Review: Slay by Brittney Morris

Today’s book blew me away!

The book Slay by Brittney Morris was fantastic and it has been getting a lot of good reviews…and rightfully so! Here are just a few:

Entertainment Weekly: SLAY: Preview the YA debut we’re most excited for this year

Publishers Weekly: Simon Pulse Acquires YA Novel Inspired by Black Panther

Now let’s take a look at Slay!

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By day, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is an honors student, a math tutor, and one of the only Black kids at Jefferson Academy. But at home, she joins hundreds of thousands of Black gamers who duel worldwide as Nubian personas in the secret multiplayer online role-playing card game, SLAY. No one knows Kiera is the game developer, not her friends, her family, not even her boyfriend, Malcolm, who believes video games are partially responsible for the “downfall of the Black man.”

But when a teen in Kansas City is murdered over a dispute in the SLAY world, news of the game reaches mainstream media, and SLAY is labeled a racist, exclusionist, violent hub for thugs and criminals. Even worse, an anonymous troll infiltrates the game, threatening to sue Kiera for “anti-white discrimination.”

Driven to save the only world in which she can be herself, Kiera must preserve her secret identity and harness what it means to be unapologetically Black in a world intimidated by Blackness. But can she protect her game without losing herself in the process?

Order here!

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Tawney’s Review:

I grew up playing video games and one of my best friends, who is a woman, is a game developer, so Slay intrigued me from the start. Especially having the main character a girl gamer! More please.

It was a wonderfully diverse book that takes the reader into the black community of gamers. Kiera is a strong heroine that any teen or reader could connect to. She’s intelligent and kind and doesn’t hold back when making a world for herself and her community to feel safe. She’s tired of living in a white world where no one understands so she creates Slay. She’s kept her identity a secret until one day it’s no longer because of a murder and Slay is out in the open and the world cries racism. Kiera fights for her game and the community. Which seems to emulate the real world ongoing struggles of people of color.

Morris did a wonderful job at bringing the reader into the gaming world. Her vivid detail and description made it feel as if the reader was right there alongside Kiera. The gaming scenes were adventurous and intense, like a movie. Morris also does a fantastic job at bringing difficult topics to the surface regarding race, especially with Kiera’s boyfriend Malcom. He wants her to be her and not switch to a different personality in front of her white friends. He wants the black culture to stay black. Morris brings great in-depth conversations between the two characters that helps the reader understand their world.

This book is an eye opener to those readers that don’t understand the hardship the African American community goes through as a young black teen…or any child or adult of color. It is a must read and knowledge is power so the more people read things outside their knowledge the more they can understand.

Should you read it? Yes, a wonderful book that takes a reader on a rollercoaster of emotions and feels as Kiera navigates through the harsh world to save her game and community.

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About the Author:

Brittney Morris is the author of SLAY. She holds a BA in economics from Boston University because back then, she wanted to be a financial analyst. (She’s now thankful that didn’t happen). She spends her spare time reading, playing indie video games, and enjoying the rain from her house in Philadelphia. She lives with her husband Steven who would rather enjoy the rain from a campsite in the woods because he hasn’t played enough horror games.

Brittney is the founder and former president of the Boston University Creative Writing Club, and she’s a four-time NaNoWriMo winner.

Follow Brittany here:  Blog * Twitter * Instagram

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Release Day Blitz: Below the Radar by Dana Ridenour

Today I am so excited to spotlight my good friend author Dana Ridenour!

Her third book in the Lexi Montgomery FBI series comes out today! It has been fun watching Dana publish her books and see her progression in writing. She has taken her heroine Lexi on some turbulent cases and I can never put these books down until I finish them.

Today Dana joins us for some Q&A but first let’s take a look at Below the Radar.

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After her last assignment went horribly wrong, everyone tells FBI Special Agent Lexie Montgomery she needs a break. But Lexie is determined to keep going with her undercover work–so when a Dutch constable goes missing, she jumps at the chance.

Along with Blake Bennett, her unfamiliar new partner, Lexie is thrown into the Gathering, a haven for environmental activists planning illegal activity. It’s a dangerous situation, but she blends right in–a little too well, Blake thinks. As the pair of them try to get closer to the vanished constable, he begins to suspect that Lexie may be hiding an affinity for the eco-extremists’ cause.

With her loyalties in question from both sides, Lexie will be forced to prove herself as an undercover agent and as a new recruit for the terrorists’ cause. But as time starts to run out, staying below the radar may prove harder than she’d planned.

Order the book here!

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Q&A with Dana Ridenour

 

1. How does it feel to have a third book coming out in your Lexie Montgomery series?

I’m excited for the release of Below The Radar, which is the third book in the Lexie Montgomery series. I added a male FBI character in this book, so I’m curious to see the reaction of readers. This book is loosely based on an undercover case I worked with my then boyfriend/now husband. We were a couple playing a couple. It was a unique opportunity and ranks high on my list of favorite experiences that I had during my twenty years as an FBI agent.

 

2. Has your writing process changed since writing the first book?

I altered my writing process one time for NaNoMo and it was a disaster. I learned a valuable lesson from that experience. I know what works for me and I will never alter my process again. I’m sure NaMoMo works well for some writers, but not for me. I did discover that as the series grew, so did my need for a character bible. Once I compiled my character list, it was easier to keep the characters straight from book to book.

 

3. What are you working on now?

I’m working on a fourth book, but I think my readers might be surprised to hear that it’s not an FBI book. It’s commercial fiction, a combination of literary fiction and women’s fiction. I may return to the Lexie Montgomery series down the road and I have an idea for another FBI series, but I was ready to branch out and try another genre for my next novel.

 

4. Any advice for writers wanting to publish?

My best advice would be to not rush the process. It’s a long and sometimes rough road to publication, so be patient. You want your novel to be perfect when it is finally published, so don’t rush through the editing process and don’t make any rash publishing decisions. Make sure your manuscript is as clean as you can get it before you pitch your project to literary agents. I would also recommend attending writers conferences. I’ve learned so much from conferences and workshops and have made some great connections. Attend conferences, meet people, and pass out your business cards. Even if you don’t have a novel ready to pitch now, you probably will in the future. It never hurts to make and nurture those connections. Some of them will turn into lifelong friendships.

Thank you Dana!

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Check out the Lexi Montgomrary series

You build relationships to betray relationships.
That is the motto for the FBI’s undercover program, and special agent Lexie Montgomery is just beginning to understand what that means. Lexie’s first assignment is infiltrating a radical cell of the Animal Liberation Front. Underground and operating in splinter groups throughout Los Angeles, the only way in is through Savannah Riley, a new recruit.
Savannah left the safety of her small southern town for the bright lights of the city. Pulled into the animal rights movement by her college roommate and a gorgeous anarchist, she sinks deeper and deeper into the dark, paranoid world of ALF extremists.
As the actions of her cell escalate beyond simple demonstrations and graffiti, Savannah turns to Lexie to keep her grounded. But as the two women grow closer and the FBI’s case builds, Lexie is forced to decide what betrayal really means.

Order here!

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FBI SPECIAL AGENT LEXIE MONTGOMERY goes deep undercover to investigate the Earth Liberation Front, a domestic terrorism group operating in the South Carolina Lowcountry. As Lexie struggles to infiltrate the ELF, she soon realizes everything may not be as it seems in the Lowcountry. Lexie’s investigation spirals out of control and places her life in danger after someone in her trusted inner circle reveals her undercover identity. Now Lexie must work to bring those responsible to justice … if only she knew who she could trust.

Order here!

 

 

Check out my reviews for the first two books: Behind the Mask, Beyond the Cabin

Stay tune for a review on Below the Radar!

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About the Author:

Dana Ridenour is a retired FBI agent. She spent most of her career as an FBI undercover operative infiltrating criminal organizations including the Animal Liberation Front, an organization of domestic terrorists. Dana writes a series of FBI undercover novels.

 

Follow Dana: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Symptoms of a Heartbreak Review

I love medical drama shows whether it’s Grey’s Anatomy or New Amsterdam.

I’ve never read medical fiction that grasped my attention until Symptoms of a Heartbreak. It has humor, heartache and all the emotions you could expect from that type of book and I couldn’t put it down. Let’s take a look at Sona Charaipotra’s Symptoms of a Heartbreak.

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The youngest doctor in America, an Indian-American teen makes her rounds―and falls head over heels―in Sona Charaipotra’s contemporary romantic comedy.

Fresh from med school, sixteen-year-old medical prodigy Saira arrives for her first day at her new job: treating children with cancer. She’s always had to balance family and friendships with her celebrity as the Girl Genius―but she’s never had to prove herself to skeptical adult co-workers while adjusting to real life-and-death stakes. And working in the same hospital as her mother certainly isn’t making things any easier.

But life gets complicated when Saira finds herself falling in love with a patient: a cute teen boy who’s been diagnosed with cancer. And when she risks her brand new career to try to improve his chances, it could cost her everything.

It turns out “heartbreak” is the one thing she still doesn’t know how to treat.

In her solo debut, Sona Charaipotra brings us a compelling #ownvoices protagonist who’s not afraid to chase what she wants. Symptoms of a Heartbreak goes from romantic comedy highs to tearjerker lows and is the ultimate cure-all for young adult readers needing an infusion of something heartfelt.

Order here!

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Tawney’s Review:

Frist off, any book about cancer is hard, especially since my Mom went through it. But I’m glad to say that she is alive and cancer free!

Saira had a friend pass away from cancer and since then she has been trying to save other children with cancer. She’s smart and only 16, a medical prodigy…like Doogie Howser! Except Saira is a badass Indian-American teen who probably could do circles around Doogie.

Saira makes tough decisions regarding life and death with her young patients and unfortunately some doctors don’t take her seriously because she too is so young. She also still has to abide by her parents rules. These situations could make for a dramatic book and you feel the emotions with every heartache and tough decision Saira goes through. But Charaipotra brings humor to her characters and the story that it’s a light sweat read.

Charaipotra does a wonderful job with description from the food being cooked to the corridors of the hospital. It was easy for readers to immerse themselves into Saira’s world. With so many diverse characters you can’t help but fall in love with all of them…especially Dadi. Family is also a big part of Saira’s life and it was wonderful to see such a positive family dynamic, even if they could be meddling. LOL.

Should you read this? Yes! Not only do you have hospital drama but a romance. This book was a wonderful read containing humor, drama, heartache and love with a fierce intelligent heroine!

 

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Biography

The author of the YA doc dramedy Symptoms of a Heartbreak, Sona Charaipotra is not a doctor — much to her pediatrician parents’ chagrin. They were really hoping she’d grow up to take over their practice one day. Instead, she became a writer, working as a celebrity reporter at People and (the dearly departed) TeenPeople magazines, and contributing to publications from the New York Times to TeenVogue. These days, she uses her Masters in screenwriting from NYU and her MFA in creative writing from the New School to poke plot holes in her favorite teen TV shows, like Riverdale — for work, of course. She’s the co-founder of CAKE Literary, a boutique book packaging company with a decidedly diverse bent, and the co-author (with Dhonielle Clayton) of the YA dance dramas Tiny Pretty Things and Shiny Broken Pieces, as well as the upcoming psychological thriller The Rumor Game. She’s a proud We Need Diverse Books team member. Find her sharing pictures of her kids and her chai on Instagram @sonesone2, and talking writing and books on Twitter @sona_c.

The author of the YA doc dramedy Symptoms of a Heartbreak, Sona Charaipotra is not a doctor — much to her pediatrician parents’ chagrin. They were really hoping she’d grow up to take over their practice one day. Instead, she became a writer, working as a celebrity reporter at People and (the dearly departed) TeenPeople magazines, and contributing to publications from the New York Times to TeenVogue. These days, she uses her Masters in screenwriting from NYU and her MFA in creative writing from the New School to poke plot holes in her favorite teen TV shows, like Riverdale — for work, of course. She’s the co-founder of CAKE Literary, a boutique book packaging company with a decidedly diverse bent, and the co-author (with Dhonielle Clayton) of the YA dance dramas Tiny Pretty Things and Shiny Broken Pieces, as well as the upcoming psychological thriller The Rumor Game. She’s a proud We Need Diverse Books team member. Find her sharing pictures of her kids and her chai on Instagram , and talking writing and books on Twitter.

Spotlight: The Forever Series

Today I want to spotlight my good friend author Tara Gallina’s Serial Romance The Forever Series!

Today Tara is having a giveaway on her website for the new release of The Forever Series 4-in-1 book bundle! You can’t beat that for this wonderful books. Here’s the link to my reviews on the books so you can see why this is a fantastic binge worthy series for the summer.

Let’s take a look at The Forever Series!

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NEW ADULT ROMANCE WITH LIGHT SUSPENSE

AT TWENTY, Ainsley knows it’s time to follow her own dreams and not the future planned for her—a future she never wanted. Losing her job couldn’t have come at a worse time.

SEBASTIAN GIANNI isn’t the ideal boss, but he has a position to fill and Ainsley is desperate. The sexy twenty-two-year-old comes from money, owns a successful business, and graduates from college in three months. He has his life together in a way Ainsley could only dream.

NO WONDER her best friend is obsessed with dating him. Even his ex-girlfriend is determined to get him back, although threatening him seems like the wrong approach. Ainsley would be a fool to fall for the guy, too.

BY NO means, should she trust him. He has more secrets than anyone she knows, which makes her wonder if the mafia rumors about him are true. It doesn’t matter that he’s a good listener, and sweet and protective at times. That playful flirty side he shares with her alone means nothing. Right?

WHEN A kiss turns into a secret romance neither can give up, Ainsley learns the truth about Sebastian’s corrupt family and why his ex-girlfriend won’t go away. A future together is near impossible and comes with a risk that could get them both killed—or give them everything they’ve ever wanted.

REVIEWS – Risking Forever – Amazon

• 5 stars – A delightful read! You can’t help but root for Ainsley and Sebastian! They are by far two of my favorite romance novel couples of all time! What I loved most, was that they weren’t just characters on a page looking for love. They were like real people with complex issues they needed to overcome in order to ultimately find happiness. Loved it! ~ Racquel Henry, Black Fox Literary Magazine. RacquelHenry.com

• 5 stars – I couldn’t have been more pleased with this sexy romance! There is wonderful chemistry and a smoldering passion between Ainsley & Sebastian. As their relationship develops you can feel the tension and the passion waiting to explode. There are also many thrills with Sebastian’s rumored connection to the Mafia. ~Tawney Bland, TwinningForBooks.com

• 5 stars – Sebastian isn’t you’re usual bad boy. He’s tatted, (yes please) but the man can dress (impeccably I might add). Perhaps it’s those mafia rumors. As Ainsley & Sebastian get to know one another the steamy chemistry is real – definitely worth a read. Due to my hectic work life it’s hard for me to finish reading a book that’s not an audiobook so having a series like this in serialized form makes for the perfect, easy lunch time read. Love it! ~ Elizabeth

  

 

BOOK BUNDLE INCLUDES:
Risking Forever: vol 1
Daring Forever: vol 2
Claiming Forever: vol 3
Free bonus novel – Sebastian – Risking Forever: vol 4

 

 

 

SERIAL ROMANCE
The Forever Series is a compilation of 3 serial novels and bonus novel in the hero’s POV. The stories are continuous and meant to be read in sequential order. The average length of each book is around 150 pages in paperback and can be read in a few hours or less.

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You are just one click away from the giveaway! Click on the picture below to enter to win this amazing series.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tara Gallina grew up breathing the salty air in a small town near Clearwater Beach, Florida. The sun and sand were her playground, bathing suits and jean shorts her go-to wear.

After moving to Orlando, FL with her hubs, she left the workforce to enjoy motherhood and rekindled her love of writing. While romance is one of her favorite genres, she writes young and new adult and has a soft spot for retellings.

She has two furry writing companions who often steal her seat when she’s working: a mini shih-poo named Bella, and an exotic cat named Tigerlily but who answers to Kitty because the menfolk in the house like it better. Speaking of kitties, she is obsessed with Hello Kitty, has a pink office, thinks everything is better with sparkles, freezes in temperatures below seventy, and is happiest when visiting local hotspots like Disney World or Harry Potter with her family.

www.taragallina.com
Twitter@taragallina.com
Instagram@tagallina
https://www.facebook.com/Tara-Gallina-author/

A Blade So Black Review

My goal this year is to read more diverse books. I wholeheartedly love all the diverse authors out there showing what they can do. Especially the women! I’m a big fan of L.L. McKinney. If you don’t follow her on social media, I recommend it! She’s intelligent, witty and an eye opener for those living in a privileged world. She tells it as it is and I love it! Her book A Blade So Black caught my eye with the beautiful African American Alice on the front holding a blade. It was fierce, it was diverse and it called to me!

Let’s take a look at A Blade So Black!

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A Blade So Black delivers an irresistible urban fantasy retelling of Alice in Wonderland . . . but it’s not the Wonderland you remember.

The first time the Nightmares came, it nearly cost Alice her life. Now she’s trained to battle monstrous creatures in the dark dream realm known as Wonderland with magic weapons and hardcore fighting skills. Yet even warriors have a curfew.

Life in real-world Atlanta isn’t always so simple, as Alice juggles an overprotective mom, a high-maintenance best friend, and a slipping GPA. Keeping the Nightmares at bay is turning into a full-time job. But when Alice’s handsome and mysterious mentor is poisoned, she has to find the antidote by venturing deeper into Wonderland than she’s ever gone before. And she’ll need to use everything she’s learned in both worlds to keep from losing her head . . . literally.

Debut author L.L. McKinney delivers an action-packed twist on an old classic, full of romance and otherworldly intrigue.

Order here!

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Tawney’s Review:

I love Alice and Wonderland. There’s just something about that story and the chaotic mess she went through. Give me McKinney’s Alice and it just got better! Alice is loud, witty, brave and just a badass heroine. She the MC we want and need. She’s relatable and the friend you are looking for. I loved it!

I was enthralled by McKinney’s world. The Looking Glass Pub, the nightmares, the relationship between Alice and her mom and the everyday issues a young biracial girl faces. McKinney’s world building was vivid and enticing weaving Carroll’s classic with her own making for an invigorating read. While Alice deals with the fantasy world she also deals with her world of social injustices of police shootings, racial issues, urban plight, which makes an emotional mashup that impacts the reader.

This book gave me Buffy vibes and I loved it. Alice’s relationship with her Mom was refreshing to see as most YA has the characters go off on their own. I loved McKinney’s retelling of Lewis Carroll classic but set in the modern world not to mention all the Sailor Moon inspired aesthetics! I love Sailor Moon. Her supporting characters are not to be missed as well. Over all I highly enjoyed this book and look forward to the sequel A Dream So Dark. I need more Alice in my life! I need more McKinney in my life! I think I have a girl crush.

Should you read it? Yes, with adventure, worldly topics and a fierce heroine, McKinnye’s Alice is one not to missed!

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About the Author:

Leatrice “Elle” McKinney, writing as L.L. McKinney, is a poet and active member of the kidlit community. She’s an advocate for equality and inclusion in publishing, and the creator of the hashtag #WhatWoCWritersHear. She’s spent time in the slush by serving as a reader for agents and participating as a judge in various online writing contests.

Elle’s also a gamer, Blerd, and adamant Hei Hei stan, living in Kansas, surrounded by more nieces and nephews than she knows what to do with. Aside from rockin’ the Favorite Aunt thing, she spends her free time plagued by her cat–Sir Chester Fluffmire Boopsnoot Purrington Wigglebottom Flooferson III, esquire, Baron o’Butterscotch or #SirChester for short–or defending the realm from the enemies of Azeroth. FOR THE HORDE!

Follow: Twitter * Instagram * Facebook * Blog

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We Hunt The Flame Review

It’s been a while since I reviewed. A bad case of bronchitis could do that to you. Ugh cough cough. But I did read due to lack of sleep.

Today’s book is one that had me enthralled to the very end. It was one of my most anticipated books for my summer reads. And I wasn’t disappointed! I’ve followed Hafsah since she self-pub Unbreathable and for her Icydesign, but what I just loved was watching her journey through this publishing world!. And her gorgeous book is out in the world! Let’s take a look at We Hunt The Flame.

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People lived because she killed. People died because he lived.

Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the sultan. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways. Both Zafira and Nasir are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be.

War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the sultan on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds—and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.

Order here

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Tawney’s Review:

Hafsah’s book was captivating. It’s set in an Arabian inspired fantasy with Arabian myths and legends. You can’t help but dive into this world full throttle and go on this journey with the characters. Every step of the way you connect with the characters, especially Zafira, our heroine.

Zafira has helped her village by masquerading as a Hunter but soon the Silver Witch calls for her to save more than her village. She is destined to go on a quest to bring back magic to the realm and accompanying her is Nasir, the son of the sultan. His job is to kill her once her task is complete. Oh the drama!

The characters are witty, strong and very relatable. You have this love hate relationship with Nasir and can’t quite grip if he’s good or bad. What I loved about this fantasy was the heroines! Bring on the fierce girls. They were fierce and capable of handling their own situations, whether it’s in peril or chatting to a friend. It was very refreshing to see such diverse characters.

Hafash’s world building was splendid. No info dumping here but descriptive vivid scenes with emotional connections to the characters. Every step of the way the reader is along on this journey. Hafsah writes this fantastic world with imagination and ancient Arabic myths, connecting a system of magic that the reader can’t help but lose themselves in the story.

Should you read this? Yes, there’s magic, adventure, love and loss. If you love fantasy take a dive into Hafsah’s diverse fantasy world that gives you much magic.

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About the Author:

Hafsah Faizal is an American Muslim and brand designer. She’s the founder of IceyDesigns, where she creates websites for authors and beauteous goodies for everyone else. When she’s not writing, she can be found dreaming up her next design, deciding between Assassin’s Creed and Skyrim, or traversing the world. Born in Florida and raised in California, she now resides in Texas with her family and a library of books waiting to be devoured. WE HUNT THE FLAME is her first novel.

Follow Hafsah: Twitter * Instagram * Blog

 

Once and Future Review

I love Arthurian tales. I have always loved Merlin and Excalibur and seek out new tales to be told.

Today’s review is a gender swapping, sci-fi LGBT twist to the legend of King Arthur. Not to mention a gorgeous cover.

Let’s take a look at Once & Future.

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I’ve been chased my whole life. As a fugitive refugee in the territory controlled by the tyrannical Mercer corporation, I’ve always had to hide who I am. Until I found Excalibur.

 

Now I’m done hiding.

 

My name is Ari Helix. I have a magic sword, a cranky wizard, and a revolution to start.

When Ari crash-lands on Old Earth and pulls a magic sword from its ancient resting place, she is revealed to be the newest reincarnation of King Arthur. Then she meets Merlin, who has aged backward over the centuries into a teenager, and together they must break the curse that keeps Arthur coming back. Their quest? Defeat the cruel, oppressive government and bring peace and equality to all humankind.

No pressure.

Order here

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Tawney’s Review: First off wow. This was a very imaginative retelling. McCarthy and Capetta did a wonderful job and keeping the Arthurian legend real while giving life to a newer futuristic storyline.

There is very much a diverse cast of representation from race and sexuality in this book. Merlin seems to be aging backwards and in this version he’s young and loves K-pop! Not to mention that he does spells in song form and he loves men. He is the humorous character you just kept help but love. Ari is our King Arthur and she is so strong and motivated that it’s hard not to connect with her, especially with her heart wrenching romance with Gwenivere.

I loved Firefly and I felt this book gave me a little something I was missing from that series… a great sci-fi! The pace was swift and the description vivid. The only problem I had was it felt a little rushed at the end and I wanted more! Once and Future was fun, suspenseful and adventurous. I look forward to the sequel.

Should you read it? Yes! A Fun gender swapping Arthurian tale with lovable characters and a sci-fi twist.

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