This is a weekly meme in which anyone can choose and highlight a random book from their Goodreads TBR. It was formerly featured on LaurensPageTurners and was taken over by Budget Tales Book Blog.
Without warning and without my consent, my shape shifts and contorts into the half woman, half bird form of the Gamayun. That’s bad enough, but then I’m forced to deliver prophecies to Sirin, the immortal who guards the gates of hell. Messages she doesn’t care to hear, and she’s not afraid to use deadly force to silence me.
I’m starting to see things no one else can see. The last Gamayun died in a psych ward, having lost everyone she ever loved. I refuse to meet that same fate, even if that means lying to my sister and best friend.
The only person I can turn to is Sasha, the mysterious stranger who guarded the previous Gamayun. When I stare into those pale blue eyes, it’s hard to be objective. Can I really trust him? For every piece of advice he gives, there are ten more secrets he’s not telling me.
Call of Affliction is the first book in a six part series.
Here is what I am reading, what I recently finished, and what I plan to read from Thursday to Wednesday.
Let me know if you have read or plan to read any of these books!!
Happy Reading!
What I am currently reading:
When Dhanen’Mar’s home city of Destiny comes under multiple threats, a divination leads Qyn Rojek to finally return to the place of his birth. Arriving at the Spindle, he quickly finds himself confronted with the long-hidden secret of his origins, as well as the deeper truth of his due’foi’beni talents and responsibilities. Tasked with defending the city from the dark ambitions of his aunt, the invulnerable diviner Sweyn Savannon, Qyn begins a journey meant to at last reveal his destiny.
What I recently finished reading:
When her granddaughter Serena is abducted by a crew of foreign pirates, Lady Danetria appeals to the warlords for aid. Desired for her diviner skills, all fear that if Serena isn’t rescued before arriving at the distant shores of Swythe Island, she will be lost to them forever.
Deployed on his first official assignment, Kain Rojek isn’t anticipating much trouble—or excitement—to arise from the task of recovering the stolen diviner. But once separated from his fellow warlords, he soon finds himself mired in a web of conspiracy none had foreseen. Forced to navigate his way through fatal enchantments, a rebel uprising, and the darkest corner of Swythe Island politics, Kain will finally come to discover that the only end to his quest may cost him everything.
What I plan on reading Thursday through Sunday:
Following the events of the Spring Banquet, matters in Aralexia become increasingly unstable as alliances splinter and loyalties threaten to unravel. Forced to flee the royal city, Flynn sets out after the Amethyst Stone, while Qyn and Synna prepare to confront the powers of the Sapphire and Emerald in Kohtala.
In the north, the warlords gather to defend against the Jennite army, now posed to invade. Forewarned with the knowledge of two prophecies, one recently discovered in O’Kada and the other spoken by the invulnerable diviner Sweyn Savannon, Taleb desperately seeks a way to halt the battle, even as Baiel forms his strategies to meet the numerous threats. With both the Catalyst Stones and Dhanen’Mar now at risk, enemies begin to converge, and ultimately force a result that will alter the very world itself.
A prequel set 200 years before the main timeline.
For her entire life, Cryslyn Rogim’s very existence has been shrouded in mystery. Why were she and her mother always fleeing into the night? Who was her father? Was something hunting them, and if so, why? Having now reached her fifteenth birthing-day, Cryslyn is determined to finally learn these answers. Setting out to claim her Secondary Patron, she takes the first step toward her destiny, a fate both unforeseen and unimagined.
Forced to live a life of concealment in Jennen, Andora Kale dreams of Dhanen’Mar and the freedom it provides to those like her. Born to Destiny, she knows her only chance for a normal life—perhaps for survival itself—relies on one day reaching those southern lands. But recent visions seem to imply her Patron has a different fate in mind for her, a fate both shocking and devastating. But one, should she have courage enough to accept it, with the potential to alter numerous upcoming events and bring hope to the entire eastern continent.
While the war between Jennen and Dhanen’Mar wages on to the west, affairs in Veron reach a critical stage. Waylaid by a task handed down by Veron’s king, Callan Ashe must hunt and eliminate a dozen of his fellow assassins before pursuing his own mission, rescuing the young diviner Adrienne Savannon and seeking revenge on the enemy. Traveling from the battle-torn country of O’Kada, Prince Garitt Simig also arrives in Veron, hoping to forge a unity with King Arvello. After reuniting with Knoxx Alvik and learning he carries the Amethyst Stone, they ally with Callan and devise a plan meant to confront all gathered enemy forces and determine the fate of the realm.
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet and share what you have been and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and was then hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.
What I am Reading Now
Before the events of Auguries of Dawn, diviner Sweyn Savannon refines her strategies for the upcoming tumult. Granted foresight of the legendary Catalyst Stones, she awaits their reappearance in the world while gathering a host of powerful allies.
At last given sight of the location of the Sapphire Stone, Sweyn now knows that the time to put all her plots and schemes into motion has finally come. Determined to see all of Dhanen’Mar become a sanctuary for Destiny, she stands ready to unleash whatever destruction is necessary to see out her dark objectives.
*Author’s Note. This is a prequel to the main series and not a standalone story, and is best read after the 4th volume, Path of Stars.
What I am reading Monday and Tuesday:
When her granddaughter Serena is abducted by a crew of foreign pirates, Lady Danetria appeals to the warlords for aid. Desired for her diviner skills, all fear that if Serena isn’t rescued before arriving at the distant shores of Swythe Island, she will be lost to them forever.
Deployed on his first official assignment, Kain Rojek isn’t anticipating much trouble—or excitement—to arise from the task of recovering the stolen diviner. But once separated from his fellow warlords, he soon finds himself mired in a web of conspiracy none had foreseen. Forced to navigate his way through fatal enchantments, a rebel uprising, and the darkest corner of Swythe Island politics, Kain will finally come to discover that the only end to his quest may cost him everything.
* Author’s Note This is a prequel to the main series. While designed to be read between volumes 4 and 5, it can be enjoyed at any point in the series.
When Dhanen’Mar’s home city of Destiny comes under multiple threats, a divination leads Qyn Rojek to finally return to the place of his birth. Arriving at the Spindle, he quickly finds himself confronted with the long-hidden secret of his origins, as well as the deeper truth of his due’foi’beni talents and responsibilities. Tasked with defending the city from the dark ambitions of his aunt, the invulnerable diviner Sweyn Savannon, Qyn begins a journey meant to at last reveal his destiny.
*Author’s Note This is not a standalone story and is meant to be read between volumes 4 & 5 of the series.
This is a weekly meme in which anyone can choose and highlight a random book from their Goodreads TBR. It was formerly featured on LaurensPageTurners and was taken over by Budget Tales Book Blog.
Marked Series The Marked series follows a woman named Kate who transitions into a vampire, and discovers that there is so much more to her than she ever imagined. She changes her name to Aimee, which is how she is referred to throughout the rest of the series. It is a name that she re adopts, which belonged to her in a past life as a Celtic priestess. More and more is revealed as the books progress both about Aimee and about her place in the middle of all the paranormal political issues that are going on at the time. She is hunted by a demon named Damian, who claims her as his own. Book one focuses on Marc and how his love for Aimee brings her out of a deep despair. He helps her to find happiness again, and the second book is about her finding purpose. She is very driven in Book 2 to uncover more of the secrets of her past in an attempt to garner enough power to protect herself and her circle of friends, which includes Liam (a Guardian), Enric and Natasha (Human friends), Hex (a Warlock advisor), and Nero (the werewolf Alpha). The wolves aren’t introduced until book 2 where we start to see how they fit into the conflict that is bringing the supernatural community to the brink of war.
The ice storm at the end of January continued into a snowstorm (11 inches of snow!!) the first week of February. That meant Miss R and Mr. Z had almost 2 weeks off from school (they did have 5 remote days).
Week of February 1st through February 7th:
1. Other than having no school until Wednesday and a 3-hour delay on Thursday and Friday, nothing much happened.
Week of February 8th through February 14th:
1. Miss R had an orthodontist appointment, and she is getting braces!! She is scheduled to get them at the beginning of March, and out of all three kids, her treatment plan is the shortest (20 months). They are being careful because of her bonded teeth and won’t be adding brackets to those until almost the end of treatment.
We went to The Oddities and Curiosities Expo in Charlotte. It wasn’t what I expected (I was expecting more oddities and less shopping), but I had a good time. Miss R got a henna tattoo, and Mr. Z got a steampunk-style pocket watch.
Week of February 15th through February 21st:
Miss R finally got her hair done on the 16th. She got it cut to her shoulders, layered, and had streaks of red put in. It’s kinda like a peek-a-boo dye, with the red only showing fully when she flips her head upside down.
Mr. Z got chosen for our Rotary Club’s Student of Distinction award. It is a luncheon happening in the first week of March.
We had a come-to-Jesus moment with Miss R about her grades. Her grades dropped drastically (from a B to a D in math and from a B to an F in science). She was warned by the Student Council (she’s the secretary) that she would be dismissed if her grades weren’t raised by the end of the quarter. We also told her that she would have to earn certain privileges (working at the barn and riding lessons were not included in that because the barn owner is working with us on this). That night, she turned in all of her missing math and science work (and showed us the paperwork that she needed to turn in).
Miss R also started tutoring math on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is going on until May.
Week of February 22nd through February 28th:
Remember when Miss R’s grades (see above). Well, she was able to pull both subjects up to C+’s (77 in math and 78 in science). She earned the right to go to her BFF’s house to play (she couldn’t leave the yard).
On February 22nd, Miss R worked at the barn all day (from 10:30 to 3:30). She was helping her instructor tack up/untack for lessons (for beginners and those who still needed help tacking up). She was also helping during the lessons, and when her instructor had a more advanced lesson, she went to the barn and helped the owner. She helped with feeding, turning out, refreshing water, catching (two of the horses decided to go on an adventure by breaking down their fence), and mucking out stalls. She was exhausted when she got home.
Miss R was also invited to her instructor’s daughter’s barn in Virginia next weekend (Fri-Sun). There was a dressage clinic the instructor was attending, and she thought that Miss R and another girl (Miss A) would enjoy it. Plus, the instructor said that she would teach Miss R how to load and unload horses (they are bringing two horses up and bringing two horses home).
Reading Highlights from this month:
I read and finished the Dangerous Royals series by Annika Martin (Dark Mafia Prince, Wicked Mafia Prince, and Savage Mafia Prince). The series was OK, but some of the plotlines were a little much. But overall, I enjoyed the series and plan to read books associated with it.
I read the first book in the Singularity series by Susan Kaye Quinn (The Legacy Human). I enjoyed reading it, and the time into robots/AI taking over the world was interesting. I also found the whole ascending into a robot/AI/human hybrid a little creepy. I will continue reading the series if it goes on KU.
I read and finished the Agnes Barton Paranormal Mystery series by MadisonJohns (Haunted Hijinks, Ghostly Hijinks, Spooky Hijinks, Hair-Raising Hijinks, Ghastly Hijinks). This was a cute, but predictable, series. I will warn, though, that this series is a continuation of another series (Agnes Barton Senior Sleuths Mystery). I suggest reading that series first. It will reduce confusion when relationships are mentioned without backstory.
I read the first book of the Archaic series by Regan Ure (Archaic). It was interesting, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I am working on the Veils of Destiny series by Peyton Reynolds.
Auguries of Dawn (book 1): I read this book in 5 days, which is rare for me. The author’s world-building is amazing. She includes a glossary and a map at the beginning of this book that explain the world, how time runs in this world, and the castes (these are also in the other books in the series).
Tides of Fortune (book 2): Again, another excellent book. Usually in the 2nd book in a series, the author lets the storyline meander a little. Not in this book. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. Also, the author did not hesitate to kill off main characters. There is also a huge secret (and plot twist) revealed towards the end of the book that explains a lot (and it is tied into the death of several main and secondary characters).
Veils of Destiny (book 2.2): For this book, the author goes back in time to book 1. There are events in book 1 (the heist at the manor, the pegasi, and the riot) that are further explained. It is also revealed who is behind those three events and why this person is being forced to commit the crimes.
Shadows of Illusion (book 2.4): In this book, which takes place towards the end of book 2, Tishan and Callan are sent to another kingdom to investigate who has the Sapphire stone and how it ties into the riots that are happening. But Tishan and Callan take on a side quest that has some deadly consequences. I liked seeing Callan in his element. That man is danger personified. I also am kinda shipping him and Tishan together. I was not expecting what happened, though, and my heart broke when he gave Tishan advice on how to deal with what was going to happen.
Web of Portents (book 3): Another amazing read!! There was a focus on the diviners (which I loved) and on the espionage happening in Aralexia. DevlinAlvik sends Rydin off on his own but puts a bug in his ear about Callan and Tishan, who were captured at the end of Shadows of Illusion. He also sends Flynn and Sabian to retrieve the Amethyst stone, but they are competing with another thief who has been blackmailed into getting it. And he sends Knoxx and Synna to O’Kada to get intel on LeijaIdrees (who has Magic as her birth and chosen). Meanwhile, Madi goes to the War Keep to meet with Qyn and tell him the truth about his parentage. She is also to tutor him in his emerging Destiny powers. But Madi isn’t safe there. Brother Jord is determined to thwart her. Also at the keep is Taleb, who now knows what everyone else does: he is the heir to the crown. He is also continuing his training with Bail, including his second trial. Meanwhile, Oliveah stays in Aralexia to help Devlin with his court intrigue. The book ends on a cliffhanger, but that made me more excited to read the other books.
Shades of Death (book 3.2): This book takes place shortly after Reagan helps Rydin escape Aralexia. In a very stunning turn of events, the author introduces Rydin’s partner and his SON!!! Rydin, who knows that an armed conflict will be happening and the village that they live in is in the way, begs his partner to leave. He gives her a couple of jumping stones and promises to meet up with her. But after he leaves, a fire decimates her house, and the jumping stones are lost. I have a very bad feeling that something bad is going to happen to her and their son. Anyway, Rydin jumps to Jennen, where he has been exiled. There, he finds that Callan hasn’t returned and clues the Jennen king into what is going on with the Catalyst stones. Soon after, he jumps to Veron and begins investigating Callan’s disappearance. When he gets there, he finds a country in turmoil. The new king and queen, along with their loyal knights, are holed up in the castle/forced underground. Given permission to search for Callan, Rydin soon finds that he and Tishan are being held captive and tortured by Cobain Tassoni, who is trying to take over the country. There are a few chapters where the author explains exactly how they are being tortured. She also reveals that Callan has fallen in love with Tishan (and vice versa). I am not going to go into the rescue much, but it was awesome!! There was blood, there was guts, there was a very angry Thief and an assassin who had zero shits left to give. It was glorious and very cathartic to read. The author ends that part of the story with Cobain getting the shit kicked out of him by Tishan (and her recovering the Diamond), but Cobain gets away. I cannot wait for that rematch.
Meanwhile, Flynn, Sabian, and Cryslyn are on the island where the Amethyst stone is being held. There, they meet up with Aris Sylvain, who is badly injured. They are being led through a labyrinth by the ghost who built it. But there is a special caveat when they arrive at the place where the Amethyst is being held. Blood must be spilled to release the Amethyst. During the journey through the labyrinth, Aris tells Flynn and Sabian that his daughter (now 4) was kidnapped by Leija Idrees and was being used as leverage against him. If he doesn’t arrive with the stone, she will die. The book ends, again on a cliffhanger.
Sea of Omens (book 3.4):Knoxx Alvik and Synna Dacyn have arrived in the capital city of O’Kada. Because they used up most of Synna’s magical reserve, and she needs to rest, they get rooms at an inn, and Synna sleeps. Meanwhile, Knoxx sets out to explore the city using his mage power, invisibility. It is when he is invisible that he meets Kai, whose mage power is to see magic; his sister, Lora, a diviner who uses flame and ash; and Prince Garrit Simig, who can transform into anyone and is looking to stop Leiga Idress, his half-sister. Knoxx and Synna discover that Kai and Lora were held captive with other people in a house by Leiga. One of those people is the young daughter of Aris and a mysterious guest, who Synna hopes is her missing mentor, Villian. While Synna and Garrit are doing research in the Royal Library, Knoxx and Kai are trying to find the house where Kai and Lora were held hostage (they also get a message from Lady Danetria, who includes a reading/warning for Garrit). After finding the house and Kai saying that there are enchantments on it (which can be easily broken through), they meet back up with Synna and Garrit. They plan to break into the house, rescue whoever is inside (hoping Villain is still there), and flush Leiga out. Telling Kai and Lora to meet them at the docks in an hour, Garrit, Synna, and Knoxx go to the house. After breaking in and incapacitating Leiga’s uncle, they find Aris’s daughter and no one else. Knoxx soon realizes that a jumping stone has been activated, and it will bring Leiga to them. He tells Garrit to take the girl and get on a roof (knowing that Synna will have to use her magepower to control water). After he leaves, Leiga arrives, and a very epic battle takes place. When it is over, the city is in ruins, and Leiga leaves, but she is badly drained. Synna is drained also. Knoxx, the young girl,Lora, Synna, and Kai take a rowboat back to Aralexia, leavingGarrit to deal with the fallout.
Path of Stars (book 4): Callan and Tishan arrive in Aralexia, bloody and beaten. Devil meets with Prince Luken at the castle and then meets with Callan and Tishan at Reagan’s old apartment. He debriefs them and learns that Callan will be returning to Jennen to try to avert a war. Tishan, on the other hand, wants to go with Callan but is afraid of how they would treat her (Jennen’s do not like people with Birth or Choice Magic).
Books I Read:
Monthly Playlist (I use songs featured in the book, if there are any, along with a playlist generated by ChatGPT).
Cover featuring damage—Rips, tears, burns, water damage, general wear etc.
Looks like glass is shattering on the cover
Cover featuring a border/frame—May Prompt (Books with a design around the edges of the book cover, creating a frame or border. Can be a solid colour, or decorative.)
The frame is the shield around the girl in the middle of the cover
