The Highlanderess – Enja’s Quest (Vol.2) by Eva Fellner

3rd – 12th Feb

Genre: Historical

BACK OF THE BOOK:

As Enja’s Voyage turns into a Quest, the fate of Scotland hangs in the balance. With the Wars of Independence at a fever pitch, Enja faces new dangers, betrayals, and choices that will shape her destiny—and that of her homeland!

In this second thrilling installment of the five-part saga that has already captivated thousands, Eva Fellner continues her epic tale of a fearless woman who refuses to let anyone dictate her fate. Set against a backdrop of war and betrayal, Enja faces the most hostile environments with unwavering courage, determined to live freely and fight for what she believes in—no matter the cost.

Scotland, 1314: As the bloody Wars of Independence rage across the breathtaking Highlands, Enja, a fierce warrior trained as a healer as well as an assassin, faces her greatest challenge yet. Robert de Bruce, King of Scots, is gathering his warriors for the decisive battle. Fighting in the famous battle of bannockburn alongside the legendary James Douglas, she is prepared to risk everything for Scotland’s freedom. But when the king decrees that she, as a woman, must stay off the battlefield, Enja is forced to confront a bitter choice. Will she rewrite the Scottish history?

An epic tale of love, vengeance, and defiance in a war-torn land: The Highlanderess Saga, from international #1 bestselling novelist Eva Fellner.

REVIEW:

The Highlanderess: Enja’s Quest by Eva Fellner is the second book in this captivating series.

Like the first instalment, much of the story is set in Scotland during the Wars of Independence. There is a brief detour to an earlier period, as the novel recounts Enja’s journey to Scotland, but this only spans a couple of chapters.

This time, we follow Enja as she embarks on a daring quest to have her rightful claim to her castle recognised by Robert the Bruce. The novel builds towards one of the most pivotal conflicts of the era, the Battle of Bannockburn, but before we reach that point, we witness Enja’s struggles as a woman navigating a male-dominated world. Alongside the political and personal turmoil, the slow-burn romance introduced in the first book continues to develop in a wonderfully organic way.

As with the first book, the cover immediately caught my eye, it’s a perfect fit for the story, and the cover model truly embodies Enja. Having loved the first book, picking up this sequel was an easy decision. Eva Fellner does a fantastic job of further developing both the characters and the historical setting, bringing the era to life with vivid detail. Despite its length, the pacing is excellent, and though I usually prefer shorter chapters, I was so engrossed in the story that I hardly noticed.

I’m delighted to hear that more books are on the way I can’t wait to see what’s next for Enja and her growing clan!

Sabre Part Two by C.S.Wood

27th Jan – 5th Feb

Fantasy Adventure – Gothic – Steampunk

BACK OF THE BOOK:

The Sabres have deserted the Royal Skuas 

Oaths shattered, they have fled in pursuit of Vice Admiral Oswald Leonard and the truth behind his disappearance. With their steel he may restore order, unless Commander Grenyard’s cutthroats find him first. And should Leonard reach their kingdom’s nemesis, Merithia, the Sabres cannot let him defect. 

Todd Witherow remains amongst them: a disgraced Sabre, the last of his line, trying to honour his family’s legacy. Yet, Todd’s father lives.

Three veterans continue their bloody journey across Arcaya to free him. Only Sir Alan Witherow can reform the Royal Skuas, whose archaic violence has imperilled his son. But they may be too late, for the kingdom now lies on the precipice of civil war… 

Isolated, the Sabres skirt the outer reaches, beyond distant shores, where an even greater threat conspires… the power behind the rise of the night devil 

REVIEW:

Sabre Part Two: The Rise of the Night Devil by C.S. Wood is the second instalment in the Sabre Series, a gripping steampunk fantasy.

The novel unfolds across three intertwining story arcs that shape the overarching narrative. The first follows Todd Witherow as he and his Sabre colleagues set out to uncover the fate of the Vice Admiral and the mystery surrounding his disappearance. The second centres on Todd’s father, Sir Alan Witherow, and those determined to free him, believing only he can restore the Royal Skuas. Meanwhile, the third arc explores the turmoil within the kingdom, as the king and the nobility struggle to withstand growing civil unrest and its devastating impact on their lands.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and was eagerly anticipating this sequel. Book one served as an origin story, introducing the characters, the world, and the unfolding conflict. Sabre Part Two picks up seamlessly, launching straight into action with impeccable pacing. The character and world-building remain just as compelling, and despite the multiple storylines, each is easy to follow. The plot is rich with intrigue and excitement, and while in the first book I found Todd Witherow’s journey the most engaging, this time, I was equally captivated by all three arcs each one keeping me turning the pages.

I haven’t read many steampunk novels, but C.S. Wood has certainly set the bar high. If you enjoy fast-paced action with intriguing storylines, this is well worth reading – but do start with book one!

BUY LINKS

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SABRE-Part-Rise-Night-Devil/dp/1915962617

https://www.amazon.com/SABRE-Part-Rise-Night-Devil/dp/1915962617

The Highlanderess – Enja’s Voyage (Vol.1) by Eva Fellner

20th – 29th January 

Genre: Historical

BACK OF THE BOOK:

Eva Fellners’s gripping novel of survival, courage, and forbidden love, set against the blood-soaked battlefields of Scotland’s fight for freedom:

Captured by slavers and trained as an assassin, Enja’s path home is forged in blood—despite her gift as a healer. In a land torn by war, she must defy the English king to save the man she loves—or become his next target.

Highlands, 1289: After surviving a devastating shipwreck, Enja is captured by ruthless slavers and whisked away to the exotic lands of the Orient. Trained as a deadly assassin, she becomes a weapon of shadows. But Enja’s heart yearns for home, and she embarks on an epic quest back to Scotland, a land torn apart by the brutal war between its clans and the invading English. When the fearless clan leader, James Douglas, saves her from the brink of death, Enja is drawn into a world of fierce loyalty, love, and dangerous politics. Her growing feelings for James only complicate matters when he is taken prisoner by the English. With the threat of the powerful English King looming, Enja must confront her darkest fears and summon all her lethal skills to rescue him—at the risk of becoming a target herself.

REVIEW:

The Highlanderess: Enja’s Voyage by Eva Fellner is the captivating first instalment in a thrilling series, with two books currently available.

Set primarily in the Scottish Highlands during the era of the Wars of Independence, the story centres on Enja, a fierce and determined woman striving to protect her people. Caught between the English king and Robert the Bruce, she remains unaffiliated with either, waiting to see who will grant her the rights to the home she has built for her clan.

The narrative seamlessly alternates between Enja’s present-day struggles and her gripping origin story. Readers are taken back to her childhood, where she was torn from her family, enslaved, and later trained as both a healer and an assassin. These hard-earned skills shape her into a resilient leader, capable of surviving and thriving in a harsh, uncertain world.

The striking cover and evocative title immediately caught my attention, reminding me of The Highlander franchise though without the fantasy elements. As I delved into the story, I found it to be a richly layered origin tale, with equal attention given to both past and present timelines.

This book offers an enthralling mix of action, intrigue, and slow-burn romance, while also highlighting the bonds of friendship and the strength of found family. Although Enja is not Scottish by birth, she has created her own clan, an eclectic group united by their shared fight for survival and loyalty to one another.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. With its excellent pacing and vivid storytelling that spans the globe, it kept me hooked from start to finish. I’m already diving into the second instalment and can tell this series is going to become a favourite!

BUY LINKS

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Highlanderess-Vol-1-Enjas-Voyage-ebook/dp/B0DJ9TTJ66

GOODREADS

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219798925-the-highlanderess