E.S. Barrison's Blog, page 6

Any Witch Way You Can – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★✰  (3.75 / 5 stars)

Bay Winchester has recently moved back to Hemlock Cove to be with her family – her abrasive Great Aunt Tillie, her mother and aunts, and her annoying cousins Clove and Thistle. If that wasn’t bad enough, she comes from a long line of witches that grant her the ability to communicate with ghosts. When two ritualistic type of murders occur in town though, rocking the otherwise quiet atmosphere of Hemlock Cove, Bay and her family are put to the test. Can they figure out who is committing these crimes? Or will they be the next victims?

I actually started reading Any Witch Way You Can a couple years back. At the time I wasn’t reading as much, and I put it down after 20%. Not for lack of interest – just lack of motivation to read. Recently I was going through my Kindle Library and saw I still had it checked out on Kindle Unlimited. Despite the long break, the beginning stuck with me, so I picked it up right where I left off.

Overall, Any Witch Way You Can is a fun read that is more about family and snarky comebacks then about murder. The Winchester family will remind anyone of how they bicker with their siblings or parents or grandparents. It’s natural and amusing, and it really makes the characters pop.

The murder mystery itself in this story is somewhat predictable. Less of the story was about solving the crime, and more about the “witchiness” – which is all fine, really. But, I did figure out who was responsible a few chapters before Bay, Clove, and Thistle did. I think ultimately, I wanted more of the witchcraft and more of the murder, and a bit less bickering. That is what would have made this story pop.

Overall though, I’m glad I returned to this story. I might pick up one of Bay’s other adventures someday. So if you like cozy mysteries with a bit of witchcraft…it’s definitely worth the read!

What’s it about?

Bay Winchester is having a tough week.

As the local editor of Hemlock Cove’s only newspaper, she just happens to be present when a body is found in an area corn maze. To make matters worse, the police believe the murder may have something to do with the occult.

This wouldn’t be a problem for a normal reporter, but since Bay is descended from a well-known line of actual witches, the town is understandably on edge.

Between the suspicious townspeople, the befuddled police presence and that random hot biker guy that may or may not have something to do with the murder — Bay has her hands full.

When you add the typical family problems, multiplying ghosts — and one monster of a zit that she’s sure came from her aunt’s curse — Bay is just struggling to make it through the week.

Of course, when the killer sets his sights on Bay, things could get a whole lot worse.

Any Witch Way You Can on Goodreads

Rebound – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★✰  (4 / 5 stars)

The war has ended…at least so it seems. Judas, Nadine, and Samhain have started to settle into a new normal, but out of the ashes of Denme has emerged a new group, the DRG, determined to bring back Our Leader’s rule. Now, the Rebellion must come back together to fight a new foe, all while facing their own internal demons…and choosing their own paths.

LJ Kerry takes us back to this dystopian world where even after the “good guys” win, there is still much to be done. This is a realistic approach not always taken in dystopian literature; often, we see the Rebellion succeeding…and then all is fine. But here, there is countless contention amongst the groups, as well as an attempt as normalcy. Between fights, the team goes bowling, goes on dates, and even gets ice cream! But the terror is still there.

One thing that I really appreciate Kerry taking the time to explore is PTSD and mental illness. Judas, Nadine, and Samhain – the three POV characters in Rebound – have their own demons. Judas struggles with PTSD of killing during the Rebellion; Nadine is facing her own nightmares regarding her father’s betrayal; and Samhain battles schizophrenia, leading to erratic decisions. These are realistic and often overlooked aspects of the genre, and I applaud Kerry for putting this into her writing.

Overall, Rebound is much better written than Listed; the prose is stronger, the descriptions and characterization more sound. Yet, Rebound is also a story with less at stake. Yes, there is the DRG raising chaos across the nation…but there isn’t a single leader or rule they are trying to dismantle. Rather, Rebound is an exploration of internal struggles…and determining what is best for each character in the end.

While I think Rebound is the stronger book, I preferred Listed’s plot more for this reason. I liked the higher stakes. Some of critiques from Listed carry over to Rebound as well; so much happens in these two books, I almost feel like they could have been a trilogy…or longer! There’s so much more I want to know about Denme’s rule, Samhain’s childhood, and Nadine’s family. Plus, there are so many parts of Denme, Olympia, and the rest of this dystopia world that we could have explored!

Yet, with that being said, Rebound is action packed and will keep you on the edge of your seat through each twist and turn. You’ll be screaming at certain deaths, and your heart will stand still when the stakes are high.

If you want a good dystopian read, the Listed Duology is definitely one to add to your TBR!  

What’s it about?

They should have never won. . .

Everything seemed fine for Samhain, Nadine, and Judas while they tried to heal from the events of the Uprising a year and a half ago. That is until a new group started threatening their safety, trying to bring back the ruthless regime they had fought so hard to eradicate. The new threat already burned down Samhain’s home, leaving Judas lost and having to open up his home for his stranded friends while they can do nothing but watch history repeat itself.

But the trio are soon called forward by the new government, who have decided to re-establish the shattered Rebellion in a desperate bid to shut down the threat. However, with so many unknowns about who or what the threat is—time may be running out to save an entire nation.

Rebound on Goodreads

Lanterns in the Sky – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★☆☆  (3.5 / 5 stars)

Lucy’s life was normal, her life dominated by the mundane of school and her friends. Most of her time is devoted between her family and her best friend, Valerie. But one day, when a falling star knocks her out, her entire life changes. Suddenly, her past unravels. She learns that she is the reincarnated Starlight Princess…and she holds the key to protect the world from impending shadoews. Meanwhile, her friend Valerie, her supposed sister in a past life, has been kidnapped. Can Lucy, as well as Jason and a cohort of angels, save the world and find Valerie in the process? Or will she cause darkness to fall?

I was drawn to Lanterns in the Sky after reading Starlight a little over a year ago. While Starlight takes place in a more “high fantasy” type of world though, Lanterns in the Sky takes place today. But I’m so glad I read Starlight first – it gave a better perspective on Lucy, Valerie, Jason, and the angels. Rather than diving headfirst into the conflict, I could see the starting points. I think without it, I would have ended up confused and unsure of what was happening.

Ultimately, the story itself is fast paced, focusing on one thing not explored too often in writing: friendship between two women. Lucy and Valerie do everything for each other. While Jason tries to infiltrate it with his own agenda, it’s their friendship (and ultimately sisterhood) that shines. They’ll do anything for each other, as well as work together to save the world.

And I hope that will continue…despite the twist at the end!

Yet, the fast-paced nature of this story is what hurts it as well. The story could easily have two novels in it: the first half when they rescue Valerie, and the second half as they confront the shadoews while the Starlight Barrier falls. This would have allowed for more worldbuilding and cleared some things up for readers who hadn’t read the Starlight novella.

I did enjoy the overall story though and can’t wait to read what happens next. So many questions hang in the air: Jason’s loyalties and feelings, what Lucy will do late, and Valerie’s destiny! I am sure the next book will throw us in for another rollercoaster adventure with this crew!

What’s it about?

Everything was normal for Lucy Maisfer until the day a star fell from the sky and knocked her out. Upon waking, she comes face-to-face with Jason Woods, who also happens to be the mysterious new guy in her best friend, Valarie’s, life.

Then the strange dreams begin, and she learns about the Starlight Princess— who must not under any circumstance be reawakened. Driven to uncover the meaning of it, she finds herself caught up in a strange twist of events that eventually lead to bigger danger than she ever anticipated. Before long, Lucy is forced to make a choice between saving the world, or saving her best friend; only to discover that Valarie cannot be saved… that she has an even darker secret, and that her supposed star-crossed romance with Jason might not be so destined after all… 

Lanterns in the sky on Goodreads

Lost in the Neverwoods – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★☆☆  (3.5 / 5 stars)

When she was a child, Wendy disappeared with her brothers, John and Michael.  She returned home on her own, with no recollection of what happened, and with her brothers missing. Years later, disappearances are occurring again, reminiscent of her own disappearance. But when a mysterious boy seems to fall from the sky and land on her truck, she wrapped up in a story that she used thing was a fairy tale.  

In this retelling of Peter Pan, we are reintroduced to Wendy Darling – now eighteen – who has been suffering from anxiety and depression due to a gap in her memory. Her brothers have been missing for five years, and she doesn’t remember why! Of course, her name says to the reader everything: she and brothers went to Neverland. But what happened to them? That’s the question that weighs on her mind…constantly.  

The excitement begins almost right away with Peter Pan’s arrival. Of course, Wendy doesn’t believe it! I think her disbelief is believable as well. Would you believe that Peter Pan existed? But soon, she grows to trust Peter. 

I wish I could say they went on a wild adventure though. Instead, most of the story takes place with her internal monologue while she tries to decide if she’s going crazy. Sixty percent of the way into the book, I realized…nothing much had happened. They chased Peter’s shadow, Wendy was interrogated by cops, and more kids went missing. That was about it. The story did pick up around the 70% mark, but by then I felt like I was just reading the book to finish it.  

In addition, Wendy’s romance with Peter is a little odd. Peter is aging fast. When she first runs into him again, he’s probably about 13. But, due to his loss of magic, he ends up being Wendy’s age by the middle of the book. Yes, Wendy and Peter always seemed to have some sort of romantic connection (in the original stories and in retellings) but this switch in age lingers in the air a bit. Is Peter immortal? Yes. But he still acts like a child…and that’s a little odd. If he had started aging when he first met Wendy, then it might have been a bit different. But he aged in such a short period of time that it felt strange. 

Yet, the story is still wonderfully written. Aiden Thomas knows how to paint a picture and tug at emotions. I have Aiden’s book, Cemetery Boys, on my TBR list…and that won’t be changing. The words captivated me…and that’s really all I could ask for in a retelling of Peter Pan. 

Overall, the story is still a wonderful read. I especially liked the symbolism in Peter’s role and I think Thomas handled that quite well. I just was hoping for a little bit more adventure…but perhaps that is the point? Growing up sometimes leads you into a forest of confusion and self-reflection. It isn’t always an adventure.  

What’s it about?

When children go missing in the small coastal town of Astoria, people look to Wendy for answers.

It’s been five years since Wendy and her two brothers went missing in the woods, but when the town’s children start to disappear, the questions surrounding her brothers’ mysterious circumstances are brought back into light. Attempting to flee her past, Wendy almost runs over an unconscious boy lying in the middle of the road, and gets pulled into the mystery haunting the town.

Peter, a boy she thought lived only in her stories, claims that if they don’t do something, the missing children will meet the same fate as her brothers. In order to find them and rescue the missing kids, Wendy must confront what’s waiting for her in the woods. 

Lost in the Neverwoods on Goodreads

The Sisters of Inishford – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★✰  (4 / 5 stars)

Sisters Eibhlin, Brianna, and Cassidy have always had different goals as the three princesses of Inishford. After their brother, Rhodan, is taken by a rival kingdom, Eibhlin is determined to join the King’s Mettle in battle. Meanwhile Brianna is dreaming of marriage and glamor, while the youngest, Cassidy, is being bored by her lessons. When each presented with a new opportunity to chase their dreams, they soon learn that sometimes what you thought you wanted…isn’t what they wanted at all. 

The Sisters of Inishford is not your traditional story about knights, battles, and more. Instead, it’s a story about the strengths in femineity and overcoming challenges as well as trauma. While Eibhlin presents herself at first as the heroic type, she soon learns where her strengths lie, and how the call to become a mother does not impede upon it. In addition, Brianna must learn how to overcome trauma, loss, and regret, finding her own strength in getting hands dirty in the garden and healing others…rather than the desires of glitz and glamor she once held. Finally, Cassidy goes from being headstrong, to thoughtful and commanding…manifesting herself as a part of her father’s close group of advisors. It’s in these aspects, they come together to save their brother and stop an impending battle. I think ultimately, that is something not often seen in fantasy, and it is what makes this story shine. 

While I loved the plot and all the characters (with Cassidy and Theda being my favorites), the story is slow paced. It took me quite a few months to read it, and often I found myself distracted by other novels. It is not action-packed, but rather reflective and thoughtful…which isn’t always the case in these historic-fantasy type of novels. I am glad I stuck with it though, as it reached a satisfying conclusion that I think many will enjoy.  

Overall, this was a wonderful read with notable characters and an intriguing plot. If you’re looking for something that is more reflective in fantasy, I recommend you check out The Sister of Inishford. I cannot wait to see what Jessica Monahan writes next.  

What’s it about?

At a time when two kingdoms battle for the fate of a kidnapped prince, sisters Eibhlin, Cassidy, and Brianna will forge their own destinies.

Eibhlin is closer to her goal of riding into battle alongside an elite group of knights until her budding desire to have children gets in the way. Brianna is a hopeless romantic but also the victim of a terrible crime and she must learn how to get her hands dirty in order to
combat her obsessive fears. Cassidy, who sneaks maps and reads accounts of battle, could be useful in the war effort if she can first prove she is just as capable as any of her father’s military advisors.

Together, the sisters of Inishford will find their strength to rescue their kidnapped brother, return peace to the kingdom, and restore joy to their lives. 

The Sisters of Inishford on Goodreads

Dragon Planet – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★✰  (3.75 / 5 stars)

Zero and his family, as well as his new friend Nyx, have just arrived on an alien planet after a voyage that took over 100-years (in stasis). Coming off the high of defeating space pirates, Zero cannot wait to explore this new world! But this new planet, Kaguya, is not quite Earth. With low gravity, strange animals (with a predator reminiscent of a dragon), and huge plants…this is a dangerous new landscape. Yet…that might not stop another heist from occurring…that only Zero and Nyx can stop!

A fun audible original story, Dragon Planet takes us on an adventure filled with a new planet, a bit of science…and well…dragons! It’s fast paced, with memorable and fun characters, and a new mystery that needs to be solved! What’s not to love? Really, I had a fun time listening to this audiobook…and considering I’m not the target audience, that’s all you can really ask!

Granted, as an adult reader, I was left with a few questions that made it hard to suspend disbelief. Wouldn’t they have sent out probes to tell them more about Kaguya before they landed? And for something so important, wouldn’t there be more safe fails to hopefully prevent someone from stealing equipment? What about cameras that might have seen what happened during the windstorm? While some of these are addressed, a lot of answers are simplistic – which is fine for a children’s book! But, it was a little unbelievable to an extent.

Overall, while I enjoyed Zero G much more than this book, Dragon Planet is still a fun adventure for the whole family! I’ll be listening to the next book in the Zero Chronicles, Stargazer, in the near future!

What’s it about?

The much-anticipated sequel to Zero G and the middle grade debut by Dan Wells.

The colonists from the Pathfinder have arrived on Kaguya, a planet with low gravity but a very dense atmosphere. It’s fun to jump around, but the air makes you loopy. Even worse than that, the heavy atmosphere means that wind storms, although rare, are absolutely devastating.

Zero and Nyx help to get everything locked down before the first big storm, but they stumble onto a group of thieves who have stolen some mining equipment. Before the kids have a chance to get away and tell anyone, the storm hits and the massive winds carry them far away. Zero and Nyx are stranded on an unknown planet with no way to communicate, being chased by thieves, and with another storm bearing down on them.

And, oh yeah, this planet has dragons.

It will take more than just good luck to get back to the colony. It’s going to take science.

Dragon Planet on Goodreads

Larimar: Gem of the Sea – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★✰  (4 / 5 stars)

Years ago, Captain Jorah met a peculiar young woman who lived in the sea. After helping her obtain an artifact stolen from her people, Jorah doesn’t think he’ll see her again. But years later, after he turns up shipwrecked somewhere far away from home, he encounters her again. This time, she needs his help to rid the evil from her home…before it’s too late.

In a quick story about a Captain and a Woman of the Sea, we are taken on a whirlwind of action and adventure making us yearn for more. Even in the short amount of time, it is clear the author has a well constructed world, filled with legends and creatures beyond our imagination. If the goal of this story was to attract more readers to the The Amielian Legends, then Schulze certainly did a phenomenal job.

Yet, the fact that this story is short does work against it a tad. While it painted a wonderful picture, well written in a way where I felt like I was beside Captain Jorah and Larimar, I wanted to learn more. I wanted to hear about Captain Jorah’s adventure, about how he escaped his uncle, helped his mother find safety, and took down the evil regime. I wanted to learn more about Larimar and her people.

But it also made me want to read more of the Amielian Legends. Schulze has found herself a new reader with this short story – and I certainly will pick up more soon!

What’s it about?

A fearless captain and a mysterious girl who walks on water. An underwater city and a destined deadly curse. What could possibly go wrong?

Captain Jorah is notorious for being one of the youngest explorers to ever sail Zephyrian waters. He’s also notorious for landing his crew in situations they hadn’t counted on—situations involving man-eating mermaids and other dangerous misadventures.

When Jorah decides to search for the legendary underwater City of Larimar, he doesn’t account for the quest that follows. Rescued from shipwreck by a mysterious young lady who walks on water and carries a singing seashell around her neck, he soon finds himself reunited with an old friend once thought lost to him. Before he knows it, he’s caught up in a race against time to save her yet again, this time from a looming prophecy about a deadly serpent destined to consume her entire race.

Can Jorah help the girl save her people before the dark prophecy can complete itself?

The Amielian Legends is a collection of stand-alone young adult books, all set in the same fantastic universe, that can be read in any order. Read Larimar: Gem of the Sea and dive into new worlds filled with new adventures today!

Larimar: Gem of the sea on Goodreads

Tam Lin – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★✰✰  (3.5 / 5 stars)

Tom is convinced he found the love of his life, the wonderful and talented, almost “God-like” Ariel. Yet after a lover’s quarrel leaves Tom traveling to Ireland on his own to discover his history, Tom is left wondering what his future holds. Little does he expect that his past is entwined with the Legendary Ballad of Tam Lin…and there is more to Ariel and the two tours guides who help him than meet the eye.

In a short, queer story, we go on a new twist for the classic story of Tam Lin. I’ll be frank though…I wasn’t familiar with Tam Lin until I read this story! Thankfully with the help of Wikipedia and the expose inside the story, I quickly learned what this was about. I think this was a wonderful twist, paying homage to the original tale while transporting us to modern day.

I’ve been reading a lot of books like this lately – where a legend is expanded upon in today’s world – and sometimes they are left feeling unsatisfactory. I’d say that this telling of Tam Lin falls in between. On one hand, it is well written with valid representation of a bisexual young man. On the other hand though, it was missing something. For about 50% of the book, nothing is all that “magical” or “fae-like”. We get a moment where Tom is in court, but that is rushed so much…instead focusing on the sex scenes. If you are all for the spice, then you’ll love these scenes though! For me, too much spice leaves a negative impact on a story.

But that’s just a personal take.

What intrigued me was the ending though; it ended on a bittersweet moment, and I am curious how the author will elaborate upon this in their other stories. Out of curiosity more than anything, I’ve added book 2 to my TBR!

Overall, while Tam Lin is a well written story, I think it needed just a little bit more to make it shine. But, if you’re here for the spice with a touch of retelling, then Tam Lin will be for you!

What’s it about?

Over five hundred years ago, Tam Lin betrayed the Queen of the Fae, leaving her to be with his human lover Janet. Tom, a literature professor, knew the story. Adopted, he spent his life studying the stories of others and their families, never knowing his own.

When his boyfriend, Ariel, gifted Tom an all expense paid trip to Ireland to seek out his Ulster-Scots roots, he never expected to find out how his story tied into the legendary Ballad of Tam Lin.

Tam Lin on Goodreads

We Come Undone – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆  (3.75 / 5 stars)

Despite how the world might darken, there is always a way to find light. There is always a way to face adversaries, even when everyone turns against you. Caleb knows that more than anyone as he fights to keep his farm, and he will stand his ground to protect his land, his hens, and his friends.

In a poetic story, Koontz takes us into a post-apocalyptic southern home, with a deep message: you can fight no matter how many people turn against you. While the story is short, Koontz does a fantastic job painting a picture of this world, taking us into the struggles of Caleb’s farm against adversaries, and what he must do to keep it. It’s a very vivid reminder to all of us, no matter how good or bad things get, you need to keep fighting. But if you must fight, fight with those you care about…fight with your friends and family.

Yet, while much of the prose is written in a way reminiscent of poetry – and poetry, as a whole, can avoid some grammatical conventions – I do think the story would have benefited from being proofread once more to catch any mistakes. In addition, as I find with many short stories, some need to be longer to really paint the picture. There is so much that could have been delved into…but time was of the essence.

Overall, We Come Undone is a poetic and wonderful read. If you want something to read one gloomy afternoon to remind you to keep fighting, check it out!

What’s it about?

The thing about life is that even on the darkest of days, there’s still a glint of hope. It’s the stars, peeking through the smoggy sky. It’s the moon burnt red in fire. It’s strings of lights run by glints of copper, twining through the trees and the old rafters. The hen that pecks at a dying land. The gears that keep turning. And the thing about life is that even when we come undone, there’s always going to be someone or something to pick you back up, help get your feet moving again, help you find another light to cling too, another ember to fan into your own burning flames. Ian’s been moving through the ashes for far too long, and Caleb might not have realized his flames were burning so low. But the way that the world works, is that it tends to put you in exactly the right spot, at exactly the same time. Or maybe that’s just luck. Some could even argue it’s bad luck. No matter what it is, though, it’s there. And you have to deal with it.

OTHER INFORMATION – When an old friend shows up at Caleb’s farm, he finds the full wrath of the Capitol Council brought down upon him. When given a choice between keeping Ian safe, or keeping ownership of the last farm in the country, Caleb knows that there’s only one choice he can make. Keep them both, of course.*a genre mash-up with flavors from fantasy, post-apoc fiction, and western hints. *We Come Undone is, at heart, a story about healing, farming, and finding your own family. 

We Come Undone on Goodreads

Crooked Kingdom – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★★  (5 / 5 stars)

There’s one thing you should know: don’t cross Kaz Brekker.

After Van Eck fails to uphold his end of the bargain and steals the Wraith, Kaz is on a mission to seek revenge…and he’ll burn Ketterdam down in the process, if necessary. With his band of misfits ready to fight to the death, Kaz constructs a plan to bring Van Eck’s empire down…and hopefully make a quick profit in the process.

While it took me awhile to read Crooked Kingdom (only due to my own life and not the story itself), this story kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. The market manipulation, the popping characters, and the scheming all come to a head right back in Ketterdam. Unlike Six of Crows, we already know Kaz and his crew, so it gives us a chance to really immerse ourselves in the story rather than be taken back in time throughout the heist.

Ultimately, the Six of Crows Duology is a character study though, and while the plot itself is relatively predictable as far as the ultimate outcome (and thanks to a few spoilers I saw online, unfortunately), it’s the characters and their development, and their actions, that make this story shine. There is no one quite like Kaz Brekker and his crew. Each character adds their own perspective to the plot, making Kaz’s plans all the more allusive, as they navigate Ketterdam in the dark.

What’s impressive overall is how each pair in the crew seems to foil each other, but in all the right ways. Jesper is impulsive and cocky, Wylan quiet and more calculating. Nina is a Grisha with a penchant for crude humor, while Matthias is a soldier raised to hate Grisha and keep things in line. Finally, you have Kaz and Inej, with Kaz as the “ruthless” leader of the Dregs, and Inej as his moral compass.

I would like to take a moment to talk about Inej. She is by far my favorite character – I love leading women who are both kind and tough in one foul swoop. She doesn’t kill without reason, and her end goal is hunt slavers and bring them to their knees. It’s noble, and not quite what you would expect for someone so close to Kaz Brekker. But, while Kaz is hailed as the “hero” of the story – the mastermind of the plot if you will – it is Inej’s story. The first time we meet the crows is through Inej’s perspective. We learn about how she is indebted to Kaz. The book ends on her freedom. While yes, the Six of Crows Duology is about all six of the characters, I really do think the story is about Inej (and Kaz, of course). But it’s subtle, not up front, and that’s what makes it brilliant.

One reason though that I really loved Crooked Kingdom is because of the way Kaz manipulates the markets in his illegal ways. The fact that the outcome of this is all due to market play is fascinating to me – especially since I work in the financial service industry. It’s rare to see something like that in a fantasy story. Instead, you often see thinks more like the Shadow & Bone Trilogy, with wild displays of magic and fighting.

Ultimately, Crooked Kingdom is a fantastic way to end the Six of Crows Duology. I have full intentions to pick up the King of Scars Duology soon…and hopefully I’ll see Kaz, Inej, and the rest of the Crows again in the near future.

And remember…if you can’t beat the odds…change the game.

What’s it about?

Kaz Brekker and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives.

Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties.

A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets – a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

Crooked Kingdom on Goodreads