What a whirlwind! This story is a beautiful blend of history, mythology, fantasy, adventure, and romance. The imagery is so tangible, poetical and melodic, it’s easy to fall into the depths and be transported into this magical universe. Perfect for fans of Xianxia (immortal heroes) dramas!
A Bright Heart is really just that! It is witty, full of court intrigue and second chances, family bonding, slow-burning romance, and an intricate plot that leaves you holding your breath to see the next move. In this life, Mingshin must be relentless, strategic, and resourceful. She may have had a gruesome ending to her first life, but she will do anything to save her family and her country from her original mistakes. This high fantasy will leave you on your toes and ravenous for more!
At its heart, this is a book about the bond of sisterhood, how deeply we can love, and how far we will go to protect those we cherish.
Channi and Vanna are sisters, and the only ones in their family who love each other unconditionally. Vanna was born with a great light and beauty, whereas Channi was offered as a sacrifice by their own father, and escaped but wears the monstrous visage of a snake. When Vanna is to be auctioned off by their parents to be married to the highest bidder, Channi is the only one who can compete and save her sister from the cruelty of both their parents and Vanna's suitors.
Imagine if Elsa and Anna from Frozen were thrown into the world of Beauty and the Beast, with a dash of the trials from the Hunger Games. I am obsessed with this book and highly recommend everyone read it.
This book thwarted all my expectations of your typical fractured fairy tale retelling. Bitsy is not your typical princess, unsure of her place and chafing by the restraints of her royal duties. There is a spindle, a fall deep down to a mysterious world that trips everything she knows upside down. There are princes who turn into frogs, a Prince Charming, a kingdom to save, and most of all, Bitsy learns what it means to be herself.
Cursed at birth to be poisonous to the touch, Soraya considers herself the shameful secret of the royal family. That is, until a fortuitous series of events leads her down a path that will irrevocably change her family and her country. As she attempts to come to terms with her actions, she learns that not everything is black and white. I truly appreciate how Bashardoust casts Soraya in a morally gray light in which she is not the hero, nor the villain, and not simply a damsel in distress either. She is fully aware of her reach and her actions. This story beautifully blends Persian fairytale, historical drama, and epic poetry.
If you make one great decision today, decide to acquaint yourself with the charming and relatable Yamilet Flores. Watching her grow into herself is alternately hilarious and heartbreaking, and this book's appeal is definitely not limited to young adult audiences. Plus the author coins a great phrase to use in response to white privilege: "The caucasity!" Happy reading!
East-Asian folklore meets the Grimms' "The Six Swans" in this gorgeous reimagining set in the world of Spin the Dawn.
Exiled and enchanted for magic she can't help but possess, Princess Shiori must find a way to save her brothers and her kingdom - all with the help of a shapeshifting dragon and the boy she was once supposed to marry.
Vivid and rich, Lim expertly weaves together familiar tales and folklore in such new and exciting ways, allowing for mystery and discovery in the stories we thought we knew so well.
