ARC Review: The Unspoken Name by A. K. Larkwood

I got gifted an ARC of this book by Tor after requesting it because it sounded right up my street. I'm glad to say that I was right, and it definitely didn't disappoint.

What if you knew how and when you will die?

Csorwe does — she will climb the mountain, enter the Shrine of the Unspoken, and gain the most honored title: sacrifice.

But on the day of her foretold death, a powerful mage offers her a new fate. Leave with him, and live. Turn away from her destiny and her god to become a thief, a spy, an assassin—the wizard's loyal sword. Topple an empire, and help him reclaim his seat of power.

But Csorwe will soon learn – gods remember, and if you live long enough, all debts come due.

Oh, I don't know where to start with this book at all - it was one of them books you really want to savour and so I read it slow and steady so I could really take everything in, and wow was there so much to take in! It was such a beautiful setting, and I'm just sorry I didn't get a map in the ARC, I would love to visualise everything so much more. This is probably why  I'll be grabbing a finished copy, to help me to really get stuck in with visuals on any future rereads.

I think that the fantasy world built by the Larkwood is just so beautiful and complex and I loved the idea that there is a maze with all the different worlds connected that you can get to through Gates, it just seems so wondrous and I really wish that it was a real concept because I think it would be such an adventure to go around visiting individual worlds and seeing the different places and cultures.

If you like Sci-Fi or Fantasy, or even them both mixed together, this is the book for you - add in a bit of LGBT romance and I'm sure it will tick so many boxes for certain people. Add to this that you get the see the MC Csorwe really grow and empower herself as she gets away from being the Bride of the Unspoken and it makes a stunning book that you don't want to put down.

I admit, it took me a while to get into it, but that's because I am someone who loves to make sure she's pronouncing things right, and checking to see who each character is, and this is helped by the pronunciation guide at the front of the book. I do love a guide, but that is something I kept flicking back to so I can check everything, so I think that the flow was disrupted because of that. But, if you're better at me and don't need the guide then you're probably going to get into the book a lot easier than me, and I'm sure once I re-read it I'll be breezing through the beginning of the book.

Overall this book is just immersive and intense, full of twists and turns you wouldn't be able to guess and heroic rescue plots, so I really think you should all go and grab a copy as soon as you can. It's out on 20th February so get pre-ordering now!

I give this book: 5 cats!

Have you read this already or do you plan to read this? Comment below! (and go buy a copy)

ARC Review: Out of the Blue by Sophie Cameron

So, I received a proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review (and wow was the proof copy beautiful, it had lots of gold-leaf feathers on it, I'm in love with it).

This lovely book comes out on the 22nd March, and I suggest you go out and buy it ASAP:

Sometimes, I imagine alternate endings to the story: last-minute miracles, touches of magic. I picture how things might have gone, if I wasn’t there. If I’d left just a few minutes later. If I hadn’t been alone. It doesn’t make any difference. One way or another, the crash always comes.

Ten days after Jaya Mackenzie’s mum dies, angels start falling from the sky. Smashing down to earth at extraordinary speeds, wings bent, faces contorted, not a single one has survived.

Hysteria mounting with every Being that drops, Jaya’s father uproots the family to Edinburgh intent on catching one alive. But Jaya can’t stand this obsession and, struggling to make sense of her mother’s sudden death and her own role on that fateful day, she’s determined to stay out of it.

When her best friend disappears and her father’s mania spirals, things hit rock bottom and it’s at that moment something extraordinary happens: An angel lands right at Jaya’s feet, and it’s alive. Finally she is forced to acknowledge just how significant these celestial beings are.

Set against the backdrop of the frenzied Edinburgh festival, OUT OF THE BLUE tackles questions of grief and guilt and fear over who we really are. But it’s also about love and acceptance and finding your place in this world as angels drop out of another.

Although it did take me a little while to get into the book, I did end up getting pulled in quickly after that slow start, and I ended up loving the plot. In fact, I loved it so much I don't know how to do it justice when writing this review.

I will say, that this is one of the most interesting books I've read in a while - it had so many different issues throughout, and they all pulled together perfectly. All of the issues are written about beautifully and they all get their own time in the book - just the right amount of time so you don't think any one thing is getting focused on too much.

The main issue discussed come up quite quickly in the book - the idea of grief and how it will affect people differently, in particular the plot shows you how Jaya deals with it, her little sister, and also how Jaya's father copes by becoming 'obsessed' with the Beings and how they are falling from the sky, in the hope that he will catch one. I think that the blurb describes what the book is all about perfectly, and the backstory of the angel falls is outlined nicely.

I've not even mentioned the best bit - one of the relationships developed in this is between Jaya and Allie, a young girl that suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, making it a book that's perfect for people who want to see more LGBT books. It's not a main plot point - which I liked because a full-blown romance would have taken away from the main plot, but it had the perfect amount of romance to keep me interested and invested - I was so tempted to read ahead and see what happened (I didn't, I managed to resist!).

I will say however that I love the ending the most - it's like a full circle, coming back to where it all started for Jaya - her home-town and where her mother passed away. I love full-circles, and this one was just perfectly written - it even left it so that you can think what you want about what will happen in Jaya's future. This was such a powerful read for me, and I don't think I done it justice with this review, but I highly recommend you go and buy the book and make your own opinions on it!

But come on, a book about grief, with an LGBT relationship, a beautiful angel nicknamed 'Teacake', and even a cult! What more can I explain to make you want to read it?!

I give this book: 5 cats! (the only downside I could see is that I wish it was longer, I could read this forever!)

Have you read this or do you plan to read this? Comment below! This book comes out March 22nd, and I think you should all go get a copy!