REVIEW The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar

The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: June 6,  2023
Format: eBook (Personal Library) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Adiba Jaigirdar’s The Dos and Donuts of Love is a very sweet young adult contemporary sapphic romance, that captures both the unpredictable fun nature of reality TV shows and the realities of being a teenager growing up in a world of social media.  Shireen, the main character, is a Bengali teen living in Ireland and working at her parent’s donut shop. When the chance comes up to enter a baking competition and win some money to support her future, she jumps at the opportunity. However, things become very complicated when you throw in her ex also competing in the competition (cue love triangle). 

Shireen is a very relatable teenage character. She’s very flawed, and makes mistakes (which she later owns up to). I really appreciated how she had such a strong support system around her, and how they were very supportive of her identity. As someone who’s guilty of not always being aware of smaller regions/cultures in the world, I also want to acknowledge how Shireen very respectfully corrected people who assumed she was from India and took the opportunity to educate on the Bangladeshi culture.  

“You’re supposed to be the ‘bigger person’, and for some reason that means bearing it in silence.”

Social media can be a cruel place, and keyboard warriors are just jerks. The author did not shy away from difficult but relevant topics in this book (see the content warnings below for more specific details). After the first episode of the baking show airs, Shireen takes a lot of heat online (especially from racists and those who are fatphobicr). And when one of the judges of the show (Padma, who is also a woman of color and Shireen’s hero) tries to be a resource for her in dealing with that, it also makes things get worse. In her own words, “The thing is I don’t know what felt worse. The abusive tweets coming from strangers or the fact that nobody seemed to care about them. That even Niamh didn’t seem to care about them.”

Last but certainly not least, all of the food references in this show made me hungry. I loved how descriptive the author got with all of the flavors in each dish. I also appreciated the acknowledgement that different cultures can have their own way of making something. Shireen using her Ammu’s recipe was another way of acknowledging her culture and heritage, and I was so excited as a reader to see that. It was reminiscent of my own grandmother passing down her recipes to the family, or how my own family came together to gift my older sister various family recipes ahead of her wedding.  

Overall, this was a great read. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy The Great British Bake Off, young adult contemporary stories, and sapphic romances. While this is my first book by Adiba, I’m definitely hoping to read more in the future. 

Thank you to @guccinary97, @Tearexanne, and @24hryabookblog for making this such a fun buddy read for me. Looking forward to reading The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker with you next!

Content Warnings:  Fatphobia, colorism, anti-Asian social media post directly discussed on page, racism

REVIEW Celestial Monsters (The Sunbearer Duology #2) by Aiden Thomas

Celestial Monsters (The Sunbearer Duology #2) by Aiden Thomas

Rating: 4 Stars

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Format: eBook (Personal Library) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

 “He cursed the universe for giving him the ability to talk to birds but not boys”

Aiden Thomas’ second book in The Sunbearer Trials duology, Celestial Monsters, was an amazing sequel filled with fantasy adventure, found family and even a bit of romance. After the failed sacrifice at the end of the last book, the Obsidians have been released and it’s up to Teo and his friends Niya and Aurelio to get the sun stone back before it’s too late. 

The characters were quite compelling, and it played well with the overarching storyline and themes. Xio was the catalyst for the Obsidians being released, but they are quite conflicted. They always wanted to find somewhere where they belonged, but realized too late that their ‘birth’ family might not be the answer to that dilemma. Teo refused to fill the same role that so many Sunbearers in the past had, acknowledging his ‘mistake’ and called out the Golds and Jades for allowing so many semidioses to lose their lives when it wasn’t necessary. They both were underestimated by those around them, but it ultimately ends up working in their favor. Without spoilers, I liked how some of the major players in this conflict were not the most flashy or the most powerful (on paper), but rather silent and strong figures content to be background players until their intervention was necessary. 

The representation in these books was excellent. There are all sorts of backgrounds and romantic preferences in the book. Transgender characters are widely accepted, as are those of different sexualities. There was also freedom for the characters to explore their identities; Xio transitions from using he/him pronouns to they/them pronouns part way through the book. When they announce this change to some of the other characters, they are thanked for sharing (and said characters promptly switch back to harassing them for their poor decisions immediately after). I really appreciate the opportunity to learn more about different backgrounds and groups. 

Overall, an excellent book from Aiden Thomas. Narrator Andre Santana did an excellent job bringing the perspectives of the various characters to life with their performance in the audiobook. While I’m sad Teo’s story is over, I’m very happy with the ending (it was well written and satisfying). I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy reads that celebrate LGBTQ+ backgrounds, complete with Mexican-mythology inspired worldbuilding, found family, and romance. 

REVIEW Theo Tan and the Iron Fan (Theo Tan #2) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Theo Tan and the Iron Fan (Theo Tan #2) 

by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: June 27, 2023
Format: Audiobook (Borrrowed from Library)
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends 

In the sequel to Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit, Theo Tan and the Iron Fan, human teenager Theo and his fox spirit companion Kai are on a quest to the land of the dead in a desperate attempt to bring his older brother (and Kai’s former master) Jaime back to life. A wild adventure ensues, as they travel through the various courts of hell and battle demons to make it happen. 

The worldbuilding in this book was once again top-notch. The book takes its inspiration from Chinese mythology, and the story heavily surrounds the notion of what happens after you die. I loved getting to dive more into the lore and learn more about Diyu (which is essentially “Hell’s Waiting Room”). There are a lot of figures and demons that the group encounters during their journey - the Demon Bull King and Princess Iron Fan herself were very imposing figures. I was also pretty enamored with Fragrant Sausage. 

Caleb Yen and Kimberley Wong did an excellent job of bringing Theo and Kai’s perspectives to life in the audiobook version of the book. Despite the heaviness surrounding being in the land of the Dead (and the resulting grief and trauma that Theo and Kai  in particular have to go through), there’s still a humorous air to the book. The goofiness and heart of the characters were a highlight of the book. Each of the teenagers had to learn to lean on each other in order to make it out of Diyu alive. I enjoyed how Kai still made multiple sarcastic comments under her breath to break the tension. The dynamic between Kai and Xioahua (the two spirit companions of the book) was humorous at times as well. 

Overall, this was another excellent middle-grade mythology tale. If you are a kid or an adult who's a kid at heart and would enjoy a diverse tale with a unique magic system, immersive cultural elements, and a strong sense of family then Theo Tan and the Iron Fan should be your next read! It's unclear whether this is part of a larger series or set as a duology, but I think the book wraps up nicely either way. 

About the Author

Jesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Jakarta and Singapore and sees both cities as her homes. She has a Masters degree from Oxford University, though she has yet to figure out a way of saying that without sounding obnoxious. She is currently living back in Jakarta on the same street as her parents and about seven hundred meddlesome aunties. When she's not tearing out her hair over her latest WIP, she spends her time baking and playing FPS games. Oh, and also being a mom to her two kids. 

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REVIEW The Sunbearer Trials (The Sunbearer Duology #1) by Aiden Thomas

The Sunbearer Trials (The Sunbearer Duology #1) by Aiden Thomas
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: September 6, 2022
Format: eBook (Personal Library) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

I truly enjoyed Aiden Thomas’ debut novel Cemetry Boys, so I was excited to learn about their latest book The Sunbearer Trials. It did not disappoint. This book is a great choice for fans of mythology-inspired stories who are looking for a diverse read complete with immersive worldbuilding, unique characters, and a great storyline. 

Aiden Thomas launches readers into an entirely new world complete with a unique pantheon, and as a fan of mythology, I practically had hearts in my eyes. It was a unique choice to start the book with the origin myth, and I think it really paid off. For those who might be curious, the realm is divided into Jade, Obsidian, and Gold deities.  Each group has its own role to play and it’s obvious they are inspired by Latinx and Mexican culture, Despite the influence from cultures we know, each of the gods is completely new and has its own quirks.  It was interesting to see the hierarchy within the pantheon. Jade gods report to higher-up Golds (think of a dynamic similar to the minor gods reporting to the Olympians in Greek mythology). Golds are worshipped above all the others. Obsidians are reviled and have been held at bay by the sun god for generations (think of something akin to the Greek Gods versus the Titans). It was a treat to see the different cities controlled by each god, and how their godly domains influenced their surroundings. I hope we get to see more of the realm in book 2. I also wanted to note that as a reader I appreciate how I never felt overwhelmed even with the massive scope of the worldbuilding and all the different figures that were introduced.

From a social perspective, the world Teo lives in is very queernormative. Sol, the reining god and creator, is non-binary. Guerrero, the Diose of War, has scars from top surgery. Any gender transition is a big celebration. A semidiós can have two same-sex biological parents (traditional reproductive requirements are not a thing when you have a god involved). However, despite having gender transitions be something completely normal and accepted within the world of Reino del Sol, the author also acknowledges the struggles that the trans community goes through. For example, Teo has to deal with how a large amount of his gender dysphoria originates from his wings, and how that puts him at a disadvantage once the trials start. Both Teo and Xio have supportive parents. However, Quetzal does have has moments where it seems like she’s mourning pre-transition Teo, and Mala Suerte’s distrust of doctors negatively impacts Xio’s ability to fully transition (and his ability to get access to tools like hormone replacement and puberty blockers). 

There are two big messages in this story - one, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and two, don’t count out the underdog. With regards to the semidiós, Teo spends a lot of time being envious of the fame and recognition the Golds receive. However, it isn’t until later in the book that he realizes that fame and recognition come at a cost - higher expectations and less freedom to name two. It’s also a surprise to Teo that despite how much the Golds go out to save mortals, they never really interact with them all that much. Because of their relative isolation, the other competitors regularly end up underestimating Teo but he’s able to prove everyone wrong in the end. 

As you might have guessed, the characters were a highlight for me in this book. My favorite was Niya, the daughter of Tierra. If you like Maritza from Cemetry Boys, then I think you’ll really enjoy Niya’s character. Both of them are great friends and companions to our main characters and fiercely defend them. They are also cognizant of their privilege (as cisgender females, both were born into bodies they identify with) and work hard to check themselves when they slip. Since Aurelio seems to be Teo’s love interest for this series, I’m really hoping that Niya finds someone as well. 

Overall, this was a great novel and I’m so excited to read the final book in the duology once it comes out. Andre Santana was an excellent narrator and brought Teo’s perspective to life beautifully. Thankfully, despite there being a cliffhanger at the end of this book it wasn’t painful. It simply sets the stage for what happens next, and I’m eager to find out. The adventure, descriptive worldbuilding, and fantastic characters make this a great and inclusive young adult fantasy book choice. 

CONTENT WARNINGS: Bullying, Blood and Injury Depiction, Death

About the Book

Welcome to The Sunbearer Trials, where teen semidioses compete in a series of challenges with the highest of stakes, in this electric new Mexican-inspired fantasy from Aiden Thomas, the New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys.

As each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can keep traveling along the sky and keep the evil Obsidian gods at bay. Ten semidioses between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are selected by Sol himself as the most worthy to compete in The Sunbearer Trials. The winner carries light and life to all the temples of Reino del Sol, but the loser has the greatest honor of all—they will be sacrificed to Sol, their body used to fuel the Sun Stones that will protect the people of Reino del Sol for the next ten years.

Teo, a 17-year-old Jade semidiós and the trans son of Quetzal, goddess of birds, has never worried about the Trials…or rather, he’s only worried for others. His best friend Niya—daughter of Tierra, the god of earth—is one of the strongest heroes of their generation and is much too likely to be chosen this year. He also can’t help but worry (reluctantly, and under protest) for Aurelio, a powerful Gold semidiós and Teo’s friend-turned-rival who is a shoo-in for the Trials. Teo wouldn’t mind taking Aurelio down a notch or two, but a one-in-ten chance of death is a bit too close for Teo’s taste.

But then, for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses a semidiós who isn’t a Gold. In fact, he chooses two: Xio, the 13-year-old child of Mala Suerte, god of bad luck, and…Teo. Now they must compete in five mysterious trials, against opponents who are both more powerful and better trained, for fame, glory, and their own survival.

About the Author

Aiden Thomas is a trans, Latinx, New York Times bestselling author of young adult novels. They received an MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College. Originally from Oakland, California, they now make their home in Portland, OR. Aiden is notorious for not being able to guess the endings of books and movies and organizes their bookshelves by color.

Pronouns: he/him and they/them

Author website: https://www.aiden-thomas.com/

REVIEW Gearbreakers (Gearbreakers #1) by Zoe Hana Mikuta

Gearbreakers (Gearbreakers #1) by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Release Date: June 29, 2021
Format: Audiobook (Personal Library)
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

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“It makes sense that, when times were desperate enough, when people were frenzied enough, at a certain point we went past praying to deities and started to build them instead.”

Zoe Hana Mikuta’s debut science fiction novel, Gearbreakers, is an action-packed read filled with a budding queer romance, a dystopian society that worships mechanical gods, and one of my favorite tropes of all time, found family.  

Told from two points of view, readers get to see both sides of the conflict. Sona Steelcrest is a cybernetically enhanced prodigy, trained to pilot one of the gargantuan “Windups”. On the other side of the war is Eris Shindanai, one of the leaders of the Gearbreakers faction set on taking down the massive Windups from the inside. When they meet for the first time, their patience and their biases are challenged as they are forced to work together to take down the tyrannical government from within. 

As a loyal science fiction reader, “mecha” is an easy way to get me interested in a book (akin to using the word “dragon” for a fantasy novel). I didn’t even really read the synopsis before I bought this book. Make no mistake, however. This book is primarily a science fiction dystopian novel, but there is also a sapphic romance in the works. Specifically, Eris is bisexual/pansexual and Sona is lesbian. The girls start out as clear enemies in the novel, being on opposite sides of the war. But fate brings them together, shifting their relationship into that of reluctant allies and eventually love interests. They are both survivors, and they are both recovering after their world has been so cruel for so long. Their slow-burn romance makes use of emotional tension rather than pushing physical intimacy, and it was exciting to see their fierceness and protective natures come into play. 

The setting was reminiscent of many dystopian novels, with Godolia being a beacon of wealth and power while the rest of the world is suffering. However, the use of the “mecha” trope was incredibly unique in the book. As opposed to many other novels in the mecha genre, there’s much less of a focus on the individual mechas, or “Windups”. Despite serving as pseudo-Gods, they are not a symbol of hope or all things good. Instead, they symbolize oppression and cruelty, serving as tools of the government’s tyrannical regime. The author takes this idea and dials in on the revulsion and hatred most feel towards the pilots themselves. The revulsion stems from children being forced to undergo cybernetic alterations to be able to withstand the strain of piloting the robots (encompassing a transition to something ‘less than human’), and the hatred comes from their complacency in the government’s actions. Another unique aspect of Gearbreakers is that there is no clear antagonist to the story; there’s no figurehead villain like President Snow in The Hunger Games, and there is also no group of enemies to battle against like the Kaiju in Pacific Rim or the mecha aliens in Iron Widow. I’m excited and curious to see how the author will build on these aspects in the next book, and if there will be a ‘villain’ for Sona and Eris to defeat. 

Last but certainly not least is the found family aspect of the story. The Gearbreakers are a rag-tag crew, brought together by circumstance and a shared goal of destroying the Windups. Most of them are just kids though, so they love to goof around together. The stakes are raised when they go on a run, and it was even more heartbreaking when bad things happened. My heart ached for them, and their desperation to live to fight another day was palpable as a reader. 

All in all, Gearbreakers is an excellent science fiction novel, and I look forward to seeing how the story ends for Sona and Eris in the second book of the duology, Godslayers. Audiobook narrators Catherine Ho and Cindy Kay did a great job of bringing the story to life with their performance. Science fiction readers who are fans of Pacific Rim, Xiran Jay Zhao’s Iron Widow, or Suzanne Collin’s The Hunger Games will undoubtedly enjoy this book. 

Content Warnings: Death, Blood, Violence, Torture

About the Author

Twenty-two-year-old Zoe Hana Mikuta is a Korean-American writer currently attending the University of Washington in Seattle, majoring in English with a creative writing focus and minoring in History of Religion. She enjoys writing deteriorating worlds inhabited by characters with bad tempers, skewed morals, and big hearts.

She is the author of the YA wlw giant mecha books GEARBREAKERS (out!) and GODSLAYERS, publishing from Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan Publishers on June 28th, 2022.

REVIEW Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit (Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit #1) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit (Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit #1) by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: May 31, 2022
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends 

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Jesse Q. Sutanto’s newest book, the middle-grade fantasy novel Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit is an entertaining, witty, and fast-paced tale. Our main character, Theo, is determined to ignore the Chinese side of his identity and embrace his “American-ness” as much as possible (unlike his practically perfect in any way older brother Jaime). Things go wrong, however, after his brother dies and he inherits his brother’s sarcastic and snarky fox companion spirit, Kai. The two irk each other to no end, but they must join forces to find out what happened, unravel all the secrets around Jaime’s death, and make sure his death is not in vain. 

The grief that both Theo and Kai are experiencing is palpable. They both loved Jaime in their own way, and while he was alive they competed for his affection and attention. After he dies, the time they are forced to spend together allows them to learn more about each other, and eventually, they grow to become friends. Although they’d both deny it, I saw their interactions as something akin to a sibling bond. The story is told from their alternating points of view, and I appreciated how that decision gave more depth and perspective to the story (and their interactions). 

The magic system in this book was interesting. There’s “cirth”, which is the commercialized fuel for day-to-day magical spells (and even some video games). There’s also “chi”, which is the more ancestral (for lack of a better word) fuel for magic that most humans have forgotten how to use. I appreciated getting to learn about the various diverse animal companions in the world of Theo Tan, and how many of them were influenced by stories in Chinese folktales and mythology. 

One unexpected but important lesson that I learned from this book was about the nuances of the Mandarin language. Mandarin is a tonal language, with four core tones that can make one syllable be the difference between two very different words. Theo has spent most of his life ignoring his heritage, and thus not putting much effort into learning the language, so once he actually has to use it there are multiple mishaps and spells gone wrong. Kai, given her immortal nature as a fox spirit, is much more skilled at the language and takes great amusement in correcting Theo’s mistakes (often small ones based on single syllables or tones). 

Overall, this was a very enjoyable and heartwarming book. I can’t speak to the accuracy of the Mandarin pronunciation in the audiobook, but in my opinion (as a white caucasian reviewer) narrators Caleb Yen and Kimberley Wong did a great job bringing the book to life. If you are a kid or an adult who's a kid at heart and would enjoy a diverse tale with a unique magic system, immersive cultural elements, and a strong sense of family then Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit should be on your TBR list!

About the Book

After inheriting a grieving fox spirit, a Chinese American boy must learn to embrace his heritage to solve the mystery of his brother's death in Jesse Q Sutanto's magical, action-packed middle grade fantasy, Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit.

Theo Tan doesn't want a spirit companion. He just wants to be a normal American kid, playing video games, going to conventions, and using cirth pendants to cast his spells like everyone else. But, when his older brother dies, Theo ends up inheriting Jamie's fox spirit, Kai.

Kai isn't happy about this either. Theo is nothing like Jamie, and the two of them have never gotten along. But, when they realize the mysterious journal Jamie left Theo is filled with clues and secret codes, it's clear that something strange was going on with Jamie's internship at Reapling Corp.

But the only way onto the campus is the highly competitive Know Your Roots summer camp program, a celebration of Chinese and Indian cultures designed to help connect students with their heritage. Theo and Kai will have to put aside their differences long enough to honor Jamie's last wishes, or the mystery he died for will remain unsolved forever...

About the Author

Jesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Jakarta and Singapore and sees both cities as her homes. She has a Masters degree from Oxford University, though she has yet to figure out a way of saying that without sounding obnoxious. She is currently living back in Jakarta on the same street as her parents and about seven hundred meddlesome aunties. When she's not tearing out her hair over her latest WIP, she spends her time baking and playing FPS games. Oh, and also being a mom to her two kids. 

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Renegades (Renegades Book 1) by Marissa Meyer

 

Renegades (Renegades Book 1) by Marissa Meyer

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Release Date: November 7, 2017

Format: Audiobook (library)

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

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Renegades by Marissa Meyer is a dystopian superhero novel where the main characters are on opposite sides. Nova, also known as Nightmare or Insomnia, was raised by the anarchists ("the bad guys") after Renegades ("the good guys" failed to save her family when she was six. Her uncle, Ace Anarchy, was the leader of the Anarchists and has raised her to hate the Renegades. Adrian, also known as the Sentinel or Sketch, is the child of the poster people of the Renegades. His birth mother, Lady Indomitable, died ten years ago and he is determined to figure out what happened. Their paths are thrust together when Nova goes undercover as a Renegade, and they work together as Insomnia and Sketch while trying to figure out each other's alter egos as Nightmare and Sentinel. 

While there has been a large amount of superhero-based films in the past years with the DC and Marvel Cinematic Universes, Renegades felt different and this uniqueness was part of the reason I liked it. The movies of the Avengers and the Justice League focus on very flashy, high-powered heroes. On the other hand, the prodigies in Renegades have a very broad spectrum of powers. It can range from invulnerability and super strength to invisibility and the ability to not go to sleep. I have to say, if I had a choice in what superpower I received, that ability to not go to sleep ever would not be my choice. I feel like it would be very boring at times. 

Renegades didn't completely knock my socks off, but I'm still curious to read the next books (Archenenemies and Supernova) to figure out what happens next with Nova and Adrian. I'm also super curious to see what role Max (a.k.a Bandit) plays in the series, as the author has done a lot to build up the suspense and mystery surrounding his powers. 

Blade of Secrets (Bladesmith #1) by Tricia Levenseller

Blade of Secrets by Tricia Levenseller
Rating: 5 Stars

Release Date: May 4, 2021

Format: Hardback/Audiobook

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

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My previous favorite Levenseller book was The Shadows Between Us, but I think Blade of Secrets has usurped that position.

Ziva is the only magical bladesmith in the world, and she spends her days working on her craft with her sister Temra as her only company. Her social anxiety, at times debilitating with panic attacks, makes it uncomfortable for her to interact with anyone else. After creating a weapon with too much power and dealing with a warlord bent on world domination, she and her sister go on the run with a scholar and a mercenary to keep the blade safe from anyone who would use it for ill intent.

Some authors use conditions like anxiety as a device to make their characters more interesting, but Ziva’s portrayal felt realistic and easy to empathize with. I appreciated how Kellyn, the love interest in the book, adjusted the way he did things (without being asked) to make things easier on Ziva. He did come across as arrogant at times, but his sweet and soft side came out when dealing with his family or with Ziva.

Despite there being not one but two romances in this book, I think my favorite part was the sisterly bond between Temra and Ziva. It reminded me a lot of my own relationship with my sister. Despite Temra being the younger of the siblings, she is Ziva’s self-appointed protector. They seem somewhat opposite, as Temra is carefree and talented with a blade whereas Ziva is often troubled by the turmoil in her mind and has little talent with weapons despite her status as the Bladesmith.

I’ll definitely be picking up Master of Iron when it’s published in 2022. I need to know what happens after that cliffhanger.

About the Book

Eighteen-year-old Ziva prefers metal to people. She spends her days tucked away in her forge, safe from society and the anxiety it causes her, using her magical gift to craft unique weapons imbued with power.

Then Ziva receives a commission from a powerful warlord, and the result is a sword capable of stealing its victims' secrets. A sword that can cut far deeper than the length of its blade. A sword with the strength to topple kingdoms. When Ziva learns of the warlord's intentions to use the weapon to enslave all the world under her rule, she takes her sister and flees.

Joined by a distractingly handsome mercenary and a young scholar with extensive knowledge of
the world's known magics, Ziva and her sister set out on a quest to keep the sword safe until they can find a worthy wielder or a way to destroy it entirely.

About the Author

Initially from a small town in Oregon, Tricia now lives next to the Rocky Mountains with her bossy dog, Rosy. She received her degree in English Language and editing and is thrilled that she never has to read a textbook again. When she’s not writing or reading, Tricia enjoys putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing volleyball, playing OVERWATCH, and watching shows while eating extra-buttered popcorn.

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