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The Ghost’s Gambit
The Ghost’s Gambit, the third installment in Stephanie Cotta’s Iron Kingdom series, sweeps readers back into the dark, perilous world of the Iron Kingdom, where rebellion burns quietly under the thumb of a brutal empire. The story picks up in the midst of chaos, rebels fleeing through snow, soldiers in pursuit, loyalties torn to pieces. Author Stephanie Cotta crafts a world that is both cruel and tender, filled with haunted warriors, hidden magic, and fragile hope. The narrative follows a cast of complex characters, Wraiths, Conjurers, and outlaws, each wrestling with their own ghosts as they defy a king who seeks to crush them. It’s a tale of defiance, sacrifice, and the flickering light that refuses to die in the shadow of tyranny.
Cotta’s writing moves with fierce rhythm, sometimes sharp as steel, other times soft as snowfall. Her descriptions pull you straight into the fight, the clang of metal, the sting of regret, the ache of loss. What struck me most wasn’t just the action, though it’s thrilling, but the intimacy of the quiet moments in between. When Rowan bleeds for his brother, or Tahira whispers spells through tears, or Akaran faces the cost of vengeance, it hits hard. The book isn’t afraid to show how grief shapes courage, or how love can bloom even when surrounded by blood and ruin. I found myself caring deeply for these characters, even when they stumbled, even when they broke.
The pace shifts swiftly, cutting one moment and lingering the next. There are scenes where the prose leans into drama, yet I couldn’t fault it because it felt honest to the pain the story carries. The dialogue has a rawness that fits the world’s brutality, and while the lore is dense, it rewards you for paying attention. What really lingered with me was the emotional weight beneath the battles. This isn’t just a fantasy about swords and sorcery; it’s about forgiveness, loyalty, and the ghosts we carry when the fight is done.
The Ghost’s Gambit is a story that grips you and doesn’t let go, yet somehow leaves a quiet warmth behind. I’d recommend it to readers who crave epic fantasy with heart, especially those who love stories like Throne of Glass or Mistborn but want something cleaner in tone and more focused on the ties between family and faith. It’s dark, yes, but not hopeless. If you like your fantasy with both grit and grace, this book is worth every page.
Pages: 430 | ISBN : 978-1957656946
Hope Can Be Hard
Shadow of Hope follows a woman caught in a love triangle who has to choose between love and her obligations. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story is a reflection of the ways that I feel God speaks to people in different ways, and that was the primary motivation before I thought up the characters. I wanted a dynamic between three characters to contrast in those experiences with what I call “The Spirits” in my story. I wanted young girls to see the main character struggle with something that they might experience–the fight between desire and obligation and to hopefully relate to her struggle.
What was your favorite character to write for, and why? Was there a scene that captured the character’s essence?
I truly don’t know if I can pick a favorite between Kalista, Luke, and Raine. The story is told between their points of view, and each of them has a unique personality. If I had to choose, I think Raine was the most fun to write for. I love the scene where Luke and Raine argue in the hallway outside Kalista’s room as she sleeps. In that scene, midway through the book, Luke demonstrates his confidence, and Raine stands up to him for the first time in a way that changes the game.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Friendship is a theme throughout the series. In the first book there is a lot of turmoil in the friendship department, but in the series, it becomes an important healing point. Hope is a major theme of this book as well. The idea that hope can be hard is something that not a lot of people realize, but we see these characters struggle with hope in a way that hurts but still clinging to it despite the pain.
Can you tell us a little about where the story goes in book two and when the novel will be available?
Dark forces are still at large, and Kalista and her friends will start to seek answers to how they can save the Krasiv Isles from the Rogue Spirits. We start to see that there is much more going on in Valanche than Kalista’s peaceful kingdom realizes, and while they must seek answers, Kalista is trying to win back the heart of the man she wants at her side. The second book has some shocking revelations as each character deals with their own set of personal struggles. The second book should be available in May 2025.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon
SHE WAS THE MARK.
THE GIRL I’D VOWED TO PROTECT WHEN I BECAME THE SHADOW…
Was the next name on Mahan’s list, and it had me questioning everything. It had been seven years since I’d seen her, and now she was betrothed to Captain Luke Ramsey. She would never choose me over him, and she shouldn’t. He was an accomplished captain with the world at his fingertips. I was an orphan with a shady past. I had nothing to offer her but lies about who I was and apologies I hoped she’d never know she deserved. Even so, two things were keeping a small spark of my hope alive. One was the way Kalista looked at me. The other was the way she looked at him. If I was seeing clearly, she didn’t love him. I remembered how she looked at me when she saw me in the stables. I had seen it in her eyes. Delight.
LITERARY TITAN 