The Books I'm Reading Now
I'm listening to Divine Rivals, the first in Rebecca Ross's Letters of Enchantment series, about a magical wardrobe through which letters can be sent--and rival journalists who might have more in common than they think; I'm reading To Shape a Dragon's Breath, about the hopeful return of dragons to a rural community--and the Anglish conquerers' constricting rules about its raising and training; and I'm listening to a cozy fantasy story about an orc opening a coffee shop, Legends & Lattes.
What are you reading these days, bookworms?
01 Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment #1) by Rebecca Ross
In Divine Rivals, Iris and Roman, two journalists, are competing for a permanent position as a newspaper columnist. The two are constantly at odds with each other, and each has erected emotional armor around a devastating loss.
Iris's beloved brother is missing in action in the war among the gods, and sending letters through a magical wardrobe is the only way she can reach him.
But the person receiving these missives is not Forest, but Iris's work nemesis, Roman. He keeps his knowledge secret, yet becomes more and more drawn to Iris.
I really like this, but so far it's an odd mix of everyday, regular-human concerns with an unlikely-feeling god-war and magical letter-sending method mixed in. I'll be curious to find out how it all comes together, as it seems one or both characters are preparing to become war correspondents--and to give the reader glimpses into the god war.
02 To Shape a Dragon's Breath (Nampeshiweisit #1) by Moniquill Blackgoose
I love a book about dragons.
Moniquill Blackgoose's To Shape a Dragon's Breath is set on a remote island, Masquapaug, where dragons are local legends but haven't been seen in generations.
Then fifteen-year-old Anequs finds a dragon egg, and when it hatches, she befriends and bonds with the hatchling. The community's hopes soar for a return to days of cooperation with and good luck received from dragons.
But the Anglish conquerers of Masquapaug insist that a dragon must be raised a certain way, and they send Anequs and the dragon to a school for special training. If they fail, the dragon will be killed.
03 Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
I've had this book on my list for ages, and I'm so glad to finally be listening to Legends & Lattes.
Viv spent years hunting down creatures for bounties, wielding her sword, and doing anything needed to bag her prey.
But in this cozy fantasy story, Viv has discovered the wonder of coffee and has determined to make a new start: she's headed to the city of Thune to settle down and open its first coffee shop.
She must rely on an unlikely, ragtag group of new friends and collaborators to make her business a success--and she'll have to finally let down her guard if she's going to build the friendships and find the love she's realizing she so desperately wants.