Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser

Song of the Current is the debut novel by Sarah Tolcser and it's a thrill a minute tale of river girl Caro and the cargo she must carry to Valonikas. The cargo however turns out to be a snotty, aristocratic although admittedly rather handsome boy. Chased by the Black Dogs Caro soon discovers that the boy is more than just a hindrance aboard her ship, he's much more important than he's letting on and by taking him upriver and being chased by Black Dogs she is endangering all their lives. I really, really enjoyed enjoyed this immersive and romantic fantasy tale. There is a diverse cast, lots of strong women and a great deal of witty rejoinders. Not to mention adventure on the high seas, battles, bullet wounds and dastardly magicians to contend with. A thrilling and fantastic debut. Aimed at the 14+ age range it will appeal to fans of Sarah J Maas, Laini Taylor, V. E. Schwab and Marissa Meyer.  Published in June by Bloomsbury Kids. Thanks to LoveReading for a copy. 

Spellslinger by Sebastien de Castell

Spellslinger is the first book in a brand new YA fantasy series from Hot Key books by acclaimed fantasy author Sebastien de Castell. Spellslinger is the story of Kellen who at 15 is preparing for the mage trials. These are the magical duels in which young mages get to show off their skills. Kellen's only problem is that his magic is fading instead of getting stronger and if he can't prove himself as a Jan'Tep mage he will end up as a servant; a Sha'tep with no magic. So he pretends to have magic and cheats his way through the trials, until he loses a duel and is almost killed. Rescued by a sassy, female card player who has nothing but disdain for magic Kellen soon finds himself opposing his own people and making choices he never thought he would. This is powerful, page-turning and incredibly humorous writing. Perfect for fans of Rebel of the Sands and A Darker Shade of Magic. There is real originality in the storytelling and some amazing characterisation. I particularly like the fact that there are a number of strong and interesting female characters. I am very excited to continue this series and I can highly recommend it to fantasy fans YA or otherwise. 

I asked the author Sebastien de Castell to tell me about the five books that have had the biggest impact on his writing. 

5 Books That Influenced My Writing

1. Moonheart by Charles De Lint

I'd never even heard the term "urban fantasy" until I read de Lint's Moonheart, but this story of magic and myth set in a mysterious house in Ottawa, Canada soon made it a favourite genre of my teenage years. De Lint made the ordinary magical, and it became impossible to walk by interesting old buildings without wondering whether evidence of the fae might be found inside, or pass by a pub and hear a Celtic band playing, and wonder if perhaps they were summoning more than just music. I imagine Charles de Lint, having written so many acclaimed stories over the years, would rightfully feel he long ago surpassed his early work, but to me, Moonheart was enchanting in every sense of the word.

2. The Golden Compass (a.k.a. Northern Lights) by Phillip Pullman

Everything about Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is enthralling. His heroine, Lyra Belacqua is brilliant, daring, and deceitful; the world he creates is full of armoured polar bears and personal daemons, anbaric devices and wonderfully complex alethiometers. Yet none of these fantastical elements would be nearly as captivating were it not for the darkness that Pullman unflinchingly exposes his characters to in the books. People aren't all nice, parents aren't all loving, and religion, authority, and society itself are all exposed as constructions that need to be challenged. For a writer, His Dark Materials is an invitation to question the often self-imposed boundaries of what themes can be explored in a book for children and young adults.

By the way, the second book in the series, The Subtle Knife, has one of my very favourite passages in all of literature:

She had asked: What is he? A friend or an enemy?
The alethiometer answered: He is a murderer.
When she saw the answer, she relaxed at once. He could find food, and show her how to reach Oxford, and those were powers that were useful, but he might still have been untrustworthy or cowardly. A murderer was a worthy companion.

3. When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro

Neither a fantasy nor a mystery nor a literary nor a . . . Well, if you really think about it, When We Were Orphans – like most of Ishiguro's novels – defies genre categorization. At the same time, it's a remarkably accessible and engrossing story in which the reader is never entirely sure what's going on, but always wants to see what will happen next. When We Were Orphans was the book that taught me that not only could a narrator be at least a little unreliable in relaying the facts of the story, but that we need to recognize that all narrators are unreliable to one degree or another, and this is, in part, what allows a novel to lay bare its deeper truths for us.

4. Jhereg by Steven Brust

Jhereg was the first fantasy novel I'd ever read in which people didn't speak in a fake version of Medieval English full of thee's and thou's. It taught me that voice is just as important in telling a story as character, and that you can build a wide cast of entertaining and imaginative characters without having to spend hundreds of pages on exposition and backstory. I love the web of relationships that Brust builds around his hero, Vlad, while still making him feel isolated from everyone but his familiar, the small dragon (and eponymous Jhereg), Loiosh.

5. City of Thieves by David Benioff

You wouldn't expect the guy who brought us the screenplay for X-Men Origins: Wolverine to have written a brilliant novel of friendship, hardship, and daring set in Stalingrad during World War II, but David Benioff's City of Thieves is all that and more. It's a brilliantly told tale full of twists and turns as two men are offered a chance at survival if they can find a dozen eggs in a city where no one's seen a chicken in ages. In some ways City of Thieves is reminiscent of the picaresque novels that began in the 16th Century, with our two protagonists going through a series of adventures in a setting that is at once familiar to us and almost unimaginably strange. Oh, and in case the name sounds familiar, it's because Benioff went on to be the showrunner for Game of Thrones.

Spellslinger by Sebastien de Castell is published 4th May by Hot Key Books, price £12.99 in hardback
Thanks a million to Sophie Goodfellow for a copy

Books to Watch out for in 2017 Part Two

There are always many more books that I want to read than I can afford or even have time to read. So here's another post about the books that are just out or coming soon and why you will want them too.

Just Published

The international bestselling author of The Historian returns with an intriguing new book published by Text Publishing in April. A young American woman Alexandra Boyd arrives in Sofia and has a mix up with a bag after helping an elderly couple to find a taxi, so she finds herself trying to track down the Lasarov family and thus begins an epic tale of Bulgaria; it's people, it's history, it's tragedy. Also what a stunning cover. 

This is a dark YA fantasy ideal for fans of Leigh Bradugo and Sarah J Maas. Tea comes from a family of witches but her abilities are different; so when she accidently raises her brother from the dead she is rejected by her own community. She is taken in by an older, wiser bone witch who trains her in elemental magic but dark forces are rising. Released in March by Sourcebooks in hardback this debut has had rave reviews.

Antonia Senior returns to the mid Seventeenth Century for her third novel which features Patience Johnson who believes she has a great destiny to fulfill. Her brother Will meanwhile has been appointed as lawyer to Oliver Cromwell. The Tyrant's Shadow blends romance, drama and political intrigue in an exciting and dangerous era. Published in April by Corvus.

Daniela Sacerdoti's new series sees her move to a new publisher; Headline, and it features another beautiful and atmospheric Scottish location. The first book in The Seal Island series is winning rave reviews and throngs of readers and I hope will bring this brilliant author to a wider audience. Out now in hardback with a paperback due in September.

Tanya Landman travels back to Roman Britain for her latest YA novel about runaway slave girl Cassia who does the unthinkable; crosses Hadrian's Wall to seek freedom. If you are a fan of Manda Scott's Boudica series or N. M. Browne's YA fiction then this is essential reading. Published in April by Walker Books.

Having enjoyed their previous adventures I am keen to discover what Frey and McGray get up to next. This latest instalment of the Edinburgh set detective series sees guest appearances by Ellen Terry and Henry Irving as a new production of the Scottish play comes to town.  Published in April by Penguin.

Set in 1361 as a new wave of plague visits England, this is dark, mysterious, historical fantasy. Perfect for me then. The paperback was just published in April by Headline.  

Romance in Fiction

As it is Valentine's Day I felt I should write a little about romance especially as I will be writing about serial killers later. Generally I'm in favour of romance in novels but I'm not a fan of novels which are just 'will they won't they' stories and I can't stand romance that feels unconvincing. I prefer when the romance seems to happen amongst the chaos of everything else in the story. Obviously the writer knows what they are doing but it's much more enjoyable for the me if the romance is part of the story not the purpose of the story. A good example of this is one of my favourite book series Outlander in which 20th Century nurse Claire Randall accidently travels back to the 18th Century and is forced to seek protection from an English Army Captain by allying herself with a Scottish highlander James Fraser and she finds herself falling in love with him.
However I specifically wanted to talk about Romance in Young Adult fiction. Firstly because it's especially important that Young Adult fiction is more than just romance and because it's important for readers to see romance portrayed realistically and sensitively.
I was asked my thoughts on this very topic by Irish writer Claire Hennessy for an article which appears in today's Irish Times online. You can check it out HERE

I mentioned Eleanor and Park as a good example of Young Adult romance and My good friend Maera Black of https://inkandpaperhearts.wordpress.com/ mentioned Graceling and the relationship between Katsa and Po, which is a real favourite of mine. I would also like to mention Resonance by Celine Kiernan as there are a number of beautifully portrayed relationships but Tina and Joe are particularly well done as they are tested to their absolute limits and not found wanting.

"The title characters in Rowell’s Eleanor and Park similarly work well for readers. Children’s bookseller Lisa Redmond describes them as “a wonderful couple: awkward and embarrassed at first but you really root for them. Their shared interest in music gives them a connection and a way of communicating without words.”

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

An enchanting story of a young violin prodigy sent violently hurtling back in time to 1776 at the whim of a cruel and controlling family of time travellers. Etta must find a coveted astrolabe while her mother is held prisoner by the Ironwood family. She is aided in her frantic race against time by Nicholas Carter, a young sailor also entangled with the Ironwood family. This is a romantic, action packed page turner perfect for fans of fantasy and historical fiction.

This is the first in a series and I can't wait for the second book. 

Perfect for fans of Outlander and Sarah J Maas.

I reviewed this book for the Inis Reading Guide 2016 published by Children's Books Ireland 

Maresi The Red Abbey Chronicles by Maria Turtschanioff

Maresi was translated from the Finnish and it demonstrates exactly why more Young Adult fiction should be available in translation. Maresi is a fantasy story set on an island populated entirely by women. Maresi travelled to the Red Abbey driven by desperation, hunger and fear. She had almost believed this sanctuary to be a myth, a place where women can escape, can be safe. Outside of the Red Abbey women are forbidden from learning, they must live by strict rules and they are never safe from the prospect of rape, death or slavery. Many of the girls who have come to the Red Abbey have escaped brutality. It is a place where community is celebrated. The women work together, grow their own food, make their own clothes and they have books which Maresi is encouraged to explore. When Jai arrives Maresi finds a friend but a chain of events is set in motion which brings danger ever closer to the Red Abbey. This a powerful and atmospheric tale. It has a strong feminist message and is also a thrilling and fast paced fantasy adventure. It has the quality of a fairytale which is partly the magic of the author's voice and partly down to the setting. I really hope to read more by this author and the quality of the storytelling makes me excited to discover more literature for young adults outside of Britain, Ireland the US. This book is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Frances Hardinge.

Thanks to Sam at Bounce Marketing for a copy of this book. Maresi The Red abbey Chronicles is published by Pushkin Children's Books.

From the publisher's website
Maresi came to the Red Abbey when she was thirteen, in the Hunger Winter. Before then, she had only heard rumours of its existence in secret folk tales. In a world where girls aren't allowed to learn or do as they please, an island inhabited solely by women sounded like a fantasy. But now Maresi is here, and she knows it is real. She is safe.

Then one day Jai tangled fair hair, clothes stiff with dirt, scars on her back arrives on a ship. She has fled to the island to escape terrible danger and unimaginable cruelty. And the men who hurt her will stop at nothing to find her.

Now the women and girls of the Red Abbey must use all their powers and ancient knowledge to combat the forces that wish to destroy them. And Maresi, haunted by her own nightmares, must confront her very deepest, darkest fears.

A story of friendship and survival, magic and wonder, beauty and terror, Maresi will grip you and hold you spellbound.

'Dark, powerful and original... really stands out in a very crowded YA marketplace... Thrilling, suspenseful and gloriously feminist' The Bookseller

'Where YA fantasy can start to feel a little same-y, Maresi dark,occasionally harrowing, yet always readable stands out for its startling originality, and for the frightening plausibility of the dangerous world it creates. Maria Turtschaninoff s deceptively simple, occasionally almost fairy tale-like prose is also a joy: the voice of Maresi (our first person narrator) always feels distinct and believable' Rebecca Hawkes, Telegraph

'A book full of courage. Dark, brave and so gripping you ll read it in one sitting with that instinctive hunch hovering over your shoulder warning you that something terrible is about happen if you turn the page. And then you turn the page...' Laura Dockrill , author

'A tale of sisterhood, survival and fighting against the odds that will capture the hearts of both teen and adult feminists alike and will leave you feeling extremely empowered.

I think it s a very special book and one that deserves lots and lots of attention' Lucy Powrie, book blogger

'A poignant, slow-burning fantasy' Taran Matharu, author

'A compelling read... Turtschaninoff weaves in fantasy with feminism, creating a spellbinding read that is completely unputdownable' Guardian Children s Books

'A great read. I've been trying to put into words how it made me feel, but Maresi's voice is so different to anything else, it s taken me a little while to process.

'Such a beautiful, haunting tale. Maresi s voice is unlike any other YA voice I ve read; her voice is strong but she shows us so many different emotions. Her relationship with Jai and the other girls felt very real, dealing with all of Jai s problems how a friend would. They were there for each other and it was great to see that. The writing is amazing; it has an almost mythical feel to it. The way it flows made it such an easy and quick read. Obviously there are darker elements to the book but that only adds to the story and the world that has been created. It s good to see these issues being used in books and drawing them to the attention of our next generation' Fiona Hadfield , children s bookseller

'Atmospheric, immersive and definitely original, Maresi has a quiet, urgent magic that makes her story powerful, poignant and memorable' Jane Bradley, Founder & Director of For Books' Sake

'A web of strength, friendship and belief. A beautifully painted, fantastical setting like no other; this story will resonate with me for a long time' Ben Alderson, Benjamin of Tomes

'A few times in a life time, a book comes along that wraps you completely in its world and its characters. Wildly imaginative, vivid and filled with wonders' Casey Daveron, Casey Ann Books

Maria Turtschaninoff was born in 1977 and has been writing fairy tales since she was five. She is the author of many books about magical worlds. She has been awarded, the Swedish YLE Literature Prize and has twice won the Society of Swedish Literature Prize. She has also been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Maresi is the first book in the three-partRed Abbey Chronicles, all of which will be published by Pushkin Press. Maresi is being published in 8 languages and won the Finlandia Junior Prize.

Dreamland by Robert L Anderson

Dea and her Mom have lived an erratic life, moving from place to place, a new school every year, only one step ahead of their debts. Dea has never really had the chance to make friends; until now, living in the town of Fielding she meets Eleanor whom everyone calls Gollum but not even with her best friend can Dea reveal her secret. Ever since she was six she has walked through people’s dreams. Her Mom does it too, and she teaches her the rules; never interfere, never be seen and never walk the same person’s dreams twice. Until this year Dea has followed the rules but when a new boy moves into her neighbourhood Dea is intrigued he wants to be friends with the town’s two outcasts and when she walks through his dreams she realises he has dark secrets about his past that are buried deep. Soon Dea is breaking every rule and when her Mom wants to leave town Dea knows that she can’t leave her friends. She wants to help Connor confront his past and learn more about her own. This is an atmospheric and riveting debut with huge crossover appeal. The characters are empathetic and well written and the twists and turns are completely unexpected. Perfect for fans of Daughter and Smoke and Bone.

This review originally appeared at welovethisbook.com    http://www.welovethisbook.com/reviews/dreamland

Fantasy Titles I can’t wait for in 2016

Having made a resolution to read even more fantasy, here is a small selection of the books that I hope to read this year. Are there any here that you are excited about? Any that I’ve missed? Tweet me @LisaReadsBooks and let me know.

Judged by Liz de Jager

Jan 2016 Tor Books   9781447247708

This is the final instalment of one of the best urban fantasy series ever written. This instalment sees Aiden, Dante and Kit tracking down the dealers of “glow” an addictive fae created drug all across London bringing them much unwanted attention while in the Otherwhere Thorn realises that the Goddess is dying and with her the veil between the worlds and he needs Kit’s help. I cannot recommend this series highly enough.

The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman

Jan 2016 Walker Books 9781406358964

Australian Fantasy author Goodman blends Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Pride and Prejudice in this dark regency fantasy for young adults. Full of thrills, romance and magic this is a story sure to captivate.

A Gathering of Shadows by V E Schwab

February 2016 Titan Books  9781783295425

Continuing the series begun with A Darker Shade of Magic about a dimension hopping traveller called Kell. The tale grows darker in this instalment as Black London rises again and a pirate ship arrives carrying old friends. Perfect for fans of Ben Aaronovitch and Doctor Who.

Into the Dim by Janet B Taylor

Feb 2016 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt  9780544602007

Billed as Outlander for teens this book had me sold at that but it also features a secret society of time travellers and an adventure filled race through time including a trip to the court of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. It should appeal to fans of A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray so here’s hoping it gets a UK and Ireland release.

Half Lost by Sally Green

March 2016 Penguin 9780141350905

The final book in the trilogy sees Nathan travel to America to win the support of Ledger in a bid to end the war between black and white witches for good. Sally Green won the Teen Book Category in the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2015 for the first in the series Half Bad but I would recommend this series to fans of urban fantasy of all ages.

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

April 2016 Quercus Books 9781786540003

A New York Times bestseller this has been described as being perfect for Outlander fans because it features time travel, enough said as far as I'm concerned. 

Masks and Shadows by Stephanie Burgis

April 2016 Pyr Books   9781633881327

Best known for her Middle Grade series set in the regency era and featuring young magician Kat Stephenson this book is the first adult fantasy novel from  Burgis; set among the 18^th Century Austrian aristocracy and blending alchemy, music and blackmail. This one is perfect for fans of Susanna Clarke and Zen Cho.

Skin (Daughter of Albion) by Ilka Tampke

June 2016  Hodder  9781473616431

Many readers may have missed this when it was published in hardback in August in the UK and Ireland. It will be released in the US in Feb, with a paperback release for the UK and Ireland this June. Straddling the genres of Fantasy and Historical Fiction and with crossover appeal for adults and teens, this is a stunning portrayal of Celtic Britain facing the threat of roman invasion. Perfect for fans of Wolf Brother.

Roses and Rot by Kat Howard

June Saga   9781481451161

A writer that Neil Gaiman has called remarkable is definitely one to watch. Kat Howard’s first novel blends fairy tale and gothic archetypes and questions what sacrifices an artist should make to create good art.

Ghost Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowal

Tor.com July 2016  9780765378255

Generating a lot of pre publication interest this features Ginger an American heiress in London during WWI and a corps of Spirit Mediums helping the war effort. This looks like it will have huge crossover appeal particularly for fans of Cassandra Clare and Libba Bray.