Epic in scale, this enticing adventure features plenty of tense moments and striking characters.
A high fantasy novel offers magical powers, high-stakes duels, and competing kingdoms.
In this first installment of a series, Prince Gerard Caltheos, 17, is undergoing some intense training. Gerard is, at the behest of his alcoholic father, Genthar, attempting to unlock something called the Flame. Flame is one of the powers that the Thaumas wield: magical abilities that are present in the land of Tamaria and include Cold, Wind, Water, Earth, and Light. It is all new territory for Gerard and Genthar, as they are not from Tamaria but a nearby kingdom that has not always had peaceful relations with its neighbor. Gerard’s training is a dangerous endeavor. What’s more, it is conducted in secret. Meanwhile in Tamaria, a tournament takes place where contestants utilize the powers in duels. The winner will become the next High Thauma, an important rank of distinction that even comes with some land. Cobain Scott of Greyhill, 22, really wants to win, yet his efforts fall short in his final duel. Nevertheless, he is rewarded for getting so far in the tournament by being assigned to protect King Norwin Zakarian’s family. This new gig puts Cobain in direct contact with the beautiful Emillira, the monarch’s daughter. Emillira’s father is in poor health and her brother, Dane, is set to inherit the throne. While Norwin is keen on keeping the peace with neighboring Averose, Dane advocates for a more combative stance. Elsewhere, it is rumored that a different magical ability is being put to use: the power of Dark. It is something that has not been seen in decades and certainly spells trouble.
Readers meet a multitude of intriguing characters, all with their own concerns and motivations, from the get-go. And these players are not ones to sit idly by. There are marriage considerations, troop movements, and discussions of war, to name just a few topics. Even with so much in motion, Parker’s story unfolds in a digestible manner. While it may take readers a few pages to understand the Thaumas’ powers, they are revealed without too much extraneous explanation. Likewise, the concerns about an upcoming major clash are summed up nicely by Dane: “We grow too complacent.” Once the conflict is in play, readers are kept in suspense as to how it will all end, particularly with moments like “The air was thick with the scent of death, the lingering smoke of burnt flesh.” Many characters also have backstories that add to their depth, such as Cobain’s strained relationship with his father. Still, at times the swift pace is slowed down by details and comments that are not entirely necessary. Discussing the many differences between Dane and his sister, the story notes: “Where Dane wielded words like reckless strikes, Emillira wielded them like a physician’s scalpel—precise and careful.” At other times, individuals simply state the obvious. During a battle, someone comments: “I wish I was out there fighting.” Such assertions do not add much to a story that, though extensive and expansive, still manages to be under 600 pages. And despite some clutter, those pages provide a nuanced take on the high fantasy genre.
Epic in scale, this enticing adventure features plenty of tense moments and striking characters.Pub Date: April 8, 2025
ISBN: 9798998502804
Page Count: 542
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 21, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.
A reluctant princess is thrust into deadly political intrigue in Perry’s sweeping, high-stakes romantasy.
Odessa is the overlooked and underestimated princess of Quentis, whose life takes an unexpected turn when a deal is struck between her father and the formidable Turan warriors force her into an arranged marriage with their enigmatic prince, Zavier Wolfe. Intended as a mere formality to secure trade routes and military alliances, the betrothal spirals into something far more dangerous when ancient magic, a ruthless Guardian, and a looming war threaten to upend everything she knows. Finally emerging from the shadow of her seemingly perfect half sister, Mae, Odessa must navigate court politics, monstrous creatures, and her own uncertain place in a world where survival often depends on strategy rather than strength. As tensions rise, she finds herself entangled with the dangerous, enigmatic Guardian—a man whose silver eyes hold secrets of their own. Perry’s worldbuilding is lush and immersive, crafting a kingdom rife with old magic, deadly beasts, and political machinations that add depth. The pacing is relentless, carrying Odessa from one life-altering event to another as she grapples with duty, defiance, and a destiny she never chose. Her internal conflict is compelling, torn between the expectations placed upon her and the fierce independence that threatens to make her an outcast in her own kingdom. Romance simmers as Odessa struggles to reconcile her obligations with her growing attraction to the Guardian, whose past is as shadowed as his reputation. Mae is introduced as Odessa’s political foil, and although her presence drives much of Odessa’s internal drama—being constantly overshadowed or underestimated—she’s mostly seen through Odessa’s perspective. Her motivations, ambitions, and political maneuverings might have benefited from deeper exploration to give more nuance to the power dynamics. However, Perry’s evocative prose and intricate plotting make for a gripping tale. Readers looking for a slow-burn romantasy with rich political intrigue and a protagonist forced to create her own fate will find much to enjoy.
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781649378514
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Unrelenting, and not in a good way.
A young Navarrian woman faces even greater challenges in her second year at dragon-riding school.
Violet Sorrengail did all the normal things one would do as a first-year student at Basgiath War College: made new friends, fell in love, and survived multiple assassination attempts. She was also the first rider to ever bond with two dragons: Tairn, a powerful black dragon with a distinguished battle history, and Andarna, a baby dragon too young to carry a rider. At the end of Fourth Wing (2023), Violet and her lover, Xaden Riorson, discovered that Navarre is under attack from wyvern, evil two-legged dragons, and venin, soulless monsters that harvest energy from the ground. Navarrians had always been told that these were monsters of legend and myth, not real creatures dangerously close to breaking through Navarre’s wards and attacking civilian populations. In this overly long sequel, Violet, Xaden, and their dragons are determined to find a way to protect Navarre, despite the fact that the army and government hid the truth about these creatures. Due to the machinations of several traitorous instructors at Basgiath, Xaden and Violet are separated for most of the book—he’s stationed at a distant outpost, leaving her to handle the treacherous, cutthroat world of the war college on her own. Violet is repeatedly threatened by her new vice commandant, a brutal man who wants to silence her. Although Violet and her dragons continue to model extreme bravery, the novel feels repetitive and more than a little sloppy, leaving obvious questions about the world unanswered. The book is full of action and just as full of plot holes, including scenes that are illogical or disconnected from the main narrative. Secondary characters are ignored until a scene requires them to assist Violet or to be killed in the endless violence that plagues their school.
Unrelenting, and not in a good way.Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9781649374172
Page Count: 640
Publisher: Red Tower
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
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