High Fantasy – Page 4 – Talk Nerdy Book Blog

May 18, 2020

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Series: The Hundredth Queen

Release Date: June 1, 2017

Synopsis:

He wanted a warrior queen. He got a revolutionary.

As an orphan ward of the Sisterhood, eighteen-year-old Kalinda is destined for nothing more than a life of seclusion and prayer. Plagued by fevers, she’s an unlikely candidate for even a servant’s position, let alone a courtesan or wife. Her sole dream is to continue living in peace in the Sisterhood’s mountain temple.

But a visit from the tyrant Rajah Tarek disrupts Kalinda’s life. Within hours, she is ripped from the comfort of her home, set on a desert trek, and ordered to fight for her place among the rajah’s ninety-nine wives and numerous courtesans. Her only solace comes in the company of her guard, the stoic but kind Captain Deven Naik.

Faced with the danger of a tournament to the death—and her growing affection for Deven—Kalinda has only one hope for escape, and it lies in an arcane, forbidden power buried within her.

Ending

 HFN

Representation

• BIPOC main, supporting and side characters

Possible Triggers: Yes

 • Allusions to rape and sexual assault
• Violence
• Discussions of incest (no incest actually happens)

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No OW/OM
• Does have the Hero pushing away
• Does have a brief separation between the Heroine and Hero
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: Kindle Unlimited

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

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Tantalizing Yet Disappointing: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

By Sarah

In 3-stars, Book Review

April 15, 2020

T

Series: The Young Elites

Release Date: October 7, 2014

Synopsis:

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumoured to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

Ending

 Cliffhanger

Representation

• Asian Author
• BIPOC supporting characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• Disabilities
– Partially blind main character

Possible Triggers: Yes

• Violence (including, torture, abuse and murder)
• Domestic abuse
• Heroine was emotionally, psychologically and physically abused by her father, while her sister was showed in love
• Death (including, death of a past lover)

Mature Themes

• Allusions to sex (including, in the context of an escort service)
• The Hero is grieving the death of his fiancée
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: Kindle

Rating: 3/5 stars

(more…)

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Thrilling and Introspective: We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

July 25, 2019

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Series: Sands of Arawiya

Release Date: May 14, 2019

Synopsis:

People lived because she killed.
People died because he lived.

Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the king. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways.

Both are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be.

War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the king on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds—and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.

Ending

 HFN

Representation

• BIPOC main and supporting characters

Possible Triggers: Yes

• Death
• Violence
• Abuse
• Emotional torture

Mature Themes

• The Hero is dealing with the emotional and psychological torture of having his past love interest punished for loving (and being kind) to him by his father
• The Heroine’s best friend is in love with her, and she’s considering taking it further
• The Heroine is haunted by the death of her father
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: Hardcover

Rating: 4/5 stars

(more…)

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The Gladiator’s Downfall by Kristen Banet

By Sarah

In 5-stars, Book Review

February 13, 2019

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Series: Age of the Andinna

Release Date: December 14, 2018

Synopsis

Mave knows where she stands in life.

She’s an Andinna. A member of the winged, horned, and tailed warrior race that the Elvasi Empire defeated in the Hundred Year War and then enslaved. She’s a slave, and has been one for a thousand years, the personal property of the Empress of the Elvasi Empire, since the end of the War. She’s a gladiator, thrown onto the sands of the Colosseum to die, though it backfired on those who wanted her dead. She’s the Champion of the Colosseum, and has been for roughly nine hundred years.

All of these things have marked her as an outcast among her own people. Hated, distrusted, and despised, she knows the name of her people, but not much else.

But she knows where she stands. Keeping her head down and her blades sharp has carried her this far, and she refuses to acknowledge the deepest wishes she holds in her heart. Those will only get her killed.

Alone, she’s stood against everything they have ever thrown at her, refusing to give them what they want.

What Mave doesn’t know is that it’s all about to change.

The Gladiator’s Downfall is a 129,000+, full-length novel.
Age of the Andinna is a reverse harem epic fantasy series. The female lead will collect her lovers as the series progresses.
There is triggering content in this series including but not limited to: abuse, violence, mature language, and sexual content. It’s recommended for mature audiences.

Ending

 HFN

Representation

• Gay supporting characters
• Bisexual side characters
• MM side romance

Possible Triggers: Yes

• Violence
• Physical, emotional and psychological abuse
• Slavery
• Allusions to rape (In the Heroine’s past and present. But, in the present, it’s off-page.)

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does Not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: Kindle

Rating: 5/5 stars

(more…)

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Power of Five by Alex Lidell

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

June 21, 2018

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Series: Power of Five

Release Date: May 4, 2018

Synopsis

Four elite fae warriors. One mortal female. A magical bond they can’t allow—or resist.

Orphaned and sold to a harsh master, Lera’s life is about mucking stalls, avoiding her master’s advances, and steering clear of the mystical forest separating the mortal and fae worlds. Only fools venture into the immortal realms, and only dark rumors come out… Until four powerful fae warriors appear at Lera’s barn.

River, Coal, Tye, and Shade have waited a decade for their new fifth to be chosen, the wounds from their quint brother’s loss still raw. But the magic has played a cruel trick, bonding the four immortal warriors to… a female. A mortal female.

Distractingly beautiful and dangerously frail, Lera can only be one thing—a mistake. Yet as the males bring Lera back to the fae lands to sever the bond, they discover that she holds more power over their souls than is safe for anyone… especially for Lera herself.
Power of Five is a full-length reverse-harem fantasy novel.

Ending

 HFN

Representation

• wlw side characters

Possible Triggers: Yes

• Heroine was a servant before the Heroes found her
• Heroine was abused by her owner
• One of the Heroes was tortured and raped during captivity

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Heroes and Heroine pushing away
• Does not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: Kindle

Rating: 4/5 stars

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Wings of the Walker (The Walker, #1) by CoraLee June

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

February 15, 2018

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Series: The Walker

Release Date: December 15, 2017

Synopsis:

Josiah Stonewell dug his hands into the filthiest parts of my soul and molded a perfect little Walker. I don’t know the exact moment I fell in love with him, but I do know that if anyone found out about our lingering stares, it would end his political career.

Josiah’s unexpected engagement has me squinting down the barrel of heartbreak, and to make matters worse; I find myself traded to Cyler Black and his leadership council in a distant Providence.

Soon, Cyler and his team of passionate leaders start to feel like family, and I’m promised freedoms I never imagined were possible; But Josiah’s not through with me yet, and war is on the horizon. Can I find happiness in my new home? Or will Josiah finally choose me?

This is a slow-burn reverse harem romance and the first book in the series.

Ending

 HFN

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• Indentured servitude
• Fatal virus
• Death
• Abduction

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• Does have OW/OM
– Heroine is in love with her childhood best friend (and, now, owner)
– One of the Hero’s has an ex-lover who he’s still in contact with
– The sister of one of the Heroes is (unrequited-ly) in love with one of the Heroes
• Does have the Heroes and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a separation between the Heroes and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

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Chosen (The Warrior Chronicles, #1) by K.F. Breene

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

December 28, 2017

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Series: The Warrior Chronicles

Release Date: July 1st, 2014

Synopsis:

It is said that when war threatens the world, one individual will be selected by prophecy to lead the Shadow Warriors out of the Land of Mist and reclaim the freedom which has been stolen.

Shanti has grown up under the constant threat of war. Since she helped her people defeat a raiding party by using a special power, she’s been a hunted woman. Carrying rare abilities and an uncanny fighting aptitude, Shanti is the only hope of salvation for her people. The problem is, she doesn’t believe in her own divinity, and when she flounders, she nearly fails in the duty hanging so heavy on her shoulders.

It seems like any other day when Sanders and his band of misfit boys find a foreign woman clinging to life in the wastelands. Oblivious to the weapon they now have in their possession, they are content to harbor the mysterious woman until she is well enough to continue her journey. But when the war spreads its arms and lands on her borrowed doorstep, Shanti has no choice but to reveal her secrets, plunging her saviors into danger.

If they band with her, they will face certain death. But to trade her to Xandre, the warlord desperate to add her to his war machine, would be to give up their entire way of life.

Ending

  Cliffhanger

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• PTSD
• Murder of the Heroine’s village and family (including her husband)
• Grief
• Violence
• Allusions to torture and rape

Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

• No cheating
• Does have descriptive sex scene with OW
– The Heroine walks in on the Hero and OW, so the reader doesn’t “see” all of it.
• Does have OM drama
– The Hero makes it so the Heroine can’t pursue the OM though (double standards)
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

(more…)

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The Last Namsara (Iskari, #1) by Kristen Ciccarelli

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

November 9, 2017

T

Series: Iskari

Release Date: October 3rd, 2017

Synopsis:

In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be darkness—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death-bringer.

These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.

Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.

Ending

• Plot: Cliffhanger
• Couple: HFN

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters (No definitive descriptions of non-white people)
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• PTSD
• Murder
• Violence (Blood and gore)
• Allusions to sexual assault
• Domestic abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Slavery

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• Does have brief OW drama
– The Heroine reads more into the Hero’s interaction with an OW and gets jealous.
– The Hero is never into the OW.
• Does have OM drama
– The Heroine is engaged to the OM
– The Hero is a slave to the OM
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a brief separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4/5

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Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, #1) by Tricia Levenseller

By Sarah

In 3-stars, Book Review

October 26, 2017

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Series: The Daughter of the Pirate King

Release Date: February 28th, 2017

Synopsis:

There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I’ve gotten what I came for.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

Ending

 HFN

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• Violence
• (Attempted) Murder
• Casual attitude towards death
• Torture (Off-page: Heroine’s “training” from her father included torture)
• No OTT sad parts

Mature Themes

• Sexual references
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

(more…)

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Feather’s That Bind (Harper’s Destiny, #1) by L.A. Kirk

By Sarah

In 2-stars, Book Review

October 19, 2017

F

Series: Harper’s Destiny

Release Date: July 11th, 2017

Synopsis:

The neighbouring kingdom of Greenwood is threatening war if Princess Harper doesn’t marry their Prince Landon, a childhood friend.

After years apart, the prince is not the man she remembers. His cold demeanour quickly drives a wedge between them. But when a legend comes to life and offers three sacred feathers for three destined husbands, Princess Harper’s future is thrown into chaos.

With the threat of war on the horizon and a traitor within the Greenwood royal family, Harper will have to overcome the schemes standing in her path and forge new bonds with three men destined to be hers.

Ending

  Cliffhanger

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• No OTT sad parts
• No abuse

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• Does have one of the Heroes and Heroine pushing away
• Does not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 2/5 stars

(more…)

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TagHigh Fantasy

Fantastical Yet Tropey: The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King

Tantalizing Yet Disappointing: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Thrilling and Introspective: We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

The Gladiator’s Downfall by Kristen Banet

Power of Five by Alex Lidell

Wings of the Walker (The Walker, #1) by CoraLee June

Chosen (The Warrior Chronicles, #1) by K.F. Breene

The Last Namsara (Iskari, #1) by Kristen Ciccarelli

Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, #1) by Tricia Levenseller

Feather’s That Bind (Harper’s Destiny, #1) by L.A. Kirk

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TagHigh Fantasy

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