June 2024 - Novel Notions

Cover Reveal: A Song of Legends Lost by M.H. Ayinde

June 26, 2024 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

Hi everyone! Petrik from Novel Notions here.

We have an incredibly exciting post today. Orbit has asked me and Novel Notions to host the cover reveal for A Song of Legends Lost by M.H. Ayinde! This will be the start of a new trilogy from a debut author, and it sounds like it will be a promising epic fantasy debut. I am so looking forward to reading this, especially after reading the premise and seeing the stunning cover art illustrated by one of my favorite artists, Richard Anderson. Without further ado, here’s the cover reveal to A Song of Legends Lost by M.H. Ayinde!

Cover art illustrated by Richard Anderson

Cover design by Ben Prior …

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The Last Song of Penelope (Songs of Penelope #3) by Claire North

June 22, 2024 Celeste Comments 0 Comment

The Last Song of Penelope by Claire North
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adore Greek myth retellings when they’re done well. Circe and The Song of Achilles, Clytemnestra and Stone Blind, Ariadne and Elektra and Atalanta are all examples of excellent retellings, beautifully written. Stone Blind and Circe are even among some of my very favorite books. But North’s Songs of Penelope trilogy has usurped them all on my shelf. It’s rare that a mythic retelling is not a standalone novel. It’s rare that such a story can stay so true to its source material while also being wonderfully original. It’s rare that every book in a trilogy merits five full stars. Songs of Penelope manages to do all three of those things brilliantly. There is nothing that I would change about any of this trilogy, but I believe this final installment, The Last Song of Penelope, is my favorite. What a note to end on. …

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Book Review: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

June 9, 2024 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Genre: Historical fiction

Pages: 496 pages (Kindle edition)

Publish date: 6th of September 2016 by Penguin Books

A Gentleman in Moscow is a beautifully written book with minimal suspense, conflict, or captivating drama.

“It is a sad but unavoidable fact of life… that as we age our social circles grow smaller. Whether from increased habit or diminished vigor, we suddenly find ourselves in the company of just a few familiar faces.”

…

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All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

June 5, 2024 Celeste Comments 1 comment

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an advance digital copy of this novel from the publisher, Crown Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

We Begin at the End was one of my very favorite books of 2021. It was one of the two best crime fiction novels I had ever read, alongside Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby. A third is now joining their ranks. All the Colors of the Dark is an absolutely brilliant example of crime fiction. It’s heavy and hard and heartbreaking, but it ends on such a strong, vibrant note of hope that it makes the darkness of the journey feel worth it.