Review: A Gathering of Shadows

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What just happened? Book 2 will either disappoint you because it is book 2 or challenge everything you thought you knew. A Gathering of Shadows felt like a anime filler where the action is happening in the background and filler is being rolled so that at least the viewers will have an idea what their favorite characters are doing when they are not running around saving worlds or fighting monsters. I like Lila Bard, but what is happening with her arc? Like, hello, is Kell even in the picture? Because I can't see him anymore. Rhy, I love you but I don't understand you. I am sorry I don't. And introduction of a new character, Emery Alucard. Interesting character, but the trope is similar to a certain master magician. Royal, yet chained to your obligation and duties. Remind you of someone? Ding. Ding. Kell.
I loved reading the book, every word, but only Holland's story line was the most interesting. There are four London, 3 properly functioning, and one, figuratively a black hole-ish place i.e, a point of no return. Why did 90% of the story took place in one London-Kell's London-Red London? When the other London are still there to be used? And since, we got to know so much about Red London's culture, there Kingdoms, people, distant Kings, magic systems, I would love to know about White London's as well.
And since we are on the same topic, the second book was clearly written like a anime filler, I want to know why wasn't this chance taken to let the readers know more about the fall of black London, through this shadow, who is already present and has started to make new plans for world dominion. But we see no such things.
It would have definitely given the book a certain edge.
Am I the only one who felt there is very high similarity between Element Games fight scenes and Legend of Korra (Fire ferrets-pro bending anyone!)
By the time I finished this, I have more questions.
Lets so hope the last book is able to stamp down some of the burning questions on the tip of my tongue.

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Review: A Darker Shade of Magic

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

This book was so gorgeously written and the idea behind the 4 parallel London is so amazing and unique. I would have given it 4.5 stars without any thought, but I brought down my rating to 3.5 stars, I will tell you why. I love a magic system, I want there to be boundaries when it comes to magic. Blame Brandon Sanderson for this, any book I read now-a-days, I look out for these small things. I don't like too powerful characters, I don't like characters who just happen to find the correct thing to do. I want them to struggle. I want them to feel the pain and I definitely don't want them to find a knife in the background lying around and use it to kill somebody who was going to kill them first. Its' just how I like any book to be. Just because we love fantasy doesn't mean we have to forget about reality. Fantasy stems from our daily failings.

So it made sense that I would love this book but I would also have problems with it. Talk about a toxic relationship.

BUT...there's always a but, I will say this, I loved reading the story through the character's POV. Lila Bard's perspective was refreshing and was so full of sass and all good things. Kell was a great character to read about. But Lila stole the show. No doubt. I loved the new languages introduced to make the transition from one London to another more authentic.

The story was constant and beautiful and a little too powerful for words. I can only imagine what the next book will bring to the table. I am definitely going to read the next book in the series, because I am not done with it.

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Book Review: His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik

   Title: His Majesty's Dragon

   Series Title: Temeraire #1

   Author: Naomi Novik

   Published by: Del Rey

   Published on: March 28th, 2006

   Format: Paperback

   Ratings: 3 stars

Summary:

Aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors ride mighty fighting dragons, bred for size or speed. When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes the precious cargo, an unhatched dragon egg, fate sweeps Captain Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future – and an unexpected kinship with a most extraordinary creature. Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as master of the dragon Temeraire, he will face a crash course in the daring tactics of airborne battle. For as France’s own dragon-borne forces rally to breach British soil in Bonaparte’s boldest gambit, Laurence and Temeraire must soar into their own baptism of fire.

My thoughts:

I loved everything about this book except for the language which after a while was a tad bit boring and sometimes felt like it was stretching.

I know, this is Naomi Novik, we are talking about. Everybody loves her book. But hey, I am not saying I didn't like this book at all.

This series has like 10 books in its series, I didn't enjoy the first one, so I am gonna give it rest it a rest.

Book Review: The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

   Title: The Forgotten Garden

   Author: Kate Morton

   Published by: Pan Books

   Published on: June 1st, 2008

   Format: Paperback

   Ratings: 3 stars

Summary: 

A foundling, an old book of dark fairy tales, a secret garden, an aristocratic family, a love denied, and a mystery. The Forgotten Garden is a captivating, atmospheric and compulsively readable story of the past, secrets, family and memory from the international best-selling author Kate Morton.

Cassandra is lost, alone and grieving. Her much loved grandmother, Nell, has just died and Cassandra, her life already shaken by a tragic accident ten years ago, feels like she has lost everything dear to her. But an unexpected and mysterious bequest from Nell turns Cassandra’s life upside down and ends up challenging everything she thought she knew about herself and her family.

Inheriting a book of dark and intriguing fairytales written by Eliza Makepeace—the Victorian authoress who disappeared mysteriously in the early twentieth century—Cassandra takes her courage in both hands to follow in the footsteps of Nell on a quest to find out the truth about their history, their family and their past; little knowing that in the process, she will also discover a new life for herself.

My thoughts:

I loved the writing style. It was so beautifully captured, so vivid. Give it a try, though I will say this, you will need patience to finish it. Its a mighty long book.

Overall, I am giving it three stars instead of four because the story was predictable.

Enjoy Reading!

Book Review: Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence

   
   Title: Prince of Thorns

   Series Title: The Broken Empire #1

   Author: Mark Lawrence

   Published by: Harper Voyager

   Published on: April 12th, 2012

   Format: Paperback

   Ratings: 4 stars

Summary: 

When he was nine, he watched as his mother and brother were killed before him. At thirteen, he led a band of bloodthirsty thugs. By fifteen, he intends to be king. 

It's time for Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath to return to the castle he turned his back on, to take what's rightfully his. Since the day he hung pinned on the thorns of a briar patch and watched Count Renar's men slaughter his mother and young brother, Jorg has been driven to vent his rage. 

Life and death are no more than a game to him and he has nothing left to lose. But treachery awaits him in his father's castle. Treachery and dark magic. No matter how fierce his will, can one young man conquer enemies with power beyond his imagining?

My thoughts:

It will make your teeth stand on edge. It is dark and gritty. It will make you feel guilty to read this book. You may enjoy it, you may not. But in a small part of your brain you will be curious to learn what happens next.

If you want to enjoy a dark morbidly twisted fantasy novel then pick this up.

Things you can expect if you read "Prince of Thorns:"

Dark.
Bloody.
Dark humor.
Violent.
Lots of stabbing happening.
Revenge.
Magic.

Though I will say this, the author will capture you within the first twenty pages. That I can promise.

Book Review: The Empire of Ashes by Anthony Ryan

   
   Title: The Empire of Ashes

   Series Title: The Draconis Memoria #3

   Author: Anthony Ryan

   Published by: Orbit

   Published on: July 5th, 2018

   Format: e-book

   Ratings: 4 stars

Summary: 

The Empire of Ashes is the action-packed conclusion to the Draconis Memoria series - a sweeping epic fantasy of magic, adventure and the furious battle to forge an empire, from international bestselling author Anthony Ryan.

The White Drake's army has cut a bloody swathe across the world, leaving nothing but ash in its wake. Thousands of innocents have died beneath its blades and countless more will surely follow.

Only small-time criminal Claydon Torcreek and master spy Lizanne Lethridge - along with their ragtag band of allies - stand between the white drake's fury and the world's end.

To save the future, they must delve into the past - and unravel a timeless mystery that might just turn the tide once and for all.

Armies will clash and ancient secrets will be revealed in The Empire of Ashes, the thrilling conclusion to Anthony Ryan's Draconis Memoria series.

My thoughts:

Well, it was a whirlwind of action through multiple point of view characters. Its always a risky business because one character's arc may fall short of other but the author managed to keep a close grip on their story line which proved so immaculate in its precision. The plot didn't stray. 

In the last two books, the story was mainly focused on the exploration of their world, but this book rounded up those experiences to focus on the action-a race against time. It certainly lives up to its names, The Empire Ashes. By the time the story finishes, the known empire has lost millions of people, empires have crumbled, powers have shifted. 

But I wasn't happy with the conclusion, because it felt more could have been done. The ending felt abrupt. Because this world has more to offer. The story has more to offer. The aftermath was too easily wrapped up. Nothing is ever easy. And for one, I think we deserve at least one more in this series. 

And I want more. Maybe a sequel series or spin off series but the demand remains the same, I want more. And there is so much covered in its history-such vibrant mythical culture lost to the time, when certain questions were answered you couldn't help but also wonder what led up to them. I want to know about them.

All in all, I enjoyed this series so much. It felt like a mix of fantasy, steam punk, action and adventure. And I loved it.

Be sure to check out this series!

Book Review: Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman

Title: Retribution Rails
Series Title: Vengeance Road #2
Author: Erin Bowman
Published by: HMH Books for Young Readers
Published on: November 7th, 2017
Format: Paperback
Ratings: 4 stars

Summary:

REDEMPTION IS NEVER FREE

When Reece Murphy is forcibly dragged into the Rose Riders gang because of a mysterious gold coin in his possession, he vows to find the man who gave him the piece and turn him over to the gang in exchange for freedom. Never does he expect a lead to come from an aspiring female journalist. But when Reece's path crosses with Charlotte Vaughn after a botched train robbery and she mentions a promising rumor about a gunslinger from Prescott, it becomes apparent that she will be his ticket to freedom—or a noose. As the two manipulate each other for their own ends, past secrets are unearthed, reviving a decade-old quest for revenge that may be impossible to settle.

In this thrilling companion to Vengeance Road, dangerous alliances are formed, old friends meet new enemies, and the West is wilder than ever.

My thoughts:

Initially I had thought Retribution Rails to be a separate novel from Vengeance Road set in the same time period, boy, was I wrong.

Points to remember:
◆ Compared to Vengeance Road, Retribution Rails is slow but the story is more complex and character driven.
◆ Kate and Jesse are important part of the plot, but the story develops around the new faces Charlotte and Reece.
◆ There is little to no romance, its left out as an after math for the readers to decide, which I personally felt was justified after reading the authors note.

Retribution Rails is set 10 years after the events unfolded in Vengeance Road. New characters take center stage, Reece Murphy and Charlotte Vaugh. But we are also reunited with old faces, Kate and Jesse Colton.

Reece Murphy is the reluctant gang member of the Rose Riders who wants nothing more to be free from them. But the price to freedom is too high.

Charlotte wants to become a Journalist and make her own path. But first she has to deal with the tension brewing in her own family, causing her to find more unlawful and drastic approach.

When their paths cross a new journey blossoms which starts from the rails and ends bloody on the same path.

I loved reading about Kate and Jesse and Silver and Rebel. But I also loved the freshly introduced characters, Charlotte is shown as a person who is too much self absorbed for her own good. But gradually she comes to her senses and I like her fresh perspective. And we see, how Reece who himself claims is not a good person but also not a bad person, his half bent morals and his dream of freedom play into the arc. How his one mistake could also bring about the downfall of the Coltons. For Kate and Jesse, the past ten years, have nothing been but full of worry that they might be discovered by the Rose Riders and they will come knocking on their doors. They can only be free, if the Rose Riders are gone for good. Can they achieve it?

Read Retribution Rails if you want to read something thrilling.

Book Review: Mrithasu Rising by Krishnaraj

   Title: Mrithasu Rising

   Series Title: Warjuna #1

   Author: Krishnaraj

   Published by: Notion Press

   Published on: April, 2017

   Format: Paperback

   Ratings: 3 stars

Summary:

Civilizations have once again emerged from the ruins of Pralaya, and with a new dawn arrive new ambitions. Ordained by fate, several legions of a ruthless clan have been reported to be seen marching into the boundaries of Bharata. The origins of the Hayacree are unknown, yet their intent is evident: to create a new world order.

The tides of war will bring forth valiant men and women of great fortitude and a divine force to unite them all against the strong will of the enemy. While the matters of kings and kingdoms are to be shouldered by a young prince of Wagharr, a supernatural alliance of Mahayogis and Suparnas will need to travel beyond the realm of man to discover the architect behind the Hayacree invasion.

The hunt for the real enemy will lead them to an expanse invisible to the human eye.

In its depth lies an evil waiting to be discovered, waiting to rise.

My thoughts: 

*I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange of a honest review by the author.*

"There is much to prepare for, and for that you should not doubt your circumstances. I need you to trust the flow of the universe. I need you to trust me." 

This was a very tough book to rate. Normally these decisions are pretty easy to take. You love a book, sometimes you don't. 

This story started off pretty vague. The story opens up focused on the main character 'Prince Arjuna' crown prince of Wagharr, on the run from the invading Hayacree forces. He was instructed by his father, the King to safely reach a place called 'Himavan' with his people. His plans don't go as planned and he is transported to a place in the midst of fight, miles away from his home in the opposite directions where he wakes up delirious to start his adventure, a piece of key chess figure moved with the will of Krishna across all of the Barata to unite all Kingdoms to rally together and fight the Haycree. 

The author has created a alternate universe with few names of characters plucked from the Hindu Epic Mahabarata, likes of Arjuna, Drapaudi, Garuda, and foremost among them Krishna. 

It is great book with the one draw back. The characters, none of them connected in any they should have. Problems of writing a epic fantasy is that, focus too much on world building and you loose out on developing a character. The character gains new power but what about as a person, how is this journey developing him. Prince Arjuna frankly had the charisma of a light bulb. Very useful in nature but once you close the book you will forget about him. 

I have read so many epics fantasy novels that with end number of characters appearing and disappearing I had not trouble keeping track of any of the characters but still this failed to impress with any them. 

Like every bollywood movie, scenes just happened to be conveniently placed in the background for the story to move forward. If it was one time I would have let it go but every 20 pages I could see the pattern. Was it done purposefully or the editing team didn't notice it, I am not sure. If you are taking the pain to create something so epic, I would suggest look into the small details more carefully. Its the small details which always make the big picture at the end of the journey.  

I am not really a fan of the pacing, it started off vague, picked up the momentum and then in between lost me again to capture my attention midway. 

Now moving on to the Pros, since you end any good discussion with the good stuff.

The writing style is great. Impressive actually. For a epic fantasy book, everything was handled very nicely. The story has lots to offer. The Indian fantasy plate is drying up but authors like these, coming up with unique idea gives us hope. 

That's it folks. Go and read this if you want to enjoy a Indian epic fantasy book.

Book Review: Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

   Title: Glass Sword

   Series Title: Red Queen #2

   Author: Victoria Aveyard

   Published by: Orion

   Published on: Feb 11th 2016

   Format: Paperback

   Ratings: 3 stars

Summary: 

For fans of THE HUNGER GAMES and DIVERGENT - the thrilling new fantasy novel from Victoria Aveyard, bestselling author of RED QUEEN.

If there's one thing Mare Barrow knows, it's that she's different.

Mare's blood is red - the colour of common folk - but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from the prince and friend who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by the Silver king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red and Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat. Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

My thoughts: 

I want to throw this book so far away into the dark abyss..... yet I want to cuddle it. Is that possible?

Ugghh..... The agony this book turned out to be yet I didn't want to put it down. What is wrong with me? This book seriously without a doubt falls into the second book syndrome. 

And my god, this whole book was a saga of quotable lines. Forget the storytelling or plot. Every line I read was turning out to be a quote. Everybody likes a good quote now and then but if the whole book is made out of those then I am afraid the story starts to get a little dry. 

And for the love of god. The author repeated the 'lightening girl' so many times it was getting on my nerve so badly. And also let's not forget about Cal, the readers are aware of his existence beside Mare. Yet she felt the need to remind us time and again about his might, 'the fire prince', 'inferno', 'military genius', and so on and on and on. My qualm is that instead of reminding the readers of his awesome abilities you could have given him some major action instead, which she gave by the way yet the author felt the need to remind us he is fighting beside the MC every fucking page.

Cal this. Cal that. Ughh!! I know I know. I get it. And one more 'lightening girl' will seriously jeopardise the relationship I have formed with this series.

Now I really liked the addition of Cameron Calore but that too was snuffed out so quickly. 

And we can never forget, Prince Maven didn't get as much book time as he ought to have got.

And Queen Elara, ohh remember my Red Queen review if not click here where [I mentioned something about her dying a horrible death, I shouldn't be happy but I am happy. Shameless. But that happened.]

And what was so original about this series. Nothing. I felt very few things were well thought and given consideration. Other than that I felt there was a lots of The Young Elites, An Ember in the Ashes similarities. Coincidences, I think not. 

The plot was not that great really. It was them running around collecting the 'newbloods' people like Mare so they can be saved in time before Maven got to them and in time train them and they could be used to fight against the silvers. The whole book was really Mare's turmoil of who she wanted to be and what she wanted to do. 

I enjoyed this book. I seriously did yet at the same time I was also disappointed that it didn't stand up to the hype. Now I will peacefully wait for the third book, in no sort of hurry, because I worry that I will be majorly disappointed by what is going to happen in the final book of the series. 

Sadly I won't recommend this to anyone. Read it at your own peril.

Book Review: Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes

   Title: Frozen Tides

   Series Title: Falling Kingdoms #4

   Author: Morgan Rhodes

   Published by: Razorbills

   Published on: Dec 15th, 2015

   Format: Kindle

   Ratings: 4 stars

Summary: 

The plans are laid and the players are determined...but nothing can prepare these unlikely warriors for what the elemental gods of Mytica have in store. 

CLEO: Reeling after a shocking realization about Magnus, Princess Cleo must cast aside her feelings and look toward her kingdom with the eyes of a queen.

MAGNUS: The steely prince of Limeros is once again torn between love and duty, leaving him wondering whether he's strong enough to rule his people.

LUCIA: Heartbroken and blind with fury, the betrayed sorceress allies with the awoken Fire god, who also seeks revenge. 

JONAS: The defeated rebel leader reunites with Princess Cleo, only to become a pawn in the dangerous hunt for the elusive Kindred. 

KING GAIUS: A desperate King of Blood flees Mytica and sails to Kraeshia, where he attempts to ally with the famously brutal emperor across the Silver Sea.

My thoughts: 

Full of TWISTS....ACTION.....PLOTS...amazing and exceeding expectations. And more TWISTS.

And then there were so many GASP worthy moments.

Clearly I have a strange obsession with this series. I mean c'mon who hasn't read books in where there is dark brooding prince who is always in turmoil literally for anything which could be put into the 'feelings' category. Magnus is bae but mind you only as a fictional boyfriend because lets be real if he were a real person I would be the first one to run in the opposite direction. And then there's the Golden Princess Cleo, who I had started liking in Rebel Spring. For the first time I actually took interest in her. And we seriously can't forget Jonas, that dude is the billboard of bad luck. How can somebody have so much bad luck? Or maybe the author really does enjoy torturing the guy. Literally everybody turns up dead around him in a couple of weeks.[Poor Lysandra..*sob sob*]. Lucia is.....I don't know. I can say she has leaned into the darkness more. And her revelation at the end of the book. Wow....I can't wait to read how is it going to affect the Fire God's plan. Inserts a *evil laugh* right here. And we have to take some time and look into Amara and Felix. What was that about? I seriously didn't expect anything from those two. Although the ending in the last book did open my eyes not to underestimate them both. But the level Amara went to attain power in this book is ridiculous. That moment right there, I wanted to yell like seriously and people tell me this is nothing like GOT. I mean common though [you know the wedding, the wine, then people dying....hmm...now where have I read in which something like this happens or well close to it]. AND then there is Nic. Who really hates Magnus and will try to annoy him in every possible way. The end though, that moment when he welcomes a certain individual to come aboard the ship. My only reaction was OH MY GOSH!! What is going to happen next? The story picks up right after Gathering Darkness, with Magnus and Cleo in Limeros and Lucia somewhere off with the Fire God. Poor Jonas injured and in search of Cleo to know what happened to her. King Gaius off to the Kraeshia Empire. Morgan Rhodes wrote an addicting tale, though this book felt more like a built up for the next book. Like setting a stage for the climax. Answering certain question, setting some things in motion.

And so many revelations after revelation, the twists UGHHH. My eyes are burning I read it so quickly. 

And finally I can happy be that MAGNEO has finally happened. But sadly we see didn't see much of them together did we. And by what is coming in the next book I can only surmise that the author has still yet to torture some souls with feels.

The Anticipation is very, very high for the next book.

Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

   Title: Pawn
   Series Title: Black Coat Rebellion #1
   Author: Aimee Carter
   Published by: Mira Ink
   Published on: Jan 3rd 2014
   Format: Paperback
   Ratings: 3 stars

Summary: 

"Are you more than the number on the back of your neck?

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister’s niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There’s only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered. The same one that got her killed…and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that’s not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she’s only beginning to understand.

My Thoughts: 

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. Firstly it didn't feel original maybe because of the fact that I had already read The Selection and Legend previously. This book held the same kind or close to the caste system in the aforementioned books.

And it felt unrealistic, unbelievable. 

The protagonist, Kitty Doe after taking a test when she turned seventeen is given III as her caste, which is very low. Like you would have to spend your days cleaning the tunnels under the city for life. Away from her boyfriend, away from the only women she has come close to calling a mother. So here's the catch, she has the same eye color as President's niece Lila Heart. And apparently you can mask any person to look alike, anybody they desired, change bone structure and skin but you can't change the eye color. Some things happen, she ends up in a brothel because anything is better than living the life of a III. Where she is bought by President and is given the choice to come with him and help him in something in exchange she is will be a VII, the highest caste there is. Kitty Agrees without thinking twice. Low and behold she is thrown into life changing situations where she wakes up to find that she is masked and looks exactly like Lila Heart and worse they expect her to stop the rebellion that Lila was brewing right under the President nose. The worse thing is she firmly believes in the Rebellion. What they stand for. Now she has to go against everything she believes in or life is forfeit, for her and for the people she loves. 

There are lots of characters in this book. Benjamin-Benjy for short- her boyfriend. The Harts, The President, the Grandmother one who is pulling all the strings from behind the curtain, the too trusting cousin, then Lila's mother and Knox- Lila's fiance defacto now Kitty's fiance.

The premise of the book was really interesting. But at one point I felt I was reading a family drama where everybody is doing there best to attain power. But there is lots of back stabbing, deception and intrigue. 

I would have never picked up this if not for my best friend who felt the need to unload all the books she didn't want in her bookshelf onto mine. So there it was looking all mysterious with a strong premise. I went, 'Why not? Lets do this.' Now I think I feel cheated knowing exactly why she would let go of this book. But no worries. I like this book. Not love. But it was okay. Not a fan though.

Review: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

 Title: Truthwitch
 Series Title: The Witchland #1
 Author: Susan Dennard
 Published by: Tor Teen
 Published on: Jan 6th 2016
 Format: Kindle Edition
 Ratings: 3 stars

Summary: 

"On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch."

My Thoughts: 

Too much was happening at the beginning which got me confused and the ending was something I wasn't fond of. There was nothing constant in this book. Every Chapter they were running from one place to the other and also from one another. This was a full blown adventure fantasy genre kind of book where I didn't know what the rut was happening most of the time. But it was still awesome.
I am happy yet unhappy. I have a mix opinion. 

I will try to break it down but I am sure I am gonna fail because I am still confused in some part of the book and to be frank many many things were left unanswered. 

So, the story directly jumps in the middle of the action and Safi and Iseult get into trouble with a bloodwitch on their trail and he is hell bent on killing them. Then lots of things happen, I mean so many things happen that if I try to tell you about it then I would be here sitting dissecting every single chapter. But to cut it short Safi is a 'Domna' which is a title for a Higher class Lady and is also a Truthwitch, which she has kept hidden from everybody except a few close to her like her threadsister Iseult, her uncle Eron and her two mentors. The twenty year war truce is coming to an end, which will result in the start of a new war between the three empires, so that makes Safi a target or an asset depending on the party can control her. Her uncle Eron cooks up a plan to get Safi away from the emperor's clutches making it look like a kidnapping and signs a contract with Prince Merik Nihar who is a windwitch to get her away to the place specified in the contract without any blood spilled. There is romance which I didn't like one bit. It felt unrealistic. The bloodwitch is also after them with hidden agendas of his own. And many things is happening in this story simultaneously. 

Iseult is just another version of spock, half human half vulcan. Don't feel anything kind of girl.
And there is Safi, the loud mouth, getting into trouble and dragging others with her. And Prince Merik, did he even have a personality of his own. 

Though this was written in multiple POV, the story was smooth in that regard.
And this book was not just about Safi though, Iseult is just as important. Her story is also very fun to read about and sometime a little sad. 

And Safi and Iseult also represent some reincarnation of two legends reborn. But about this we will learn more in the second book.
The magic system was great. I loved reading and picturing them in my head.
Still something is missing.