Thank you to Sourcebook and Bookish.com for this ARC that arrived in the mail today!! Can't wait to read this one on this dreary, cold day. Here I go...
Summary: A certain prophecy foretells the emergence of two powerful queens: a Sun Queen, who is meant to protect her people, and a Blood Queen, who is meant to destroy. And, so, we meet our two fiercely independent protagonists: Rielle and Eliana who are living are living in two separate worlds, centuries apart, yet they're more connected than they'll ever know. In Rielle's time, she is standing trial after losing control of her powers while rescuing the love of her life, Audric. The people believe that she might be the Sun Queen but it is important for her to be tested in seven different trials in order to prove that she can control her powers for the good. Eliana, better known as the Dread of Orline, is a highly-skilled, invincible killer who finds herself entangled in the mysterious vanishings of women in her city. Little do both women know, they are about to embark on an adventure that's going to change both of their lives and reveal things about themselves that they never knew existed.
Opinion: The latest trend in explosive "book ones" of trilogies continues with this one! I cannot wait to read the second book and neither will you.
First of all, I love the structure of this book. Each chapter alternates between Rielle and Eliana's perspective which naturally makes the reader finish more chapters since each chapter tends to end in a cliffhanger and you just. want. to. read. more. Every. single. time. Plus, this structure helps highlight the connection between Rielle and Eliana, which is hinted at the get-go, but I wasn't entirely sure how it'd come together. Also, each chapter title includes an excerpt or quote that serves to foreshadow a future occurrence or reveal a character trait that is important to our understanding of a character.
The very first chapter of the story starts in an intense moment when you're already assuming a thing or two about Rielle and you'll find yourself referring back to that very first chapter as you learn more about Rielle and Eliana's backstory. At the same time, I am a big fan of books and movies that start me off in the middle of an intense scene and then flashes back to show us how the characters ended up in that position.
Out of the two women, Eliana is my favorite. Lately I've been reading NUMEROUS books that feature strong women protagonists and I really find myself loving the ones that are feisty, badass, assassins. Perhaps my subconscious is trying to tell me something! Ha. Either way, Eliana will make you laugh, you'll admire her, and you'll also want to smack her a few times (she's just SO stubborn and doesn't seem to learn from her mistakes). Her love for her brother, Remy, warms my heart and it'll warm yours too.
Being book one of a trilogy, be prepared for a few slow moments. I do find them necessary, though, because the entire series needs to be setup.
My only drawback would be the inclusion of highly sexual scenes throughout the story--especially the one with Rielle and Audric. Unfortunately, I won't be able to put this book in my junior high classroom because these parts are just too much for my students and that's disappointing because, if those scenes were removed, the book would be a perfect read for my students. This is definitely a book appropriate for mature high school students so be forewarned!
Along these lines, I'm at a loss with Tal and Corien. So what are exactly Tal's feelings for Rielle? And Corien for Rielle? for Eliana? So confused.
Summary: A certain prophecy foretells the emergence of two powerful queens: a Sun Queen, who is meant to protect her people, and a Blood Queen, who is meant to destroy. And, so, we meet our two fiercely independent protagonists: Rielle and Eliana who are living are living in two separate worlds, centuries apart, yet they're more connected than they'll ever know. In Rielle's time, she is standing trial after losing control of her powers while rescuing the love of her life, Audric. The people believe that she might be the Sun Queen but it is important for her to be tested in seven different trials in order to prove that she can control her powers for the good. Eliana, better known as the Dread of Orline, is a highly-skilled, invincible killer who finds herself entangled in the mysterious vanishings of women in her city. Little do both women know, they are about to embark on an adventure that's going to change both of their lives and reveal things about themselves that they never knew existed.
Opinion: The latest trend in explosive "book ones" of trilogies continues with this one! I cannot wait to read the second book and neither will you.
First of all, I love the structure of this book. Each chapter alternates between Rielle and Eliana's perspective which naturally makes the reader finish more chapters since each chapter tends to end in a cliffhanger and you just. want. to. read. more. Every. single. time. Plus, this structure helps highlight the connection between Rielle and Eliana, which is hinted at the get-go, but I wasn't entirely sure how it'd come together. Also, each chapter title includes an excerpt or quote that serves to foreshadow a future occurrence or reveal a character trait that is important to our understanding of a character.
The very first chapter of the story starts in an intense moment when you're already assuming a thing or two about Rielle and you'll find yourself referring back to that very first chapter as you learn more about Rielle and Eliana's backstory. At the same time, I am a big fan of books and movies that start me off in the middle of an intense scene and then flashes back to show us how the characters ended up in that position.
Out of the two women, Eliana is my favorite. Lately I've been reading NUMEROUS books that feature strong women protagonists and I really find myself loving the ones that are feisty, badass, assassins. Perhaps my subconscious is trying to tell me something! Ha. Either way, Eliana will make you laugh, you'll admire her, and you'll also want to smack her a few times (she's just SO stubborn and doesn't seem to learn from her mistakes). Her love for her brother, Remy, warms my heart and it'll warm yours too.
Being book one of a trilogy, be prepared for a few slow moments. I do find them necessary, though, because the entire series needs to be setup.
My only drawback would be the inclusion of highly sexual scenes throughout the story--especially the one with Rielle and Audric. Unfortunately, I won't be able to put this book in my junior high classroom because these parts are just too much for my students and that's disappointing because, if those scenes were removed, the book would be a perfect read for my students. This is definitely a book appropriate for mature high school students so be forewarned!
Along these lines, I'm at a loss with Tal and Corien. So what are exactly Tal's feelings for Rielle? And Corien for Rielle? for Eliana? So confused.