Click Here To Enter The Giveaway
(Demo Only)

Scroll Down For A Free Flash Fiction Feature by J.D. Brown

The Redline – A Vampire Flash Fiction Feature by J.D. Brown

The last train left at midnight.

Clara sprinted through the rain-slicked streets, her boots slapping puddles as the storm chased her down the empty platform. The subway loomed ahead, mouth agape and waiting, its lights flickering like a dying pulse. She ducked through the doors as they hissed shut, barely missing her coat.

Only two other passengers sat in the car: an old man asleep under a blanket of newspapers, and a woman in a sleek black coat, lips blood-red against porcelain skin.

Clara dropped into a seat and pulled out her cracked phone. No signal. No surprise. The Redline always dipped into dead zones between stations.

“You’re bleeding,” the woman said.

Clara looked up. “Excuse me?”

The woman pointed delicately at Clara’s hand. A long, shallow gash crossed her palm. She’d forgotten it—the price of scaling a rusted fence on her shortcut from the club.

“It’s nothing,” Clara muttered, wrapping it in her sleeve.

The woman tilted her head. “It smells like copper and regret.”

“Excuse me?” Clara blinked.

The woman smiled. “Most people don’t hear it, but your blood hums. Like it remembers something you forgot.”

Clara stared, unsure whether to laugh or switch cars. “You’re creepy, you know that?”

The woman stood and moved closer, heels clicking like clock hands counting down.

“You shouldn’t be on this train tonight.”

“Why? Are you gonna bite me?”

That smile again—sharp this time.

“No. But he might.”

A low groan echoed from the far end of the car. The old man under the newspapers shifted, then convulsed. The papers slid to the floor, revealing a face too pale, eyes too black, mouth too full of jagged teeth.

Clara scrambled back. “What the hell?”

The woman didn’t flinch.

“He followed the storm. Some of them do. They smell panic like perfume.”

Clara’s breath fogged the window behind her. The thing—man—monster—sniffed the air, teeth clicking.

“I don’t—I don’t understand.”

“You’re dreaming,” the woman said. “That’s the only way you’ll survive this.”

Clara shook her head. “This isn’t a dream.”

“It is now.”

The car lights flared and died. For a moment, only the sound of steel wheels and a growling hunger filled the darkness.

Then the woman moved.

Clara didn’t see her cross the space—just a blur, a flick of shadow, then the monster was on the floor, pinned by something cold and ancient in the shape of a woman.

Claws scraped. Screeches echoed. The train rocked with their violence.

When the lights flickered back, the monster was gone.

Clara pressed herself into the seat, shaking.

“You killed him.”

“No.” The woman wiped blood from her cheek with a silk handkerchief. “I unmade him. He was hollow already.”

“What are you?”

The woman paused, thoughtful.

“Something old that learned to walk through nightmares without becoming one.”

Clara swallowed. “Why help me?”

The woman sat beside her. “You’ve seen things, haven’t you? Things that don’t make sense. Shadows moving when they shouldn’t. Faces in mirrors that aren’t your own. And that scar on your shoulder—”

Clara flinched. “You shouldn’t know about that.”

“I do. Because I remember what it felt like, waking up changed. Afraid. Angry. Hungry for answers.”

The train screeched as it pulled into an unfamiliar station. The lights outside were flickering crimson.

“This isn’t on the map,” Clara whispered.

“It’s not meant to be.” The woman stood. “This stop only appears when someone chooses.”

“Chooses what?”

“To keep pretending the world is what it seems… or step into the dark and learn the truth.”

Clara’s throat tightened. “What truth?”

“That monsters exist,” the woman said. “But so do those who hunt them. And sometimes, they’re the same thing.”

The doors hissed open.

“Who are you?” Clara asked.

The woman gave that eerie smile one last time.

“Call me Red. I collect girls like you.”

Clara looked at the platform. Figures waited in the red-tinted fog—some cloaked, some fanged, some human. All watching.

And somehow, Clara knew this was where her nightmares had always been leading.

She stood.

And followed Red into the dark.

About The Author

J.D. BROWN is the Award-Winning author of the Ema Marx series and the Daughter of Eve series. She writes in the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres. Growing up with autoinflammatory disease, J.D. spent her childhood in hospital rooms seeking her escape between the pages of any book or magazine she could get her hands on. She developed a deep love for paranormal boyfriends, strong female characters, and epically-won battles. A Chicagoland native, caffeine addict, and occult enthusiast, she’s usually up at 3 AM making moon water and listening to her favorite astrology podcast.

Connect with J.D. Brown on her website

Enter To Win An Autographed Paperback Book By J.D. Brown
Click Here!

Like this post? Discover more Fantasy Books & Authors here.

The post Flash Fiction Feature by J.D. Brown appeared first on ReignOfReads.

Mythology Coloring Books List

Now we embark on a journey through the captivating world of mythology coloring books tailored for adults. These books offer a bridge between ancient stories and modern artistry, allowing you to immerse yourself in the legendary tales, gods, and creatures of various cultures. Whether you’re a mythology enthusiast or simply seeking a unique way to express your creativity, our carefully selected list showcases the best coloring books that transport you to mythic realms. From the heroic exploits of Greek heroes to the mystic legends of the East, get ready to uncover these exceptional coloring books that empower you to infuse your artistic spirit with the magic of mythology.

Mermaid Magic – Selina Fenech

Dive into the enchanting world of mermaids with Mermaid Magic by Selina Fenech. Lose yourself in the intricate illustrations and let your creativity flow as you bring these mesmerizing mermaids to life. With its beautiful artwork and detailed designs, this coloring book offers a delightful escape into a realm where mermaids frolic amidst waves of imagination. Selina Fenech’s skillful artistry ensures that each page is a captivating canvas waiting to be colored. Thus providing hours of relaxation and artistic exploration. Discover the magic of the deep sea through your own vibrant hues. And let your imagination swim alongside these stunning mermaids.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Enchanted Realms: Magical Mermaid Coloring Pages For Adults – Lily Fairchild

Step into a realm of tranquility and serenity with the Enchanted Realms Coloring Book. This captivating coloring book offers a unique blend of mindfulness and enchantment as it combines the soothing practice of coloring with the mystical allure of mermaids. Immerse yourself in the intricate designs that showcase not only graceful mermaids but also enchanting landscapes and magical creatures. The harmonious fusion of mermaids and mindfulness creates a perfect sanctuary where creativity and inner peace flourish. Discover the therapeutic benefits of coloring while indulging in the captivating world of mermaids, making this coloring book a truly enchanting experience

Click Here To View On Amazon

Magnificent Mermaids Coloring Book – Creative Haven

From swimming alongside dolphins to basking on sun-kissed rocks, each page invites you to unleash your imagination and add vibrant colors to bring these mermaids to life. Printed on one side and perforated for easy removal, you can proudly display your finished masterpieces. Specially created for experienced colorists, this book is part of the Creative Haven® series, known for offering a therapeutic escape and a source of artistic fulfillment. Dive into a world of inspiration and relaxation as you immerse yourself in the captivating realm of magnificent mermaids. Let the soothing strokes of your coloring tools whisk you away to a realm of tranquility and creativity, leaving stress behind.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Enchanted Realms: Magical Dragons Coloring Pages For Adults – Lily Fairchild

Welcome to the spellbinding Enchanted Realms, a world where magic thrives and majestic dragons rule the skies. Immerse yourself in this captivating journey as you tap into your artistic potential through the enchanting coloring pages that await you. With every stroke of your pencil or brush, unleash your imagination and breathe life into these mesmerizing illustrations.

This coloring book is a haven for those seeking tranquility and a touch of childhood wonder. Whether you find solace in illustrations that soothe your soul or have always yearned to explore a world of magical fascination, this book is the perfect companion. Within its pages, you will discover 53 extraordinary illustrations that showcase a diverse range of powerful dragons, brave riders, and beautiful warriors, all set in enchanting and immersive settings. Let these captivating images transport you to realms of relaxation and ignite your creative spirit, as you find joy in the art of coloring and unlock your own unique masterpiece.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Winged Magic – Selina Fenech

Winged Magic is a coloring book for adults featuring 50 beautifully detailed illustrations of winged creatures from fantasy and mythology. From fairies and angels to dragons and griffins, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this book.

The illustrations are rendered in a delicate and elegant style, with intricate details that will reward close inspection. The pages are single-sided, so you can color without worrying about bleed-through. And the black backgrounds provide a perfect canvas for your creativity.

Whether you’re a seasoned colorist or a beginner, Winged Magic is a great way to relax and de-stress. Coloring these pages can help to improve your focus and concentration, as well as boost your creativity. So grab your favorite colored pencils, markers, or pens and let your imagination run wild!

Click Here To View On Amazon

Mythical & Fantasy Adult Coloring Book – ColorIt

Immerse yourself in the enchanting realm of dragons, unicorns, fairies, and mermaids with the Mythical & Fantasy coloring book. With every page you color, you will feel as though you’ve stepped into the magical realm of these wondrous creatures. The blend of intricate details and broad spaces render Mythical & Fantasy an ideal coloring book, whether your tools of choice are colored pencils, gel pens, or markers. Moreover, each book comes packed with exceptional features to enhance your coloring experience.

Among these features are 50 hand-drawn designs that let you enjoy the depiction of dragons, unicorns, fairies, dwarfs, mermaids, and other mystical beings. If you have an affection for fantasy characters, this anti-stress coloring book is custom-made for you. Not only that, but these coloring book also boasts of artist-quality paper, allowing you the best quality coloring experience.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Enchanted Realms: Magical Unicorns Coloring Pages For Adults – Lily Fairchild

Enchanted Realms is a magical coloring book for adults. It features 53 beautiful illustrations of unicorns, pegasi, and other mythical creatures. The illustrations are set in a variety of magical landscapes, including forests, mountains, and oceans.

The coloring book is designed to help you relax and de-stress. The calming images and the freedom to color however you want can help you let go of your worries and focus on the present moment. The book is also a great way to express your creativity. The variety of illustrations and the different coloring materials you can use give you endless possibilities for creating your own unique masterpieces.

Enchanted Realms is a magical coloring book that is perfect for all skill levels, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist. Each illustration is complemented by an uplifting and magical quote, plunging you deeper into the realm of unicorns and pegasi. The book features large, single-sided pages that prevent bleed-through and ensure easy removal for framing. Relish the freedom to color each page as you wish, free from any constraints or rules. Unleash your inner artist with the Enchanted Realms series and let these magical unicorn and Pegasus coloring pages bring you joy and inspiration.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Dark Mythical Creatures – Crook Crook

In this beautiful coloring book, you’ll travel through a supernatural realm with many well-known beasts, monsters, and creatures. From unicorns and dragons to mermaids and fairies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The book is an amazing collection of creative designs, illustrations, and images that will transport you to another world. Whether you’re a fan of fantasy or horror, you’ll find something to love in this book.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Greek Mythology – Jade Summer

The Greek Mythology coloring book presents you with powerful Gods, stunning Greek Goddesses, and mythological creatures. From fearless goddesses roaming the night with wild animals to chiseled Gods ready to fight with lightning power, an exciting universe is ready to be ignited with flames of color. Join us on a magical journey witnessing legendary heroes in action.

The coloring book pages are filled with captivating designs, allowing you to hone your artistic skills while unwinding. Enjoy bringing ancient Greece to life with an array of vivid shades.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Goddess and Mythology Coloring Book – Selina Fenech

Goddess and Mythology features inspiring designs of goddesses, gods, and female characters from various cultures, including Antheia, Aphrodite, Arianrhod, Athena, Blodeuwedd, Cerridwen, Coventina, Diana, Echo, Fidelma, Gaia, Guanyin, Horned God and Goddess, Ishtar, Isis, Lady of the Lake, Morrigan Triple Goddess, Nuwa, Oshun, Rhiannon, Selene, Shiva and Parvati, Tempestas, Valkyrie, and Wiccan god and goddess.

Click Here To View On Amazon

North Mythology – Jade Summer

The Norse Mythology coloring book is brimming with Norse Gods, captivating princesses, and exquisite creatures. Along the way, you’ll cross paths with Thor, Odin, Freya, Frey, and the Valkyries. Discover enchanting dragons, majestic birds of prey, fierce bears, and epic sea creatures in this legendary world.

Embark on a Norse adventure for hours of enjoyment. Every page showcases intricate designs, eager to burst to life with your splendid colors. Relax and unleash your inner artist while honing your creative skills with your preferred shades.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Creatures of Greek Mythology – Josh Waters

“Creatures of Greek Mythology” by artist Josh Waters showcases 25 original illustrations of the most fearsome, cunning, and majestic mythological beings like Cerberus, Scylla, Hydra, Sphinx, Empusa, Pegasus, and more.

Unwind and spend countless hours bringing these creatures to life with your choice of colors. With 25 original illustrations (2 copies of each for a total of 50 pages), the art is single-sided on black-backed pages to prevent bleed-through. Each creature is accompanied by a brief description. The designs vary in complexity to cater to an older audience. Dive into the world of Greek mythological creatures!

Click Here To View On Amazon

Greek Goddesses Coloring Book – Epic Boredom Busters

Immerse in relaxation with our stress-relief coloring book, enhancing productivity and concentration.

This adult coloring book presents 30 stunning Greek Goddess designs. Discover Ancient Greek Goddesses including Athena, Eris, Hestia, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hecate, Selene, and more. Dive into the world of Greek Mythology for hours of creative enjoyment and stress relief. Perfect for anyone captivated by Greek Mythology, this large, exquisite book promises endless fun, relaxation, and creativity.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Mythology Adult Coloring Book – Alexis Warner

Delve into 60 extraordinary and one-of-a-kind designs featuring mythological creatures and characters. This coloring book is tailor-made for mythology and magical animal enthusiasts.

With its exclusive assortment of stress-relieving mythology designs, you’re in for a fantastic experience. From gods to mystical beings, unicorns, and more, get ready for countless hours of coloring enjoyment and relaxation!

Click Here To View On Amazon

Mythology Coloring Book – Art Accelerators

Ignite your imagination with our exclusive Greek Gods, Goddesses & Monsters Coloring Book! Journey through the tales of ancient Greek mythology with meticulously handcrafted coloring pages.

This collection boasts epic Gods, exquisite Goddesses, and formidable Monsters, breathing life into your fantasies. Ideal for teens, women, and adults captivated by fantasy realms. Each page offers a unique design, intricately showcasing each character’s traits and powers.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Mythologica – Richard Merritt

Delve into this aesthetically captivating collection of mythical creatures waiting to be adorned with your colors. Perfect for coloring book enthusiasts and fantasy lovers, it promises hours of mindful relaxation and pure enjoyment.

With custom-made artwork by two internationally acclaimed illustrators, “Mythologica” introduces you to majestic dragons, soaring phoenixes, enigmatic medusas, and the magnificent Pegasus, to name a few. From fire-breathing dragons to the elusive kraken, horned satyrs, graceful unicorns, and beyond, it’s a world of fantasy brought to life.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Ancient Goddesses – Fairy Tale Hues

Embark on a enchanting voyage to the realm of Ancient Mythology with our Ancient Goddesses Coloring Book. Wander through enchanted forests, where you’ll encounter majestic goddesses from Greek, Egyptian, Norse, and more mythologies.

Featuring 33 detailed grayscale pages, this coloring book is your canvas to unleash your artistic talents and breathe life into these captivating goddesses.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Myth & Magic – Kinuko Y. Craft

Dive into the mesmerizing fantasy realm created by Kinuko Y. Craft, a renowned contemporary illustrator, painter, and storyteller. Traverse through time and space as you breathe life into her stunning illustrations featuring goddesses, angels, fairies, princesses, heroes, and mythological beings.

Craft’s extensive portfolio includes award-winning illustrated books of timeless fairy tales and enchanting cover art for fantasy novels. Let your colors bring her artistry to vibrant life!

Click Here To View On Amazon

Mythic World – Kerby Rosanes

Enter the enchanting realm of Kerby’s imagination. “Mythic World” is a mesmerizing adult coloring book by the bestselling illustrator, Kerby Rosanes. Prepare to be captivated by Rosanes’s hypnotic new creations, each spread brimming with mythic beings, enchanted landscapes, and delightful surprises hidden within ultra-detailed illustrations.

This 96-page book blurs the boundary between the everyday and the magical, reality and fantasy, offering an endless coloring adventure for both longtime fans and newcomers. It’s a visual feast that promises to challenge and delight even the most dedicated of coloring enthusiasts.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Badass Women Of Greek Mythology – JG ColoringBooks

Uncover the empowering world of “Badass Women of Greek Mythology,” a captivating coloring book celebrating the fearless heroines and mythical goddesses of ancient Greece. With exquisite illustrations and compelling narratives, this book invites you to embark on a mythical journey where strength, resilience, and empowerment take the spotlight.

Inside, you’ll discover intricately designed illustrations that breathe life into these legendary women. From the formidable goddess Athena, celebrated for her wisdom and strategic brilliance, to the enchantress Circe, known for her potent sorcery, each character has a unique story to share.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Mythical Fashions Coloring Book – Renatae Ettl

Embark on a colorful journey through 31 original designs featuring goddesses and mythical creatures from diverse cultures. From Saraswati, the Indian goddess of knowledge and art, to Asteria, the Greek goddess of falling stars, and Oya, the African goddess of storms, these divine figures are adorned in beautiful outfits.

Tailored for seasoned colorists, “Mythical Fashions” and other Creative Haven® adult coloring books provide an enjoyable and effortless way to unwind. The pages are conveniently perforated and printed on one side for easy removal, ensuring a stress-free coloring experience.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Ancient Egypt Coloring Book for Adults – Pensive Lines

Explore the finest offer from the esteemed publishing brand, Pensive Lines.

Discover an enchanting Adult Coloring Book featuring exquisite Ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses. Meticulously crafted designs promise hours of fun, stress relief, creativity, and relaxation. With a range of styles, from simpler to more intricate, this book caters to colorists of all ages and levels. Whether you prefer realism or fantasy, these mythological illustrations are sure to delight. Ideal for anyone captivated by Ancient Mythology, Egyptian deities, and the Gods of Egypt.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Greek Mythology – Marijana Larik

Embark on an enchanting journey with our mystical coloring book, showcasing 60 captivating designs of Greek gods, mythological creatures, and other mesmerizing figures from Greek culture. Each page opens a portal to a world of enchanting colors and mythical marvels.

As you lose yourself in the pages of our coloring book, you’ll be transported to a realm of pure magic and joy. Unleash your creativity and breathe life into each design with your distinct style and flair, letting your imagination run free.

Click Here To View On Amazon

People Also Asked

What are the 5 coloring techniques?

The 5 coloring techniques commonly used in adult coloring are:

1. Shading: Adding varying levels of darkness or lightness to create depth and dimension.
2. Blending: Mixing colors smoothly to achieve seamless transitions and gradients.
3. Layering: Applying multiple layers of color to intensify hues and add richness.
4. Burnishing: Using a colorless blending pencil or marker to smooth and polish the colored areas.
5. Texture: Creating different textures and patterns through techniques like stippling, cross-hatching, or scumbling.

These techniques allow colorists to enhance their coloring pages, adding depth, realism, and visual interest to their artwork. Experimenting with these techniques can help elevate your coloring skills and bring your designs to life.

How can I improve my coloring skills?

To improve your coloring skills, consider the following tips:

1. Practice regularly: Set aside dedicated time for coloring and make it a consistent habit to develop your skills.
2. Experiment with different techniques: Try out various coloring techniques like shading, blending, and layering to add depth and dimension to your artwork.
3. Study color theory: Learn about color combinations, complementary colors, and how they interact to create visually appealing effects.
4. Use high-quality materials: Invest in good quality coloring tools such as colored pencils, markers, or gel pens to achieve better results.
5. Seek inspiration: Look for coloring books, online resources, or communities that provide inspiration, ideas, and tutorials to learn new techniques and styles.
6. Learn from others: Join coloring groups or workshops where you can interact with fellow colorists and learn from their experiences and tips.

Remember, improving your coloring skills is a journey that takes time and practice. Enjoy the process, be patient with yourself, and allow your creativity to flourish.

Are pens or pencils better for Colouring books?

Both pens and pencils have their advantages for coloring books, and the choice depends on personal preference and desired outcomes.

Pens:

• Pros: Pens provide vibrant and saturated colors, smooth and consistent lines, and are great for intricate details.
• Cons: They are less forgiving if you make a mistake since most pens are not erasable. Bleeding through the pages can also be a concern. Therefore it’s important to choose pens specifically designed for coloring books.

Pencils:

• Pros: Colored pencils offer more control, allowing for shading, blending, and layering. They are erasable, making it easier to correct mistakes. They are also less likely to bleed through the pages.
• Cons: Colored pencils may require more effort to achieve intense colors, and some brands may have issues with wax bloom (a cloudy film) over time.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and the desired coloring style. Some colorists prefer using a combination of both pens and pencils to get the best of both worlds. Experiment with different tools to find what works best for you and the coloring book you’re using.

Additional Information:

• Consider factors such as paper quality, texture, and thickness when choosing between pens and pencils. Different coloring books may work better with specific tools.
• Some coloring books are designed specifically for pens or colored pencils, so it’s worth checking the book’s recommendations or reviews from other colorists.
• Test different pens and pencils on a separate sheet of paper to see how they perform before using them on your coloring book.
• Consider investing in artist-grade pens and colored pencils for better color vibrancy and longevity.

Are coloring books good practice?

Yes, coloring books can be good practice for various reasons:

1. Motor Skills: Coloring helps improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This is because you need to control the movement of your hand to stay within the lines and apply color accurately.
2. Focus and Concentration: Coloring requires focus and concentration. This can help enhance your ability to stay present and engaged in an activity, potentially improving mindfulness and reducing stress.
3. Creativity and Expression: While coloring within the lines of a coloring book, you still have the opportunity to make creative choices regarding colors, shading, and blending. It allows for self-expression and exploration of different artistic styles.
4. Color Theory and Technique: Coloring books can serve as a platform to practice color theory, shading, blending, and other coloring techniques. It provides a structured environment to experiment and develop your skills.
5. Relaxation and Stress Relief: Engaging in coloring can have a calming effect. this is because it promotes relaxation and stress relief. It can serve as a meditative activity, allowing your mind to focus on the present moment and provide a break from daily stresses.

Relevant information:

• Coloring books can be a stepping stone for more advanced artistic pursuits, serving as a foundation to build upon and develop your skills.
• While coloring books offer a structured experience, it’s also beneficial to explore other forms of art and creativity to further expand your abilities.
• Don’t limit yourself to coloring within the lines. Feel free to add your unique touches, experiment with different color schemes, and even try creating your own designs to foster creativity and artistic growth.

The post 22 Epic Mythology Coloring Books for Adults appeared first on ReignOfReads.

At its heart, the series follows the tumultuous journeys of captivating characters, starting with the irreverent swordswoman Gideon in the first installment. As the narrative unfolds, we are drawn deeper into a world where ancient rivalries, deadly trials, and cosmic mysteries shape the destiny of the Ninth House and its enigmatic inhabitants.

About The Locked Tomb Series Series

The Locked Tomb series consists of three books:

1. Gideon the Ninth: Unleashing the Swordswoman

In “Gideon the Ninth,” readers are introduced to the world of the Locked Tomb series through the eyes of Gideon, a swordswoman with a penchant for irreverence and a longing to escape a life of servitude. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of cut-throat politics and arcane revenants as Gideon, armed with her sword and a dash of audacity, becomes entangled in a deadly trial that could determine the fate of the Ninth House. Tamsyn Muir’s debut dazzles with a heart-pounding blend of epic science fantasy, setting the stage for a trilogy that defies genre conventions.

2. Harrow the Ninth: Mind-Twisting Puzzle Box

Continuing the saga, “Harrow the Ninth” thrusts readers into a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, and magic. Harrowhark Nonagesimus, the last necromancer of the Ninth House, is drafted into an unwinnable war. As she struggles to perfect her skills alongside a detested rival, the narrative weaves a complex tale within the gothic gloom of the Emperor’s Mithraeum. Muir’s second installment challenges readers with questions of life, death, and the enigmatic forces shaping the destiny of the Locked Tomb universe.

3. Nona the Ninth: The Zombies are back

In the epic “Nona the Ninth,” the city is under siege, zombies are returning, and all Nona wants is a birthday party. However, her ordinary desires are eclipsed by extraordinary circumstances. The whole city is in disarray, and Nona, who woke up in a stranger’s body six months prior, fears the return of a life she might have to relinquish. As the Blood of Eden forces surround the last Cohort facility, Nona grapples with being the weapon that could save the Nine Houses. In the midst of chaos, dreams of a woman with a skull-painted face haunt Nona, adding another layer of intrigue to the captivating third book of the Locked Tomb trilogy.

The Locked Tomb Series In Order

Gideon the Ninth

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense.

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection. But no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

Of course, some things are better left dead.

Harrow the Ninth

She answered the Emperor’s call.

She arrived with her arts, her wits, and her only friend.

In victory, her world has turned to ash.

After rocking the cosmos with her deathly debut, Tamsyn Muir continues the story of the penumbral Ninth House in Harrow the Ninth, a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, magic, and mayhem. Nothing is as it seems in the halls of the Emperor, and the fate of the galaxy rests on one woman’s shoulders.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, last necromancer of the Ninth House, has been drafted by her Emperor to fight an unwinnable war. Side-by-side with a detested rival, Harrow must perfect her skills and become an angel of undeath. But her health is failing, her sword makes her nauseous, and even her mind is threatening to betray her.

Sealed in the gothic gloom of the Emperor’s Mithraeum with three unfriendly teachers, hunted by the mad ghost of a murdered planet, Harrow must confront two unwelcome questions: is somebody trying to kill her? And if they succeeded, would the universe be better off?

Nona the Ninth

Her city is under siege.

The zombies are coming back.

And all Nona wants is a birthday party.

In many ways, Nona is like other people. She lives with her family, has a job at her local school, and loves walks on the beach and meeting new dogs. But Nona’s not like other people. Six months ago she woke up in a stranger’s body, and she’s afraid she might have to give it back.

The whole city is falling to pieces. A monstrous blue sphere hangs on the horizon, ready to tear the planet apart. Blood of Eden forces have surrounded the last Cohort facility and wait for the Emperor Undying to come calling. Their leaders want Nona to be the weapon that will save them from the Nine Houses. Nona would prefer to live an ordinary life with the people she loves, with Pyrrha and Camilla and Palamedes, but she also knows that nothing lasts forever.

And each night, Nona dreams of a woman with a skull-painted face…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books will be in the locked tomb series?

There are three books in the Locked Tomb series: Gideon the Ninth, Harrow the Ninth, and Nona the Ninth.

What order should I read the locked tomb series?

Start with Gideon the Ninth, followed by Harrow the Ninth, and conclude with Nona the Ninth for the intended reading order.

Will there be a 4th Locked Tomb book?

Yes, Alecto the Ninth is the upcoming fourth and final novel in The Locked Tomb Series by Tamsyn Muir, expected to be released in 2023.

Is Alecto the Ninth the last book?

Yes, Alecto the Ninth will be the final novel in The Locked Tomb Series.

We hope you have found a new epic sci fi fantasy series with The Locked Tomb series

The post The Locked Tomb Series: Swords, Sorcery, and Solar Systems appeared first on ReignOfReads.

The Last Wish – Andrezj Sapkowski

The prequel and first book in the Witcher series that inspired the bestselling games and Netflix show starring Henry Cavill.

The Last Wish is the perfect introduction to this one-of-a-kind fantasy world.

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Lord of the Rings – J. R. R. Tolkien

Book one in the international bestselling trilogy that inspired the films. The Lord of the Rings tells of the great quest undertaken by Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring: Gandalf the Wizard; the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam; Gimli the Dwarf; Legolas the Elf; Boromir of Gondor; and a tall, mysterious stranger called Strider.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Game of Thrones – George R. R. Martin

There are three houses with their own kings and queens – House Stark, House Lannister, and House Targaryen – that all are struggling for control of the throne. The book that inspired the acclaimed HBO series.

Winter is coming.

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Hobbit – J. R. R. Tolkien

Prelude to the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit follows Bilbo Baggins as his peaceful life is disturbed by a plot to raid the treasure haud guarded by a dragon.

“A glorious account of a magnificent adventure, filled with suspense and seasoned with a quiet humor that is irresistible . . .” – New York Times

Click Here To View On Amazon

American Gods – Neil Gaiman

Shadow Moon is released from prison, but hours before his release his wife is killed in a freak accident. Then, he meets Shadow an enigmatic stranger who claims to be an ancient god.

“Original, engrossing, and endlessly inventive” – George R. R. Martin

Click Here To View On Amazon

Dark Tower – Stephen King

Roland is on an epic journey to the mysterious Dark Tower as he pursues the man in black. Now a major motion picture.

The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Colour of Magic – Terry Pratchett

Discworld exists on a frontier between thought and reality, a parallel time and place that may seem like our own, but vastly different. And Twoflower is the Discworld’s first tourist.

The Discworld novels can be read in any order but The Colour of Magic is the first Discworld book.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Dune – Frank Herbert

Dune is a planet of fabulous wealth – it is the only source of a prized drug. Paul Atreides is the new leader of the native people of Dune, who they believe can help them harness the force of the planet.

One of the most brilliant science fiction novels ever written, as engrossing and heart-rending today as it was when it was first published half a century ago.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Good Omens – Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

Aziraphale, an angel, and his long-time frenemy the demon, Crowley, have lived on earth since the beginning of time. And they don’t want the Apocalypse to ruin it.

What if, for once, the predictions are right, and the Apocalypse really is due to arrive next Saturday, just after tea?

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Magicians – Lev Grossman

Quentin Coldwater turns up for an interview at Princeton University, but he finds the interviewer dead and a strange envelope with his name on it, that leads him down a path very different to what he expected.

‘The Magicians is to Harry Potter as a shot of Irish whiskey is to a glass of weak tea . . . dark and dangerous and full of twists’ – George R. R. Martin

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Eye of the World – Robert Jordan

Rand al’Thor and his friends’ village is attacked, and they’re forced to flee. An ancient evil is stirring and its servants are searching for the hero who can deliver the world from darkness.

Prepare to turn the Wheel of Time – discover the first novel in one of the most influential and popular fantasy epics ever published.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll

Alice returns back down the rabbit hole to revisit the place she once visited as a child to embark on a journey for her true destiny.

Alice falls down, down, down into a land of wonder, a place filled with White Rabbits, Mock Turtles, screaming Queens, and Mad Hatters. Join Alice as she experiences the silliness and excitement of a place gone crazy.

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Goblin Emperor – Katherine Addison

Maia, the youngest half-goblin son of the Emperor, has lived his life in exile. Until his father and brothers are killed in an ‘accident’. Now Maia has no choice but to take his place on the throne.

“If courtly intrigue is your wine of choice, The Goblin Emperor is the headiest vintage I’ve come across in years.” – Scott Lynch

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Dragonbone Chair – Tad Williams

Simon, a bored and restless 14-year old kitchen boy, becomes the apprentice to a wizard. He thinks his life is getting better, but forces are gathering – forces that will change his life and world forever.

With THE DRAGONBONE CHAIR, Tad Williams introduced readers to the incredible fantasy world of Osten Ard and kicked off the beloved, internationally bestselling series Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Sword of Shannara – Terry Brooks

Half-human, half-elf Shea Ohmsford lives in peace until a druid appears and reveals that the supposedly long-dead Warlock, that tore apart the world before, lives.

Volume one in the classic bestselling series – from one of the all-time masters of fantasy

Click Here To View On Amazon

Gardens of the Moon – Steven Erikson

Empires and imperial legions are pitted against each other. But they are not alone, sinister forces gathering as the gods themselves prepare to intervene.

A novel in which grand design, a dark and complex mythology, wild and wayward magic and a host of enduring characters combine with thrilling, powerful storytelling to resounding effect.

Click Here To View On Amazon

A Wizard of Earthsea – Ursula K. Le Guin

Ged, the greatest sorcerer in Earthsea, was the reckless Sparrowhawk in his youth. In his hunger for power and knowledge, he released a terrible shadow upon the world.

“The magic of Earthsea is primal; the lessons of Earthsea remain as potent, as wise, and as necessary as anyone could dream.” — Neil Gaiman

Click Here To View On Amazon

Assassin’s Apprentice – Robin Hobb

Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, hidden from the world and raised by his father’s stableman. All the royalty treats him as an outcast, except King Shrewd, who secretly taught him the arts of an assassin.

“Fantasy as it ought to be written” – George R. R. Martin

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Way of Kings – Brandon Sanderson

The entire world is at war with itself. Kings will do anything to gain more Shardblades, the possession of which makes a man nearly invincible on the battlefield. Each wishing to unite the world under a single throne.

‘I loved this book. What else is there to say?’ – Patrick Rothfuss

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Blade Itself – Joe Abercrombie

An inquisitor, a nobleman, and an infamous warrior are about to have their lives made more difficult by a bald old man, who might be the First of the Magi.

‘Delightfully twisted and evil’ – Guardian

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern

The Circus of Dreams, open only at nightfall. It appears without warning. The gates shudder and unlock, seemingly of their own violation, inviting the crowd inside.

“A Romeo and Juliet tale drenched in magic realism, The Night Circus defies both genres and expectations. In short, it’s a showstopper.” – The Boston Globe

Click Here To View On Amazon

Uprooted – Naomi Novik

The villagers require protection off the wizard, but his help comes at a price: one young woman must serve him for ten years. Agnieszka fears that her best friend will be chosen, but it’s not her best friend he chooses.

A dark enchantment blights the land in the award-winning Uprooted – a enthralling fantasy inspired by fairy tales, by Naomi Novik, author of the Temeraire series.

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss

The tale of Kvothe, the notorious magician, the accomplished thief, the masterful musician, the dragon-slayer, the legend-hunter, infamous assassin, and unassuming inkeepter.

‘This is a magnificent book’ – Anne McCaffrey

Click Here To View On Amazon

A Deadly Education – Naomi Novik

There are no teachers, no holidays, friendships are purely strategic, and the odds of survival are never equal. Once you’re inside, there are only two ways out: you graduate or you die.

Enter a school of magic unlike any you have ever encountered.

Click Here To View On Amazon

His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman

Lyra is heading North, where the Gobblers take the children (including her friend) and her fearsome uncle is trying to build a bridge to a parallel world. Lyra knows she needs to act, but to help one is to betray the other.

The modern fantasy classic that Entertainment Weekly named an “All-Time Greatest Novel” and Newsweek hailed as a “Top 100 Book of All Time.”

Click Here To View On Amazon

Six of Crows – Leigh Bardugo

Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams – but he can’t pull it off alone. Six outcasts and one impossible heist.

Nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2017, this fantasy epic from the No. 1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of the Grisha trilogy is gripping, sweeping and memorable

Click Here To View On Amazon

Shadow and Bone – Leigh Bardugo

Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first battle. But she has a dormant magic inside of her that she didn’t know about.

Enter the Grishaverse with book one of the Shadow and Bone Trilogy by number one New York Times-bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Children of Blood and Bone – Tomi Adeyemi

Zélie remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic, when three different clans ruled. Everything changed when magic suddenly disappeared. A ruthless king killed everyone who had powers, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Tomi Adeyemi conjures a stunning world of dark magic and danger in her West African-inspired fantasy debut Children of Blood and Bone.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Eragon – Christopher Paolini

Poor farm boy, Eragon, finds a stone in the forest. It turns out it wasn’t a stone at all when it hatches a dragon. His simple life has changed drastically and now he must take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders.

The fate of the Empire rests in his hands. . .

Click Here To View On Amazon

A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J. Maas

Feyre is a huntress. But her life changes when she sees a wolf hunting a deer – she kills the wolf and takes its prey. However, that wolf was not what it seemed and now she has a huge price to pay for its death.

“With bits of Buffy, Game Of Thrones and Outlander, this is a glorious series of total joy ” – Stylist

Click Here To View On Amazon

Throne of Glass – Sarah J. Maas

The beautiful and deadly Celaena is a lethal assassin, until she gets caught. Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for representing him in a to-the-death match.

The book that started the phenomenon. Sarah J. Maas’s global #1 bestselling THRONE OF GLASS series has taken the world by storm.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Cinder – Marissa Meyer

Cinder is a gifted mechanic and a cyborg, she’s reviled by her mother and blamed for her sister’s illness. Then her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai and she needs to learn the secrets about her past for the world’s future.

“A mash up of fairy tales and science fiction . . . a cross between Cinderalla, Terminator, and Star Wars.” ― Entertainment Weekly

Click Here To View On Amazon

Red Queen – Victoria Aveyard

The Reds are commoners ruled by the Silvers. Mare Barrow is a Red who finds herself working in the Silver Place. There, she discovers that she possesses a deadly power. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

THIS IS A WORLD DIVIDED BY BLOOD – RED OR SILVER

Click Here To View On Amazon

To Kill a Kingdom – Alexandra Christo

Princes Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. But as a punishment for killing one of her own, Lira is transformed into a human. Then she meets Prince Elian, a siren hunter, and she promises him the key to destroying sirens for good.

Dark and romantic YA fantasy about the siren with a taste for royal blood and the prince who has sworn to destroy her.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Did you enjoy any of these fantasy books? Let us know!

If you liked this, then you’ll love 

The post Best Fantasy Books: 40 Epic Adventures appeared first on ReignOfReads.

Outlander Overview 

The Outlander books are an ongoing series, started in 1991 by the author Diana Gabaldon. Now, its on book nine which was released on the 23rd of November 2021. The general premise of the series is an English combat nurse from 1946 is suddenly transported back in time to 1743. Diana got inspiration for the Outlander books from watching The War Games, a classic Doctor Who serial. Her attention was captured by the young Scot, Jamie McCrimmon, living in 1745, who she named her male protagonist after. Diana had intended to write a straight-up historical novel, but when the female protagonist, Claire, began having a more modern flair, Diana decided to make Claire a modern woman living in 1743. 

The Outlander books mix together several different genres, particularly: historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy. Outlander rose to popularity and ended up selling 25 million copies worldwide, hence making Outlander one of the best selling book series of all time.

TV Show Based – About Outlander Series

A Starz TV show adaption of the books was made in 2014, with a total of five seasons currently and it has been renewed for two more. Each season is based on its respective book, so season one is based on book one, etc. It stars: Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser, Caitriona Balfe as Claire Beauchamp, Sophie Skeleton as Brianna Randall, Tobias Menzies as Frank Randall/Jonathan Randall, Graham McTavish as Dougal MacKenzie/William MacKenzie, and Richard Rankin as Roger Wakefield. Season one was generally well-received, gaining a 93% on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, with one critical consensus saying that: “Outlander is a unique, satisfying adaptation of its source material, brought to life by lush scenery and potent chemistry between its leads”. The rest of the seasons have been consistently well reviewed and viewing figures have also remained stable.

Outlander Books In Order (Reading Order) (WARNING: SERIES SPOILERS AHEAD)

The following is the correct reading order for the Outlander Books, so here are The Outlander Books in chronological order:

Outlander – Book One

It’s the year 1946, just after World War 2. So combat nurse Claire heads to the Scottish Highlands with her husband Frank. The plan is for it to be a second honeymoon, to reignite the love. But suddenly, Claire is no longer in 1946. It’s now 1743. And the first person she meets is a British army officer. Who is also her husband’s six-times great-grandfather.

Whilst trying to escape Black Jack Randall, who is nothing like his descendant, she finds herself captured by a gang of Scottish outlaws. Her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant Scot warrior.

Dragonfly In Amber – Book Two

For twenty years, Claire has kept her secrets. Now, she is returning to the Scottish Highlands with her grown daughter. Here, Claire plans to reveal the truth of what happened to her. And the secrets that the mist-shrouded hills hold. The ancient circle of standing stones, a love that transcends the boundary of time, and the gallant Scot.

In the meantime, Claire needs to try to stop the Jacobite rising from happening. Because if it does, she could lose her daughter or the man that she loves.

Voyager – Book Three

Jamie lies on the battlefield in Culloden. Wounded, he faces two options: imprisonment or execution. Either would lead to the same end, his wife would be gone.

In 1746, Claire makes a journey through time to protect their unborn child. Even if it means leaving Jamie to die. In 1968, Claire discovers that Jamie didn’t actually die on the battlefield. But where is Jamie now?

Drums of Autumn – Book Four

Claire travels back in time again to reunite with Jamie. But this time in frontier America. Also Claire has left something behind in her time – their daughter Brianna.

Now Brianna has made a disturbing discovery that sends her to the stone circle and a terrifying leap into the unknown. In search of her mother and the father she has never met, she risks her own future to try to change history – and to save their lives.

The Fiery Cross – Book Five

1771: the Colony of North Carolina stands in an uneasy balance, with the rich, colonial aristocracy on one side and the struggling pioneers of the backcountry on the other.

Between them stands Jamie Fraser, a man of honour, a man of worth. Exiled from his beloved Scotland, he is at last possessed of the land he has longed for. By his side his extraordinary wife, Claire, a woman out of time and out of place, blessed with the uneasy gift of the knowledge of what is to come.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes – Book Six

It’s 1772, the Royal Colony of North Carolina, and the governor calls upon Jamie Fraser to unite the backcountry and preserve the colony for King and Crown.

Although there’s one minor problem: Jamie Fraser’s wife, Claire, is a time-traveller, as are his daughter and son-in-law. And Jamie knows that three years hence, the shot heard round the world will be fired, and the end of it all will be independence – with those loyal to the King either dead or in exile.

An Echo in the Bone – Book Seven

The year is 1777. And the place is North Carolina. As the American rebellion grows in intensity, Highlander Jamie Fraser and his wife Claire need to decide which side their family is going to be on.

So in theory, the choice should be an easy one, given that Claire was born in the twentieth century and has already seen the future – in history books. But things are never simple where the Frasers are concerned, as father and son unwittingly come face to face on the battlefield, and an old adversary reaches forward in time to threaten the next generation.

Written In My Own Heart’s Blood – Book Eight

It is June 1778, and the world seems to be turning upside-down. The British Army is withdrawing from Philadelphia, with George Washington in pursuit, and for the first time, it looks as if the rebels might actually win.

But for Claire Fraser and her family, there are even more tumultuous revolutions that have to be accommodated. Her former husband, Jamie, has returned from the dead. And this time he’s demanding to know why in his absence she married his best friend, Lord John Grey.

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone – Book Nine

Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall were torn apart by the Jacobite Rising in 1746, and it took them twenty years to find each other again. Now the American Revolution threatens to do the same.

It is 1779 and Claire and Jamie are at last reunited with their daughter, Brianna, her husband, Roger, and their children on Fraser’s Ridge. However, having the family together is a dream the Frasers had thought impossible.

Seven Stones to Stand or Fall: A Collection of Outlander Fiction

A magnificent collection of Outlander short stories —including two never-before-published novellas—featuring Jamie Fraser, Lord John Grey, Master Raymond, and many more, from Diana Gabaldon

“The Custom of the Army,” which begins with Lord John Grey being shocked by an electric eel and ends at the Battle of Quebec. 

“The Space Between,” where it is revealed that the Comte St. Germain is not dead, Master Raymond appears, and a widowed young wine dealer escorts a would-be novice to a convent in Paris.

“A Plague of Zombies,” Lord John unexpectedly becomes military governor of Jamaica when the original governor is gnawed by what probably wasn’t a giant rat.

“A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows” is the moving story of Roger MacKenzie’s parents during World War II.

In “Virgins,” Jamie Fraser, aged nineteen, and Ian Murray, aged twenty, become mercenaries in France, no matter that neither has yet bedded a lass or killed a man. But they’re trying. . . .

“A Fugitive Green” is the story of Lord John’s elder brother, Hal, and a seventeen-year-old rare book dealer with a sideline in theft, forgery, and blackmail. And finally, in “Besieged,” Lord John learns that his mother is in Havana—and that the British Navy is on their way to lay siege to the city.

Filling in mesmerizing chapters in the lives of characters readers have followed over the course of thousands of pages, Gabaldon’s genius is on full display throughout this must-have collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

In what order should you read the Outlander books?

The order which you should read the Outlander books is as follows:

1. Outlander
2. Dragonfly In Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums Of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo In The Bone
8. Written In My Own Heart’s Blood 
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

What are the eight books in the Outlander series?

There are nine books in the Outlander series and they are as follows:

1. Outlander
2. Dragonfly In Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums Of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo In The Bone
8. Written In My Own Heart’s Blood 
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

Is book 9 of Outlander the last book?

Book 9 of Outlander is the last book that was released but it isn’t the last Outlander book as there will be another, as yet untitled, 10th book.

What is book 7 in the Outlander series?

Book 7 in the Outlander series is An Echo In The Bone.

How many books make up the Outlander series?

There are currently nine books in the Outlander series, they are as follows:

1. Outlander
2. Dragonfly In Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums Of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo In The Bone
8. Written In My Own Heart’s Blood 
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

Will there be a book 10 of Outlander?

Yes, there will be a book 10 of Outlander. The 10th book is as yet untitled and there is no release date available yet but a book is definitely in the works.

What is book 9 in the Outlander series?

Book 9 in the Outlander series is Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone.

Have you read the Outlander Books? Let us know your thoughts!

The post Outlander Books In Order That Inspire The Hit Show appeared first on ReignOfReads.

The Black Bird Oracle – Deborah Harkness

Diana Bishop journeys to the darkest places within herself – and her family history – in the highly anticipated fifth novel of the beloved Number One Sunday Times bestselling All Souls series.

The first shadows fall on a Friday afternoon when a single, dying raven lands on the pavement in front of Diana Bishop, harbinger of an invitation that reads, ‘It’s time you came home, Diana’.

Diana is a witch and scholar; her husband Matthew Clairmont, a vampire. Their intense love for one another awoke the dark powers within her and dissolved the Covenant between the three species – Witch, Daemon and Vampire – that live alongside humans. Now, the governing Congregation has decided it must test the magical powers of their seven-year-old twins, Pip and Becca. Concerned with their safety, Diana decides to forge a different path for her family’s future and travels to Ravenswood, the Proctor family home.

There, Diana begins a new era, becoming her great aunt Gwyneth’s pupil in higher magic. It’s time to confront her family’s past – and her own, inescapable desire for greater power.

Number One bestselling author Deborah Harkness returns to her beloved All Souls world with a triumphant novel that sweeps back to the Salem Panic and illuminates Diana’s family history in new and thrilling ways.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Brief Plot Overview (No Spoilers!)

Life at Sept-Tours seems idyllic for Diana and Matthew. They’re raising their twins, navigating the complexities of witch-vampire family life, and enjoying a bit of well-deserved peace. But as any fan of this series knows, tranquility never lasts long for these two!

A mysterious summons from a long-lost relative draws Diana to the Proctor family home in Massachusetts, a place steeped in history and shrouded in secrets. Meanwhile, Matthew finds himself grappling with a new threat to his family and a deepening sense of unease.

As Diana delves into her family’s past, she uncovers shocking revelations about her magical lineage and a prophecy that could change everything. With danger lurking around every corner, Diana and Matthew must confront their deepest fears and fight to protect those they love. Expect unexpected twists, intense magical showdowns, and a deepening exploration of Diana’s powers.

The Scoop

Craving a glimpse into what awaits you within the pages of “The Black Bird Oracle”? Here’s a taste of what’s brewing:

• Family Secrets: Diana dives deep into her Proctor family history, uncovering long-buried secrets and a hidden magical legacy. Get ready for some shocking revelations!
• Prophecy and Destiny: A mysterious prophecy connected to Diana and her powers takes center stage, raising questions about free will and fate.
• Motherhood and Magic: Diana and Matthew navigate the joys and challenges of parenthood while facing new threats to their family.
• Ancient Lore and Creatures: Expect encounters with fascinating creatures from history and mythology, adding another layer of richness to the All Souls world.
• Time Travel Twist: Yes, you read that right! The time-walking adventures continue, adding another dimension to the story and raising the stakes.
• Epic Showdowns: Prepare for intense magical battles as Diana and Matthew confront powerful enemies who threaten their family and the delicate balance of the supernatural world.

Intrigued? Trust us, this is just the tip of the iceberg. “The Black Bird Oracle” is packed with surprises, so prepare for a wild ride!

Our Review

A Bewitching Brew of History and Magic

Harkness once again weaves a captivating tapestry of historical detail and fantastical elements. “The Black Bird Oracle” seamlessly transports readers from the familiar settings of Sept-Tours and Madison to the atmospheric Proctor house in Massachusetts, a place brimming with both charm and unsettling secrets.

Fans of the series will be thrilled to see Diana’s powers deepening and evolving. Her journey of self-discovery takes center stage as she grapples with her newfound abilities and the weight of a prophecy that seems to dictate her destiny. The exploration of Diana’s witch heritage, particularly her connection to the powerful Bishop women who came before her, is a fascinating thread that adds depth and complexity to her character.

Matthew, ever the brooding and protective vampire, faces his own challenges as he confronts threats to his family and grapples with his own past. The dynamic between Diana and Matthew remains a compelling aspect of the series, their love story a constant source of both passion and tension.

While “The Black Bird Oracle” delivers the captivating blend of history, magic, and romance that fans have come to expect, it also delves into deeper themes of family, fate, and the enduring power of the past. Harkness skillfully interweaves these elements, creating a rich and multi-layered narrative that will keep readers enthralled.

Points to Ponder:

• Some readers might find the pacing a bit slower in the first half of the book as Harkness sets the stage and lays the groundwork for the central conflicts.
• While the time-traveling element adds an intriguing layer to the story, it might feel a bit less central to the overall narrative compared to previous books.

To Summarise

What Worked:

• Intriguing plot: “The Black Bird Oracle” delivers another captivating adventure filled with magic, mystery, and historical intrigue.
• Character development: Diana’s journey of self-discovery and Matthew’s confrontation with his past add depth and emotional resonance to the story.
• Rich world-building: Harkness continues to expand the All Souls universe with fascinating details about witch history, family legacies, and supernatural creatures.
• Themes with depth: The book explores thought-provoking themes of family, destiny, and the power of the past to shape the present.

What Could Be Improved:

• Pacing: The story takes some time to find its momentum, with a slower pace in the first half.
• Time travel: While present, the time-traveling element might feel less integral to the plot compared to previous books.

Who Should Read It:

• Fans of the All Souls series will undoubtedly want to dive into this latest installment to catch up with their favorite characters and explore new corners of the magical world.
• Readers who enjoy historical fantasy with a touch of romance and a strong female protagonist will likely find “The Black Bird Oracle” an engaging read.

Overall, “The Black Bird Oracle” is a worthy addition to the All Souls series, offering a satisfying blend of familiar elements and fresh perspectives. While it may not be the most action-packed installment, it deepens our understanding of beloved characters and sets the stage for exciting developments to come. So grab a cup of tea (or perhaps a glass of bloodwine!), settle into your favorite reading nook, and prepare to be enchanted once again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be a fifth All Souls book?

Yes, there is a fifth book in the All Souls Series, it is called The Black Bird Oracle and it was released on July 16 2024.

Is there a fifth book in The Discovery of Witches?

Yes, there is a fifth book in the Discovery Of Witches Series, it is called The Black Bird Oracle and it was released on July 16 2024.

In what order do I read Deborah Harkness books?

To read Deborah Harkness’s books in order, follow this sequence:

1. A Discovery of Witches (2011) – Book 1 of the All Souls Trilogy
2. Shadow of Night (2012) – Book 2 of the All Souls Trilogy
3. The Book of Life (2014) – Book 3 of the All Souls Trilogy
4. Time’s Convert (2018) – A companion novel set in the same universe

This order ensures you experience the primary storyline and character developments as intended.

Is the All Souls trilogy finished?

Yes, the All Souls trilogy is finished, however there has been a companion book, Time’s Convert and a fifth book, The Black Bird Oracle was released on July 16 2024.

So, fellow adventurers in the All Souls universe, are you ready to unravel the mysteries of “The Black Bird Oracle”? Prepare to be swept away on a journey filled with magic, history, and the enduring power of love and family.

The post The Black Bird Oracle – NEW Release In The All Souls Series appeared first on ReignOfReads.

Time’s Convert – All Souls Book 4

Return to the enchanting world of All Souls for a love story like no other…

Marcus Whitmore was made a vampire in the eighteenth century. Over two hundred years later, he finds himself in love with Phoebe Taylor, a human who decides to become a vampire herself.

And with tradition enforcing separation from Marcus, Phoebe’s transformation will prove as challenging now as it was for Marcus when he first encountered Matthew de Clermont, his sire.

Time’s Convert moves with epic sweep from the battlefields of the American Revolutionary War, through the treachery of the French Revolution to a bloody finale in New Orleans.

In Deborah Harkness’s world of witches, daemons and vampires, watch as history comes to life.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Brief Plot Overview

Time’s Convert takes us on a whirlwind adventure through two intertwining stories. In the present day, we follow Marcus and Phoebe as they navigate the challenges of love and transformation after Phoebe makes the life-changing decision to become a vampire. Their journey is filled with passion, sacrifice, and a whole lot of figuring things out.

Meanwhile, we flash back to Marcus’s past as a human in the 18th century, witnessing his life as a surgeon during the American Revolution and the events that led him to become the vampire we know and love. It’s a fascinating glimpse into history, and it sheds light on Marcus’s deepest fears and desires.

But I won’t spoil the rest – you’ll have to read it for yourself to find out what happens!

The Scoop

Ready to get the inside scoop on Time’s Convert? Here are some of the things that totally captivated me while reading:

A Love Story That Transcends Time

One of the most captivating aspects of Time’s Convert is the love story between Marcus and Phoebe. It’s not just a romance; it’s a deep connection that spans centuries and challenges the boundaries between human and vampire. We witness their relationship unfold in both the past and present, adding layers of complexity and intrigue.

History Meets the Supernatural

Harkness’s signature blend of historical detail and fantastical elements is in full force here. The novel takes us back to the Revolutionary War era, where we see Marcus’s human life and the events that led to his transformation. Get ready for a fascinating glimpse into 18th-century America, complete with historical figures and battles.

New Challenges, New Transformations

Time’s Convert isn’t just about romance and history. It’s also about the challenges of change and transformation. Phoebe’s journey as she embraces her new vampire identity is both relatable and thought-provoking. We also see how Marcus grapples with his past and his place in the world as a vampire.

Familiar Faces and New Friends

If you’re a fan of the All Souls series, you’ll be delighted to see some familiar faces pop up in Time’s Convert. Matthew, Diana, and other beloved characters make appearances, adding depth and continuity to the series. But we also meet new characters who bring fresh perspectives and add to the richness of the story.

Our Review

Okay, now that you’ve got the lowdown on the plot and themes, let’s get into my personal take on Time’s Convert.

Okay, now for the real tea. I’ve gotta say, I was totally smitten with Marcus and Phoebe’s love story. Their bond felt so real and deep, and the way it played out across different time periods was just chef’s kiss. Harkness also nailed the historical aspect again, which is always a huge draw for me. I felt like I was right there in the midst of the Revolutionary War, dodging musket balls alongside Marcus.

However, I did have a few minor gripes. The pacing felt a bit uneven at times, especially when the story jumped back and forth between past and present. And while I loved seeing glimpses of Matthew and Diana, I did miss them a bit. Their presence in the original trilogy was so strong, and their absence here was noticeable.

Overall though, Time’s Convert was a worthy addition to the All Souls universe. It’s a captivating story of love, loss, and the challenges of embracing change. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with a supernatural twist, and you’re a sucker for a good love story, then this book is definitely for you. It’s a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me!

To Summarise!

Deborah Harkness’s Time’s Convert serves as a captivating expansion of her beloved All Souls series, offering readers a deeper exploration into the life of Marcus Whitmore, Matthew de Clermont’s vampire son. Shifting between past and present, the novel delves into Marcus’s human origins in Revolutionary War-era Massachusetts and his present-day romance with Phoebe Taylor, a human choosing the path of immortality.

What Works

• Rich Historical Detail: As with the All Souls trilogy, Harkness’s meticulous research shines through, bringing 18th-century America to life with vivid detail. The historical backdrop weaves seamlessly with the supernatural elements, adding a layer of authenticity to the narrative.
• Compelling Characters: Marcus and Phoebe are complex and engaging protagonists. Marcus’s journey from a conflicted human surgeon to a vampire grappling with his newfound existence is both fascinating and moving. Phoebe’s transformation and adaptation to vampire life offers a fresh perspective on the challenges of immortality.
• Exploration of Love and Change: The novel beautifully explores the enduring power of love across centuries and the complexities of embracing change, whether it’s a personal transformation or societal shifts.

Room for Improvement

• Pacing: Some readers may find the pacing uneven, with the historical sections occasionally overshadowing the present-day narrative.
• Familiarity with the “All Souls” Trilogy: While Time’s Convert can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, a deeper appreciation for the characters and their relationships is enhanced by familiarity with the original trilogy.

Overall Impression

Time’s Convert is a worthy addition to the All Souls universe, offering fans a deeper understanding of Marcus’s rich history and his enduring love story with Phoebe. Harkness’s intricate world-building, compelling characters, and exploration of timeless themes make this a must-read for fans of historical fantasy and paranormal romance.

Who Should Read It?

Fans of the All Souls trilogy will undoubtedly enjoy this deeper dive into Marcus’s life. Readers who appreciate historical fantasy, well-developed characters, and stories of enduring love will also find much to savor in Time’s Convert.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the plot of the time’s convert?

Time’s Convert by Deborah Harkness follows three intertwined storylines: Marcus MacNeil’s transformation from a young man in the American Revolution to a vampire under Matthew de Clermont’s guidance, Phoebe Taylor’s contemporary journey of becoming a vampire herself, and the challenges faced by Diana Bishop and Matthew de Clermont as they raise their twin children. The novel blends historical fiction, romance, and fantasy, exploring themes of identity, transformation, and the complexities of immortality.

Is Times Convert part of the All Souls series?

Yes, Time’s Convert by Deborah Harkness is part of the All Souls series. It is a companion novel that expands on the universe established in the original trilogy, focusing on the characters Marcus Whitmore and Phoebe Taylor, while also continuing the story of Diana Bishop and Matthew de Clermont.

In what order do I read Deborah Harkness books?

To read Deborah Harkness’s books in order, follow this sequence:

1. A Discovery of Witches (2011) – Book 1 of the All Souls Trilogy
2. Shadow of Night (2012) – Book 2 of the All Souls Trilogy
3. The Book of Life (2014) – Book 3 of the All Souls Trilogy
4. Time’s Convert (2018) – A companion novel set in the same universe

This order ensures you experience the primary storyline and character developments as intended.

Will there be a fifth book in the All Souls series?

Yes, there is a fifth book in the All Souls Series, it is called The Black Bird Oracle and it was released on July 15 2024.

So, there you have it! Time’s Convert is a magical blend of history, romance, and the supernatural that’ll keep you hooked from start to finish. Whether you’re a die-hard All Souls fan or new to the series, this book has something for everyone. Happy reading!

The post Time’s Convert – All Souls Book 4 From Deborah Harkness appeared first on ReignOfReads.

As Diana and Matthew return to the present day after their time-traveling adventures in “Shadow of Night,” they face new dangers and uncover long-buried secrets that could alter the course of their lives and the supernatural world forever. Join us as we explore the magic and mystery that await in Book of Life by Deborah Harkness.

The All Souls Series

The All Souls series by Deborah Harkness is a captivating blend of historical fantasy, romance, and mystery that spans centuries and continents. At its heart is the story of Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch and historian. She soon discovers an ancient manuscript, Ashmole 782, in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. This discovery soon thrusts her into the hidden world of magical creatures and into the path of Matthew Clairmont, a vampire geneticist with a dark past. As their forbidden relationship deepens, they must navigate a world against them. The series intertwines the present and the past, delving into alchemical texts, historical events, and age-old conflicts.

Harkness’s meticulous attention to historical detail has certainly earned the series critical acclaim and a devoted readership. The narrative is richly layered with references to real historical figures and events, consequently adding depth and authenticity to the magical world she has created.

The books in the fan-favorite series are as follows:

• A Discovery of Witches (2011)
• Shadow of Night (2012)
• The Book of Life (2014)
• Time’s Convert (2018)

Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

At Matthew’s ancestral home in France they reunite with their families – with one heart-breaking exception. But the real threat to their future is yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for the elusive manuscript Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on a terrifying urgency.

Using ancient knowl­edge and modern science, from the palaces of Venice and beyond, Diana and Matthew will finally learn what the witches discovered so many centuries ago.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Our Overview

Back in the present, Diana and Matthew must face a new set of challenges. Diana is now a powerful witch with mastery over her formidable abilities, and she is pregnant with twins, a rare and dangerous event in the supernatural world. The couple’s foremost goal is to protect their unborn children from those who might wish them harm, particularly the Congregation, the ruling body of witches, vampires, and daemons that enforces the Covenant—a set of laws designed to keep the different species separate.

The search for Ashmole 782, the mysterious alchemical manuscript that first brought Diana and Matthew together, continues to be central to their quest. Diana believes that the Book of Life, as it is also known, holds the key to understanding the origins and future of all supernatural creatures. To unlock its secrets, Diana and Matthew must gather the missing pages, which are scattered across the globe and guarded by various factions with their own agendas.

As they hunt for the lost pages, Diana and Matthew call upon allies old and new. Thereafter they seek the assistance of Marcus, Matthew’s vampire son, and his new wife Phoebe, who is transitioning from human to vampire. Miriam, a loyal vampire scientist, and Chris, Diana’s best friend and fellow scientist, provide critical support. The couple also reconnects with Ysabeau, Matthew’s formidable vampire mother, and Fernando, a powerful vampire who has long been estranged from the family.

The Book of Life is ultimately revealed to be a genetic record of all supernatural creatures, containing the secrets of their creation and evolution. This revelation accordingly has profound implications for the future of witches, vampires, and daemons, as it suggests that their fates are intertwined and that the Covenant’s laws are based on a flawed understanding of their origins.

Our Review

In “The Book of Life,” the third and final installment of the All Souls Trilogy, Deborah Harkness delivers a fun and engaging read. Picking up where “Shadow of Night” left off, Matthew and Diana return from their time-traveling adventures ready to face the future and bringing with them an unexpected pregnancy—twins, no less.

Having broken the Covenant that forbids intermingling among demons, witches, and vampires, Matthew and Diana must now navigate a host of challenges. Matthew’s deranged son, Benjamin Fox, shortly resurfaces with menacing intentions. Baldwin, head of the De Clermont clan, becomes fiercely protective. Meanwhile, Marcus falls in love with a human and wishes to transform her into a vampire, Jack reappears as a troubled adult vampire, and Gallowglass harbors feelings for Diana. Additionally, the characters grapple with the loss of Em, Sarah’s partner, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

The series also features beautiful, authentic relationships. Sarah mourns the loss of her partner Em to the malevolent witch Peter Knox, and her grief and resilience are poignantly depicted. The representation of Sarah and Em’s relationship stands out for its depth and normalcy. Their love story is heartfelt and genuine.

The love triangle involving Gallowglass, Diana, and Matthew is another intriguing element. Gallowglass’s feelings for Diana stem from a command by Philippe to watch over her, which initially suggests a paternal role. However, this expectation progresses, altering the character dynamics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Book of Life by Deborah Harkness have a TV show?

It does! Produced by Bad Wolf and Sky Productions as a Sky Original series. Check out the trailer below.

What age group is Book of Life by Deborah Harkness for?

With some mild violence, language, and some sexual scenes, this book is ideal for those 16+. Nonetheless, we encourage parents to check out novels to judge if they’re suitable for those under the age of 18.

Is there a fourth book in the All Souls series?

Yes! The fourth book, Time’s Convert released in 2018.

Is Book of Life by Deborah Harkness part of a series?

Yes! Discovery of Witches is the second book in the All Souls series. So check out the full series as follows:

• A Discovery of Witches (2011)
• Shadow of Night (2012)
• The Book of Life (2014)
• Time’s Convert (2018)

Whether you’ve been with Diana and Matthew from the very beginning or are just discovering their story, The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness offers a fitting end to their epic journey. As you turn the final page, may you carry with you the magic, mystery, and heartfelt connections that make this series truly special. Happy reading!

The post Historical Fantasy With Book of Life by Deborah Harkness appeared first on ReignOfReads.

From epic space operas to mind-bending dystopias, from magical realms of dragons and wizards to haunting visions of the future, these books offer an exhilarating escape into the unknown. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of speculative fiction or a newcomer eager to discover new worlds, there’s something here to ignite your imagination and leave you craving for more. Join us as we delve into the realms of speculative fiction and unearth hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.

Speculative Fiction Book List

Speculative fiction is a broad literary genre encompassing works that explore imaginative or speculative elements not found in the real world. It includes genres such as science fiction, fantasy, horror, and dystopian fiction, among others. If this sounds like your thing, then keep reading to bulk up those bookshelves!

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid’s Tale is a novel of such power that the reader will be unable to forget its images and its forecast. Set in the near future, it describes life in what was once the United States and is now called the Republic of Gilead, a monotheocracy that has reacted to social unrest and a sharply declining birthrate by reverting to, and going beyond, the repressive intolerance of the original Puritans. The regime takes the Book of Genesis absolutely at its word, with bizarre consequences for the women and men in its population.

The story is told through the eyes of Offred, one of the unfortunate Handmaids under the new social order. In condensed but eloquent prose, by turns cool-eyed, tender, despairing, passionate, and wry, she reveals to us the dark corners behind the establishment’s calm facade, as certain tendencies now in existence are carried to their logical conclusions.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Snowman, known as Jimmy before mankind was overwhelmed by a plague, is struggling to survive in a world where he may be the last human, and mourning the loss of his best friend, Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved. In search of answers, Snowman embarks on a journey—with the help of the green-eyed Children of Crake—through the lush wilderness that was so recently a great city, until powerful corporations took mankind on an uncontrolled genetic engineering ride. Margaret Atwood projects us into a near future that is both all too familiar and beyond our imagining.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

As children, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy were students at Hailsham, an exclusive boarding school secluded in the English countryside. It was a place of mercurial cliques and mysterious rules where teachers were constantly reminding their charges of how special they were.

Now, years later, Kathy is a young woman. Ruth and Tommy have reentered her life. And for the first time she is beginning to look back at their shared past and understand just what it is that makes them special—and how that gift will shape the rest of their time together.

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

A lone human ambassador is sent to the icebound planet of Winter, a world without sexual prejudice, where the inhabitants’ gender is fluid. His goal is to facilitate Winter’s inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the strange, intriguing culture he encounters…

Click Here To View On Amazon

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

When global climate change and economic crises lead to social chaos in the early 2020s, California becomes full of dangers, from pervasive water shortage to masses of vagabonds who will do anything to live to see another day. Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina lives inside a gated community with her preacher father, family, and neighbors, sheltered from the surrounding anarchy. In a society where any vulnerability is a risk, she suffers from hyperempathy, a debilitating sensitivity to others’ emotions.

Precocious and clear-eyed, Lauren must make her voice heard in order to protect her loved ones from the imminent disasters her small community stubbornly ignores. But what begins as a fight for survival soon leads to something much more: the birth of a new faith . . . and a startling vision of human destiny.

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

This is the way the world ends. . .for the last time.

It starts with the great red rift across the heart of the world’s sole continent, spewing ash that blots out the sun. With death, with a murdered son and a missing daughter. It starts with betrayal, and long dormant wounds rising up to fester.

This is the Stillness, a land long familiar with catastrophe, where the power of the earth is wielded as a weapon. And where there is no mercy.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Brave New World is a dystopian social science fiction novel by English author Aldous Huxley, written in 1931. Largely set in a futuristic World State, whose citizens are environmentally engineered into an intelligence-based social hierarchy, the novel anticipates huge scientific advancements in reproductive technology, sleep-learning, psychological manipulation, and classical conditioning that are combined to make a dystopian society which is challenged by only a single individual: the story’s protagonist.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

“I lost an arm on my last trip home. My left arm.”

Dana’s torment begins when she suddenly vanishes on her 26th birthday from California, 1976, and is dragged through time to antebellum Maryland to rescue a boy named Rufus, heir to a slaveowner’s plantation. She soon realizes the purpose of her summons to the past: protect Rufus to ensure his assault of her Black ancestor so that she may one day be born. As she endures the traumas of slavery and the soul-crushing normalization of savagery, Dana fights to keep her autonomy and return to the present.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race’s next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn’t make the cut. Young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.

Ender’s skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders.

Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender’s two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Here is the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities. From her place in the store, watches carefully the behavior of those who come in to browse, and of those who pass on the street outside. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her. Klara and the Sun is a thrilling book that offers a look at our changing world through the eyes of an unforgettable narrator. And one that explores the fundamental question: what does it mean to love?

Click Here To View On Amazon

Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

By 2021, the World War has killed millions, driving entire species into extinction and sending mankind off-planet. Those who remain covet any living creature, and for people who can’t afford one, companies built incredibly realistic simulacra. They’ve even built humans. Immigrants to Mars receive androids so sophisticated they are indistinguishable from true men or women. Fearful of the havoc these artificial humans can wreak, the government bans them from Earth. Driven into hiding, unauthorized androids live among human beings, undetected. Rick Deckard, an officially sanctioned bounty hunter, is commissioned to find rogue androids and “retire” them. But when cornered, androids fight back—with lethal force.

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect. Prefect is a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker’s Guide and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers. Zaphod Beeblebrox—the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy. Trillian, Zaphod’s girlfriend. Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot. Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years.

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games. A fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Still, if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

Anarres, Shevek’s homeland, is a bleak moon settled by an anarchic utopian civilization, where there is no government, and everyone, at least nominally, is a revolutionary. It has long been isolated from other worlds. Including its mother planet, Urras—defined by warring nations, great poverty, and immense wealth. Now Shevek, a brilliant physicist, is determined to unify the two civilizations. In the face of great hostility, outright threats, and the pain of separation from his family, he makes an unprecedented trip to Urras. Greater than any concern for his own wellbeing is the belief that the walls of hatred, distrust, and philosophic division between his planet and the rest of the civilized universe must be torn down. He will seek answers. Question the unquestionable. Explore differences in customs and cultures, determined to tear down the walls of hatred that have kept them apart.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

Edwin St. Andrew is eighteen years old when he crosses the Atlantic by steamship. He was exiled from polite society following an ill-conceived diatribe at a dinner party. He enters the forest, spellbound by the beauty of the Canadian wilderness, and suddenly hears the notes of a violin echoing in an airship terminal. An experience that shocks him to his core. 

Two centuries later a famous writer named Olive Llewellyn is on a book tour. She’s traveling all over Earth, but her home is the second moon colony. Within the text of Olive’s best-selling pandemic novel lies a strange passage: a man plays his violin for change in the echoing corridor of an airship terminal as the trees of a forest rise around him. 

Gaspery-Jacques Roberts, a detective in the black-skied Night City, is hired to investigate an anomaly in the North American wilderness. Soon he uncovers a series of lives upended. The exiled son of an earl driven to madness, a writer trapped far from home as a pandemic ravages Earth, and a childhood friend from the Night City who, like Gaspery himself, has glimpsed the chance to do something extraordinary that will disrupt the timeline of the universe

Click Here To View On Amazon

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Kirsten Raymonde will never forget the night Arthur Leander, the famous Hollywood actor, had a heart attack on stage during a production of King Lear. That was the night when a devastating flu pandemic arrived in the city, and within weeks, civilization as we know it came to an end.

Twenty years later, Kirsten moves between the settlements of the altered world with a small troupe of actors and musicians. They call themselves The Traveling Symphony, and they have dedicated themselves to keeping the remnants of art and humanity alive. But when they arrive in St. Deborah by the Water, they encounter a violent prophet who will threaten the tiny band’s existence.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Babel by R.F. Kuang

1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese. All in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation. Also known as Babel.

Babel is the world’s center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as its knowledge serves the Empire’s quest for colonization.

For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society. An organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide…

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

Set against the backdrop of China’s Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Island by Aldous Huxley

Join protagonist Will Farnaby as he embarks on an unexpected journey to Pala. Initially driven by his own personal agenda but ultimately transformed by the island’s profound wisdom and compassionate way of life. As he interacts with the island’s inhabitants, including the enigmatic Dr. Robert MacPhail and the captivating Susila, he witnesses the integration of ancient wisdom and modern knowledge, and the transformative power of love and understanding.

Huxley’s “Island” presents a rich tapestry of philosophical ideas. Exploring themes such as mindfulness, self-discovery, and the pursuit of personal liberation. Huxley crafts a narrative that encourages readers to question societal norms, reflect on the nature of happiness, and consider alternative paths to collective well-being.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Dune by Frank Herbert

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of Paul Atreides—who would become known as Muad’Dib—and of a great family’s ambition to bring to fruition mankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.

Click Here To View On Amazon

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

The population of the entire world has been obliterated by a pandemic of vampire bacteria. Yet somehow, Robert Neville survived. He must now struggle to make sense of what happened. He must learn to protect himself against the vampires who hunt him nightly.
 
As months of scavenging and hiding turn to years marked by depression and alcoholism, Robert spends his days hunting his tormentors and researching the cause of their affliction. But the more he discovers about the vampires around him, the more he sees the unsettling truth.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television “family.” But when he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn’t live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known.

Click Here To View On Amazon

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden.

In Garner County, girls are told they have the power to lure grown men from their beds, to drive women mad with jealousy. They believe their very skin emits a powerful aphrodisiac. That’s why they’re banished for their sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified. But not all of them will make it home alive.

Sixteen-year-old Tierney James dreams of a better life. A society that doesn’t pit friend against friend or woman against woman. As her own grace year draws near, she quickly realizes that it’s not just the brutal elements they must fear. It’s not even the poachers in the woods, men who are waiting for a chance to grab one of the girls in order to make a fortune on the black market. Their greatest threat may very well be each other.

Click Here To View On Amazon

How High We Go in the Dark by Seuoia Nagamatsu

In 2030, a grieving archeologist arrives in the Arctic Circle to continue the work of his recently deceased daughter at the Batagaika Crater. Here researchers are studying long-buried secrets now revealed in melting permafrost. Including the perfectly preserved remains of a girl who appears to have died of an ancient virus. Once unleashed, the Arctic plague will reshape life on Earth for generations to come. Quickly traversing the globe, forcing humanity to devise a myriad of moving and inventive ways to embrace possibility in the face of tragedy. A heartbroken scientist searching for a cure finds a second chance at fatherhood when one of his test subjects—a pig—develops the capacity for human speech. A widowed painter and her teenaged granddaughter embark on a cosmic quest to locate a new home planet.

Click Here To View On Amazon

Other Genres To Try

Speculative fiction offers a rich tapestry of imaginative worlds and fantastical adventures. There are countless other genres waiting to be discovered, each offering its own unique blend of themes, settings, and characters. So, venture forth and embark on a journey of literary exploration, as we uncover the hidden gems and timeless classics waiting to be found in the vast landscape of literature.

1. Science Fiction: Explores scientific advancements, futuristic technology, space exploration, and alternate realities. Examples include hard science fiction, space operas, and dystopian futures.
2. Fantasy: Focuses on magical worlds, mythical creatures, and epic quests. Subgenres include high fantasy, urban fantasy, and magical realism.
3. Horror: Delves into themes of fear, suspense, and the supernatural. It encompasses subgenres such as psychological horror, supernatural horror, and cosmic horror.
4. Dystopian Fiction: Portrays oppressive societies, totalitarian governments, and bleak futures. Often explores themes of social injustice, conformity, and resistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Speculative Fiction?

Speculative fiction is a genre of literature that encompasses a wide range of imaginative or speculative elements not found in the real world. It includes genres such as science fiction, fantasy, horror, and dystopian fiction, among others. Speculative fiction invites readers to explore alternative realities. Whether they involve futuristic technology, magic, supernatural beings, or speculative social or political structures.

What are the subgenres of speculative fiction?

Speculative fiction encompasses a variety of subgenres, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, dystopian fiction, alternate history, magical realism, cyberpunk, steampunk, and many others. Each subgenre explores different themes, settings, and concepts, offering readers a diverse range of storytelling experiences.

Which are the key elements of speculative fiction?

The key elements of speculative fiction include imaginative or speculative elements that depart from reality,. This may be futuristic technology, magic, supernatural phenomena, or alternative historical events. Speculative fiction often explores social, political, and philosophical themes, and it may incorporate elements of adventure, suspense, or romance.

Why is speculative fiction popular?

Speculative fiction is popular for several reasons. It offers readers an escape from reality into imaginative worlds filled with adventure, magic, and possibility. It allows authors to explore complex social and philosophical issues in a creative and thought-provoking manner. Speculative fiction also appeals to readers’ sense of wonder and curiosity about the unknown.

Whether you’re drawn to the futuristic landscapes of science fiction, the magical realms of fantasy, or the chilling depths of horror, speculative fiction offers something for every reader to discover and enjoy. So, let your imagination soar. May your adventures through the realms of speculative fiction be as boundless as the universe itself. Happy Reading!

The post 25 Thoughtful Speculative Fiction Books For All Book Lovers appeared first on ReignOfReads.

Harkness, a historian by trade, masterfully blends historical fact with imaginative fiction, creating a vivid and immersive backdrop where intrigue, danger, and romance abound. In Shadow of Night, the stakes are higher. Join us as we delve into the intricate layers of this historical fantasy, exploring its compelling characters, evocative settings, and the timeless themes that make Shadow of Night a standout continuation of Diana and Matthew’s epic saga.

The All Souls Series

The All Souls series by Deborah Harkness is a captivating blend of historical fantasy, romance, and mystery that spans centuries and continents. At its heart is the story of Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch and historian. She soon discovers an ancient manuscript, Ashmole 782, in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. This discovery thrusts her into the hidden world of magical creatures and into the path of Matthew Clairmont, a vampire geneticist with a dark past. As their forbidden relationship deepens, they must navigate a world against them. The series intertwines the present and the past, delving into alchemical texts, historical events, and age-old conflicts.

Harkness’s meticulous attention to historical detail has earned the series critical acclaim and a devoted readership. The narrative is richly layered with references to real historical figures and events, adding depth and authenticity to the magical world she has created.

The books in the fan-favorite series are as follows:

• A Discovery of Witches (2011)
• Shadow of Night (2012)
• The Book of Life (2014)
• Time’s Convert (2018)

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

In a world of witches, daemons and vampires the fragile balance of peace is unravelling. Diana and Matthew’s forbidden love has broken the laws dividing creatures. To discover the manuscript which holds their hope for the future, they must now travel back to the past.

When Diana Bishop, descended from a line of powerful witches, discovered a significant alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, she sparked a struggle in which she became bound to long-lived vampire Matthew Clairmont. Now the coexistence of witches, daemons, vampires and humans is dangerously threatened.

Seeking safety, Diana and Matthew travel back in time to London, 1590. But they soon realise that the past may not provide a haven. Reclaiming his former identity as poet and spy for Queen Elizabeth, the vampire falls back in with a group of radicals known as the School of Night. Many are unruly daemons, the creative minds of the age, including playwright Christopher Marlowe and mathematician Thomas Harriot.

Together Matthew and Diana scour Tudor London for the elusive manuscript Ashmole 782, and search for the witch who will teach Diana how to control her remarkable powers…

Click Here To View On Amazon

Our Overview

Shadow of Night, the second novel in Deborah Harkness’s All Souls series, picks up immediately after the events of A Discovery of Witches. Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont embarking on a journey back in time to Elizabethan London. Their goal is twofold: to find a powerful witch capable of teaching Diana to control her magic, and to locate the elusive Ashmole 782.

As Diana and Matthew navigate the complex and perilous world of the 16th century, they encounter historical figures. They take refuge with the mysterious School of Night, a group of radical thinkers. This includes the likes of Christopher Marlowe, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Thomas Harriot. Their presence also brings complications, as Matthew’s past affiliations and relationships surface.

In London, Diana is introduced to Goody Alsop, a powerful witch who recognizes Diana as a weaver. Under Alsop’s tutelage, Diana begins to unlock her potential. She is learning to weave spells and gaining greater insight into her unique abilities.

Matthew, meanwhile, grapples with his past and the responsibilities of his position in the Elizabethan era. As a member of the Congregation and a spy for Queen Elizabeth, he is pulled into political intrigues and old vendettas. This complicates their mission.

Their quest leads them from London to Prague. There, they continue their search for Ashmole 782, navigating the court of Emperor Rudolf II. The Emperor’s obsession with the occult presents both opportunities and dangers, as Diana and Matthew maneuver through court politics and supernatural threats.

Throughout their journey, the bond between Diana and Matthew deepens, but they also face significant challenges. Diana’s growing powers and her determination to uncover the truth about Ashmole 782 drive much of the plot. Soon leading to revelations about her lineage and the manuscript’s significance.

Our Review

Shadow of Night, the second book in Deborah Harkness’s All Souls series, is a captivating continuation of Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont’s journey. This skillfully blends historical fiction, romance, and fantasy. Picking up where A Discovery of Witches left off, this novel transports readers to the vibrant and perilous world of Elizabethan England. Now the stakes are higher and the mysteries deeper.

Harkness’s expertise as a historian shines through in her meticulous recreation of the 16th century. From the bustling streets of London to the court of Emperor Rudolf II in Prague. The historical detail not only provides an immersive backdrop but also integrates real historical figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh into the narrative. These characters are brought to life with depth and authenticity.

At the heart of “Shadow of Night” is the evolution of Diana’s magical abilities and her relationship with Matthew. Diana’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment is compelling. She learns to harness her powers under the guidance of the formidable witch Goody Alsop. This aspect of the novel is particularly well-crafted. It offers readers a detailed and fascinating look at the lore and practice of witchcraft in the All Souls universe.

The pacing of Shadow of Night is deliberate, with a balance between action, historical exploration, and character development. Some readers might find the historical detail overwhelming at times, but for those who appreciate a deep narrative, it adds to the novel’s depth and authenticity.

With its complex characters, detailed settings, and engrossing plot, Shadow of Night is a worthy sequel that sets the stage for even more intriguing adventures to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the book Shadow of Night about?

Shadow of Night follows Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont as they travel back to Elizabethan England to further uncover the secrets of Ashmole 782 and to help Diana master her burgeoning magical powers. Immersed in a world of historical intrigue and danger, they navigate political and supernatural challenges, seeking the aid of notable figures such as Christopher Marlowe and Goody Alsop.

Which year is Shadow of Night set in?

The novel is set in 1590, when Elizabeth is queen and Europe is aflame with witch burning.

Is there a fourth book to Discovery of Witches?

Yes, the fourth book in the All Souls series is Time’s Covert.

Is Shadow of Night part of a series?

Yes! Shadow of Night is the second book in the All Souls series. The full series is as follows:

• A Discovery of Witches (2011)
• Shadow of Night (2012)
• The Book of Life (2014)
• Time’s Convert (2018)

The post Dark Supernatural Academia With Shadow Of Night! appeared first on ReignOfReads.