The Divining by Jayne Faith and Christine Castle

I really enjoyed the first two books of this series, however, this third instalment was a little bit disappointing. I feel like this series started off strong, but now the authors are trying to drag it out, in order to come out with as many books as possible. Honestly, it almost feels like a serial, like novella length stories that are released a few month apart, with enough suspense to keep you hooked.

I really do like the main story of Maya, an Earthen woman who is fighting for her life in the ultimate battle of becoming one of Lord Toric's harem women. She never wanted this, but fate brought her to Calisto, an alien world who's inhabitants believe they will one day return to Earth, once a certain prophecy is fulfilled. The Calistians can only return to Earth once Calisto has defeated all of Earth's enemies. The Calistian beliefs in prophecy is a little bit far fetched and I was willing to ignore the weak religion that surrounded these people, however, the more I read, the more holes the religion seems to have. What's more, the story seems to have shifted away from Maya, and is more about the Priestess who will lead the Calistians back to Earth. I understand the Priestess may have a pivotal role in the Return, but I have a hard time relating to this character because of her religious ties. Maya and Lord Toric is what brought me back to this series, but besides their first scene together, there are very little scenes between the two. And when there is, it's disappointing and not as dramatic as before.

I'm also disappointed in Lord Toric. He has turned out to be a weak leader, believing in prayer in order to save Maya from a certain death, instead of taking action. He claims to love Maya, his dark angel, but he doesn't show it very well. Especially when he cheats on her by calling one of his harem women in order to satisfy his sexual urges. I know he's stressed and everything, but honestly, if he can't be faithful to Maya after a few days of having her in his bed, I don't think there's much hope for him.

Jeric, Lord Toric's brother, seems to have turned over a new leaf. This is one positive thing we can look forward to in the next book. Maya may have survived an execution attempt and the Tournament of Obligates, but I don't know if she'll be able to survive in Lord Toric's harem. She may have a few allies in the harem, but it seems everyone within its walls has a second agenda.

I can't say I enjoyed this book. Nothing much happened in terms of action so I have very little else to mention in this review. I'll probably end up reading the next book because at this point in the series, it almost feels likes an obligation. Based on this book alone, I wouldn't recommend this series. Hopefully the series, along with its characters, will redeem itself in the next and final book.



 

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Posted by Tynga at 03:00

 Alien, Christine Castle, Jayne Faith, Purchased, Review, Sapient Salvation, Science Fiction, Self Published, Space, War  1 Person left their mark

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

This is a truly wonderful and epic book. The kind of book that keeps you up way past your bed time because you just can't get enough. As it turns out, it's the first book I rate 5 stars in 2016 and I expect it to remain at the top of my list, despite the fact the year has only just begun. I think it's the combination of great characters, an amazing fantasy world, epic battles and magic that makes this book so gripping. The series has only just begun but it already has a strong fan base on social media.

Truthwitch is primarily the story about the Truthwitch. Her real name is Safiya and her magical gift allows her to tell truth from lies. It's almost impossible to lie to her, however, it is possible to fool her if you truly believe your words. Iseult is her Threadsister, the one person she can depend on and will always be linked to. Iseult is a Threadwitch, able to see the threads or the auras that describe a person's emotions and the links that bind people together. The two girls form a really kickass pair who end up on the run from multiple enemies. Her whole life, Safiya hid the fact that she was a Truthwitch, afraid that everyone would want to use her witchery for their own purposes. Now that the secret's out, everyone wants to use her for their own political gain.

Oddly enough, both Safiya and Iseult have passive witch gifts. Some of the other characters have very strong gifts which they're able to use to their advantage in a fight. For example, some are able to control fire or wind, elements that can easily help them win a fight. One of the antagonists of the book is a Bloodwitch which allows him to smell your blood and track you from very far distances. His gift also allows him to control your blood, so in theory, control your life if he so wants. Despite their passive witchery, the girls are amazing fighters and often depend on swords and other weapons to defend themselves.

One of the main reasons Safiya is on the run is because she has been betrothed to an Emperor three times her age, without her consent. She definitely doesn't believe in the union since she knows all the Emperor wants, is to use her Truthwitchery in order the gain the advantage in the upcoming war. The Twenty Year Truce is slowly coming to an end so all political leaders are trying their best to get the advantage over their enemies, even if that means kidnapping a young woman like Safiya. Through all this, Safiya meets Prince Merik, a Windwitch and Admiral for his country's navy. He helps Safiya escape for his own advantage since her uncle has promised the Prince a treaty if he delivers Safiya safely. Easier said than done since everyone is out to get her.

No Young Adult book would be complete without some sort of romance. The beginnings of romance, or strong youthful lust is visible between Safiya and Merik. Iseult isn't sure if their threads are binding because of anger or because of passion, but one thing is for sure, their bond is fierce. We don't get to explore their relationship very much in this novel, but we can definitely anticipate something more in the sequel.

I definitely recommend Truthwitch. After only a few week, it's already on the New York Times Bestseller list so obviously, I'm not the only one that thinks it's pretty awesome. Author Sarah J. Maas has dubbed it a "new instant classic" and I'm inclined to agree with her. Honestly, this is a book you won't want to miss!

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Posted by Tynga at 03:12

 Fantasy, Fantasy amp; Magic, Magic, Purchased, Review, Susan Dennard, The Witchlands, Tor Teen, War, witches, young adult  2 People left their mark

Take Two: Defy by Sara B Larson

Take Two is a new feature I am launching on the blog! Tynga's reviews have been around for 6 years, and we have reviewed A LOT of books! And because we are a team of many with the same tastes, I decided to allow a second review of a same book, to give the reader a second opinion. I hope you will enjoy!

Read Jon's opinion of Defy

My thoughts:

What an awesome fantasy book! Alexa lives in a world at war. Her mother's country is fighting against her father's country in an anti-magic conflict. Both her parents were killed by a Fire Sorcerer and to avoid being locked in a breeding house (I will let you guess what happens there...), she disguises herself as a boy, with the help of her twin brother, and joins the army. Known as Alex, she climbs her way to the Prince's own guard and her whole world changes when her brother is killed and she is kidnapped with a fellow guard and the Prince himself.

I really adored this book and before I go all fangirl, I'd like to mention the two elements that bothered me. First, Alexa is a 17 years old girl playing the role of a 20 years old man. Even though she admits not being very curvy, I have a very hard time believing nobody noticed her lack of hair and beard? I mean this is the medieval era, in the army, I'm pretty sure the other men don't shave daily. Also, there is a love triangle later on in the story with another guard and the Prince. How is it that two men fall in love with her when she's been acting the part of a man for the last 3 years? It didn't really bother me, but I feel like it wasn't very believable AND the triangle was not necessary to the story.

Now onto positive things! I really liked Alexa. She was strong, dedicated but flawed, which made her a multi-faceted character. She faced many challenges during her young life and it showed in the decisions she made. I really liked the Prince also, even though I felt the urge to smack him on the head quite a few times. I didn't like the way he treated and used Alexa, but I understood his reasons. I really hope he treats her better in the future. I liked Rylan, but I thought he was too ingrained in the third-wheel role. It's nice that he is supportive of Alexa, but he is a bit too much like a doormat for my taste.

I really enjoyed the lore and the plot line. Sara manged to surprise me on more than one occasion, which is always a good thing. I even shed a tear or two hehe. In wasn't a breakneck pace, like most fantasy novels, but I was hooked the whole way through. The conclusion was simply breathtaking and I am super excited for the sequel, Ignite.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Graceling by Kristen Cashore and Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas.

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Posted by Tynga at 00:43

 Defy, Fantasy amp; Magic, High Fantasy, Magic, Netgalley, Review, Sara B larson, Sara B. Larson, Scholastic, Scholastic Inc., War, young adult  1 Person left their mark