The Second Guard
By J. D. VaughnAn enjoyable, magic-less fantasy that nicely balances worldbuilding, character development, and action.
An enjoyable, magic-less fantasy that nicely balances worldbuilding, character development, and action.
Adelaide is a countess used to getting anything she wants, but she is tired of all the comfort and luxury. So she poses as a servant to escape and start a life in the new world by going to the glittering court. It was designed to transform impoverished young women into the upper class so they can gain powerful and wealthy marriages in the colonies across the sea. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from everyone but the son of the man who created the court, who is a hiding a dangerous secret of his own.
When Kit is mistaken for an infamous highwayman who happens to be his master, he is catapulted into a world of magic and wonders. Bound by magical law, he must complete his former master’s quest to rescue a fairy princess from an arranged marriage. His task is not easy, he must contend with the feisty princess, attacks by goblings, and a map that shows his destiny as a man hanged on the gallows.
Alex has been forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the kings’ army. Her quick wit and fierce sword fighting skills have landed her a revered spot on the prince’s guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the castle, she can’t stop him from kidnapping her, another guard, and the prince, taking them deep into the jungle and hostile enemy territory.
Luna is the kingdom’s lost princess, her survival depends on the world believing she is dead. Her parents were murdered seventeen years ago by a greedy chancellor so he could steal the throne during the chaos of an eclipse that cloaked the kingdom in permanent darkness. But she wants more, and when she meets a mysterious archer, she is drawn to him despite the terrible risk. When her tower is attacked by knights of the chancellor, they escape together. But this world of darkness is more dangerous than she ever realized.
To unify the discontent of the people, a nobleman of the court brings together four orphans in his plan to find an impersonator of the king’s lost son. They must compete fiercely for the role, they face certain death if not chosen. Sage, one of the boys, can see that the nobleman’s plan is suspicious, but he must be chosen, he has his own agenda as well.
"I've always been a monster," begins the jacket flap of Drift & Dagger. Mal keeps that a secret, though. More openly, he's something of a cross between a pirate, thief, smuggler, archeologist, and bounty hunter. He is a world-traveling adventurer who specializes in acquiring and selling magical artifacts, often through underhanded means. He frequents ports and bazaars, black markets and bars, dense slums and dense jungles and everything in between.
Seraphina is half-dragon, and in a kingdom of deep mistrust between humans and dragons despite the peace treaty, she is in constant danger as a musician of the royal court. But when a member of the royal family is murdered and all clues points to the dragons, she discovers, along with the prince and a guard, hints of a plot to destroy the already fragile peace.
This is one of the most unique dragon books you'll ever read. This book was so lovely and charming. I loved the characters and the world building, the story was touching and the main character relatable and believable.
Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood. There are the Red Bloods and the Silver Bloods. Red Bloods have a hard life, they live in villages with very little money. Silver Bloods, on the other hand, are royal and live up in the palace; ruling the Reds. Mare is Red, with little money and no job. When her friend, Kilorn gets assigned a place in the war, Mare does everything she can to help, even finding herself in the Silver world. She finds out she is an unusual Red, because she can do things only Silvers can do. Find out more by reading this exciting book!
Bitterblue is the queen of Monsea. Her kingdom has finally escaped the terrible reign of her father, a violent psychopath able to control minds. But his influence has had lasting effects on the hearts and minds of the people. Her advisors plan to pardon everyone who worked for the former king, and forget every bad thing that happened. Monsea's past has become shrouded in mystery, and only once Bitterblue begins sneaking out of the castle at night does she begin to learn the truth.