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Book Review: The Story Peddler by Lindsay A. Franklin

Posted on April 19, 2022May 10, 2023 by R.M. Archer

This week, I am pleased to announce that I have found another book off the Calligraphy Guild comp titles list which I actually enjoyed. The Story Peddler was a great read, and I’m quite excited to get my hands on the remainder of the series. But before we get into it, what is The Story Peddler?

Blurb

Selling stories is a deadly business

Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.

During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . and they’re after her too.

Review

The Story Peddler suffered from a little bit of Continue reading “Book Review: The Story Peddler by Lindsay A. Franklin” →

Book Review: Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

Posted on April 12, 2022May 10, 2023 by R.M. Archer

This Calligraphy Guild comp title candidate also made my anticipated releases list for this year. I don’t often read books within only a couple months of their release (unless they’re ARCs for review), but my library had this one so I snatched it up and… I’m really glad I only checked it out from the library. ;P You’ve already seen the cover that helped to snare me; here’s the blurb that played a part.

Blurb

A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm.

Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.

Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor’s son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.

To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess begins an enchanting, romantic duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.

Review

I hated this book. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth. I pushed myself through 500 pages, hoping Continue reading “Book Review: Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan” →

Book Review: The Reflections by E.K. Seaver

Posted on April 6, 2022May 10, 2023 by R.M. Archer

Y’all get a bonus review this week because today I have the privilege of participating in the blog tour for E.K. Seaver’s upcoming book, The Reflections!

What is The Reflections?

Everyone in the Alliance knows about the Reflections. It’s the opportunity to get into the University, the only government-recognized form of education, and those accepted are guaranteed success and comfort for the rest of their lives. Thus, when Em Gades receives the silver invitation, her future is secured. The worst that could happen is she gets sent home, right?

Until she arrives, and the rumors about the Reflections prove true. The only way to live is to get into the University, and to do that you must be one of the four remaining Chosens at the end of the competition. Although she was warned beforehand to trust no one, Em quickly forms attachments to her fellow teammates with the hope that as many of them can survive as possible. However, as Chosens are rapidly executed for failing competitions, Em struggles to understand that, if God is real, why he would let something so terrible happen to a group of mostly innocent teenagers. With likely no more than a few days left to live, she and the other Chosens must navigate life or death situations and find answers to the question:

Are their lives worth the deaths of others?

Review

I enjoyed Continue reading “Book Review: The Reflections by E.K. Seaver” →

March 2022 Wrap-Up

Posted on March 30, 2022March 30, 2022 by R.M. Archer

In case the lack of monthly updates weren’t enough indication… it’s been a crazy year. I’ve been super busy getting things together for Calligraphy Guild‘s release and some things—like monthly updates—have fallen off the business wagon as it’s gone racing along. (Weird analogy? Probably.)

But anyway, here we are with a quick update on what I’ve been up to this month, anyway. (For a full quarterly update in a couple of days, sign up to my newsletter!)

Writing

I’ve been super busy with Calligraphy Guild this month. I reached out to Continue reading “March 2022 Wrap-Up” →

My Anticipated Releases of 2022

Posted on March 22, 2022June 13, 2023 by R.M. Archer

Okay, so “anticipated releases” might be an inaccurate title for this post since my version of looking at new releases is going “Oh that looks super cool!”, adding them to my TBR, and then watching them sit there for years and years afterward. Plus… a lot of these have already come out by now, since it’s the end of March already. But, all the same, here are some of the coolest-looking books coming out this year (because there are a lot of awesome-looking books coming out this year).

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

So as it turns out, a lot of the coolest-looking books this year also have some of the coolest-looking covers. I mean… all of these are stunning.

And a lot of them are inspired by various Asian cultures, which is super cool. I’m very excited to be releasing an Asian-inspired fantasy among such lovely company this year. ^-^

Anyway, Daughter of the Moon Goddess came out in January and it looks amazing. The mother-daughter dynamic and the inspiration from Continue reading “My Anticipated Releases of 2022” →