I am super duper excited to be part of the blog tour for Lani's new book!!! If you haven't read THE SEVENTH SUN yet, I highly recommend it if you're looking for a YA fantasy, unlike anything you've ever read. For this tour, I was provided a free copy of THE JADE BONES. A big fat thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Favourite Pages for including me!
The Story so far:
Cast into the underworld after an act of shattering betrayal, Mayana and Ahkin must overcome unimaginable odds if they are to return home and reclaim the throne of the Chicome. A river of blood and demons disguised as children are only two of the challenges standing in their way. Fortunately, they are not unequipped. Mayana’s royal blood controls the power of water, and Prince Ahkin wields the power of the sun itself. Ometeotl, the Mother goddess, provides them with other gifts—and an ominous warning that one of them may not survive. But can the goddess be trusted?
Back in the lands above, Mayana’s best friend, Yemania, has survived the empress selection ritual—but her next challenge may be more than she can bear. The new empress of the Chicome Empire demands she become High Healer. Yemania has no interest in serving in the palace; she wants to use her healing ability to help the common people. More than that, her heart is no longer her own. She has met an enchanting stranger—Ochix, one of the feared Miquitz people who are ancient enemies of the Chicome. As Mayana and Ahkin move ever closer to confronting the lords of the dead, Yemania and Ochix must hide their forbidden romance or face the wrath of both their empires.
Meanwhile, the new empress has made a dangerous alliance that might destroy everything they hold dear.Four young people risk their lives to save the world from a looming apocalypse in this captivating sequel to The Seventh Sun. Based on ancient Mesoamerican legends and mythology,
The Jade Bones is a compelling and romantic adventure that builds to a heart-stopping climax.
My review:
Lani Forbes blew me away with The Seventh Sun, and ever since that ending, I’ve been twirling my thumbs awaiting book two. Sequels have a history of letting me down. As an author myself I know how daunting they can be. But that isn’t the case here. The Jade Bones blows all the sophomore slump out of the water.
We pick up right where the last book ended. Mayana and Akhin are now in the underworld, and Yemania, Mayana’s friend during the trials of book one, is now facing trials of her own. After Ahkin’s “death” Metzi, his sister has taken control of the throne and is using her power for her own selfish needs. Meanwhile, our favorite prince and Mayanna trek up the nine levels of the underworld, each level more tasking and frightening than the last.
The biggest thing I noticed in this book was the relationship between Mayana and Ahkin. In my review of book one, I did comment on the insta-love. But as I read on, I realized how amazing the author portrayed their love. They may have fallen in love very quickly and very soon, but through the trials of this book, it’s evident how strong their bond was, and how it is not easy to love, and sometimes it takes work, but you learn to embrace the flaws, and do the work. They may have been in the nine levels of hell, but they took the time to understand each other, and to work together. With each POV, we can see through their eyes how far they’ve come.
Don’t get me started on my new book boyfriend, Ochix, who is the love interest and main squeeze of Yeminia. I loved her in book one, and I wanted the best for her. Lani did not disappoint my girl, giving her a partner to elevate her, and give her the strength and love she so needed.
Each level of the underworld was like being in Dante’s Inferno, but worse. In the author’s note, she talks about what inspiration she drew on and how she took creative license for some of it. Whatever the case, she excelled in describing a world of horrors that nearly upend our heroes.
I am over the moon with how much I loved this book. I’m also so happy to have been able to read an advance copy. So, thank you, Blackstone, and thank you, Lani for the amazing story. I cannot wait for book three.
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Lani Forbes is the daughter of a librarian and an ex-drug smuggling surfer (which explains her passionate love of the ocean and books). A former teacher turned trauma counselor, her passion is showing readers the transformative and encouraging power of story on the human experience. She helps others process anxiety, depression, and complex PTSD, both in her stories and in real life. A California native whose parents live in Mexico, Lani now resides in the Pacific Northwest where she stubbornly wears flip flops no matter how cold it gets. She is a proud nerd, Gryffindor, and member of Romance Writers of America and the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
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