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

Sure! Here are five random things about me:

1. I’m a former librarian.
2. I grew up on the Pacific island of Guam.
3. But I have lived in many other places, including Saipan, Oregon, Colorado, Italy, New Hampshire, Idaho, and North Carolina.
4. I read Stephen King’s It when I was eleven. I still have nightmares about clowns.
5. Favorite K drama? Goblin: The Lonely and Great God (so romantic!)

As the year draws to a close, how has 2021 been for you?

There have been ups and downs. Publishing a book during plague is not for the faint of heart. It requires a whole lot of flexibility and shifting expectations. On the other hand, I was able to see family this year, people I love who I have missed because of travel and safety restrictions. I am very much looking forward to 2022.

When did you first discover your love for writing?

I studied journalism at the University of Oregon, but I never really considered writing fiction until I was in my 30s.

Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading!

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

Your new novel, Year of the Reaper, is out November 9th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

It doesn’t have to be a proper sentence? Then, mystery, fantasy, assassin, slow-burn romance (can slow-burn be considered one word?).

What can readers expect?

I think readers will be right there with our hero, Lord Cassia, trying to decipher all the clues. I hope they have fun trying to solve this mystery.

Where did the inspiration for Year of the Reaper come from?

My first novel came out in 2014 and takes places right at the start of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. While I was writing it, I found myself wondering, “Well, what happened to the survivors? To those forced to carry on? What’s their story?” That is what Year of the Reaper is ultimately about, about the survivors of a terrible medieval plague.

Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?

Oh my goodness, everything is challenging! Finishing the first draft, finishing the fifth. Writing a mystery has its own particular difficulties. You don’t want readers to figure things out too early, but you do want to sneak in enough clues so that when all is revealed, it feels organic. It’s a tough balancing act.

For me, the best way to overcome a writing challenge is to write. I work my way through plot holes and everything else by writing my way through them.

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

I love all the scenes between Cassia and Lena. Lena makes me laugh, and I love how she’s able to make Cas smile, whether he wants to or not.

What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?

I wouldn’t call it the worse, just advice that doesn’t work for me, and that is to be part of a writing/critique group. The only people who read my early drafts are my editors and my husband. It works for me.

The best advice is to remember that social media doesn’t tell the whole story. It can be discouraging (depressing!) to log onto Twitter or Instagram and see these giant book deals and perfectly curated feeds. It’s rare to see posts about disappointments and failures and struggles, but we all have them, even when it looks like we don’t.

What’s next for you?

It’s a little early to talk about specifics. But I can say that May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. And every May, I find myself wondering, “Where are all the Pacific island books? Where are all the Pacific Islander writers?” This year, instead of complaining, I decided to write the book I’ve been searching for. I have a thousand ideas fighting around in my brain right now. I promise I’ll share more when it all starts to make some kind of sense!

Lastly, what have your favourite reads of 2021 been?

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee; The Rose Code by Kate Quinn; Fangs by Sarah Andersen

Will you be picking up Year of the Reaper? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Makiia Lucier, Author of ‘Year of the Reaper’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Seventeen-year-old Reyna is the daughter of an esteemed navigator. While on an adventure to prove her ability to be a female explorer for the royal house of St. John del Mar, Reyna’s ship is attacked by pirates and she is left to swim to shore in sea serpent infested waters.

Enter Captain Levi, the second child of the king of Lunes. I enjoyed how Lucier originally introduced this character as weeping in public on the port than Reyna swims to. Levi is a strong, independent man who is captain of his own ship and leads many men to battle. However, Lucier took this introduction to depict this ‘manly man’ as crying, which is something that is not often seen in teen books. I found that this opening scene allows for Levi to feel his emotions and embrace grief while still being a strong male lead. YA readers, male especially, should be able to view Levi as a character to look up to and not just someone who needs to ‘man up’ and stop crying.

This novel also features a lost island that has been isolated from society and other explorers. The kingdom of Miramar is self-sufficient but is depicted as ruthless and violent. The only known fact of this kingdom is that they used to trade with the other esteemed islands for clay. Reyna quickly recognises the Miranese as the raiders who stole her ship in the beginning of the novel. This isolated kingdom seems to hold the answers of why her ship was stolen and where her kidnapped sailors are.

Lucier has a way with writing settings so vibrantly that they come to life in the reader’s head. The kingdoms of Lunes and St. John del Mar are so well written that I could practically smell the salty breeze as Reyna walks along the port of call. If your book buzzwords are sea, kingdoms or exploring, you have to pick up the Tower of Winds books. These books are action packed, witty, and full of political intrigue, all of which are well executed and simple enough to grasp the reader without info-dumping.

Although this is a companion novel, I would recommend reading Isle of Blood and Stone first as some characters reappear and it would be helpful and fun to have the background of their narratives. At a rating of 8/10 stars, I liked Isle of Blood and Stone more but also thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked the storyline of King Ulises and Elias more than Reyna, therefore, if you are only going to read one of Lucier’s novels, I would recommend the first of the duology. With that being said, I would highly recommend both for YA and middle-grade readers.

Song of the Abyss is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of August 27th.

Will you be picking up Song of the Abyss? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Ancient grievances, long-held grudges, and dangerous magic combine in this sweeping standalone fantasy perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce and Rachel Hartman.

They came in the night as she dreamt, in her berth, on a ship sailing home to del Mar. After, they would be all Reyna thought about: two carracks painted scorpion black. No emblem on either forecastle, no pennants flying above the mainmasts to hint at a kingdom of origin.

Never a good sign.

As the granddaughter of a famed navigator, seventeen-year-old Reyna has always lived life on her own terms, despite those who say a girl could never be an explorer for the royal house of St. John del Mar. She is determined to prove them wrong, and as she returns home after a year-long expedition, she knows her dream is within reach. No longer an apprentice, instead: Reyna, Master Explorer.

But when menacing raiders attack her ship, those dreams are pushed aside. Reyna’s escape is both desperate and dangerous, and when next she sees her ship, a mystery rises from the deep. The sailors–her captain, her countrymen–have vanished. To find them, Reyna must use every resource at her disposal . . . including placing her trust in a handsome prince from a rival kingdom.

Together they uncover a disturbing truth. The attack was no isolated incident. Troubling signs point to a shadowy kingdom in the north, and for once, the rulers of the Sea of Magdalen agree: something must be done. But can Reyna be brave enough to find a way?

The post Review: Song of the Abyss by Makiia Lucier appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hey Nerds, content contributor Holly here, keeping you in the loop of my reading with the Mid Year Book Freakout tag! As of the end of June, I have read 67 books out of my 75 goal for the year of 2019, which is a total of 23,981 pages! Here’s what I recommend based on what I have read so far in 2019!

Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2019?

• Sharp Objects Gillian Flynn: Completely and utterly disturbing. Perfect for the horror lover! Go into this novel with a tough stomach. MAJOR TW FOR CUTTING AND VIOLENCE.
• Misery by Stephen King
• Pet Sematary by Stephen King: Do you notice a trend? We at the Nerd Daily are fascinated by the macabre.

Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2019

Kingsbane by Claire Legrand: Killer, kickass, magical queens. What more could you want?

New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To?

• Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
• Inspection by Josh Malerman

Most Anticipated Release For Second Half of 2019

• Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren: I’m complete and utter trash for this duo.
• Song of the Abyss by Makiia Lucier: Thanks to The Nerd Daily, I’ll be reading an ARC and uploading a review soon!
• American Royals by Katharine McGee
• The Institute by Stephen King
• The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
• And like every other person on this planet… The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

Biggest Disappointment?

• Ruin & Rising and Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo: Sorry, I just don’t understand the hype. After finishing this series, I said hello to a MAJOR book slump. The trilogy just could not live up to the hype.
• Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy: nothing happened… never in a book have I experienced so much talk of action but no actual action. I was so hyped to get an arc but it had to be one of the largest disappointments so far.
• Fire & Blood by George R R Martin: Um this was a as boring as a history textbook. Can we just get Winds of Winter already?!

Biggest Surprise?

The Test by Sylvain Neuvel: Short and sweet. You’ll never quite know what to expect with this one.

Favourite New Author?

Stephen King… yes. I know, I am the last on the very large bandwagon. So much horror, so much weird fiction.

Newest Fictional Crush?

Saying hello to a girl crush: Daisy Jones from Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. She is so screwed up in so many ways but powerful, resilient and kickass at the same time.

Newest Favourite Character?

An odd one coming your way…. Annie Wilkes from Misery by Stephen King. Is it any surprise that I’m choosing a villain? Probably not LOL. I mean don’t you sometimes want to kidnap your favourite writer and force them to rewrite a book so they don’t kill your favourite character? Yeah me too…

Book That Made You Cry?

Now, I’m not a crier but I felt all the feels with Michelle Obama’s Becoming. She is a lawyer, mother, political advocate and can now add author to the list. This book was written so beautifully she could be a best seller even without being the famous ‘Michelle Obama’. I would die for another piece of her writing. So well done.

Book That Made You Happy?

Colourless Tsukuru Tazak by Haruki Murakami: ALL the nostalgia from my time living in Tokyo. Also beautiful writing, a new author I would love to read more of.

Favourite Book To Screen Adaptation You Saw This Year?

The Handmaid’s Tale

Favourite Review You’ve Written This Year?

Favourite and hardest review to write this year…. Swipe Right for Murder by Derek Milman! I wanted to spoil and gush the entire review so it was so hard to keep it spoiler free! However, such an amazing opportunity to interview the author himself! So thankful to Jimmy Patterson books, the Nerd Daily and Derek himself for a great book, review, and experience!

Most Beautiful Book You Bought So Far This Year?

UK edition of Skyward by Brandon Sanderson! This book looks like literal magic… hopefully it lives up to the hype of such a talked about fantasy author.

What Books Do You Need To Read By The End of The Year?

• The Dark Half by Stephen King
• The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
• Blood Song by Anthony Ryan
• The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
• Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
• Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend

Have you read any of these books? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Holly’s Reads: Mid-2019 Book Freak Out Tag appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

A story filled with betrayal, suspense and lies, Isle of Blood and Stone is a new release you cannot pass up. This new young adult fantasy novel is set on the island of del Mar, where 18 years ago two young princes destined for the throne and many royal servants were killed in the forest of Javelin. A neighbouring island, Mondrago, was blamed for the murders, their king killed and their homes turned to dust all for revenge. Even 18 years after, the divide between Mondragans and del Marian’s is still at an all-time high, revealing prejudice throughout the novel.

In present day, Ulises is the newly crowned king and has the entire kingdom on his shoulders. Ulises knows he is a ruler of chance, that this opportunity would not be his if his family did not die 18 years ago. Not only is he a young king trying to figure out how to rule a kingdom, he has to juggle the still feuding rivalry between Mondrago and del Mar.

Then there’s Elias, a 19-year-old map maker, just returned from an adventure abroad. Elias’s father was one of the royal staff to be killed with Ulises’s brothers all those years ago.

Ulises and his best friend Elias, find two mysterious maps that could possibly prove that what happened in Javelin could all be a lie. But if it’s a lie, what actually happened? Why isn’t anyone talking about it? And who wanted to cover up the murders in the first place? Ulises, Elias and their friend Mercedes set off on an adventure to find out the truth about their families’ demise.

The setting gives off old Greek island vibes, making every reader wish they were alongside the characters exploring the isles and solving mysteries. However, it is not as fun as it seems with bandits, robbers and dangerous animals found within the borders, waiting for any opportunity to strike. Del Mar is an isle surrounded by other rivalry states and killer sea serpents, making the adventures of the main characters difficult to achieve without an abundance of danger surrounding them with every step.

Each character has been raised on del Mar, knowing the violent history and every royal subject that roam the halls. However, given the two maps and the lies they have been told, no one in the castle can be trusted.

The characters are courageous and don’t make any stupid decisions that land them in inevitable situations unlike the stereotypical YA tropes. Ulises is a mature character who loves his friends as if they are family, and depend on them because he has no one left, which makes him a selfless ruler who will stop at nothing to keep Elias and Mercedes safe. Elias is a map maker who explores the islands for a living, following in his late father’s footsteps. He is the Captain Jack Sparrow of YA, only dreamier and not as stupid! Mercedes never plays the damsel in distress role, she is a kick ass royal and doesn’t let either of the boys try to protect her, she can hold her own ground and does it gracefully and admirably. All three of these characters make this story incredibly enjoyable! The reader never knows who to trust and eventually starts questioning all the main characters’ intentions as well.

I could not find one thing wrong with this book. It has fast paced writing that keeps the reader engaged at every turn, plot twists that the reader won’t see coming, and adventure that brings out your inner explorer. Makiia Lucier can do no wrong, this is one series to be on the lookout for.

At the time of this article, there will be at least one more novel due to be released in 2019!

Will you be checking out Isle of Blood and Stone? Or perhaps you have already read it? Tell us in the comments below!

Goodreads Synopsis

Ulises asked, “How can I look at these maps, see this riddle, and do nothing? They are my brothers.” Elias reached across the table and flicked aside two shells with a fingertip. The map curled into itself. “It’s bound to be a goose chase. You know that?”

“Or a treasure hunt,” Ulises countered, “and you’ve always been good at those.”

Nineteen-year-old Elias is a royal explorer, a skilled mapmaker, and the new king of del Mar’s oldest friend. Soon he will embark on the adventure of a lifetime, an expedition past the Strait of Cain and into uncharted waters. Nothing stands in his way…until a long-ago tragedy creeps back into the light, threatening all he holds dear.

The people of St. John del Mar have never recovered from the loss of their boy princes, kidnapped eighteen years ago, both presumed dead. But when two maps surface, each bearing the same hidden riddle, troubling questions arise. What really happened to the young heirs? And why do the maps appear to be drawn by Lord Antoni, Elias’s father, who vanished on that same fateful day? With the king’s beautiful cousin by his side—whether he wants her there or not—Elias will race to solve the riddle of the princes. He will have to use his wits and guard his back. Because some truths are better left buried…and an unknown enemy stalks his every turn.

The post Review: Isle of Blood and Stone by Makiia Lucier appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

If you’re looking to be transported into a different era, Suitors and Sabotage will take you to 19th century London or Melissa De La Cruz’s new instalment focusing Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler is set in 1780 New York.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be checking any of them out!

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland | Goodreads

Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. Almost finished with her education, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home, but when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems.

Isle of Blood and Stone by Makiia Lucier | Goodreads

Nineteen-year-old Elias is a royal explorer, a skilled mapmaker, and the new king of del Mar’s oldest friend. Embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, nothing stands in his way…until a long-ago tragedy creeps back into the light. Two boy princes were kidnapped eighteen years ago and presumed dead, but when two maps surface, troubling questions arise. What really happened to the young heirs? And why do the maps appear to be drawn by Lord Antoni, Elias’s father, who vanished on that same fateful day? With the king’s beautiful cousin by his side-whether he wants her there or not-Elias will race to solve the riddle of the princes. 

Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey | Goodreads

Shy aspiring artist Imogene Chively has just had a successful Season in London, complete with a suitor of her father’s approval. Imogene is ambivalent about the young gentleman until he comes to visit her at the Chively estate with his younger brother in tow. When her interest is piqued, however, it is for the wrong brother. Charming Ben Steeple has a secret: despite being an architectural apprentice, he has no drawing aptitude. When Imogene offers to teach him, Ben is soon smitten by the young lady he considers his brother’s intended. But hiding their true feelings becomes the least of their problems when, after a series of “accidents,” it becomes apparent that someone means Ben harm.

Black Chuck by Regan McDonell | Goodreads

Psycho. Sick. Dangerous. Real Dufresne’s reputation precedes him. When the mangled body of his best friend, Shaun, turns up in a field just east of town, tough-as-hell Real blames himself. But except for the nightmares, all Re remembers is beating the living crap out of Shaun the night of his death. Shaun’s girlfriend, sixteen-year-old Evie Hawley, keeps her feelings locked up tight. But now she’s pregnant, and the father of her baby is dead. And when Real looks to her to atone for his sins, everything goes sideways. Fast. The tighter Evie and Real get, the faster things seem to fall apart. And falling in love might just be the card that knocks the whole house down.

Leah On The Offbeat by Becky Albertalli | Goodreads

Leah Burke—girl-band drummer, master of deadpan, and Simon Spier’s best friend from the award-winning Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda—takes center stage. Only her mom knows Leah is bisexual, she hasn’t mustered the courage to tell her friends—not even her openly gay BFF, Simon. So Leah really doesn’t know what to do when her rock-solid friend group starts to fracture in unexpected ways. With prom and college on the horizon, tensions are running high. It’s hard for Leah to strike the right note while the people she loves are fighting—especially when she realizes she might love one of them more than she ever intended.

Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody | Goodreads

Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne follows her mother’s trail to the city where no one survives uncorrupted. Her only lead is Levi Glaisyer—a street lord and a con man. Their search for clues leads them through glamorous casinos, illicit cabarets and into the clutches of a ruthless mafia donna. As Enne unearths an impossible secret about her past, Levi’s enemies catch up to them, ensnaring him in a vicious execution game where the players always lose. To save him, Enne will need to surrender herself to the city… And she’ll need to play.

Neverland by Margot McGovern | Goodreads

When she was twelve, Kit Learmonth watched her parents drown in a storm. Now seventeen, Kit doesn’t remember the incident, and her only clear memories from before her parents’ death are of the fantastical stories of pirates and mermaids that she and her dad invented about the small island where she grew up, a place she calls Neverland. Following Kit’s parents’ deaths, her uncle and guardian, Doc, transformed the island into a boarding school for mentally ill teenagers and sent Kit away to school on the mainland. But when Kit tries and fails to end her life, Doc brings her home to the island and places her in the care of his colleague, Dr Hannah Ward. Resisting her treatment, Kit instead pulls her friends deeper into her world of make-believe. It’s only when Kit and her new boyfriend, Rohan, take the fantasy too far and land themselves in very real danger that her faith in Neverland is shaken, and Kit must find a way back to reality.

Love & War by Melissa De La Cruz | Goodreads

1780. Albany, New York. As the war for American Independence carries on, two newlyweds are settling into their new adventure: marriage. But the honeymoon’s over, and Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler are learning firsthand just how tricky wedded life can be. Alex is still General George Washington’s right-hand man and his attention these days is nothing if not divided–much like the colonies’ interests as the end of the Revolution draws near. Alex & Eliza’s relationship is tested further by lingering jealousies and family drama.

Inferno by Julie Kagawa | Goodreads

What if dragons walked among us in human form? Enter a modern fantasy of heroes, sacrifice, forbidden love and enemies turned allies who have no choice but to fight side by side… Don’t miss the epic conclusion as Ember, Riley and Garrett face off against Dante and the Talon dragon clones. Join them…or burn.

The Summer of Broken Things by Margaret Peterson Haddix | Goodreads

Fourteen-year-old Avery Armisted is athletic, rich, and pretty. Sixteen-year-old Kayla Butts is known as “butt-girl” at school. The two girls were friends as little kids, but that’s ancient history now. So it’s a huge surprise when Avery’s father offers to bring Kayla along on a summer trip to Spain. Avery is horrified that her father thinks he can choose her friends—and make her miss soccer camp. Kayla struggles just to imagine leaving the confines of her small town. But in Spain, the two uncover a secret their families had hidden from both of them their entire lives. Maybe the girls can put aside their differences and work through it together. Or maybe the lies and betrayal will only push them—and their families—farther apart.

White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig | Goodreads

Rufus Holt is having the worst night of his life. It begins with the reappearance of his ex-boyfriend, Sebastian—the guy who stomped his heart out like a spent cigarette. Just as Rufus is getting ready to move on, Sebastian turns up out of the blue, saying they need to “talk.” But then Rufus gets a call from his sister April, begging for help. And then he and Sebastian find her, drenched in blood and holding a knife, beside the dead body of her boyfriend, Fox Whitney. April swears she didn’t kill Fox—but Rufus knows her too well to believe she’s telling him the whole truth. April has something he needs, though, and her price is his help. Now, with no one to trust but the boy he wants to hate yet can’t stop loving, Rufus has one night to prove his sister’s innocence…or die trying.

Lifeline by Abbey Lee Nash | Goodreads

Popular high school senior Eli Ross has the perfect life. He’s captain of the lacrosse team at LionsHeart Academy, and he’s dating Savannah, the hottest, most popular girl at school. But that life comes crashing down when he overdoses at a party and is sent to LakeShore Recovery Center, an inpatient substance abuse treatment program where he’ll spend the next twenty-eight days. It’s there that Eli meets Libby, the sharp-edged artist, whose freshly tattooed scars mirror the emotional scars Eli tries his best to ignore. Eli soon learns that if he’s to have any chance at a future, he’ll first have to confront his past.

Discover more April releases on our Goodreads list!

Any other April YA books you’re excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

The post April Book Releases: Young Adult appeared first on The Nerd Daily.