Are you as excited as I am? Paperbacks of Girl of Shadow and Glass and Girl of Glass and Fury are now available on Amazon! Order your copies here.
Signed copies should be available later this month, along with series and bookish merch. But more on that later!
For now…Yay!
Cheers,
CKB
Prolific and USA Today bestselling fantasy author Anthea Sharp has just released the hardcover edition of her Into the Darkwood Omnibus. (The ebook version is one of my current reads.) Since we are deep into the Indie Fantasy Addicts Summer Reading Challenge, I thought I’d take a moment to highlight this author.
I first found Anthea Sharp, an American author who lives in the Pacific Northwest, while online book shopping. White as Frost (The Darkwood Trilogy #1; a fairytale retelling, which we all know I love!) came up, and I thought the writing in the sample was excellent. Needless to say, I purchased.
Later, I posted in a FB group asking for indie author recommendations, and guess whose name came up? Anthea Sharp! She writes fairytale retellings, urban fantasy, steampunk and science fantasy, so there’s something there for a wide variety of readers.
While I’ve only just dipped my toe into one of her books (a complimentary copy of Into the Darkwood I received from Book of Matches Media after signing up for the book’s promo tour, a thing I do for bookish kicks!), she is beloved by many, and that’s why she’s the subject of my first indie author spotlight!
(Honestly, why didn’t I think of doing this ages ago?!)
Books by Anthea Sharp Include…
To learn more about this author, visit antheasharp.com.
Whether it’s a plot twist that blows a story wide open or an arc that leads to a wider plot, cliffhangers get a reaction. Whether you hate them or love the torture, cliffhangers appear in many popular books. Personally, I love them–if they’re done right.
Here’s a list of some of my favorites.
Warning: This list contains spoilers (though I’ve tried to keep them vague).
Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1), by Leigh Bardugo – They’ve done it! Or have they? Things go south real quick as book one in the Duology comes to a pretty abrupt halt. This one left me worried for my favorite characters and needing Crooked Kingdom fast.
Bride of the Shadow King, by Sylvia Mercedes – The two would-be lovers could not be more star-crossed in this brilliant romantic fantasy. Just when you think they’ll catch a break, a single chapter changes the game completely. (Find my review here.)
The Wicked King, by Holly Black – Will Jude and Cardan work things out, or will the boy king go the way of King Joffrey? After a mega plot twist, you’ll learn…that you need to read book three!
Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3), by Sarah J. Maas – Celaena Sardothien has an emotional breakthrough, and a lot goes wrong or outright fizzles. But as the plot is about to move her back to the primary setting as this lengthy book ends. Come on! (My review.)
An Enchantment of Thorns (A Court of Fairy Tales #1), by Helena Rookwood and Elm Vince – In this Beauty and the Beast retelling, there’s no relief in sight for heroine Aster and prickly fae beast Thorne. With their tale now complete at three books, at least you won’t have to shout at words like I did. (My review here.)
For the Wolf (Wilderwood #1), by Hannah Whitten – We’re far from done with Wilderwood guardian Eamon and the unlucky Red by the time For the Wolf is finished. Thankfully, the book’s sweet and swoony romance provides a /bit/ of closure. (My review.)
The Theft of Sunlight (Dauntless Path #2), by Intisar Khanani – As a country girl turned princess’s lady-in-waiting with mobility challenges, it takes time for heroine Rae to find her place. Not long after she does, a wicked plot twist pushes the plot into another book due this summer. Such delicious torture! (Find my review here.)
Skin of the Sea (Skin of the Sea #1), by Natasha Bowen – This Yoruba legends-based mermaid’s odyssey manages to end in a satisfying way, despite the greater adventure only beginning. (My review here.)
Love Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows duology? (Of course you do! You’re here!) Test your knowledge of the unforgettable characters below!
A. Heartrender
B. Fabrikator
C. Inferni
D. Tailor
2. Which of these Grisha skills does Nina have at the beginning of Six of Crows?
A. Tailor
B. Heartrender
C. Healer
D. All of the above
3. Where does Pekka Rollins keep his office?
A. The Kaelish Prince
B. The Emerald Palace
C. The Black Veil
D. Sweet Reef
4. Which of these characters is NOT a Grisha?
A. Zoya
B. Genya
C. Jesper
D. Colm
5. Which one of these characters join a consortium of jurda traders according to Kaz’s plan?
A. Jarl Brum
B. Karl Dryden
C. Mister Crimson
D. Cornelius Smeet
6. Which of these roles or disguises does Jesper NOT assume as part of a plan?
A. Zemeni delegate
B. Mister Crimson
C. Jurda farmer
D. Gambler
C. Inferni
Less than 4 questions right: You’re a Six of Crows novice! Maybe it’s time for a re-read!
4 questions right: You’re familiar with the duology, but the details have gotten fuzzy!
5 questions right: You’re almost an expert!
6 questions right: Are you Leigh Bardugo? No? Just a really huge fan? My friend, you are in the right place!
So how did you do?
Crooked Kingdom is my favorite of the two books in Leigh Bardugo’s brilliant Six of Crows Duology. I had so many highlights! In all fairness to Six of Crows, I’ve plucked out some of my favorites from that book to include in this list, too.
Here they are: Nine fantastic quotes from the Six of Crows Duology.
2. She’d laughed, and if he could have bottled the sound and gotten drunk on it every night, he would have. It terrified him. – Six of Crows
3. He felt free, dangerous, like lightning rolling over the prairie. – Crooked Kingdom
4. “I would come for you. And if I couldn’t walk, I’d crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we’d fight our way out together–knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that’s what we do. We never stop fighting.” – Crooked Kingdom
5. I’m a business man,” he’d told her. “No more, no less.”
“You’re a thief, Kaz.”
“Isn’t that what I just said?” – Six of Crows
6. “That was how you survived when you weren’t chosen, when there was no royal blood in your veins. When the world owed you nothing, you demanded something of it anyway.” – Crooked Kingdom
7. “Nina glanced from Inej to Kaz and saw they both wore the same expression. Nina knew that look. It came after the shipwreck, when the tide moved against you and the sky had gone dark. It was the first sight of land, the hope of shelter and even salvation that might await you on a distant shore.” – Crooked Kingdom
8. He needed to tell her…what? That she was lovely and brave and better than anything he deserved. That he was twisted, crooked, wrong, but not so broken that he couldn’t pull himself together into some semblance of a man for her. That without meaning to, he’d begun to lean on her, to look for her, to need her near. – Six of Crows
9. “Stop treating your pain like it’s something you imagined. If you see the wound is real, then you can heal it.” – Crooked Kingdom
1. Which of these is NOT the name of one of Inej’s knives?
A. Sankta Anastasia
B. Sankta Marya
C. Sankt Constantin
D. Sankt Vladimir
2. True or false: The ship that carries Kaz’s heist team to Fjerda is called The Ferdinand.
3. Which of these are NOT things Inej receives from Kaz?
A. A knife
B. A new contract
C. The Wraith
D. Cold hard cash
4. Which of these is NOT the name of a Barrel gang?
A. The Black Tips
B. The Dregs
C. The Razorbeaks
D. The Dime Lions
5. Which of these things are associated with Nina Zenik?
A. Corpsewitch
B. The White Rose
C. Corporalnik
D. All of the above
6. Which of these is NOT a Barrel business?
A. The Emerald Palace
B. The Silver Lion
C. Club Cumulus
D. The House of the Blue Iris
Less than four questions right: Find the nearest Stadwatch officer to escort you home. The Barrel eats nice people like you alive!
Four questions right: Ok, so you’ve been to the Barrel. How much money did you lose?
Five questions right: I think you have what it takes. Per Haskell and the Crows could use someone of your talents,
Six questions right: Talk to Dirtyhands about your next assignment–you’re already a Barrel rat through and through!
So, how’d you do?
Kaz Brekker and my Fjerdan heist-level character hangover
Caution: This post contains spoilers for Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom.
Ever had a book hangover? How about a character hangover?
I’ve got one, and it’s because of Kaz Brekker.
Six of Crows introduces readers to the gritty underworld of Ketterdam, from scheming merchants to the gambling empires of the Barrel. As a top underling in a gang called the Dregs, Kaz Brekker is a half mythical figure–which is exactly how he designed his image. There aren’t many anti-heroes that intentional.
Throughout the Six of Crows duology, the story slowly prizes up Kaz’s carefully crafted mask. He’s only a marginally likeable character, his intellectual feats pulling off impossible victories like magic. He’s vicious, living up to his nicknames: Dirtyhands and the Bastard of the Barrel.
So why am I so weirdly obsessed with this character?
Kaz Brekker has a leg injury that leaves him with mobility issues. It’s a little odd in terms of representation because 1) it causes pain but doesn’t seem to hinder him in critical moments and 2) he actually could rid himself of it with a skilled Grisha tailor’s help. He considers it such a part of himself, though, that he doesn’t think of it when he has the chance.
There’s also something fiercely endearing about the moments he fails: when he finally reveals some of his feelings to Inej and when he passes out in the truck in Fjerda. Kaz has his painful backstory to be sure, but I don’t think that’s what makes him an unforgettable character.
It’s the way others view him that does it. From Inej’s challenge that makes him face his flaws, to the way they brighten when they spot his “scheming face.” He’s loyal to those loyal to him, the dark knight sweeping in for the rescue in a merciless city. He’s a super hero with a soft spot, clever and not at all charming, especially with a character like Jesper on the scene. Kaz even gives out second chances.
At the same time, he’s not all that complex: Kaz is totally driven by revenge and ambition. His most lovable moments come when he tries to do normal human things. For all his faults and miraculous heists, it’s this quality I love most about his character: the boy who knows he isn’t ordinary, but for others’ sake, makes the attempt anyway.
And that’s why I won’t forget Kaz Brekker anytime soon.
Trivia: Do you know Kaz Brekker?
So, you think you know Kaz Brekker…! Find out below whether you’re a tried and true Crow who knows Kaz cover to cover–or if you’re just visiting the Crow Club for kicks.
1.What item of Saskia’s does Kaz Brekker keep?
A. A toy lion
B. A pin
C. A ribbon
D. A crow stuffed animal
2. Which of these businesses does Kaz Brekker sabotage?
A. The Rose Garden
B. The Kaelish Prince
C. The Crow Club
D. Club Cumulus
3. What everday item does Kaz keep up his sleeve as a weapon?
A. A shucking knife
B. A paring knife
C. A seam ripper
D. A boning knife
4. True or false: Kaz Brekker has never left Ketterdam until the Fjerdan heist.
5. What real plague does Kaz Brekker orchestrate a fake outbreak of?
A. The King’s Pox Plague
B. The Queen’s Lady Plague
C. The Water Pox Plague
D. The Lady’s Lace Plague
6. Which of these characters does Kaz slip up and call Jordie?
A. Inej
B. Matthias
C. Wylan
D. Jesper
1 C. A ribbon
2. B. The Kaelish Prince
3. A. A (oyster) shucking knife
4. False: Kaz is from the countryside
5. B. The Queen’s Lady Plague
6. D. Jesper
Less than four questions right: Have you been watching Netflix again?
Four questions right: Ok, so you’ve see Kaz Brekker around.
Five questions right: You know Kaz Brekker–but I wouldn’t let him hear you saying that!
Six questions right: Kaz will admit to knowing you. Heck, he may even set up a rescue when you’re in need. But can anyone REALLY know Kaz Brekker?
Kaz Brekker and my Fjerdan heist-level character hangover