A review by d_a_rehman
Sacred Heart by Celeste Baxendell

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

“Sacred Heart” the first book of the Rune Heart series is about a mage Nadiya who comes from a family of normal humans. She is raised and trained at he academy but unlike other mages she has limited magic, but her ambition is way stronger then them all combined. Trying to make her own path to become a commander; highest rank of a mage she faced severe resistance from other noble mages. During an attack on the temple her fate takes a drastic turn. Determined to save lives and prove herself worth, she ends up being trapped with the most unpleasant person; the High Priest’s apprentice, Lateo.

Despite his hate for the mages he provides her shelter in a vault full of sacred relics. Nadiya tried to protect one of the strongest relics, the Heart of Asentai, when the vault collapsed and all the power is transferred to her. And now she becomes the Beata. According to the prophesies she will be the start of a new era. But there comes the problem. She becomes too unstable to be with other mages.

In order to protect others and to protect Nadiya she is sent away to the temple to be kept with other holy relics. Sent away from her own people and living with priests she’s stuck with her priest bodyguard who hates her the most. And to her suspicion he is there to kill her. All she wants is to become a no name mage again, return to her people and have her normal life back.

Nadiya is not happy with this foreign power. But will she be able to get rid of it? Will she be able to achieve her goals when there is a great threat looming on her life and the ones precious to her?

Character Description:

Nadiya: Nadiya is a headstrong and decisive female lead you’ll fall in love. She is ambitious and will do anything to achieve her goals. I love her sarcastic thoughts. Her pride and dignity is the most important thing for her but she won’t leave the opportunity to learn and improve herself even if it is from her worst enemy. I understand her determination but it goes to a level of rigidness and the writer explained it so well. All she had gone through her life broke my heart. She reminds me of my favourite character Jude from Cruel Prince.

Lateo: A rude apprentice of the High priest. His character is a bit mysterious and reserved till the end. I still have so many questions about him. His faith in Nadiya and continuous support is so heart warming.

The writing style is simple and the story was amazing and different. A slow burn, no spice YA fantasy perfect to pull you out of a reading slump. I loved Nadiya and Lateo bickering all the time. There are moments that will make you laugh, cry and scream with excitement. I admire the way the writer wrote the character descriptions. One of my favourite one was the entry of the high priest. Impressive. Character’s perspective were also amazingly written. I would love to have Lateo’s pov in the next book.

Who is this book for?

If you loved Shadow and Bone and Folk of the Air series I’m sure you will enjoy it.

Thank You Celest for the eARC I enjoyed the read and anxiously waiting for the next part.