10 must-read SFF books to cuddle up with this November

Girls of Storm and Shadow – Natasha Ngan

The highly-anticipated sequel to Natasha Ngan’s best-selling Girls of Paper and Fire, this novel pretty much picks up right where the first left off. Concubines turned lovers Lei and Wren have escaped the Demon King’s compound, but their story is only beginning. The two join up with Wren’s father, a dedicated general who’s building an army to take back the kingdom from those who would abuse its Paper-class citizens.

Lei and Wren find themselves part of a group heading to neighboring clans to solidify support to stand against the king. And, let’s just say straight off, their journey does not entirely go according to plan.

Girls of Storm and Shadow is a YA sequel worthy of your attention, full of new characters, heartbreaking twists, and shocking secrets. By moving the story out of the palace compound, Ngan introduces us to new areas of Ikara, different sorts of characters and greatly widens the world of these novels. By the time you get to the end, you’ll just want the third installment in your hands.

The novel’s synopsis offers a bit more detail about what to expect.

"Lei, the naive country girl who became a royal courtesan, is now known as the Moonchosen, the commoner who managed to do what no one else could. But slaying the cruel Demon King wasn’t the end of the plan—it’s just the beginning. Now Lei and her warrior love Wren must travel the kingdom to gain support from the far-flung rebel clans. The journey is made even more treacherous thanks to a heavy bounty on Lei’s head, as well as insidious doubts that threaten to tear Lei and Wren apart from within. Meanwhile, an evil plot to eliminate the rebel uprising is taking shape, fueled by dark magic and vengeance. Will Lei succeed in her quest to overthrow the monarchy and protect her love for Wren, or will she fall victim to the sinister magic that seeks to destroy her?"

Girls of Storm and Shadow is available on November 5.