5 Fantasy Summer Reads
By: Hidden Gems on June 15, 2021
Today we’re looking at some of the recent fantasy titles that our ARC readers have raved out. If you’re looking to visit another world or an alternate reality this summer, this is a great place to start.
Bisecter 4-Book Box Set: The Complete Series by Stephani Fazio
This action-filled collection is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J. Maas, and Cassandra Clare. If you love fantasy, don’t miss these stories about wonder and adventure, love and sacrifice, heroes and monsters, and the blurred spaces in between. The Bisecter box set ranks in at an impressive 4.8 average star rating on Amazon!
Jessica H. writes in her 5-star review, “I really enjoyed reading Bisector, the complete series four-book box set. Wade was one of my favorite characters in the series. The series was easy to read and there was plenty of conflict for Mer and the gang. The series was filled with plot twists that enhanced the story. I also liked the ending quite well. I would recommend this series to anyone into a light fantasy dystopian adventure.”
“Excellent writing,” says Ziggy I. in their 5-star review. “You definitely get your money’s worth in this series. Great characters and plot. Put me through a gambit of emotions until the end. I wanted to yell at the main character quite a few times. No graphic sexual content but does have a great deal of fighting. I recommend it for teens and up.”
A Court of Ravens: General Errol of the Raven Court Royal Guard by Sarina Dorie
Secrets. Lies. Betrayal. Not all muses inspire. Some destroy. This is a contemporary fantasy set in the same world as Womby’s School for Wayward Witches, Son of a Succubus, and The Trouble with Hedge Witches Series.
“This is another great addition (Book 4) to the ongoing Son of a Fae series,” writes alias11 in their 5-star review. “So much goes on in every book that you’ll want to start at the beginning to get the full story. Elric (formerly prince of the Silver Court) has persevered and is now king of the Raven Court. Errol is now General, and fought for his king, but he was injured, lost his magic, and must now rely on his wits to protect the royal family. The king of the Silver Court is still scheming, and the intrigue could put Princess Imani at risk. This is another great book with action, intrigue, politicking, danger, suspense, and plenty of twists and turns. I keep hoping for Errol to get his peace and HEA, but it’s not happening yet.”
Alison P. raves in her 5-star review, “Errol has now become a General and his now admitted friend, Prince Elric is now King of the Raven Court but as expected not all is going well. Sarina Dorie is one of the most enjoyable writers that I have had the pleasure to reading. I keep waiting for Errol to be King Viridios’s son, but that does not appear to be in the cards at least any time soon. Pick up every book you can from Sarina, they are always fun, sometimes much tongue-in-cheek but the story line is always worth the read. I believe she is one of a kind and well worth the time of anyone who loves fantasy to stop and read whatever she publishes.”
Fugitive’s Vow by Gail Z. Martin
Can an unlikely alliance of outlaws and fugitives turn the tide for justice and vengeance? The third in the Assassins of Landria series from the award-winning, bestselling author of Scourge: A Novel of Darkhurst and The Chronicles of The Necromancer this is a buddy flick epic fantasy.
Really enjoyed this great swashbuckling fantasy fun read by Gail Z Martin, writes Cheryl D. in her 5-star review. “Love Rett and Ridge. Great heroes to love that are like brothers fighting the evil Witch and bad guys. Glad she did one for Rett this time. But Ridge too. Just great read. Always recommend her books but especially love this series. Hoping for another one as always. Enjoy this one. Great fun series with hot heroes to love.”
“This story was amazing!” writes jodikayti in her 5-star review. “I don’t even know how to tell you about this story without giving anything away. We let Rhett and Ridge on the out with the King and his loyal Assassin’s. An attempt on the King ultimately separates Rhett and Ridge, each going doing a path filled with hate, madness, insurrection and so much magic before they reunite with each other and Henri. The ending gives us more questions and I can’t wait for the next book.”
The Dragon Gate: An Epic Fantasy Adventure Novel by Randy Ellefson
Being a knight at the Renaissance Festival is easy, but when Ryan is magically kidnapped to another world, the quest might leave him dead. Mistaken for a dragon-slaying knight, he must kill the dragon queen to be sent home. With an astounding 4.7 star average on Amazon, The Dragon Gate is the first in this epic fantasy series.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining fantasy replete with Dragons, Magic, and Heroes, writes EC Reader in their 5-star review. “I couldn’t put it down. It had just the right mix of action, fun, suspense. It didn’t get too graphic but just enough to get the picture without having nightmares after reading it. The characters all had depth and were believable (for fantasy) and I liked the good ones, and didn’t like the villains. I can’t wait for more novels to come. This is definitely an author to follow.”
“This is a great fantasy book,” writes alias11 in their 5-star review. “It has all the things I would expect from a guy who wrote the book(s) on how to do it. Fantastic world-building, great characters, action and adventure you feel a part of, a little suspense and tension, and magic. What more could you want? This book reminds me of the adventure/quest stories I read in high school (a loong time ago), and I am really enjoying the walk down memory lane. The story really drew me in and I am looking forward to the next book.”
An Enchantment of Thorns: A Fae Beauty and the Beast Retelling by Helena Rookwood and Elm Vince
A retelling of Beauty and the Beast, An Enchantment of Thorns is the first in a new series of interconnected fairy tale retellings that feature strong heroines, swoon-worthy heroes, clean romance, and magical happily ever afters. Readers are comparing this new fae romance to A Court of Thorns and Roses, Uprooted, and The Cruel Prince.
“An Enchantment of Thorns was everything, one of my favorite Beauty and the Beast retellings,” writes D. Glenn in their 5-star review. “I loved seeing the relationship grow between Aster and Thorne, to Aster learn about the fae world and get a better understanding of the fae, to see her preconceived notions change but are still smart enough to be wary. Not to mention the magic was crafty and detailed along with the lush descriptions, and the little Easter eggs about other tales that were mentioned were great. I have a few questions that I would love to get answers for, like the Wilden’s family eyes that kept getting mentioned not to mention the events that happened at the end of the book has me asking a slew of questions and dying for the next book because what I thought was a standalone certainly is not. Aster’s story concludes in the next book, A Trial of Thorns and I cannot wait.”
“This is a very interesting, intriguing, and ‘original’ retelling of Beauty and the Beast,” says alias11 in their 5-star review. “I say original because, although the basic structure of the tale is obviously there, the author has put their own unique and imaginative spin on the tale to create a story that is fresh and new. I loved the Fae inclusion, the strong but flawed Asher, and of course the ‘beastly’ Thorne. Part of the thrill of this new story is the surprises and twists along the way, things you may not expect. The romance is there, too, of course, but it develops at a measured pace, so the reader gets a good opportunity to learn about the MCs, as they learn about each other. The ending includes a lead-in to the next story, and I am excited to see what that brings.”
Hidden Gems readers got to read these creative fantasy novels first, so if you want more tales to add to your collection, sign up today! Subscribers receive invitations to read books like these – plus other titles from any of up to 15 other genres – for free. All we ask is that you consider leaving an honest review of them on Amazon when you’re done reading!
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