Hello!
I expect this Book Feature series to be as chaotic as pretty much everything on the blog (except my reviews) has been proven to be. That means, expect to see none for half a year or so, even if there’s three in a month before that!
Anyway, the goal of this is to highlight five indie or self-published books I’ve that fit a particular category. That might be a theme or trope that I enjoy or would like to see more of, or it might be something not quite so easily defined. There also might be repeats, or series, of a particular category.
For this launching Book Feature, the theme is Brotherly Bonds. That means, all of these books feature either a significant sibling bond that is more or less positive, or a significant friendship or relationship that could be considered sibling-like or to show that kind of care, even if the characters were neither raised together nor share biological parents.
Between Starfalls
In first place … Between Starfalls features four main characters that each share this kind of relationship with the others. Two are truly brother and sister, and the loving care they have for each other – as well as the struggles they each encounter discovering what it means to really love and care for each other – is beautiful. But there are similar bonds of deep, committed friendship between all four of them, Taunous, Kaemada, Ra’ael, and Takiyah, so that it is as if they form a little family of siblings of their own.
Full review here.
Exile
Exile was one of my more recent reads this year. What really stood out to me about this book – and first drew me to it – is that it is the story of brothers. There’s a horrible brother in the mix, but the main story is that of Andrew and Alex. I loved seeing a sibling bond that showcases that love and commitment-at-all-costs, that loyalty and dependency, one usually only sees in romances – even though it doesn’t have to be at all romantic!
Full review here.
Tethered Spirits
Tethered Spirits is the first book in a YA epic fantasy series. What really stood out to me about it was the relationship between Amar and Mitul. Amar is immortal, cursed to return to life with no memories every time he dies, and Mitul is a man who met him while Mitul was still young, and now Mitul is aging. More than once, he’s had to endure the struggle of what happens when Amar dies and comes back without remembering what’s between them, but there’s a very real commitment on both sides, and I loved seeing what it withstood.
Full review here.
Dust of a Moth’s Wing
I really enjoyed Dust of a Moth’s Wing in a number of ways, but what gives it its place in today’s feature is the relationship between Nokhum and Atnu, and how important it is for the story. They are partners who have done many things together, and Atnu’s loyalty to Nokhum will test his religion and what he believes about his society. Both of them need each other to grow and see some of the things they miss.
Full review here.
An Echo of the Fae
Lastly, an MG fantasy. An Echo of the Fae doesn’t tell the story of people who were raised together and have developed a bond. Instead, it tells the story of a sister who goes on a wild quest to save her sister, who has been abducted by the faeries. But once they meet, a bond develops between them as they overcome the challenges to get back to their mother in time. There’s a chemistry of siblings between them, one that brings with it challenges and frustrations, along with joy.
Full review here.
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this! Feel free to let me know what sort of things you’d like to see, and I hope if you like this theme, you’re able to find more reads with it!
You can also check out my books here.
Enthralled By Love 