The Book That Held Her Heart by Mark Lawrence (April 8) is the third in an epic fantasy trilogy that began with The Book That Wouldn’t Burn and The Book That Broke The World.
The series takes readers to the Athenaeum, an infinite library constructed by Cain’s grandson and Adam and Eve’s great-grandson. Irad created the library in opposition to his brother Jaspeth who thinks the library has enslaved mankind via the tools of memory and knowledge.
Livira and Evar take center stage as a young woman who becomes embroiled in the library’s eternal conflict, and a young man who grew up in the library with his adopted siblings. Early reviews continue to sing the third book’s praises, complimenting the emotionally challenging plot and the heartwarming ending.
Lawrence (best known for The Prince of Thorns) is still counted among the biggest names in Grimdark fantasy. If you have succumbed to the romantasy craze, you will love This Monster of Mine by Shalini Abeysekara (April 1).
The protagonist is an 18-year-old prosecutor with the power to detect lies. Sarai was the victim of an attempted murder. Four years later, she is determined to find the culprit. Her life takes a fascinating turn when she’s tasked with working beside Tetrarch Kadra, one of the four judges who rule the land.
Vicious and sadistic, Sarai suspects Kadra of not only perpetrating a string of killings but also engineering her attempted murder four years ago. Early reviews have praised the worldbuilding, intriguing justice system, and a thrilling plot that keeps readers hooked.
In Gifted and Talented by Olivie Blake (April 1), Meredith made history when her biotech company cured mental illness. But now her ex-boyfriend is threatening to reveal her deepest, darkest secret to the world.
Meanwhile, her brother Arthur might be the second-youngest congressman ever, but his wife is on the verge of leaving him. Also, his re-election campaign isn’t going nearly as well as he would like.
Eilidh doesn’t have as many accolades as her siblings. An injury derailed the ballerina prodigy’s career, forcing her to settle for a spot in her father’s company. Now that Thayer Wren is dead, all three magically gifted siblings would like nothing more than to inherit his throne.
But that means facing and overcoming their festering rivalries, not to mention the schemes their father enacted before his death. If you think that synopsis sounds like Succession with magic, you are not wrong. Early reviews have made similar comparisons. They’ve also praised the author for her character-focused approach to storytelling.
Dreamslinger by Graci Kim (April 29) is a Middle-Grade book (8-12). The protagonist, Aria Loveridge, is 14 years old, and she lives at a home for Dreamslingers, individuals with the power to visit a fantasy realm when they sleep.
Places like the Resthaven Home for Dreamslingers are important because Dreamslingers are dangerous. Aria knows this better than anyone. Her mother was among those who died when the Royal League of Dreamslingers triggered an event that claimed hundreds of lives.
Dreamslingers features every component you expect in an addictive Middle-Grade book, including a precocious main character trying to master her powers while navigating a magical realm.
We can end on The Wind Weaver by Julie Johnson (April 25), another romantasy title. Rhya, the protagonist, lives in a war-torn land that fears magic. She should have rejoiced when a mysterious stranger saved her from certain death.
But Commander Scythe is even more frightening than Rhya’s would-be killers. However, as her burning desire for the commander grows, Rhya will quickly realize that nothing in Anwyvn is quite what it seems. And … happy reading!
