Hello book dragons, hope you’re all having a fantastic Halloween weekend so far. Today’s blog post is my second BBNYA semi-finalist spotlight tour for 2025. Now spooky season is coming to a close, its time to put the horror books down (for now) and check out Alex Robin’s fantasy epic: The City of Mist and Tears (Mother of Sorrow, Book 1).

What is the BBNYA?

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

Page Count: 339 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Age Category: Adult
Date Published: December 5, 2024
Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/crBWXuy (Canada) https://a.co/d/7FO3iuG (USA) https://amzn.eu/d/52zJCsv (UK)
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216998652-the-city-of-mist-and-tears
The Story Graph Link: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/27f0a13e-4975-46aa-8ad2-181fc7fe2745

Book Blurb:

“Keselgraad. A city of iron and stone, rising from the mist-shrouded wasteland to pierce the pallid clouds. A colossal man-made mountain stretching a mile high, from the blood-stained alleyways of the Slums to the crystal-studded spire of the Church of the Mother, whose amethyst shards shine brighter than any star.

Keselgraad. Both a haven and a prison. There is no way in. No way out. For the city is under constant assault from an enemy that is as relentless as it is indomitable; a raging sea of churning white that encircles the crumbling walls in its cold embrace. Only the radiance of the Mother can stem the ravenous tide. Only the shield of her faith can keep her citizens safe.

But there is a secret hidden deep within the ancient, decrepit heart of Keselgraad. It is whispered in the darkness of the underground galleries. Scratched into the mud. Etched into the stone.

The crystals are failing.
Their light is dying.

And without their protection, the Mists will be free to enter Keselgraad. To gorge themselves on the flesh of a thousand helpless souls. To drain the life from every last living being; man, woman, and child.

Until the city becomes a tomb.”