REVIEW - ROYALE - UNDERGROUND SERIES BY KENNEDY PLUMB

  

Title: Royale
Series: Underground
Author: Kennedy Plumb
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Release Date: 31st July 2024

BLURB
Samuel Carmichael’s worst nightmare became reality when he came face to face with the notorious villain Vegas. Now he can’t shake the feeling that things in her glittery casino are not what they appear. Forced to form new alliances and launch himself straight into the middle of a dangerous power conflict, Sam will do anything to make sure Ella is freed from Vegas’s clutches.

C9 began to implode the day Sam escaped to find Ella, leaving Mateo and his brother Eddie with heavy responsibilities they never asked for but now can’t run away from. As the Zone begins to collapse from the inside out, Teo must ask himself if survival is worth fighting for. His brother’s life depends on it.

Two brothers on opposite sides of a crumbling Underground face insurmountable odds to fight for the siblings they have given up everything for.

Will their lives be next?

Will a brother’s love be enough?

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
The cover is really striking and certainly attracts your eye and would make me pick it up in a book store to learn more about it. I don’t quite know how to explain it, other than it really has that dystopian feel. I really like the repeat of the cut out effect that you kind of look through to the other side. Its like you are peeping into another world. Probably the way Sam and Q feel when they are trying to fit into the Elite zone, seeing how the other half live.

After reading and absolutely loving Buried I was eagerly . . . though perhaps not very patiently awaiting the release of Royale. I did read the novella in the series called Matches just prior to reading Royale, though personally I think the novella could be read after Royale too. The novella made me want to know more about Veronica and Arcadius’ life straight away and though they are in Royale there is quite a time jump to where they are and we don’t really know how they got there.

Sam may have escaped C9 and found Ella but is devastated when she refuses to come with him, actually wanting to stay with Vegas. He is also feeling really guilty that not everyone escaped and some of those that did escape were injured. He has now been forced to tell the whole truth, and knows the truth about those he has banded together with. Though Q seems to forgive him for his deception she gleefully “makes him pay” at every opportunity that comes by. Beardsley however is a different matter, he flatly refuses to have anything to do with Sam. Despite Ella’s refusal to run with him, he knows there is something not quite right with his sister and he is even more determined to free her from Vegas. Sam is prepared to agree to anything and align himself with whoever will help him. When Cade, the shady leader of those at the camp agrees to help him, in exchange for a favour, he blindly agrees to it, immediately shaking hands and sealing the deal. When the time comes, he may regret agreeing to a favour.

Back in C9 Mateo is still trying his best to protect his younger brother Eddie amongst the hardships and increasingly volatile atmosphere. A new security detail arrives and a new leader takes over Sergeant Nova. The way she rules is you follow orders or you die. There are no more trials, no second chances, not even expulsion from C9, just death! Mayor Ramos is taken into custody and put in the cells but manages to get messages to Mateo, organises secret meetings and it soon becomes apparent that Mayor Ramos has a plan for Mateo, he wants him to lead everyone to safety. At first Mateo and a small group of trusted friends begin to talk about what they can realistically do and who may help. They approach the Elders, who seem to be against any type of action, they are happy to sit and wait to see what happens.

We also meet Tyro-B29 and follow her typical day of taking her blue and red pills then sitting in class under the instruction of Aunty, then doing her daily syncing with Ella. When Sam visited it changed things and Tyro-B29 is starting to rebel a little, first not syncing, then not taking the pills but this lands her in trouble with Aunty. Tyro-B29 knows something isn’t right, syncing with Ella doesn’t seem right anymore, but the consequences of not doing so make her ill herself.

Once again there are so many fantastic characters in the book, too many to mention them all, some we met in Buried and there are also a few new ones. We still have Mateo, Eddie, Sam (or Pretty Boy as Q calls him), Q and the fantastic and heroic dog Luna. Newer or secondary characters are Jones, Parker, Talia, Amanda, Steve and Zara. There’s also a growing selection of bad or possibly bad characters such as the new Sergeant Nova, Vegas, Cade, and scary dog Axel. There are also a couple of characters that I am not completely sure about whose side they are on, good or bad, such as Mayor Ramos, and newer character Callix. You do become really attached to the characters and invested in their own stories as well as the main story/plot of the book.

I was a little worried that such a long time had passed since reading Buried and at times, I admit that I did struggle to remember exactly who everyone was and exactly what had happened but this uncertainty did clear the more I read of the book. The different chapters are from the point of view & whereabouts of Sam, Mateo & Eddie and Tyro-B29.

I really loved all the smaller acts of rebellion that the Elites were encouraged to do with the Live Free Or Die element in the book and compared it to the Commoners acts of rebellion and forming a group to make a final stand. So much happens in this book, it’s like two action packed main plot lines going on at the same time, there is Sam fighting to get his sister Ella back, then Mateo and Eddie in C9 fighting for survival, in fact three main plot lines if you include what is happening in the Elite Zone including Tyro-B29.

I thought the Chapter headers along with the character name of whose point of view/situation we were reading about were great. I adored the way that although Sam and Mateo are not together they are both fighting battles for freedom and when they aren’t sure what to do they both immediately wonder what the other would do in that situation. What Would Sam Do/WWSD and What Would Mateo Do/WWMD, there is also the chapter heading “Rose could have made room for Jack” which I found quite amusing.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing the book were that there was so much packed into it. There are lots of intrigue, betrayal, friendship, love, hate, hope & despair in this action packed, unputdownable sequel to Buried......... And there are soooo many cliff hangers and so many questions I need answering! There were sections of the book where I felt like shouting Noooo! And Don’t do it! And What? Who? There really is so much that could happen, so many directions things could go, so many little character plot storylines to learn more about. I’d love more Q, Sam, and Ella, as well as some of the characters (trying to be spoilery free here) to be reunited. Then with how the book ended there is another battle/war coming as well as answers to be given about the surprise reveal character at the end!!

Summing up this book really has such a lot going on, you really do not want to put the book down once you start reading, it is highly addictive! Can't wait to read more! Hope it’s not long to wait.

 

 

REVIEW - MATCHES - UNDERGROUND SERIES BY KENNEDY PLUMB

 

 

Title: Matches
Series: Underground
Author: Kennedy Plumb
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Release Date: 30th June 2024

BLURB
No one talks about what happens at Hill Academy, the prestigious and secretive boarding school for the country's wealthiest elites. All Veronica Wadhwani knows is she has to make her time here count if she wants to build up her empire. Lined up against hundreds of teens just as gifted, privileged, and ruthless as her, she knows she's in for a challenge to stand out, but she is determined that nothing will stand in her way. Especially not the arrogant and frustratingly handsome Arcadius Cargill. But when the secret agenda of Hill Academy is revealed, Veronica realizes the next three years will be less focused on academics, and more focused on survival. The stakes of her education are higher than ever and failure is not an option.

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
I love the quite stark cover of the lit match. It’s really clever the way the title “Matches” has a dual meaning within the book, as it represents actual matches that when lit cause fires and when two people are put together as being compatible. I also love the addiction of the byline "You have a fire that matches mine" which is a quote from within the book

The central character of Matches is Veronica Wadhwani who is being dropped off at a new boarding school that her parents attended years ago. Sadly, Veronica’s mother died years before so it is just her father taking her to the new school. As she is being dropped off her father advises she should not be too hot headed here as the 'best she can do for the family is to attract a lucrative match'. This remark both annoys and saddens Veronica as it’s clear her father always wanted a son to pass the family legacy onto. Veronica feels more than capable on taking on the family business but it is very much still a mans world era that she lives in.

As Veronica approaches the entrance of Hill Academy she has an eery feeling that despite having as much money, style, poise & notability as the other students, she is not going to fit in. Then she sees the cryptic quote above the school door 'ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND PROMINENCE'

It's like stepping into another world, the students are expected to hand over phones & keys, anyone kicking up a fuss is removed, forcibly if necessary. Next is a rather humiliating assessment and examination then Veronica goes to her room to discover she is sharing with the cosmetic heiress and model, Darcy Mentzer. The two young women seem to bond and stick together during the talk from Dean Westbrook, he explains studies will be one of the priorities but preparing to advance into society as leaders & dignitaries is equally important.
It seems they are there to be matched with a life partner who matches their background & goals in life. He explains the process has already begun. The compatibility assessment they just had upon arrival was uploaded to the system and the powerful AI system has already found 3 possible partners. In the following weeks there will be trials & tasks to be undertaken with their different potential partners to determine whether they deserve to be here.
The Dean quite ominously reveals if they prove themself unworthy, their parents have agreed that drastic measures must be taken & they will be sent to rehabilitation at an alternative location. It’s not long until Veronica discovers her 3 possible matches, Arcadius Gill, Drew Montgomery and Owen Hensburg. Veronica decides to “go with the flow” and for appearances sake make it look like she is going along with everything.

I have to admit I had similar thoughts to the character Veronica as she entered Hill Academy and the expectations of her were revealed. What on earth is Hill Academy? Exactly what are the students there being matched and prepared for? Does Veronica's father really know what's going on there? Can Veronica make it look like she is accepting enough of the process and avoid being sent to some horrendous sounding rehabilitation centre.......Exactly what has Veronica's father signed her up for!?!

I instantly liked Veronica, obviously ahead of her time, wanting to be an independent woman and not just be married off to stay at home and care for the house and family. As soon as Arcadius or Cade as he is referred as you progress in the novella was introduced, I had that inkling he was definitely be someone Veronica was going to have to deal with. He is a strong willed, opinionated, yet at the same time caring and thoughtful. I can already feel the chemistry building between Veronica and Arcadius.....I have to admit as soon as he was introduced within the novella I was #TeamArcadius #TeamCade.

I really loved the novella, it’s characters and plot and to be honest I really didn’t want it to end. I’m intrigued with how these characters and their stories will unfold alongside of the characters I have already read about in Buried.

Summing up I love, love loved this short story, though not 100% sure where it all fits into the Underground Series yet, definitely looking forward to reading more.

 

 

REVIEW - IRENA'S GIFT BY KAREN KIRSTEN

  

Title: Irena's Gift
Author: Karen Kirsten
Publisher: Kensington Publishing, Citadel
Genre: Non Fiction, History
Release Date: 23rd July 2024

BLURB
In 1942, in German-occupied Poland, a Jewish baby girl was smuggled out of the Warsaw ghetto in a backpack. That baby, Joasia, knew nothing about this extraordinary event until she was thirty-two, when a letter arrived from a stranger. She also learned that the parents who raised her were actually her aunt and uncle. Joasia kept this knowledge hidden from her own daughter, Karen—until an innocent question unexpectedly revealed the truth.

Determined to understand the generational trauma that cloaked her family in silence, her own origins, and to help heal her mother’s pain, Karen set out to unearth decades of secrets and piece together a hidden history—from the glittering days of pre-war Poland to the little-known Radom Prison, where of 500 resistance members tortured, only 10 survived, her grandfather the only known Jewish one. There, Karen finds answers, yet not easy ones.

As she exposes her family’s saga of love and betrayal, countless brushes with death, precarious hiding places, and the astounding negotiation with an SS officer who saved her mother’s life, Karen must reconcile the complicated, multi-faceted truths behind human behavior.

Irena’s Gift weaves together a mystery, history, and memoir to tell a story of sacrifice, impossible choices, impossible odds, and the way trauma reverberates throughout generations. Yet it is also a story of resilience and bravery, revealing how love and hope, too, can not only prevail through the worst imaginable circumstances, but resonate through time. 

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
It was the title that first attracted me to the book, I wanted to know who Irena was and what was her gift. Then when I read the blurb, I knew I had to know more about this family and what happened to them during the Holocaust.

Karen knew nothing of her family history during the Holocaust, in fact at age four when she asked her Nana about the number on her arm, her nana’s reply was that a man had put it there, that it was her phone number! It’s only later that it is revealed that Karen’s grandmother is not Joanna’s (Karen’s mum) biological mother. In fact, a woman called Irena and was Nana Alicja’s sister. When this is revealed a lot of things start to make more sense to Karen about how her Nana Alicja treats her mother Joanna differently to her Uncle Tony. As a child Joanna had nightmares about men in uniforms, and when she asked Alicja to explain she refuses to talk about it. Joanna’s parents Alicja & Mietek wanted her to pursue a career of their choosing such as law or engineering, but Joanna’s heart led her to pursue a career in teaching children’s art & history. When Tony, Joanna’s brother graduated medical school, a career choice they approved of they bought him a flashy white MG Convertible. When Joanna graduated her own chosen career training Alicja & Mietek bought her a pen. Mietek & Alicja wanted Joanna to marry a “well to do” Jewish man, again Joanna followed her own mind and path and married an Australian, the son of Swiss immigrants.
Joanna didn’t really know her full history until she received a letter from a stranger in Canada called Zdzislaw Przygoda. This man addressed her as Joasia, a different form of her name Joanna and had sent her photographs of her as a child. There was one of Alicja, and Irena who died in the war. As Joasia/Joanna stares at the photograph she looks at the dark- haired Irena and something just clicks into place, it’s like something has come unlocked or released and memories start flooding back. The writer of the letter, Zdzislaw says how he carried the photo of Joanna & Irena all through the camps. He goes on to say that Irena had been killed by the Germans and that they had always loved Joanna and he still loves her.
When Alicja first learns of the letter she is surprised and perhaps annoyed by that letter as when she first learns of its existence her remark is “Zdzislaw promised he would never tell!” She also admonishes Joanna saying “We were so good to you.” Joanna assures Alicja that she loves Alicja & Mietek even more knowing that they adopted her. “Secrets are like a loose thread in a jumper; if you pull hard enough, the whole garment falls apart” really does fit what happens when the letter arrives from Canada for Joasia/Joanna.

Joanna kept this letter hidden from Karen and her sister for years as Alicja made her promise not to tell them, as she thought that if they found out she was not their biological Nana she would somehow no longer love her. Joanna kind of reluctantly agrees but says she will not lie to her children if they ask her a direct question. When Karen met Zdzislaw and his mother Helena, she is told to call Zdzislaw “Uncle Dick” and to call Helena “babcia.” Zdislaw reveals more about what happened during the war, the majority of it Alicja seems to remember in a different way, she confuses dates, timelines and doesn’t remember certain things. Alicja blames Dick for a lot when it was him that helped them evade the Gestapo on numerous occasions, obtaining false papers that declared them Polish not Jewish which enabled Alicja & Mietek to live on the Aryan side of town. Keeping suspicion of them being resistance members or collaborators. Dick also obtained forged papers for Eljasz, Irena & Alicja’s father to help him get out of the ghetto but Eljasz delayed leaving and ended up never getting out of the ghetto.

It's sad that Alicja & Zdzislaw/Dick lived through the same atrocities and have such different versions of events. They both endured awful things during this time and I think perhaps Alicja maybe blames Zdzislaw/Dick for not protecting her sister Irena. Naturally Alicja is angry her sister did not survive, maybe she even feels a little guilty that she survived and Irena didn’t. What this family endured hiding in plain sight, thrown in jails, concentration camps, tortured, starving, beaten, the bribery and betrayal around them, living from hour to hour waiting to be caught and more is horrendous. I have to admit that had I gone through anything like the family in this book, I would probably not want to think or talk about. It is strange how Alicja can and will talk to Karen, her granddaughter about Holocaust, even initially arranging to watch Schindlers List with her, though in the end Alicja goes to see it with friends, yet she refuses to talk about the Holocaust with Joanna, her (adopted) daughter.

I found the book really compelling, the way the past affects how you live your life today. The way how despite being so young Josia/Joanna still had memories of the war and men in uniform but Alicja didn’t want to deal with explanations so she just ignored them and kept the realities away from her. The title of the book can have more than one meaning, Irena’s Gift could be that she gave her daughter to Alicja to raise as her own. Irena’s Gift could also be her sacrifice of selflessly giving up her child, Joasia/Joanna allowing her to be apart from her, to give her a better chance of survival. I think the title really fits the book very well.

Summing up, I found Irena’s Gift, an extremely interesting, informative memoir about the Holocaust and how it affected the different members and generations of one family not just during the war and Holocaust, but years and years later.

 

 

REVIEW - CASCADIA RISING - THE UNRAVELING BY KEVN CRAVER

  

Title: Cascadia Rising
Series: The Unraveling
Author: Kevin Craver
Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Survival
Release Date: 15th July 2024

BLURB
A new nation rises from the ashes ...

The survivors called it the Unraveling—a merciless one-two punch of economic collapse and pandemic flu that brought the United States, and the world, to its knees.

With rioting and plague ravaging Seattle and the state capital of Olympia, Senator Rebecca Stevenson flees with her only daughter to take shelter at a friend’s survival retreat in rural eastern Washington. But when a despotic governor seeking to reimpose order through tyranny deems Rebecca a threat and targets her for death, the senator finds herself thrust into leading a rebellion.

As states secede from a shattered Union, renegade Army captain Demetrius Mathers and a team of former Special Forces soldiers help Rebecca raise a ragtag army to break eastern Washington free of Olympia’s yoke and create the new nation of Cascadia. But with time and supplies running out, Rebecca and Demetrius must launch an audacious, all-or-nothing final battle to win Cascadia its independence—and save Rebecca’s daughter from the governor’s clutches.

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
As soon as I heard about Cascadia Rising I knew I wanted to read it. After reading Big Sky Fallen I couldn’t wait to read more set in the same world. I also wanted to see how the characters in Big Sky Fallen would incorporate into Cascadia Rising.

Cascadia Rising is set within the same world, time and setting as bk1 Big Sky Fallen. It covers the collapse of society in a different geographical area than Big Sky Fallen was set. There is some overlap with some of the characters from Big Sky Fallen being mentioned or appearing in this book too but there are lots of new characters introduced in Cascadia Rising, all with their own back stories, familial connections and issues to deal with.

I enjoy the way the book is split into parts and then those parts into the individual chapters that are presented with their location headings. Though to begin with you may panic thinking how can you retain the information because it's about so many different locations and so many additional people you do soon get into the rhythm of the book and how its flows and then you really hate having to put it down.

When the rioting and pandemic begins to get out of hand, on the advice of friend and colleague, single mum, Senator Rebecca Stevenson and her daughter Carleigh head to James Rands more isolated and self-sufficient summer home/survival retreat. They join James, his family and extended group of ex-special forces soldiers. They hope to find safety there and learn to live with how the world has changed.

Governor Alicia Embrey is becoming more and more out of hand imposing her whims and wants on everyone else and using what is left of the armed forces to do it. When Governor Embrey perceives Senator Rebecca Stevenson as a threat, she will stop at nothing to get rid of her, even targeting her daughter to get to the Senator. With her own life and her only daughters too, Rebecca makes a stand and ends up being the figurehead/leader of a rebellion. Rebecca’s “army” consists of ex-military, those wanting to leaving the military such as Captain Demetrius Mathers and civilians such as Jed with little left to lose. When all the little pockets of rebellion come together, they become a force to be reckoned with.

I think there’s a character within the book that everyone can identify with on some level. I can definitely relate to Senator Rebecca Stevenson when her daughter is targeted as a way to get at her. I loved her relationship with Captain Demetrius Mather and found it hilarious that he had ordered all his soldiers to be totally respectful around Carleigh, yet Carleigh was oblivious and wondered why none of the soldiers wanted to be chatty, flirty or friendly with her. I felt so sorry for Jed losing his family to the pandemic, but then reunites with some family prior to the big battle and ends up being a hero.

Characters I loved were Senator Rebecca Stevenson, Carleigh Stevenson, Alexandra Chase, Captain Demetrius Mather, Sergeant Tom Ngo, Specialist Allie Monaghan, and Lieutenant Callie Harmon. There are so many more great characters that I grew to love that I could mention. I also thoroughly enjoyed “hating” Governor Alicia Embrey and those around her.

Cascadia Rising is an action packed, eventful book that takes you on a journey with all the characters, their individual experiences and their emotions. There is military jargon & tactics, politics, underhand officials out for themselves and 'normal' civilians prepared to give their life for the greater good. Reading the book takes you through a whole range of emotions, laughing at military jokes and pop culture/movie references one minute then in tears the next minute at the potential loss, or dramatic loss of a much-loved character. I really love the equality of the sexes in the book, how there are both strong male and female characters within the book.

I feel like I could go on talking about this book forever, so I'm going to stop now before I reveal any major spoilers.

I'm already thinking about what/who could be in the next book, I really hope a certain “rather large character” has his story continue in the next book! I definitely recommend this book series, especially if you read Kyla Stone, Steven Konkoly, Jeff W. Horton and Grace Hamilton etc.

 

 

 

 

REVIEW - LOST HEIR - BLOOD WEAVER TRILOGY BY KARINA ESPINOSA

Title: Lost Heir
Series: Blood Weaver Trilogy
Author: Karina Espinosa
Release Date: 14th June 2024

BLURB
In the stunning sequel to the fantasy romance Blood Weaver, Leila—revealed to be Princess Lyanna of Valoria—faces new trials and deceptions. After escaping the harsh realities of the Central Plains, she returns to her homeland with Prince Caelan of Eldwain and Ronan, a hostage from the fearsome Crimson Clan of the Grasslands. But peace is fragile; the king of Valoria, seeking to avoid a war, commands the release of Ronan.

Now free, Ronan confronts Lyanna, begging forgiveness for deceiving her and unraveling truths that shake the very foundations of her beliefs. As they navigate their complicated feelings, a grand banquet hosted by Lyanna’s father draws not only dignitaries from across Asteria but also uninvited dangers. Shadows from within their own ranks threaten to turn the festive occasion into a nightmare.

Amidst these swirling conspiracies, Ronan and Leila must discover whether they can trust each other enough to confront what lies ahead. As the prophecy looms over them, their choices could save their lands—or lead them to ruin. Will the truths they uncover allow them to stand together, or is their fate already sealed? 

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
I love the dramatic cover, with the swords and crimson sash across them. It has aspects in common with the cover of Blood Weaver meaning it gives a really cohesive look to the series.

The book begins with a scene from the past when a young Ronan visits Eldwain with his father Chief Aryan who tells him to go off & meet his peers. When a young Ronan spots Princess Lyanna with a group of friends including Caelan who turns his back on Ronan calling both him and his people 'barbarians' but later the young Princess Lyanna talks to Ronan and at one point during their interaction even asks to plait his hair. The hair of the men of the Crimson Clan is considered sacred and touched only by their own clan women. Despite this Ronan allows the young Princess Lyanna to touch and plait his hair. This previous meeting, though brief makes an impression on the young Ronan and is probably how he realises Leila is the Princess when he meets her and she reveals she is from Valoria.

Lyanna is really worried about Selene when she gets no reply from a note she sends before she sets off back to Valoria but theres no sign of Selene nor Orion the fae who is supposed to be purchasing her freedom on Princess Lyanna's behalf. Caelan chooses to reveal the reason Marcellus was missing from the battle was that he was buying Selene from Madame Rose at the Rose Petal Lounge. Lyanna questions Caelan whether Marcellus bought or freed Selene. Caelan almost gleefully clarifies that Marcellus bought Selene.

When Lyanna confronts Marcellus about his buying Selene and his intentions towards her, theres an argument Marcellus calls Lyanna a "Crimson Whore.' Caelan enters the argument reminding Marcellus not to talk to his older sister in that way and Marcellus makes a remark about not thinking Caelan would want 'Ronans sloppy seconds' in reference to Lyanna. Lyanna has to deal with the increasingly unwanted attentions & affections of Caelan who seems to think she belongs to him and doesn't keep his intentions very subtle or quiet. If all that isn't enough it seems that at least one of Lyanna's parents is plotting against her and supporting Caelans intentions. Maybe Lyanna can use this parental divide of opinion to her own advantage. Lyanna is determined not to follow the future one parent has mapped out for her, meaning this parent and is far from happy when Lyanna rebels.

It's clear Lyanna feel stifled and trapped now she is back at the Palace but she knows she has to pick her battles with her parents carefully. Lyanna preferred and misses her life as Leila the healer, she has seen and experienced the world outside the Palace and has ideas of her own how things should look in her future. She refuses to be used as a pawn in some power game created by others. With the arrival of Ronan's father the Chief Aryan, leader of the Crimson Clan, at her parents invitation, Lyanna has yet another person intent on using her for their own gains.

With all these problems it's no wonder Lyanna let's her looking out for Selene and protecting her from the Queen and her followers slide, but she isn't afraid to stand up for her friend, and Lyanna and Marcellus uniting and speaking up for Selene brings them closer together again, which is a good thing as I think Lyanna is going to need all the help she can get and as many allies as possible to fight alongside her for the future she desires.

Lost Heir is packed full of amazing characters from the main ones to the smaller ones. Characters I absolutely loved in Lost Heir, were of course Lyanna/Leila, Ronan the brave, loyal Henry. I also continue to like Selene at the moment too.
I will say I warmed a little more to Marcellus, and Silas again. I also immediately took an instant liking to Viktor who we meet when he is guarding Princess Lyanna on her return to the Palace. Its then revealed he is Sir Edric's son. He is very subtle and tactical how he protects Lyanna without making her feel stifled or taking over her life. It is his idea to put Tessa, a mage warrior in place as Lyanna's Lady in waiting.
I aren't sure whether the fae Orion is friend or foe to Lyanna, I'm hoping its friend and if things go wrong with the prophecy he could maybe help put things right. It also seems like Mikhal on one hand is Lyanna's friend but perhaps she should be worried what he will want in return.
I admit to enjoying hating Caelan and really hope that he gets a suitable comeuppance preferably at the hands of Lyanna or if not maybe Marcellus.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing Lost Heir were, Wow! How could you end it there!!! So to say I am eagerly awaiting the final installment is an understatement!

Summing up, definitely recommend reading this series, I'm seriously loving it! It's difficult to say more without giving much away, but I can't wait to see how the prophecy unfurls. I desperately want Lyanna or her more free, happier version Leila and Ronan to be together, but I feel there are more hurdles and battles for Lyanna to climb and conquer and more to be revealed before that can happen. I look forward to reading it. 

 

REVIEW - THE BRANDED - THE BRANDED SEASON BY JO RICCIONI

  

Title: The Branded
Series: The Branded Season
Author: Jo Riccioni
Publisher: Angry Robot
Release Date: 11th June 2024

BLURB from Goodreads
Isfalk is divided into two classes: the Branded, who are vulnerable to disease, and the Pure, who are bigger, stronger and immune. Orphaned twins Nara and Osha are sequestered in the citadel, where their unbranded skin entitles them to a life of privilege, as precious breeding stock.

Nara itches to escape her confines and return to the wilds of the Fornwood where she and her sister grew up, but when she is forced to run, she discovers there's much more at stake than her own life. The Branded are on the rise, and the girls are caught up in their prophecies.

Forced to accept the help of a mysterious southern Brand known only as the Wrangler, Nara discovers the latent power lying dormant in uncanny abilities she's had since childhood. But in a world where women are traded as commodities, who can she trust in the lands beyond the Fornwood? What does the Wrangler know about her forgotten childhood? Two sisters without a past hold the weight of the future in their hands.

The Branded is an epic, high-concept speculative novel with explosive ideas around gender and class, served up with romance, conflict and quick-fire narrative pace.

REVIEW
It was the book cover that first drew my attention to the book, I think it looks very mysterious and hints at a darkness.

The book centres on a place called Isfalk, a place of relative safety, which is made up of the branded & unbranded. In this case the unbranded are viewed as pure, they descend from four main families. These unbranded individuals are to be taken care of at all costs, especially the women referred to as the “Mor” as they represent the future, as they are the ones that will breed and make sure their civilisation continues. The branded however are seen as “less than”, they have the “brand” on their skin, in varying degrees. They are also more susceptible to illnesses, especially the brume. The branded are the servants that do all the work considered beneath the Unbranded. The branded live outside the inner Citadel in Isfalk in rundown homes and try to eke out an existence barely getting by, scavenging for food and resources.

The two main female characters are Nara & Osha, two sisters brought up by their grandmother, Amma until the day men came to their home living out in the wilds and burnt their home down and murdered their grandmother. She had always taught them that if anything happened to her, they should head to Isfalk, to a man named Larrs Oskarsson who would take care of them. When they arrived at Isfalk they were examined and proven to be unbranded, pure and so as they were considered Mor they were admitted to the Citadel and schooled in the way of the Isfalk and adopted their ways and culture. Though Nara & Osha are twins and it is said their faces mirror each other, they are really quite different.

Osha has a fuller figure, is taller, and is easy going and pliable, Nara is smaller, lean, has her own mind and opinion on everything and doesn’t really care to keep quiet about it. Their Amma (grandmother) nicknamed Nara Narkat, which in their solitary dialect means something small, wild & fierce, she taught Nara to hunt and survive.

Amma taught Osha how to help women deliver babies, stop inner bleeding, treat yellow blush & even how to bring back a “blue born”(branded babies). Amma taught Osha about Fornwood herb, lore and healing arts.

Both young women rebel in their own ways, Nara escapes the confines of the Citadel and practices fighting, goes hunting and collect herbs and plants for Osha to make her remedies from. Osha takes risks making her remedies and researches the old apotheka books by Fenderhilde. Osha reads about what Fenderhilde knew about the Brume. He talks about shielding the branded infants by having them drink the blood of the pure to give them immunity! Osha wants to find a cure for the brume one day to give to everyone. These pursuits are forbidden at Isfalk, the Mor are expected to be paired with an unbranded male and have a child every year for the rest of their child bearing years, the idea of which Nara abhors.

The sister’s best friend in Isfalk is Brim Oskarsson, the nephew of Lars. Brim has grown up with the girls, secretly teaching Nara how to fight and covering for her when she sneaks away from Isfalk on her hunting trips. However, as they are all older, with Brim now being a Warder Captain it is his job to guard the Mor and Isfalk he tries to get Nara to promise not to sneak off anymore, saying he cannot cover for her, despite him having romantic feelings for her. Brim is being groomed to take on the duty of his family as an Oskarsson, one of the four founding ones, things are changing for him whether he likes it or not.

When things take a really bad turn, the girls find themselves captured to be sold to the head of the Orlathon’s they are now on the outside, away from the protection of Isfalk and relying on a strange branded male known as the Wrangler for help and a Reis Chief. To further complicate matters the Reis Chief Haus is fascinated by Osha and Nara can’t help having feelings for the Wrangler. Both sisters have to use their individual gifts and strengths to survive what is ahead.

So much happens in this book, there so many twists and turns. Things the sisters think they know about that are spun on their head. The secrets around the necklaces the sisters have always treasured and then the pattern on the coin that Nara is given.

I enjoyed the different proverb like lines within the book, such as 'Good pairings rely on good reputations' and the school creed that the Unbranded have to recite three times a day of "Through pairing & progeny to purpose.” Theres some amazing characters in the book from the main ones of Osha, Nara, Wrangler, Brim and Haus.

I could go on and on about this book and its characters but really shouldn’t as I do not want to give away too many spoilers. I’m really bursting to say more but won’t. I will just list a few of the other really interesting characters such as the sinister Mother Iness, Father Ulaf, Frida, and Frenka.

I adored all the different romantic scenarios of Nara & Brim? Osha & Brim? Wrangler/Nixim & Nara? Osha & Haus? Then there’s the “big cryptic prophecy” that the Wranglers people, the Reis believe in. There’s the mystery of the real reason of who killed Amma and why. There’s also the question of how Lars Oskarrson is caught up in it all, and the secrecy surrounding Nara & Osha's gifts & the identity of their parents.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing the book were Wow! Loved it! Can't wait to read more.

Summing up I really enjoyed discovering the different cultures and traditions Isfalki - Pure/Brand, Orlathon and Reis. I also loved all the Romance......the different pairings that were more like triangles! And all the switching round! I seriously cannot wait to read The Rising!!

 

REVIEW - THE TESTAMENTS - THE HANDMAIDS TALE SERIES BY MARGARET ATWOOD

  

Title: The Testaments
Series: The Handmaids Tale
Author: Margaret Atwood
Publisher: Vintage
Release Date: 10th September 2019

BLURB from Goodreads
When the van door slammed on Offred's future at the end of The Handmaid's Tale, readers had no way of telling what lay ahead for her--freedom, prison or death.

With The Testaments, the wait is over.

Margaret Atwood's sequel picks up the story more than fifteen years after Offred stepped into the unknown, with the explosive testaments of three female narrators from Gilead.

In this brilliant sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, acclaimed author Margaret Atwood answers the questions that have tantalized readers for decades.

"Dear Readers: Everything you've ever asked me about Gilead and its inner workings is the inspiration for this book. Well, almost everything! The other inspiration is the world we've been living in." --Margaret Atwood

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
This book picks up over fifteen years after Offred’s tale in the Handmaids Tale. The Testaments tells the story of three females from Gilead, Agnes, Aunt Lydia and Nicole.

We learn that though Agnes had a fairly good start at a life with Tabitha and Commander Kyle. Unfortunately, Tabitha is taken ill and when she dies and Commander Kyle takes a new wife called Paula, things rapidly go from bad to worse for Agnes. Then when she is touched inappropriately whilst at the dentist she has no where to turn. The dentist is her best friend Becka’s father so she can’t even really confide in her either. Agnes is being pushed out more and more at home with all Paula’s changes, bringing in a handmaid. Sadly, Ofkyle dies giving birth to baby Mark. Agnes’s popularity goes up and down in a way that shadows her life at home. Agnes overhears people saying that her mother was a slut from before. Agnes leaves behind the pink/plum uniform and is transferred along with some of her friends to wife preparatory school where they wear the light and dark green uniform of those awaiting marriage. Not all the girls wish to be married but their families try and push them into hoping that they are paired with a powerful Commander who will lift the whole family higher on the Gilead hierarchy.

The second female voice of the book is that of Aunt Lydia. We learn about her life “before” Gilead as a Judge who dealt with families and what is considered by Gilead as all that was wrong with society. We discover how Aunt Lydia was herself rounded up when women were stripped of their rights and assets. We see how she was mistreated and forced to do the bidding of the men, though she herself was also instrumental in coming up with some of the punishments for the women who would not comply. A woman who she kind of befriends when they are rounded up, refused to comply and was shot dead in front of Aunt Lydia. The women were made to turn on and turn in each other or not complying with the new rules and ideas. It becomes apparent that Aunt Lydia has worked her way up the ranks of the Aunt’s into a fairly safe position where she can orchestrate certain things to her liking and to further her own cause. She uses her knowledge and position with certain Commanders to get things done, all whilst making the Commander think it was his idea or allowing him to take credit when her idea is applauded by those further up the chain of command in Gilead.

The third female voice is that of a young girl called Daisy who has been living with Melanie and Neil in Canada. All has gone fairly normal and quite mundane in her life until her 16th Birthday when a car bomb explodes and kills both Melanie and Neil. She is grabbed from the street by family friend Ada and taken into hiding. There Daisy takes on a new identity, Jade, in order to hide whilst learning her actual true identity and why it is so important that no one know who she really is. Daisy/Jade is now involved with the resistance against Gilead and is given a very important role to play.

There are some other amazing characters in The Testaments apart from the three main voices of the book. Becka, whose father inappropriately touches Agnes, who defiantly slashes her wrists with gardening secateurs in an effort to avoid a marriage she does not want. Becka is taken away and speaks with Aunt Lydia, Becka then starts her training to become first a missionary and finally a full Aunt herself, taking a new name as all new Aunt recruits do, becoming Aunt Immortelle. Becka hasn’t had a very good life really and she truly believes she can make a difference and really gets on board with the idea of going on a mission. Then at the last moment she is given a different way to help and she unquestioningly does what she perceives to be needed at the time. I also loved the character of Ada, though have to admit that at one point I thought she was going to turn out to be June! I was wrong but Ada is heavily involved with the resistance.

I really, really loved this book and read it fairly quickly, I seriously hated having to put it down! I approached reading The Testaments thinking that all my questions from the Handmaids Tale would be answered, some were, but after finishing The Testamants I had even more! And has made me want even more from Margaret Atwood and this series! I’m also looking forward to watching more of the Handmaids Tale, I’m thinking I will be seeing a few different angles of the story when I do. In fact, The Testaments has made me want to watch the Handmaids Tale from the beginning again. So, whether you have read Handmaids Tale or just watched it on TV I highly recommend you read this unputdownable read!