Falling Kingdoms, by Morgan Rhodes

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Author: Morgan Rhodes [F] [T] [W]
Publisher: Razorbill [W]
Release Date: December 11, 2012
Format: Hardcover; 412 pages
Series: Falling Kingdoms (Book 1)
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Magic
Avg. Rating: ★★★★✩

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In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power--brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished--and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past--and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

War and politics in a book? Fantasy is sometimes very hit or miss for me - especially when these two themes are prevalent. War? Well, I have to admit that I like a good war story every now and then. Politics? Yeah, not so much. Thankfully, this book has both - so any qualms that I may have about politics is somewhat muted out by the war in the book. Add to this a few minor elements that may have rubbed me the wrong way, and I'll admit that I wasn't sure about this novel as I was reading. However, once I was finished, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with the ample amounts of intrigue that I had with this book. 

Let's start with the not-so-good. As I said before, I'm not too keen on politics. Even with series that I absolutely adore like The Hunger Games, the politics sometimes makes me roll my eyes and wish for a little more of anything BUT politics. There is also the matter of dialogue. This book is categorized as historical fiction and definitely has the feel of something that happened in a different time. However, the dialogue sometimes contradicted that as it felt a little too.. modern. There was just some use of words and phrases uttered that didn't feel as if they were part of the same time period as the setting of the story. 

Aside from those two things, any issues that I may have had with the story were resolved as I was actually reading. The narrative switching perspectives for several characters was a little confusing but got easier as the story progressed. As a matter of fact, I don't think the story would have been as good without the switch of characters. Speaking of characters, I have to say that the four main characters really grated my best, most patient nerves at the very beginning - especially Cleo. However, like the switching around with the points of view, this annoyance disappeared as I delved deeper into the story. These characters actually grew on me quite a bit - all of them, including Cleo. 

The plot of this story was a little unoriginal as I have seen the premise taken on by other authors. HOWEVER, this story can definitely stand on its own two feet (or ends, as it is) quite well. The ending of this story was a bit of a cliffhanger, but in a very good way that keeps the appeal to find out more at an all-time high for me. Overall, this turned out to be a very interesting start to a series that I plan on staying with until the end. 

Rating: ★★★★✩
Source: Gift

Blog Tour Review: All's Fair In Vanities War, by Elizabeth Marx (& Giveaway!)

Salem’s always held sinister secrets. No one understands this better than a sixteen-year-old girl who dies on Halloween night and is reborn a Seer.

The Seer can’t imagine anything worse than being an invisible teenager with enormous black wings. Until she finds out she’s been sacrificed to watch over Locke’s new flame.

Locke Cavanaugh is a Druid, and part of the Order, a clandestine organization entrusted with keeping its members cloaked in the Ordinary world. Physically scarred from the accident that took his girlfriends life, Locke is searching for the OtherWorldly magic that damaged him, because only those without blemish can rule the Order. And once at the helm of the Order he has every intention of finding those responsible for her death.

On the West Coast, Keleigh Flaherty witnesses her parents’ murder by beasts that should only exist in nightmares. She is whisked off to the safety of Salem, where she learns how potent and dangerous her concealed Vate talents are. Keleigh wants to be Ordinary, but when her mother reaches out from the OtherWorld, and implores her to find a forgotten relic she’ll have to use all her ExtraOrdinary powers to locate it.

As Locke and Keleigh join forces, they unravel the Order’s involvement in the witch hysteria and murmurs of a Celtic prophecy. While Locke’s affection for Keleigh blooms, The Seer is torn between her duty to protect Keleigh, and her desire to stop Locke from making the ultimate sacrifice in order to earn Keleigh’s love . . .

But if they don’t find the witches bottle before the ShiningOnes do, someone stalking Keleigh from the shadows will take her instead and plunge all worlds into chaos.

I want to start by saying that after reading this book (which I did a while ago but had to wait for the blog tour to post my review), I knew this could be one of those books where people would either understand it and fall madly in love with it - or they'd just get confused and give up. I've seen both and can understand both sides. Fortunately for me, I fell madly in love with it.

This book is chock full of history, mythology and plot. Add to that it's written from the point of view of the Seer and not necessarily one of the main characters the book focuses on (Keleigh/Locke), you have the potential to be overwhelmed. I think I can safely say this book is not meant to be read quickly or skimmed through - it's intended for those that can sit down and fully immerse themselves in the rich details written on page upon page. If you have that sort of time, then you definitely won't regret it.

There was an amazing cast of characters starring in this book. Keleigh is the sort of girl that just tries to blend in with everyone else, when she truly stands out no matter what she does. Locke is a wild spirit that I honestly can't pin down with just a few words because he is truly everywhere with his personality and emotions. Both Keleigh and Locke's best friends are amazing supporting characters, full of charm and loyalty. Over all of the characters though, I think the Seer was the one that struck me as one of the most intriguing. Perhaps it was because the book was from her POV mostly, but her personality and wit really added another level to the story. It was strange to read the story from a secondary character's perspective, but it also added something unique to the story that I don't think would have been present had the POV from the story been from someone else. And even though the story is told from her POV, the Seer is still something of a mystery that keeps the element of intrigue that isn't necessarily quenched by the end of the story - making it impossible not to want to read more about her.

All's Fair In Vanities War has everything that I could ask for in a great read and I cannot wait to read more. If after reading my review, you're not in the least timid by this book... then I would wholly recommend checking it out.

Rating: ★★★★★
Source: Author

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If you would like to have the chance to win one of TWO e-book copies of All's Fair in Vanities War, simply comment on this review post with a valid e-mail to enter. Winners will be chosen next Wednesday, February 22, 2012.

Would you like the chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card? Head on over to The Seer's Facebook page, leave a comment on the wall with your favorite line from All's Fair in Vanities War and you're automatically entered!

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Title: All's Fair In Vanities War
Author: Elizabeth Marx
Series: The Seer's Seven Deadly Fairy Tales
Publisher: Self-Published
Format: Kindle Edition
Release Date: October 24, 2011

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Mishap & Mayhem Review

Mishap & Mayhem
M.M. Shelley [F][T]

Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: April 3, 2011
Series: Mishap & Mayhem
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: Paperback, 288 pages
Source: Author
Rating: 4/5 (Avg 3.5/5)

For centuries magical beings have hidden in the darkness, waiting. Some good, some evil. A battle is brewing, and only twins, Grasiella and Tatiana, have the power to stop it. It’s the summer of the year 2045, and sixteen year old Grasiella, along with her twin sister, Tatiana plan to visit their grandmother in Hawaii. They have no idea that when they arrive on the island of Kauai, they are about to be drawn into a secret, the secret, of their family’s dark origins and magical powers. On the first day of their arrival, their grandmother is accused of a horrible crime involving a faerie. Whispers have spread throughout the islands about the disappearance of a faerie named Sita Knook and her connection to a mysterious group known only as the Cinerians. Before long, Grasiella and Tatiana are doing battle with ancient races and magical beings. All the while trying to retrieve an ancient stone of power and impress a couple of local surfers, Kana’i and Kye, cousins who have some pretty exciting family secrets of their own. It’s pretty serious stuff for two girls who were planning to spend the summer at the beach getting tans, but then that’s the trouble with secrets, sometimes they just don't stay buried.

This is one of those books where it catches your attention right off the start and doesn't let go until you're closing the book upon completion. The plot was completely unpredictable and had me guessing through the entire book. With every chapter came something new. Every time I tried to sit this book down, I would end up picking it back up moments later just to see what happened next.

The twins, Grasiella and Tatiana, are two great female leads that go out of their comfort zones on many occasions to find answers and fight for the world's salvation. I think the only thing that I didn't see between them was that strong bond that most twins have, but it didn't take away from the story much. All of the characters that were introduced in the book had something to bring to the story, although at times it felt a little overwhelming with so many characters that were introduced - but once that was straightened out, everything else with the reading went swimmingly.

This book is wonderfully written and was jam-packed with magic, mystery and mythology. I absolutely loved living in the world I was introduced to as I was reading the book and cannot wait for its sequel to come out later this year. If you're looking for a good, fast-paced fantasy novel then I would definitely recommend getting yourself a copy of Mishap & Mayhem.

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Ladystar: The Dreamspeaker Review

LadyStar: The Dreamspeaker
W. Scott

Publisher: Palace In The Sky Publishing
Release Date: February 10, 2011
Series: LadyStar Ajan Warriors
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: Kindle
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5/5 (Avg 4/5)

Prepare to do battle with the Greatest Fighting Team of Teenage Girls ever assembled!

Jessica Hoshi is just like any other girl. She loves music, playing in the marching band at school and spending time with her friends. One day, Jessica and her friends visit the Lakeshore Historical Society to take the Tall Ship Tour.

After they get separated from the tour group, Jessica discovers a gem-encrusted Lantern and a magically locked jewelry box below decks in the ship’s hold. A voice from inside the Lantern tells Jessica they are all in great danger. The jewelry box contains priceless stolen artifacts sought by ruthless and evil sorcerers known as Cryptics.

Minutes later, the vessel’s lights flicker to life and the sails fill with an invisible wind. The great ship sails across the lake carrying Jessica and all of her friends through an astral portal to an enchanted land called Aventar.

There, they meet the shadowy arcanist Reina, who tells them they must train at once to become Ajan Warriors. Unless they succeed, the treasures will be lost, and the last hopes of a betrayed people will fade forever.

These are the Adventures of Jessica Hoshi! Her Magical and Mysterious quest to discover the ancient and magnificent legend of the LadyStar begins as she encounters the powerful message of The Dreamspeaker!

Fantasy has always been a hit-or-miss type deal for me. Either I loved the story or I hated it. Really, I’ve never found a middle. I still haven’t found a middle. Why? LadyStar has quickly topped the charts in my “loved it” category.

Chock full of adventure, vivid imagery and fantastic characters, LadyStar: The Dreamspeaker is the type of fantasy book that you just can’t put down once you start reading it. I was hypnotized by the spell that the storyline weaved and stayed securely in its web of magic until I was done, only to sit there for several moments after to bask in the story I had just finished. I may have even drooled a little.

This book did something for me that hasn’t been done in quite some time: it made me feel like a kid again. Not in the way that the story was easy to read with small vocabulary. No, that’s not the case at all. What I mean is that this story literally had me daydreaming, sucked into a world that I could only wish was real. I felt like I was part of the book, part of every single thing that happened… which meant that my heart and emotions were right there with me, being dragged up and down through a maze of emotions that gave a euphoric and almost nostalgic thrill ride that I haven’t been on in some time.

And I wouldn’t be doing this book (or the others) justice if I didn’t mention the website as well. There are many things you can discover just by reading the site, which is full of excerpts, comics and pretty much everything else that will make you nerd out. For a lack of better terms: it’s pretty fabulous.

This book would pretty much be a perfect five for me as far as fantasy goes. Not only is it a great read but it, along with the website, leaves you longing for even more. I cannot wait for more!

** Purchase LadyStar on Amazon here.

The Gods of Dream, by Daniel Arenson

The Gods of Dream
Daniel Arenson

Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: December 21, 2010
Series: N/A
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: Kindle Edition
Source: eBook, Author
Rating: 5/5 (Avg 4/5)

What are dreams? Some think they are figments of our mind. But what if they were wisps of a distant, magical world... a world you could visit?

Twins Cade and Tasha discover Dream, the land dreams come from. It is a realm of misty forests, of verdant mountains, of mysterious gods who send dreams into our sleep. Cade and Tasha seek solace there; they are refugees, scarred and haunted with memories of war. In Dream, they can forget their past, escape the world, and find joy.

Phobetor, the god of Nightmare, was outcast from Dream. Now he seeks to destroy it. He sends his monsters into Dream, and Cade and Tasha find their sanctuary threatened, dying. To save it, the twins must overcome their past, journey into the heart of Nightmare, and face Phobetor himself.

To describe it in one word: fabulous. This story, from start to end, keeps your attention. From the plot to story to characters, there is not one thing about it that doesn't draw you in and keep you there. The language used in the book is nothing short of completely captivating, and [dare I say] lyrical - though I vowed to never use such a word for words in all of my reviews. I can't help it, there's no other way to describe it. As a matter of fact, I've never seen the English language used so eloquently in a long, long time. It was amazing, to say the least.

I couldn't get enough of the characters in this one. They're so formal yet exciting, which I never really thought I could say together. Usually formal characters are a total snooze, but it worked well with this book. Our main characters in this story [twins, Cade and Tasha] come from a sad story and feel damaged in the beginning. However, they prove their worth in gold throughout the novel. Even though they don't feel like they're fit to save Dream in the beginning, they come through valiantly with courage, strength and so much more.

The other characters fit their parts perfectly in this book, but I think I was more amazed with the settings. The differences between the real world, Dream and Nightmare are vast. Typically with different settings, there are always many similarities and a few minor details that are changed. It's the total opposite with The Gods of Dream. Each is unique and you never get confused where the characters may be throughout the story.

I can't say enough good things about this story. From beginning to end, it has you on an emotional roller coaster that never seems to let up - especially the opening and closing chapters. The ending was a little predictable for me, BUT it wasn't even about the ending because I was still too caught up in all of the adventure throughout the book getting to that point. The writing is impeccable and a complete work of art. Even though it's not marked as so, I think this would be a great story for the older YA readers and it is a MUST READ for fantasy lovers. If you love Tolkien, you'll definitely want to give The Gods of Dream a try. I don't normally compare authors, but I have to make an exception in this case because it is THAT good!

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Review: Warped, by Maurissa Guibord

Warped
Maurissa Guibord
Hardcover, 352 pages
Delacorte (1/11/11)
Rating: (Avg 4.0)

Tessa doesn't believe in magic. Or Fate. But there's something weird about the dusty unicorn tapestry she discovers in a box of old books. She finds the creature woven within it compelling and frightening. After the tapestry comes into her possession, Tessa experiences dreams of the past and scenes from a brutal hunt that she herself participated in. When she accidentally pulls a thread from the tapestry, Tessa releases a terrible centuries old secret. She also meets William de Chaucy, an irresistible 16th-century nobleman. His fate is as inextricably tied to the tapestry as Tessa's own. Together, they must correct the wrongs of the past. But then the Fates step in, making a tangled mess of Tessa's life. Now everyone she loves will be destroyed unless Tessa does their bidding and defeats a cruel and crafty ancient enemy.

The first thing that attracted me to this book was the cover. It's very unique and a definite attention grabber for me. Then, while reading the blurb, "unicorn" stuck out like a sore thumb. Although I knew from the beginning that an actual unicorn would take a small role (ie- not many scenes) in the book, there is still a unicorn in the story. My inner ten-year-old demanded that I read it. I wasn't disappointed in the least. In fact, I was surprised at how dimensional the story was and how fascinating everything seemed to weave together.

Tessa is an incredible character. Her willingness to defy pretty much anyone to help William was a great feat for her. I also loved her witty dialogue. Some of the most enjoyable parts for me was when she talked to herself as she tried to psyche herself out of doing something. In some stories, this can get tedious and dull, oftentimes making the character look weak. For Tessa, it was the opposite. It was almost endearing. Speaking of endearing: Tessa's friendship with Opal was flawless. Opal was that best friend that every girl needs in her life - completely trustworthy, bluntly honest and always there for you no matter what. I am so sick of reading about a best friend that turns on the main character... it was refreshing to see the opposite in this. William de Chaucy was yet another extremely strong character. He was arrogant a first, but quickly redeemed himself. His protectiveness over Tessa, even when he knew who she had been and what she had done, was very sweet. His character, as well as the interaction between him and Tessa, seemed very genuine and never forced. I loved watching the love blossom between the two. The Three Fates and Gray Lily also played extremely important roles in the story. They were all incredibly written, each with a voice of their own - each bringing their own intrigue into the story. Gray Lily was a wickedly evil antagonist who you couldn't help love to hate.

Although I could go on and on about the characters, I have to say that Warped was definitely a plot-driven book for me. I'm amazed and awed how flawlessly Maurissa put together the past and the present in the story. The scenes of the past enhanced your knowledge of the present at just the right points so you understood what was going on, without all of the chaos of getting scenes mixed up and you don't leave the story feeling completely dazed and confused. The ending twisted my emotions up into a ball into the very last moment, but in a good way.

All in all, I loved this book. If you're a YA reader who is a fan of fantasy, this is one you'll have to pick up.

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