Tag: young adult fantasy

Book Review: Children of Ragnarok (Runestone Saga #1) by Cinda Williams Chima

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy / Retelling
Length: 544 pages
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Publisher: Balzer + Bay
Release Date: November 8th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sweeping adventure, breathtaking twists of fate, and immersive worlds based in Norse mythology are woven into this first volume of the Runestone Saga, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Seven Realms and Shattered Realms series.

Ever since Ragnarok—the great war between the gods and the forces of chaos–the human realm of the Midlands has become a dangerous place, bereft of magic, where most lead lives of desperation.

Sixteen-year-old Eiric Halvorsen is among the luckier ones. Between fishing, going vikingr, and working his modir’s farm, the family has remained prosperous. But Eiric stands to lose everything when he’s convicted by a rigged jury of murdering his modir and stepfadir. Also at risk is his half-systir, Liv, whose interest in seidr, or magic, has made her a figure of suspicion. Then a powerful jarl steps in: He will pay the blood price if Eiric will lead a mission to the fabled Temple at the Grove—the rich stronghold of the wyrdspinners, the last practitioners of sorcery.

Spellsinger, musician, and runecaster Reggin Eiklund has spent her life traveling from town to town, performing at alehouses all for the benefit of her master, Asger, the fire demon she is desperate to escape. Then after one performance that amazes even Reggin herself, two wyrdspinners in the audience make her an irresistible offer: return with them to the temple to be trained in seidr, forever free of Asger.

Eiric, Liv, and Reggin’s journeys converge in New Jotunheim, the site of the Temple at the Grove, a paradise fueled by magic. They soon realize that a great evil lurks beneath the dazzling surface, and that old betrayals and long-held grudges may fuel another cataclysmic war. It will require every gift and weapon at their command to prevent it.

GREAT SERIES STARTER.

I have missed reading Chima’s books!!! I am a super fan of the Seven Realms series and I was so happy to get my hands on her newest saga.

This had all of the hallmark things I love about YA fantasy and all the things I needed to feel convinced to get my hands on the next book. I love all of these characters and the background and layout we have for them. It’s a full cast with multiple points of view and a wonderfully woven storyline that I can’t wait to see further connections arise.

I loved the mythology aspects and Nordic lore. It has the epic vibes of an the best kind of reading escapism. They’re a lot of characters that I can’t wait to know more about. Eiric, Reggin, Liv and more. This book is scratching the surface of what’s going to be an intense ride.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, near death experiences, physical altercations, weapons altercations, small scale battles

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Book Review: Crimson Reign (Blood Heir Trilogy #3) by Amélie Wen Zhao

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Rating: ★★★☆ (3.5)
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 496 pages
Author: Amélie Wen Zhao
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: March 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

For fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Six of Crows comes the thrilling conclusion to the Blood Heir trilogy. A princess with a dark secret must ally with a con man to liberate her empire from a reign of terror in this epic fantasy retelling of the Anastasia story.

The Red Tigress, Anastacya Mikhailov, has lost the gift she was only beginning to realize defined her. Stolen from her during the battle in Bregon, her blood Affinity rests with Sorsha Farrald, a dangerous Affinite who is on the run, headed staright to Cyrilia and to Ana’s aunt…the Empress Morganya.

Though she is weakened, Ana’s course remains true–yet her return to her homeland reveals a Cyrilia on the brink of collapse. Morganya’s tyrannical rule has transformed into a sinister quest for unquestioned authority, and she has set her sights far beyond Cyrilia. Morganya seeks a legendary ancient power, rumored to have once belonged to the Deities themselves. If she can locate it, she can rule the world.

What’s more, Ana’s allies, the insurgent Affinite rebels known as the Redcloaks, no longer support her. For their allegiance is with the people–and there can be no equality with a monarchy.

Ana faces enemies at every turn, and every day without her Affinity brings her closer to death. Yet she is determined to liberate her people and vanquish the legacy of her own imperial bloodline–the inequality sewn into the fabric of her land. Her only hope lies in the navy she recruited in Bregon, the courage of her band of friends, and the cunning crime-lord-turned-captain she’s fallen for.

If Ana loses this fight, it will be her last. And Morganya’s reign of darkness with consume the world.

NOT EVERYTHING I HOPED FOR.

*sigh* I always hate feeling let down by the last book in a series. This was fine, but not the stellarness I was hoping for.

One of my biggest pet peeves here was the separation of the main couple. Ana and Ramson were separated for WAY TOO LONG. The first half was sooooo slow because of the gathering armies scenes. There wasn’t enough intrigue here and it felt repetitive until everyone was at last together. I just would have preferred more screen time between certain characters.

I definitely wanted to throw the book at the main character a time or two for how she was handling her relationship with Ramson too. Some very YA heroine decisions that popped up here that I generally enjoy not having around.

The second half was much better. I loved all of the action with Morganya and how those final battle scenes played out. There was a clear point to this story and I like that it didn’t waver into random territory. Ana and crew were a one track mind to help save her country and push it towards a better future. Linn was a big shine for this book and I loved her POV’s. She grew SO MUCH and it was a beautiful progression for her. I loved how she found strength within herself and made critical decisions in the end.

A mixed bag, but I would definitely still be interested in future books from this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: mild+
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: torture, loss of loved ones, battle scenes, weaponry, physical and magical altercations

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Book Review: Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy + Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Rebecca Ross
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: June 23rd, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the author of The Queen’s Rising comes a thrilling YA stand-alone fantasy about the unbreakable bond between sisters. Perfect for fans of Ember in the Ashes, Sky in the Deep, and Court of Fives.

After eight long years, Evadne will finally be reunited with her older sister, Halcyon, who has been proudly serving in the queen’s army. But when Halcyon appears earlier than expected, Eva knows something has gone terribly wrong. Halcyon is on the run, hunted by her commander and charged with murder.

Though Halcyon’s life is spared during her trial, the punishment is heavy. And when Eva volunteers to serve part of Halcyon’s sentence, she’s determined to find out exactly what happened. But as Eva begins her sentence, she quickly learns that there are fates much worse than death.

SISTER SISTER.

Oddly enough, I have just previously finished a book where two sisters didn’t like each other and that was never explained well. Thank heavens for this book that instead brought sisters together in an absolutely beautiful way and showcased the power of that kind of bond.

I am really coming to love Rebecca Ross’s writing style and this is my new favorite YA book by her. I loved the plot and world building and all of the little nuanced magical details that brought everything together. Both sisters, Evadne and Halycon have POV’s and are one of kind women on their own. I love strong FMC’s and that is heavily present throughout.

There’s even a little dash of romance in Evadne’s character arc and I thought it wove in well to the overall storyline. I really liked the love interest and the complexity of his character too.

As a theme of forgiveness, strength, and found family emerge I quickly became invested in all aspects. Some great emotional moments towards the end where the action leaves you flipping pages as fast as you can. And I loved the way the ending wrapped up!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: accidental murder, poisoning, battle themes, physical and magical altercations, loss of loved ones

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Book Review: The Dragon’s Promise (Six Crimson Cranes #2) by Elizabeth Lim

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 482 pages
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: August 30th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A journey to the kingdom of dragons, a star-crossed love, and a cursed pearl with the power to mend the world or break it…

Princess Shiori made a deathbed promise to return the dragon’s pearl to its rightful owner, but keeping that promise is more dangerous than she ever imagined.

She must journey to the kingdom of dragons, navigate political intrigue among humans and dragons alike, fend off thieves who covet the pearl for themselves and will go to any lengths to get it, all while cultivating the appearance of a perfect princess to dissuade those who would see her burned at the stake for the magic that runs in her blood.

The pearl itself is no ordinary cargo; it thrums with malevolent power, jumping to Shiori’s aid one minute, and betraying her the next—threatening to shatter her family and sever the thread of fate that binds her to her true love, Takkan. It will take every ounce of strength Shiori can muster to defend the life and the love she’s fought so hard to win.

A BIT LETDOWN.

I was hoping that this would be an ending I could fully fall in love with, and while there were some good moments…it also was missing some stuff too.

I really liked the father/daughter relationship. I love seeing a good parental relationship. Also, the BROTHERS. I could read a novella spin off about each one of them and be content with everything. I love their dynamic and the love they clearly show for one another.

The romance could have had a heavier hand. I don’t think the love triangle should have even been used. It just made me sad for one of the characters rather than being satisfied with how things wrapped up.

I was confused by the book defeating the bad guy with 80+ pages left? Things got stagnant at that point and then the ending was a bit lackluster. I felt like it was reminiscent of Daughter of the Moon Goddess but in a lesser manner.

I think I’ll go the library route next time for her books. I always seem to LOVE the first one and then the second is a bit meh.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, battle scenes, demon attacks, physical and magical altercations

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