Do you love fantasy, but hate waiting for the next book in a series? I do, too! These three stunning fantasy duologies are finished, so no waiting required. Plus, they’re all faves of mine.
For the next time you want an engrossing read without a big commitment, check out one of these duologies.
Raybearer and Redemptor
Raybearer Book Review:
Wow! This fantasy debut is stunning!
Tarisai was born for one purpose: to kill the Emperor-to-be, Prince Dayo. But first, she must love him. Only one of the Emperor’s eleven council members has the ability to harm him. So she’s sent to the Children’s Palace as a candidate for the council. Dayo loves her right away, but Tarisai refuses to be anointed a council member, afraid of her mother’s power over her. She thinks it’s the only way to save Dayo. Until the day she finally agrees to join, setting in motion forces beyond her control.
The world is a richly woven tapestry that transports you to another place and time. The magic is enchanting, with each council member bound to their prince through The Ray, a magic of light that brings them so close they can hear each other’s thoughts and makes them sick if they spend too much time apart.
I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book that portrayed love between friends as well as this one. The genuine care and companionship between the the council is beautiful to behold. Some characters also had romantic feelings for each other, but this story is unique in the depth of its friendships.
The story also tackled tough issues, such as what happens when a society sacrifices some of its citizens for the comfort of others. Tarisai and others also have to fight for their place in the world and to have their power fully recognized simply because they are women.
This book was captivating. The second one in the series just became a must buy for me.
Where Dreams Descend and When Night Breaks
Where Dreams Descend Book Review:
I’ve been looking forward to this book for so long, and it didn’t disappoint.
First of all, this book is gorgeous. From the cover to the prose to the magical world, the extravagance of the book takes over.
This book was described as a modern Phantom of the Opera, and I got major Phantom of the Opera vibes in places, especially when Jack – the magician who would be the Phantom in this retelling – keeps appearing in mirrors. But the book is so much more than just a retelling. The magic system is spectacular, and the mysterious ruined city divided into four Houses represented by suites of cards hints at so much more backstory that I hope the author will explore in the second book.
When Kallia learns that her employer and closest friend – the master magician known as Jack and the owner of Hellfire House, the club where she works – has been lying to her and messing with her mind, she escapes.
She’s grown up in isolated Hellfire House and knows nothing of the outside world, except that the nearest city, the ruined Glorian, is opening its doors for a competition for magicians. And thanks to Jack’s training, Kallia’s a magician who can compete with the best.
But everyone has secrets – Jack, Kallia, her new mysterious and sexy mentor, even the city itself. And someone seems willing to bring down the competition at any cost, making the body count rise.
Kallia is independent and headstrong, but finds herself drawn to the mysterious Demarcos, who’s there to judge the competition. There’s sexual tension between them almost immediately, so of course he’s picked to be her mentor. But Jack, who can conjure a version of himself through mirrors, keeps showing up and ruining the moment.
This book ends on a major cliffhanger, which I didn’t mind because of the reveals along the way. I’ve fallen in love with this world and these characters. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends
These Violent Delights Book Review:
This is the Romeo and Juliette retelling you can’t live without. I screamed out loud when it ended because I’ll have to wait for the next book to spend more time with these characters.
In 1920’s Shanghai, Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov are heirs of rival gangs and bitter enemies – despite the fact that they were once lovers. But when a new madness strikes the city, it targets members of the Scarlet and White Flower gangs alike. With leads to follow in both gang’s territory, Juliette and Roma are forced to work together to save their people and their city.
The setting glitters brightly in this book. From Juliette’s flapper dresses to the tea houses and clubs where the gangs do their business, you’ll feel like you’re navigating the streets of historic Shanghai yourself.
Juliette is prickly, quick with a knife and beautiful. Roma is more pensive and interested in science and research. And the spark between them is pure dynamite.
Whether you’re Team White Flower or Scarlet, this book will pull you into their world.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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