This year is just flying by! Hopefully things will get a bit more back to normal now that more places are opening, but the one good thing to come out of lockdown is I have read SO many books… honestly, I think im around 14 ahead of my goodreads goal. I read a total of 8 books in June and 2 really stood out for me! The two I’m going to highlight couldn’t be more different; one set during the French revolution filled with politics and magic and the other a more modern tale where the God’s walk amongst us. What June read really stood out for you? Let me know in the comments.

A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians.

It is the Age of Enlightenment — of new and magical political movements, from the necromancer Robespierre calling for revolution in France to the weather mage Toussaint L’Ouverture leading the slaves of Haiti in their fight for freedom, to the bold new Prime Minister William Pitt weighing the legalization of magic amongst commoners in Britain and abolition throughout its colonies overseas. But amidst all of the upheaval of the early modern world, there is an unknown

force inciting all of human civilisation into violent conflict. And it will require the combined efforts of revolutionaries, magicians, and abolitionists to unmask this hidden enemy before the whole world falls to darkness and chaos.

Favourite Quotes

“And now you’re free. Dont be better as a slave in fear than you are as a free woman with all the power in the world.”

“They were each vulnerable to the other. Perhaps there was a power in that.”

“Camille laughed. “Me? I’m a celebrity in that room – they tolerate me, even love me, because of what I am. But what I am is the spark that lit a revolution. You don’t listen to a spark-you just catch fire. That’s why I’m best on paper. It burns so quickly.”

Imagine the devastation of the French revolution, of slaves rising up against their chains… now imagine it with magic. This book was heavy both historically and politically and yet the author gave us a band of characters that you absolutely live for. I devoured this book, laughing and crying along the way. This book is so much more than described and I can’t recommend it enough. My full review is here.

This Eternity of Masks and Shadows

The gods walk among us. Some lurk in the shadows, masquerading as mortals; others embrace their celebrity status, launching careers from Hollywood to Capitol Hill. One of them just murdered Cairn Delacroix’s mother. As Cairn sifts through the rubble, she uncovers a conspiracy two decades in the making: a cursed island, the fellowship of gods who journeyed there, and the unspeakable act that intertwined their fates. One by one, the members of that

voyage are dying, and Cairn’s investigations land her in the crosshairs of the rogue goddess responsible. With the help of Nanook, a polar bear god turned detective, Cairn descends into Boston’s underworld of supernatural crime and political aspiration. To avenge her mother and unmask her assassin, she’ll first have to reckon with a gut-wrenching secret that will rewrite the life she thought she knew.

Favourite Quotes

“After a moment, Sedna touched her earpiece. “Vulcan, you set up the nets on the north side of the building, right?” “Yes,” Vulcan replied, then added incredulously, “Did you just confirm that after kicking that creep out of the window?”

“Love is not having to be asked-it’s making sacrifices on your own accord. It’s being there for someone unconditionally.”

“Maybe I can’t command the oceans, or summon fire, or rend stone.” Cairns voice quavered. “Maybe I can’t weave dreams or teleport or see the threads of fate. But I will bring the full weight of my grief crashing down on you like a tidal wave and you will drown in it.”

I found the premise for this book really intriguing and it did not let me down. If you love learning about God’s from all different cultures, sarcastic and kick ass heroines, plus a realistic look into grief then this is the read for you. You can find my review here.