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The Netflix adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone has us all hooked with their war-torn world, monstrous threats, extraordinary powers, and complex characters. If you’ve already binged season one and you’re anxiously waiting for season two, try out these world-altering, battle-ready, adventurous books to fill the void. We’re confident there’s at least one or two that will hold you while you wait.
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
In the city of Paris in 1889, treasure hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie is who they call when a dark truth needs uncovering. When the chance at his true inheritance falls at his feet from the ever-powerful and elite Order of Babel, he finds it hard to refuse. But to collect what the Order wants, he’ll need his team, a band of unlikely experts that will stop at nothing to get what they want. They’ll just have to be sure not to change the course of history or lose their lives in the process.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Poppy’s life as a Maiden is solitary and one that’s never been her own. She longs to be with the guards, fighting the evil that stole her family instead of being prepped and primed, ready for a god to choose her. When Hawke, a golden-eyed guard enters into Poppy’s life, they both begin to question their duty of ensuring her Ascension. As a Maiden who isn’t allowed the touch from another, or experience love, Poppy is on the verge of losing her heart and forsaking her entire kingdom. Because each moment with Hawke begins to unravel all that she thought she knew and wanted.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Feyre thought killing a beast in the woods would end there. But when a terrifying creature arrives demanding retribution, she’s dragged into a treacherous magical land filled with immortal faeries, ancient legends, and wicked shadows. To make matters worse, she’s fallen for her captor Tamlin who turns out not to be so terrifying, and once an evil threat seeks to destroy his world, she’ll step in and find a way to stop it or lose him and the world of the Fae for good.
A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir
Following A Reaper at the Gates, the long-imprisoned jinn are on the attack, Commandant Keris Veturia declares herself Empress, and the Nightbringer wants vengeance. Laia of Serra struggles with the death of her people, and in trying to cope she throws herself into destroying the Nightbringer. Meanwhile Keris wants the heads of the very people Laia is allied too and in the process of trying to defeat both Keris and the Nightbringer, she awakens an ancient power that just might lead her to victory or if she’s not careful unimaginable doom.
The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna
Six months ago, Deka freed the goddesses in the ancient kingdom. By doing so, she discovered who she really was, but it might have come too late as war is waging across Otera and a dark force with a merciless power must be stopped. With her abilities changing and secrets threatening to destroy her, Deka will have to control it all, or she could be the reckoning of Otera.
Ship of Smoke and Steel by Django Wexler
Eighteen-year-old ward boss Isoka runs the criminals of the lower ward of Kahnzoka. With the power of Melos, the Well of Combat, she has the ability to enforce what she wants. But soon, their government discovers her magic, and she’s arrested and forced to go on an impossible mission. The Emperor needs a spymaster to steal a legendary ghost ship, and Isoka is who he wants. If she fails, her younger sister’s life will be in danger.
The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
Esha is the Viper, the rebels’ highly skilled assassin, only no one knows it. Her sole mission in life is to avenge what she lost in the royal coup. Now she has a new mission — take down the ruthless General Hotha. The soldier Kunal on the other hand has spent his life training to uphold the kingdom’s power and protect King Vardaan. But Kunal secretly longs to leave and join the world outside. Then Esha and Kunal cross paths and things they never imagined would happen begin to unfold.
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
The sequel to Children of Blood and Bone finds Amari and her sister Zélie back in the land of the Orïsha, magic restored and all. But the consequences of doing so come at a cost, like restoring magic not only to the Maji but to the nobles with magic ancestry, too. Now Zélie must focus on securing Amari’s rightful place on the throne while the military and the monarchy team up to bring down the Maji. When the enemy is as powerful as they are, the fight to victory is one Zélie must prepare to win or watch it all fall apart.
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Disguising herself as a man isn’t easy for Zafira, the Hunter. If she gets caught she won’t be able to feed her people and all of her achievements would be for naught. In the kingdom of Arawiya, she’s a legend, much like Nasir is the Prince of Death, who’ll assassinate anyone attempting to defy his father. If Nasir shows compassion or any other emotion, his father will punish him brutally. When Zafira and Nasir meet, both on a similar mission to seek a lost artifact, things are tense, even more so when Nasir learns Zafira is the Hunter he’s sent to kill. But an ancient evil awakening will throw an even larger wrench into the mix.
The Wicked King by Holly Black
Once Jude, a mortal, learns that Oak is the heir to Faerie, she’ll do anything to keep him safe. But to do so, she’s had to bind the evil king Cardan and take over the power of the throne. That in itself wasn’t an easy task as the politics of the Faerie world are difficult and Cardan uses every chance he can to humiliate or undermine her. Then a new threat arises, and it threatens Jude’s life, she’ll have to put her confused feelings aside for Cardan and work together to find who could bring about her end and everyone around her.
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
Of the people in Ikhara, Lei is a part of the paper class, the lowest and most persecuted class. She lives in a remote village with her father, where she can’t be found by the royal guards who seek to choose a girl to serve the king. Lei wants nothing to do with the process, but unfortunately, her golden eyes have captured the king’s attention, and soon guards are after her. But once at the palace, Lei doesn’t stay quiet, she falls in love and even discovers how far she’s willing to go for what she wants.
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