mudder17 's review for:

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

3.0

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Okay, so when I looked at the reviews for this book, trying to decide if I would read it, it seemed like most readers fell into one of two categories. They loved it or they hated it. I think I actually fall somewhere in the middle. I didn't love it, but I also didn't hate it. Perhaps because I haven't actually read George Martin's Game of Thrones, that this has been compared to. I do intend to remedy that in the future, but not until he finishes the series (I refuse!). That said, the storyline wasn't exactly unique. Big kingdom with three major rulers, lots of intrigues, fighting, and grasping for power. The children of the rulers don't necessarily buy into everything their fathers believe, but to varying degrees, they try to either fit into the mold their fathers (notice I mention nothing of mothers) envision for them or they fight it. There is also ancient magic that supposedly people frown upon, but the rulers that be would love to control, and some of the kids discover their own power. I saw elements of Shakespeare in this, but then again, I saw elements of other typical YA fantasy stories in this. The pacing was so-so, and the characters themselves were okay, but I didn't feel tied to most of them. And yet, in the last third of the book, the story got better. So maybe it has a chance in future books? I would say that I am in the open mind category of people and am willing to give the second book a try. It might actually get better. But I'm also not running to grab the second book right away either. This book has been on my TBR pile longer than most, so I'm glad I finally dusted it off, but I don't know that I was exactly missing anything.