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Crier's War
(Crier's War #1)
by
Impossible love between two girls —one human, one Made.
A love that could birth a revolution.
After the War of Kinds ravaged the kingdom of Rabu, the Automae, Designed to be the playthings of royals, took over the estates of their owners and bent the human race to their will.
Now, Ayla, a human servant rising the ranks at the House of the Sovereign, dreams of avenging the de ...more
A love that could birth a revolution.
After the War of Kinds ravaged the kingdom of Rabu, the Automae, Designed to be the playthings of royals, took over the estates of their owners and bent the human race to their will.
Now, Ayla, a human servant rising the ranks at the House of the Sovereign, dreams of avenging the de ...more
ebook, 464 pages
Published
October 1st 2019
by Quill Tree Books
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Start your review of Crier's War (Crier's War, #1)

Nothing gladdens my heart more than picking up an ardently anticipated new release with the stammering gaiety of stepping off the edge of a cliff in the tremulous faith that you’ll sprout wings halfway down, and for all your expectations to be met, the inexpressible sweetness of finding yourself hovering above the ground with rills of current flowing off the tips of your winged arms.
Crier’s War colored everything, like the afterglow of a dream, and for the space of a few hundred page-turns, ther ...more
Crier’s War colored everything, like the afterglow of a dream, and for the space of a few hundred page-turns, ther ...more

Jun 16, 2019
✨ jamieson ✨
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2019-reads,
f-f,
favourite-covers,
reread,
owned-books,
2020-reads,
lgbtqiap,
series-to-complete,
young-adult,
lesbian-mc
reread may 2020 me @ nina varela: HEY QUEEN! girl, you have done it again. constantly raising the bar for all of us .... and doing it flawlessly. I'd say I'm surprised, but I know who you are. I've seen it up close and personal. Girl, you make me so proud . and I love you .


by breatheforayla on tumblr
I AM A MESS!!! This book is everything. I have wanted this for so long. A TRUE slowburn angsty enemies to lovers where they're REAL ENEMIES who want to KILL EACHOTHER and its so beautiful.
The entir ...more


by breatheforayla on tumblr
I AM A MESS!!! This book is everything. I have wanted this for so long. A TRUE slowburn angsty enemies to lovers where they're REAL ENEMIES who want to KILL EACHOTHER and its so beautiful.
The entir ...more

Sep 20, 2019
Melanie
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arc,
buddy-reads,
lgbtqiap,
young-adult,
read-in-2019,
blog-tour,
romance,
fantasy,
own-voices,
sapphic

ARC provided by HarperTeen in exchange for an honest review.
“It was never really a choice, was it? Wanting her. Killing her.”
Friends, if you are looking for a book all about revenge, filled with mystery and betrayals, while also showcasing the best enemies to lovers f/f romance I’ve read in a long while, please immediately pick up Crier’s War. I’m telling you right now, this is going to make so many best of 2019 lists come the end of the year, and I don’t even have words for the amou ...more

This book was such a surprise. I thought for sure it would mostly revolve around the sapphic romance, but it didn’t! This felt unique, especially because it flips the AI vs Human story and makes the AIs the ones in charge. I wish the second book was out already because this duology is definitely one I would have binge read straight through.

me every three pages of this book about tenderness between rivals, sapphics, and flawed villainy:

In the world of Zulla, about 80 years after a war between humans and automae, automae rule the earth, triumphing over human beings. Crier, the sovereign’s daughter, is slated to take over. Ayla, a human rebel ...more

You couldn’t depend on much in this world, but you could depend on this: love brought nothing but death. Where love existed, death would follow, a wolf trailing after a wounded deer.
In the world of Zulla, about 80 years after a war between humans and automae, automae rule the earth, triumphing over human beings. Crier, the sovereign’s daughter, is slated to take over. Ayla, a human rebel ...more

The romance didn't burn me.
The intensity of the whole revenge/war/hatred/love was so lacking even though everything was there all along.
And what I dearly missed was any kind of humour in the writing.
The world system is pretty simple. The moment you open up the book, you will just get into it. The characters have been developed good, their introductions fairly well done with different, unique auras of their own. I would like to say the first half of the book has been written pretty well. It's fa ...more
The intensity of the whole revenge/war/hatred/love was so lacking even though everything was there all along.
And what I dearly missed was any kind of humour in the writing.
The world system is pretty simple. The moment you open up the book, you will just get into it. The characters have been developed good, their introductions fairly well done with different, unique auras of their own. I would like to say the first half of the book has been written pretty well. It's fa ...more

Sep 13, 2019
may ➹
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
4-star,
buddy-reads,
ownvoices,
diverse,
rep-lgbtqiap-author,
fantasy,
shocking,
rep-lgbtqiap-wlw,
rep-bipoc,
pov-3rd
In a world where alchemy-based android-like Automae have overthrown their human Makers and now rule over humans, the paths of two girls, Crier and Ayla, intertwine, ultimately changing the entire course of their political landscape.
Crier, an Automa and the sovereign’s daughter, was Made to be the epitome of perfection, but her entire life changes when she takes on a new human handmaiden, Ayla. There has only been one thing that has kept Ayla going: revenge. And she’s going to get it by killing C ...more
Crier, an Automa and the sovereign’s daughter, was Made to be the epitome of perfection, but her entire life changes when she takes on a new human handmaiden, Ayla. There has only been one thing that has kept Ayla going: revenge. And she’s going to get it by killing C ...more

Yay! October Owlcrate Unboxing! Click on the link below the pic to see the GOODIES! We got two books I'm excited for!

GOODIES LINK
Didn’t like it. Don’t care. Going in the trade in box.

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more

GOODIES LINK
Didn’t like it. Don’t care. Going in the trade in box.

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more

★★★★★ | Is it too early to beg for the sequel if the 1st book hasn't even officially come out yet???? It's out. I'm begging.
➽ SUMMARY
💜 f/f romance
❤️ bisexual and lesbian MCs
💜 enemies-to-lovers
❤️ slow-burn
In Zulla you're either Mortal or Made. Automae subdued Humans in the War of Kinds and now rule over them with a hard hand. Ayla has lost everything in one of Automae's brutal raids. Crier is the heir to the Sovereign who orde ...more
"It was never really a choice, was it? Wanting her. Killing her."
➽ SUMMARY
💜 f/f romance
❤️ bisexual and lesbian MCs
💜 enemies-to-lovers
❤️ slow-burn
In Zulla you're either Mortal or Made. Automae subdued Humans in the War of Kinds and now rule over them with a hard hand. Ayla has lost everything in one of Automae's brutal raids. Crier is the heir to the Sovereign who orde ...more

I'm going to need y'all to preorder this book immediately. All a queer girl wants is to read a YA fantasy that is not only incredibly original, but has two queer girls at it's center. And on top of that we get a slow burn romance? We have all been BLESSED by Nina Varela and we should be thanking her.
The most notable thing to take from this book, though, was it's ties to present day. It may not have been written like that intentionally, but it definitely called out real-world problems. (ex. "You ...more
The most notable thing to take from this book, though, was it's ties to present day. It may not have been written like that intentionally, but it definitely called out real-world problems. (ex. "You ...more

Jun 09, 2020
Ashleigh (a frolic through fiction)
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
physically-own
You can see more of my thoughts in my Weekly Reading Vlog
Rated 3.5/5 stars
A combination between SciFi and Fantasy, this book ended up being one with a fab concept. Based years after the War Between Kinds and feeling the uncertainty of unrest once again, the edge of uneasiness surrounding both the social and ruling politics of this world is evident. The plot itself is one to easily fall into, with this first book setting up the world and its dynamics. Interestingly, this ended up being a pretty q ...more
Rated 3.5/5 stars
A combination between SciFi and Fantasy, this book ended up being one with a fab concept. Based years after the War Between Kinds and feeling the uncertainty of unrest once again, the edge of uneasiness surrounding both the social and ruling politics of this world is evident. The plot itself is one to easily fall into, with this first book setting up the world and its dynamics. Interestingly, this ended up being a pretty q ...more

Sep 28, 2019
anna (½ of readsrainbow)
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
1-fantasy,
2-lgbt,
5-young-adult,
2-ownvoices,
2-protags-of-color,
3-slowburn,
arcs,
favourites,
2-bi-pan-protags,
pub-2019
rep: lesbian poc mc, bi poc mc, poc cast, side mlm & wlw couples
Review also on Reads Rainbow. ARC provided by the publisher.
If you know me at all, you know that I haven’t been big on fantasy in the last year or so. But Crier’s War? It’s the kind of fantasy I can get behind even now, when I’m not really a fan of the genre. And there are two main reasons for this: 1) it’s a little bit character-driven (not the way contemporary novels can be, no, but it’s there) & 2) it’s heavy on the romance.
Now, ...more
Review also on Reads Rainbow. ARC provided by the publisher.
If you know me at all, you know that I haven’t been big on fantasy in the last year or so. But Crier’s War? It’s the kind of fantasy I can get behind even now, when I’m not really a fan of the genre. And there are two main reasons for this: 1) it’s a little bit character-driven (not the way contemporary novels can be, no, but it’s there) & 2) it’s heavy on the romance.
Now, ...more

Mar 02, 2020
April (Aprilius Maximus)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2020,
favourites
“Do not be ashamed of your fear, Lady Crier.”
representation: own voices queer (f/f) romance, POC cast??? (I see this in a lot of reviews, but I felt like the physical descriptions of characters was quite poor, so can't confirm).
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
✧·゚: ✧·゚: 4 . 5 s t a r s :·゚✧:·゚✧
I loved this soooooo much and the audiobook was so good! Enemies to lovers romance, themes of what it means to be human, war and angst.... wow, we sta ...more
representation: own voices queer (f/f) romance, POC cast??? (I see this in a lot of reviews, but I felt like the physical descriptions of characters was quite poor, so can't confirm).
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
✧·゚: ✧·゚: 4 . 5 s t a r s :·゚✧:·゚✧
I loved this soooooo much and the audiobook was so good! Enemies to lovers romance, themes of what it means to be human, war and angst.... wow, we sta ...more

🌼review can also be found on my blog! 🌼
representation: lesbian mc's, f/f romance, #ownvoices author
At the beginning of the Automae era, human Queen Thea - who cannot bear children - commissions her people to build her a child. One who can replicate every aspect of human life. A seemingly impossible request is manufactured, where individuals are Made, with Four Pillars: Reason, Calculation, Organics, and Intellect. However, this ignites a vicious war between the humans and the Automades, who ...more

My review
Lately, everyone just couldn't seem to stop talking about this new slow burn, enemies-to-lovers high-fantasy book and I knew I needed to read it as soon as possible. I actually thought this was going to be a standalone so you can only imagine my surprise (delighted actually) when I figured it wasn’t over. Crier’s War has such a cool and inspiring concept that really left a jumble of thoughts I’m still trying to process.
After the War of Kinds that ravished the land of Rabu, the country ...more
Lately, everyone just couldn't seem to stop talking about this new slow burn, enemies-to-lovers high-fantasy book and I knew I needed to read it as soon as possible. I actually thought this was going to be a standalone so you can only imagine my surprise (delighted actually) when I figured it wasn’t over. Crier’s War has such a cool and inspiring concept that really left a jumble of thoughts I’m still trying to process.
After the War of Kinds that ravished the land of Rabu, the country ...more

“For the queer readers. You deserve every adventure.”
Instagram | youtube
Crier’s war was my first read of the year, and I’m so glad it was. I wanted to start the decade on a queer as fuck note, and this book knocked the ball out of the park. Hell, it knocked the whole park.
Crier’s War tells the story of two pawns, a princess (Crier) and a rebel part of the resistance with a thirst for revenge (Ayla,) thrown as enemies in a game too big and tangled for their understanding, and yet, against a ...more
Instagram | youtube
Crier’s war was my first read of the year, and I’m so glad it was. I wanted to start the decade on a queer as fuck note, and this book knocked the ball out of the park. Hell, it knocked the whole park.
Crier’s War tells the story of two pawns, a princess (Crier) and a rebel part of the resistance with a thirst for revenge (Ayla,) thrown as enemies in a game too big and tangled for their understanding, and yet, against a ...more

You want girls loving girls? Agonizing slow burn? A hate to love arc that will tear out your damn heart? READ THIS BOOK.
I'm a total mess right now and this book is the cause. CRIER'S WAR is a lyrical, romantic debut that keeps you guessing at every turn. Just when you think you know where the story is going it flips the lid, and it feels effortless the way Varela handles these themes: the consequences of clinging to hatred, the cost of war, and what it means to really be human. And oh yeah, it' ...more
I'm a total mess right now and this book is the cause. CRIER'S WAR is a lyrical, romantic debut that keeps you guessing at every turn. Just when you think you know where the story is going it flips the lid, and it feels effortless the way Varela handles these themes: the consequences of clinging to hatred, the cost of war, and what it means to really be human. And oh yeah, it' ...more

hi, i wrote this, i hope y'all like it!
content warnings here: https://www.ninavarela.com/content
much love,
nina ...more
content warnings here: https://www.ninavarela.com/content
much love,
nina ...more

I LOVE SAPPHIC FANTASY SO MUCH BLESS NINA VARELA FOR WRITING THIS BOOK *sobs*
It was honestly REALLY GOOD. Perfectly constructed romance, and I loved the socio-politics of the world. And of course, Crier and Ayla are my soft children! My sweet, sweet children. I love how Crier was instantly fascinated with Ayla - much like how you’re immediately fascinated by a beautiful bird - and it developed from there, whilst for Ayla is was very much a gorgeous build up that she tried to resist and UGH my he ...more
It was honestly REALLY GOOD. Perfectly constructed romance, and I loved the socio-politics of the world. And of course, Crier and Ayla are my soft children! My sweet, sweet children. I love how Crier was instantly fascinated with Ayla - much like how you’re immediately fascinated by a beautiful bird - and it developed from there, whilst for Ayla is was very much a gorgeous build up that she tried to resist and UGH my he ...more

ARC provided in exchange for honest review ⚔️

Nov 10, 2019
h o l l i s
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
coverly-love,
lgbtqia,
romance,
fantasy,
hello-diversity,
slowburn-yum,
ya,
arc,
2019-reads,
hate-to-love-romance
I think this is one of those books that can go either way for some readers. But, for me, I'm caught right in the middle.
First, let me say : if you considered picking this book up because you heard it was a hate to love, or enemies to lovers, or opposites attract, romance? I don't think you’ll be disappointed. This, unlike another fantasy series featuring an f/f pairing, was done so so well. I believed in the evolution of this.. not relationship but this connection. It totally won me over and oh ...more
First, let me say : if you considered picking this book up because you heard it was a hate to love, or enemies to lovers, or opposites attract, romance? I don't think you’ll be disappointed. This, unlike another fantasy series featuring an f/f pairing, was done so so well. I believed in the evolution of this.. not relationship but this connection. It totally won me over and oh ...more

second read, feb 4 2021: hi so im in pain
First read, October 1 2019: HELLO I AM NOT OKAY
NINA VARELA HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME
Anyways this book is a masterpiece. Genuinely I don't know when the last time I read a book quite this good was. It was...spectacular. Unlike anything else I have ever read. It's such a gorgeous book, and of course Crier and Ayla own my heart.
I'm not going to do this book justice with any review I write, so I'm not going to try.
But seriously y'all. Read this book. It's f ...more
First read, October 1 2019: HELLO I AM NOT OKAY
NINA VARELA HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME
Anyways this book is a masterpiece. Genuinely I don't know when the last time I read a book quite this good was. It was...spectacular. Unlike anything else I have ever read. It's such a gorgeous book, and of course Crier and Ayla own my heart.
I'm not going to do this book justice with any review I write, so I'm not going to try.
But seriously y'all. Read this book. It's f ...more

Coherent thoughts? I don't know her! But i'll come back and write down my thoughts tomorrow (when it's not 1am)...if I remember. Feel free to yell at me if this is still in this space in a few days!
Long story short, I expected a LOT more romance from everyone's reactions (not the book's fault though so it's okay) but there was A LOT of angst and longing and y'all...when they tell you it's slow burn, it is. And the ending was REALLY GOOD, not a cliffhanger of any sort but I still need the sequel ...more
Long story short, I expected a LOT more romance from everyone's reactions (not the book's fault though so it's okay) but there was A LOT of angst and longing and y'all...when they tell you it's slow burn, it is. And the ending was REALLY GOOD, not a cliffhanger of any sort but I still need the sequel ...more

re-read
have you ever re-read your favorite book and considered that since it is so hyped up in your mind, it cannot possibly actually be that in ...more
"A thought came to her: a story of its own, one that had only just begun writing itself in her mind: a story of two women, one human, one Made, who told ancient faerie stories to each other. Who splashed each other at the edge of the water. Who whispered the beauty of snow and fear of death into the darkness of a late summer evening."
have you ever re-read your favorite book and considered that since it is so hyped up in your mind, it cannot possibly actually be that in ...more

Oct 04, 2019
Kathryn Speckels (Metaphors and Miscellanea)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arcs
Where do I even begin? This novel is a gem, a multifaceted narrative with two compelling young women at its beating heart. It is a story about politics, prejudice, and humanity. It is a gorgeous queer love story. It is a vividly imagined hybrid of sci-fi and fantasy. And it is told in lovely, sparkling prose–not overwrought, but highly evocative.
Some people ask if this is a fast-paced book, saying that the beginning feels slow. It took me a while to figure out how to describe the pacing, because ...more
Some people ask if this is a fast-paced book, saying that the beginning feels slow. It took me a while to figure out how to describe the pacing, because ...more

Justice was a god, and Ayla didn’t believe in such childish things. She believed in blood.
Humans are forced to bend to the will of the Automae's, those who are designed. Wars have left the kingdom of Rabu scattered. Ayla is just a servant with a plan for vengeance when she saves the life of Crier, the princess, and ends up as her servant.
─── ・ 。゚:☆. *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
I’ll be fair when I say that I wasn’t sure what I was getting when I got into this, but the premise had left me intrig ...more

first read - december 2019
second read - september 2020
the yearning in this is so good i can't wait to read iron heart ...more
second read - september 2020
the yearning in this is so good i can't wait to read iron heart ...more

what the FUCK but also this is like. everything i’ve ever wanted i’m,,,,, upset
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
YA Buddy Reads Co...: Crier's War by Nina Varela (Duology) | 17 | 10 | Feb 03, 2021 11:47PM | |
Bisexuals in Book...: Crier's War Discussion Board - Dec 2020 | 6 | 8 | Jan 02, 2021 10:54AM | |
YA Buddy Readers'...: Crier's War (Crier's War, #1) by Nina Varela - Restarting November 20th 2020 | 15 | 37 | Dec 02, 2020 12:50PM |
hi! thank y'all so much for reading my books!
i'm not active on here, but you can find me on twitter @ninavarelas or at www.ninavarela.com! ...more
i'm not active on here, but you can find me on twitter @ninavarelas or at www.ninavarela.com! ...more
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