So many books come out each week that it makes it hard to decide what to read. We want to make that a little bit easier on you by sharing our favorite releases from the week and telling you our top 3 reasons why we think you’ll love them too!
This week our selection is Kingdom of Ash and Briars by debut author Hannah West. Are you ready to hear more about this book and its author? Here we go…
Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah West
Published by Holiday House Books on September 15, 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Retellings
Pages: 352
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Bristal, an orphaned kitchen maid, lands in a gritty fairy tale gone wrong when she discovers she is an elicromancer with a knack for shape-shifting. An ancient breed of immortal magic beings, elicromancers have been winnowed down to merely two - now three - after centuries of bloody conflict in the realm. Their gifts are fraught with responsibility, and sixteen-year-old Bristal is torn between two paths. Should she vow to seek the good of the world, to protect and serve mortals? Or should she follow the strength of her power, even if it leads to unknown terrors? She draws on her ability to disguise herself as a man to infiltrate a prince's band of soldiers, and masquerades as a fairy godmother to shield a cursed princess, but time is running out. As an army of dark creatures grows closer, Bristal faces a supernatural war. To save the kingdoms, Bristal must find the courage to show her true form.
Building on homages to Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jane Austen’s Emma and the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, Hannah West makes a spectacular debut.
3 Reasons You Should Read…
Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah West
- Fairy-tales. Fairy-tales. Fairy-tales. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Mulan! We loved seeing the way bits of all of these tales were tied into Bristal’s story.
- If you’re looking for swoon, look no further. We are definitely #TeamAnthony! (Doesn’t hurt that it’s also Meg’s husband’s name.)
- This one comes from a debut author. Which makes it an automatic win for us.
***About Hannah West***
Hannah has swooned over fantasy and fairy tales since before she wrote her first story about a runaway princess living on top of a flagpole with two loves of bread. Kingdom of Ash and Briars is her first novel, which she began as a college junior while studying abroad in Orléans, France. She freelance writes for Modernize.com about renewable energy and sustainable living, and lives in Rockwall, Texas, with her husband and their rambunctious blue heeler.
