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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
"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.
This starts off exceptionally slow and very similar to a lot of romantasy on the market right now, but once it picks up, it is so fun! I loved both of the main characters, who are worth rooting for (rare in the genre where wo many female main characters are flat or stupid). Shane East does the narration and as always he killed it
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Nothing much to say ! Just a solid romance book
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
I started this with very low expectations. I finished it absolutely amazed and invested. I will definitely have to check out the rest of the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have been so excited to read this book since the first appearance of elves in Donna Grant’s dragon world. This is a new series that dives headlong into a diverse world of elves that is absolutely fascinating. This story has enemies to lovers with heat, it has found family, it has action and adventure. I loved it. I can’t wait for more books that delve into to each caste of elve in this world.
For fans of:
- Blood and Steel
- Bound to the Shadow Prince
"The Rising Sun" follows two reclusive survivors as their circumstances force them together on a quest to retrieve a bomb before it is used to trigger a race war. Despite their personal prejudices and total unwillingness to work as a team, they must battle through a frozen tundra and their own demons if they ever want to reach Shaldorn, the nightmarish crime city, and prevent a war that could kill hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians.
This book includes:
- a quest through a wretched, frozen landscape
- a forced partnership between a human and an elf
- near-death experiences
- trauma and PTSD
- crime lords and secretive syndicate fighting against bad players
- a sort of heist
- elves, dragon shifters, and humans
- TW: images of torture
I enjoyed "Rising Sun." It was well written and the characters felt real and relatable. Yasmin really captured my heart with her endless empathy despite everything she had gone through. The pacing was well done and I was engaged throughout the entire book.
I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Donna Grant, and Tantor Audio for the opportunity to review this book.
- Blood and Steel
- Bound to the Shadow Prince
"The Rising Sun" follows two reclusive survivors as their circumstances force them together on a quest to retrieve a bomb before it is used to trigger a race war. Despite their personal prejudices and total unwillingness to work as a team, they must battle through a frozen tundra and their own demons if they ever want to reach Shaldorn, the nightmarish crime city, and prevent a war that could kill hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians.
This book includes:
- a quest through a wretched, frozen landscape
- a forced partnership between a human and an elf
- near-death experiences
- trauma and PTSD
- crime lords and secretive syndicate fighting against bad players
- a sort of heist
- elves, dragon shifters, and humans
- TW: images of torture
I enjoyed "Rising Sun." It was well written and the characters felt real and relatable. Yasmin really captured my heart with her endless empathy despite everything she had gone through. The pacing was well done and I was engaged throughout the entire book.
I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Donna Grant, and Tantor Audio for the opportunity to review this book.
“Rising Sun,” by Donna Grant
When Yasmin is caught stealing, she is given a choice, imprisonment or take Ravi over the Dangerous Peaks to Shaldorn. Despite her fear of going back to that place she agrees to take him but to try to escape as soon as possible. They continue to get closer during the expedition, complicating Yasmin’s original plans.
This was a really good romance book. I loved the mashup with elves, humans, and dragons. There was enough action and world building that it wasn’t just a romance and was interesting to imagine. The romance is very enemies to lovers and passionate with internal turmoil. I really like all the books by Donna Grant that I’ve read, and this one didn’t disappoint. I had the audiobook version, and the narration was really good and paced really well. 4 out of 5 stars.
-Elves
-Humans
-Dragons
-Magic
-Enemies To Lovers
-Forced Proximity
Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.
When Yasmin is caught stealing, she is given a choice, imprisonment or take Ravi over the Dangerous Peaks to Shaldorn. Despite her fear of going back to that place she agrees to take him but to try to escape as soon as possible. They continue to get closer during the expedition, complicating Yasmin’s original plans.
This was a really good romance book. I loved the mashup with elves, humans, and dragons. There was enough action and world building that it wasn’t just a romance and was interesting to imagine. The romance is very enemies to lovers and passionate with internal turmoil. I really like all the books by Donna Grant that I’ve read, and this one didn’t disappoint. I had the audiobook version, and the narration was really good and paced really well. 4 out of 5 stars.
-Elves
-Humans
-Dragons
-Magic
-Enemies To Lovers
-Forced Proximity
Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.