November 2023 TBR

Wake up, guys. It’s time to shake off that post-Halloween sluggishness. We have a new month to plan. And there’s only two months left in 2023. So, let’s get to my November 2023 tbr.

Warbreaker

Synopsis:

In the world of Warbreaker, each person is born endowed with the power of one Breath–which can be sold and collected by others, then used to Awaken objects and even corpses to do their bidding. A few individuals who die in glory return as gods, with the power of thousands of Breath, but no memory of their mortal lives–and are enthroned in the Court of Gods in Hallandren’s capital.

To Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris, the abuse of Breath and the claim of the Returned to be gods are repugnant blasphemy. But with one princess wed to the God King of their nation’s enemies in a bid for peace, the other finds she must rely on Breath-using mercenaries to try to rescue her sister from her monstrous husband. Lightsong the Bold, a lesser god who doubts his own religion, starts investigating mysterious murders in the Court of Gods and uncovers haunting clues to his own forgotten past. He is one of four gods who controls the army of Awakened Lifeless soldiers, and one faction is inciting an invasion of Idris despite the marriage treaty. Vasher–wielder of the sapient sword Nightblood–works behind the scenes against the declaration of war, but Lightsong’s visions of bloodshed prophesy its inevitability.

Can the new queen, unaware of her sister’s imminent rescue attempt, persuade Lightsong and also somehow get through to the aloof God King–who she has been forbidden to speak to or even look in the eyes–before her homeland is destroyed? 

I wanted to finish all of the Cosmere books this year. While I’ve made a decent chunk in that goal I’m not sure if it’s going to be possible. I really want to get to Warbreaker this month.

Bag of Bones

Synopsis:

Four years after the sudden death of his wife, bestselling novelist Mike Noonan is still grieving. Unable to write and plagued by vivid nightmares set at the western Maine summerhouse he calls “Sara Laughs. ” Mike reluctantly returns to the lakeside getaway. There, he finds his beloved Yankee town held in the grip of a powerful millionaire, Max Devore, whose vindictive purpose is to take his three-year-old granddaughter, Kyra, away from her widowed young mother, Mattie. As Mike is drawn into Mattie’s and Kyra’s struggle–and as he falls in love with both of them–he is also drawn into the mystery of Sara Laughs…now the site of ghostly visitations and escalating terrors. What are the forces that have been unleashed here–and just what do they want of Mike Noonan?

I’m not ready to give up spooky season just yet. So I think it’s a perfect time to read Bag of Bones. It’s set in a cabin on a remote lake and that just seems perfect for fall. We were supposed to go camping this weekend and I was stoked to read this at the campsite but even though that’s not happening anymore I’m still excited to read this.

Iron Flame

Synopsis:

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky. 

Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves. 

Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules. 

But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year. 

Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end. 

I’m pretty sure Iron Flame is on everyone’s tbr this month. For good reason. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one. I’m so excited.

So that’s my November 2023 tbr. What are you reading this month? Let me know in the comments.