Hello book friends!
Raven's Bookish Network proundly presents Frozen Hearts & Death Magic by Day Leitao, the first book in the Duology Of Fire & Fae! This is an enemies-to-lovers fantasy with a taste of forbidden love and a generous portion of family drama. The book was released on January 21st, 2022 by Sparkly Wave.
About the book:
Romance, drama, and mystery abound in this telenovela-inspired upper-YA romantic fantasy for fans of multi-POV stories, forbidden love, enemies to lovers, family sagas, royal intrigue, and mysterious magic.
A forbidden fae kiss could be deadly.
Naia was raised in the shadow of her twin brother, the crown prince, who has iron magic much more powerful than hers. But Naia has wishes of her own. They awaken when she finds a white fae almost dying in the woods. She only heard of them in stories; the dreaded race that razed cities to the ground, killed her grandparents, almost rid Aluria of humans—until they disappeared. Now, almost twenty years later, are they back? Is there another war coming?
But the fae is evasive and secretive—and also alluring and fascinating, more beautiful than anyone she’s ever seen. And then it happens: Naia kisses him—and nothing will be the same again.
In another kingdom, Leah, a necromancer princess, has to find a husband in less than four days, during the gathering, when royals from all over Aluria meet. Her family makes it very clear that she can pick any prince she wants—except one: Naia’s brother. And it turns out that he’s the one; the one who makes her heart beat faster.
Meanwhile, war looms over the land. One of the kingdoms is amassing immense power. The White Fae might be returning. Amidst it all, Naia and her brother struggle with newfound magical powers, family secrets, and most of all, their own treacherous hearts.
Frozen Hearts and Death Magic is book 1 of the Duology Of Fire and Fae, recommended for readers 16 and up.
Mini Review
"One of the original takes on a Fae fantasy story that I’ve read so far this year. Was compelling and just drew me pretty easily into the story as well the characters and the romance that I would say that the chemistry was really there. I was definitely already rooting for them.
I enjoyed the world-building and was looking more forward to it, especially the magic system that I really do find fascinating but wished that it was more developed in the sense of their explanations or origins to the readers."
Mini Review
"This is an enemies-to-lovers fantasy with a taste of forbidden love and a generous portion of family drama. We have the stories of royal twins Naia and Isofel and in a different kingdom princess Leah. We can't forget our beloved fae River who was found by Naia. All these stories and characters are being intertwined in such a fascinating way from start to ending! I love the fact that there were different types of magic and so many secrets and suspense. The romance was also amazing and I really enjoyed it! If you're looking for a fantasy novel with fae, magic and forbidden love, then give this one a chance."
Excerpt
He frowned, as if thoughtful, or perhaps in disbelief, then chuckled. “Saved… me?”
Naia shrugged. “Well, is it a fae thing to lie half-naked outside in the rain?”
An edge of a smirk appeared on his pretty lips. “Well… Maybe not in the rain. Not—” He lifted the blanket wrapped around him and peeked underneath it. “Half-naked, you say?”
“And unconscious. I brought you here. I won’t accept anything less than life servitude as thanks.” She was joking. Or maybe testing him.
He blinked slowly. “Life servitude?” He looked away, as if thinking, then ran his dark nails through his hair. “I would need to agree with that.”
Excerpt
Naia checked for a pulse. Still alive. But the hand was so cold. She was about to yell for the guards, yell for someone so they could get a healer, when she noticed the nails. Pointy, dark nails.
A chill ran down her spine. It couldn’t be. But then, the long hair was not white or pale blond. Even drenched and muddy, it looked brown or at least dark blond. She moved some of it away from one ear—and sucked in a breath.
This was her enemy.
Sure, she’d only heard of them in stories; the dreaded race that had razed cities to the ground, killed her grandparents, almost rid Aluria of humans.
Until they disappeared.
Her father had always thought they would return one day. Here was the proof that he’d been right.
With dark nails and pointy ears, this was a fae.
Mini Review
"Didn't expect that I devoured this book this quick! I was a lil bit slow in my reading game but looks like this book cured my soon-to-be reading slump!
Although the world-building especially the magic system poked my curiosity, the interaction between our couples was the one that made this book even more enjoyable. I'm addicted to their convo."
Moodboard by @bookroyal_
Mini Review
"Leah’s journey is my favorite out of the others because I feel her growth is best in this. She really learns to become her own person after being sent off to live with Venard and after their treatment of her I would expect this type of outcome.
A very different Fae story than what you’re probably used to."
Author Q&A author with Dey Leitao &
Q: Which of the characters do you find most appealing, and why?
A: I like all the main characters, for different reasons.
Q: What scene was the most difficult for you to write, and why was it so?
A: I struggled with River's flashbacks, not that it was hard to write, it was rather easy, it was just that at first I wasn't sure if I was going to include these scenes.
Q: What aspect of the book did you enjoy writing the most?
A: I enjoyed all the banter.
Q: What was the most difficult component of writing the book?
A: I think the challenge was getting everything to tie up together, but it was fun.
Q: What portion of the book would you change if you could?
A: I wouldn't change anything.
About the Author:
Day Leitao loves to write books with romance, magic, humor, and heart, with characters that jump out the page (sometimes trying to strangle her). She's originally from Brazil and lives in Montreal, Canada. She’s the author of the series Kingdom of Curses and Shadows, Portals to Whyland, and Of Fire & Fae.
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