Literary Quest

In this episode your hosts discuss The Ashes and the Star Cursed King by Carisa Broadbent. This is the conclusion to the duology but not the end of the Crown of Nyaxia world. We pick up where the first book left off. Raihn is struggling to enforce his role as king during a civil war. Oraya is struggling with her grief and the knowledge that she is an Heir. Soon however, it becomes clear that they will need to work together. Despite Raihn's heartbreaking betrayal in the previous book Oraya agrees to assist him. Septimus and the blood-born vampires are a problem and in order to get them out of The House of Night, Oraya needs to help Raihn find god-blood. Since it is suspected that her father and previous king, Vincent, knew of this Oraya is crucial to this journey. Only she can access and understand the clues Vincent left behind. Is she ready to uncover the secrets her father left? Can she overcome Raihn's betrayal? Or is she only helping so that she can take her rightful place on the throne?

This week your hosts discuss Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. Gideon Nav has spent her life as an indentured servant for Harrowhark, when her plan to escape fails, she agrees to be Harrow's cavalier. She and Harrow travel to the first house for a competition between the other houses to find out who will become lyctors. Soon, strange events happen that result in the deaths of the necromancers from the other houses. Will Gideon and Harrow fall prey to the unknown force or can the previous enemies work together and survive?

This week, we discuss A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout. This is the fifth installment in the From Blood and Ash series, and in the book, Casteel recounts the events in From Blood and Ash from his perspective, while he, Kieran, and their trusted friends guard Poppy who has slipped into stasis to complete the culling. Join us for our discussion!

In this episode we discuss Ruby Dixon's 4th book in the Ice Planet Barbarian Series - Barbarian Mine. When Harlow finds herself captured by a large blue alien she must quickly adapt. Rukh was left an orphan at 7 years old and since then has been on his own. When his kuhi resonates with Harlow, he wastes no time taking her. He is unable to speak English or the common language so they must find other ways to communicate. It is difficult and there are times of misunderstandings but Rukh and Harlow work hard getting to know each other. When Harlow has a difficult pregnancy, Rukh must decide if it worth the risk of bringing her back to communal cave to seek help. Will Harlow be okay? Will Rukh leave her to return to his nomadic ways? Or can they find a way to stay together?

We wrap up pride month with The Fate of Stars by SD Simper. When Tallora, a mermaid saves the disgraced princess of Solvira, she is not expecting to be captured instead of thanked. Dauriel, the disgraced princess, is constantly seeking her mother's approval and she believes that kidnapping a mermaid for a pet would be appreciated. However, it does not go as planned when Tallora and Dauriel begin to develop feelings towards each other. Can Tallora forgive her captor? Will Dauriel outgrow her need for her mother's affection? TW: Infertility.