Brittany Borden | Contributor
Six of Crows – Leigh Bardugo
Thieves, murders, spies, and gangs…Ketterdam is crawling with them. Kaz Brekker and his band of misfits are no exception. Ketterdam is the capital city of Kerch, a small island and hub of international trade off the coast of Ravka. Entirely neutral, as far as world affairs go, Kerch established itself as a central piece of the world economy and is home to all manner of people, from Grisha to skilled criminals. Ketterdam, home to Kaz Brekker and his gang The Dregs, is the center of Kerch’s criminal underworld. The city is split into unofficial territories, the rich side of the city and the Barrel, slums where ports and gambling dens are claimed and fiercely protected by gangs such as Kaz’s Dregs.
Throne of Glass Series – Sarah J. Maas
Taking place over the course of a year, this seven book series explores Celaena Sordothien’s world of royalty, murder, magic, and legacy. Throughout the series the cast of characters travel from kingdom to kingdom across their war-ravaged country. Intricate religion, histories, and systems make each setting in this stunning series tangible and captivating. The characters Maas created to inhabit her fantasy world are just as interesting as the settings themselves. From ancient sea-farers to fae and shapeshifters, Maas’ world serves as a fascinating backdrop for her incredible cast of characters
The Cruel Prince – Holly Black
Set in Elhame, The Cruel Prince follows a human girl called Jude as she navigates the faerie world she was forced to grow up in. Hated by Prince Cardan and his group of friends, Jude’s life isn’t easy but she’s a smart girl and is not one to be outdone by spoiled princes. Black’s Elfhame is a rich backdrop for Jude story of blackmail, magic, and betrayal. Nature is highly infused into the setting and Black’s representation of the fae and their world is unlike any other. With hundreds of fae courts and realms of influence, readers are sure to be enthralled by Jude and Cardan’s world.
A Darker Shade of Magic – V.E. Schwab
Taking place in a string of parallel London, Englands, Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic perfectly mixes magic and history for a refreshing kind of fantasy world. Schwab transforms the otherwise ordinary setting of London, England into a rich fantasy world filled with interdimensional travel, pirates, and ancient magic. The trilogy takes place across three separate but parallel Londons; Red London, White London, and Grey London. A Darker Shade of Magic follows Kell Maresh, one of the only magicians left in the world with the ability to travel between the three parallel cities, as he embarks on a mission to save magic and bring order back to White and Grey London.
From Blood and Ash – Jennifer L. Armentrout
Taken in after a tragedy strikes her family, Poppy Balfour has lived in Masadonia with the Duke and Duchess Teerman her entire life. As Maiden of the Ascended, Poppy’s entire life has been planned for her. When castle grounds are breached and secrets are exposed, Poppy and her new guard Hawke discover that there might be more to the ascended than they realized. Set in Masadonia, a city encased in high walls and surrounded on all sides by dangerous forests and wastelands, From Blood and Ash explores a secretive kingdom with a rich and terrible history. The sprawling landscapes, mysterious religions, and ancient mythologies are the perfect addition to Hawke and Poppy’s story. As the two learn secrets about the kingdom they serve, Poppy discovers the world outside the castle walls for the first time.
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