In 2010, Kate Elliott’s first spiritwalker book, Cold Magic–an alternate, post-fall-of-Rome historical-European, proto-steampunk fantasy with fairies and magic–was published. Suffice it to say, dear readers, that we loved it (and also loved subsequent books Cold Fire and Cold Steel…
Fantasy
Veronica Roth is back with an adult(ish) SFF offering, taking the Chosen One trope to the next level. Title: Chosen Ones Author: Veronica Roth Genre: Speculative Fiction/Science Fiction Publisher: John Joseph Adams / Houghton Mifflin HarcourtPublication Date: April 2020Hardcover: 432…
Katherine Addison, the author of award-winning The Goblin Emperor, has a new fantasy novel out, a dark Fantasy that is mash-up of Jack the Ripper and the detectives of Baker Street. We have a guest post from the author today,…
Hello everybody – hope you are all keeping safe. I am lucky enough to be exclusively working from home and as I do so, I am trying to create a mental health routine of comfort reading, writing, going for…
Happy Monday! We are here today unveiling the cover for Claire O’Dell’s upcoming fantasy book THE EMPIRE’S EDGE, which releases in August, 2020. Without further ado, here is the Smugglerific cover: ABOUT THE BOOK: From Lambda Literary Award-winning author Claire O’Dell comes The Empire’s Edge, her…
We are delighted to be revealing the cover for Corinne Duyvis‘ upcoming new novel The Art of Saving the World, a fantasy YA. It sounds SUPER GREAT AND WE CANNOT WAIT. But for now, and without further ado, please…
Title: Scavenge the Stars Author: Tara Sim Genre: YA Fantasy Publisher: Disney Publication date: January 7 2020Hardcover: 336 pages When Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning, she fears her rash actions have earned her a longer sentence on…
Moontangled: Stephanie Burgis on Inspirations & Influences (and a Giveaway)
Today, we’re delighted to have Stephanie Burgis over as our guest to celebrate the release of Moontangled her new f/f fantasy romance novella, and the inspirations and influences behind the book. Plus, an awesome giveaway! When I was a…
Title: Descendant of the Crane Author: Joan He Genre: YA Fantasy Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company Publication date: April 2019Hardcover: 416 pages Tyrants cut out hearts. Rulers sacrifice their own.Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk…
We are delighted to be hosting the cover reveal with an excerpt for Adalyn’s Grace UK edition of All the Stars and Teeth. Without further ado, here is the smugglerific cover! About the book: As princess of the island kingdom Visidia,…
Title: The Iron Will of Genie Lo Author: F.C. Yee Genre: YA Fantasy Publisher: Amulet BooksPublication date: January 14 2020Hardcover: 304 pages Genie Lo thought she was busy last year, juggling her academic career with protecting the Bay Area…
Old School Wednesdays is a regular Book Smuggler feature. We came up with the idea towards the end of 2012, when both Ana and Thea were feeling exhausted from the never-ending inundation of New and Shiny (and often over-hyped)…
A gravedigger, a mapmaker and a fiercely protective dead goat go on a dangerous quest to save the(ir) world. In the small, remote village of Colbren, seventeen-year-old Ryn is a gravedigger, her profession by blood and by heart. She…
Three Horror books for this Halloween season, all three featuring twins, queer girls, witches, and a plethora of monsters. In Other Words for Smoke by Sarah Maria Griffin, twins Mae and Rossa spend some time with their aunt Rita…
Good people, bad magic, and how magical systems shape character in fantasy – An essay by Ginn Hale
Today, we are delighted to welcome Ginn Hale back to the blog to celebrate her new novel, Master of Restless Shadows (out today!) and to talk about magical systems and characters in Fantasy. From metal-eating allomancers of Brandon Sanderson’s…
Title: Steel Crow Saga Author: Paul Krueger Genre: Epic Fantasy Publisher: Del ReyPublication date: September 24 2019Hardcover: 528 pages Four destinies collide in a unique fantasy world of war and wonders, where empire is won with enchanted steel and…
Title: Gideon the Ninth Author: Tamsyn Muir Genre: Science Fiction + Fantasy + Murder Mystery Publisher: Tor.comPublication date: September 10 2019Hardcover: 448 pages The Emperor needs necromancers.The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and…
It’s Friday and we are over at Kirkus – for the last time. Kirkus are launching a new website and they will be discontinuing the columns. It’s been a huge pleasure to work with them for the past 7…
It’s Friday and we are over at Kirkus – Ana read the debut novel by Arkady Martine, A Memory Called Empire. She loved it! Go over there for the full review.…
Hello friends! It’s Friday and Ana is over at Kirkus with Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s new novel, Gods of Jade and Shadow. I loved this book so goddamn much. Go over there for the full scoop.…
The Rise of Kyoshi is more than a worthy companion to the series – it is essential read for anyone who loves the Avatar world. …
It’s Friday and we are over at Kirkus with a review of Sarah Gailey’s novel Magic for Liars Go over to Kirkus for the full scoop.…
Title: Unraveling Author: Karen Lord Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Daw BooksPublication date: June 4 2019Hardcover: 304 pages Dr. Miranda Ecouvo, forensic therapist of the City, just helped put a serial killer behind bars. But she soon discovers that her investigation…
We are over at Kirkus today for our regular column! It’s Thea’s turn today, this time with a review of Middlegame by Seanan McGuire. An alchemical fairy tale, Middlegame is the story of not-quite-human twins–Roger and Dodger–who created in…
Title: Sherwood Author: Meagan Spooner Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult Publisher: HarperTeenPublication Date: March 2019Hardcover: 480 pages Robin of Locksley is dead. Maid Marian doesn’t know how she’ll go on, but the people of Locksley town, persecuted by the Sheriff of…