

From stories of love, magic, and mystery, to retellings, anthologies, and sequels, you will surely find several new reads to add to your TBR and we apologies in advance for adding to it!

Looking for more releases? Check out our Most Anticipated 2022 Releases and our Must-Have 2022 Queer Releases.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below which ones you’re looking forward to!

JANUARY

When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A bighearted novel about falling in love, making a mess, and learning to let go, When You Get the Chance is the next effervescent novel from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of the Reese Witherspoon YA Book Club pick You Have a Match.

Hopepunk by Preston Norton
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A heartfelt and funny new novel about forgiveness and redemption, and about how hope is the ultimate act of rebellion, perfect for fans of John Green and Becky Albertalli.

The Red Palace by June Hur
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June Hur, critically acclaimed author of The Silence of Bones and The Forest of Stolen Girls, returns with The Red Palace—a third evocative, atmospheric historical mystery perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Kerri Maniscalco.

Into The Midnight Void by Mara Fitzgerald
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Fans of Holly Black and Kendare Blake will obsess over the conclusion to this deliciously dark YA fantasy duology!

Serendipity, edited by Marissa Meyer
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From stories of first love, unrequited love, love that surprises, love that’s been there all along, 10 of the brightest and award-winning authors writing YA have taken on some of your favourite romantic tropes, embracing them and turning them on their heads. Readers will fall for this collection of stories that celebrate love at its most humorous, inclusive, heart-expanding, and serendipitous. Contributors include Elise Bryant, Elizabeth Eulberg, Leah Johnson, Anna-Marie McLemore, Marissa Meyer, Sandhya Menon, Julie Murphy, Caleb Roehrig, Sarah Winifred Searle, and Abigail Hing Wen.

Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker
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Kathryn Barker’s Waking Romeo is a spectacularly genre-bending retelling of Romeo & Juliet asking the big questions about true love, fate, and time travel

Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long
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Meg Long’s Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves is a captivating debut about survival, found family, and the bond between a girl and a wolf that delivers a fresh twist on classic survival stories and frontier myths.

Salaam, with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg
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This heartfelt and humorous YA contemporary follows Dua, who spends the month of Ramadan making unexpected discoveries about family, faith, and first love.

Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds
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Prepare yourself for something unlike anything: A smash-up of art and text for teens that viscerally captures what it is to be Black. In America. Right Now. Written by #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds.

The Kindred by Alechia Dow
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To save a galactic kingdom from revolution, Kindred mind-pairings were created to ensure each and every person would be seen and heard, no matter how rich or poor…

Medusa by Jessie Burton
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A dazzling, feminist retelling of Greek myth from the internationally bestselling author of The Miniaturist, stunningly illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill.

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
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A gothic tale full of mystery and romance about a willful female surgeon, a resurrection man who sells bodies for a living, and the buried secrets they must uncover together.

FEBRUARY

And We Rise by Erica Martin
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A powerful, impactful, eye-opening journey that explores through the Civil Rights Movement in 1950s-1960s America in spare and evocative verse, with historical photos interspersed throughout.

Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity by Angela Velez
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Booksmart meets Never Have I Ever in this Latinx road trip adventure—a big-hearted, voice-driven YA about two sisters who couldn’t be more different, but become begrudging partners on their school’s cross-country college trip—from debut author Angela Velez.

Bright Ruined Things by Samantha Cohoe
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Extasia by Claire Legrand
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From New York Times bestselling author Claire LeGrand comes a new, bone-chilling YA horror novel about a girl who joins a coven to root out a vicious evil that’s stalking her village. Perfect for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Grace Year.

All the Right Reasons by Bethany Mangle
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The Bachelor meets Gilmore Girls in this laugh-out-loud young adult romance about a girl who joins her mother on a reality dating show for single parents—only to fall for a contestant’s son.

League of Liars by Astrid Scholte
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In this fantasy thriller, four teens charged with murder and the illegal use of magic band together to devise the ultimate jailbreak. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows and How to Get Away with Murder.

You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen
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In this compelling and thought-provoking debut novel, after a terrorist attack rocks the country and anti-Islamic sentiment stirs, three Black Muslim girls create a space where they can shatter assumptions and share truths.

Castles in Their Bones by Laura Sebastian
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A spellbinding story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown. Immerse yourself in the first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the author of the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series.

Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher
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A heartbreaking novel about finding your first love and what happens when it’s over too soon. Ashley Schumacher’s Full Flight is about how first love shapes us—even after it’s gone. 

Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillon
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For fans of Sandhya Menon and Adam Silvera, a prom-night romantic-comedy romp about a Sikh teen’s search for love and identity

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len
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The sweeping romance of Passenger meets the dark fantasy edge of This Savage Song in this stunning contemporary fantasy debut from Vanessa Len, where the line between monster and hero is razor thin.

These Deadly Games by Diana Urban
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Author of All Your Twisted Secrets, Diana Urban’s explosive sophomore novel, These Deadly Games, will keep you riveted until the final twist is revealed.

MARCH

The One True Me and You by Remi K. England
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A big-hearted, joyful romance and a love letter to all things geek, Remi K. England’s The One True Me and You is a *witness me* celebration of standing up for, and being, yourself.

Debating Darcy by Sayantani DasGupta
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This Pride & Prejudice retelling brings New York Times bestselling Sayantani DasGupta’s trademark wit and insight to her bright and funny YA debut!

A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee
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From New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, Traci Chee, comes a Japanese-influenced fantasy brimming with demons, adventure, and plans gone awry.

This Golden State by Marit Weisenberg
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Marit Weisenberg’s This Golden State follows a family on the run, a restless teenage daughter hungry for the truth, and the simple DNA test that threatens their carefully crafted world

Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram
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A smart, sexy YA novel about a boy band star, his first breakup, his first rebound, and what it means to be queer in the public eye, from award-winning author Adib Khorram.

Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix by Aminah Mae Safi
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A ragtag band of misfits gets swept up in Holy Land politics in Travelers Along the Way by Aminah Mae Safi, a thrilling YA remix of the classic legend of Robin Hood.

Message Not Found by Dante Medema
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An emotionally complex portrayal of secrets, loss, and grief from Dante Medema, Indies Introduce author of the Indie Next Pick title The Truth Project. 

A Forgery of Roses by Jessica S. Olson
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From the author of Sing Me Forgotten comes a lush new fantasy novel with an art-based magic system, romance, and murder…

Love, Decoded by Jennifer Yen
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For fans of Jenny Han and Jane Austen, a rom-com that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt about the unexpected consequences of one teen’s quest to help her friends find love, from the author of A Taste for Love.

Cinder & Glass by Melissa de la Cruz
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Blockbuster author Melissa de la Cruz’s YA retelling of Cinderella, set in 17th Century Versailles.

The Book of Living Secrets by Madeleine Roux
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Perfect for fans of The Hazel Wood, this genre-bending page-turner from New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux follows two girls who transport themselves into the world of their favorite book only to encounter the sinister alternate reality that awaits them. 

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
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A romantic YA fantasy perfect for fans of Erin A. Craig and Margaret Rogerson, about two people who find themselves competing for glory – and each other’s hearts – in a magical fox hunt.

APRIL

Year on Fire by Julie Buxbaum
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What secrets will people keep—or reveal—to protect those they love? This novel, set against the frightening backdrop of an encroaching fire season, sparks reflection about friendship, the allure of romantic love, and loyalty to family.

This Rebel Heart by Katherine Locke
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The Fountains of Silence meets Spinning Silver in this rollicking tale set amid the 1956 Hungarian revolution in post-WWII Communist Budapest from Sydney Taylor Honor winner Katherine Locke.

Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf
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They Wish They Were Us meets The Queen’s Gambit in the world of competitive Scrabble when a teen girl is forced to investigate the mysterious death of her best friend a year after the fact when her Instagram comes back to life with cryptic posts and messages.

K-Pop Revolution by Stephan Lee
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She thought that debuting in a K-Pop band was the finish line, but it was only the beginning. Because now it’s not only her company judging her—it’s the entire world. If K-Pop Confidential was about finding your voice, K-pop Revolution is about finding the courage to stand by your beliefs, even when powerful forces are trying to shame and silence you.

My Dearest Darkest by Kayla Cottingham
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Wilder Girls meets The Craft in this Sapphic horror debut that asks: what price would you be willing to pay to achieve your deepest desires?

Some Mistakes Were Made by Kristin Dwyer
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Sarah Dessen meets Adam Silvera in the debut YA romance everyone is talking about!

Very Bad People by Kit Frick
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In this dark academia young adult thriller for fans of The Female of the Species and People Like Us, a teen girl’s search for answers about her mother’s mysterious death leads to a powerful secret society at her new boarding school—and a dangerous game of revenge that will leave her forever changed.

My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding by Sajni Patel
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A fresh, witty rom-com romp set against the backdrop of a high-profile music competition and a riotous Indian wedding.

Flirting With Fate by J.C. Cervantes
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Jane the Virgin meets The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in New York Times bestselling author J.C. Cervantes’s charming, romantic YA debut.

This May End Badly by Samantha Markum
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When a high stakes boarding school prank war leads to a fake dating scheme, two teens must decide if they are ready to take the ultimate risk — falling in love.

The Genesis Wars by Akemi Dawn Bowman
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Black Mirror meets Marie Lu’s Warcross in Nami’s continuing adventures as she fights to free her friends in this high-stakes sequel to The Infinity Courts by award-winning author Akemi Dawn Bowman.

All the Best Liars by Amelia Kahaney
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Amelia Kahaney’s All the Best Liars is a dark, modern psychological thriller and coming-of-age story about obsession, manipulation, and the intensity of those first friendships that take hold of you and never let go

MAY

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon
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From the author of Today Tonight Tomorrow comes a magical romance in the vein of Groundhog Day about a girl forced to relive her disastrous first day of college—only to discover that her nemesis is stuck in the time loop with her.

Together We Burn by Isabel Ibañez
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An ancient city plagued by dragons. A flamenco dancer determined to save her ancestral home. A dragon hunter refusing to teach her his ways. They don’t want each other, but they need each other, and without him her world will burn.

Not Good for Maidens by Tori Bovalino
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Salem’s Lot meets The Darkest Part of the Forest in this horror-fantasy retelling of Christina Rossetti’s “Goblin Market.”

A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan
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New from the author of Counting Down with You comes a sparkling YA romance about an aspiring screenwriter who falls for the indie film star who goes undercover at her school.

The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson
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Who killed Brooke Donovan? It’s the biggest mystery of the summer, and everyone in Castle Cove thinks it’s the wrong guy. Fans of One of Us Is Lying and Riverdale can’t miss this page-turning who-done-it that’s sure to be the next must read Young Adult thriller!

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson
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In this complex and emotionally resonant novel about a Métis girl living on the Canadian prairies, debut author Jen Ferguson serves up a powerful story about rage, secrets, and all the spectrums that make up a person—and the sweetness that can still live alongside the bitterest truth.

Destination Unknown by Bill Konigsberg
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From Stonewall Award winner Bill Konigsberg, a remarkable, funny, sexy, heartbreaking story of two teen boys finding each other in New York City at the height of the AIDS epidemic.

Murder for the Modern Girl by Kendall Kulper
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Gatsby-era glamour, a swoon-worthy love story, and an indomitable heroine dazzle in this romp that captures the extravagance of the Roaring Twenties and the dangers of vigilante justice.

Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle
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Hitch meets The Sun Is Also a Star in this witty and romantic teen novel about a self-professed teen love doctor with a popular radio segment who believes he can get a girl who hates all things romance to fall in love with him in only three dates.

Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho
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What would you do if the world’s biggest K-pop star asked you to prom? Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel brings the glamour and drama of the K-pop world straight to high school.

All Signs Point to Yes, edited by G. Haron Davis, Cam Montgomery, and Adrianne White
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A YA anthology of love stories for each of the star signs that will showcase multicultural characters and celebrate the myriad facets of love, from meet-cutes to the lesser-explored love expressed by aromantic people, featuring 13 bestselling and award-winning multicultural authors.

A Cruel and Fated Light by Ashley Shuttleworth
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Half-fae Arlo becomes entangled in the courtly intrigue at the Seelie Summer palace as danger for ironborns mounts in this gripping sequel to A Dark and Hollow Star that’s The Cruel Prince meets City of Bones.

JUNE

Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert
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Secrets. Lies. Super-bad choices. Witchcraft. This is Our Crooked Hearts, a darkly gripping contemporary fantasy from Melissa Albert, the New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood

The Song That Moves the Sun by Anna Bright
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This sweeping YA fantasy romance full of star-crossed love, complex female friendship, and astrological magic is perfect for fans of Laini Taylor, Alexandra Bracken, and V.E. Schwab. From the acclaimed author of The Beholder.

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
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Emily Thiede’s exciting fantasy debut, This Vicious Grace, will keep readers turning the pages until the devastating conclusion and leave them primed for more!

Blade Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
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In the sequel to Victoria Aveyard’s instant #1 New York Times bestselling Realm Breaker, a divided world must rally, an unstoppable enemy must be defeated, and the fate of the world rests on a blade’s edge.

This Place Is Still Beautiful by XiXi Tian
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A sweeping debut novel about first love, complicated family dynamics, and the pernicious legacy of racism. Perfect for fans of Tahereh Mafi, Jandy Nelson, and Emily X.R. Pan, with crossover appeal for readers of Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half and Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You.

Valiant Ladies by Melissa Grey
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Two teen vigilantes set off on an action-packed investigation to expose corruption and deliver justice in Valiant Ladies, Melissa Grey’s YA historical fiction novel inspired by real seventeenth century Latinx teenagers known as the Valiant Ladies of Potosí.

Rise of the Vicious Princess by C.J. Redwine
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The first in a YA political fantasy duology about a fierce princess determined to bring lasting peace to her kingdom regardless of the cost to her heart —from C.J. Redwine, the author of the Defiance series and the New York Times bestselling Ravenspire series. Perfect for fans of These Violent Delights, And I Darken, and Ash Princess.

Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel
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The Dream Runners by Shveta Thakrar
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Go Hunt Me by Kelly deVos
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For Dracula lovers and fans of Diana Urban’s All Your Twisted Secrets, this spine-tingling thriller follows seven horror buffs as their dream trip to a remote Romanian castle turns into a nightmare when they begin to be killed one by one.

Game of Strength and Storm by Rachel Menard
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Game of Strength and Storm is a YA gender-bent Hercules retelling. Teenagers of Olympia Gen and Castor race to be the first to complete six nearly impossible challenges to obtain their greatest desire. Only one will win. The other walks away with nothing—if she walks away at all.

Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow
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I Killed Zoe Spanos meets The Cheerleaders in this haunting mystery about an island town with a history of unsolved deaths—and a girl desperate to uncover the mystery behind it all.

What 2022 YA book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 72 Upcoming YA Book Releases To Add To Your TBR appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Firstly, before reading this book, I only had a vague recollection of the King Arthur story, so I am sure that I missed a lot of the references and connections that Sebastian made in Half Sick of Shadows. Therefore, this book is ideally suited for fans of the King Arthur legend and perfect for fans of medieval fantasy and retellings, including fans of A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer and The Alchemyst by Michael Scott. This book deals with themes such as appearance versus reality, fate versus freewill, quest for power, death, growing up, love and heartbreak, court life, good versus evil, knowledge versus ignorance, heroism, friendship, and the role of women. It is important to note that this book may be a trigger for people struggling with depression and/or suicide.

I found this book to be a bit confusing because it was constantly switching between the past, present, and future visions. It was frustrating because when Elaine is scrying the future, she is only seeing one of many possible outcomes; nothing is guaranteed and Elaine struggles to figure out how to obtain the future she covets. It was quite scary for me to read about all the ways that Elaine and her friends’ futures could go catastrophically wrong. Whilst this book was slow to start with, it got significantly better once it got going!

First off, it was very interesting that Elaine was the main character instead of Arthur. It was also great to see how Elaine, Morgana, and Gwen were strong and powerful on their own and were constantly challenging the traditional expectations of women in Camelot Half Sick of Shadows had a little bit of everything, including action, adventure, quests, romance, royalty, friendship, magic, and so much more. Lastly, my favourite thing about this book was that I thought that the ending was totally fitting yet unexpected!

Fans of retellings and Laura Sebastian’s other novels (including Ash Princess) are sure to love Half Sick of Shadows.

Half Sick of Shadows is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 6th 2021.

Will you be picking up Half Sick of Shadows? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Everyone knows the legend. Of Arthur, destined to be a king. Of the beautiful Guinevere, who will betray him with his most loyal knight, Lancelot. Of the bitter sorceress, Morgana, who will turn against them all. But Elaine alone carries the burden of knowing what is to come–for Elaine of Shalott is cursed to see the future.

On the mystical isle of Avalon, Elaine runs free and learns of the ancient prophecies surrounding her and her friends–countless possibilities, almost all of them tragic.

When their future comes to claim them, Elaine, Guinevere, Lancelot, and Morgana accompany Arthur to take his throne in stifling Camelot, where magic is outlawed, the rules of society chain them, and enemies are everywhere. Yet the most dangerous threats may come from within their own circle.

As visions are fulfilled and an inevitable fate closes in, Elaine must decide how far she will go to change fate–and what she is willing to sacrifice along the way.

The Lady of Shalott reclaims her story in this bold feminist reimagining of the Arthurian myth from the New York Times bestselling author of Ash Princess.

The post Review: Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Ember Queen was honestly such a perfect finale to the Ash Princess series and I feel like we’ve truly seen Theodosia truly grow, from the girl who lost her Mother and the Crown, to the girl who would fight to not only reclaim her lands but fight to keep those that are most dear to her safe. As soon as I started reading Ember Queen, I found myself vividly recalling everything that shockingly went down in Lady Smoke and I instantly felt like this was building up to an epic finale!

Ember Queen was honestly so fast-paced, which leaves you constantly on the edge of your seat! It felt completely bittersweet knowing that this was the final book to feature Theo and her ragtag band of Misfits warriors that supported her every move! Honestly, I have just grown to love Theo, Art, Blaise, Heron, and Soren, all of whom have been through so much, but all have a shared goal. I loved the friendship that bloomed between Theo and Art, they just had some beautifully tender moments throughout this book, Art, who is definitely more pro-fighting, which leads me to say, Dragonsbane, Theo’s aunt, is equally fierce and terrifying but ultimately loyal. Theo and Dragonsbane’s relationship was just one of the many I enjoyed seeing come to fruition throughout this series and in turn that brings me back to Art and Theo’s strong bond! I truly couldn’t get enough of it! The two of them go through quite a lot in this book, there were moments when I was so truly terrified for Art, I just needed her to be okay. Seeing such a strong figure in a state of uncertainty was giving me all of the feels. I loved her quips throughout the book, freely admitting that she’s not one to show emotion, she’s not sure that she’s ever felt that way about anyone, but was always unfailingly loyal to Theo. You can definitely say Art has been one of my favourite characters throughout this journey, as well as Theo of course.

Theo was honestly amazing at every point throughout this book! Ember Queen was just such a fitting finale and to see Theo flourish into the Queen that we all knew she is was so emotional. In turn, I couldn’t help but admire her attitude towards the former sister of her heart, Cress, who’s been driven mad from poison ingested by a certain someone’s own hand, which in turn makes for some pretty wickedly dark yet intriguing shared dreams.

These moments of darkness and uncertainty were so intense and honestly had me on the edge of my seat! I had never read, to my knowledge, about two characters that could share dreams and sense one another. Given the utter depth between Cress and Theo, with Cress being driven to the dark depths of madness, which in turn is heightening her longing for revenge towards anyone who might want to overthrow her, she honestly thinks up some nastily cruel actions in this book! Even though I knew she’d turned dark, I didn’t think she’d go as extreme as she did. Her character was definitely haunting throughout this book, but at times I definitely couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, I mean she’s definitely lonely in her madness, even though she’s giving her ladies the same substance that she’s been subjected to, turning them into similar type wraith beings. However, I think what impressed and moved me the most was Theo’s reaction to everything. Although she knows, as Art reminds her, that Cress is no longer the sister of her heart, that she is indeed the enemy, Theo cannot shake the close bond that they once shared. Their dreams definitely were foreshadowing towards a huge face to face showdown between Crescentia and Theodosia, trust me this did not disappoint whatsoever. It was equally bittersweet, satisfying, and emotional to the highest degree!

Ember Queen definitely has become my favourite book of the Ash Princess series, I could not have hoped for a more emotional and wonderful, chilling, brilliant, wicked ending! Every moment saw twists and turns aplenty, honestly, Laura Sebastian has woven a finale of perfectly epic proportions. I held on to this book and these characters for as long as I could, but the constant wonderful pacing strung with emotions and brilliance just had me addicted at every turn. Theo definitely inspires me to be stronger, she’s an amazing main character! I’ll miss the world of Ash Princess but I cannot wait to see what Laura Sebastian writes next! If you’ve been thinking about picking up these books, do it!

Ember Queen is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of February 20th 2020. I received a copy of Ember Queen from Pan Macmillan Australia in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Will you be picking up Ember Queen? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

The Ash Princess is dead. Long live the Queen.

Princess Theodosia was a prisoner in her own country for a decade, made to wear a crown of ash. But there was fire in her blood and she escaped, gathering a misfit army of rebels behind her.

Now they have a new and terrifying enemy – the Kaiserin. Possessed of magic no one understands, she is determined to burn down anything and anyone in her way. As the Kaiserin’s power grows stronger and her beloved Prinz Søren is taken hostage, Theo is forced to make a terrible choice – will she overcome her heart to liberate her enslaved people and finally reclaim her rightful place as Queen?

Ember Queen is the explosive final part of Laura Sebastian’s New York Times bestselling Ash Princess trilogy.

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Disclaimer: Before we get into this review, if you have not read Ash Princess yet, please stop here and go read it! Otherwise, this review will spoil the ending/parts of the first book. I highly encourage you to give Ash Princess a read!

Okay, with that warning out of the way, I’ll begin by saying that after the ending of Ash Princess, I needed to know more. Not only is this a story of a young princess who’s been antagonised for a good portion of her life, but now that she’s freed she must contend with the tyrannical ruler after her, and becoming the face of a revolution. Plus the romance, and the best friend now turned enemy really reeled me in. I will admit, I am also in awe of said enemy. She’s a terrible person, but something about her character in this book demanded respect, and I feel that she definitely earns it.

Lady Smoke picks up where readers left off at the end of Ash Princess, Princess Theodosia is on her aunt’s ship, the famed pirate Dragonsbane. Though she shares her mother’s face, the two women could be nothing alike. Theo doesn’t know if she can really trust her aunt, despite her claim to want to help her reclaim the Astrean throne. Moreover, in order to help secure an army to reclaim the throne, Theo must marry. No Astrean queen has ever done so, but if it means securing freedom for her people, she’ll make the ultimate sacrifice. Will she be able to help her people without losing herself in the process?

There is so much more to say about Lady Smoke, but let’s start with the fact that it was such a great read. A long read to be sure, but a great one. There’s so much development happening in this book, and it’s going to make waiting for the third book in this series worth it. Theodosia especially was a delight to see grow as a character, in terms of coming into her own power and dealing with her mental state after escaping years of abuse. Her feelings are raw and that’s something I can appreciate. It made her even more genuine to me. The insight that Laura Sebastian gave us into the mental states of the characters was phenomenal, even as an outsider looking in. Though the story is told in a singular perspective, you still get to know the characters more than on the superficial level. It’s obvious that time has been taken in cultivating the relationships that are occurring in the book.

I’m not always a big fan of first-person point of view. However, it works really well to give the story a sense of urgency that permeates throughout the book. Theo must work fast to outrun the Kaiser as well as think quickly to help free her people from bonds of servitude and slavery. However, despite this urgency, the story itself is not rushed. Moments are savoured, and care has been taken so that readers can really see the effects of the actions taken upon certain characters. I loved being able to connect not only with Theo, but Heron, Artemisia, and Prinz Soren as well. I felt Artemisia displayed a lot of growth in this book, especially in contrast to her mother. Despite that crabby personality, there is a soft and squishy side to her.

Tension building is intense, and done so well, especially between Dragonsbane and Theo. Dragonsbane comes off as callous, and with so many secrets, readers won’t be able to tell whether she’s friend or foe. That said, she did grow on me. Painted against an opulent but oppressive setting, it is all the better. The romance was enjoyable, although it wasn’t my favourite aspect of this book. I felt like Theo was such a strong and independent character without needing a man on her arm. I definitely want to see a bigger development on this front in the next book.

I’d rate Lady Smoke a 9/10. There wasn’t much about the story that I didn’t love, although at times it did feel like the pace was dragging a little bit. However, it was mainly because I’m not as big of a fan of palace politics/intrigue.

Though the story ended in another cliffhanger, it was such a good one! It teases the reader about what might come in the next book, and argh…I hate that I have to wait until 2020 for the next book. It’s a good thing I have a gigantic stack of books to be read.

Lady Smoke is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Will you be reading Lady Smoke? Or have you read it already? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

The sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller that was “made for fans of Victoria Aveyard and Sabaa Tahir” ( Bustle ), Lady Smoke is an epic new fantasy about a throne cruelly stolen and a girl who must fight to take it back for her people.

The Kaiser murdered Theodosia’s mother, the Fire Queen, when Theo was only six. He took Theo’s country and kept her prisoner, crowning her Ash Princess–a pet to toy with and humiliate for ten long years. That era has ended. The Kaiser thought his prisoner weak and defenseless. He didn’t realize that a sharp mind is the deadliest weapon.

Theo no longer wears a crown of ashes. She has taken back her rightful title, and a hostage–Prinz Soren. But her people remain enslaved under the Kaiser’s rule, and now she is thousands of miles away from them and her throne.

To get them back, she will need an army. Only, securing an army means she must trust her aunt, the dreaded pirate Dragonsbane. And according to Dragonsbane, an army can only be produced if Theo takes a husband. Something an Astrean Queen has never done.

Theo knows that freedom comes at a price, but she is determined to find a way to save her country without losing herself.

“A darkly enchanting page-turner you won’t be able to put down.” –Bustle on Ash Princess, Book 1 in the Ash Princess series

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Contributed by Gillion Machota

Firstly, a huge thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the ARC of Ash Princess, a new YA fantasy that immediately caught my eye when looking at a list of ARC’s that us contributors receive on a monthly basis. Did it live up to my expectations? Let us see.

Ash Princess is about a girl named Theodosia, who is called Theo on occasion in the book, and she witnesses her mother being murdered. She is now known as the Ash Princess who must where a crown with ashes on it. When one of her friends asks her to help and start a revolt, Theo is all in. Theo acts like the princess that she is supposed to be to only get information and help her kingdom from their torture.

It is not that I did not enjoy the book, it just came across as though it followed almost the same plot line as And I Darken by Kiersten White, which is a fabulous book by the way. And I Darken is about a girl named Vlada who is also trying to overthrow her government because she wants it to change due to its brutal past. I listened to this on audiobook once it came out and it was also somewhat dragging. I felt like I was trying to finish another musical soundtrack that I did not enjoy, but then also knowing that I needed to find out what happened.

I did love Theo’s motives and why she did them. It made sense on why she made them which made me very happy because there were not any plot holes that I had to worry about.

So did this meet my expectations, well… Here is the thing, it did and did not meet my standards. The title made sense, it followed the story, but it could have been a little bit better. Theo was a great character, but she could have been so much more! The author did confirm that Ash Princess is a part of a trilogy and a cover for the next book is beautiful. Am I going to keep going with this trilogy? Maybe? I’m not entirely sure? Overall, I would give this book a 6/10 stars.

Ash Princess is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Have you read Ash Princess? Or will you be checking it out? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia’s family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess–a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.

For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She’s endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.

Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn’t always won on the battlefield.

For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here

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