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This was a great first intro to a new author and trilogy. This is the first book I have read by this author. I really appreciated the fast pace without the slow buildup that is found in most fantasy books I have previously read. The author does a phenomenal job of pulling the reader into the story. The problems in this world are revealed as the plot unfolds.
I also appreciate that the heroine is a flawed person. She is very relatable to a lot of people. She doesn’t have the natural talents to work with the spirits of this world. However, she doesn’t let that stop her. She has perseverance and continually tries her hardest even when it would have been easier to just give up. No one, other than her family, was supportive of her striving to reach her goals. She just worked at it harder until she finally found what worked for her.
The author did great reveals as the story progressed. The ending was a little predictable but the how was not. I really enjoyed the journey even with some predictable occurrences, the hows made it worthwhile to read. I would recommend this book.
I also appreciate that the heroine is a flawed person. She is very relatable to a lot of people. She doesn’t have the natural talents to work with the spirits of this world. However, she doesn’t let that stop her. She has perseverance and continually tries her hardest even when it would have been easier to just give up. No one, other than her family, was supportive of her striving to reach her goals. She just worked at it harder until she finally found what worked for her.
The author did great reveals as the story progressed. The ending was a little predictable but the how was not. I really enjoyed the journey even with some predictable occurrences, the hows made it worthwhile to read. I would recommend this book.
Renthia is ruled by a queen who governs the spirits of the land and keeps the humans safe within the vast forest. If she ever loses her control, the spirits wreck havoc and destroy everything in sight. Daleina witnessed this as a child, a survivor of a vicious attack against her small village on the outskirts of the kingdom. She survived because she, too, held power over the spirits. Several girls who show an affinity, like her, are sent to the academy to train to become heirs, to take over the throne when the current queen dies. When Daleina is chosen by Champion Ven to train in the forest, several more attacks on villages take the kingdom by storm, and it's up to them to save the land against its true enemy.
I can't help but think this book is the equivalent of The Hobbit as the future books in this series is to Lord of the Rings. A novel of adventure and magic and epic world-building, a novel hinting at so many wonderful things to come, shedding light on what is going to be -- without a doubt -- a fantastic, atmospheric series.
This contained so many elements I love about fantasy. There's a school to teach young girls how to control their magic (or affinity, the ability to call upon and command nature's spirits), the enemies of the novel are of the natural world (wood spirits, air spirits, earth spirits, water spirits, much like the woods in Uprooted was terrifying), there's a quest without it being one entirely drenched in violence*, and the atmosphere is full of mythological, fairytale qualities. It feels like a real place, like something I've known of since childhood but never fully grasped, much like Hogwarts or Middle Earth or Narnia. And with Durst's writing, I can believe it is real.
*The spirits are quite violent in this novel. Six in particular encase heirs in wooden spheres, crushing them to dust. Being in the mind of one particular heir when this happened really made me cringe. But what I mean by "without it being entirely drenched in violence" is that this is more of an adventure, it takes on a more emotional quality to it without a thirst for bloodshed. Daleina's focus is on unity and understanding. She knows the spirits are malevolent, but she knows they like to destroy and build, and she commands them to create more often than she demands violence. She redirects their energies into something positive, and her efforts are explored throughout the novel. Swordplay, armies, and mindless warfare are not found here!
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was the matriarchal monarchy. A human queen rules the land but, primarily, controls the spirits. She is chosen from a pool of heirs by the spirits themselves. She can be married or single, she can have children or none, she can be of any age as long as she is a recognized heir with the affinity. Such a beautiful concept! A lineage entirely based on magical strength rather than blood-lines or warfare.
There are moments of humor dispersed throughout, along with friendships, camaraderie, familial love, adventure, terror, wonder, and awe. So much was packed into this one novel, no doubt a prologue to the stepping stones of The Queens of Renthia series. I am eager to read the upcoming installments!
I can't help but think this book is the equivalent of The Hobbit as the future books in this series is to Lord of the Rings. A novel of adventure and magic and epic world-building, a novel hinting at so many wonderful things to come, shedding light on what is going to be -- without a doubt -- a fantastic, atmospheric series.
This contained so many elements I love about fantasy. There's a school to teach young girls how to control their magic (or affinity, the ability to call upon and command nature's spirits), the enemies of the novel are of the natural world (wood spirits, air spirits, earth spirits, water spirits, much like the woods in Uprooted was terrifying), there's a quest without it being one entirely drenched in violence*, and the atmosphere is full of mythological, fairytale qualities. It feels like a real place, like something I've known of since childhood but never fully grasped, much like Hogwarts or Middle Earth or Narnia. And with Durst's writing, I can believe it is real.
*The spirits are quite violent in this novel. Six in particular encase heirs in wooden spheres, crushing them to dust. Being in the mind of one particular heir when this happened really made me cringe. But what I mean by "without it being entirely drenched in violence" is that this is more of an adventure, it takes on a more emotional quality to it without a thirst for bloodshed. Daleina's focus is on unity and understanding. She knows the spirits are malevolent, but she knows they like to destroy and build, and she commands them to create more often than she demands violence. She redirects their energies into something positive, and her efforts are explored throughout the novel. Swordplay, armies, and mindless warfare are not found here!
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was the matriarchal monarchy. A human queen rules the land but, primarily, controls the spirits. She is chosen from a pool of heirs by the spirits themselves. She can be married or single, she can have children or none, she can be of any age as long as she is a recognized heir with the affinity. Such a beautiful concept! A lineage entirely based on magical strength rather than blood-lines or warfare.
There are moments of humor dispersed throughout, along with friendships, camaraderie, familial love, adventure, terror, wonder, and awe. So much was packed into this one novel, no doubt a prologue to the stepping stones of The Queens of Renthia series. I am eager to read the upcoming installments!
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
This was such a great read. I loved almost everything about this book. I loved that it was practically a world where women ruled, I loved that Daleina wasn’t automatically perfect. She was so bad at controlling the spirits that, it was really refreshing and somewhat endearing. I also loved that it was really hard for her to get through the academy and an even tougher job to become one of the heirs. I mean we saw her struggle and it just made everything so realistic and I think that’s why the ending was great because against all these odds she still rose to the top of the pyramid. Most importantly I loved how different Aratay was.
“Don't trust the fire, for it will burn you.
Don't trust the ice, for it will freeze you.
Don't trust the water, for it will drown you.
Don't trust the air, for it will choke you.
Don't trust the earth, for it will bury you.
Don't trust the trees, for they will rip you, rend you, tear you, kill you dead.”
The world building in this was done well honestly. The way we got to see how even though the candidates are trained to control the spirits, greed for power will sometimes make it possible for the spirits to control you instead. That was what made the Queen seem very human I think. The way the story is written, the people of renthia and Aratay see her as this superior and untouchable being but from the candidates pov, especially Delaina’s we see how it’s not all what it seems.
What I didn’t like was how Champion Ven behaved when it came to the queen. It was so annoying! I felt like grabbing and shaking him so he’ll come back to his senses. She was so terrible to him, exiled him, intentionally ruined his reputation and yet he still went back to her. He was always making excuses for her even when she didn’t deserve it. I think he also fed into the system of seeing her as this superior being. Then you add the fact that he’s in love with her and this blinded him too much.
Based on that ending, I will definitely be reading the second book. So much happened at the ending in so little time. It’ll definitely be interesting to see how Delena handles this new responsibility since we know she takes a different approach with controlling the spirits it and how hard it all is for her. Also queen Merecot?? I mean I didn’t see that coming but I definitely should have.
“Don't trust the fire, for it will burn you.
Don't trust the ice, for it will freeze you.
Don't trust the water, for it will drown you.
Don't trust the air, for it will choke you.
Don't trust the earth, for it will bury you.
Don't trust the trees, for they will rip you, rend you, tear you, kill you dead.”
The world building in this was done well honestly. The way we got to see how even though the candidates are trained to control the spirits, greed for power will sometimes make it possible for the spirits to control you instead. That was what made the Queen seem very human I think. The way the story is written, the people of renthia and Aratay see her as this superior and untouchable being but from the candidates pov, especially Delaina’s we see how it’s not all what it seems.
What I didn’t like was how Champion Ven behaved when it came to the queen. It was so annoying! I felt like grabbing and shaking him so he’ll come back to his senses. She was so terrible to him, exiled him, intentionally ruined his reputation and yet he still went back to her. He was always making excuses for her even when she didn’t deserve it. I think he also fed into the system of seeing her as this superior being. Then you add the fact that he’s in love with her and this blinded him too much.
Based on that ending, I will definitely be reading the second book. So much happened at the ending in so little time. It’ll definitely be interesting to see how Delena handles this new responsibility since we know she takes a different approach with controlling the spirits it and how hard it all is for her. Also queen Merecot?? I mean I didn’t see that coming but I definitely should have.
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was my first fantasy book and I loved it. I wanted to try a series so I could be with the characters for a little bit longer. This book will probably be the next great series of movies.
I thought this book had a cool concept, but I wish there was more focus on building up the characters and their relationships. I found the grieving in the series unrealistic because there wasn't enough of the book giving compelling relationships between characters- I'm a sucker for a good school/training story, and this had the potential to be that but totally dropped the ball on it imo.
I thought the ending was interesting, and appreciated how it showed the corruption of the queen.
The romance was abrupt & suffered similarly to the relationships between the girls - just didn't build up the bonding enough for it to be convincing.
I thought the ending was interesting, and appreciated how it showed the corruption of the queen.
The romance was abrupt & suffered similarly to the relationships between the girls - just didn't build up the bonding enough for it to be convincing.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
I love GR for its weird (almost supernatural, really) propensity to occasionally rec me these random books/series that turn out to be exactly what I need at the time.
It happened again, with The Queen of Blood. The dramatic title made me a bit skeptical in the beginning, especially since it’s also shelved as YA (
It happened again, with The Queen of Blood. The dramatic title made me a bit skeptical in the beginning, especially since it’s also shelved as YA (