First Bookish Impressions: Infinity Son, Queen of Coin and Whispers & Hold Back the Tide

Hello friends! I hope you’re all well! It’s still freaking cold here in South Africa, and I’m bundled up and sitting under the heater while writing this. I’m doing something new: First Bookish Impressions! As you may know, there’s no such thing as BookCon or anything like that in SA, so I don’t really get swag or samplers or anything like that. Now, this is not another rant about how international book reviewers are over-looked and underappreciated (seriously if publishers can pay 800k for a debut novel WHY can’t they send physical arcs to international reviewers?).

Anyhow, a dear friend recently brought some samplers back to SA for me from the bookcon she went to in Ireland. So I decided to make a blog post about it, and share my first bookish impressions about those books. Kind of like mini-reviews, but only on the first few chapters of books. I hope you guys enjoy!

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Infinity Son by Adam Silvera

What’s it about? Growing up in New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the Spell Walkers—a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. While the Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them, violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures.

Brighton wishes he had a power so he could join the fray. Emil just wants the fighting to stop. The cycle of violence has taken a toll, making it harder for anyone with a power to live peacefully and openly. In this climate of fear, a gang of specters has been growing bolder by the day.

Then, in a brawl after a protest, Emil manifests a power of his own—one that puts him right at the heart of the conflict and sets him up to be the heroic Spell Walker Brighton always wanted to be.

Brotherhood, love, and loyalty will be put to the test, and no one will escape the fight unscathed.

My first impression: I found the writing to be very jarring. It’s fantasy written like contemporary, and I’m not entirely on board with it. The reluctant hero isn’t one of my favourite tropes either, and I prefer to avoid it. The world-building also didn’t grab me, it’s just too reminiscent of other superher0 stories. I get what Silvera was trying to do with this book and I can appreciate that, however, I don’t think this one is for me.

Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran

What’s it about: ‘She loved me as I loved her, fierce as a bloodied blade.’

When teenage queen Lia inherits her corrupt uncle’s bankrupt kingdom, she brings a new spymaster into the fold … Xania, who takes the job to avenge her murdered father.

Faced with dangerous plots and hidden enemies, can Lia and Xania learn to rely on each another, as they discover that all is not fair in love and treason?

In a world where the throne means both power and duty, they must decide what to sacrifice for their country – and for each other …

My first impression: Oh yes, I am most definitely intrigued. Murderous women and revenge plots? Sign me right up. Also I should mention that this book has a f/f romance and I need more of it in fantasy. The first four chapters were a joy to read. The writing was amazing and the story is super intriguing. I honestly can’t wait to dive deeper into this world.

Hold Back the Tide by Melinda Salisbury

What’s it about: Everyone knows what happened to Alva’s mother, all those years ago. But when dark forces begin to stir in Ormscaula, Alva has to face a very different future – and question everything she thought she knew about her past…

My first impression: This has to be one of the best first chapters I’ve ever read. I was completely blown away by it. I’ve always been a fan of everything Melinda Salisbury writes and Hold Back the Tide is no different. It reminds me of Outlander, one of my favourite series, mainly because it’s set in Scotland. The premise is super interesting and Salisbury’s writing is amazing as always. I need to read more.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? 

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