It’s time to play “guess that book” and also watch our TBRs weep.
Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader and is all about the first line of a current/upcoming read. Friday 56 is a meme hosted by Freda’s Voice, where you turn to page 56 (or 56%) in what you’re reading a find a snippet that jumps out at you.
He comes in like he lives here, drags me out of bed, and gets me into a pair of boots. My corner candle’s out, so I can’t even see which cloak he throws around my shoulders or which hat he slaps on my head. Farian would say that’s for the best.
He walked in the room and saw one possible outcome.
Time to teach them a new dance.
Red Rising meets The Scorpio Races in this epic fantasy following three phoenix horse riders–skilled at alchemy–who must compete at The Races–the modern spectacle that has replaced warfare within their empire.
Every year since the Ashlords were gifted phoenix horses by their gods, they’ve raced them. First into battle, then on great hunts, and finally for the pure sport of seeing who rode the fastest. Centuries of blood and fire carved their competition into a more modern spectacle: The Races.
Over the course of a multi-day event, elite riders from clashing cultures vie to be crowned champion. But the modern version of the sport requires more than good riding. Competitors must be skilled at creating and controlling phoenix horses made of ash and alchemy, which are summoned back to life each sunrise with uniquely crafted powers to cover impossible distances and challenges before bursting into flames at sunset. But good alchemy only matters if a rider knows how to defend their phoenix horse at night. Murder is outlawed, but breaking bones and poisoning ashes? That’s all legal and encouraged.
In this year’s Races, eleven riders will compete, but three of them have more to lose than the rest–a champion’s daughter, a scholarship entrant, and a revolutionary’s son. Who will attain their own dream of glory? Or will they all flame out in defeat?
✿ Really interesting take on fire horses, aka phoenixes.
✿ I mean, who doesn’t love a good fire horse?
✿ Fast-paced race for survival.
✿ Requires cunning and scheming.
✿ Rising up of the lower class to put the upper class in its place.
This is a weekly meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook meant to take place on Mondays, but since Fridays tend to be my TBR-focused post, I’ve decided to combine them here. Next Monday’s prompt is: love.
Now, for me, romance in books is a little tricky. I tend not to like books with regular romance. I want romance as a subplot, if at all, and I want it tricky and complicated and messy. That being said, I do have plenty of books on my TBR that involve love!
I’ve picked up The Boy Who Steals Houses many times and thought about reading it, but I always end up setting it back down again because, first, it’s the last book Cait has put out in a while and I want to savor it like the fine delicacy it is. Second, I know it’s going to absolutely and utterly obliviate my feels, just like her first book, and I’m not quite there yet. Maybe this year, though. It seems like it’s got some sort of romance, from the sound of the blurb, but it also has found family, from what I understand, which is one of the best sorts of love!
I read The Last Magician years ago when it came out, and I never quite got around to reading The Devil’s Thief, even though I want to. I believe there’s a maybe-love in it, which is always fun. The way it left off in the first book, I have no idea whether it’s going to blossom into something or not, but it sounds like the two spend plenty of time together in this book, so who knows where it’ll go?
I’m honestly not sure why I haven’t read The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue yet. I’m obviously going to absolutely love it (the entire series, in fact), yet I’ve been dragging my feet. This is definitely one I hope to get to this year!
When it comes to An Assassin’s Guide to Love and Treason, love is right in the title! Can’t make it more plain than that, can you?!
Is there romance in The Bone Charmer? I have no idea, since I haven’t read it, but Goodreads says there is, so it must be so! I’ve been wanting to read this for quite a while, and now I’m curious about what form the romance in this will take. All the more reason to pick it up!
What are you reading this week? Share its first line in the comment below or drop your own First Line links!
Tempting read! I love the snippets, too. Thanks for sharing, and here’s mine: “THE SHADOW BOX”
Hi,
Haven’t read any of your books….but they all sound very tempting
to read. Glad I don’t have to make the decision which one to
read….lol Have a great day!
There is romance in The Bone Charmer! It doesn’t take over the plot, but it is there. I really enjoyed it!
I love that Friday 56. I love that attitude. I don’t think I’ve heard of fire horses, but I enjoy reading about phoenixes. Adding this one to my wish list.
I haven’t read any of your five–but I want to. Really really want to. They all sound like good choices. I enjoy romances from time to time, but my favorites tend to be the cross-genre ones.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Literary Feline recently posted…Where Is Your Bookmark? (What I Am Reading Now / Connect 5: Memoirs / BBHOP)
I love Scorpio Races so I might like this book though what I really want to do is reread S.R. My quotes this week
Anne@HeadFullofBooks recently posted…Review and quotes: WHERE THE WORLD ENDS
I like the description for this one. I haven’t read any of the books it’s being compared to, but I have a copy of The Scorpio Races on my shelf. I need to eventually get to it. Have a great weekend!
Breana M. recently posted…Friday 56 (193) & Book Beginnings: We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal
wow, the beginning grabbed me in. I really love how you hide the book! As usual, I wasn’t expecting that book.
My post is here https://francebooktours.com/2021/02/05/loving-modigliani-book-beginnings/
Sounds so interesting!!! Count me in! Happy weekend!
Freda Mans-Labianca recently posted…The #Friday56 & #Instagram56
Is it just me, or are there a lot of books titled “The Someone’s Guide to Something and Something” lately? It seems those titles have been following me everywhere…
Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits recently posted…Friday Reads: Bookish and the Beast
Gentlemen’s Guide is great, it’s not an instalove and is a true friends to lovers trope–really loved that book!
Lisa @ waytoofantasy recently posted…Opposite Book Tag
Interesting first lines pick and great list for the love prompt! Gah, that’s gonna be a toughie for me cos we know how much of a sucker I am for romance so I could list all the books 🤣 The Boy Who Steals Houses definitely sounds like it will shred ALL the feels but I’m really keen to check it out. I also want to read Bone Charmer cos it sounds really good. Hope you enjoy all of these, Sammie!
Dini @ dinipandareads recently posted…Top 5 Saturday: Royalty in the Title
An Assassin’s Guide to Love and Treason was amazing. It deserves all the love it can get!