Peasreads- The Trident and the Pearl by Sarah K. L. Wilson

  The Trident and the Pearl

by Sarah K. L. Wilson

Pub Date Feb 24 2026 

So magical. This is high fantasy that drew me right in. SO much so that by mid-book I thought, this better end well. It also better not be the start of a series. Side note- I do not like starting series that do not have an ending. For the most part, I will avoid any ARC or e-galley that is the start of a series, duology, or trilogy. It just makes me have to wait that much longer for the conclusion. There are some authors that I will read regardless, though. That being said. I looked this book up, and it is the first of a trilogy. It doesn't matter now because I am sucked in and 100 percent invested. How could I not be with an opening like this?

 "​I was born into the embrace of the sea on a moonless night in the month of the Ragged Tides. My mother did not bleed out her life into the sea with my arrival, nor was my father visited by a terrible curse."

Queen Coralys is faithful to her people above all. She is willing to trade her life for them when a storm ravages her nation. That is exactly what the gods ask of her when she strikes a bargain with them. The storm recedes, not before taking her husband. As payment, the Queen must marry the first man who sets foot back on the island. She must take him as her husband and take his station as well. The gods love their games. Coralys marries a fisherman with nothing but an empty dinghy. No supplies and no idea where he's taking her. She does not care. She goes willingly with only one thing on her mind. Revenge against the gods who have taken so much from her. She soon begins to suspect that her new husband is the very god she wants to destroy. She must find out and complete her mission. Her new husband has other plans. He is wounded, and his kingdom is threatened. He is certain that she can help him restore his kingdom and his people. Can they learn to trust each other?

I loved this book. FIVE stars. Was Coralys gullible? Yes. Did she make bad decisions? Yes. Was it still amazing? Also yes. Will I be waiting for the next book? Absolutely. 

You can read the first chapter here on Sarah's website.

A desperate queen makes a deal with the gods to save her land in this spellbinding romantasy debut from Sarah K. L. Wilson.

"Perfect for readers who love slow-burn romance steeped in lush fantasy!" ―Danielle L. Jensen, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood

Queen Coralys rules the Kingdom of the Five Isles, but when disaster strikes, killing her husband and destroying half her nation, she pleads with the gods for salvation. And they do save her, turning back the terrible winds and tide and snatching her islands from the brink of destruction.

But the gods have a wicked sense of justice and they demand an exchange for their help: Coralys must marry the first man to set foot on her pier. Coralys expects the fleet of a neighboring country to come to rescue her people, led by its prince, a loyal ally. What she gets instead is a fisherman so sunburnt and stinking that her court can barely keep their breakfast down.

Coralys marries the fisherman just as she promised the gods, and sets out with him in his unkempt dinghy, with nothing but hopes of revenge against the gods to keep her from despair. But what she does not know is that the fisherman is actually the god of the sea. And he stepped on her dock for a reason.

His own kingdom besieged, his body terribly wounded, and his place as a god threatened, the fisherman has plans to turn the tides set against him and finally offer a place of refuge for his people. But working the magic he needs will require the help of the one woman bent on his destruction.

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Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books | Orbit, for this galley. I was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own. 

Peasreads: The Poet Empress by Shen Tao

Thank you to my oldest for this review of The Poet Empress

A huge thank you to the publisher for providing my physical ARC, all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own! By all technicality, I’m totally posting this before 2026 …

━━ ⋅ ♡ ⋅ ━━━━━━

The Poet Empress is a strong debut that ticked all my boxes — lush setting, strong fmc, and complex characters / plot.

The most notable of these aspects is the characters. At its core, The Poet Empress is a novel about people, their motivations, their histories. From the beginning we are privy to Wei Yin’s thoughts and explanations for the sacrifices or choices she makes. But the actions of others appear mysterious or irrational to her (and thus, the reader) as she struggles to navigate court politics. This slowly changes as Wei Yin begins to listen to the stories of those around her, and peer more closely into their actions. By the end of the novel, everyone feels like their own autonomous being — their actions may still surprise us, but ultimately fit into their characterisation so well it’s satisfying.

In my opinion, the official summary is well representative of the novel! So if it appeals to you at all, I would absolutely encourage you to give this debut a chance. Doubly so if you enjoy complex characters as much as I do.

━━ ⋅ ♡ ⋅ ━━━━━━

With all of the polished writing out of the way, here are some of my more fragmented opinions:

⟢ I need all the Asian (historic or otherwise) fantasy out there please give me more … This is definitely a must read if you are also into these genres!

⟢ If you’re not as into ‘character study’ type narratives as I am, you might find this novel a bit slow at times. There are semi-frequent ‘fash-backs’ that take you away from the main storyline and may feel a bit tedious if you don’t enjoy them.

⟢ Although characters were the star of this novel, the worldbuilding and magic system are nothing to sneeze at! The Poet Empress had magic seeping into every inch of the world, which felt immersive without being overwhelming. Of course, the basis of ‘spells’ being poetry is just the cherry on top.

⟢ Romance is an important part of the narrative, but this is not a romance novel in my opinion! Important distinction.

⟢ It’s truly refreshing to get ‘morally grey’ characters that are … well … actually complex.

⟢ I’m not sure if this will be a standalone or if there is a sequel planned, but there’s no cliffhanger at the end! The conclusion leaves room for the future, but is satisfying on its own.

⟢ For trigger warnings: please read the note at the start of the book! My personal notes are: (view spoiler) This book is rated adult, but I would have been okay reading it as a teen. For others though, they may be uncomfy reading even as an adult. Moral of the story: it’s always okay to skip things that may harm you! Read over the triggers so you can make an informed decision.

DESCRIPTION

Debut author Shen Tao introduces readers to the lush, deadly world of The Poet Empress, a sweeping, epic and intimate fantasy perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, The Song of Achilles and She Who Became the Sun.

In the waning years of the Azalea Dynasty, the emperor is dying, the land consumed by famine, and poetry magic lost to all except the powerful.

Wei Yin is desperate. After the fifth death of a sibling, with her family and village on the brink of starvation, she will do anything to save those she loves.

Even offer herself as concubine to the cruel heir of the beautiful and brutal Azalea House.

But in a twist of fate, the palace stands on the knife-edge of civil war with Wei trapped in its center…at the side of a violent prince.

To survive, Wei must harden her heart, rely on her wit, and become dangerous herself. Even if it means becoming a poet in a world where women are forbidden to read—and composing the most powerful spell of all. A ballad of death...and love.

The Poet Empress is an epic fantasy that explores darker themes, subjects, and scenes that may not be suitable for all readers. Please see the author's content note at the beginning of the book.

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Thank you NetGalley and  Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for this galley I was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own. 

Peasreads: The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin

 

The Sun and the Starmaker. 

"And when we return to the dust of the stars, I will whisper your name in the endless after so that I may find you even in death. Always I will come for you, and always will I stay.”

Are you kidding me!? So enchanting. 

I couldn't put this book down until I was almost to the end. I purposely put it down because I didn't want to finish it.  I didn't want the story to end, and to be heartbroken! I wanted this book to be longer. To learn even more about the village, the StarMaker. Aurora.  When I did finish, it was just so beautiful, even though I cried. It was more than I  could have wanted. Aurora is the female main character. she loves her family and does her best to provide for them. She is willing to do what it takes to save her family and village. Even if that means a painful task and being taught by the distant, cold-hearted Starmaker.  The Starmaker is tired; he is ready for his reign to end. He is a good Starmaker; he cares for those he serves. He has lived for a long time and pulled the sunlight across the village so it can survive for as long as he can remember.  Now it's time to teach Aurora to do the same.

Description

There once was a village so far north that most considered it the top of the world... and in that village, the Sun fell in love with her Starmaker. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches comes a whimsical and sweeping romantic fantasy.

Nestled deep in the snowy mountains of the Lost Range, the village of Reverie is a small miracle. Beyond the reach of the Sun, Reverie is dependent upon the magic of the mysterious Starmaker: every morning, he trudges across a vast glacier and pulls in sunlight over the peaks, providing the village with the light it needs to survive.

Aurora Finch grew up on tales of the Starmaker's magic, never imagining she'd one day meet him. But on the morning of her wedding, a fateful encounter in the frostbitten woods changes everything. The Starmaker senses a powerful magic within her and demands she come study under his guidance. With her newfound abilities tied to the survival of the village, Aurora is swept away to his ice-covered castle and far from everything she's ever known.

The Starmaker is as cold and distant as the mountain itself, leaving Aurora to explore his enchanted castle alone. Yet the more she discovers about the sorcerer, the stronger their attraction grows, pulling her closer to the secrets he refuses to share. But a deadly frost approaches and Aurora must uncover what the Starmaker is hiding before she is left in an endless winter that even the Sun cannot touch.

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Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire | Sourcebooks Fire for this galley I was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own.

Peasreads: The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox Katrina Kwan

 

FIVE-STAR read! Both Yue and Sonam were great main characters who have depth and are likable. They have a past that shaped them, but I also felt like they grew from their past. They aren't perfect, but that makes them real. I felt bad for Yue. She was just doing what was in her nature to survive. The characters end up in Hell, Yue being banished and dragging Sonam down with her. To escape, they must work together. Each challenge they face has them learning about not only themselves but their companions. The story is paced well and flows well. I will be adding a hard copy of this one to my shelves. Even if I have a copy on my e-reader! I have been telling everyone about this book. Romantasy that's just so good. One of my top 2025 reads. 

Pub Date Feb 24 2026

Description
From the author of The Last Dragon of the East comes a sweeping fantasy adventure with a dash of romance between a nine-tailed fox and the demon-hunter who captures her, banished to the underworld together and forced to form a reluctant alliance to escape the circles of Hell.

Yue may be the last of her kind. At night, she stalks the streets of the capital city of Longhao, luring in unsuspecting victims with the mask of a beautiful woman, then consuming them in her true form of the nine-tailed fox.

When she is captured by a powerful demon hunter named Sonam and banished to Hell, she manages one final act of revenge: dragging him—and two of his subordinates—down with her.

Now trapped in an abyss with unimaginable terrors, they’ll need each other’s help to navigate Hell and bypass the gods who preside over each circle, each of whom presents the group with a unique and deadly challenge. Forced to depend on one another as they claw their way out of the underworld, both demon and demon hunter discover that there might be more to the other than meets the eye.

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I received this egalley from NetGalley and Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own. 

Peasreads: The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

Mallory really irritated me. I think the story is good. She just irritated me. I guess I thought that she was sometimes cruel to keep the ruse going once she knew that there was true danger. I think that's just a me thing and others might enjoy the story more. I may have read this at a time where I was too sensitive.  The story is good though. The ghost wives are funny. I am glad I listened to the book. even if the FMC rubbed me wrong.

Description:

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. Though she comes from a long line of witches, the only magic she possesses is the ability to see ghosts, which is rarely as useful as one would think. She and her sister have maintained the family business, eking out a paltry living by selling bogus spells to gullible buyers and conducting tours of the infamous mansion where the first of the Saphir murders took place.

Mallory is a self-proclaimed expert on Count Bastien Saphir—otherwise known as Monsieur Le Bleu—who brutally killed three of his wives more than a century ago. But she never expected to meet Bastien's great-great grandson and heir to the Saphir estate. Armand is handsome, wealthy, and convinced that the Fontaine Sisters are as talented as they claim. The perfect mark. When he offers Mallory a large sum of money to rid his ancestral home of Le Bleu's ghost, she can’t resist. A paid vacation at Armand’s country manor? It’s practically a dream come true, never mind the ghosts of murdered wives and the monsters that are as common as household pests.

But when murder again comes to the House Saphir, Mallory finds herself at the center of the investigation—and she is almost certain the killer is mortal. If she has any hope of cashing in on the payment she was promised, she’ll have to solve the murder and banish the ghost, all while upholding the illusion of witchcraft.

But that all sounds relatively easy compared to her biggest challenge: learning to trust her heart. Especially when the person her heart wants the most might be a murderer himself. 

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I received this egalley from NetGalley and MacMillian Audio MacMillan Publishing I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own. 

Peasreads: The Dragon and the Sun Lotus by Amélie Wen Zhao

 

I can't believe the story is completed. I loved the first book in this dulogy that I have two copies in different editions. Mostly because I forgot I ordered one, loved it so much that I didn't want to miss out so I ordered it a second time. My Review of The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is posted and can be found here. 

Book 2 of The Three Realms

 Àn’yīng is the female main character in this duology and I like her. She knew what she wanted for her family and for her kingdom. She faced choices that were hard but she never lost her love or her focus. It was hard. She had fallen in love with the Prince of the Kingdom of Night in the first book. She didn't know who he was at the time. Yù’chén's character broke my heart because he LOVED her so much, even knowing that being with her would be near impossible. He fought for her. The thing is Hào’yáng, the last Mortal Emperor was also wonderful, loving, and kind. I also liked Yù’chén  AND Hào’yáng, how is it that I liked BOTH the men in this story? That's only the love story part! It broke my heart the ending. Then my heart healed and broke again. All of this while an epic battle was planned and executed. All of this while a realm was being destroyed, and fighting for survival was top priority. All of this was taking place in both the mortal and immortal realms, which were described so well I could visualize each location. So beautifully and heartachingly wonderful.

In the breathtaking sequel to The Scorpion and the Night Blossom, the battle has just begun. With Àn’yīng’s kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction, and amidst a budding forbidden romance, she must now risk everything to protect her world.

The first edition hardcover of The Dragon and the Sun Lotus will feature stunning ombre stenciled edges and exclusive printed endpapers!

A decade ago, the Kingdom of Night began the war against the Kingdom of Rivers, ravaging the lands and releasing mó—beautiful, ravenous demons—to roam free, drinking the souls of mortals. Now the mó have made it beyond the magical wards of the immortal realm—the Kingdom of Sky—and will not stop until the entire world falls to darkness.

Àn’yīng is determined to banish the mó to their realm and return the mortal realm to peace. But a stunning betrayal has turned the tides of this war: Her handsome rival from the Immortality Trials and the man she was falling in love with, Yù’chén, is now the enemy. Yù’chén is half mó, his mother none other than Sansiran, the Demon Queen of the Kingdom of Night . . . and the monster responsible for killing Àn’yīng’s father.

There is one hope for the future, though. The boy in the jade—Àn’yīng’s lifelong mystery guardian and heir to the last mortal Emperor—Hào’yáng. Together, Àn’yīng and Hào’yáng must join forces to rally an army that stretches across realms, from the Four Seas of the Dragons to the Phoenixes of the Golden Desert. But first she must awaken to the immortal power slumbering in her own veins.

The thrilling conclusion of The Three Realms duology
THE SCORPION AND THE NIGHT BLOSSOM • THE DRAGON AND THE SUN LOTUS

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I received this egalley from NetGalley and Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Press I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are  my own. 

Peasreads: Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

Now THIS is how a reimagining is done well. I want to feel the emotions and see the stories that lead up to how a character behaves. I want to know their story and I want the story to make me understand. This is a love story. Whether her actions were correct or not, Lady Tremine loves her children. Was she evil? Was she misguided? Was she a product of society and the time she was living in? At what lengths will a mother go to secure her children's futures in a society where women have so few rights afforded to them? 

Once Lady Tremine's plan start falling into place she discovers that the royal family is hiding a dark secret that could bring harm. Should she look the other way to secure a place for her girls in society?  This book was very good and I would even re-read it.   

Description

A breathtaking reimagining of Cinderella, as told through the eyes of its iconic "evil" stepmother, revealing a propulsive love story about the lengths a mother will go to for her children

Twice-widowed, Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley is solely responsible for her two children, a priggish stepdaughter, a razor-taloned peregrine falcon, and a crumbling manor. Fierce and determined, Ethel clings to the respectability her deceased husband’s title affords her, hoping it will secure her daughters’ future through marriage.

When a royal ball offers the chance to change everything, Ethel risks her pride in pursuit of an invitation for all three of her daughters—only to see her hopes fulfilled by the wrong one. As an engagement to the future king unfolds, Ethel discovers a sordid secret hidden in the depths of the royal family, forcing her to choose between the security she craves and the wellbeing of the stepdaughter who has rebuffed her at every turn.

As if Bridgerton met Circe, and exhilarating to its core, Lady Tremaine reimagines the myth of the evil stepmother at the heart of the world’s most famous fairy tale. It is a battle cry for a mother’s love for her daughters, and a celebration of women everywhere who make their own fortunes. 

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I received this egalley from NetGalley and St Martin's Press I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own. 

Peasreads: The Women of Artemis Hannah Lynn

 

I'm always a fan of Hannah Lynn's writing. This was a great story. It was hard to read in some parts due to the domestic violence, sexual assault (Nothing described). It was also so sad that so many of the women were in these relationships. I think Hannah did a good job with how she wrote about the abuse and how each character dealt with it. I truly enjoyed this book.
Description
Mothers. Daughters. Warriors. Women.

This is the never-before-told story of history's most ferocious heroines: this is the rise of the Amazons.

When she first married at fourteen, Otrera imagined a relationship full of love. A partnership. Years later, living in destitution with her abusive husband, she knows that no such thing exists with a man. It is simply a woman's lot in life to accept the treatment of her husband.

Until it's not.

Rallying the women around her, Otrera fights back, taking no prisoners. Because it's clear to her: when men are in power, freedom isn't granted. It's bought with blood. It's a price she is more than willing to pay, if it means building a new life with other women far from the reaches of their abusers.

But a community of women - an army of women - is bound to make enemies of gods and men alike.

This is the story of Otrera and the first Amazons.

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I received this egalley from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own.