I was a little surprise that I took longer than usual to finish this book. The book is fast pace and I didn't get into it as much as the first 2 books. Maybe my mind was per-occupied with work and I can't get in to the mood of reading for the past few weeks. I hope to get into it.
We are back with all the characters that we were being introduced from the 2 books and most of them are playing a more prominent role in this book. Each of them has a task to protect Trinity.
As Chima's usual way of plotting the twist at the end of the book by telling us who the Dragon heir would be. There will be death to some of our favorable characters in the series. And it works! We might missed them but it works.
There are really some funny moments:-
"Next thing you know, they'll break into a chorus of "Kumbaya", Jason thought, drumming his fingers on the table."
"Longbranch's eyes glittered with irritation. "Let me be plain. Give us the Dragonheart, and you will rule the guilds alongside us. Refuse, and we will destroy this town and everything and everyone in it. Down to the smallest child and family pet." So much for "Kumbaya", Jason thought.
It was during their negotiation on how to work together as all guilds came along together. Running Jason's thought really cracks me up.
It ends abruptly with stories of Linda and Hasting being left hanging. I want to know more on what were their true purposes are in Raven's Ghyll.
Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Review Link
Oh my nerves, due to work I have been holding on to this book for nearly A MONTH! Not that it's not good, it just work commitment! Talk about having commitments with work and book at the same time. It's never easy to juggle when it is given a higher task that has been bestowed on us.
Screw my rambling, and back to book reviewing. I thought the second installment of the book is going to leave out all those favourable characters from "The Warrior Heir". Boy, I was dead wrong! Let's start with the core stuff:
World building
The setting is urban fantasy and I love how Cinda builts the world at "The Havens" while Seph was being held captives in there. Furthermore, we get to know more about the so-called NEW "Trinity" in Ohio that was briefly mentioned after the event takes place at the Raven's Ghyll from the first book.
Characters
We are being introduced with Seph as the lead character here with some of his friends that stood by him. So far, I realised that the characters are somewhat relatable but I don't have a favourite one. The author has brought us back to memory lane by re-introducing Jack and Ellen, Linda and Leander, and of course Nick Snowbeard.
Plot
Now, after some gruesome torture from the first half, I didn't expect to have such a PLOT TWIST towards the end. It was mind blowing and my jaw literally drops when I got to know what is it. Magic system was placed into the plot with successfully and it doesn't seem TOO dodgy. Cinda kept the love story to a minimal which I appreciate it A LOT! Pacing was ok.
Overall, I love this book. It was because of the twist, I have bump this up back to a 5 star rating. I will continue on with the 3rd installment soon which entitled "The Dragon Heir".
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Review Link
I can't believe that Author Cinda Williams Chima retweeted my tweet. So freaking out right now!!! I'm feeling so humbled.
Here is her Goodreads page too.
Booksplosion Read-Along for the month - July - #6
What can I say? It's a start of an urban fantasy series. Moreover, it's targeted to the YA audience which I'm all for it. Many said that the world building is slow but I think it is a fairly well written introduction which doesn't really drag on at all. I liked it!
So far, I've tried other Epic/High fantasy books which has a larger scale in it's detailed world development which includes introduction on characters, types of races, political system, economy situation, magic system... etc. which you are able to gage how well an author is able to articulate by not boring their readers. And this book does not bore and it delivers!
The plot was very well thought off which keeps the pacing going. Interestingly, some of the chapters kinda gets into a quick fast pace read when some of the adrenaline action scene takes place. The magic wasn't overly done, which seems a like a gentle whispers during spells or charms are being cast. I like it even more!
It's a great start of the series and I can't wait to dive into the next one. The last book in the series will be out by October 2014. I might just marathon these 4 books until it reaches the 5th during the release.
If anyone is keen on starting a fantasy genre, I would say that this is a great kick-start to venture into the fantasy world. Moreover, it's an urban fantasy settings, so, it would be much easier to relate.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Review Links
