Thursday, February 25, 2021

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: The Eyes of Tamburah (Archives of the Invisible Sword #1) by Maria V. Snyder

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two.

This week I'm featuring The Eyes of Tamburah (Archives of the Invisible Sword #1) by Maria V. Snyder. It's another great fantasy from her. I think it's my favorite thing I've read of hers since the Study series. It's so good!

About the Book
'He thinks you are the thief...'

Shyla is a researcher who resides in the underground desert city of Zirdai, which is ruled by the wealthy Water Prince and brutal Heliacal Priestess. Even though Shyla is sun-kissed - an outcast, considered cursed by the Sun Goddess - she is still renowned for uncovering innumerable archaic facts, lost artefacts, ancient maps and obscure historical documents. Her quiet life is about to change when Banqui, an archaeologist, enlists her services to find The Eyes of Tamburah: legendary gemstones that bestow great magic on their wielder. These ancient objects can tip the balance of power and give whoever possesses them complete control of the city.

But chaos erupts when The Eyes are stolen soon after they're found - and Shyla is blamed for the theft. Forced to flee, with the Prince's soldiers and the Priestess's deacons on her trail, Shyla must recover the jewels and clear her name. A quest that will unearth secrets even more valuable than The Eyes of Tamburah themselves...

Book Beginnings
The heat thickened the air in Shyla's room to an uncomfortable level. Sweat slicked her skin and dampened her sleeveless tunic. She adjusted the mirrors to better capture the thin ray of sunlight streaming through a single mirror pipe extruding from her ceiling. Moving another reflective panel until it illuminated the ancient map spread over her table, she resumed her work. The faded ink was barely discernable as it crossed the velbloud skin.

Friday 56
Shyla ran up the side of the dune. Or rather, she tried. Her boots sank into the sand up to her knees, limiting the speed of her ascent. And the sun... Oh the sun... It seared through the fibers of her sun cloak like tiny hot iron pokers. If she didn't know better, she'd swear flames danced on the garment.

What have you been reading lately?

18 comments:

  1. This looks interesting. Here is mine https://moretoodiscover.blogspot.com/2021/02/book-spotlight-fridays-wyatt-by-susan.html

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  2. I might have to add this to my tbr. Thanks for introducing me.

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    1. You're welcome! It's fantastic. Thanks for stopping by, Lauren! :)

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    1. Definitely! Thanks for visiting, Laurel-Rain! :)

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  4. What a fun fantasy book! The beginning reminds me of Tombraider!

    Here's my Friday post. Featuring J. A. Jance.

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    1. It's got a little bit of that vibe going on. So fun! Thanks for coming by, Sassy! :)

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  5. I have heard such good things about Maria V. Snyder's books. This one sounds like a good one. I hope you are enjoying it, Ashley! Have a great weekend!

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    1. No matter what she writes, I seem to love it. It's always so nice to find an author you can trust like that. Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a great weekend too! :)

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  6. Sounds like the makings of a great fantasy!! Happy weekend!

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    1. It's one of the best fantasy books I've read lately. Happy weekend to you too! :)

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  7. Love those excerpts. And Shyla's job sounds kind of awesome. I'm adding this one to my list. :D Have a great weekend, Ashley!

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    1. Her job is so cool! Thanks for stopping by, Lark! Hope you have a great weekend too! :)

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  8. This author was so popular in my library for a while. Glad to know she has a new book and is starting a new series for teen readers to enjoy. My Friday Quotes this week are here

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    1. This was so much better than I even thought it'd be. So good! Thanks for the visit, Anne! :)

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  9. I so enjoyed the Study books and the Galaxy books as well. I think I must have this one, too!

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    1. I think you'd like it since you enjoyed her other books. It's classic Maria V. Snyder. Thanks for stopping by! Happy weekend! :)

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