July 2024 Wrap-Up
Empire of Storms
Sarah J. Maas
Only the greatest sacrifice can turn the tide of war.
War is brewing in the fifth book of the #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.
The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves increasingly at odds with those who don’t.
With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, dark forces stand poised to claim her world. The only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may take more from Aelin than she has to give, a quest that forces her to choose what-and who-she’s willing to sacrifice for the sake of peace.
Kingdoms collide in this fifth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series.
Land of Ice and Intrigue
Sonya Lawson
In the Winterlands, their icy hate turned into hot passion.
Lady Piris Volesion hid away most of her life for a reason. After she revealed her fearsome powers to help her best friend, she knew she’d pay a steep price. She didn’t think it would cost her her sanity by forcing her to spend time with the one Fae she hated above all others.
Most see Prince Jarok Borau of the Winterlands as the fun royal. Few realize the flippant mask he wears to protect his lands and his family. When asked to go on a mission with Lady Volesion, he knows he should bite his tongue, but doing what’s best for all has never been so challenging.
As they hunt rebels with a ragtag group of Fae, the two fight each other and the outlaws they’re chasing. However, hate turns from begrudging respect to heated desire. Lust might even turn to love. If they can stop the rebel leader and conquer their own doubts—about each other and themselves.
Can they fight for love in a violent, cold world?
Or will icy doubt stomp out their affection before it catches fire?
Seasons of Fae is a series of steamy, interconnected standalone fantasy romance novels perfect for fans of ACOTAR and Bridgerton.
Tower of Dawn
Sarah J. Maas
A glorious empire. A desperate quest. An ancient secret.
The search for allies extends to a new land in the sixth book of the #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.
Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast armies are Erilea’s last hope. But they have also come to Antica for another purpose: to seek healing at the famed Torre Cesme for the wounds Chaol received in Rifthold.
After enduring unspeakable horrors as a child at the hands of Adarlanian soldiers, Yrene Towers has no desire to help the young lord from Adarlan, let alone heal him. Yet she has sworn an oath to assist those in need, and she will honor it. But Lord Westfall carries his own dark past, and Yrene soon realizes that those shadows could engulf them both.
Chaol, Nesryn, and Yrene will have to draw on every scrap of their resilience to overcome the danger that surrounds them. But while they become entangled in the political webs of the khaganate, long-awaited answers slumber deep in the mountains, where warriors soar on legendary ruks. Answers that might offer their world a chance at survival . . . or doom them all.
The final battle looms in this sixth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series.
Kingdom of Ash
Sarah J. Maas
Together they will rise. Or together they will fall.
The epic finale to the #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.
Aelin Galathynius has vowed to save her people-but at a tremendous cost. Locked in an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. The knowledge that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, but her resolve unravels with each passing day.
With Aelin captured, her friends and allies have scattered. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever. But as destinies weave together at last, all must stand together if Erilea is to have any hope of salvation.
Sarah J. Maas’s #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series draws to an explosive conclusion as Aelin fights for her life, her people, and the promise of a better world.
House of Earth and Blood
Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas’s brand-new CRESCENT CITY series begins with House of Earth and Blood: the story of half-Fae and half-human Bryce Quinlan as she seeks revenge in a contemporary fantasy world of magic, danger, and searing romance.
Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life-working hard all day and partying all night-until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.
Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose-to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.
As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion-one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it.
With unforgettable characters, sizzling romance, and page-turning suspense, this richly inventive new fantasy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas delves into the heartache of loss, the price of freedom-and the power of love.
The Highlander’s Wild Flame
Heather McCollum
The only thing more dangerous than his sword is the flame-haired enemy who’s stolen his heart…in this gripping Highland romance from USA Today bestselling author Heather McCollum.
Fearsome Highland warrior Rory MacLeod has sacrificed for his clan. But taken as prisoner―in place of his older brother, who’s meant to be laird―is more than any man should bear. So when the chance for escape presents itself, Rory risks everything for freedom. But instead of returning to the welcoming warmth of home, Rory steps into a blazing trap…
Despite her betrothal to their laird, Lady Sara Macdonald has no love for the MacLeod clan. But when her treacherous father locks the entire MacLeod wedding party into the church and sets fire to it, she cannot stand by and watch the slaughter. Saving them means turning traitor to her clan and becoming an enemy to her own blood…left to the mercy of her greatest enemy.
Now her intended husband lies somewhere between life and death, and Sara’s only ally is his younger brother: the fierce MacLeod warrior she’s forbidden to want. And as hunger blazes to life between Rory and Sara―unbidden, untamed, and hotter than the fires of Beltane―they quickly find themselves caught between honor and a love that will turn blood against blood.
Oath of Betrayal
Olena Nikitin
She yearned for death. He needed a weapon. Her magic was the answer.
Tormented by guilt and grief, with her power crippled after losing her bonded mates, Annika feigned her death and sought refuge in a secluded town. After a chance encounter with a dragon exposes her power to its riders, she escapes without revealing her identity, but the relentless Commander of the Dragon Riders tracks her down, determined to make her his weapon.
Ormond will sacrifice everything to defend his kingdom, even if it means bonding with a broken mage—unless Alaric, his dark fae necromancer, claims her first. Under the Commander’s touch, Annika’s magic rekindles, but she resists until a sudden attack unveils a devastating truth: when your enemy is the Lich King, death is not the worst that could happen. Desperate to survive, she needs to ground her power with an anchor.
Torn between Ormond, who ignites her magic, and Alaric, who tames its roaring inferno, Annika faces an impossible choice. Can she overcome her grief and become the weapon she was meant to be? With war threatening all she holds dear, will one anchor be enough to save her and the people she has sworn to protect?
The decision lies in her heart—to sacrifice her soul or sacrifice the kingdom.
Crimson Stained Catalyst
Rebecca Ethington
Caspyn hunts Fae. Every since they killed his sister he has made it his goal to end them all.
Stories about him spread through Okivo, tales about the Wanderer who hunts the Fae that once enslaved his kind and harvested their magic. Magic that Caspyn still has, Magic that could get him killed if The Queen were to find out what he held… or what he knew.
Which is why Caspyn isn’t just hunting Fae. He’s working his way closer to The Queen, and to the Princess who lore says is the only one with magic strong enough to end The Queen. If he hopes to undo the scourge that is coming and save his sister from the dangers the Queen is about to unleash against them all he must reach The powerful Princess before it is too late.
The Princess who has been rumored to have no magic.
Princess Elara has been locked away since her Catalyst died, and the magic that defined her as part of the royal family of Okivo died with him.
Elara is kept under lock and key, guarded by a man shrouded in black who is not allowed to speak. Desperate for her mothers acceptance, and a life outside of the walls she is kept in, Elara finally finds the courage to stand up to her mother, only to find herself in greater danger.
There is something that is growing and brewing inside of her, a magic that shouldn’t be possible without a Catalyst; a secret that her guard knows the truth about – but he must find his voice again to share it.
When Elara finally makes her move, she comes face to face with a man who has been clearly trained to kill. Except, he’s asking for her help.
Crimson Stained Catalyst is the first book in The Last Fae King Series, a danger filled adventure of Fae, Magic, Lies, and above all Love in an epic fantasy world. This binge worthy first installment of this Romantasy series is perfect from those who love:
- Magical royals with secrets and vendettas
- Dangerous anti heroes with (possibly) noble intentions
- Strong and brave heroines who aren’t afraid of a little danger
- A Fae world with magic and romance
- Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo and Holly Black
- Romantic fantasy series for teens and adults
Now it’s your turn!
Share your July reads and let’s discuss — what were your favorite reads from the past month? Or is there a book you’re looking forward to this month? Any new discoveries or treasured rereads? I’d love to see your recommendations and thoughts!
