A Book Addict's Bookshelves : Blog Tour + Excerpt + Giveaway - Through the White Wood by Jessica Leake

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Through the White Wood

By Jessica Leake
Young Adult Historical Fantasy

Hardcover & ebook, 416 Pages
April 9th 2019 by HarperTeen

The Bear and the Nightingale meets Frostblood in this romantic historical fantasy from the author of Beyond a Darkened Shore.

When Katya loses control of her power to freeze, her villagers banish her to the palace of the terrifying Prince Sasha in Kiev.

Expecting punishment, she is surprised to find instead that Sasha is just like her—with the ability to summon fire. Sasha offers Katya friendship and the chance to embrace her power rather than fear it.

But outside the walls of Kiev, Sasha’s enemies are organizing an army of people bent on taking over the entire world.

Together, Katya’s and Sasha’s powers are a fearsome weapon. But as their enemies draw nearer, will fire and frost be enough to save the world? Or will Katya and Sasha lose everything they hold dear?

Inspired by Russian mythology, this lushly romantic, intensely imaginative, and fiercely dramatic story is about learning to fight for yourself, even when the world is falling down around you.

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Other Books in the Series

Beyond a Darkened Shore

By Jessica Leake
Young Adult Historical Fantasy

Hardcover & ebook, 384 Pages
April 10th 2018 by HarperTeen

The ancient land of Éirinn is mired in war. Ciara, princess of Mide, has never known a time when Éirinn’s kingdoms were not battling for power, or Northmen were not plundering their shores.

The people of Mide have always been safe because of Ciara’s unearthly ability to control her enemies’ minds and actions. But lately a mysterious crow has been appearing to Ciara, whispering warnings of an even darker threat. Although her clansmen dismiss her visions as pagan nonsense, Ciara fears this coming evil will destroy not just Éirinn but the entire world.

Then the crow leads Ciara to Leif, a young Northman leader. Leif should be Ciara’s enemy, but when Ciara discovers that he, too, shares her prophetic visions, she knows he’s something more. Leif is mounting an impressive army, and with Ciara’s strength in battle, the two might have a chance to save their world.

With evil rising around them, they’ll do what it takes to defend the land they love...even if it means making the greatest sacrifice of all.

Praise for the Book

"Beyond a Darkened Shore is thrilling and romantic. This is a must-read for lovers of fantasy, mythology, and folklore." - Kody Keplinger, New York Times bestselling author of The DUFF and Run

“With undead armies, flesh-eating spirit horses, and a powerful heroine, fantasy, romance, and historical-fiction readers will have a great time.” - Booklist

“While Morrigan and Odin are terrifying, raven-haired Ciara is the star. Beautiful, strong, and independent, she is the perfect warrior princess. Epic historical fantasy filled with deadly creatures, simmering romance, and nonstop action.” - Kirkus Reviews

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Excerpt:

Then, without another word, he climbed into the driver’s seat, gathered the reins,

and pulled us away from the only home I’d ever known, of a prince they said was

a monster.

But then, they said I was one, too.

I promised myself I wouldn’t look back, but I did it anyway, squinting through

the snow at the thirty-seven villagers who silently watched me leave. It was easy to note the ones who were missing. While the ones who remained stared at me accusingly, I reached down to rub at my wrists where the ropes had once bound them.

Babushka stood apart, looking frail and alone. I could still feel her hand on my

cheek, her words in my ear—were they absolution?

I am not your babushka, she’d told me long ago, but you may call me by that name.

My life with her had not been easy or warm, but at least it had been mine.

I turned to face the front of the sleigh and squeezed my eyes closed. I thought I’d

known loneliness, but it was nothing compared to this . . . this utter exile. The cold

seeped in, hardening my already icy skin, and I wrapped my arms tighter around myself.

I tried desperately not to think of the one time I had felt warm, the only time I hadn’t felt

as though I was carved from ice. But the memories surfaced anyway.

Screams echoed in my mind as the tingling reminder of the cold fire crept over my palms.

That terrible power that was nothing like my usual ability.

I pinched my arm to keep the sensation from spreading, but it did nothing to stop the

memory of how I’d felt that night. How I’d felt none of the nagging feelings of guilt . . .

only blissful warmth.

I felt regret now.

About the Author

Jessica Leake is the author of Beyond a Darkened Shore as well as the adult novels Arcana and The Order of the Eternal Sun. She lives in South Carolina with her husband, four young children, lots of chickens, and two dogs who keep everyone in line. Visit her at www.jessicaleake.com.

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