Looking for an action-packed fantasy novel with a hint of romance and dark, handsome men? Are you interested in reading about a kickass heroine?! Check out my review of The Wolf Queen.
Author: Cerece Rennie Murphy
Series: The Hope of Aferi #1
Age: Young Adult
Genres: Fantasy
Publication Date: October 4, 2018
Publisher: Lionsky Publishing
Source: Paperback
Purchase: Paperback | Kindle | B&N
Synopsis:
Once great and powerful sorcerers, the Amasiti were hunted to the brink of extinction by the Hir and his followers. For four hundred years, their legacy faded from memory waiting for the hope of Aferi to be renewed...
In the Land of Yet
At the edge of the Forbidden Forest
A young woman lives alone.
Forced to fend for herself after the brutal murder of her family, Ameenah Yemini has made a life for herself as a master tanner and farmer, only venturing into the world to earn her living then return to the safety and seclusion of her home.
Until a chance encounter brings her work to the attention of the powerful Hir
And her careful life begins to unravel.
Drawn to the hidden magic that lingers in everything she touches, the new Hir insists on having her for himself, using the people around her to force Ameenah into his grasp.
When she realizes that her greatest enemy may hold the key to a secret she thought lost to her forever, Ameenah is determined to reclaim her stolen past. But, at what cost? As an ancient power waits to be unleashed, Ameenah's choices will make the difference between awakening a new magic or delivering it into the hands of evil.
My Rating:
My Thoughts:
I am not new to Cerece Rennie Murphy's writing. I have read her Order of the Seers trilogy and I adored that trilogy. I was excited to see that she had another book that I could dive into. Her writing is still flawless to me. She always has a way of pulling me into the world she creates and making me fall in love for each character. I adored the magic system and different groups within this novel.
Ameenah is a strong-willed girl that grew up independent. She learned things on her own and didn't care much for help. She not only knew magic, but she was also wise in protecting herself and surviving. I like that she didn't slink from danger, but went head first with power. She not only showed strength, but she also opened up her vulnerable side as well. She was well balanced! She was such a strong heroine for me!
I loved that there was a hint of romance thrown in-between all the action that took place. The romance was a sweet addition to the story. It didn't overpower which I actually appreciated a lot more than I thought I would.
This story does have a lot more inner dialogue than I personally care for, but it didn't turn me off as much as I thought it would. The inner dialogue was interesting with all the inner thoughts and motives of the characters which drew me further into the story.
I am excited for the sequel to come out! Recommend!
About the Author:
Cerece Rennie Murphy fell in love with science fiction at the age of seven, watching “Empire Strikes Back” at the Uptown Theater in Washington, D.C., with her sister and mom. It’s a love affair that has grown ever since. As an ardent fan of John Donne, Alice Walker, Kurt Vonnegut and Alexander Pope from an early age, Cerece began exploring her own creative writing through poetry. She earned her master’s degrees in social work and international relations at Boston College and Johns Hopkins School for Advance International Studies, respectively, and built a rewarding 15-year career in program development, management and fundraising in the community and international development arenas – all while appreciating the stories of human connection told in science fiction through works like Octavia Butler’s “Wild Seed,” Frank Herbert’s “Dune” and “The X-Files.” In 2011, Cerece experienced her own supernatural event – a vision of her first science fiction story. Shortly after, she began developing and writing what would become the bestselling Order of the Seers trilogy. Order of the Seers was selected as one of The Best Kindle Books of 2014 by Digital Book Today. To date, Mrs. Murphy has published nine speculative fiction novels, short stories, and children’s books.
In addition to working on the 3rd book in the award-winning Ellis and The Magic Mirror children’s book series with her son and releasing her 5th adult novel, The Wolf Queen, Mrs. Murphy has launched NARAZU, an online platform designed to deliver the best in indie sci-fi content and comic culture to the fans who love it most. You can visit the new site at www.narazu.com. Her current writing projects include the second book in The Wolf Queen duology and plotting a science fiction thriller set in outer space. Mrs. Murphy lives and writes in her hometown of Washington, DC with her husband, two children and the family dog, Yoda.
Thank you to Pump Up Your Books for having me on board for this tour!