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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
I'm a mood reader and this book was just too high stakes for the mood that I was in and I couldn't stay engaged. I may pick it up again at a later date if I'm ever in the mood for a high fantasy
There was so much going on in this story that there wasn't much time to think of anything else. Many of the chapters were very captivating, the world created and the characters' that followed, but sometimes it might have mixed up the mind, if only just a tiny fraction of it. And by that, I mean there are so many characters and backstory, that it does take a little more to unravel it all, placing it all into order. But, only at times, because it all led to the rest of the story and what it all means for everyone involved.
"You will not marry for love, my sweet girl, but you will sacrifice yourself wholeheartedly so that this world may see a day where peace ensues; so that this war will ease itself into the pages of our history."
That's the beginning of all of this, creating the atmosphere for everything that is to follow, which is a tailspin of a story. With many different personalities to keep the reader interested, many battles to be fought, a plethora of diverse characters, and so much more jam packed into one novel. Even if at times their stories got meshed and a bit too intertwined, I still found a good amount of cohesiveness in all of it. Especially when it came to the reason behind everyone's part in all that made Heir of Lies.
"Looking up, he stalked toward the city that once was said to bustle with life, flourish with culture. It was the heart of their country, where trading routes were established with the Shattered Isles, where the first King of Kiero sat on his throne, where the monarchy was built and then destroyed. Now, red and black smears stained the ivory towers."
Adair, Emory, Brokk, and all those in here, grow as the novel continues, becoming so much more than the youth they once were while in the academy. The romance is not a favorite for me though, but that didn't derail the progress of the characters' much when it comes to what needed to be accomplished. It's a fantasy that brings a good amount of magic and lore into this imagined place. Making it easy for the reader to have quick favorites. Glad I was able to delve into this new world.
***I received this copy from MM Books, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
"You will not marry for love, my sweet girl, but you will sacrifice yourself wholeheartedly so that this world may see a day where peace ensues; so that this war will ease itself into the pages of our history."
That's the beginning of all of this, creating the atmosphere for everything that is to follow, which is a tailspin of a story. With many different personalities to keep the reader interested, many battles to be fought, a plethora of diverse characters, and so much more jam packed into one novel. Even if at times their stories got meshed and a bit too intertwined, I still found a good amount of cohesiveness in all of it. Especially when it came to the reason behind everyone's part in all that made Heir of Lies.
"Looking up, he stalked toward the city that once was said to bustle with life, flourish with culture. It was the heart of their country, where trading routes were established with the Shattered Isles, where the first King of Kiero sat on his throne, where the monarchy was built and then destroyed. Now, red and black smears stained the ivory towers."
Adair, Emory, Brokk, and all those in here, grow as the novel continues, becoming so much more than the youth they once were while in the academy. The romance is not a favorite for me though, but that didn't derail the progress of the characters' much when it comes to what needed to be accomplished. It's a fantasy that brings a good amount of magic and lore into this imagined place. Making it easy for the reader to have quick favorites. Glad I was able to delve into this new world.
***I received this copy from MM Books, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Heir of Lies is a crossworlds NA/YA coming of age fantasy (and the first in a series) by Mallory McCartney. Originally released in 2017, this reformat and re-release 21st April 2020 is 456 pages and available in ebook formats (other editions available in other formats). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book (and the second in the series) are currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
It should first be noted that I am emphatically not the target audience, being neither young, nor some would argue, particularly adult. That being said, this is an action packed saga full of never-fully-rendered characters (who blend together confusingly) and none of whom I found particularly sympathetic or agreeable. The book is absolutely *full* of the sort of draaaaaaaaaamaaaaa which I generally avoid wherever possible, and I spent most of the read wanting to bang their heads together, and shaking my own. The writing is competent, but full of the sort of stream of consciousness info dumping which makes books more difficult to read and parse in my experience. There are infinitives split thither and yon along with sentence fragments aplenty. I stopped making notes around page 30 because there were simply too many. The book really does have good bones underneath. The author seems to have a real story to tell, but the narrative needs a ruthless editor (or three). I normally have no trouble with multiple PoV narratives, but with this one I didn't sense any change in style or any demarcation, making the whole quite confusing. (It's also in 3rd person omniscient, which is a strange choice for an multi-PoV book and which never felt like a good fit for the story). There are no chapter-length chapters, just huge rolling sections which go on for what seemed like forever.
I did finish the first volume, and I do love cross realm fantasy and epic fantasy (probably my favorite genre). It was an uphill slog. My epic battle was finishing the book. I do not find myself motivated to seek out the second or (upcoming) third book. For fans of the author, or of young adult drama filled fantasy, it could be a good fit.
Two and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Heir of Lies is a crossworlds NA/YA coming of age fantasy (and the first in a series) by Mallory McCartney. Originally released in 2017, this reformat and re-release 21st April 2020 is 456 pages and available in ebook formats (other editions available in other formats). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book (and the second in the series) are currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
It should first be noted that I am emphatically not the target audience, being neither young, nor some would argue, particularly adult. That being said, this is an action packed saga full of never-fully-rendered characters (who blend together confusingly) and none of whom I found particularly sympathetic or agreeable. The book is absolutely *full* of the sort of draaaaaaaaaamaaaaa which I generally avoid wherever possible, and I spent most of the read wanting to bang their heads together, and shaking my own. The writing is competent, but full of the sort of stream of consciousness info dumping which makes books more difficult to read and parse in my experience. There are infinitives split thither and yon along with sentence fragments aplenty. I stopped making notes around page 30 because there were simply too many. The book really does have good bones underneath. The author seems to have a real story to tell, but the narrative needs a ruthless editor (or three). I normally have no trouble with multiple PoV narratives, but with this one I didn't sense any change in style or any demarcation, making the whole quite confusing. (It's also in 3rd person omniscient, which is a strange choice for an multi-PoV book and which never felt like a good fit for the story). There are no chapter-length chapters, just huge rolling sections which go on for what seemed like forever.
I did finish the first volume, and I do love cross realm fantasy and epic fantasy (probably my favorite genre). It was an uphill slog. My epic battle was finishing the book. I do not find myself motivated to seek out the second or (upcoming) third book. For fans of the author, or of young adult drama filled fantasy, it could be a good fit.
Two and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Disclaimer: I received this book from Rockstar Tours. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 21st, 2018
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, mature scenes)
Pages: 250
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: “The time for Kiero’s reign in prosperity is over.”
Six years before the Black Dawn Rebellion, Adair Stratton and Emory Fae are following in their parent’s footsteps and living at The Academy, a home for those who are gifted. The pressure to uphold the future of their parent’s dream falls on them. An outcast and feared by most, Adair longs to break away from the expectations dictating his future. Even if Emory tries to make him see differently. An unexpected group of friends keep him there, but as whispers of unexplained disappearances start reaching from the capital, Adair starts to doubt The Academy is all it seems.
An unexpected visit ignites new tensions as the roguish king from across the Black Sea, Tadeas Maher of the Shattered Isles, and his heir, Marquis Maher sail to Kiero. Notorious for their pirating and wrath- for the first time in years, they demand the Fae’s listen to their proposition for a new treaty, holding the news of Nei’s father’s abrupt death over them. Caught in the middle of politics- Adair and Emory, with the help of their best friends Brokk and Memphis search for the one thing that matters most- finding out the truth.
In this gripping prequel to Black Dawn, their world is tipped upside down as unlikely alliances are made. War ravages through Kiero and is torn apart by acclaimed Kings. Through the throes of betrayal, lies, hidden magic and love, Adair is faced with a life changing decision- to fight or to bow to the darkness within him.
I felt that this would be the series I would love to read! While this is a prologue, this novella is absolutely beautiful. The characters are well developed and the plot is intriguing. It’s also very well written.
However, I do feel that this book was a bit lengthy at times and it ran a little long for me. I also felt that the pacing was a tad slow in most of the parts of the books.
Verdict: Amazing story and definitely worth the read if you want to read the rest of the series!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 21st, 2018
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, mature scenes)
Pages: 250
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: “The time for Kiero’s reign in prosperity is over.”
Six years before the Black Dawn Rebellion, Adair Stratton and Emory Fae are following in their parent’s footsteps and living at The Academy, a home for those who are gifted. The pressure to uphold the future of their parent’s dream falls on them. An outcast and feared by most, Adair longs to break away from the expectations dictating his future. Even if Emory tries to make him see differently. An unexpected group of friends keep him there, but as whispers of unexplained disappearances start reaching from the capital, Adair starts to doubt The Academy is all it seems.
An unexpected visit ignites new tensions as the roguish king from across the Black Sea, Tadeas Maher of the Shattered Isles, and his heir, Marquis Maher sail to Kiero. Notorious for their pirating and wrath- for the first time in years, they demand the Fae’s listen to their proposition for a new treaty, holding the news of Nei’s father’s abrupt death over them. Caught in the middle of politics- Adair and Emory, with the help of their best friends Brokk and Memphis search for the one thing that matters most- finding out the truth.
In this gripping prequel to Black Dawn, their world is tipped upside down as unlikely alliances are made. War ravages through Kiero and is torn apart by acclaimed Kings. Through the throes of betrayal, lies, hidden magic and love, Adair is faced with a life changing decision- to fight or to bow to the darkness within him.
I felt that this would be the series I would love to read! While this is a prologue, this novella is absolutely beautiful. The characters are well developed and the plot is intriguing. It’s also very well written.
However, I do feel that this book was a bit lengthy at times and it ran a little long for me. I also felt that the pacing was a tad slow in most of the parts of the books.
Verdict: Amazing story and definitely worth the read if you want to read the rest of the series!
wow.
a bit slow and confusing at first but it definitely picked up
I recommend it.
a bit slow and confusing at first but it definitely picked up
I recommend it.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to RockStar Book Tours and MM Books for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.
I swear this book got pretty darn deep when I was reading it. Like, maybe not so much that I was having a crisis or anything like that, but I just had a lot of thoughts about this novel. Good, crazy good thoughts about this. I’m kind of bummed that it comes out in April because then I have to wait even longer for the sequel!
I was already felt so angry for Nei because of the arranged marriage that she had to get into in order to bring peace to her people in the Shattered Isles, and yet even though she was married to the Fae family for a whole freaking year, that didn’t seem to happen. That was in the very beginning of the novel, and I was already heated for her. I could feel how angry she was and how she could have felt like she was failing at her job because even though it was already a year, nothing changed. Her people were being enslaved pretty much, and even with her position as Queen, nobody seemed to care.
This was just such an interesting book, and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to read the first novel early. I hope to reread it again before the second one comes out and then see how the rest of the series plays out.
I swear this book got pretty darn deep when I was reading it. Like, maybe not so much that I was having a crisis or anything like that, but I just had a lot of thoughts about this novel. Good, crazy good thoughts about this. I’m kind of bummed that it comes out in April because then I have to wait even longer for the sequel!
I was already felt so angry for Nei because of the arranged marriage that she had to get into in order to bring peace to her people in the Shattered Isles, and yet even though she was married to the Fae family for a whole freaking year, that didn’t seem to happen. That was in the very beginning of the novel, and I was already heated for her. I could feel how angry she was and how she could have felt like she was failing at her job because even though it was already a year, nothing changed. Her people were being enslaved pretty much, and even with her position as Queen, nobody seemed to care.
This was just such an interesting book, and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to read the first novel early. I hope to reread it again before the second one comes out and then see how the rest of the series plays out.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Unfortunately this book didn't work for me. It didn't connect with me and I found it very confusing and I couldn't understand what was going on for the majority of the time.
There were different POVs in the story that I didn't enjoyed. The story is about Emory but we didn't see her POV.
Also, I couldn't understand the world and the magic system in it.
I liked the writing though.
Maybe I wasn't in the right mood for this book, maybe it isn't for me.
Unfortunately this book didn't work for me. It didn't connect with me and I found it very confusing and I couldn't understand what was going on for the majority of the time.
There were different POVs in the story that I didn't enjoyed. The story is about Emory but we didn't see her POV.
Also, I couldn't understand the world and the magic system in it.
I liked the writing though.
Maybe I wasn't in the right mood for this book, maybe it isn't for me.
While i'm not super familiar with the series, it's always interesting to see how villains become villains. I always enjoy books with great world-building and character development, The plot moves extremely fast and there's nonstop action. Overall not a bad read!