Tag: Fantasy

Did book two live up to the magic of book one?

I just finished book two of Tomi Adeyemi’s series—she’s a local San Diego author, which makes me extra happy to support her work. Magic is back in Orïsha, and nothing is better. The magic system continues to be excellent, the world building is immersive, and the book cover? Absolutely stunning.

Zélie and Amari are at odds about how best to protect Orïsha and the maji, and their conflict is at the heart of the story. From page one, the action takes off and rarely lets up—there’s hardly a moment to catch your breath.

That said, I have a couple of nitpicks. I wanted more clarity around Zélie’s inner motivations, especially why she’s so resistant to peace. Her emotional arc felt a little underdeveloped in places. But the story is still gripping, and the surprise ending definitely left me wondering what’s next.

You are not your mistakes. Do not let one moment define or destroy you. The gods work in mysterious ways. Have faith in their greater plan.

Will I read book three? Likely yes. I’m invested enough in these characters to want to see where their story goes next. A solid fantasy read.

What is Anna Writing?

I’m loving being back in Kashgar with some of my favorite characters. Writing Book 2 of the Prophesied Prince Trilogy has been both a challenge and a joy—especially walking alongside Sugandha. I’m not making her life easier (she wouldn’t let me!), but I need to make sure she’s ready for what’s coming. And trust me, what’s coming will change everything.

Secrets buried in silence. Loyalties tested by blood. As Sugandha searches for answers about who she truly is, she finds herself entangled in a world where every truth has its price.

If you’ve read Child of the River, you’ve only glimpsed the surface. The next book delves deeper—into hidden pasts, shifting identities, and a power that refuses to be forgotten.

Get ready to lose yourself again. Coming in 2026.

Stuff Your Kindle with Fantasy

Mark your calendar for Stuff Your Kindle with Fantasy—a one-day event on June 14 where you can grab incredible fantasy reads for just $0.99 each!

📚 Child of the River, the first book in my Prophesied Prince series, will be featured under the Medieval Fantasy category on StuffWithFantasy.com.

In Child of the River, Prince Atul arrives in the kingdom of Kashgar seeking vengeance for the Malla envoys, whose mission ended in slaughter. But his path takes an unexpected turn when the river whispers the name of a girl—Sugandha—urging him to find and protect her. A girl he didn’t know existed. A girl he doesn’t know how to find.

Start your journey into the world of Prophesied Prince and fill your Kindle with magic, mystery, and unforgettable characters this June 14!

https://stuffwithfantasy.com

Go read this series

I just finished Speaking Bones, the final book in the Dandelion Dynasty series. Just—wow. How does a human mind dream up such a vast array of deeply human characters and build a magnificent world around them? I’m simply amazed.

Our beloved—and not-so-beloved—characters return for this series finale. Théra across the sea, Phyro, Fara, Savo, Jia, Timu in Dara—each faces challenges that threaten their lives and dreams. Ken Liu masterfully brings four books’ worth of intricate plots to a satisfying and powerful conclusion, even weaving one of the gods back into the story.

I love that the heroes are engineers, using skill and ingenuity to fight their battles. There are many philosophical threads too, especially on what makes a good ruler, but the true beating heart of this series is its characters.

There’s one character, introduced way back in book one, who emerges as the lynchpin of the entire saga. Their arc is incredible—full of doubts, certainties, triumphs, and heartbreak. Several scenes broke my heart, but the resilience of these characters kept me going.

This series is epic in every sense of the word and absolutely worth the time. Highly recommend!

Why did I wait so long?

I finally got around to reading my signed copy of Children of Blood and Bone—a treasure I picked up from my local bookstore, Mysterious Galaxy, during the pandemic—and I’m so glad I did.

The world building in this book is phenomenal. From the characters to the magic system to the lyrical names, everything is vivid and immersive. And the cover? Stunning. I appreciated it even more after reading the book and catching the subtle symbolism woven into its design.

I was especially fascinated to learn that some of the magical elements are inspired by Yoruba beliefs, including Ase, the divine energy force. What a beautiful way to be introduced to aspects of Nigerian culture and spirituality through fiction.

This is a powerful, heart-pounding start to a series, and I can’t wait to dive into the next book. Highly recommended for fans of richly imagined fantasy rooted in real-world mythologies.

Great start to 2025

I wish I could call this penultimate book “the storm before the calm,” but it’s so action-packed that I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

As I reached the final chapter, my stomach was in knots, filled with anticipation and dread for the characters I’ve grown to love. Liu’s storytelling continues to captivate, weaving intricate plots, intense action, and deeply emotional moments.

This book has set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable conclusion. It’s an exhilarating and nerve-wracking way to kick off my 2025 reading journey. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, this series is a must-read!

7 out of 5 rating

The Wall of Storms by Ken Liu deserves more than a 5-star rating—it’s an absolute masterpiece. While I loved The Grace of Kings, this sequel surpasses it in every way. The pacing is relentless from the first page and doesn’t let up, keeping you hooked until the very end.

The introduction of the emperor’s children and Zomi is handled brilliantly. Zomi’s mentor-apprentice relationship beautifully mirrors the Guru-Shishya dynamic in Indian culture, adding a rich, cultural layer to the story. The Lyucu’s introduction, told across two timelines, is seamlessly executed and adds depth to the narrative.

The battle scenes, especially the unforgettable Battle of Zuthin Gulf, are nothing short of epic. The characters—particularly the female ones like Jia, Thera, Komi, and Gin—are complex and compelling, while the intricate political intrigue and technological marvels enrich the story further. On top of all this, Liu introduces us to the awe-inspiring new world of Ukyu.

“If the young do not have radical ideas, the world will never change”

“Sentiment makes us fools, and yet, without sentiment, we would be little better than dumb instruments wielded by the gods in their incomprehensible games.”

This book is a triumph, surpassing The Grace of Kings in scope, intensity, and brilliance. If you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It’s a true masterpiece.

Book Review: The Hanging City

I previously read Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg and loved its cozy fantasy vibes, so I was excited to dive into The Hanging City by the same author. This story follows Lark, who seeks refuge in the Troll city of Lamar, and it’s a wonderfully immersive tale. The world-building is good, with rich descriptions of the culture, social hierarchy, and the fascinating underground world of the trolls.

Lark ends up living with Unach and her brother Azmar, and while their relationship begins with misunderstandings and mistrust, she eventually finds acceptance with them. Despite their differences, love blossoms between Lark and ****, adding a sweet layer to the story. However, the danger Lark fled from catches up to her, forcing her to confront her fears and wield a weapon she despises.

“The gods made the stars, and through them made creatures in pairs: the fette and aerolass to rule the air, the merdan and gullop to rule the sea, and the humans and trolls to rule the earth. And so we did, before the earth changed and ruled us instead. According to the stories, in the time before, humans dominated, despite trolls being larger and stronger. War-torn brutes. Angry. Animals. Merciless. In all the tales told at bedside and campfire, trolls are always the enemy.”

“I believe,” he begins softly, “that error, made in ignorance, is forgivable.”

The ending ties up beautifully for Lark, making this a satisfying read. I recommend The Hanging City for fans of romantic fantasy (romantasy). It’s a captivating blend of adventure, romance, and richly imagined world-building.

Short Review of an Epic Novel

This fantasy novel is not for the faint of heart. With hundreds of characters, a myriad of gods, and numerous kingdoms, you really need a supercomputer in your head to keep track of it all. It’s simply amazing how the author has crafted such a complex, rich, and magnificent world. I was able to focus on Kuni, Mata, and a handful of other characters, and that was enough for me to fully enjoy this incredible story. I particularly loved how it explores one of my favorite themes: what makes a good ruler. I’m looking forward to diving into the second book soon!

Audiobook Coming This November!

I have some thrilling news that I just couldn’t wait to share with you! The journey through the enchanting world of Child of the River is about to get even more immersive. I am excited to announce that the audiobook version, narrated by the incredible duo Nikita Mirpuri and Shawn Jain, is coming this November!

Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the release date. Thank you for being such a passionate part of my reader community!