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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
First, I’d like to thank you to NetGalley and DL Grant,LLC for the ARC.
Rising Sun has a compelling story that had me interested in what was to come. Set in a fantasy world where humans and elves coexist within a realm, the story follows a female human and male elf. The third person POVs jumped back and forth between the two characters.
Yasmin is captured by the DIA, a seemingly governmental faction similar to real-world CIA. She is forced to help the elf, Ravi, to complete his mission, as she is the only living being who has ever escaped the compound where he must retrieve a bomb. The DIA became aware of the bomb that would put them at war with the neighboring Dragon faction. Yasmin and Ravi must work together to neutralize the problem, but first need to travel by foot to the location. Yasmin has a severe distrust of elves from her past. It is revealed throughout their journey to the compound how Yasmin was abused by her former elf family and captors. In the beginning, Ravi doesn't trust her because he likes to work alone and has been betrayed in the past. I am unsure why Ravi dislikes humans so much other than an overlying arc of elf-to-human racism that is present for the entirety of the text. Through circumstances that brought them together during their journey, they do actually come together in the end.
While the storyline is interesting and kept me wanting to know more, I had a difficult time with the writing style. The sentence structure was very choppy and leaned on telling rather than showing. There was a lot of "and then, and then, and then" feelings when I was reading. I felt like I was being taken through their motions, but not actually gaining any insight. I could not tell you what Yasmin looks like aside from blue eyes and dark hair. At one point, it is said that she is attractive, but I didn't see any other evidence to show this. Based on each character's past, I found it difficult to believe that these two characters would actually fall for one another. I believe the whole timeframe spans about two weeks. It was difficult to follow the timeline as scenes jump around and then slow down to more detail. ...detail that didn't really tell or show me anything.
Unfortunately, I really struggled to finish this book even though I was interested in this story.
Rising Sun has a compelling story that had me interested in what was to come. Set in a fantasy world where humans and elves coexist within a realm, the story follows a female human and male elf. The third person POVs jumped back and forth between the two characters.
Yasmin is captured by the DIA, a seemingly governmental faction similar to real-world CIA. She is forced to help the elf, Ravi, to complete his mission, as she is the only living being who has ever escaped the compound where he must retrieve a bomb. The DIA became aware of the bomb that would put them at war with the neighboring Dragon faction. Yasmin and Ravi must work together to neutralize the problem, but first need to travel by foot to the location. Yasmin has a severe distrust of elves from her past. It is revealed throughout their journey to the compound how Yasmin was abused by her former elf family and captors. In the beginning, Ravi doesn't trust her because he likes to work alone and has been betrayed in the past. I am unsure why Ravi dislikes humans so much other than an overlying arc of elf-to-human racism that is present for the entirety of the text. Through circumstances that brought them together during their journey, they do actually come together in the end.
While the storyline is interesting and kept me wanting to know more, I had a difficult time with the writing style. The sentence structure was very choppy and leaned on telling rather than showing. There was a lot of "and then, and then, and then" feelings when I was reading. I felt like I was being taken through their motions, but not actually gaining any insight. I could not tell you what Yasmin looks like aside from blue eyes and dark hair. At one point, it is said that she is attractive, but I didn't see any other evidence to show this. Based on each character's past, I found it difficult to believe that these two characters would actually fall for one another. I believe the whole timeframe spans about two weeks. It was difficult to follow the timeline as scenes jump around and then slow down to more detail. ...detail that didn't really tell or show me anything.
Unfortunately, I really struggled to finish this book even though I was interested in this story.
This was a fun audiobook to listen to. The adventure Yasmin and Ravi went on to retrieve a device meant to start a war was pretty enthralling. They start out as enemies being forced to work together and the author did a great job of showing the gradual growth between these two characters. Hearing about the place Yasmin was held captive and then seeing the things happening when she is forced to go back there was appalling. I got so angry on the victims behalf that I need to see this place dismantled as badly as Yasmin does. It's safe to say I am hooked on the start of this series and I can't wait to see where it will go.
Oh wow Donna did it again with the Elven being the center stage in the new side series on Zora. You don't want to miss this installment.
New couples:
Yaz who is human with some abilities and Ravi a Sun Elf Special Agent . This was a slow burn and they both had to trust each other on a mission where Yaz was forced to help Ravi.
Donna does a wonderful job with the world building and the different groups of elves. I'm so interested in Manu a Mountain elf and of course Dain a Dark Elf.
Oh boy we get the villains Gita a Moon Elf and another who I kinda question he motivates.
I can't wait to see where this series takes off. We get an appearance of Kendrick and Eshe
I'm going to listen to the audiobook when it gets released.
New couples:
Yaz who is human with some abilities and Ravi a Sun Elf Special Agent . This was a slow burn and they both had to trust each other on a mission where Yaz was forced to help Ravi.
Donna does a wonderful job with the world building and the different groups of elves. I'm so interested in Manu a Mountain elf and of course Dain a Dark Elf.
Oh boy we get the villains Gita a Moon Elf and another who I kinda question he motivates.
I can't wait to see where this series takes off. We get an appearance of Kendrick and Eshe
I'm going to listen to the audiobook when it gets released.
medium-paced
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
MMC is an emotional coward. Too much adventure, not enough romance. Needed more showing, less telling. Characters didn't have dimension.
Just couldn’t get into audiobook. Might try physical book at some point
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Incredible!
Ravi is a Sun Elf and he has been given a mission to get a bomb that will be used to attack the Dragons and start a war. To do that, they need to get into Shaldorn, which is impossible unless you know someone. That someone is Yasmin who is a human, and yet something more, who was basically imprisoned there to serve as needed but she had escaped. She doesn’t want to help them but she really has no choice. They have to travel through dangerous mountains and extreme cold to get there with more than a few close calls. During that time, Ravi and Yasmin develop feelings for each other but she feels there is no way she is getting out of there alive. Will either of them make it and if they do, at what cost? It was an incredible story.
Ravi is a Sun Elf and he has been given a mission to get a bomb that will be used to attack the Dragons and start a war. To do that, they need to get into Shaldorn, which is impossible unless you know someone. That someone is Yasmin who is a human, and yet something more, who was basically imprisoned there to serve as needed but she had escaped. She doesn’t want to help them but she really has no choice. They have to travel through dangerous mountains and extreme cold to get there with more than a few close calls. During that time, Ravi and Yasmin develop feelings for each other but she feels there is no way she is getting out of there alive. Will either of them make it and if they do, at what cost? It was an incredible story.
Rising Sun - 3.75 ⭐️
Yasmin and Ravi, and human and an elf, are forced to work together as they travel to retrieve a dangerous device before it can be used to end many lives. Yasmin and Ravi do not trust each other, and Yasmin never wanted to return to the horrors of Shaldorn.
Rising Sun is my first Donna Grant read, and now I need to read more! I could tell that there was another book where the world was originally established, but this book had enough information and world building to stand on its own. No need to read those other books first, but I definitely plan to read them now! The repeated use of the word “nay” at the beginning was jarring to me for some reason, so it took me a few days to commit to reading the book. That let up a few chapters in, and I got sucked into the story!
One tent trope in snowy mountains was the best part of the book! The book begins with a list of the types of elves, their physical features, and their traits. I kept going back to reference this info throughout the book. I’m looking forward to exploring more of the world and the other types of elves. A slow burn romance, dangerous heist with high stakes, facing past trauma, and a fun time overall!
Yasmin and Ravi, and human and an elf, are forced to work together as they travel to retrieve a dangerous device before it can be used to end many lives. Yasmin and Ravi do not trust each other, and Yasmin never wanted to return to the horrors of Shaldorn.
Rising Sun is my first Donna Grant read, and now I need to read more! I could tell that there was another book where the world was originally established, but this book had enough information and world building to stand on its own. No need to read those other books first, but I definitely plan to read them now! The repeated use of the word “nay” at the beginning was jarring to me for some reason, so it took me a few days to commit to reading the book. That let up a few chapters in, and I got sucked into the story!
One tent trope in snowy mountains was the best part of the book! The book begins with a list of the types of elves, their physical features, and their traits. I kept going back to reference this info throughout the book. I’m looking forward to exploring more of the world and the other types of elves. A slow burn romance, dangerous heist with high stakes, facing past trauma, and a fun time overall!
"Rising Sun," the first book in Donna Grant's new Elven Kingdoms series, is an incredible journey into a vibrant fantasy world where elves and humans coexist. This captivating opening installment sets the stage for a remarkable adventure, focusing on Yasmin and Ravi as they embark on a perilous journey through the Dangerous Peaks.
Yasmin, the story's heroine, drew me in with her complexity and the trauma she experienced in Shaldorn. She had every reason to avoid returning to that place, but when she's caught stealing, she has no choice but to make a deal: travel with Ravi to this stronghold or face imprisonment. Ravi, her elven companion, turns out to be equally intriguing, revealing unexpected layers as the story progresses and challenging Yasmin's preconceptions about elves.
The chemistry between Yasmin and Ravi is what really makes the book stand out. At first, they're cautious around each other, but as they face the dangers of their journey, their relationship begins to shift. Donna Grant's writing masterfully captures the slow build of their connection, blending tension, trust, and passion. The romance is subtle yet palpable, adding a deep emotional core to the adventure.
The pacing in "Rising Sun" was spot-on for me. The action scenes are intense and thrilling, while the quieter moments give us a deeper look into the characters' backgrounds and motivations. However, I did find that the world-building in the beginning took some time, which could feel a bit slow for some readers. But once the story got going, I was completely hooked.
Overall, I loved "Rising Sun." Donna Grant has crafted a mesmerizing world filled with complex characters and a storyline that kept me turning the pages. The mix of adventure, romance, and fantasy made it an absolute joy to read, and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the Elven Kingdoms series. If you're a fan of fantasy and love a story with depth and emotion, I highly recommend giving "Rising Sun" a try. I can't wait to see where this series goes next!
ARC Review: Thank you for this opportunity.
Yasmin, the story's heroine, drew me in with her complexity and the trauma she experienced in Shaldorn. She had every reason to avoid returning to that place, but when she's caught stealing, she has no choice but to make a deal: travel with Ravi to this stronghold or face imprisonment. Ravi, her elven companion, turns out to be equally intriguing, revealing unexpected layers as the story progresses and challenging Yasmin's preconceptions about elves.
The chemistry between Yasmin and Ravi is what really makes the book stand out. At first, they're cautious around each other, but as they face the dangers of their journey, their relationship begins to shift. Donna Grant's writing masterfully captures the slow build of their connection, blending tension, trust, and passion. The romance is subtle yet palpable, adding a deep emotional core to the adventure.
The pacing in "Rising Sun" was spot-on for me. The action scenes are intense and thrilling, while the quieter moments give us a deeper look into the characters' backgrounds and motivations. However, I did find that the world-building in the beginning took some time, which could feel a bit slow for some readers. But once the story got going, I was completely hooked.
Overall, I loved "Rising Sun." Donna Grant has crafted a mesmerizing world filled with complex characters and a storyline that kept me turning the pages. The mix of adventure, romance, and fantasy made it an absolute joy to read, and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the Elven Kingdoms series. If you're a fan of fantasy and love a story with depth and emotion, I highly recommend giving "Rising Sun" a try. I can't wait to see where this series goes next!
ARC Review: Thank you for this opportunity.