Author: Hannah West
Series: The Nissera Chronicles #2
Age: Young Adult
Genres: Fantasy
Publication Date: December 4, 2018
Publisher: Holiday House
Source: ARC
Purchase: Hardcover| Kindle | B&N | Kobo | Bookdepository
Synopsis:
Valory’s power is different . . . it’s dangerous, unruly, and destructive. But can she channel it to crush a cunning enemy and save the realm from chaos?
Welcome to Nissera, land of three kingdoms and home to spectacular magic.
A century after her legendary ancestors overcame a bloodthirsty tyrant, seventeen-year-old Valory Braiosa attends a training academy for elicromancers, immortal beings with magical gifts. Yet Valory’s immense power seems impossible to tame, and she faces imprisonment by the Nisseran authorities. Then a forbidden resurrection spell awakens a long-dormant evil, and Valory may be the only one who can vanquish this terrifying villain. Together with a band of allies—including an old friend; a haughty princess; and a mysterious, handsome stranger—Valory must learn to harness her power and fight back.
Weaving together her imaginative world of gritty fairytale magic with snippets from Beauty and the Beast and other classic stories, Hannah West’s dark and dangerous adventure is a gripping, immersive companion to her acclaimed debut, Kingdom of Ash and Briars. This richly packaged edition includes an illustrated family tree, detailed map, and embossed jacket with shimmering metallic effects.
My Rating:
Favorite Quotes:
"He's a Neutralizer. I have a very dangerous power that must be kept in check. But you already knew that, didn't you? In fact, you seem to know a great deal. When I wondered whether healing was your gift, you countered with a question as to whether it was mine. But as I don't wear an elicrin stone, how did you know I possessed any gift whatsoever? And you said I had announced my name at the tavern, but I gave them my mother's better-known name of Eremtarius. Unless word of my misfortunes had met your ears already, you out to have had no idea who I was." - Valory
"My visions put me a step ahead of everyone else. They can make me single-minded and impatient. I promise you I wouldn't have risked your life with the trade if I weren't certain you'd survive in one piece to...to..." - Mercer
"Destruction and transformation were only the results of the Water's true power: its power of choice. The Water was sentient, decisive. It was purveyor of every gift, and killer of those who dared approach it undeserving. The Water chose me to carry on its legacy, which meant it chose me to choose who was worthy. I had become the Water." - Valory
Such a beautiful YA fantasy that pays homage to classics such as The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. This was action packed, drama filled and held many plot twists that created such a beautiful world and well-rounded characters. I could not put this book down hence why I read it so quickly.
This is the second book in a series, but it's a companion novel. You don't have to read book one, Kingdom of Ash and Briars, as the sequel will tell you all you need to know since it takes place 100 years after the events of the first book following a different character. I was excited about reading this book after reading such an awesome synopsis and then diving into the prologue was amazing. This blew my mind!
The magical school and dark evil aspects added such a fantastic element to the reading pace. With the fast pace it made for an amazing reading experience. The other characters such as Prince Devorian, Valory's many cousins, Kadri and the others were all great to the growth of Valory as a character and to the story as a whole. I never looked at any of the characters and felt that they were irrelevant to the story line. Each character had a purpose and though some pissed me off more than others I enjoyed them all.
For this being my first Hannah West read and it being a sequel I am excited to read the first book and re-read the sequel. The characters were all well written and all unique. I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to those looking for an awesome YA fantasy read!
FREE ebook for the novella, FIELDS OF FIRE, on all digital retailers: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/601985/fields-of-fire-by-hannah-west/9780823440160/
Disclaimer: It might be restricted by country.
About the AuthorHannah West is the author of Kingdom of Ash and Briars and its companion, Realm of Ruins. She's always loved writing about magic and fairytales, but her time studying abroad in Orléans, France inspired her to finally write and publish a fantasy novel. She's a freelance writer and vegetarian living in Texas with her husband and their rambunctious blue heeler.
Giveaway
Bundle includes: 1x physical copy of Kingdom of Ash and Briars + 1x physical copy of Realm of Ruins.
Giveaway starts: 4th December 2018
Giveaway finishes: 17th December 2018