A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes: Review

Synopsis:

Modern-day sisters discover deadly ancient magic in book 1 of this Falling Kingdoms spin-off series!

Worlds collide in this suspenseful, page-turning Falling Kingdoms spin-off series, which explores a whole new side of Mytica—and an even darker version of its magic.

Crystal Hatcher, Modern-day Toronto: It’s a normal afternoon in her mother’s antique bookshop when Crys witnesses the unthinkable: her little sister Becca collapses into a coma after becoming mesmerized by a mysterious book written in an unrecognizable language.

Maddox Corso, Ancient Mytica: Maddox Corso doesn’t think much of it when he spots an unfamiliar girl in his small village. Until, that is, he realizes that she is a spirit, and he is the only one who can see or hear her. Her name is Becca Hatcher, and she needs Maddox to help get her home.

Farrell Grayson, Modern-day Toronto: Rich and aimless Farrell Grayson is thrilled when the mysterious leader of the ultra-secret Hawkspear Society invites him into the fold. But when he learns exactly what he has to do to prove himself, Farrell starts to question everything he thought he knew about family, loyalty, and himself….

Fate has brought these young people together, but ancient magic threatens to rip them apart.

***

When I looked at the summary of A Book of Spirits and Thieves, I wondered how exactly this was going to work out. I mean, it's not some alternative universe that you can travel to (even though it's kind of, well, many-worlds). I have finished this book for quite some time now, and can still hardly believe that the whole thing works out so well. No messiness, no confusion. Just plain awesomeness. Good job, Morgan Rhodes. You have managed to outshine all imaginations.

Crystal was a typical teenager in Toronto. Suffering from the mysterious departure of her father, she had been distant and detached from her family, until her little sister Becca fell into a coma after touching the book. Crys was determined to find the answers and save her sister. What she got though wasn't exactly the answer she wanted. Someone was hunting her (sort of) and wanted something she had. Throughout the chase and the battle of wits, I'm quite astonished that she was very smart. I didn't expect her to be an inane blonde at all. But putting two and two together in record time is very impressive. Of course, she did make mistakes, some could get her killed. Her street-smart personality and quick-thinking, though, is still something that I thoroughly enjoy. Especially when she squeeze the hell out of a certain someone's tattoo.

And that certain someone is, well, Farrell Grayson. My feelings are divided. He's quite a complex character, with polar-opposite personalities (just like Magnus). I feel sympathy and hatred and admiration and despise and whole bunch of contradictory emotions for him. At the start of the book, he was trying to deal with his grief for his older brother. But throughout the course of the events, he fell deeper and deeper into the abyss, to the point where I'm afraid there was no return. His actions were questionable, to put it mildly. He was cruel, arrogant and cold. But there were moments of vulnerability and care that couldn't be concealed. And that's why I have such contradictory feelings for this guy. His dark side will become a problem in the next book, and I'm excited and terrified to find out.

Maddox was more innocent. Of course, he came from an entirely different world and he was slightly younger than both Crys and Farrell. His presence in Mytica was like fresh air to the intense war in the modern world. His side of story linked with the events happening in Toronto, and I wonder if he will ever meet Crys and/or Farrell. His story was mainly about self-discovery and defying everything he knew about himself and his world, as well as helping a spirit girl name, surprise, surprise, Becca Hatcher. The interactions between Maddox and Beccan was quite humorous and endearing, because of the good-natured culture shock. I look forward to seeing more of that again.

If you have read Falling Kingdoms, Mytica is divided. In this book however, the author takes us way back before the three kingdoms, way before the political struggle, to the point of history where everything starts to fall apart slowly. The times of the two goddesses, Cleiona and Valoria. The world is every bit as brutal and dangerous as that in Falling Kingdoms. It is also every bit as gorgeous. This book has gotten me hooked in possibly every aspect.

It's unimaginable that the two series haven't gotten worldwide attention. The epicness is simply awe-inspiring.

Rating: 9.5/10 (Oh yeah)

Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes: Review

Synopsis:

In GATHERING DARKNESS, book three of the New York Times bestselling Falling Kingdoms series, the stakes have never been higher as three teams push forward on a race to find the Kindred, the four elemental crystals possessing ancient all-powerful magic, first:

Prince Magnus has just witnessed torture, death, and miracles during the bloody confrontation that decimated the rebel forces. Now he must choose between family and justice as his father, the cruel King Gaius, sets out to conquer all of Mytica. All Gaius needs now are the Kindred - the four elemental crystals that give godlike powers to their owner. But the King of Blood is not the only one hunting for this ancient, storied magic...

• THE KRAESHIANS join the hunt. Ashur and Amara, the royal siblings from the wealthy kingdom across the Silver Sea, charm and manipulate their way to the Kindred, proving to be more ruthless than perhaps even the King of Blood himself.

• THE REBELS forge ahead. Princess Cleo and vengeful Jonas lead them, slaying with sweetness, skill, and a secret that can control Lucia's overpowering magic - all so they can use the Kindred to win back their fallen kingdoms.

• THE WATCHERS follow Melenia out of the Sanctuary. They ally in the flesh with King Gaius, who vows to use Lucia's powers to unveil the Kindred.

The only certainty in the dark times is that whoever finds the magic first will control the fate of Mytica... but fate can be fickle when magic is involved.

***

"Hatred is like fire. It burns the one who harnesses it. It's also extremely hard to see more helpful truths through its flames."

Gathering Darkness is pretty different from the previous two books. Actually, all three of them are quite different from one another. Gathering Darkness is like the amplified version of Rebel Spring, where everything starts to get crazy. There are less action in the book, but more mental challenge for some of the characters. Characters previously introduced in Rebel Spring spring into action in this book. The stakes are getting much higher than I originally anticipated, which is just how I like it.

Cleo has taken the offensive in this book: allying herself with Jonas, trying to gain Lucia's trust and find the Kindred for themselves by manipulating Lucia. There are slightly less character development for Cleo in Gathering Darkness compared to the previous book. But it makes her no less cunning. I thought I knew why people like Cleo so much, but apparently this just makes her even more awesome. Magnus has gone through another big change at the end of Rebel Spring which puts him in a sort of dilemma. He's also softened up a little bit throughout the book. I love the scenes where Cleo and Magnus interact. It seems like both of them know each other surprisingly well, despite being mortal enemies. They are quite endearing, actually, when both of them are my favorite characters in the books. I can't wait to read more about their bonding moments, especially after that little confession (which I will talk about later). 

Lucia has, perhaps, gone through the greatest development among the four of them. And not in a good way. She's getting less likable every passing second. It seems like she always makes rash decisions that will probably bite her ass later on. Having that dark side of her magic doesn't help. She has suffered quite a bit throughout the books, especially in Gathering Darkness, when she finds out that she can trust no one. But that doesn't account for her growing darkness that has nothing to do with the magic she possesses. Her plot will certainly be interesting in Frozen Tides, because she will probably go power-crazy. But for a potentially dynamic character, she's a disappointing one.

Unlike Rebel Spring, where the plot is wonderfully written, this is a book where certain characters get own place on the center stage, besides the four major characters. The addition of The Kraeshians and Nic in the big picture is perhaps my favorite thing in the book. I'm a little sad that Ashur and Amara didn't get more attention in the book other than that brief passive-aggressive sort-of blackmailing and a certain scene at the end of the book. They have become the wild cards in the game, and I love uncertainties. I believe I will see one of them in Frozen Tides though, which is totally fine. Nic is also awesome when he's not trailing behind Cleo, waiting for her attention in the way he wants. I hope he will become an important player in the game, because he's actually quite smart on his own. 

(Alright, spoiler alert. If you haven't read Gathering Darkness yet, don't read the next paragraph)

I mentioned that "little confession". It's probably the only part that I don't like. That scene is really out of place and incongruous. I can't see how Magnus come to love Cleo. Okay, so he has this urge to protect Cleo every single time when he shouldn't be. And there's this scene:

"you want to know why I did what I did?" His dark brows drew together as if he were only now allowing himself to consider this question. "It's fairly simple, actually. It's because, without your bravery in the face of all that's happened to you, without your constant scheming behind my back, without that fire of hatred and contempt and hope in your eyes when you look at me..." He hissed out a breath. "In the shadow my father has cast over my entire life, you are the only light I can see anymore. And, whatever the cost, I refuse to let that light be extinguished."

This is arguably one of the most beautiful scenes in the entire series, and is one of my favorites as well. But that doesn't mean the confession isn't odd in the first place. Come on, besides this scene and that kissing scene in Rebel Spring, I really don't understand how Magnus fall in love with Cleo. There aren't enough hints in the entire series. I don't like things that are not supported by evidence. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of Magnus/Cleo. If that should happen, they will make an unusual couple. But I think they should deserve more chemistry than this. 

I know that some readers think this book is weak compared to the previous two. However, I can't say the same. They are all equally strong. It's just that the strengths lie on different places in different books. And I love this book with all my heart. I expect Frozen Tides to be dynamic.

Rating: 9/10

Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes: Review

Synopsis:

The road to power...is paved with blood and magic.

Cleo is now a prisoner in her own palace, forced to be an ambassador for Mytica as the evil King Gaius lies to her people.
Magnus stands to eventually inherit the new kingdom but is still obsessed with his feelings for his adopted sister, Lucia.
Lucia is haunted by the outcome of the breathtaking display of magic that allowed her father to capture the kingdoms.
Jonas watched at the palace gates a troop of rebels behind him, waiting for him to tell them how he plans to overtake King Gaius.

After a bloody siege, Auranos has been defeated, its young queen orphaned and dethroned. The three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now unwillingly united as one country called Mytica. But the allure of ancient, dangerous magic beckons still, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the whole world over....

At the heart of the fray are four brave young people grappling for that magic and the power it promises. For Cleo, the magic would enable her to reclaim her royal seat. In Jonas's hands, it frees his nation, and in Lucia's, it fulfills the ancient prophecy of her destiny. And if the magic were Magnus's, he would finally prove his worth in the eyes of his cruel and scheming father, King Gaius, who rules Mytica with a punishing hand.

When Gaius begins to build a road into the Forbidden Mountains to physically link all of Mytica, he sparks a long-smoking fire in the hearts of the people that will forever change the face of this land. For Gaius's road is paved with blood, and its construction will have cosmic consequences.

***

"Once awakened, her magic will reveal the hidden treasure sought by both mortals and immortals alike."

Falling Kingdoms might've just been my new favorite series. Rebel Spring is masterfully written. It's filled with deceit and games. A lot of things have changed in the book. Cleo is one of them. Oh Cleo, how I love this cunning side of yours. After witnessing deaths of her beloved, she sworn to take back what's rightfully hers - the throne of Auranos. She has changed quite a bit. Once an innocent girl who loved to play and drink wine, now a practitioner of deceit and lies, trying to take back her throne. Magnus has changed too, from that kind-hearted boy to one that wears the mask of absolute coldness (and with a super-sassy edge). It's very easy to turn on him. Despite being a incredibly douchtastic and sarcastic prince, I still love his point of view in the book. Mostly because his actions and his thoughts are so different.

Jonas has also gone through some development. But compared to Cleo and Magnus, the change is trivial. I found myself a little annoyed. One of the reason is that Jonas can actually be a great character if he isn't so hot-headed. The fact that he rarely thinks things through before acting upon it is frustrating at the very least, as the decisions he makes often puts people in peril. Lucia is, perhaps, the only main character I'm truly disappointed with. She's barely present in the first half of the book, and in the second half she's gone through a change that I don't like at all. It's like a foreshadowing of her going power-crazy. As much as I can understand her struggle to reclaim her, uh, sanity, I don't approve of the cause of it. After all, she's the one who started it in the first place. But then, these two characters do add more fun in Rebel Spring, which is a plus, in a way.

Rebel Spring is focused on the aftermath of the fall of Auranos. King Gaius rules with a punishing hand and people from Paelsia are trying to free their own land. However, this book is also a foreplay of the third book, which is focused on The Kindred, magical beings/devices/whatever that can give the owner absolute power, should they ever possess the whole of it. There are a lot of bewildering moments in the book, when so many things are happening at once, and there are so many point of views in the book. But, I love the fact that the stakes are stacked so rapidly, several problems hitting all of them at once. This kind of situation has amplified in Gathering Darkness, which is totally fine by me. So many action sequence and constant shock in Rebel Spring. I don't know how this book is even better than Falling Kingdoms, and I have no problem with it whatsoever.

I also like the fact that romance is not a big part of the book. At least, not in the usual sense. There are a lot of pairings. Some of them are quite shocking, actually. Some of them even hate each other (like Magnus and Cleo, in this book at least). But you can't deny that there is chemistry brewing in some of the pairs. Anyway, if you are expecting to read about hot and explosive love, you probably can't find it. But there will be a lot of angst and emotion. Guess what? I find myself enjoying this way too much.

Rebel Spring is a surprisingly good sequel that has got even better in the upcoming book (yes, I've finished Gathering Darkness). I feel like this series hasn't been given enough attention from the public. The fact that it's filled with an unusual sense of suspense is enough to put the book on a high pedestal.

Rating: 8.5/10

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes: Review

Synopsis:

In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten. And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest now simmers below the surface.

As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love.

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

It's the eve of war.... Choose your side.

Princess: Raised in pampered luxury, Cleo must now embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of magic long thought extinct.

Rebel: Jonas, enraged at injustice, lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished. To his shock, he finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Sorceress: Lucia, adopted at birth into the royal family, discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Heir: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, firstborn son Magnus begins to realise that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...

***

"Good fortune will find those with pure hearts, even when all seems lost."

God, I should have really read Falling Kingdoms since the very beginning! It's so freaking awesome! I've never read a book with four people's fate intertwining into one, but that's certain a fantastic beginning! Of course, there is one big flaw in the book, but other than that, there's nothing not to love. I'm completely captivated by the world and the story.

The biggest flaw in the book is that the book doesn't start getting interesting until almost halfway through the book, which can be very destructive, since most would've closed the book already. But once you get past that point, you will see the importance of it. The first half of the book is a build-up of the second half, where everything starts to unfurl and is put into action. And damn, wasn't that a fine plot. I had a hard time imagining four young people playing a vital part in the story, but I'm proved wrong. It is possible, and it's beautifully written. Of course, I would like more twists and turns in the book, but it's good enough.

Cleo plays a major part in Falling Kingdoms, along with Magnus. Cleo is an awesome person. It doesn't mean that she always makes good decisions though. But she learns from her mistakes and tries her best to fix the problem. She's definitely not afraid to stand up to someone who means her harm and sacrifice herself for the people she loves. That's more of a typical heroine trait, but for some reason, it's natural on Cleo. She's definitely my favorite character in the series so far (I'm reading Rebel Spring now and it's still true). Magnus is more complex than Cleo. Raised by The King of Blood, he thinks he's as cold as he can be. But you will see a lot of scenes where Magnus is actually a kind-hearted person. Of course, there will be a major turn of things for Magnus later on in the book. But Magnus is definitely a well-developed character and I believe he, along with Cleo, will also play an exceptionally big part of the story.

Jonas and Lucia is another story. Unlike Cleo and Magnus, they are not exactly the major player in Falling Kingdoms. Of course, that will change later on in the story. Jonas is hard to like in the first book. I'm not saying that he has no admirable traits. In fact, there are quite a lot. He's smart-mouthed and has great endurance. He makes a potentially awesome character (which is exactly the case in Rebel Spring). But he seeks vengeance, practically craves for it. It's hard to blame him when the cause of his revenge is that someone close to him dies by the royals' hands. Being exceptionally vengeful though, is the cause of everyone's demise. His attitude is not exactly welcoming either, so he makes a rough character. Lucia is more of a background character in this book. It's not like she's not a big part of the story. In fact she's the trigger, if I might say. But her character development is lacking. All I know about her in the first book is 1) she's a sorceress 2) she's nice enough 3) she cares for her adopted family deeply. That doesn't make much of a character. I hope she will get more complex in the upcoming books.

The book is set in an imaginary world of Mytica (at least, that's what I thought until I saw the blurb of A Book of Spirit and Thieves). Damn, wasn't that beautiful. It's definitely not as vivid as that in Throne of Glass. But I can actually feel the magical vibe just by reading the words. The background world is so well-set that it's perfect for the story. Three sides in the story, and none of them are good in the usual sense. Oh, this story is going to be very complex. I'm loving Rebel Spring already, and I'm not even halfway through. 

If you are seeking a book where you can lose yourself into, this is definitely one you should go for.

Rating: 8/10