Crier’s War is set in a world where Automae have overthrown their human Makers and now rule over humans. In the kingdom of Zulla, there once was a queen called Thea. She could not bear children, so she founded the Royal Academy of Makers, and commissioned them to build her a child, one that would resemble a human in every way. This was a request thought to be impossible, until a Maker called Thomas Wren created Kiera, the first Automa. She was Designed with two human pillars: Intellect and Organics, and two Automa pillars: Calculation and Reason. Suddenly having a pet Automa became all the rage amongst the nobility. However, situations led to a vicious war between humans and Automae, and the Automae emerged victorious. They rose to power and practically enslaved humans.

Crier is the Made daughter of the present king Hesod. A possible flaw in her prevents her from abhorring humans the way the rest of her Kind does. Ayla is a human girl who has had everything taken from her by the Automae. All her life she’s prepared to avenge the deaths of her family, so when Ayla is offered a job as Crier’s handmaiden, she decides assassinating Crier would be the best way to utterly wreck Hesod. But as time goes by, her resolve weakens and something impossible and tender blooms between Crier and Ayla instead, something none of them can put a name to.

Nina Varela’s writing has something raw about it as her words pull you in like a siren’s call. She gives her two protagonists decidedly contradictory voices and yet entwines them so completely that they complement each other, whilst doing both of them justice. Her prose is rich and beautiful to the point of flowery at times, but that never conflicts with the fast pacing of the story.

Crier’s War is intense from the very first page and always keeps you on your toes; you keep expecting the worst and yet the plot twists manage to mess you up thoroughly. With political intrigue, the manipulations and twisted deceptions among those in power, and amidst it all, the beginnings of a revolution. This is a story that will keep you hooked from the beginning to the end. Varela provides you with enough information to keep you guessing what happens next, only to prove you wrong every time with a sudden turn of events.

Crier and Ayla were incredible together, and this is for sure one of the best enemies to lovers stories I’ve come across to date. It was very refreshing to read about a forbidden romance where the ‘forbidden’ bit has nothing to do with the fact that the lovers are queer. The angsty slowburn was painfully good, and I definitely look forward to seeing more of those two. Both of them were fantastic as individual characters too. Their journeys throughout the book were the exact opposites of each other: Crier is an idealist, she is scholarly, compassionate and so, so naive. Meanwhile, Ayla is fierce, calculating, and driven by vengeance. As the story progresses, Crier gradually wakes up to the full extent of the horrors of her world, and spending time with Crier makes Ayla believe that there might still be some good left in the world after all. Their separate paths lead them to meet halfway that’s very gratifying to watch, and their clashing personalities guarantee an interesting dynamic.

One of the things that made the book really stand out was the way Varela handled and blended some serious themes and issues, like oppression, colonisation, privilege, and appropriating a culture, without the tone ever being preachy. Crier’s War also discusses time and again what it really means to be human, and that aspect was immensely satisfying to me as a reader.

However, Crier’s War did stumble at places. The setup wasn’t the most original to begin with. There was very little worldbuilding, and the sole focus on the two leads rendered most of the side characters one-dimensional and forgettable.

That being said, none of those things actually interfere with your enjoyment of the book. Crier’s War is a gripping, marvellous, emotional rollercoaster of a book that you’d want to revisit again and again. It makes me really happy that the YA audience now gets to read an ownvoices f/f story this good and see themselves represented. On that note, I’ll leave you with these words from the author herself, from the Acknowledgements section of the book:

“To the queer readers… Some people will try to tell you your story doesn’t matter. That is the biggest lie you will ever hear. Reader, everything you feel and experience and create is vital to this world. Never sit down; never shut up. Nobody else wants to write about us, so: screw it. We’ll do it ourselves. We will write ourselves into every genre. We will make it impossible for anyone to pretend we don’t exist.”

Crier’s War is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Will you be picking up Crier’s War? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Impossible love between two girls —one human, one Made.
A love that could birth a revolution.

After the War of Kinds ravaged the kingdom of Rabu, the Automae, Designed to be the playthings of royals, took over the estates of their owners and bent the human race to their will.

Now, Ayla, a human servant rising the ranks at the House of the Sovereign, dreams of avenging the death of her family… by killing the Sovereign’s daughter, Lady Crier. Crier, who was Made to be beautiful, to be flawless. And to take over the work of her father.

Crier had been preparing to do just that—to inherit her father’s rule over the land. But that was before she was betrothed to Scyre Kinok, who seems to have a thousand secrets. That was before she discovered her father isn’t as benevolent as she thought. That was before she met Ayla.

Set in a richly-imagined fantasy world, Nina Varela’s debut novel is a sweepingly romantic tale of love, loss and revenge, that challenges what it really means to be human.

The post Review: Crier’s War by Nina Varela appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We’re excited to bring you the list of our most anticipated debut releases for this month! First thing first, there are a lot of debut releases this month, so you can imagine how hard it is to narrow it down into these 16 titles! Regardless, we hope you find something to be added from this list to your overflowing TBR.

I Hope You Get This Message by Farah Naz Rishi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When the news about Earth that might end in seven days spread, the paths of three high-schoolers crossed each other. Struggling with each of their own problems, getting to know one another while trying to survive the end of the world might not what they were expected to do during their last week on Earth.

Tarnished Are the Stars by Rosiee Thor
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Three strangers must overcome their differences in the game of lies and twists and work together to put an end to a deadly epidemic in this queer #OwnVoices science-fantasy novel from debut author, Rosiee Thor.

The Light at the Bottom of the World by London Shah
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At the end of the twenty-first century, life continues one thousand feet below the ocean’s surface after an asteroid hit the Earth. When her father captured by the authority with vague reasoning, Leyla McQueen realized that she will risk everything to bring her father back, including joining a deadly sub-race or getting out of London illegally and explore the wild ocean for the very first time.

Shadow Frost by Coco Ma
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Going on a demon hunt to protect her kingdom, Asterin never imagined that she will unearth a plot to assassinate herself, The Princess, instead. Asterin and her companions begin to wonder how much of their lives have been lies, especially when they realize that the center of the web of deceit might very well be themselves.

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A River of Royal Blood is an enthralling debut set in a lush North African inspired fantasy world that subtly but powerfully challenges our notions of power, history, and identity.

Crier’s War by Nina Varela
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An impossible love between two girls—one human, one Made—whose romance could be the beginning of a revolution in this epic fantasy duology from debut author, Nina Varela.

The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis
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Following the escape trip of five enslaved girls in their journey of finding freedom in the vicious land of Arketta, where people divided into ones with shadow and ones without one and demonic creatures and spirits wandered around.

The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy
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In the city of Craewick, memories are the currency, citizens are divided by ability, and Gifted individuals can take memories from others through touch as they please. Trying to save her threatened mother, Etta will do whatever it takes, even if it means rejoining the rebel group she swore off in the wake of the accident years earlier and steal a map of prison created by the bloodthirsty ruler of a neighboring Realm.

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When two childhood friends grow up together and the war is just over the edge, they must choose between the families they were born into or the one that they founded in each other.

Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Gravemaidens is the start of a fierce fantasy duology about three maidens who are chosen for their land’s greatest honor…and one girl determined to save her sister from the grave.

The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Epic, funny, and sweepingly romantic, The Last True Poets of the Sea is an astonishing debut about a missing piece of family history,  weathering the storms of life, and the strength it takes to swim up from a wreck.

The Library Of The Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren’t finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In a community that isn’t always understanding, an HIV-positive teen must navigate fear, disclosure, and radical self-acceptance when she falls in love–and lust–for the first time.

Michigan vs. the Boys by Carrie S. Allen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Michigan Manning lives and breathes hockey and her future depends on it, but when the girl’s team dismissed due to the budget cut, she was determined to find a way to keep playing, even if it means joining the boy’s team. Facing a culture of toxic masculinity, Michigan must weigh the consequences of speaking up – even if it means putting her future on the line.

Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart
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Relatable, heartbreaking, and real, this is a story of Ava Lee who has lost everything there is to lose: Her parents. Her best friend. Her home. Even her face. But when Ava meets a fellow survivor named Piper, she begins to feel like maybe she doesn’t have to face the nightmare alone.

The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Darcy Wells has spent most of her time living in the worlds of her books. But when her only home suddenly hangs in the balance and her mother’s compulsive shopping habit pressure her even more, Asher Fleet, a former teen pilot with an unexpectedly shattered future, walks into the bookstore where she works… and straight into her heart.

Will you be checking out any of these debut authors? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 16 Debut Authors To Check Out In October 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Beyond the Black Door is a young adult dark fantasy about unlocking the mysteries around and within us―no matter the cost …

The Throne of the Five Winds by S.C. Emmett
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Two queens, two concubines, six princes. Innumerable hidden agendas. Yala, lady-in-waiting to the princess of a vanquished kingdom, must navigate their captors’ treacherous imperial court.

Crier’s War by Nina Varela
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From debut author Nina Varela comes the first book in an Own Voices, richly imagined epic fantasy duology about an impossible love between two girls—one human, one Made—whose romance could be the beginning of a revolution.

The Secret Commonwealth (The Book of Dust #2) by Philip Pullman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Return to the parallel world of His Dark Materials in the second volume of Philip Pullman’s new bestselling masterwork The Book of Dust, and discover what comes next for Lyra.

Salvaged by Madeleine Roux
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In this dark science fiction thriller, a young woman must confront her past so the human race will have a future. A woman on the run. A captain adrift in space. One of them is infected with an alien parasite…

The Vagabond King by Jodie Bond
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In a land where immortality can be bought, cruelty thrives… Exiled and alone, Threon is torn from a life in the palace to scrape a living on the streets of a foreign land. Once a prince whose every whim was obliged, now this vagabond must adapt to survive. Throwing his lot in with a witch, a rebel soldier and a woman touched by a god, he seeks retribution for the wrongs committed against his family.

The End and Other Beginnings: Stories from the Future by Veronica Roth
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Bestselling Divergent and Carve the Mark author Veronica Roth delivers a stunning collection of novella-length stories set in the future, illustrated with startling black-and-white artwork.

The Library Of The Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren’t finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.

Escaping Exodus by Nicky Drayden
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Compton Crook award–winning author of The Prey of Gods and Temper returns with a dazzling stand-alone novel, set in deep space, in which the fate of humanity rests on the slender shoulders of an idealistic and untested young woman—a blend of science fiction, dark humor, and magical realism that will appeal to fans of Charlie Jane Anders, Jeff VanderMeer, and Nnedi Okorafor.

The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the city of Craewick, memories reign. The power-obsessed ruler of the city, Madame, has cultivated a society in which memories are currency, citizens are divided by ability, and Gifted individuals can take memories from others through touch as they please.

The Black Hawks by David Wragg
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Dark, thrilling, and hilarious, The Black Hawks is an epic adventure perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie and Scott Lynch.

How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse is a feminist reimagining of familiar fairytale tropes and a story of resistance and self-determination—how small acts of rebellion can lead a princess to not just save herself, but change the course of history. First in a duology that reimagines fairy tale tropes within a space opera—The Princess Bride meets Princess Leia.

Will you be picking up any of these books? Tell us in the comments below!

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