Over the last few days I’ve been sharing mini book reviews of the books I’ve read this year. Having already completed my 20 book Goodreads challenge, I want to keep up the reading momentum.
I still have quite a few books I want to read this year and, although I’m a mood reader, I try to stick to a sort of plan when it comes to thinking about what to read next.
So this is my checklist of books to complete by the end of 2021. I love seeing them all set out with their beautiful covers on display rather than just my scribbled list!
I still have a few ARC’s from Netgalley
Fantasy books
Thunderhead is my only audiobook on the list this year.
Romance
Writing How To books
I know this is an ambitious list of 12 books considering there are only 4 months left in 2021, but who knows if I will achieve it. It’s good to try!
What are your reading plans for the rest of the year? Are you on target and do you plan, or just pick whatever you fancy?
If you missed it, here’s the link to my Goodreads challenge post showcasing the books I’ve read so far in 2021.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy and heart-warming romance
— BBNYA 2024 – The Indie Book Award (@BBNYA_Official) August 31, 2021
I’m still in shock that I made it through the last round competing against 64 other books. There are 15 authors through to the final round and 10 prizes up for grabs. I have everything crossed, hope you do to!
You can find out more information about the competition and the prizes on the BBNYA website.
Blurb
The magical island of Kalaya is dying and only Tei, an exiled mystic, can save it.
The Assembly controls Kalaya. Originally set up to govern, they now persecute those with magic and exile them to the Turrak Mountains. Tei, a tailor’s daughter, has always hidden her magic but when her father’s old friend visits and warns them to flee to the mountains she must leave her old life behind.
On the journey, an attack leaves her father mortally wounded. He entrusts her into the care of the exiles and on his deathbed makes a shocking confession.
Tei joins the exiles search for their new Sentinel – the only person capable of restoring the fading magic. But mysterious Masked Riders are hunting the Sentinel too, and time, as well as hope, is running out.
Against mounting odds it will take friendship, heartache and sacrifice to succeed, but is Tei willing to risk everything she loves to save the island magic?
If you like multi dimensional characters in vibrant worlds, then you’ll love The Lost Sentinel – Book 1 in the Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy.
‘…this story bowled me over, it was an absolutely outstanding epic fantasy and the kind of writing fantasy authors should be aspiring to.’ Amazon reviewer
‘…Suzanne Rogerson can certainly make you forget time… A super start to what is going to be a sensational story, just make sure you are part of it from the beginning’ Vine Voice reviewer
‘THE LOST SENTINEL contains plenty of action, intrigue, and challenges throughout, making this a thrilling fantasy adventure… it whisked me away to someplace magical, alluring, and dangerous.’ Amazon reviewer
‘A story in which the authors world building is exceptional, I was immersed in Tei’s story from beginning to end and the characters were fantastically developed.’ Vine Voice Reviewer
‘With all the intricate world building, interesting characters and epic journey they all partake in, this book had me glued to it from the first page. As soon as I finished it, I was making a grab for book two to see what happened next! Suzanne Rogerson has written a fantastic start to this series – I love her writing style, and that she doesn’t shy away from putting her characters through some tough challenges as the story progresses.’ Vine Voice Reviewer
#epicfantasy#fantasy#sff 'With all the intricate world building, interesting characters and epic journey they all partake in, this book had me glued to it from the first page. As soon as I finished it, I was making a grab for book two…' Amazon reviewerhttps://t.co/qs0WcxAGjnpic.twitter.com/gy9Yv20loH
Raven Storm is book 3 in the Fire Walker series, a series I have loved since the first book Raven Tower.
Blurb
Fear walks with those in power.
Divided, the land of Chem hangs in the balance. In the west the Ravens seek to bring safety to women, and an end to slavery. In the east the remaining covens cling to their power, refusing to give up their way of life to foreign invaders. Across both lands the priests whisper and plot, their gods a shadowy threat hanging over them all. To protect their young family, Kesta and Jorrun have made their home in the Raven Tower of Elden. Unable to abandon their responsibility or friends, they remain embroiled in the fight to the north. Whilst peace and friendship blossom between the Fulmers, Borrows and Elden, the arrival of strangers turns the court of Taurmaline upside down.
The history of the Fire-walkers is about to catch up with them, and the Fire-spirit’s truth will be revealed.
My Mini Review (as previously shared on Goodreads)
I’m so happy I discovered this wonderful fantasy series. The cast of characters continues to grow and I find myself caring about them all. The world building is executed with great skill and I loved the magical battles. The enemies Kesta and Jorrun face are even more deadly than in the previous books and kept me turning the pages desperate to find out what happened next. As always it was full of surprises, I cannot wait to see what happens in book Four!
An amazing fantasy story that has many familiar tropes from the genre but with new twists you won’t see coming.
Blurb
On a mountainside at the edge of the Kaigenese Empire live the most powerful warriors in the world, superhumans capable of raising the sea and wielding blades of ice. For hundreds of years, the fighters of the Kusanagi Peninsula have held the Empire’s enemies at bay, earning their frozen spit of land the name ‘The Sword of Kaigen.’
Born into Kusanagi’s legendary Matsuda family, fourteen-year-old Mamoru has always known his purpose: to master his family’s fighting techniques and defend his homeland. But when an outsider arrives and pulls back the curtain on Kaigen’s alleged age of peace, Mamoru realizes that he might not have much time to become the fighter he was bred to be. Worse, the empire he was bred to defend may stand on a foundation of lies.
Misaki told herself that she left the passions of her youth behind when she married into the Matsuda house. Determined to be a good housewife and mother, she hid away her sword, along with everything from her days as a fighter in a faraway country. But with her growing son asking questions about the outside world, the threat of an impending invasion looming across the sea, and her frigid husband grating on her nerves, Misaki finds the fighter in her clawing its way back to the surface.
When the winds of war reach their peninsula, will the Matsuda family have the strength to defend their empire? Or will they tear each other apart before the true enemies even reach their shores?
A rich elemental magic system and deep world-building make this martial fantasy perfect for fans of R.F. Kuang, Brandon Sanderson, Leigh Bardugo, and Lian Hearn.
My Mini Review
I loved this book. It may have taken me quite a few pages to really get into the story, but once I was in, there was no going back. The story is relentless. It tore my heart out but I couldn’t stop reading.
I loved the different feel this book had. The mix of fantasy in an Asian inspired world with modern day technology was so well done. The action was intense, the emotions it inspired were heart-wrenching, and the world building and magic systems were both immersive and awe-inspiring! I might even go so far as to say this book is a masterpiece in the fantasy genre.
Although a standalone, I feel the author has left the world open for more stories and I really hope they pick up this world again.
Check it out on Amazon for only 99p at the moment! Worth every penny.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy and heart-warming romance
It’s so exciting to see the whole series out in audiobook and I have to thank the very talented George Ellington for bringing my books into this new medium. Here’s a sample of his wonderful narration.
Have you listened to the rest of the series? I’d love to know what you think.
P.S. I have a few audio codes available in exchange for honest reviews.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy and heart-warming romance
4 people out of 20 prefer an author to have different names when they publish in different genres, whilst 7 people suggest the same name is fine. With 9 out of 20 people happy with either option, I take that as a successful result for using the same name.
So hopefully very soon, Suzanne Rogerson will be an indie author of both fantasy and romance books. I will be back soon with more news.
Thanks very much to those who have voted and commented. If you still want to have your say, please reply to this post. I’d love to know your thoughts.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy and heart-warming romance
Happy weekend everyone. I hope you are all doing well and at least the sun is shining in Surrey for a change!
I just wanted to share the news that the first two books in Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy are 99p until 24th February.
‘I highly recommend checking this one out. It’s addictive, fast-paced, with some really fantastic world-building. I can’t wait to continue in this series!’ Goodreads Reviewer
Here is something a little different. Guy Barnes, the narrator of my standalone fantasy Visions of Zarua, has done a live recording of a scene from the book. Check it out on YouTube (https://youtu.be/olzxocUjNFo)
It looks and sounds great, doesn’t it!
And whilst I’m in a sharing mood, here’s an audio sample.
‘…the narration was excellent! Guy Barnes does a great job of creating distinct, believable voices for each character, with fine pacing and emotive enough to evoke more detailed imagery and experiences in the thoughts of listener while following along in this grand tale.’ Reviewer quote on Audible.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic and heroic fantasy
Yesterday was the one day blog blitz for The Lost Sentinel and I missed a couple of great reviews that came in after I posted last night. I didn’t want to miss sharing these so here are my favourite snippets and links to the full reviews.
‘…It was the accent, it gave the narrative such an extra beauty, and it transported me to the world that the author created, with such ease.‘ Jess Bookish Life
‘A story in which the author’s world-building is exceptional, I was immersed in Tei’s story from beginning to end and the characters were fantastically developed. I thought Rike and Garrick were great! The fantasy world with the quest for Tei kept me gripped…’ Sharon beyond the books
I hope you’ve enjoyed these snippets. Here’s a sample of George Ellington’s narration and the prologue of The Lost Sentinel.
If these review snippets have you eager to learn more you can listen to Silent Sea Chronicles book 1 and 2 on Audible UKAudible US, Amazon and iTunes. And book 3 with be out very soon.
I’ll leave you with the blurb, thanks for reading.
The magical island of Kalaya is dying, along with its Sentinel.
The Assembly controls Kalaya. Originally set up to govern, they now persecute those with magic and exile them to the Turrak Mountains.
Tei, a tailor’s daughter, has always hidden her magic, but when her father’s old friend visits and warns them to flee to the mountains, she must leave her old life behind.
On the journey, an attack leaves her father mortally wounded. He entrusts her into the care of the exiles and on his deathbed makes a shocking confession.
Struggling with self-doubt, Tei joins the exiles search for their new Sentinel who is the only person capable of restoring the fading magic. But mysterious Masked Riders are hunting the Sentinel too, and time, as well as hope, is running out.
Against mounting odds it will take friendship, heartache, and sacrifice for the exiles to succeed, but is Tei willing to risk everything to save the island magic?
If you like character-based fantasy, then you’ll love The Lost Sentinel – book one in the Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy.
As promised here’s part two of the blog tour blitz with a few more review snippets. First though, I would like to thank everyone who has taken part and of course Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for organising everything.
‘…the story is well told, and the characters are an interesting lot, with vivid descriptions of the people and scenery…’ Colin Garrow
‘…The narrator was very good, his changes in tone really gave the characters individuality and personality. it’s very poetic in places…’ Rosie Writes
‘…The author has done a great job at world building. It was interesting learning about Kalaya and its people…’ Bound4Escape
‘Fans of classic “sword and sorcery” will find a lot to love about Rogerson’s work. What is particularly delightful is that she manages to put a fresh spin on a classic genre. Her imaginative storytelling and creative world building combine to put a unique spin on the comfortingly familiar quest formula. I enjoyed getting lost in this immersive listening experience.’ Rev Rebecca Writes
If these review snippets have you eager to learn more you can listen to Silent Sea Chronicles book 1 and 2 on Audible UKAudible US, Amazon and iTunes. And book 3 with be out very soon.
Thanks for joining me on the blog blitz, I hope you enjoy visiting the other blogs. There may be a couple more reviews coming in and if so I will share them very soon.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic and heroic fantasy
Suzanne Rogerson Fantasy Author 