Tag: high fantasy

Book Review: The Will of the Many (Hierarchy #1) by James Islington

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 630 pages
Author: James Islington
Publisher: S&S/Saga Press
Release Date: May 23rd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.

AUDI. VIDE. TACE.

The Catenan Republic – the Hierarchy – may rule the world now, but they do not know everything.

I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilised society in allowing my strength, my drive and my focus – what they call Will – to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.

I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.

But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.

And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.

To survive, though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me.

And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me.

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

Not reading this book clearly. I am glad this has been rectified. I loved it. If you’re a Red Rising fan, I think this a must to try out too. I saw some small similarities but it is very much its own story and I loved that. I loved the dark academia setting and the Roman influence throughout.

The magic system is really interesting and I love how it wove back into the world building. It’s intricate while being easy to consume and I can’t wait to explore this world more. There were a lot of good twists and reveals that had me on the edge of my seat and I thought the action was written incredibly well.

I loved the audiobook and I’m excited to see where this story continues to go.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Realm Breaker (Realm Breaker #1) by Victoria Aveyard

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 576 pages
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Publisher: Orion Publishing
Release Date: May 4th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Save the world or end it.

A strange darkness is growing in the Ward. Even Corayne an-Amarat can feel it, tucked away in her small town at the edge of the sea.

Fate knocks on her door, in the form of a mythical immortal and a lethal assassin, who tell Corayne that she is the last of an ancient lineage—with the power to save the world from destruction.

Because a man who would burn kingdoms to the ground is raising an army unlike any seen before, bent on uprooting the foundations of the world. With poison in his heart and a stolen sword in his hand, he’ll break the realm itself to claim it. And only Corayne can stop him.

Alongside an unlikely group of reluctant allies, Corayne finds herself on a desperate journey to complete an impossible task, with untold magic singing in her blood and the fate of the world on her shoulders.

ALRIGHT LET’S DO THIS.

This book has a 3.62 average on Goodreads and I’m convinced I read a different book. GRANTED. I am always here for multiple POV’s, complicated plots and villain story lines. Though I swear if this screws me over like Red Queen I will riot.

I thought this was interesting. It’s a complex world with spindle and magic and immortals and kings and queens and I loved how they all worked together. You have some of the usual tropes mixed in with things I didn’t know I needed: aka, the villain romance. YES PLEASE.

There’s so many characters and I liked the beginning of everyone’s story. I can’t wait to see how these further twist and turn over the series. The banter is great, the subtle possible romances have my attention and the found family is definitely building.

I didn’t feel the length of this (could be due to the audio) but I’m also cool with the big books. Can’t wait to see what book two holds!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, battle/war themes

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Book Review: The Great Hunt (The Wheel of Time #2) by Robert Jordan

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Rating: ☆☆☆1/2
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 600 pages
Author: Robert Jordan
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: November 15th, 1990
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

For centuries, gleemen have told the tales of The Great Hunt of the Horn. So many tales about each of th Hunters, and so many Hunters to tell of…Now the Horn itself is found: the Horn of Valere long thought only legend, the Horn which will raise the dead heroes of the ages. And it is stolen.

LONG.

That’s what kept chanting in the back of my mind. This felt long. Almost, do I want to continue this story after? kinda long. Though I give it up to Jordan. By that ending I finally felt invested in the characters. And at long last, necessary pieces of the plot started clicking too.

I think that’s the downfall with long series sometimes. You have to give them grace to lay out the details, but also hope to be captivated by each installment. The hunt for the horn left me following a traveling trope (one of my least favorites) wishing for something more.

The entire cast is growing on me. I liked getting to know them better and seeing more solid story line foundations building for everyone. I’m curious to see how this series keeps expanding.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: some flirting
  • Violence: physical and magical altercations, some blood/gore depiction, loss of loved ones

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Book Review: The High King’s Tomb (Green Rider #3) by Kristen Britain

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: High Fantasy
Length: 680 pages
Author: Kristen Britain
Publisher: DAW
Release Date: November 1st, 2007
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

For Karigan G’ladheon, the call of magic in her blood is too strong to resist. Karigan returns to the Green Riders, the magical messengers of the king, to find she’s badly needed. Rider magic has become unstable, many Riders have been lost, and the Rider corps is seriously threatened. The timing couldn’t be worse. An ancient evil, long dormant, has reawakened, and the world is in peril. Karigan must face deadly danger and complex magic to save the kingdom from certain doom.

BEST [YET].

Didn’t realize that this would almost bring me to tears by the end. OH STAR CROSSED LOVERS. Such a tensely filled trope.

I love Karigan! She is strong and incredibly in tune with things around her. I like how she takes on danger and takes down opponents. But also, that Karigan is filled with flaws and is continually practicing at things she struggles with. I love a nuanced character you truly want to cheer for.

The romance is definitely not at the forefront of this story, but we all know I love a good dash and this is no exception. Karigan and Spoiler might run me absolutely ragged by the end of this series. WE’LL SEE.

Once again the audio book is amazing. I feel attached to many of the characters and love the every changing points-of-view that provide different angles to this very large plot. Some questions were answered and more were added. A new favorite for this series for me and I can’t wait to read the next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • High fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Violence: physical and magical altercations; blood depiction
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, torture, loss of loved ones, war themes

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