by J. Elizabeth Hill
Fantasy
Published: 11/17/12
Publisher: self published
“Doesn’t she know you can’t do real magic alone?”
Freshly graduated from the Voleno Academy, Faylanna Derrion is trying to find her solitary place in a world where she and her fellow Magicia are expected to find their magical partner as soon as possible. When her mentor and his partner are taken by a terrible darkness before her eyes, her flight to find help brings Tavis into her life. Can she learn to see him as more than a simple farmer or will she accede to her father’s demands to return to her family’s home, following a path others have laid out for her? Can she choose her own course, after a lifetime of refusing to bind herself to anyone?
My Rating: 3 1/2 Coffee Cups
I received a free copy from author J. Elizabeth Hill in return for an honest review.
This the debut novel from Hill is a great start to what looks like is going to be an addictive series. Hill immerses you in a fantasical world of magic, romance and almost medievil like status structure. But even with all of the imaginative world building the main character Fay and everything she is dealing with is extremely realistic. She is my favorite kind of female MC, strong, smart, very capable, a little bit cocky, with A LOT of heart. She know what she wants and what she doesn't want and doesn't care what anyone has to say about it. Everything she is going thru completely sucks you in , pretty much from the get go. And then she goes and meets Tavis. Oh Tavis. His character is everything that Fay didn't realize she needed. He supports her when she lets him and doesn't resent her when she needs to be independent. He isn't afraid to lean on her and rely on her strengths. And he loves her unconditionally even through her seriously stupid decisions. That main decision is also known as Marcius. For being so smart, I've gotta say in this, Fay was pretty fricken stupid. It's her interactions with this guy that actually had my coffee cups drop. I can't really say too much on the matter without revealing a lot of the plot, but well she should've known better.
Aside from the MCs, a lot of what made this story so addictive and interesting was the strength of the supporting characters. As much as I loved Tavis and Fay, I have to admit my favorite character was actually Ki. He was so multi-dimensional and amazing you can't help but fall a little bit in love with him. But everyone from Ganson to Eliar to even Fay's father was completely fleshed out and consequential to the plot.
There were some editing issues, but not enough to be distracting, but I know they can be for some people which is why I even bother to mention it.
The ending wasn't by any means a cliffhanger (thank goodness!) but there were some very intriguing unanswered questions that I can't wait to read the next one!
No comments:
Post a Comment