#shadow frost

The ice kingdom is faithfully guarded by giant armored mammoths and their fearless riders. These powerful creatures patrol the snowy hillsides instilling fear and inspiring wonder for all of those who encounter them!

When I originally visualized this painting, I imagined something regal and powerful: A composition with tall elements (towering peaks, an obelisk-inspired ice castle, and a stately mammoth). I really wanted to experiment with light, shape and sensation – keeping the piece simple in some ways (with one central subject and minimal background elements), but also giving a hint of unease with the fragmented blocks of light in the mountains, trees, and foreground shadows.

I experimented with letting some parts of the main subject-matter fade into the background by allowing the creature to ‘fall apart’ as your eye moves away from the face and head. By using sharp lines and darker shadows within the face and tusks, I hoped to really draw those elements into focus.

New Releases

We’ve got three new books on our radar for books launching tomorrow on 10/1. Happy early book birthday to…

Shadow Frost by Coco Ma IN THE KINGDOM OF AXARIA, a darkness rises. Some call it a monster, laying waste to the villagers and their homes. Some say it is an invulnerable demon summoned from the deepest abysses of the Immortal Realm. Many soldiers from the royal guard are sent out to hunt it down. Not one has ever returned.

When Asterin Faelenhart, Princess of Axaria and heir to the throne, discovers that she may hold the key to defeating the mysterious demon terrorizing her kingdom, she vows not to rest until the beast is slain. With the help of her friends and the powers she wields — though has yet to fully understand — Asterin sets out to complete a single task. The task that countless, trained soldiers have failed.

To kill it. But as they hunt for the demon, they unearth a plot to assassinate the Princess herself instead. Asterin and her companions begin to wonder how much of their lives have been lies, especially when they realize that the center of the web of deceit might very well be themselves. With no one else to turn to, they are forced to decide just how much they are willing to sacrifice to protect the only world they have ever known.

That is, of course… if the demon doesn’t get to them first. From young author Coco Ma comes a dazzling new tale of adventure, power, and betrayal, weaving together a stunning world of magic with a killer cast in an explosive, unforgettable debut. — Cover image and summary via Goodreads

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance edited by Bethany C. Morrow A young adult anthology featuring fictional stories of everyday resistance. You might be the kind of person who stands up to online trolls. Or who marches to protest injustice. Perhaps you are #DisabledAndCute and dancing around your living room, alive and proud. Or perhaps you are the trans mentor that you wish you had when you were younger. Maybe you call out false allies, or stand up to loved ones. Maybe you speak your truth and drop the mic, or maybe you take it with you when you leave.

This anthology features fictional stories–in poems, prose, and art–that reflect a slice of the varied and limitless ways that readers like you resist every day. TAKE THE MIC’s powerful collection of stories features work by literary luminaries and emerging talent alike, including Newbery-winner Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestseller Samira Ahmed, anthologist and contributor Bethany C. Morrow, Darcie Little Badger, Keah Brown, Laura Silverman, L.D. Lewis, Sofia Quintero, Ray Stoeve, Yamile Mendez, and Connie Sun, with cover and interior art by Richie Pope. — Cover image and summary via Goodreads

The Good Luck Girls (The Good Luck Girls #1) by Charlotte Nicole Davis Westworld meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this stunning fantasy adventure from debut author Charlotte Nicole Davis.

Aster, the protector Violet, the favorite Tansy, the medic Mallow, the fighter Clementine, the catalyst

THE GOOD LUCK GIRLS The country of Arketta calls them Good Luck Girls–they know their luck is anything but. Sold to a “welcome house” as children and branded with cursed markings. Trapped in a life they would never have chosen.

Finally, we’re in the month that brings us Fall. I’m so excited. I’m also ready to take some books off both my physical and electronic TBR shelves. This month I’ve cut back the number of books I’m striving to read this month because it’s my first month back from doing two Nostalgia TBRs back to back.

1. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh-- Retelling the story of “One Thousand and One Nights” is this beloved book that has been sitting on my Kindle for at least two years. I’m finally going to break down and read it. I’m not sure if I’m going to love it but I know Booklr and BookTube went crazy over it when it first came out. 2. Radio Silence by Alice Oseman-- I cannot believe the amount of times people have recommended this book to me. So I finally broke down and bought it. It’s about a studious girl and a quiet boy who make a podcast. I really don’t want to know more going into it.

3. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig-- Not going to lie, I don’t know a ton about this book, but I was told two things that sold me on it: 1) it’s a retelling of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” and 2) it takes place in a manor by the sea. Sold, I’ll take it, wrap it up. I love retellings and when I looked up the story I was so into it. I also had a gift card and that cover is exquisite. 

4. Renegades by Marissa Meyer-- Rereading this in preparation for book three coming out in November. A new take on superheroes and villains we get to see Adrian try to live up to his two super dads and Nova try to take them down from the inside.  5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling-- Continuing on with my Harry Potter reread with the third book in the Illustrated Edition.

6. The Babysitter’s Coven by Kate Williams (NetGalley)-- Said to be a mix of Adventures in Babysitting and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this book is about a coven of babysitting witches who must protect the innocent. 7. Shadow Frost by Coco Ma (NetGalley)-- I’m taking this directly from GoodReads since it’s a new Fantasy series. “When Asterin Faelenhart, Princess of Axaria and heir to the throne, discovers that she may hold the key to defeating the mysterious demon terrorizing her kingdom, she vows not to rest until the beast is slain. With the help of her friends and the powers she wields — though has yet to fully understand — Asterin sets out to complete a single task. The task that countless, trained soldiers have failed. To kill it.”

Snoot smorch for Kenai. :3