Book Review: Stormcaster (Shattered Realms #3)

Release Date: April 3, 2018
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Publisher: HarperTeen
Length: 544 pages
Source: Library Audio Book

The third book in the thrilling four-book Shattered Realms series from New York Times bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima

The Empresss in the east—the unspeakably cruel ruler whose power grew in Flamecaster and Shadowcaster—tightens her grip in this chilling third installment in the series.

Vagabond seafarer Evan Strangward can move the ocean and the wind, but his magical abilities seem paltry in comparison to Empress Celestine’s. As Celestine’s bloodsworn armies grow, Evan travels to the Fells to warn the queendom of her imminent invasion. If he can’t convince the Gray Wolf queen to take a stand, he knows that the Seven Realms will fall. Among the dead will be the one person Evan can’t stand to lose.

Meanwhile, the queen’s formidable daughter, Princess Alyssa ana’Raisa, is already a prisoner aboard the empress’s ship. Lyss may be the last remaining hope of bringing down the empress from within her own tightly controlled territory.

Multiple intricately interwoven storylines converge in this gripping novel about a brave, coordinated effort to undermine a horrific tyrant.

    

Review:

Characters: I honestly don't know how to write this section because there are just so many characters that this installment focuses on. I mean, I went into this book expecting it to feel like the other installments, a change in focus, this one on Evan Strangward, his story, and what's going on in Carthis, which we sort of get, while possibly getting a few chapters here and there continuing the previous installment and showing what happened to Alyssa after the end of Shadowcaster, which we also sort of get. However, instead, this installment really felt like the first time this series has come into focus as a new generation of heroes banding together to take down a new foe. While I enjoy the first two installments in this series I really fell in love with this series here, this was the first time that I could truly see the focus of this series, which is mostly the amazing and complex characters that fill this amazing world, and while the story might have been spread a bit thin due to how may POVs there are, but honestly I wouldn't have it any other way it really illustrates the scope of this world and this story.

Romances: So, I'm not going to lie to you, there's very little romance in this book, with the romances from the previous books split up for the entire installment we don't get that much development on that front, other than off-handed references and some not so off-handed references here and there, but no real development for the couple. We do have a new POV in this book in the form of Evan Strangward, who is the focus of most of the beginning of this book, and that long beginning does detail a romance that he has, and while it is an adorable romance that I ship to no end, it's not in the book much beyond the beginning and while I understand why that is, as they each have different parts to play in this story, I just wish we could have seen more of them together in this book.

World Building: As I said before, this book was series changing for me, I would say it's mostly because it actually continues the story we know. While the previous installment did continue the story from Flamecaster a bit, Shadowcaster felt more like a companion novel, telling a concurrent story from a different front. This installment, well this installment feels like a mix of those two plotlines with a dash of Carthis and I love it. While there are so many Points of View that sometimes the plotlines can feel a bit spread thin at times, I never felt a lull in the story. I was hooked from the very beginning that the only times I would set this story aside were to make sure I didn't burn through it too fast, which in a way I kind of did as I'm anxiously awaiting the final installment in this series. This book expands the scope of this story so much and finally introduces us to Carthis, the Empire across the sea where a great many mythical creatures are assumed to live, including dragons. It was hard not to be struck with what exploring this world, even more, would be like, I mean, I would be completely down for a series set in this world that takes place completely, or almost completely, in Carthis because I feel there's still so much left to learn and I'm not sure how much will be able to come out in the final installment in this series.

Predictability: So, I'm not sure how to talk about the predictablilty in this installment as, while there are a good number of unpredictable and surprising moments in this installment, I still feel no closer to the answer to two of the biggest mysteries in this series, the first being the origin of those with mage marks, and while it seems that we get some explanation on that, I don't trust the source it comes from, and secondly, who is targeting the royal family, which again I would say we get "closer" to figuring out who it is, but since I'm pretty sure I figured out who it is near the beginning of the previous installment I was kind of hoping that that reveal wouldn't be drawn out. Again, I will say that there are a lot of amazing unpredictable moments in this installment but I felt they all happened at the moment and I didn't really feel a large build-up to anything unexpected.

Ending: So, since there are a few plotlines this book follows there are quite a few final climactic moments and I'll be honest with you, they're all full of tension, including something I thought would never happen in this series, and a particularly bad ass moment by one of my new favorite characters, even if they didn't need to be put in a situation where that badassery was necessary. Anyway, each of these moments is fraught with tension leading to some of the most intense moments in this series. It all leads up to some rather moments where we learn more about not only what just happened, but what will happen as this series heads into its final installment and it ends with one hell of a cliffhanger.

Rating:

Okay, look, I loved this book, it was nearly impossible to put down and I practically flew through the story. I am so sad that I have to wait for the next installment, and I just pray that it'll be worth the wait!

Book Review: Shadowcaster (Shattered Realms #2)

Release Date: April 4, 2017
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Publisher: HarperTeen
Length: 551 pages
Source: Review Copy From Publisher

A lifelong war.

Alyssa ana’Raisa is the reluctant princess heir to the Gray Wolf throne of Fells, a queendom embroiled in a seemingly endless war. Hardened by too many losses, Lyss is more comfortable striking with a sword than maneuvering at court. After a brush with death, she goes on the offensive, meaning to end the war that has raged her whole life. If her gamble doesn’t pay off, she could lose her queendom before she even ascends to the throne.

A life in peril.

Across enemy lines in Arden, young rising star Captain Halston Matelon has been fighting for his king since he was a lýtling. Lately, though, he finds himself sent on ever more dangerous assignments. Between the terrifying rumors of witches and wolfish warriors to the north and his cruel king at home, Hal is caught in an impossible game of life and death.

The shadow of defeat.

    

Review:

Protagonists: Alyssa Ana'Raisa, crown princess of the Fells, has been fighting in the war against Arden since she was a lytling, but she wants to do much more than just defend her borders. She wants to make Gerard Montaigne sweat and for his thanes to find warring with the Fells to be too costly. She wants to invade Arden and show Montaigne the might of the Fells. Halston Matalon knows the king is gunning for him. As the son of one of Arden's thanes, and one particularly against the war at that, Hal knows that he could lose his life as a message to his father. Breon d'Tarvos travels with a group of performers, but when a commission to woo a pretty girlie with music turns south, he's on the run and without much of a place to go. All three of these protagonists are amazing. I mean, never once did I feel that a certain character got the short end of the stick. They all have compelling personal plotlines that entangle in a fascinating way. Oh, and the best part is there's a fourth POV, and it's someone we met in book 1, but I won't ruin the surprise.

Romance: So, there's really only one romance in this story and I loved it so much more than the first book. While I understand why the insta-love in the first book happened the way it did, I still wasn't too keen on it, but luckily in this story, we don't get anything close to an insta-love. While the romance between Alyssa and Hal isn't exactly slow burning, it's still rife with complications and feels realistic and very much in character for both these characters. Best of all the romance is pretty swoon worthy. I can't wait to see where Chima takes these characters since we didn't get all too much of a romance in this book and there is most assuredly more to explore with this relationship.

World Building: So I knew before venturing into this book that this series was going to be very different than series I've read in the past. Imagine if you will mixing a companion novel series and a more traditional series and you'd have this series. Unlike the previous book this story isn't told from the POV of Ash, instead, the clock gets turned back a bit and we see some of the events that happened in Flamecaster from other characters perspectives and we get to see some events that we really only heard about in the previous book. The central mystery of this entire series is the magemark mystery and while we do get some more clues as to what the magemarks are and why certain individuals have them, there is still far more to learn about them and by this point, I need to know. It's like an itch I can't scratch and while I'm a bit pacified for now I can't wait to see how things unfold in the next installment. One of the things about this series that I find very interesting is that in both this book and Flamecaster, the stories start out making the reader believe that Arden and/or Montaigne are the "Big Bad(s)" of this series, however, the real threat comes from across the seas and in this story we get to see more from Empress Celestine and learn more about her plans for the Seven Realms.

Predictability: So, I'm going to level with you, and I feel like I've done this a lot lately, but I was sort of spoiled on a plot point that happened at the very end of this book, but while it sort of was the entire basis for the cliffhanger, it didn't impede my enjoyment of this book at all. As for the things I wasn't spoiled for, since this does turn back the clock a bit there are things that happen that I knew would happen thanks to the first book, and honestly, there were quite a few twists that I was able to predict, though luckily they were smaller twists. The larger ones still managed to surprise me and suck me deeper and deeper into the story.

Ending: Like I said this story ends with a cliffhanger and the wait for the next book is going to kill me, I know it. The cliffhanger ending isn't all that bad, it's more what this story didn't reveal that has me chomping at the bit for book three. The final climax of this book was fantastic, I mean the edge of your seat, white-knuckle gripping the arms of your chair fantastic. Even though I already knew what would happen there were other details that I didn't know and that made this ending all the more exciting. We see the ending from a couple of perspectives and honestly, the final words in this book left me breathless and pretty much internally holding out "gimmie" hands for book three!

Rating:

I knew going into this book that I was going to love it and it did not disappoint, I only wish that I had read it sooner as I had planned on. I can't wait to read the next installment in the series and I hope to be able to read it early, and trust me if I get that chance I will read it early this time!

Book Review: The Wizard Heir (The Heir Chronicles #2)

Release Date: June 10, 2008
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Length: 458 pages
Source: Purchased Book

Sixteen-year-old Seph McCauley has spent the past three years getting kicked out of one exclusive private school after another. And it's not his attitude that's the problem. It's the trail of magical accidents-lately, disasters-that follow in his wake. Seph is a wizard, orphaned and untrained--and his powers are escalating out of control.

After causing a tragic fire at an after-hours party, Seph is sent to the Havens, a secluded boys' school on the coast of Maine. At first, it seems like the answer to his prayers. Gregory Leicester, the headmaster, promises to train Seph in magic and initiate him into his mysterious order of wizards. But Seph's enthusiasm dampens when he learns that training comes at a steep cost, and that Leicester plans to use his students' powers to serve his own dangerous agenda.

In this companion novel to the exciting fantasy The Warrior Heir, everyone's got a secret to keep: Jason Haley, a fellow student who's been warned to keep away from Seph; the enchanter Linda Downey, who knew his parents; the rogue wizard Leander Hastings, and the warriors Jack Swift and Ellen Stephenson. This wizard war is one that Seph may not have the strength to survive.

    

Review:

Protagonist: Seph McCauley has had trouble follow him all his life. As an untrained wizard, he can't quite control his powers which have led to him getting kicked out of quite a few boarding schools. Then after an incident where his powers get extremely out of control, he's transferred to the Havens, an elite boarding school, where the headmaster promises to train Seph in wizardry, but after learning the steep cost Seph isn't  willing to play in Leicester's political games. Leicester then resorts to less pleasant tactics to push Seph onto his side, how long can Seph hold out before he gives in? I really loved the change of pace with main characters this time around. In The Warrior Heir, we have a main character completely oblivious to the magical world, whereas here Seph at least has a remedial knowledge of the Weir. I loved seeing the comparison and contrast between both main characters as the story goes on. They're both extremely loyal to those who prove themselves worthy, but where Jack has always been a bit cautious Seph takes greater risks, usually getting himself into trouble along the way.  Overall, I really liked Seph and as with the first installment this isn't just told from his point of view, we get a great array of fantastically written characters to show off this wonderful story.

Romance: There is a bit of a romance in this book, I don't want to get too much into detail because if I say too much I will spoil something, but I do want to just talk in general about how this author handles romance, or maybe more specifically how she handles it with this series, though this is really applicable to her Seven Realms series as well. I love how this author writes romance, it's not some race to a finish line, it's realistic and complicated. This author doesn't resort to tropes to move along her romances, though there isn't necessarily anything wrong with that, I just enjoy the breath of fresh air. In this book, the romance is very light yet still a rather large presence in the plot, quite possibly even more than the first installment. Like I said before, I don't want to spoil anything so I'll just sum it up by saying that I love how this author shows this couple getting to know each other, showing how they care for one another, instead of trying to cram a bunch of milestones into one book and hoping that will convey the characters' feelings.

World-Building: With the previous installment in this series ending in a fairly tied up way I was interested in seeing how the plot could be moved forward. When this story begins not that much time has gone by since the end of the previous book, and while it takes a while to truly get there, after a while the main plot begins to form and thicken. Telling this story from the main point of view was interesting, though, with Jack's mixed situation, it was a rather smooth transition. We learn more about the wizard guild in this book, not too much mind you, but more what's happened since the spectacle at Raven's Ghyll. The wizards are in disarray as they don't know how to allocate power anymore. The really interesting part is how this story ties in with the story and the characters from Book 1, which it does. Again, I don't want to give away spoilers, but I will say that it doesn't happen right away but eventually this story begins to feel less like a companion novel and more like a sequel as things are revealed and this story comes to a head.

Predictability: I'm sure I've said it before, I've probably said it a hundred times by know, but Chima really knows what she's doing in terms of foreshadowing. Even the stuff that's incredibly obvious seems to be orchestrated that way. It feels almost like a trap so you don't see the really twisted stuff that comes up later on. As this story unfolds it becomes obvious what the major secrets are, maybe not the answers but you know what things are most likely going to be answered by the end of this book. That being said there were a few things that I instantly knew once the smallest crumb of foreshadowing was revealed, and there were things that I either didn't know or didn't think about hard enough that really caught me by surprise.

Ending: Going into the home stretch I expected things to be a bit more like the previous installment, where everything wraps up well enough, but there are still problems to face in the next adventure. That being said, while the final climax does wrap a few things up it opens up the story so much more. There are far more cliffhangers at the end of this book than I expected. I do know that originally the third book in this series was meant to be the finale so that being said I should have figured a much more intense ending to this story. the ending itself is a great way to finish off the main story going on in this installment, while at the same time showing that there is still more to come by foreshadowing some things that I'm sure will be addressed in the next, and originally final, installment.

Rating:

This wasn't necessarily a surprise to me, I expected to love this book, however I think I actually loved it more that the first one and I cannot wait to see what adventures await our heroes in The Dragon Heir.

Book Review: The Warrior Heir (The Heir Chronicles #1)

Release Date: March 28, 2006
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Length: 426 pages
Source: Library Audio Book

Before he knew about the Roses, 16-year-old Jack lived an unremarkable life in the small Ohio town of Trinity. Only the medicine he has to take daily and the thick scar above his heart set him apart from the other high-schoolers. Then one day Jack skips his medicine. Suddenly, he is stronger, fiercer, and more confident than ever before. And it feels great-until he loses control of his own strength and nearly kills another player during soccer team tryouts.

Soon, Jack learns the startling truth about himself: He is Weirlind; part of an underground society of magical people who live among us. At the head of this magical society sit the feuding houses of the Red Rose and the White Rose, whose power is determined by playing The Game - a magical tournament in which each house sponsors a warrior to fight to the death. The winning house rules the Weir.

As if his bizarre magical heritage isn't enough, Jack finds out that he's not just another member of Weirlind-he's one of the last of the warriors - at a time when both houses are scouting for a player.

    

Review:

Characters: I had a tough time trying to figure out who to talk about in this section. Normally if there's a prevalent protagonist I would just talk about the one person and if there's more of an ensemble cast I'd talk about a bunch of characters, however for this book there is a very obvious protagonist, but the other characters in this story are so dynamic I wanted to talk about them as well. First off is our protagonist Jack. Jack lives a fairly normal life, but after he forgets to take his medicine one day and after a fairly eventful trip with his aunt Linda, he gets thrust into a world of magic, hierarchy, and mystery that hides in the shadows of modern day. Jack learns he's a warrior and, in this world, magical warriors are used as fodder for a barbaric tournament to determine which wizarding house rules. Jack was a fantastic narrator, he's very perceptive and whenever he gets sidelined by something it's never something that obvious to the reader or that there was a lot of foreshadowing for. He's a very tangible character who reacts to this world in a very realistic way, which is hard to find in a lot of YA series these days. Then there are the other characters, I kind of don't want to go into specifics here because I feel like if I do I'll give something away, but I love how even some of the minor characters of this story jump off the page. Every character feels realistic, every character is flawed and complex and has this aura of life to them that's hard for me to fully articulate.

Romance: So, there isn't much romance in this book, and yet the romantic relationship featured in this story is still one of the best one's I've read. I think what makes this romance so great is in fact how little attention there was to the actual romance. It's the relationship that's featured and it's not all lovey-dovey, and race to saying "I love you" but establishing a bond between these characters so that when a romance is introduced it doesn't feel rushed or forced. In fact for pretty much the entire book the romance feels very fledgling and doesn't develop very far, however, the romance isn't the star of the show, it's not why you should pick up this book, but I like that the author added it and incorporated it so well into the much grander story this book has to tell.

World Building: I have to say going into this book I was a bit hesitant, Having read Chima's Seven Realms series and loving it so much I was afraid that venturing forth into another world created by this author would end up being underwhelming, especially since this is her earliest published work. That being said I had no reason to fear. This world is incredible, it does take a moment or two to fully adjust to what's going on, but once everything is explained this world begins to suck you in and the plot begins to thicken as things are foreshadowed and the intricacy of this world begins to show. I love the political intrigue elements of this world with the different magic guilds and how one guild has found themselves on top and instead of ruling just have begun to abuse their power. The way the magic system is set up is also amazing, it's not overly complicated or too simplistic it finds a nice balance in the middle and has good checks and balances.

Predictability: Overall Cinda Williams Chima does a great job setting up twists in one of her books. There's always the right amount of foreshadowing and misdirection and one thing I really appreciate is that she never goes for the complex twist or out of nowhere surprise. In this book, there are a great deal of revelations that come out, and for me, the things that I had already predicted and the things that genuinely surprised me were about even. There is a big twist, probably the biggest twist of the book and it was something I was able to predict and the funny thing was that it wasn't because of foreshadowing or anything like that but purely because there was no other option.

Ending: Going into the ending of this book I wasn't sure what was going to happen, I had a pretty good idea at some of the big picture things, but overall I wasn't sure how things were going to go down during the final climax. That being said, what I assumed at the time was the final climax turned out to be just the beginning. The real final climax was interesting, I liked how the author was able to begin to bring this story to an end without resorting to a loophole or quick fix. There are real stakes in this ending and real consequences of the actions taken. As the story enters its final chapter there's an epilogue of sorts. This book ends in a very unique way. There's an ending to the story, but it's almost like the ending to a series where you know a spin off's coming, as if there's a calm now, but the storm is still brewing.

Rating:

I loved this book and this world and these characters just come to life. I did want to say that after finishing this book, with the way it ended I wasn't chomping at the bit to continue down this series, but as more time passes since finishing this book I just want to read the second one more and more.

Book Review: Flamecaster (Shattered Realms #1)

Release Date: April 5, 2016
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Publisher: HarperTeen
Length:535 pages
Source: Finished Copy from Publisher

A burning vengeance.

Adrian sul’Han, known as Ash, is a trained healer with a powerful gift of magic—and a thirst for revenge. The son of the queen of the Fells, Ash is forced into hiding after a series of murders throws the queendom into chaos. Now Ash is closer than he’s ever been to killing the man responsible, the cruel king of Arden. As a healer, can Ash use his powers not to save a life but to take it?

A blood-based curse.

Abandoned at birth, Jenna Bandelow was told the mysterious magemark on the back of her neck would make her a target. But when the King’s Guard launches a relentless search for a girl with a mark like hers, Jenna assumes that it has more to do with her role as a saboteur than any birth-based curse. Though Jenna doesn’t know why she’s being hunted, she knows that she can’t get caught.

Destiny’s fiery hand.

Eventually, Ash’s and Jenna’s paths will collide in Arden. Thrown together by chance and joined by their hatred of the king, they will come to rescue each other in ways they cannot yet imagine.

Set in the world of the acclaimed Seven Realms series a generation later, this is a thrilling story of dark magic, chilling threats, and two unforgettable characters walking a knife-sharp line between life and death.

    

Review:

Protagonists: Adrian, known as Ash for most of this book is the son of the Queen of the Fells and her consort. After some the loss of someone close to him Ash is out for revenge against the King of Arden, who he holds responsible for the act. After years of training and waiting Ash finds himself closer than ever to finally ridding the world of the great evil that is Gerard Montaigne. Jenna just wanted a normal life, but after two of her friends are brutally murdered by the King of Arden's own hands she joins up with a rebellion to fight back any way she can. Soon though there are people looking for a girl with a birthmark like hers and thinking that it's due to her being in the rebellion she does her best to hide from trouble, but trouble always seems to have a way of finding her. There are two other characters with POVs in this book, a mysterious smuggler who befriends Ash, but seems to have more of a loyalty to herself than anyone else, and the son of Marin Karn, the evil bastard of a mage general from the Seven Realms series, who doesn't seem to be as bad as his father and seems to hold an unknown loyalty. Dear Lord, all of these characters are great and while Ash is by far the most prominent character featured in this book each of these characters has a chance to shine. All of these characters don't play at being pure or wholly good, they know they have shades of darkness in them that they've chosen to embrace rather than deny.

Romance: If I had one criticism of this book it would be that the romance advanced a bit too quickly. It wasn't an insta-love not exactly, but there was this moment that both Jenna and Ash magically connected that seems to be the catalyst for the romantic feelings advancing so quickly, and while I'm sure it's there to sort of explain the quick connection, it sometimes felt more like an excuse than an explanation. Despite all that however, there were some moments where I really started to root for this couple. They do have a great connection and there is some pretty great chemistry, I just had hoped that all the romantic stuff would occur a lot slower and be more of a slow burning, possibly at odds from time to time, romance.

World Building: This series takes place about 25-30 years after the end of the Seven Realms series. I have no idea why on the Goodreads series page it says 20, but it's wrong. Anyway,  I love being in the Seven Realms world, and while it hasn't been so long since I left, a lot has changed, or maybe it's stayed the same. The Fells is still at war with Arden, though it seems Arden has gained no purchase on the Fells, but has recently, as of the beginning of this book dealt a huge blow not only to the Fells but to Raisa, Han, and their kids. Because of that, and some other things, it sends Ash into Arden, which we first glimpsed in The Exiled Queen, the church of Malthus is still at large unfortunately and the King seems just as evil, if not more so than he previously had. I was surprised at how little fan service there was in this book. Most authors that write a spin-off that takes place a generation alter would jump at the chance to introduce as many kids of previous characters that they could or have best friends' kids fall in love, but this more than anything is a perfect mix of new and old, sure there are some references to old characters, as well as their possible children, and a lot of this book is told from our previous protagonists child, but there's a sense to this book that's all new. Very little of it takes place in familiar territory it's told from completely new characters, and there's a deeper mystery at work that comes almost out of nowhere, in a good way.

Predictability: There are quite a few mysteries in this book, and as I've said before Chima does a fantastic job at keeping secrets and letting off just enough information for it all to make sense once the truth comes out, and it seems she hasn't lost her touch. The biggest mystery seems to be the magemark on the back of Jenna's neck. She's not a mage that's for sure, but there's something magical about her still. While Chima teases us senseless with possibilities, she's doesn't quite give up the goat yet. There are of course many other mysteries and twists in this book, most of which shocked me, some left me squealing more than I'd like to admit, and some I was so proud I called, though there's still one twist I'm still bitter about, something I should have called, but I forgot one detail and it forever evaded me until its big reveal.

Ending: Part of me really regrets adding this section during times like this. Honestly I'm not sure what to say about the ending without giving anything away but I'm going to try. As this book starts to wrap up I'm not sure how everything was going to not only work out, but where everything was going to go and what position our characters could be in by the time the book ends. The final climax of this book, and the smaller bits of tension that come after were very epic. I mean, I can't believe how insane and awesome some of the stuff was. I don't want to say there's a cliffhanger, because there technically isn't but things aren't all finished, there are still a lot of mysteries and questions to be answered and some of them are so burning that in some way it does feel like this book has a cliffhanger.

Rating:

So, while I wasn't completely happy with the romance, it is only one part of this much, much greater story and all of the awesome of this book outshines that so brightly. I can't wait to see where this series goes, though from the looks of it Book 2: Shadowcaster is going to focus on some different characters so I don't know quite when this story will continue.

Book Review: The Gray Wolf Throne (Seven Realms #3)

Release Date: August 30, 2011
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Length: 517 pages
Source: Library Book

Han Alister thought he had already lost everyone he loved. But when he finds his friend Rebecca Morley near death in the Spirit Mountains, Han knows that nothing matters more than saving her. The costs of his efforts are steep, but nothing can prepare him for what he soon discovers: the beautiful, mysterious girl he knew as Rebecca is none other than Raisa ana’Marianna, heir to the Queendom of the Fells. Han is hurt and betrayed. He knows he has no future with a blueblood. And, as far as he’s concerned, the princess’s family as good as killed his own mother and sister. But if Han is to fulfill his end of an old bargain, he must do everything in his power to see Raisa crowned queen.

Meanwhile, some people will stop at nothing to prevent Raisa from ascending. With each attempt on her life, she wonders how long it will be before her enemies succeed. Her heart tells her that the thief-turned-wizard Han Alister can be trusted. She wants to believe it—he’s saved her life more than once. But with danger coming at her from every direction, Raisa can only rely on her wits and her iron-hard will to survive—and even that might not be enough.

The Gray Wolf Throne is an epic tale of fierce loyalty, unbearable sacrifice, and the heartless hand of fate.

    

Review:

Protagonists: After being kidnapped by Micah Bayar and then nearly taken by Gerard Montaigne, Raisa is on the run for her life, hiding away from the High Wizard and his dastardly schemes. However it isn't long before she's pursued again and this time she may not get away so cleanly. Han Alister just wants to find the girl he knows as Rebecca Morley and make sure she's safe and sound, blaming himself for her disappearance. When he finds her near death in the mountains, he doesn't expect to soon find out that she's none other than Raisa ana'Marianna Princess Heir to the Fells, and the girl he begrudgingly agreed to protect. I honestly don't know how much more I can gush about how amazing these characters are. In other novels when a protagonist does something I've deemed stupid, even if I logically know they've done it because of a certain reason, I never quite believe it. In this book I believe it, and it's not just with stupid things. Everything these characters do, each hard choice and sudden outburst not only seem very realistic but very in line with the character this author has created. Each and every one of the characters in this book are so three-dimensional, no one is all black or white, just different shades of gray.

Romance: Man, does the romance in this book get super complicated and sometimes very aggravating, though since it's obvious the author intended to write it that way it's much easier to digest. First we have Amon and Raisa, a romance that just wasn't meant to be unfortunately. We don't get any progression in this book, only some much needed closure and a bit of pain. Then we have Han and Raisa, the romance that not only makes the most sense, but seems the most impossible. If Han and Raisa were to marry the whole country would be up in arms, possibly the whole continent. Raisa marry a street urchin wizard fostered by the Clans? That's just unspeakable. Not to mention the huge rift that grew between Raisa and Han after Han learns her true identity. There's a feeling of betrayal there and Han doesn't know how to sort out his feelings, so he lashes out. Honestly, while I'm very positive these characters will end up together, the "how" to that dilemma currently escapes me, unless Raisa can find a way to use Amon's ability to do nothing to hurt the line to somehow convince everyone that she and Han belong together. Then there are the romantic complications I kind of hope are eventually killed off. Ried Nightwalker and Micah Bayar attempt to reenter their hats in the ring for Raisa's hand. It's nothing to take seriously, just a constant, although semi-necessary, annoyance.

World Building: Even though I thought I knew what to expect going into this installment, I was not prepared for what went on in this book. There's a lot of preamble in this book. Things are steadily building up and what it's building up to is pretty fantastic. There's a turning point in this book, where the storytelling changes in a way, or the story itself changes, and the path I had expected it to go on, isn't the path anymore. As you can no doubt tell, I'm try to be vague and avoid spoilers. That being said, this book has the most political intrigue out of all of the books. Playing politics is a dangerous game, but these characters are smart, let's just hope they are smart enough to not only stay alive, but build a better Queendom. There's quite a bit of world building in this book. We see more of the clans, more of the Fellsian court, and learn some vital secrets that just may prove too dangerous to know. Honestly, there's so much I want to say, but I don't want to reveal more than I already have. Let me just say before I go, that when this book took a turn I wasn't expecting, it wasn't for the worse, but to catapult this story forward in an unexpectedly expected way.

Predictability: I'm pretty sure I've said it before, but I'll say it again, Chima has a fantastic way with foreshadowing. However, sometimes I just want the answer to my questions during the book in which they come up and that never seems to be the case. Take this book for example: In The Exiled Queen there was one mystery introduced, one I had felt I had pinpointed the answer to fairly early on, only to never get the satisfaction of saying that I called that twist during that second installment, however not fully two chapters in and it's revealed, I was right, but it was near torture to get there. That being said I'm not mad. There are plenty more twists and mysteries foreshadowed in this book that I am looking forward to finding out in the next installment, but that may just be because I'm reading the next and final installment after I finish this review.

Ending: This ending was weird, good weird, but still. There wasn't anything I could necessarily pinpoint as a final climax, save for some small climaxes in the final few chapters. The ending is very solid, full of hope as well as tension, and then there's the epilogue. I'm not sure why, probably because this is the book right before the end of the series, but I expected a gigantic twist at the end of this book. So going into the epilogue I had high expectations, but all I was left with was a puzzled look on my face and an intense desire to read the final installment of this series, yet not gigantic twist in sight.

Rating:

I mean, is this even a surprise at this point? It wasn't to me. I absolutely love this series and while didn't go into it planning on giving it five stars, it blew me away in it's slow paced and game changing story line. I have so many questions by the end of this book and I am about ready for some answers.

Book Review: The Exiled Queen (Seven Realms #2)

Release Date: September 24, 2010
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Length: 586 pages
Source: Library Book

Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden’s Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn’t mean that danger isn't far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery—but the bargain they make is one Han may regret.

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana’Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden's Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen.

Everything changes when Han and Raisa’s paths cross, in this epic tale of uncertain friendships, cut-throat politics, and the irresistible power of attraction.

    

Review:

Protagonists: When we left off on this journey both Raisa and Han were travelling to Oden's Ford to seek schooling there and escape their lives in the Fells. Raisa finds that she likes not being treated like a princess every day and actually having to work hard to get the things she wants. Her drive to be a better leader and Queen than her mother grows as she learns new things in Oden's Ford. She becomes a stronger character both physically and mentally learning the hard truths about her people's suffering and doing all she can, while doing her best not to expose her true identity, to help them. Han is on his way to learn magic alongside his best friend Dancer. but crossing paths with the Bayars isn't what he had hoped for. While in Oden's Ford Han makes a lasting impression on some of the staff. Soon he finds himself caught in a dangerous game as the Wizards and Clan folk try and use him as a puppet. I love both these characters, once again their paths don't cross quite as much as I would have liked and they do have completely separate stories from each other, but the times where their paths do cross, they're good for each other, they challenge each other and help the other grow as an individual.

Romance: To say the romance in this series is complicated is an understatement. Honestly I'm not sure where I stand. There are a lot of complications with any of these romances. First off, Amon and Raisa can't be together due to the vows Amon made to protect the Gray Wolf line and the measures put in place that keep them apart. That won't stop the attraction however, an attraction that can only lead to heartbreak. Then there's Han and Raisa, who at first only have a subtle romance, like the first book, commenting on the other's features, but as the story goes on something begins to develop, but it's not like they could get together either, Han's a wizard, and while his intentions might be pure and he has, at least for the most part, the love of the clans, he's still a wizard. Plus there's the whole fact that both parties are keeping secrets from the other, and that too con only spell disaster in the end. Again, I don't know where I stand, hopefully there will be some sort of way everyone can have a happy ending, but as it looks now, I don't know if that'll ever happen.

World-Building: One of the things I love best about this series is that the world-building is so expansive. There are seven realms in this land and as of this book we've only really gotten a good look at two of them. Going into this book I thought it'd be a quick trip to Oden's Ford for both parties, but it turned out to take longer than I expected. On their journeys, specifically Han's, we see a lot of Arden, and learn about the prejudices there against wizards, and find out more about the civil war among the princes. War is coming to this world in many ways. First there's the war between the realms which looks to be getting ever closer to becoming a reality, and then there's a war that hits closer to home in the Fells, between the wizards and clan. Unfortunately our heroes somehow find their way right in the middle of everything. What we learn most about though are the schools in Oden's Ford, about the magic the wizards carry, and we are given some particularly intriguing foreshadowing to future installments.

Predictability: So I'm kind of mad. There is a huge mystery at the heart of this book, something with what looks to be a lot of foreshadowing surrounding it, something I'm convinced I know the answer to, and there's no reveal in this book. Now, I'm not mad enough to start knocking off stars for it, but it's really evil to keep readers in suspense like that. Plus, again, while my theory would probably sound crazy, I'm convinced I'm right and that just makes waiting to find out all the more aggravating. As for everything else, the author does an amazing job of weaving in foreshadowing without making anything too obvious, as well as add in those twists from no where that begin to make sense the more they're digested. I'm also not completely used to high fantasies apparently, or it's a genre that has no real set patterns or story telling formula, which makes it harder to predict where things are going.

Ending: This ending is one gigantic ball of chaos. Granted it's organized chaos, but chaos nonetheless. As this installment winds down, it also starts to build up again to prepare for the next book in this series. In fact there isn't really any cooldown in this ending. There are lulls, sure, but for the most part this ending is high intensity chaotic goodness that works to set up the next adventure in this series.

Rating:

I love this book to pieces, much like the first installment, the pacing starts off pretty slow, but once the ball gets rolling it's hard to stop. I'm cursing myself for thinking I could wait about a month between installments, I guess I'll have to do some adjusting to my July TBR because there's no way I'm waiting two months to complete this series!