BLOG TOUR Deep is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson

Hi friends! Welcome to tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours for Deep is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson. Check out the post to learn more about the book and the author as well as where you can get a copy of the book. Make sure you show the other tour hosts some love as well. The link to the tour schedule is below. 

Happy reading everyone!

Deep is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

About the Book

Merry doesn’t need a happily-ever-after. Her life in the charming, idyllic town of Candlecott is fine just as it is. Simple, happy, and with absolutely no magic. Magic only ever leads to trouble.

But Merry’s best friend, Teddy, is joining the Toadmen—a secret society who specialize in backward thinking and suspiciously supernatural traditions—and Merry is determined to stop him. Even if it means teaming up with the person she hates most: her academic archnemesis, Caraway Boswell, an ice-cold snob who hides his true face under a glamour.

An ancient Toad ritual is being held in the sinister Deeping Fen, and if Merry doesn’t rescue Teddy before it’s finished, she’ll lose him forever. But the Toadmen have been keeping dangerous secrets, and so has Caraway. The farther Merry travels into Deeping Fen’s foul waters, the more she wonders if she’s truly come to save her friend . . . or if she’s walking straight into a trap.

There’s nothing the Toadmen love more than a damsel in distress.

Genre: YA Fantasy
Publishing date: April 16th, 2024

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

REVIEW of Deep is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Format: eARC (Courtesy of Publisher and TBR and Beyond Tours) and Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Lili Wilkinson’s newest young adult fantasy novel, Deep is the Fen, was a surprisingly gripping read. Mixing bits of fantasy and fairy tale with romance and mystery, I was hooked rather quickly after starting. At times, I thought I knew where the story was going but the author kept me on my toes. 

Merriweather Morgan, usually referred to as ‘Merry’ or ‘Morgan’ enjoys life with her best friends Teddy and Sol while also keeping her ability to see magic (or “mettle”) a secret from everyone she knows. When Teddy decides he wants to join the same male only group her father is a part of, the ‘Toadmen’, Merry is desperate to stop him and not lose one of her only friends. When she teams up with rival Caraway Boswell, however, they discover there’s a lot more to the Toadmen than meets the eye. 

Worldbuilding caught my attention in this book fairly quickly. I really loved the secret society nature of the Toadmen, as well as the magic system in place in the world. Magic is controlled by powerful corporations, and they’ve made it taboo for anyone to practice it outside of what they produce. Rogue witches are locked away for “rehabilitation”, and the practices of groups like the Toadmen are ignored in the name of power. There are some darker elements in the book (bordering on horror), but I think it all blended together very well to create a narrative I found myself very invested in.

The characters were compelling too. I really liked Caraway and Merry’s dynamic, and it was fun to see their progression from rivals to lovers. As a secondary relationship, it was also nice to see Teddy and Sol’s love story too, especially since it’s a queer romance (Sol is described to be transgender early in the story). The various side characters were compelling too, and I appreciated how they added to the overall narrative. 

My only complaint about the book was the setting. It was really hard to envision at times, what with the seemingly fairy tale village esque references mixed with more contemporary references (i.e. prom, conventions, cars, etc.) Once we got to the Fen, it was easier but everything outside of that was almost mismatched in my head at times. 

Overall, this was a great read and I’m happy I took the time to pick it up after the blog tour. I would recommend this book to young adult fantasy readers who enjoy unique worldbuilding, innovative magic systems, and a “rivals to lovers” romance subplot. Narrator Imogen Wilde did an excellent job with her performance in the audiobook. While this book is standalone (and wraps up nicely), I will definitely be checking out more of Ms. Wilkinson’s books in the future (especially her debut novel, A Hunger of Thorns which I learned is set in the same world as this book). 

Thank you to the author, the publisher Delacorte Press, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Deep is the Fen immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About the Author

Lili Wilkinson is the award-winning author of eighteen books for young people, including The Erasure Initiative and After the Lights Go Out. Lili has a PhD from the University of Melbourne, and is a passionate advocate for YA and the young people who read it, establishing the Inky Awards at the Centre for Youth Literature, State Library of Victoria. Her latest book is Deep is the Fen.

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BLOG TOUR Tessa Miyata is No Hero by Julie Abe

Hi friends! 

Welcome to my stop for the blog tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours for Tessa Miyata is No Hero by Julie Abe. Check out the tour post to learn more about the book, the author, and how you can get your own copy. Make sure you show the other hosts some love as well - the link to the schedule is below. 

Happy reading everyone!

Tessa Miyata is No Hero by Julie Abe Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours) 

About the Book

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Publishing date: August 22nd, 2023

Rep: Japanese, Japanese-American, Asian

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

A thrilling and charming middle grade fantasy steeped in Japanese lore and mythology, perfect for fans of the Zachary Ying series.

Tessa Miyata has never fit in. When she and her two sisters are told they will be staying at their grandparents in Japan, Tessa is thrilled. A summer in Japan could be her chance to go on an adventure worthy of impressing her classmates back home.

Her hopes are quickly dashed when, all too soon, she realizes that life in Japan is just like being in California: her sisters are old enough to go into Tokyo, while she can’t even go to the corner store by herself. Plus, her grandparents want her to stay home with the neighbor kid, thirteen-year-old Jin Uehara, who’s made it clear he’s too cool to spend time with a weirdo like her.

When Tessa is finally allowed to go to Tokyo, it’s only to join her grandpa’s retiree aerobic class with none other than Jin. Their disastrous forced hang out comes crashing to a halt when Tessa and Jin break the Miyata family’s precious heirloom—accidentally releasing the malicious samurai god Taira Masakado and discovering a hidden part of the city where gods and mythological creatures walk among humans—including their new companion, a mythical nine-tailed fox who may be more trouble than he is help.

Despite doing everything to avoid spending another minute together, Tessa and Jin must now work together to stop Taira Masakado before he traps them—and the rest of Tokyo—under his command, forever.

Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Graci Kim, this brand new fantasy adventure will grip readers from the very first page and never let go.

REVIEW of Tessa Miyata is No Hero by Julie Abe

Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date:  August 22, 2023
Format: eARC (Courtesy of Publisher and TBR and Beyond Tours)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Julie Abe’s Eva Evergreen series was an entertaining set of middle-grade fantasy reads, so it was very exciting to learn she was releasing another middle-grade book in the form of contemporary fantasy Tessa Miyata is No Hero. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, Yoon Ha Lee, Xiran Jay Zhao or Graci Kim, this book celebrates Japanese culture and stories at its heart. 

From the perspective of being a fantasy book, the author introduces readers to many figures from traditional Japanese stories and folktales. For example, the villain of the story is a former samurai who was inadvertently freed from his prison due to Tessa’s actions. Many of the moments in the story also serve as love letters to Japanese culture and food. The author makes some of the less widely recognized elements easy to understand for readers of any age, and doesn’t try to oversimplify things to the point of dumbing it down (which I appreciate). 

While I was entranced by the fantasy elements of this book, the author also captured my attention with how well she encapsulated the feeling of not belonging when you are middle school age. Tessa in particular is incredibly lonely, and lacks a sense of place both from a cultural and social standpoint. I related to this so much, especially when so many figures were telling her no matter what she would not be a hero to the point she almost believes it herself. As an underdog, she had a lot to work through but I was rooting for her the entire way.  

Sura Siu did an excellent job bringing Tessa’s adventures to life with her performance in the audiobook narration. I was very surprised by the ending of the book, though there's no major cliffhanger to worry about. As this is supposed to be the first part in a new series, I’m curious to see what happens next for Tessa and her friends in the next installment. If you’re looking for a book that honors elements of Japanese culture and mythology, this would be a great choice. 

Thank you to the author, the publisher Little Brown Young Readers, NetGalley, and TBR and Beyond Tours for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Tessa Miyata is No Hero immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About the Author

Julie Abe is the author of the EVA EVERGREEN, SEMI-MAGICAL WITCH middle grade fantasy series; the middle grade fantasy ALLIANA, GIRL OF DRAGONS; and the young adult novel THE CHARMED LIST. She has lived in Silicon Valley, spent many humid summers in Japan, and currently basks in the sunshine of Southern California with never enough books or tea, where she creates stories about magical adventures.

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REVIEW A Breath of Mischief by MarcyKate Connolly

A Breath of Mischief by MarcyKate Connolly
Rating: 3 Stars
Release Date: April 4, 2023
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library) + eARC (NetGalley)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers 

The cover of MarcyKate Connolly’s book A Breath of Mischief is what initially drew me to the story, and it really encompasses the feel of the book. A low stakes children's fantasy, it’s a sweet yet entertaining book that delivers exactly what’s promised in the synopsis. 

Aria is a windling, adopted by the Wind and living in their castle with her young gryphiling (a.k.a. gryphon) companion Gwyn. She loves soaring through the clouds and interacting with all the other castle inhabitants. But one day when Wind goes missing (and her powers with it), Aria and Gwyn go looking for them and discover them in a cage. Striking a deal with their captor, Aria and Gwyn agree to complete three quests in exchange for Wind’s freedom - but will their word hold true, and will all of Aria and Gwyn’s efforts be for nought? 

The worldbuilding of this story is really cool. I really enjoyed the idea of non-gendered sentient elements (Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth) and the ‘otherlings’ who they have adopted. These children all have companions, and they work to help their parental figures maintain the natural balance. For example, Terran, the adopted child of the Earth, regularly leaves dead branches and wood close to human civilizations so they won’t be tempted to come into the forest and cut down healthy living trees. I did notice how Aria’s journey emphasizes the negative effects of manipulating natural resources in the name of money and power. That was one of the biggest themes of the book, and the one that I think has the most potential to affect potential readers. 

Some reviews mark this book as middle-grade, but I would actually mark the intended audience as young elementary school aged children. The length, for one, is much shorter than the average middle-grade novel. Nothing ever felt urgent over the course of the book; I wanted to feel the impetus and the determination when Aria and Gwyn were completing their challenges. I didn’t, sadly; any danger and happenings in the book left me feeling disconnected as a reader as opposed to invested in the story. I also wanted to see some actual difficulty in the challenges that they are facing, but Aria completed each task in front of her with surprising ease despite refusing help (even when it would have been sensible to ask for it). 

Overall, A Breath of Mischief was a quick and easy fantasy read. Narrator Melissa Czyz added to the light-hearted whimsical tone of the book with her performance in the audiobook narration. Despite some of the faults I noticed, I would still recommend it to young elementary aged readers. I’m unsure if this is intended to be standalone or part of a series (I would lean towards standalone), but I think the ending allows for options either way.  

Thank you to the author, the publisher Sourcebook Young Readers, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of A Breath of Mischief. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review the book immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About the Book

Brimming with danger and magic, this new fantasy adventure from acclaimed author MarcyKate Connolly will leave readers breathless as Aria discovers the strength of her courage―and the power of friendship.

Aria is raised by the Wind. She grew up in a castle, floating among the clouds with creatures of the air. She spends her days racing and soaring through the sky with her best friend, Gwyn, a young gryphling. At night, she falls asleep to the music of the Wind.

One morning, Aria is woken by a frantic Gwyn. The chimes are silent, there is not a breath of breeze, and their castle has settled on the ground. The Wind has vanished.

Aria and Gwyn go on a desperate search only to discover the Wind is being held captive by a sinister alchemist named Worton. To free the Wind, Aria and Gwyn must complete a series of trials to find and retrieve three magical talismans for Worton.

Nothing will keep Aria from rescuing the element who raised her―not a riddle, not a quest, not a race against time. Except Worton can't be trusted, and it's not just the Wind that needs saving...

About the Author

MarcyKate Connolly is a New York Times bestselling children’s book author who lives in New England with her family and short-nosed dogs. She graduated from Hampshire College (a magical place where they don’t give you grades) where she wrote an opera sequel to Hamlet as the equivalent of a senior thesis. It was also there that she first fell in love with plotting and has been dreaming up new ways to make life difficult for her characters ever since. 

BOOK TOUR Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One by Andrew Auseon

Hi friends! Welcome to my stop on the tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours for Spellbinders: the Not-So-Chosen One by Andrew Auseon. Check out the post to learn more about the book and the author. Make sure you show some love to the other tour hosts as well - the link to the tour schedule is below. 

Happy reading everyone :)

Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One by Andrew Auseon Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

About the Book

“Ben may only be pretending to be the ‘Chosen One’—but I’ve definitely chosen this one as my favorite new fantasy series.”
—Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Last Kids on Earth series

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Publishing date: June 6th, 2023

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How far would you go to play the hero? One lonely seventh grader gets way more than he bargained for when he is swept into the fantasy quest of his gaming dreams in this magical illustrated series full of laughs, adventure, and twists.

Ben doesn’t feel chosen by anybody—not by his friends, who haven’t kept in touch since he moved after his parents’ divorce, or by his mom, who’s so busy he barely sees her. He spends all his time living in fantasy worlds and writing extensively planned adventure campaigns in his role-playing-game notebook. So when Niara, a character who could be right out of one of his favorite games, shows up and tells him he’s destined to save her realm (like, foretold-by-a-prophecy destined), Ben has two possible tell her the truth or play along. He’s tired of feeling left behind, so his choice is clear—game on. 

One interdimensional portal later, Ben is in full hero mode. At first, adventuring in Lux seems like a dream come true, but pretending to be the Chosen One—and lying to his new friends—isn’t quite what he imagined it to be. And the more he learns about Lux and his quest, the more he realizes this is way beyond a game—and the rules seem to be changing as he goes. In fact, it might be time for him to write some new ones.

REVIEW of Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One by Andrew Auseon

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Release Date: June 6, 2023

Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library) + eARC (Courtesy of Publisher and TBR and Beyond Tours)

Publisher: Labyrinth Road

Andrew Auseon’s middle-grade fantasy release, Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One, is a ridiculously entertaining read complete with imaginative creatures, unique characters, and an engaging storyline. Pete Cross did a great job bringing the story to life with his performance in the audiobook narration. 

Ben is lonelier than ever after being moved away from his friends following his parents divorce. His friends have abandoned him, and his Mom is distant and barely has any time for him. When he mourns his current circumstances on the bench of a convention, a young girl comes up to him claiming that Ben is the chosen one and requesting his help to save his home. Eager for something to do (and thinking it some elaborate interactive convention experience), Ben agrees. However, once they arrive and Ben starts seeing things like flying Narwhals and knights riding giant guinea pigs, he realizes he’s no longer on Earth, that this is very much a real quest and he might not be the chosen one from the prophecy. 

The worldbuilding in this book is zany and innovative, sometimes bordering on ridiculous (see the above mention of knights riding giant guinea pigs), and I am happy to report that I was fully entertained from start to finish. Of course there are the classic elements of a good fantasy book and a tale featuring an archetypal ‘hero’s quest’ - for instance, the call to adventure, many moments of self doubt, the ever present helper, and the major moment of transformation. I really enjoyed getting to see Ben’s journey from start to finish. The story is structured such that it’s easy to understand for the target audience of middle-grade readers, but I think adult readers would be able to find something enjoyable in the read as I did. 

The characters were another highlight of the book. Ben and Niara’s interactions were fun to witness; it was also fun to see how pieces of Earth’s culture influenced that of Lux. I admittedly snorted out loud when Niara said that ‘spaghetti squash’ was considered a curse word. For those who try to read books with LGBTQ+ representation, there is a cool shape changing character that makes an appearance. It’s a casual reference that the author doesn’t make a big deal out of, but I did appreciate seeing it. 

Overall, this was a highly entertaining and humorous read. If you’re a fan of middle-grade fantasy novels or games like Dungeons and Dragons, I really think this book will resonate. I can personally attest to feeling seen, and relating to most of Ben’s struggles. As this is the first book in a series, I’m excited to read about more adventures set in this world in the future!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review the book immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About the Author

Andrew Auseon is a writer of novels for young people, and a designer of video games. He holds a B.A. from Ohio University and a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from the prestigious Vermont College.

He lives in Baltimore, Maryland with his wife, Sarah Zogby, and their two daughters.

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BLOG TOUR Midnight Strikes by Zeba Shahnaz

Hi friends! I'm pleased to be hosting a stop on the tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours for Midnight Strikes by Zeba Shahnaz. Check out the post to learn more about the book, the author, and how you can get your own copy., Make sure you show the other tour hosts some love as well - the link to the tour schedule is below. 

Midnight Strikes by Zeba Shahnaz Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

About the Book

In this explosive fantasy debut with a time-loop twist, a provincial girl must work with a roguish prince to stop an attack on the royal family and escape a nightmarish curse that forces them to relive the same night again and again.

Seventeen-year-old Anaïs just wants tonight to end. As an outsider at the kingdom’s glittering anniversary ball, she has no desire to rub shoulders with the nation’s most eligible (and pompous) bachelors—especially not the notoriously roguish Prince Leo. But at the stroke of midnight, an explosion rips through the palace, killing everyone in its path. Including her.

The last thing Anaïs sees is fire, smoke, chaos . . . and then she wakes up in her bedroom, hours before the ball. No one else remembers the deadly attack or believes her warnings of disaster.

Not even when it happens again. And again. And again.

If she’s going to escape this nightmarish time loop, Anaïs must take control of her own fate and stop the attack before it happens. But the court’s gilded surface belies a rotten core, full of restless nobles grabbing at power, discontented commoners itching for revolution, and even royals who secretly dream of taking the throne. It’s up to Anaïs to untangle these knots of deadly deceptions . . . if she can survive past midnight.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | IndieBound

REVIEW of Midnight Strikes by Zeva Shahnaz

Rating: 3 Stars

Release Date: March 14, 2023

Format: eBook (Courtesy of NetGalley and Publisher) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)

Publisher: Delacorte Press

*NOTE: Before I get into my review, please note that I’m unsure on how to do the accents for some of the names in the book (I’m typing on a tablet) so I’ve ultimately omitted them from the review. 

Charles Perrault’s Cinderella (or ‘Histoires ou contes du tempes passe’) is one of the most heavily retold and reimagined fairy tales of all time. As such, it takes a very unique spin on the tale to distinguish one version from all the others. Zeba Shahnaz’ young adult fantasy debut, Midnight Strikes, offers an incredibly unique take on the much beloved fairytale - instead of a countdown to happily ever after when the clock strikes midnight, Anais keeps dying at the ball over and over again. When the day continually resets, she’s the only one who remembers the previous night and she must quickly figure out what’s going on to prevent it from continuing and save the kingdom. 

The plot was a struggle for me. I really liked the time loop idea, but the story got repetitive very quickly. It takes multiple loops before Anais is able to get any real traction in solving the mystery of what’s been happening. I didn’t get invested in the story until the last ten chapters or so - it was entertaining but not particularly memorable. The romance was also weird - Anais and Leo’s relationship didn’t really make sense to me, given that he’s been forgetting her over and over and over again. Granted, it didn’t really make sense to Anais either, given that she made a point of not progressing their relationship past certain points when she knew Leo wouldn’t remember but it was still off putting.  

While the plot and romance was not memorable, I did enjoy the worldbuilding. The magic system was excellent. The systems employed by each cultural group (the upper class with their ‘nicer’ magic vs the blood magic used by the lower class) made for some juicy political intrigue. I was not expecting some of the reveals at the end of the book that went into more detail about the origins of the different magic, and that was super exciting. The culture seems to be inspired by places like Spain, with the king being referred to as “Rey” and other Spanish honorifics being used for the nobles at the ball. Those little hints really helped me imagine the setting the author described, and I would love to visit the places from the book (when they're not being blown up over and over again, of course).  

Overall, Midnight Strikes was an entertaining read with some minor issues. Narrator Nikki Massoud delivered a solid performance in the audiobook version of the tale. If you’re a fan of fairytale retellings intertwined with mystery and political intrigue, I think this book would be worth giving a chance. 

Thank you to the author, the publisher Delacorte Press, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Midnight Strikes immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About the Author

Zeba Shahnaz writes fantasy full of political intrigue, twisted romance, and a healthy dose of existential angst. A proud Pakistani-American, she translated her love of storytelling into a graduate degree analyzing national identity, culture, and cinema in South Asia. She grew up in New Jersey, which she has yet to fully escape (though not because of a time loop). MIDNIGHT STRIKES is her debut novel.

Website - Twitter - Instagram - Goodreads

 

BLOG TOUR Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb

Hi friends! I'm pleased to be hosting a stop on the tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours for Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb. 

Be sure to check out the other tour host's pages as well and show them some love. The link to the schedule is below. 

Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

About the Book

Release Date: February 7, 2023
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

In the city of Ombrazia, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying and unjust power, playing favorites while the unfavored struggle to survive.

After her father’s murder at the hands of the Ombrazian military, Rossana Lacertosa is willing to do whatever it takes to dismantle the corrupt system—tapping into her powers as a disciple of Patience, joining the rebellion, and facing the boy who broke her heart. As the youngest captain in the history of Palazzo security, Damian Venturi is expected to be ruthless and strong, and to serve the saints with unquestioning devotion. But three years spent fighting in a never-ending war have left him with deeper scars than he wants to admit… and a fear of confronting the girl he left behind.

Now a murderer stalks Ombrazia’s citizens. As the body count climbs, the Palazzo is all too happy to look the other way—that is, until a disciple becomes the newest victim. With every lead turning into a dead end, Damian and Roz must team up to find the killer, even if it means digging up buried emotions. As they dive into the underbelly of Ombrazia, the pair will discover something more sinister—and far less holy. With darkness closing in and time running out, will they be able to save the city from an evil so powerful that it threatens to destroy everything in its path?

Discover what’s lurking in the shadows in this dark fantasy debut with a murder-mystery twist, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kerri Maniscalco.

Content Warning: various types of violence (shooting, poisoning, beheading), graphic descriptions of blood/bodies, death of parents/ friends/ siblings, a parent depicted with memory loss/confusion, PTSD and flashbacks, descriptions of war, prejudice, religious intolerance, hallucinations, paranoia, alcoholism, and mentions of self-harm.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | IndieBound

REVIEW of Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb

Rating: 4 Stars

Format: eARC (Courtesy of the Publisher and TBR and Beyond Tours) and Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

The first thing about M.K. Lobb’s debut novel Seven Faceless Saints that caught my attention was the cover. The young adult dark fantasy that lies within the boundaries of the cover is evocative and imaginative, and the murder mystery that the main characters find themselves at the center of is juicy. If you love Kerri Maniscalco’s Stalking Jack the Ripper books or Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse books, then this would be an excellent choice for you.

“That was what it meant to have power, wasn’t it? You could simply destroy that which didn’t serve you.”

The worldbuilding is dynamic. I loved how the author took a classic idea of a system where religion is the dominant power in a given civilization, and developed the idea of the seven faceless saints. The Saints exist at the center of the religious power base, so those not blessed by the Saints (“The Unfavored”) are regularly forced to fight in a war they have no part in. The attempt to remove Chaos from the history books is a tactic that shows up commonly in this type of a story, and usually sets the stage for a later conflict. However, despite this being a common archetype it still felt unique in the context of the story. 

“Everything that reminded me of home - everything that reminded me of happiness - centered around you.”

Roz and Damian are at the center of the story, and there are a lot of unresolved feelings there. It was an interesting dynamic, to have Roz be the grumpy stabby character and Damian be the soft tender hearted figure. The contrast also extends to Damian being such a fervent supporter of the Saints while lacking any ‘blessings’ or powers, and Roz being the exact opposite. Communication is essential for any relationship to function, and there are a bucket load of miscommunications between those two over the course of the story (and even before the story begins, with them being childhood friends to enemies to lovers). 

Overall, this was an excellent read and I’m excited for the sequel Disciples of Chaos. I did predict the ‘what’ of the ending, but I was pleasantly surprised by the ‘who’. The big reveals were well earned, and I really enjoyed how the story flowed. Narrators Barrie Kreinik, Sean Patrick Hopkins, and Saskia Maarleveld did an excellent job bringing the story to life with their performances in the audiobook version of the novel. I hope they bring them back for the next book. 

Thank you to the author, the publisher Little Brown Books for Young Readers, NetGalley and the team at TBR and Beyond Tours for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Seven Faceless Saints immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About the Author

M. K. Lobb is a fantasy writer with a love of all things dark— be it literature, humour, or general aesthetic. She grew up in small-town Ontario and studied political science at both the University of Western Ontario and the University of Ottawa. She now lives by the lake with her partner and their cats. When not reading or writing, she can be found at the gym or contemplating the harsh realities of existence.

Her debut novel SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS will be published February 7, 2023 by Little, Brown (Hachette). The sequel, DISCIPLES OF CHAOS, will follow in early 2024. M. K. is represented by Claire Friedman at InkWell Management.

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