Blade Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

Posted on by lynndellwatson

Will good or evil prevail?

17yo Corayne and her mismatched crew are reeling from the battle to close the Spindle as they observe dead Galland soldiers and sea serpents surrounding them. As they move on, forty Ibal soldiers approach and tell the crew they have orders from their king to take Corayne to him, and the crew travels along because they’re staying together. The group has no idea what to expect when they meet the Ibal king. Erida continues to take kingdoms by force with the help of Prince Taristan and wizard Ronin, both of whom are occupied by the demon What Waits, and when she kills a fifteen year old princess, she gains another kingdom. A new Spindle is found and when Corayne reaches it to close it, she discovers a trap. Will evil or good conquer the realm?

Likes/dislikes: I love the world building and the character development. I enjoyed the intensity of the conflicts. I appreciate how this book and series feel like an epic fantasy.
Language: R for 10 swears and 2 f-words.
Mature content: PG-13 for passionate kissing; implied sex, no details
Violence: R for bloody deaths
Ethnicity: Andry has brown skin. Sorasa has bronze skin. Charlie is pale skinned. Sigil has copper skin. Bronze skinned soldiers. Pale skinned wizard. Corayne has golden skin. Valtik the witch is white. Olive toned, bronze skinned and fair skinned raiders. Black skinned immortal. Prince Oscovko is white.

She Who Rides the Storm by Caitlin Sangster

Posted on by lynndellwatson
Riveting fantasy!

Anwei and Knox are thieves. Knox is a Devoted soldier for the Warlord and Anwei found him passed out on the ground a year ago. They’ve been companions ever since. Anwei is a dirty witch and she poses as a Goddess in a temple. When people place letters or coins at the statue of the goddess, a temple servant places them in a specific hidden spot for Anwei (the goddess) to gather. She also receives requests in the same way, asking her to steal items for people. Anwei has kept Knox hidden from the warlord’s search for him. In return, Knox helps with her reconnaissance and safety.

Lia has been with the Devoted since they took her at the age of eleven and she’s miserable. She’s supposed to be helping with the search for Knox and she’s sees a bit of his aura and wonders how he’s keeping it hidden. Lia escapes with her sister after Ewan, a fellow Devoted, attacks her. Lia and Ari run to their father’s house to hide. Their father wants to keep his title of power and he’s struggling to find a way to heal his sick wife. This story weaves several characters’ lives together to build a complex plot that all makes sense at the end of this book but the story will continue in a sequel. Lia, Anwei, Knox and Mateo will find themselves entwined in a devious, greedy plan for power. Rich world building and complicated story kept me riveted, 5 stars!

The Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

Posted on by lynndellwatson
Fantastic world building and strong character development, 5 stars for this series opener!

Different lives become connected through unpleasant events. Andry witnesses the horrible deaths of a group of knights that he was traveling with. One brother killed another and set loose a horde of violent corpses that kills everyone in its path. Reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings, this updated epic fantasy brings action and a gathering of many to fight a common enemy that wants to take over the world. The group of forsaken allies grows stronger after being betrayed by someone they thought was one of their own. This group is made up of a young woman with a special family line, a large and powerful Elder, an honorable squire, a young assassin and more continue to join as the story unfolds. They face dangerous creatures and powerful foes in this high, epic fantasy that opens a series bound to be a story for the ages! Fantastic world building and strong character development, 5 stars for this series opener!

Vortex Visions by Elise Kova

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Epic fantasy for young adults!
I read Vortex Visions by Elise Kova because of being a goodreads giveaway winner! I’m happy that I won because I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
The first book in the Vortex Chronicles tells the story of Vi, a young woman and princess that’s been kept away from her family since she was a child. Supposedly, this was for her protection and to keep the royal family safe and intact. Vi lives with Uncle Jax, who’s her trainer and guardian. Vi has tutors for lessons to gain knowledge and training sessions to find and control her powers. Vi’s waiting for her mother, father and brother to visit her soon, when they will take her home. She receives letters and writes correspondence to them often but new contact is stopped due to possible dangers. Vi accidentally discovers her true powers and the fact that she has visions. Her mysterious powers, that continue to grow and change to adapt to what she needs, plague her every thought. In her visions, she meets and befriends Taavin. The two work together for answers they both need. Vi’s life is threatened more than once and danger increases around her and those she cares about. The end of the book carries Vi into another adventure as she plans on working more closely with Taavin to save both of their lives as the story continues in Chosen Champions, the sequel. Epic fantasy, adventure and mystery sum up Vortex Visions, 5 stars!