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Cloud Prophet Trilogy #1
Anathema
Forget prophecy. Make your own destiny.
Reychel is a slave girl surrounded by magic, lies, and manipulation. Her best friend disappears in the middle of the night leaving Reychel to face her fifteenth birthday, the day her master burns his brand into the back of her bald head, alone.
Sheltered from the outside world and without any hope for escape, can Reychel learn to believe in herself?
Reychel is a slave girl surrounded by magic, lies, and manipulation. Her best friend disappears in the middle of the night leaving Reychel to face her fifteenth birthday, the day her master burns his brand into the back of her bald head, alone.
Sheltered from the outside world and without any hope for escape, can Reychel learn to believe in herself?
206 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2011
537 people are currently reading
5993 people want to read
About the author
Megg Jensen
37 books609 followersMegg Jensen is a two-time USA Today bestselling author of epic fantasy.
No stranger to top ten lists on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the iBookstore, Megg's novels have garnered millions of downloads, attracting fans from all over the world.
She lives in Chicago with her husband, kids, and two insane miniature schnauzers.
No stranger to top ten lists on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the iBookstore, Megg's novels have garnered millions of downloads, attracting fans from all over the world.
She lives in Chicago with her husband, kids, and two insane miniature schnauzers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 454 reviews
March 5, 2011
This book drew me in when I read the first chapter on the author's blog. I thought to myself, "I've finally found a really good indie book." The opening is terrific, it says so much in a compelling way and I found myself reading on. I downloaded the book for my nook and read it in two sittings.
Now, having said that, with further reading, I could tell that this was an indie book. It's hard for indie authors to escape this, I think (being one myself, I know). Those of us who can't afford top notch editing (and we are legion) have to rely on beta readers, critique groups, and self-editing, and it shows (in my own work, too). Editing doesn't only catch typos, a good editor can help tighten a story and bring out the best in the writing. This book (and my own as well) would benefit from just such editing. I think the author is creative and with that kind of support, her novel would shine all the more.
I do think that Meg Jensen will find plenty of fans. This is the first book in a slated trilogy and I believe there will be many readers who will clamor for more, to find out what happens in this world of opressive Malborns, their Serenian slaves, and the girl who may be the answer to the Serenian's woes - The Cloud Prophet.
Now, having said that, with further reading, I could tell that this was an indie book. It's hard for indie authors to escape this, I think (being one myself, I know). Those of us who can't afford top notch editing (and we are legion) have to rely on beta readers, critique groups, and self-editing, and it shows (in my own work, too). Editing doesn't only catch typos, a good editor can help tighten a story and bring out the best in the writing. This book (and my own as well) would benefit from just such editing. I think the author is creative and with that kind of support, her novel would shine all the more.
I do think that Meg Jensen will find plenty of fans. This is the first book in a slated trilogy and I believe there will be many readers who will clamor for more, to find out what happens in this world of opressive Malborns, their Serenian slaves, and the girl who may be the answer to the Serenian's woes - The Cloud Prophet.
October 23, 2018
Very interesting idea for a story but the follow thru fell a little short. It was very unbelievable to me that these older, wiser, more experienced people would just follow a 15 year old girl with her ideas, plans, and wants so easily. There was hardly any disagreement with her no matter what her plans were. “You want to lead a rescue of some prisoners even though we have been waiting for you for centuries? Sure, no problem.“
I don’t think so.
There was also a weird shift from a shy, unsure young girl to a bold, brave and confident girl. The transformation seemed to happen far too quickly to be believable. It seems odd that a girl who was a slave for 15 years would just magically become a person who leads others in a brief period of months. At least not without some major character building moments, of which there aren't any. She is rescued then given nice comfy places to hide out. Where are the conflict and suffering that generally make a hero a hero?
All in all I would say it was a fast read with an unique twist but needs more to it. There is just too much missing from it.
I don’t think so.
There was also a weird shift from a shy, unsure young girl to a bold, brave and confident girl. The transformation seemed to happen far too quickly to be believable. It seems odd that a girl who was a slave for 15 years would just magically become a person who leads others in a brief period of months. At least not without some major character building moments, of which there aren't any. She is rescued then given nice comfy places to hide out. Where are the conflict and suffering that generally make a hero a hero?
All in all I would say it was a fast read with an unique twist but needs more to it. There is just too much missing from it.
March 18, 2020
Anathema is the story of a slave girl, Raychel, who has lived in isolation from the outside world for as long as she can remember. She lives in a room of her master’s home with 30 other female slaves, including her best friend, Ivy. The female slaves are forever branded to their master on their fifteenth birthday during a ceremony when their master’s symbol is burned into the back of their necks. Anathema begins on the morning to Raychel’s fifteenth birthday, when Raychel awakens to find Ivy missing, and a mysterious token left on her pillow. The tokens that have been left behind every time a slave girl has been kidnapped from her master’s home. As the story escalates from a missing slave to a fantastical world filled with magic & prophets, it is also a story about desperation & a fight for freedom.
I really, really wanted to like this book. The story itself was pretty good, but I thought it was so incredibly rushed. The Kindle version is only 206 pages. This was a story that deserved to be more fleshed out & the characters given more development. I wanted so much more from this story than what I got. I wasn’t expecting George RR Martin level of detail, but I felt like there was so much missing. In all fairness, if you’re looking for fast fantasy read, this will be right up your alley.
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I really, really wanted to like this book. The story itself was pretty good, but I thought it was so incredibly rushed. The Kindle version is only 206 pages. This was a story that deserved to be more fleshed out & the characters given more development. I wanted so much more from this story than what I got. I wasn’t expecting George RR Martin level of detail, but I felt like there was so much missing. In all fairness, if you’re looking for fast fantasy read, this will be right up your alley.
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March 19, 2020DNF at 56%
I am not fully invested in this. It's a great story but I can't seem to get myself to want to continue to read it. This is a total 'it's not you, it's me' moment.
I am not fully invested in this. It's a great story but I can't seem to get myself to want to continue to read it. This is a total 'it's not you, it's me' moment.
February 12, 2011
Full disclosure, I am part of Megg's writer's circle, so I was able to read Anathema before it was published. Anathema is the kind of book you read in a day. It moves fast and has both romantic and fantasy elements. What I like about how Megg Jensen writes fantasy is that she doesn't over-write it. Maybe it's my short fiction roots but many modern fantasy novels seem bloated to me. Not this one. The writing is tight but she doesn't sacrifice plot or characterization.
I thought the premise was original and the lead female character had a strong voice. The world she builds is extraordinary but believable. And truly, this book is one I can let my teen read without concerns about the content being inappropriate. I recommend Anathema. Even though I've already read it, I'll be purchasing this one.
I thought the premise was original and the lead female character had a strong voice. The world she builds is extraordinary but believable. And truly, this book is one I can let my teen read without concerns about the content being inappropriate. I recommend Anathema. Even though I've already read it, I'll be purchasing this one.
March 17, 2012
For a people who have been conquered and subjected to slavery, believe in a prophet meant to save them is difficult to give up. Their faith that they will one day be rescued spurs hope and planning. Reychel, a simple slave, has no notion of the prophecy. Her life has been sheltered beyond any other slave’s, even to the point of never being allowed to go or look outside except in her master’s presence. She knows nothing but the life of a slave…until her best friend goes missing and a mysterious coin is left in her place. Her friend’s disappearance changes everything. Reychel is thrown into more intrigue, secrets, and danger than she ever imagined could exist in the outside world.
This basic idea of Anathema sounds interesting. That’s what I thought when I downloaded the book. The idea behind the story is a thought provoking one with a lot of potential. Unfortunately it didn’t live up to that potential. As a whole, the book was interesting. There were many chapters that finished with a good enough hook that I wanted to turn the page, but in general the book fell short of my expectations.
The lack of consistency throughout the book was frustrating. The characters did not use consistent speech patterns. At times they spoke like old world villagers. At other times they spoke like modern teens. The characters themselves were often inconsistent, being clever at one moment than oblivious at the next, or sure of something then speak as if they had hardly considered the idea. The flow was also a problem in many cases. The idea that there were “gifted” people was never brought up until Reychel met one, but then she suddenly recalled many times that she had seen gifted slaves in her master’s house. I wasn’t sure if the author forgot to mention these gifted people earlier on and thought having Reychel remember would suffice, or she thought she was revealing some secret.
Many authors like to drop subtle hints as they write to either increase curiosity, guide readers toward the right conclusion, or trick them into leaning the wrong direction. This can be a wonderful tactic to draw readers in, but subtly is the key. I’m about to reveal some spoilers, but I need to in order to explain why this writer’s hints stole much of the tension from the story.
The first time Reychel is allowed to look out a window while in her master’s presence he asks her to tell him a story, as he usually does. Reychel’s story becomes a tale of her escape from slavery. The fact that Reychel was forbidden to look outside at any other time had been emphasized so much by that point that it was no surprise when Reychel’s “story” came true. I immediately assumed Reychel’s gift was prophecy related to looking at the sky. The frustrating part of the writer’s not-so subtle hints was that the characters in the book were all completely oblivious to this fact and just couldn’t figure out what Reychel’s talent was supposed to be.
Another instance was after Reychel and her friend Ivy have a fight and Ivy runs away, Reychel sees a vision of Ivy living luxuriously and looking very fiendish. When Reychel hears that her former master has suddenly announced his marriage to a mysterious girl, again it was readily apparent to me that Ivy was that mystery woman. But the other characters were at a loss to figure out who the master was marrying and passed off Ivy running away as a non-issue even though she told them before leaving that she knew an important secret about Reychel. Of course, Ivy turns out to be the master’s fiancée and reveals the devastating secret she knew, ruining Reychel’s plans.
I encountered the same problem when Reychel and her friends come up with a plan to rescue prisoner’s from her former master. Over and over again the characters reiterated how simple the plan was, how easy it would be, how it couldn’t possibly fail. It was so overemphasized that I, as a reader, knew the plan was doomed-which it was. One small, barely noticeable hint does so much more than blatant, repetitious hints will ever do.
The one aspect of the book that kept me from really connecting with the story or the characters was its lack of emotion. The first several chapters make a point of mentioning Grey, another slave, that Reychel has feelings for. But when she escapes she doesn’t have a single thought about this boy. No request to rescue him as well, no longing to see him again. She doesn’t even remember he exists until she ends up back in the palace trying to rescue the prisoners. And while Reychel is away from the palace, she meets another young man, Mark, that she makes some friendly comments about, but shows no internal devotion to. Yet when Ivy accuses Reychel of stealing Mark’s attention, everyone acts as if it is obvious that Reychel is in love with Mark. Throughout the book there were scenes where the characters spoke of something being very passionate, but preceding that there was very little internal emotion. This gave the book a rather bland tone at times.
Anathema was an interesting book. It had a very good idea at its base that I simply felt was not utilized to its full potential. I was intrigued at times, but I did not have the overpowering urge to keep reading. I didn’t connect with the characters enough to worry about their future, though that may have been partly due to the fact that the hints told me what was coming up and left little suspense. I enjoy a good love triangle, and though this book hinted that this would play a bigger part in the second book, I have a hard time seeing it suck people in since Reychel forgot the existence of one of the boys for almost the entire book. Overall, I wanted more from this book. I don't think I will read the other books in the series.
This basic idea of Anathema sounds interesting. That’s what I thought when I downloaded the book. The idea behind the story is a thought provoking one with a lot of potential. Unfortunately it didn’t live up to that potential. As a whole, the book was interesting. There were many chapters that finished with a good enough hook that I wanted to turn the page, but in general the book fell short of my expectations.
The lack of consistency throughout the book was frustrating. The characters did not use consistent speech patterns. At times they spoke like old world villagers. At other times they spoke like modern teens. The characters themselves were often inconsistent, being clever at one moment than oblivious at the next, or sure of something then speak as if they had hardly considered the idea. The flow was also a problem in many cases. The idea that there were “gifted” people was never brought up until Reychel met one, but then she suddenly recalled many times that she had seen gifted slaves in her master’s house. I wasn’t sure if the author forgot to mention these gifted people earlier on and thought having Reychel remember would suffice, or she thought she was revealing some secret.
Many authors like to drop subtle hints as they write to either increase curiosity, guide readers toward the right conclusion, or trick them into leaning the wrong direction. This can be a wonderful tactic to draw readers in, but subtly is the key. I’m about to reveal some spoilers, but I need to in order to explain why this writer’s hints stole much of the tension from the story.
The first time Reychel is allowed to look out a window while in her master’s presence he asks her to tell him a story, as he usually does. Reychel’s story becomes a tale of her escape from slavery. The fact that Reychel was forbidden to look outside at any other time had been emphasized so much by that point that it was no surprise when Reychel’s “story” came true. I immediately assumed Reychel’s gift was prophecy related to looking at the sky. The frustrating part of the writer’s not-so subtle hints was that the characters in the book were all completely oblivious to this fact and just couldn’t figure out what Reychel’s talent was supposed to be.
Another instance was after Reychel and her friend Ivy have a fight and Ivy runs away, Reychel sees a vision of Ivy living luxuriously and looking very fiendish. When Reychel hears that her former master has suddenly announced his marriage to a mysterious girl, again it was readily apparent to me that Ivy was that mystery woman. But the other characters were at a loss to figure out who the master was marrying and passed off Ivy running away as a non-issue even though she told them before leaving that she knew an important secret about Reychel. Of course, Ivy turns out to be the master’s fiancée and reveals the devastating secret she knew, ruining Reychel’s plans.
I encountered the same problem when Reychel and her friends come up with a plan to rescue prisoner’s from her former master. Over and over again the characters reiterated how simple the plan was, how easy it would be, how it couldn’t possibly fail. It was so overemphasized that I, as a reader, knew the plan was doomed-which it was. One small, barely noticeable hint does so much more than blatant, repetitious hints will ever do.
The one aspect of the book that kept me from really connecting with the story or the characters was its lack of emotion. The first several chapters make a point of mentioning Grey, another slave, that Reychel has feelings for. But when she escapes she doesn’t have a single thought about this boy. No request to rescue him as well, no longing to see him again. She doesn’t even remember he exists until she ends up back in the palace trying to rescue the prisoners. And while Reychel is away from the palace, she meets another young man, Mark, that she makes some friendly comments about, but shows no internal devotion to. Yet when Ivy accuses Reychel of stealing Mark’s attention, everyone acts as if it is obvious that Reychel is in love with Mark. Throughout the book there were scenes where the characters spoke of something being very passionate, but preceding that there was very little internal emotion. This gave the book a rather bland tone at times.
Anathema was an interesting book. It had a very good idea at its base that I simply felt was not utilized to its full potential. I was intrigued at times, but I did not have the overpowering urge to keep reading. I didn’t connect with the characters enough to worry about their future, though that may have been partly due to the fact that the hints told me what was coming up and left little suspense. I enjoy a good love triangle, and though this book hinted that this would play a bigger part in the second book, I have a hard time seeing it suck people in since Reychel forgot the existence of one of the boys for almost the entire book. Overall, I wanted more from this book. I don't think I will read the other books in the series.
December 25, 2011
The first book in the Cloud Prophecy series, “Anathema” was an awesome read! I downloaded it as a free book from kindle, and wasn’t in a rush to read it. But once I got started, I was hooked! Before I got to the end of the book, I was already looking forward to the next two books in this series by Megg Jensen.
I loved everything about this book. It was an easy and fast read, with an uncomplicated, yet unpredictable, plot line. The story moves at a comfortable pace and each setting is so well-described, it effortlessly drew me into the book.
I quickly fell in love with the characters, especially with the main character Reychel. She is a down to earth character, accepting her life as a slave without complaint. What I also enjoyed about this character, is how she grew as a person throughout the book, while staying true to her unassuming and sincere nature. The one thing that annoys me, is when female characters are portrayed as weak and helpless. This is not the case with Reychel, or any of the other characters, and in my books that makes her so much more likeable.
Supporting characters, good and bad, were also well crafted and the author skillfully blended them into the storyline. The romance between Reychel and her love interest was subtle and tastefully written.
I would’ve liked if Kandek’s character could’ve been a little more developed, and it would’ve added a lot more to the plot if certain things were seen from his point of view, but hopefully this will be done in the next two books. It doesn’t really take anything away from the story though.
The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, but as this is the first book in the series, some points are neatly tied up and others are left open to be developed in the next book. Fellow readers, I highly recommend this stunning book to young and old alike!
I loved everything about this book. It was an easy and fast read, with an uncomplicated, yet unpredictable, plot line. The story moves at a comfortable pace and each setting is so well-described, it effortlessly drew me into the book.
I quickly fell in love with the characters, especially with the main character Reychel. She is a down to earth character, accepting her life as a slave without complaint. What I also enjoyed about this character, is how she grew as a person throughout the book, while staying true to her unassuming and sincere nature. The one thing that annoys me, is when female characters are portrayed as weak and helpless. This is not the case with Reychel, or any of the other characters, and in my books that makes her so much more likeable.
Supporting characters, good and bad, were also well crafted and the author skillfully blended them into the storyline. The romance between Reychel and her love interest was subtle and tastefully written.
I would’ve liked if Kandek’s character could’ve been a little more developed, and it would’ve added a lot more to the plot if certain things were seen from his point of view, but hopefully this will be done in the next two books. It doesn’t really take anything away from the story though.
The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, but as this is the first book in the series, some points are neatly tied up and others are left open to be developed in the next book. Fellow readers, I highly recommend this stunning book to young and old alike!
April 8, 2011
Wow, what an amazing book! Hopefully, I won't have to wait long to read the following 2 books in this series! Picking up this book I had no idea what to expect. When I read the first page I was immediately intrigued! Even though the book is less than 190 pages, so much happens in the book that I am truly amazed that Megg Jensen was able to create and deliver such a compelling book in so few pages.
While reading, I was so focused on anticipating what would happen next that I couldn’t put the book down until I was finished, which was about 1:30am. And when I finally put it down, I was determined to write something even though I was so delirious from lack of sleep. And this is what I wrote, “What an amazing book! I am too tired to write a review at the moment so I will be doing it in the morning. This is a good one! Very compelling, there are some twists and you don't know who to trust. Very good!”
The emotions I felt from reading this book ranged from excitement to intensity to shock and then to frustration! There is very little detail about the story that I would want to include in this review because I loved that I read it completely blind and I want all readers to experience the same emotions I did. I do want to say that one particular person more than disgusted me! I wanted to jump through the book and strangle them (I won’t say him or her to ruin it for you).
Anyways, I would highly recommend this book!
While reading, I was so focused on anticipating what would happen next that I couldn’t put the book down until I was finished, which was about 1:30am. And when I finally put it down, I was determined to write something even though I was so delirious from lack of sleep. And this is what I wrote, “What an amazing book! I am too tired to write a review at the moment so I will be doing it in the morning. This is a good one! Very compelling, there are some twists and you don't know who to trust. Very good!”
The emotions I felt from reading this book ranged from excitement to intensity to shock and then to frustration! There is very little detail about the story that I would want to include in this review because I loved that I read it completely blind and I want all readers to experience the same emotions I did. I do want to say that one particular person more than disgusted me! I wanted to jump through the book and strangle them (I won’t say him or her to ruin it for you).
Anyways, I would highly recommend this book!
April 1, 2012
I love the main character Raychel. In the beginning we learn that Reychel is a slave. She lives with countless #s of other slaves that serve one master, Kandek. Kandek has never been mean to her. But he does treat her differently than the other slaves. She is not allowed outside, she is not allowed to be in a room without the curtains drawn & her main job is dish duty in the backroom with no windows. This is all Reychel knows, this is all she has ever known. She is unsure why Kandek restricts her as such but she is a good slave & does not question it. She is called into Kandek's chambers on a regular basis, there he opens the curtains for her to see into the outside world & asks her to tell a story to him. She loves this part where she can get lost in thought & dream. Her best friend is Ivy & her crush is Grey.
There is basically a war going on between the Serenians (slaves) & the Malborn (nobleman). The Malborn took the Serenians land by force & then made the slaves to their people. For the last 15 years slaves have been disappearing into thin air & the only thing left in their place is a gold coin with the word Anathma on one side & a picture of a mother, father, & baby on the other. These slaves are not heard from again.
There is a prophecy of a gifted that will free the people & bring balance & harmony back to the lands.
** SPOLILER ALERT **
Reychel is & meets some new friends like Johna, an herbalist who is showing Reychel how to make a living as a herbalist in the real world. Some can be trusted & some can not. Reychel meets Mark a solder for the realm & loyal to Kandek's army. However, Mark's loyalties really lie elsewhere. She learns a lot about herself & others which she thought she knew but it turns out things are never what they seem. That is really played throughout this entire story. You are unsure whom to trust & which side their loyalties will serve. You learn why Kandek treated Reychel differently & why he will not stop searching for her until she is returned to him.
This was a great story with subtle twists & turns but twists & turns none the less. I will be reading the 2nd book in the series soon.
There is basically a war going on between the Serenians (slaves) & the Malborn (nobleman). The Malborn took the Serenians land by force & then made the slaves to their people. For the last 15 years slaves have been disappearing into thin air & the only thing left in their place is a gold coin with the word Anathma on one side & a picture of a mother, father, & baby on the other. These slaves are not heard from again.
There is a prophecy of a gifted that will free the people & bring balance & harmony back to the lands.
** SPOLILER ALERT **
Reychel is & meets some new friends like Johna, an herbalist who is showing Reychel how to make a living as a herbalist in the real world. Some can be trusted & some can not. Reychel meets Mark a solder for the realm & loyal to Kandek's army. However, Mark's loyalties really lie elsewhere. She learns a lot about herself & others which she thought she knew but it turns out things are never what they seem. That is really played throughout this entire story. You are unsure whom to trust & which side their loyalties will serve. You learn why Kandek treated Reychel differently & why he will not stop searching for her until she is returned to him.
This was a great story with subtle twists & turns but twists & turns none the less. I will be reading the 2nd book in the series soon.
May 23, 2012
I've seen this book on the First Reads page over and over again, and I've entered to win in several times. Never did. So, when this book popped up on Amazon's Top 100 Free list for Kindle, I decided do go ahead and download it.
Here's the super brief summary (mild spoilers): Reychel is a slave who is about to become the permanent property of her owner via a brand on her fifteenth birthday. She gets rescued and is launched on a big adventure.
My thoughts ... this book just doesn't deliver. If you look at the cover and then at the title, even the description available, this looks like it should be kind of dark and intense. It's not. The tone is pretty light and fluffy to me. There are several cliches thrown in that just come off as cheesy.
Also, the main character, Reychel, is annoying to me. Jensen nails her as an innocent, naïve girl, but she goes a bit overboard with it. I had things figured out really, really early while Reychel was still puzzling over them. Reychel reminds me of Bella from Twilight (overly naïve to the point of being dumb). This annoyed me throughout the book.
As for the writing itself, there were a couple mangled sentences, a little bit if info dumping here and there at the very beginning. Nothing big.
The positives? As others have said, this is a fast-moving book. As much as I was tempted to just put it down/use the "remove from device" function on my Kindle, I kept reading. This says something about Jensen's ability to put together a compelling narrative.
Overall, I thought this book was okay. If it got into the hands of a capable editor who could prod Jensen to revise in a way that would bring out the strengths and handles the cliches in interesting ways, this could be a really interesting book. Right now, though, it reads like a draft. It's a good draft, but it's a draft.
Here's the super brief summary (mild spoilers): Reychel is a slave who is about to become the permanent property of her owner via a brand on her fifteenth birthday. She gets rescued and is launched on a big adventure.
My thoughts ... this book just doesn't deliver. If you look at the cover and then at the title, even the description available, this looks like it should be kind of dark and intense. It's not. The tone is pretty light and fluffy to me. There are several cliches thrown in that just come off as cheesy.
Also, the main character, Reychel, is annoying to me. Jensen nails her as an innocent, naïve girl, but she goes a bit overboard with it. I had things figured out really, really early while Reychel was still puzzling over them. Reychel reminds me of Bella from Twilight (overly naïve to the point of being dumb). This annoyed me throughout the book.
As for the writing itself, there were a couple mangled sentences, a little bit if info dumping here and there at the very beginning. Nothing big.
The positives? As others have said, this is a fast-moving book. As much as I was tempted to just put it down/use the "remove from device" function on my Kindle, I kept reading. This says something about Jensen's ability to put together a compelling narrative.
Overall, I thought this book was okay. If it got into the hands of a capable editor who could prod Jensen to revise in a way that would bring out the strengths and handles the cliches in interesting ways, this could be a really interesting book. Right now, though, it reads like a draft. It's a good draft, but it's a draft.
July 9, 2015
This is my first read by Megg Jensen and she did a great job on Anathema. This book took me by surprise I didn’t think I was going to like it because for its low rating. But wow I freaking loved it. I completely and utterly devoured Anathema. This book really sucked me in and there was no turning back for me. Anathema had a great fast pace and it really keep me on my toes.
All the characters were ok but there really wasn’t anything overly great about them. The character building wasn’t up to par. I’m kind of conflicted about the main character Reychel. I liked her well enough but she didn’t stick out. She was mediocre at best. I wish she was a little more of a kick ass chick. I also wanted her to stand up more for herself like how she stood up for others. In my option Reychel gift was really freaking weak. I really can’t say much about the other characters or really care to; there was nothing special about or worth remembering.
Overall I had a great time reading this book. I really loved the storyline and I am looking forward to what’s going to happen next. I didn’t like how the ending ended. Throughout the whole book there wasn’t a love triangle but at the very end I mean like the last page another love interest came in. Anathema has a lot of twist, turns, and OMG I didn’t see that coming surprises. It is a one of a kind read.
All the characters were ok but there really wasn’t anything overly great about them. The character building wasn’t up to par. I’m kind of conflicted about the main character Reychel. I liked her well enough but she didn’t stick out. She was mediocre at best. I wish she was a little more of a kick ass chick. I also wanted her to stand up more for herself like how she stood up for others. In my option Reychel gift was really freaking weak. I really can’t say much about the other characters or really care to; there was nothing special about or worth remembering.
Overall I had a great time reading this book. I really loved the storyline and I am looking forward to what’s going to happen next. I didn’t like how the ending ended. Throughout the whole book there wasn’t a love triangle but at the very end I mean like the last page another love interest came in. Anathema has a lot of twist, turns, and OMG I didn’t see that coming surprises. It is a one of a kind read.
August 21, 2017
2.5 stars.
Not crazy about this one. It wasn't bad, but it felt rushed in some places, and just a touch incredulous. Yes, I know it's a fantasy novel, but somehow, the suspension of disbelief just didn't reach the right level for me, I guess.
Best way to discribe this story: put Harry Potter and Divergent into a blender, pour it through a sieve and you get Anathema. Not bad, but without any real substance.
Not crazy about this one. It wasn't bad, but it felt rushed in some places, and just a touch incredulous. Yes, I know it's a fantasy novel, but somehow, the suspension of disbelief just didn't reach the right level for me, I guess.
Best way to discribe this story: put Harry Potter and Divergent into a blender, pour it through a sieve and you get Anathema. Not bad, but without any real substance.
June 6, 2011
I was really excited when I got this book from the author, Megg Jensen to review. Well, actually I asked her to review it because I really wanted to read it! I had read the summary on goodreads and thought it sounded very interesting. This book did not disappoint! I was captivated from page one, and it only got better and better.
The heroine, Reychel has been a slave her entire life. On her 15th birthday she will be branded with a fox on her neck, her master’s symbol. This means she will always belong to him. Before the branding “ceremony” can take place, Reychel is able to escape with the help of some invisible, magical people which will eventually become her friends. Free for the first time in her life, Reychel begins to learn who she truly is and secrets of her past are revealed.
What I liked most about Anathema was how everything flowed perfectly. No plot points were dragged on for eternity, but at the same time, nothing was said to quickly (did that even make sense??). There were so many questions of mine that were answered, but there is still enough for a second book to take place. I think what I am trying to say is that nothing was forced onto the reader, everything was told to us at the appropriate times.
The characters were also very well written. I loved Reychel. After everything she had been through, she was still trusting, honest, and brave. Then there is Mark, the hero and love interest to Reychel. There is more to him then meets the eye, and I can’t wait to see him again and hopefully, learn more about him!
Anathema is a great read, especially for fantasy lovers! It might seem like a short novel, but even at only 160 pages (nook pages), there was still an entire world that was to be discovered. I hope in Oubliette (the second one in the series-due out June 20th) we get to learn more about the Malborns, and why they were able to rise to power.
The heroine, Reychel has been a slave her entire life. On her 15th birthday she will be branded with a fox on her neck, her master’s symbol. This means she will always belong to him. Before the branding “ceremony” can take place, Reychel is able to escape with the help of some invisible, magical people which will eventually become her friends. Free for the first time in her life, Reychel begins to learn who she truly is and secrets of her past are revealed.
What I liked most about Anathema was how everything flowed perfectly. No plot points were dragged on for eternity, but at the same time, nothing was said to quickly (did that even make sense??). There were so many questions of mine that were answered, but there is still enough for a second book to take place. I think what I am trying to say is that nothing was forced onto the reader, everything was told to us at the appropriate times.
The characters were also very well written. I loved Reychel. After everything she had been through, she was still trusting, honest, and brave. Then there is Mark, the hero and love interest to Reychel. There is more to him then meets the eye, and I can’t wait to see him again and hopefully, learn more about him!
Anathema is a great read, especially for fantasy lovers! It might seem like a short novel, but even at only 160 pages (nook pages), there was still an entire world that was to be discovered. I hope in Oubliette (the second one in the series-due out June 20th) we get to learn more about the Malborns, and why they were able to rise to power.
February 28, 2012
I loved the pacing of the story. All of the little pieces unraveling at the perfect time. I sat and read this book all the way through in one day and found it highly enjoyable and different than anything I have read recently. The idea that the slaves/workers had to shave their heads to symbolize their position in the society. Then to actually have their masters symbols burned into the back of their skull? Seriously? Ow.
When Reychel wakes up to find her friend gone from the bed, the rumor starts immediately that she was taken, as this is a common thing. But Reychel spreads the rumor that she just woke up early and is around doing her chores. But the token she finds beneath the bed leads to her know better. That is the symbol that she will not be back. Reychel eventually escapes and must find somewhere to hide but her shaved skull is a dead giveaway that she is a slave and should not be out. There are different characters she meets in her travels. But she has a destiny that must be fulfilled.
There is a mixture of several great characters and magic. Reychel is a strong and feisty main character. I loved the last couple of chapters and the how all of the events eventually end. Very happy that this is only the beginning to a series.
I enjoyed that fact that even though there is a boy, and somewhat of a romantic interest there is not really any romance exactly that overwhelms what is really going on here. I loved that. Cute and funny moments, great writing and it had me hooked.
July 5, 2015
The beginning of Anathema was compelling and sucked me right in, but once Reychel is rescued from the castle, the story is "just okay." The storyline lacks intensity and, with the exception of Reychel and Ivy, the interactions between the characters feel forced. The insta-love between Reychel and Mark make their relationship bland--a little wariness and/or volatility between them would have gone a long way in adding tension to the story. Also, while I enjoy a light read from time to time, Anathema was far too light considering the subject matter. As a reader, when you pick up a book that claims to be about a girl trapped in slavery, you're expecting a heavy/intense read. But for Anathema, I often felt like I was reading a children's story (a pretty great children's story, but a children's story nonetheless). It was like the author was constantly on the brink of taking risks, but kept stopping short. Even the supposed 'bad guys' in this novel are pretty soft. Jensen, bless her heart, is simply far too kind to her characters, which makes for a sweet little story, but not the emotional or intense one that I was expecting.
Still, the novel, though light, is enjoyable. I stopped reading several times for a few seconds to tell my husband "I like this story! It's cute." I'm not a fan of stories with a ton of magic, but Jensen pulls it off. The premise is intriguing and the world she creates is appealing. I think Jensen would be a phenomenal middle-grade novelist, since she has lines in her writing that she doesn't feel comfortable crossing.
Still, the novel, though light, is enjoyable. I stopped reading several times for a few seconds to tell my husband "I like this story! It's cute." I'm not a fan of stories with a ton of magic, but Jensen pulls it off. The premise is intriguing and the world she creates is appealing. I think Jensen would be a phenomenal middle-grade novelist, since she has lines in her writing that she doesn't feel comfortable crossing.
June 25, 2012
First of all, this book is pretty short. I finished it in a few hours. I was reading on my kindle and wasn't keeping track of the locations, and all of a sudden it was done.
Aside from the length, I thought the book was really good. I enjoyed the story and it was entertaining enough that I didn't realize how fast I was whipping through it. The story revolves around a slave girl who discovers that she is a foretold savior of her people. This book takes her through the discovery of her status as the prophet.
There are two other books in this series, and I hope the second and third are as good as the first. The author packed a lot of character development and world building into the short text, which I thought was impressive. Moments where I felt I was being lectured were few and far between, which was nice. I feel like sometimes in short books this happens too often - the author needs to dump a lot of information about the world at once, so characters just go on a rant about culture, which is really jarring and unrealistic. Jensen keeps this to a minimum.
If you're looking for a quick read and like stories about magic with a bit of romance, I'd recommend picking this one up.
Aside from the length, I thought the book was really good. I enjoyed the story and it was entertaining enough that I didn't realize how fast I was whipping through it. The story revolves around a slave girl who discovers that she is a foretold savior of her people. This book takes her through the discovery of her status as the prophet.
There are two other books in this series, and I hope the second and third are as good as the first. The author packed a lot of character development and world building into the short text, which I thought was impressive. Moments where I felt I was being lectured were few and far between, which was nice. I feel like sometimes in short books this happens too often - the author needs to dump a lot of information about the world at once, so characters just go on a rant about culture, which is really jarring and unrealistic. Jensen keeps this to a minimum.
If you're looking for a quick read and like stories about magic with a bit of romance, I'd recommend picking this one up.
June 16, 2012
WOW. Loved this book. One of the few books this year that has kept my attention throughout, and which had me reading long past my bedtime. Author Megg Jensen has a gift for fine storytelling, for suspense, for compelling characters. I was enchanted by the world she created with Anathema. And I long to read on to the second book in the series. I highly recommend Jensen's work to any who adore young adult fiction but, most importantly, those who simply like to read a compelling story well-told.
Cannot wait to devour the rest of Megg Jensen's canon of work.
Cannot wait to devour the rest of Megg Jensen's canon of work.
August 1, 2017
A very interesting story world with deep politics, conflicting views, and the constant struggle over whom to trust. Even to the very end there were compelling conflicts that kept me reading, and several twists I didn't see coming. Along with some I did...but mostly ones I didn't. Happy times.
Heads up to series readers: this one doesn't completely resolve by the end. You get the sense there's a significant amount of story still to come.
All in all, I enjoyed it.
Content warning: Clean.
Heads up to series readers: this one doesn't completely resolve by the end. You get the sense there's a significant amount of story still to come.
All in all, I enjoyed it.
Content warning: Clean.
April 21, 2012
Review on Linny's Literature
The first book in the Cloud Prophet Trilogy, Anathema introduces us to a world full of slavery and people with extraordinary gifts. I got Anathema for free on Amazon (Where it is still free, by the way. Hey, wait! You haven't read my review yet! ... *sigh*) While I can never turn down a free book with an intriguing description, I haven't had many good experiences with free books. But Anathema was better than I had expected it would be.
Why I liked it:
1. The unique storyline.
Just like any other poor book lover with a Kindle, I love freebies. Because of some bad experiences with freebies, however, I don't just take any old book that I come across. Anathema's unique storyline caught my attention though, and it was that storyline that kept my attention through the whole book. Oppressed slaves forced to shave their heads and be branded like cattle by their masters. Both the slaves and masters alike harboring magical powers. A prophecy that puts one slave girl in the center of a rebellion. I've been really into the dystopia genre lately, and this had the dystopian and fantasy combined. I haven't seen anything simular and I enjoyed reading and watching the story play out. The entire Cloud Prophet thing I especially liked. I think that Anathema could have been an amazing read if some of the aspects of that story were tweeked.
What bothered me:
1. A "light" read. Light reads are fun and pass the time, but they never take the gold. How could've it transcended the "light"-zone? More life and death situations. Make me feel genuinely afraid for the characters. Everything came too easily for them and worked out with a cherry on top. And having more character development. I want to understand my characters and become invested in them.
2. The writing. It wasn't terrible, not one of those freebies littered with mispelled words and grammar errors, but it was still just sort of awkward. I'm sorry I don't know how to explain it any better than that.
3. Instalove. This sort of ties in with the character development that I mentioned earlier. While the book did say that they fell in love over the span of a few months, these months happened in just a few pages of the book, so it felt rushed and unrealistic.
None of these things were make it or break it, but together they lessened the quality of the story for me. I really enjoyed the unique storyline and as a whole, Anathema was much better than what I have come to expect from on-sale free books. While I am not fully invested in the characters, I am interested in learning how their story will play out and will likely read the other two books in the trilogy sometime. There was a chapter of the next book, Oubliette, at the end of Anathema as well, which was interesting. I would 100% recommend this book because, well, it's free. And like I said, Anathema was really great for a free book.
The first book in the Cloud Prophet Trilogy, Anathema introduces us to a world full of slavery and people with extraordinary gifts. I got Anathema for free on Amazon (Where it is still free, by the way. Hey, wait! You haven't read my review yet! ... *sigh*) While I can never turn down a free book with an intriguing description, I haven't had many good experiences with free books. But Anathema was better than I had expected it would be.
Why I liked it:
1. The unique storyline.
Just like any other poor book lover with a Kindle, I love freebies. Because of some bad experiences with freebies, however, I don't just take any old book that I come across. Anathema's unique storyline caught my attention though, and it was that storyline that kept my attention through the whole book. Oppressed slaves forced to shave their heads and be branded like cattle by their masters. Both the slaves and masters alike harboring magical powers. A prophecy that puts one slave girl in the center of a rebellion. I've been really into the dystopia genre lately, and this had the dystopian and fantasy combined. I haven't seen anything simular and I enjoyed reading and watching the story play out. The entire Cloud Prophet thing I especially liked. I think that Anathema could have been an amazing read if some of the aspects of that story were tweeked.
What bothered me:
1. A "light" read. Light reads are fun and pass the time, but they never take the gold. How could've it transcended the "light"-zone? More life and death situations. Make me feel genuinely afraid for the characters. Everything came too easily for them and worked out with a cherry on top. And having more character development. I want to understand my characters and become invested in them.
2. The writing. It wasn't terrible, not one of those freebies littered with mispelled words and grammar errors, but it was still just sort of awkward. I'm sorry I don't know how to explain it any better than that.
3. Instalove. This sort of ties in with the character development that I mentioned earlier. While the book did say that they fell in love over the span of a few months, these months happened in just a few pages of the book, so it felt rushed and unrealistic.
None of these things were make it or break it, but together they lessened the quality of the story for me. I really enjoyed the unique storyline and as a whole, Anathema was much better than what I have come to expect from on-sale free books. While I am not fully invested in the characters, I am interested in learning how their story will play out and will likely read the other two books in the trilogy sometime. There was a chapter of the next book, Oubliette, at the end of Anathema as well, which was interesting. I would 100% recommend this book because, well, it's free. And like I said, Anathema was really great for a free book.
January 12, 2012
Okay, I'm sorry, but I did not like this book whatsoever. Seeing as it is the last book of the year though, I decided to start a new years resolution early. In 2012, I will find at least one good thing about every book I read, even the really horrible ones. Even if all I can say is you have nice hair.
Okay, so good things about this books:
(1) I'm glad that she didn't drag it out to be 3-500 pages long like some authors do.
(2) I'm glad that she didn't drag out the romance too much and it didn't distract from the main storyline too much.
Now, on to the cruelness of my review:
I'm going to be honest here. The main character was an idiot, it took her 95 pages to figure out her gift, this included several weeks to help grow out her hair, no one really searching for answers, no one asking her questions about what her gift may be, and absolutely pointless distractions. Meanwhile, I figured out her gift in less than ten pages. Then I sat through 85 more waiting for her to figure it out, too bad someone just had to finally tell her just for her to figure it out.
The storyline is predictable, and Reychel, the one who should be able to predict the future, can't tell what's going to happen next until someone tells her. I think she only makes one good decision throughout the book, her plan to free the slaves. All the side charactes seem like cut-outs, just apply what you think of them however you like.
I started this book 5-6 months ago and I just couldn't bring myself to continue it. It sat on the shelf with only 30 pages left to read, that's right only 30. I just did not want to read this book at all. It kept no interest to me, and I wanted to repeatidly smacked all the characters around who just sat around for 95 pages waiting for someone to figure out her gifts instead of doing something themselves.
The romance was unbelievable, and Ivy was predictable from the start. I think the concept of the story was great. Slaves who shave their head and who are marked, some having special gifts. A revult between slaves and their owners, etc. It was just poorly executed. I think if the author would have spent another year or two developing it, it would have ended up better.
Why I finished this book? I just wanted to kill this bird with a stone before the start of 2013. I did not want my first book of the new year to be this. Oh, I'm also considering The Scorpio Races the last book I read this year, not this!
I actually had a much worst review written out for this, but I erased the 8 to 9 paragraphs of rude remarks. I did keep this from it though:
Favorite Quote Page 155:
Reychel: "She used me. She exploited me. She fooled me. And I felt every inch the fool. Why didn't I ever see through her? Was my judgment of people really so poor?"
My response, in the words of Stewie Griffin from Family Guy: "He** Yeah!"
Thank you Stewie, without you, I would have never gotten through the last pages of this book!
Okay, so good things about this books:
(1) I'm glad that she didn't drag it out to be 3-500 pages long like some authors do.
(2) I'm glad that she didn't drag out the romance too much and it didn't distract from the main storyline too much.
Now, on to the cruelness of my review:
I'm going to be honest here. The main character was an idiot, it took her 95 pages to figure out her gift, this included several weeks to help grow out her hair, no one really searching for answers, no one asking her questions about what her gift may be, and absolutely pointless distractions. Meanwhile, I figured out her gift in less than ten pages. Then I sat through 85 more waiting for her to figure it out, too bad someone just had to finally tell her just for her to figure it out.
The storyline is predictable, and Reychel, the one who should be able to predict the future, can't tell what's going to happen next until someone tells her. I think she only makes one good decision throughout the book, her plan to free the slaves. All the side charactes seem like cut-outs, just apply what you think of them however you like.
I started this book 5-6 months ago and I just couldn't bring myself to continue it. It sat on the shelf with only 30 pages left to read, that's right only 30. I just did not want to read this book at all. It kept no interest to me, and I wanted to repeatidly smacked all the characters around who just sat around for 95 pages waiting for someone to figure out her gifts instead of doing something themselves.
The romance was unbelievable, and Ivy was predictable from the start. I think the concept of the story was great. Slaves who shave their head and who are marked, some having special gifts. A revult between slaves and their owners, etc. It was just poorly executed. I think if the author would have spent another year or two developing it, it would have ended up better.
Why I finished this book? I just wanted to kill this bird with a stone before the start of 2013. I did not want my first book of the new year to be this. Oh, I'm also considering The Scorpio Races the last book I read this year, not this!
I actually had a much worst review written out for this, but I erased the 8 to 9 paragraphs of rude remarks. I did keep this from it though:
Favorite Quote Page 155:
Reychel: "She used me. She exploited me. She fooled me. And I felt every inch the fool. Why didn't I ever see through her? Was my judgment of people really so poor?"
My response, in the words of Stewie Griffin from Family Guy: "He** Yeah!"
Thank you Stewie, without you, I would have never gotten through the last pages of this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2015
This book was published some time ago, in 2011, so anything I write about it will have little effect on sales. Not that that should bother me.
I read this through, drawn by a not half-bad story, but irritated by the manner of telling. I feel the writer would perhaps of benefitted from critiques that were from other writers without any connection to her. As it is, one gets the impression that most of the pre publishing reviews must have come from adoring family and friends.
She writes of a young woman, a slave, called Reychel, who inhabits an indeterminate fantasy world at some time or other.
The story starts with Reychel's fifteenth birthday, a day which she has been dreading, because it is the day when she is to be branded the property of Kandek, the local lord.
So, not a bad premise for a YA novel, and the story progresses quite nicely after.
The problem is with the telling. There is a 'rule' in writing, 'show don't tell'. It is right to be suspicious of any 'rule' in any art form, so it is not, in fact, a rule.
As an aside the first proponent of this 'rule' was George Orwell, although he showed a great deal of disdain for it in his writings.
However, although not a rule, it is a bloody good 'rule of thumb'. And Miss Jensen's thumb has not been in use. There are constant flashbacks in the form of thoughts and/or conversation, which 'explain' the book and they become wearisome.
In terms of telling the story they are a break in the progress, and in fact the whole books reads to me as a precursor to book two.
Another of the so called 'rules' is that all the main elements of the plot should be told in the first 25%. Again, a strong recommendation rather than a rule, but one that has been followed by all the great writers over hundreds of years. But not M's Jensen and important characters 'pop-up' almost until the very end.
It makes for a curious mish-mash which needs to be sorted out. Maybe it will in the next part of the story.
Which, quite frankly, I will not be reading.
I read this through, drawn by a not half-bad story, but irritated by the manner of telling. I feel the writer would perhaps of benefitted from critiques that were from other writers without any connection to her. As it is, one gets the impression that most of the pre publishing reviews must have come from adoring family and friends.
She writes of a young woman, a slave, called Reychel, who inhabits an indeterminate fantasy world at some time or other.
The story starts with Reychel's fifteenth birthday, a day which she has been dreading, because it is the day when she is to be branded the property of Kandek, the local lord.
So, not a bad premise for a YA novel, and the story progresses quite nicely after.
The problem is with the telling. There is a 'rule' in writing, 'show don't tell'. It is right to be suspicious of any 'rule' in any art form, so it is not, in fact, a rule.
As an aside the first proponent of this 'rule' was George Orwell, although he showed a great deal of disdain for it in his writings.
However, although not a rule, it is a bloody good 'rule of thumb'. And Miss Jensen's thumb has not been in use. There are constant flashbacks in the form of thoughts and/or conversation, which 'explain' the book and they become wearisome.
In terms of telling the story they are a break in the progress, and in fact the whole books reads to me as a precursor to book two.
Another of the so called 'rules' is that all the main elements of the plot should be told in the first 25%. Again, a strong recommendation rather than a rule, but one that has been followed by all the great writers over hundreds of years. But not M's Jensen and important characters 'pop-up' almost until the very end.
It makes for a curious mish-mash which needs to be sorted out. Maybe it will in the next part of the story.
Which, quite frankly, I will not be reading.
May 26, 2011
Anathema by Megg Jensen is intriguing and it had me hooked since reading the synopsis!
I normally do not read the fantasy genre, however, Anathema’s synopsis really caught me and I knew I would need to read it. When Megg approached me to ask me to review this book, I really jumped at this opportunity because I have heard great things about it and it looked interesting for me to read.
Knowing that there is a character in this book with my name did not make me automatically like her. I wished I did like her, but I do not. You will know why if you have read Anathema.
My favorite character is Reychel. Her name is spelled oddly, but it is interesting to know that maybe someone out there spells “Rachel” differently. I did not quite understand why she was always hidden away from the outside world and from windows until you discover the power she holds. Her power is within the clouds. She is an amazing character with amazing powers! However, she did not discover the power she holds until people with similar powers saved her. Her power is very powerful and if she is in the hands of bad people, it will be disastrous!
Reychel is a very likeable character. You know those people who you can like, but never dislike because she is so likeable by everyone? Yeah, Reychel is one of those people. I do not think anyone can dislike her. She is willing to help people too. She is strong-willed and is determined to help people out even if it means to jeopardize herself in the process. You see how likeable she is? And how you cannot like her even though you want to dislike her? Yup!
Anathema is such a captivating novel that it is extremely easy to lose yourself into it. The whole time I have read this book, I did not want to put it down. It is one of those books you would not want to stop until you reach the last page! Superb novel! I cannot wait for the second book!
I normally do not read the fantasy genre, however, Anathema’s synopsis really caught me and I knew I would need to read it. When Megg approached me to ask me to review this book, I really jumped at this opportunity because I have heard great things about it and it looked interesting for me to read.
Knowing that there is a character in this book with my name did not make me automatically like her. I wished I did like her, but I do not. You will know why if you have read Anathema.
My favorite character is Reychel. Her name is spelled oddly, but it is interesting to know that maybe someone out there spells “Rachel” differently. I did not quite understand why she was always hidden away from the outside world and from windows until you discover the power she holds. Her power is within the clouds. She is an amazing character with amazing powers! However, she did not discover the power she holds until people with similar powers saved her. Her power is very powerful and if she is in the hands of bad people, it will be disastrous!
Reychel is a very likeable character. You know those people who you can like, but never dislike because she is so likeable by everyone? Yeah, Reychel is one of those people. I do not think anyone can dislike her. She is willing to help people too. She is strong-willed and is determined to help people out even if it means to jeopardize herself in the process. You see how likeable she is? And how you cannot like her even though you want to dislike her? Yup!
Anathema is such a captivating novel that it is extremely easy to lose yourself into it. The whole time I have read this book, I did not want to put it down. It is one of those books you would not want to stop until you reach the last page! Superb novel! I cannot wait for the second book!
December 7, 2011
REVIEWED by Chris for Between the Covers blog:
I buy indie books on my kindle all the time. I scour the message boards for free or very low priced books every day, but I have yet to find one that has entertained me as much as Anathema by Megg Jensen. (And it was a steal for only $0.99.) The first in The Cloud Trilogy, this book is extremely well written and developed.
Anathema centers around a slave girl named Reychel. Reychel was born into slavery and is forbidden from viewing the outside world unless alone with her master. She is treated better than any other slave and given special treatment by her master, which lends to the core mystery and plot of this story. There is more to Reychel than meets the eye and it leads us to the climax of the story, and presumably the rest of the series.
Jensen does a fantastic job with Anathema. She builds a very vivid world and sets up the series by leaving bits of mystery and intrigue scattered throughout the story. There were times that I felt that I could walk her world and know where everything is. The characters in this book grow and change as you read, making you feel almost like you know them personally. Jensen’s thorough development of them takes them from flat, one dimensional characters to complex people who you can envision meeting and perhaps even becoming friends with.
I can not express how much I enjoyed this book. It concluded with a fantastic ending which left me wanting more. I absolutely could not put it down, I wanted to live and breathe this world. I am looking forward to the next to installment in the trilogy, and I hope that I do not have long to wait. Megg Jensen has earned her a spot on my authors to watch list.
Rating: 4 stars
I buy indie books on my kindle all the time. I scour the message boards for free or very low priced books every day, but I have yet to find one that has entertained me as much as Anathema by Megg Jensen. (And it was a steal for only $0.99.) The first in The Cloud Trilogy, this book is extremely well written and developed.
Anathema centers around a slave girl named Reychel. Reychel was born into slavery and is forbidden from viewing the outside world unless alone with her master. She is treated better than any other slave and given special treatment by her master, which lends to the core mystery and plot of this story. There is more to Reychel than meets the eye and it leads us to the climax of the story, and presumably the rest of the series.
Jensen does a fantastic job with Anathema. She builds a very vivid world and sets up the series by leaving bits of mystery and intrigue scattered throughout the story. There were times that I felt that I could walk her world and know where everything is. The characters in this book grow and change as you read, making you feel almost like you know them personally. Jensen’s thorough development of them takes them from flat, one dimensional characters to complex people who you can envision meeting and perhaps even becoming friends with.
I can not express how much I enjoyed this book. It concluded with a fantastic ending which left me wanting more. I absolutely could not put it down, I wanted to live and breathe this world. I am looking forward to the next to installment in the trilogy, and I hope that I do not have long to wait. Megg Jensen has earned her a spot on my authors to watch list.
Rating: 4 stars
August 13, 2017
Original unabridged version posted on: https://tumblingintowonderlandbooks.w...
This book was quite short, and was easily read in a day. I really liked the beginning of this; , slaves imprisoned, and just before they're about to be branded they manage to escape. However, for me it went down hill from there... This is where they reveal that the two escaped slaves have magic, and are supported in their escape by others with magic too. However, as it is outlawed, they have to keep it hidden. Despite it being interesting that different people have different powers, I personally feel that it would have been a lot more exciting without the magic element; if they had to escape without magic, and try and get the captured slaves back without it.
Due to it being short, it made the character development very abrupt and unbelievable. I find it hard to believe that someone who has been a slave for 15 years would quickly change from being shy and subjected to being a bold, confident leader in a couple of months. Especially considering nothing major happened to her in these months, she was hiding out in a comfy house, being taught about herbs.
My main issue, and why I gave this book such a low score, was it was really predictable. I could immediately predict who the prophet was, and who the king was marrying. There was only one surprise element in there. For me, this is immediately a low score, as I don't enjoy it as much.
Anathema was an interesting book. It had a very good base idea, but it just wasn't used to it's full potential. I was intrigued at times, but generally found it very predictable. I found that the characters didn't have enough time to develop, and the ones who did were rushed. Overall, I wanted more from this book, and don't think I will read the next books in the series.
This book was quite short, and was easily read in a day. I really liked the beginning of this; , slaves imprisoned, and just before they're about to be branded they manage to escape. However, for me it went down hill from there... This is where they reveal that the two escaped slaves have magic, and are supported in their escape by others with magic too. However, as it is outlawed, they have to keep it hidden. Despite it being interesting that different people have different powers, I personally feel that it would have been a lot more exciting without the magic element; if they had to escape without magic, and try and get the captured slaves back without it.
Due to it being short, it made the character development very abrupt and unbelievable. I find it hard to believe that someone who has been a slave for 15 years would quickly change from being shy and subjected to being a bold, confident leader in a couple of months. Especially considering nothing major happened to her in these months, she was hiding out in a comfy house, being taught about herbs.
My main issue, and why I gave this book such a low score, was it was really predictable. I could immediately predict who the prophet was, and who the king was marrying. There was only one surprise element in there. For me, this is immediately a low score, as I don't enjoy it as much.
Anathema was an interesting book. It had a very good base idea, but it just wasn't used to it's full potential. I was intrigued at times, but generally found it very predictable. I found that the characters didn't have enough time to develop, and the ones who did were rushed. Overall, I wanted more from this book, and don't think I will read the next books in the series.
May 21, 2014
Reychel is a deprived slave to master Kandek, all her life. Deprived, because he refuses to allow her to see the sky or go outside at all. Reychel can't even look out windows! She doesn't question this and follows her life, not wanting her-self or others to be effected by her disobedience.
One day her best friend (who I hate) disappears and leaves her to this personal hell alone and scared, but is she really alone? And will she always be a prisoner? No, she is rescued by her friend only to discover a new world and life, what choices does she make, what roads will she choose and what is her fate!
Reychel is a small, quite, kind and sometimes infuriating girl that has lived her whole life following one rule, never question your master. So obviously when you read this book you expect growth and strength to be ignited in our young main character, and Megg Jensen doesn't let you down. She build the characters dynamics and traits with a true finesse. You watch this young girl grow into a brave young women. The character isn't the only thing growing either, the whole world that is described and made up for you is put forth so well you can see the moments pass. It was awesome and very entertaining to watch.
Over all guys, this book was great. I was enthralled from page one and enjoyed the short story of young Reychel. It was a wonderful break from the normal YA and NA books I've been bringing on. But be forewarned this is very young adult, borderline middle-grade, still worth the read but not as mature as most YA books out there. IT was an intriguing start to the series and I look forward to seeing how it all unravels.
You can also find my review @ http://heaventoearthreviews.blogspot....
**I received this book for an honest review**
One day her best friend (who I hate) disappears and leaves her to this personal hell alone and scared, but is she really alone? And will she always be a prisoner? No, she is rescued by her friend only to discover a new world and life, what choices does she make, what roads will she choose and what is her fate!
Reychel is a small, quite, kind and sometimes infuriating girl that has lived her whole life following one rule, never question your master. So obviously when you read this book you expect growth and strength to be ignited in our young main character, and Megg Jensen doesn't let you down. She build the characters dynamics and traits with a true finesse. You watch this young girl grow into a brave young women. The character isn't the only thing growing either, the whole world that is described and made up for you is put forth so well you can see the moments pass. It was awesome and very entertaining to watch.
Over all guys, this book was great. I was enthralled from page one and enjoyed the short story of young Reychel. It was a wonderful break from the normal YA and NA books I've been bringing on. But be forewarned this is very young adult, borderline middle-grade, still worth the read but not as mature as most YA books out there. IT was an intriguing start to the series and I look forward to seeing how it all unravels.
You can also find my review @ http://heaventoearthreviews.blogspot....
**I received this book for an honest review**
October 16, 2015
I wanted to like this book, I really did. The premise is a good one, of class struggles conflicting the indigenous people with imperialist masters, with magic abilities added in. But there are just too many weak points here. The heroine is unrelateable - too much Mary Jane-ness and almost bipolar shifts between mopey angst and blinding optimism. Lots of the action is half-hearted and under developed: about 10,000 hugs happen without description, and movements are largely left un-illuminated. The plot-line itself is workable, but goes by too fast - there's so much that should be delved into that is just skipped over. Lots of world building and lore that I would have been very interested in - just left out entirely! The other characters besides Mary Jane are shallowly developed as well, and predominantly static. There are an excessive number of surprise reveals with an absence of foreshadowing (how hard would it have been to mention Kendak's eye color early on?, for instance) and then precious little explanation or denouement afterwards. The reveal of Reychel's talent had such potential, it's a unique concept, but its done with such little fanfare that I had to do a double-take to make sure that was, in fact, what happened.
I had very high hopes for this, but finishing this quite brief book became a struggle; the not-quite-cliff-hanger ending simply isn't enough to entice me into book 2. Sorry, no sale.
Possible remedy: make this a proper fantasy novel in the 350 page range. Basically, she'd need to go back to this book in Word document form and for every verb add some adverbs, for every noun an adjective, for every action an explanation or description, for every revelation go back and plant a seed prior to and then add some explanation and expansion afterwards.
I had very high hopes for this, but finishing this quite brief book became a struggle; the not-quite-cliff-hanger ending simply isn't enough to entice me into book 2. Sorry, no sale.
Possible remedy: make this a proper fantasy novel in the 350 page range. Basically, she'd need to go back to this book in Word document form and for every verb add some adverbs, for every noun an adjective, for every action an explanation or description, for every revelation go back and plant a seed prior to and then add some explanation and expansion afterwards.
October 7, 2012
Free book I got from Amazon this is my review on it:
Can one girl save the fate of her people?
Reychel has been a slave her whole life she wakes up to find her only friend missing without a trace except a gold coin in her place. What is she going to do now?
What can one slave girl do?
Follow Reychel’s story from a slave to a free person.
It’s fast paced and has a good plot and storyline. I would have liked to see more in depth characterization of the characters because each of them has the potential to shine in their own way as the characters flew across the pages.
At the age of 15 a slave gets a brand on the back of their neck stating that they are a slave for the rest of their life.
The villain is predictable and so was the book. I was kind of lost on the love triangle I saw the three people it concerned but it mostly talked about tow of them what happened to the third one. The book only mentions him a few times and there is no emotion between them so I didn’t feel like they had anything between them.
The character development was a little lacking not a lot of emotion going on in the book and what was there was good.
Overall the book had a good plot and story line just needs a little polishing and the book will be fantastic.
Recommend: teen and up
Rating: 3/5 Soul Stars
Soulfyre Reviews
Can one girl save the fate of her people?
Reychel has been a slave her whole life she wakes up to find her only friend missing without a trace except a gold coin in her place. What is she going to do now?
What can one slave girl do?
Follow Reychel’s story from a slave to a free person.
It’s fast paced and has a good plot and storyline. I would have liked to see more in depth characterization of the characters because each of them has the potential to shine in their own way as the characters flew across the pages.
At the age of 15 a slave gets a brand on the back of their neck stating that they are a slave for the rest of their life.
The villain is predictable and so was the book. I was kind of lost on the love triangle I saw the three people it concerned but it mostly talked about tow of them what happened to the third one. The book only mentions him a few times and there is no emotion between them so I didn’t feel like they had anything between them.
The character development was a little lacking not a lot of emotion going on in the book and what was there was good.
Overall the book had a good plot and story line just needs a little polishing and the book will be fantastic.
Recommend: teen and up
Rating: 3/5 Soul Stars
Soulfyre Reviews
January 1, 2015
I received an electronic copy of this book as part of the EPIC: Fourteen Books Of Fantasy boxed set in exchange for an honest review.
This story is part one of a series and, like all too many series I've read lately, disappointing on its own. It's about a culture who keeps another enslaved. However, many of those enslaved have special gifts and they've been waiting for the birth of a special person who will be their prophet and win their freedom.
Given their gifts, however, I think they mostly haven't won their freedom yet due to a lack of organization. If only they could coordinate all their gifts and work together, they'd be a formidable force and able to do more than a few scattered terrorist attacks. Which is about all this is. The prophet to be is about to be permanently enslaved and is instead rescued, along with a friend. The friend later deserts her and in a surprise I saw coming chapters in advance, comes back as the real baddie. Frankly, if one person with one gift can wreak as much havoc as she did, the gifted should have been ruling by now.
As it is, they manage their little attack and off for the rest of a no doubt inspiring angst full series in which they will do their best not to fail horribly and barely succeed.
This story is part one of a series and, like all too many series I've read lately, disappointing on its own. It's about a culture who keeps another enslaved. However, many of those enslaved have special gifts and they've been waiting for the birth of a special person who will be their prophet and win their freedom.
Given their gifts, however, I think they mostly haven't won their freedom yet due to a lack of organization. If only they could coordinate all their gifts and work together, they'd be a formidable force and able to do more than a few scattered terrorist attacks. Which is about all this is. The prophet to be is about to be permanently enslaved and is instead rescued, along with a friend. The friend later deserts her and in a surprise I saw coming chapters in advance, comes back as the real baddie. Frankly, if one person with one gift can wreak as much havoc as she did, the gifted should have been ruling by now.
As it is, they manage their little attack and off for the rest of a no doubt inspiring angst full series in which they will do their best not to fail horribly and barely succeed.
December 2, 2011
Reviewed By- Steph O.
Review Copy Provided By- Print Copy
This is my second time reading the book. I have to say, it’s like I never even read it . . I am so drawn into it. Even though I am fully aware of what is to come, and what leads to what, I am still getting the same feelings all over again. From the heart pounding excited of escape, to the mind spinning lies, and manipulation that are going on.
Reychel has spent her entire life hidden from the outside. Allowed only brief glimpses of the outside when it was only her and her master. A month before her 15th birthday she is there to comfort her best friend Ivy through her 15th birthday; which brings the branding of a slave to show where they belong. Ivy promised to be there for her as well. Things don’t always go according to plan . . do they?
Grab yourself a copy and get ready for a very intense, emotional ride. That’s pretty much the only way I can describe it. Your heart rate will increase, and your palms will sweat. You may even find yourself ducking to hide behind a tree so you can’t be seen. No matter what range of emotions you feel while reading this book, you will enjoy each and every word of it.
Favorite Quote: “I can’t let my wife waste away in a cell when there’s dishes to be done.”
Review Copy Provided By- Print Copy
This is my second time reading the book. I have to say, it’s like I never even read it . . I am so drawn into it. Even though I am fully aware of what is to come, and what leads to what, I am still getting the same feelings all over again. From the heart pounding excited of escape, to the mind spinning lies, and manipulation that are going on.
Reychel has spent her entire life hidden from the outside. Allowed only brief glimpses of the outside when it was only her and her master. A month before her 15th birthday she is there to comfort her best friend Ivy through her 15th birthday; which brings the branding of a slave to show where they belong. Ivy promised to be there for her as well. Things don’t always go according to plan . . do they?
Grab yourself a copy and get ready for a very intense, emotional ride. That’s pretty much the only way I can describe it. Your heart rate will increase, and your palms will sweat. You may even find yourself ducking to hide behind a tree so you can’t be seen. No matter what range of emotions you feel while reading this book, you will enjoy each and every word of it.
Favorite Quote: “I can’t let my wife waste away in a cell when there’s dishes to be done.”
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