Kara Linaburg
Christian Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy
{GoodReads}
In all the fairy tales the maiden falls in love with the prince...but she has to remember that this isn’t a fairy tale.
Born into a kingdom where those of magical Gifts are rejected, feared, and even killed, Serena has spent her life striving to hide her ability and keep her younger brother safe.
The bastard son of the hated king and father he hardly knows, Prince Milosh is considered an outcast. He never expects to feel anything but contempt for the peasant girl who unexpectedly shows up in his life, forcing him to answer questions he never wished to ask.
When two very different worlds are thrown together under less than desirable circumstances, both hold deep judgment towards the other. But will they learn to see beyond their stations and birth so that they may defeat the coming darkness, or will labels given to them at birth continue to define them?
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I was provided an ARC (advanced reader copy) by the author in exchange for my honest review.
WARNING: Possible Spoilers!
I was provided an ARC (advanced reader copy) by the author in exchange for my honest review.
WARNING: Possible Spoilers!
{The Basics}
I LOVED being amazed when I find incredible debuts from new authors. This story is no exception! The characters were beautifully broken, flawed, amazing people. The story was easy to follow & engaging, and I so enjoyed the simple concept of the magic system!
Serena has the Gift of fire---she's able to summon flames from her fingertips! But such gifts are widely feared & wholly forbidden. So much so, that those caught or found & labeled 'Marked' (thanks to the tattooed x's on their wrists) are beaten & killed.
I loved Serena's sweet, gentle character. She wasn't your typical, fiesty firebender, despite her fiery Gift, but she is a constant friend & unwavering in standing for what she believes in. It made for a beautiful story!
Serena has the Gift of fire---she's able to summon flames from her fingertips! But such gifts are widely feared & wholly forbidden. So much so, that those caught or found & labeled 'Marked' (thanks to the tattooed x's on their wrists) are beaten & killed.
I loved Serena's sweet, gentle character. She wasn't your typical, fiesty firebender, despite her fiery Gift, but she is a constant friend & unwavering in standing for what she believes in. It made for a beautiful story!
{Violence}
Young boys are taken from their villages to be drafted as soldiers. A character sports bloody gashes. A Marked man is executed before the villagers---his wrists are slashed open by a knife so he bleeds to death.
A woman kills a young maidservant by merely touching her---by using her unique Gift.
Milosh is pretty brutal in how he trains the boys to be soldiers.
A group of Mountain Men (known for their barbaric brutality) take some characters captive. A young man stumbles, cracking his chin on the stony ground---he's bloodied up.
A battle ensues on a beach; a young man lays wounded on sand with eyes closed---we're unsure the extent of his injuries. Another is wounded in the arm, blood running down. A man stabs a baddie in the abdomen but is mortally wounded.
A village is overrun by soldiers & heads are displayed on stakes...
A woman kills a young maidservant by merely touching her---by using her unique Gift.
Milosh is pretty brutal in how he trains the boys to be soldiers.
A group of Mountain Men (known for their barbaric brutality) take some characters captive. A young man stumbles, cracking his chin on the stony ground---he's bloodied up.
A battle ensues on a beach; a young man lays wounded on sand with eyes closed---we're unsure the extent of his injuries. Another is wounded in the arm, blood running down. A man stabs a baddie in the abdomen but is mortally wounded.
A village is overrun by soldiers & heads are displayed on stakes...
{Spiritual Content}
A woman chants a strange language & introduces herself as a sorceress---one of the Marked.
Those who are Gifted are marked by x's tattooed on their wrists. We don't know how or who gave them the tattoos---it seems they have then from birth. Another man has the tattoo of a coiled snake.
At a funeral, the characters take time to say fond farewells.
Those who are Gifted are marked by x's tattooed on their wrists. We don't know how or who gave them the tattoos---it seems they have then from birth. Another man has the tattoo of a coiled snake.
At a funeral, the characters take time to say fond farewells.
{Language // Alcohol & Drugs}
Several uses of "bloody," at least one or two uses of "son of a rat," an unfinished "what the h---", and at least one use of "son of a prig." Possibly an unfinished "d---"...? <---It's unclear and comes from a drunken sailor. Another soldier states at one point, "it's hell on earth---Hell." Another man "mutters curses."
Mountain Men get drunk & rowdy on ale. Pubs. Pipe smoke. Mention of seeing someone smoking some kind of weed.
Mountain Men get drunk & rowdy on ale. Pubs. Pipe smoke. Mention of seeing someone smoking some kind of weed.
{Romantic Content}
The maids call the prince "a right feast for the eyes."
It's said that the present king assaulted Milosh's mother & took the throne---Milosh is called the "bastard son of the king." At one point in rage, Milosh shouts, "I am a bastard! No one accepts me because you raped my mother!"
Mention of soldiers defiling women.
It's said that the city of Acwellen was the definition of immorality. A woman dances in the street with bare belly & ankles showing. Mention of sailors "kissing loose women."
Two young people kiss at least once. At another time, Milosh cups her face in his hands during an intimate conversation.
{Conclusion}
This was a great debut! I enjoyed the story, the characters, & the world---especially Serena!! And Milosh's character was a beautiful picture of shattered brokenness finding true purpose & love. *cue schoolgirl squeal*
Again, I loved this! Such an easy read! It kept me turning the pages to find out what was happening! If you love a good, engaging clean Fantasy---I highly recommend this one. :]
Again, I loved this! Such an easy read! It kept me turning the pages to find out what was happening! If you love a good, engaging clean Fantasy---I highly recommend this one. :]
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Oh my word -- thank you so much!!!!!
ReplyDelete*^ - ^* Absolutely! I so enjoyed it!
DeleteI've been seeing this pop up around and it caught my interest. Now reading your review makes me REALLY want to read it. This sounds totally up my alley! Fantasy and magic and beautiful themes. YES PLEASE. I'll have to remember this one. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! I THINK you'd like this one ^_^
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