Tag: Trilogy

The Deepwater trilogy by Claire McKenna

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Today I am delighted to bring you another recommended read this summer and this time it’s part of the blog tour for Deepwater King by Claire McKenna

Now, Deepwater King is the 2nd in a brilliant new trilogy from Claire McKenna. If, like me, you are new to the series then lets begin at the beginning. The story begins with book 1…

Monstrous Heart by Claire McKenna

A sensational debut novel: gothic, romantic gaslamp fantasy at it’s very best. A magical tale of intrigue on dangerous waters and a love story for the ages. Perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab and China Mieville

Arden Beacon arrives in the salt-swept port of Vigil with a job to do. Tasked with using the magic in her blood to keep the lighthouse burning, she needs to prove herself worthy of her family name and her ancestors’ profession.

But the coastline Arden must keep alight – battered by a sea teeming with colossal, ancient beasts – is far from the cultured, urban world she knows. It is a place of secrets, rumours and tight-lipped expectations of a woman’s place. More than anyone, the town folk whisper about Arden’s neighbour, Jonah Riven, the hunter of leviathans. They say he murdered his wife. They say he is as much a monster as his prey.

Amidst all her determination and homesickness Arden cannot get this shadowy stranger out of her head. A plot swirls around the lighthouse keeper, the hunter and the authorities. Arden must make sense of these dark waters – before they wash her away.

Monstrous Heart by Claire McKenna is available in paperback, ebook and on Audiobook

This is where I started and I would recommend beginning here if you haven’t already done so. I adore a good bit of fantasy and love to be transported away and that’s exactly what Claire has done. Immerse yourself in the story and let it whisk you away. The good news is that book 2, Deepwater King is now available in hardback, ebook and on Audiobook. So if you’re looking for a great fantasy series to fall into this summer, this could be just what you’re looking for. Here’s the info for book 2 – this one is high up there on my summer treading pile.

Deepwater King by Claire Mckenna

The sensational follow up to Monstrous Heart; a magical tale of intrigue on dark waters and a love story for the ages. The perfect gothic, gaslamp fantasy – ideal for fans of V.E. Schwab and China Mieville 

Since losing her great love to the Queen of the Sainted Isles, Arden must fulfil an impossible promise before she can return home – she must complete the dangerous Rite that will return Jonah’s spirit to the abyssal Court of the Deepwater King.

This sets her off on a journey far out at sea to find believers of the old religion on the oil-slick and mysterious islands beyond the horizon. But such a responsibility will not come without sacrifice, for the Deepwater folk who worship the king require the most desperate payments the soul, and with one man Arden may have to pay the greatest price of all….

Astonishingly original, with world-building to rival the depths of the ocean, McKenna has drawn a rich tale of longing and courage – penning the perfect oceanic steampunk fantasy.

    The Potion Diaries by Amy Alward

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    Ever wandered late into a series? You’ve heard the hype but for whatever reason didn’t quite jump on board when what feels like the whole world did? I know exactly how you feel but thankfully it’s never too late and the great thing is that when you do finally catch on, you don’t have to wait for the next release! It’s all there, from beginning to end, ready for you to immerse yourself in and you can simply jump straight in and enjoy.

    There’s something rather fantastic about reading a whole series all together. For one thing it allows you to disappear within the pages of the story while still fresh from the last. Of course it has to be a great series and what better than one with a kickass heroine with a cute love interest and a strong desire to save her family business, her reputation, oh and pretty much the whole darn world. A little bit of magic, alchemy, peril and of course romance and you have the recipe to an awesome trilogy.

    So why am only just reading The Potion Diaries series now? The first in the series – The Potion Diaries – was published in 2015, and in 2016 was chosen for The Zoella Book Club. Hot on it’s heels was Royal Tour and finally this year, Going Viral. I have to admit these books have been on my radar for quite some time. The first title was a Lovereading4kids book of the month in July 2015 and the consumer reader review panel absolutely loved it, so I was extremely pleased when I found myself in possession of all three books this summer. They are actually rather wonderful. Amy has created a very likeable protagonist who I grew very attached to and to be honest I am missing her quite a bit. Each book follows on from the last (but equally independently readable – although how anyone can not read them all is beyond me) and are filled to the brim with adventure, magic, danger, and a little bit of luv. I thoroughly recommend them and although aimed at the teen/YA market, I think an older reader (such as myself) will very much enjoy them. The content is pretty okay for younger and ‘almost’ teens too.

    To my mind the proof of a good series is that you’re always left wanting more, always wondering where the story could go next. I believe Going Viral is to be the last in The Potion Diaries series but I am thrilled to read that Amy has started work on a brand new series, so that’s rather exciting. She is definitely an author worth seeking out.

    Here’s a few more details about each of the three titles.  Just a warning though –  the synopsis’ for books 2 and 3 do kind of have spoilers to the previous book.

     

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    The Potion Diaries – Book 1

    When the PRINCESS OF NOVA accidentally pioisons herself with a LOVE POTION meant for her crush, she falls crown-over-heels in love with her own reflection.  OPPS. A nationwide hunt is called to find a cure, with competitors travelling the world for the rarest ingredients, deep in magical forests and frozen tundras, facing death at every turn.

    Enter SAMANTHA KEMI – an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent.  Sam’s family were once the most respected alchemists in the kingdom, but have fallen on hard times and winning the hunt would save their reputation.  But can Sam really compete with the dazzling powers of the ZoroAster megapharma company?  And just how close is she willing to get to Zain Aster, her dashing enemy, in the meantime?

    Just to add to the pressure, this quest is ALL OVER social media. And the world news.

    NO BIG DEAL, THEN.

     

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    Royal Tour –  Book 2

    Since winning the Hunt and savving her new BFF, Princess Evelyn, Sam Kemi has been royally busy.  What with TV interviews, working in her family’s potion store ad preparing to join Evelyn on her world tour, Sam STILL hasn’t had time for a real date with Zain, her new-boyfriend-slash-former-rival.

    And that’s not happening anytime soon.  Someone has tampered with Sam’s grandad’s mind and she is the only one who can UNLOCK HIS MEMORIES.  But those memories hold the key to the most powerful potion in the world – which people would KILL for…

    So Sam must swap dresses, princes and palaces for dragons, centaurs and caves in her quest to save her grandad (and everyone else).

    JUST YOUR STANDARD EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF A POTION-MAKING TEENAGER, THEN.

     

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    Going Viral – Book 3

    After finding her great-grandmother’s potion diary, escaping the clutches of Emilia Thoth, saving her grandfather’s memories AND becoming a Master Alchemist, surely it’s time for SAM KEMI to have a good, long rest?  And maybe, just maybe, a proper date with her boyfriend Zain?

    But now that Princess Evelyn is married to the sinister Prince Stefan and showing symptoms of the Gergon illness, it looks as though Sam’s adventures are just beginning  the GOOD news: there might be a cure for the virus spreading like dagonfire through the city.  The BAD news?  It’s buried in a remote village in a far-flung country next to an active volcano – and Sam’s not the only one after it.

    WITH A TV CREW TRAILING SAM’S EVERY MOVE AND TIME FAST RUNNING OUT, IT LOOKS LIKE THINGS ARE ABOUT TO…GO VIRAL

    Published by Simon & Schuster.

    Find out more about the fantastic Amy Alward here.

    Find out more about Lovereading4kids here