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All Kemla dreams of is an adventure.
When she’s kidnapped by slave traders, meets a mage, becomes a bargaining tool and is attacked by bandits, she gets more than she ever wanted.
But will she earn her freedom?
Magic is outlawed, but slave trading is a legitimate profession, which causes some problems for Kemla when she’s captured by slave traders and accused of possessing magic. This series is highly recommended for all the Tamora Pierce fans out there. With a strong female protagonist, who manages to get herself into a lot of trouble, and a cute male slave trader who keeps making sure she can’t escape.
When she’s kidnapped by slave traders, meets a mage, becomes a bargaining tool and is attacked by bandits, she gets more than she ever wanted.
But will she earn her freedom?
Magic is outlawed, but slave trading is a legitimate profession, which causes some problems for Kemla when she’s captured by slave traders and accused of possessing magic. This series is highly recommended for all the Tamora Pierce fans out there. With a strong female protagonist, who manages to get herself into a lot of trouble, and a cute male slave trader who keeps making sure she can’t escape.
- GenresFantasy
ebook
First published July 23, 2012
4 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra Webb
33 books52 followersCassandra Webb is a chocaholic writer from the small coastal village of Narooma, Australia. Writer of children’s and young adult fiction, fantasy and picture books. Cassandra also enjoys writing creative non-fiction. She grew up in rural and remote Australia and remembers riding horses, working with helicopters and being homeschooled. Now on the coast with her three children she enjoys the beaches in summer and the nearby snowy mountains in winter
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 25, 2015
(I received a copy from the author, In exchange for an honest review.)
Kemla was an okay character, but I didn't love her.
This started out pretty good, but I started to feel slightly bored in the middle, and the story couldn't get my interest back fully.
It felt like a really quick read though, so it wasn't that bad thankfully.
Overall, An okay read.
Kemla was an okay character, but I didn't love her.
This started out pretty good, but I started to feel slightly bored in the middle, and the story couldn't get my interest back fully.
It felt like a really quick read though, so it wasn't that bad thankfully.
Overall, An okay read.
November 17, 2015
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book in one day not because it was so good I couldn't put it down, but because it was a fast book to read. It had short chapters and wasn't very long. I found multiple spelling and incorrect words errors and the ending to the book was a disappointment for me.
I liked Kemla and Leon's back and forth conversations whether they were said out loud or in their minds. I found Kemla to be a likeable character in her own way, sometimes she got on my nerves but I think that if I were in her situation I'd probably think the way she did too. I also liked her connection with her horse Lii, (too be honest when Lii was introduced I thought she was a person not a horse, so I was a little confused by that).
Overall though it was an ok read.
I read this book in one day not because it was so good I couldn't put it down, but because it was a fast book to read. It had short chapters and wasn't very long. I found multiple spelling and incorrect words errors and the ending to the book was a disappointment for me.
I liked Kemla and Leon's back and forth conversations whether they were said out loud or in their minds. I found Kemla to be a likeable character in her own way, sometimes she got on my nerves but I think that if I were in her situation I'd probably think the way she did too. I also liked her connection with her horse Lii, (too be honest when Lii was introduced I thought she was a person not a horse, so I was a little confused by that).
Overall though it was an ok read.
October 5, 2015
I received a copy from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 3.15
This was a good read. I liked the characters. I loved the world building. I thought the story was interesting. The magic and the romance aspect were good too. I liked Leon and Kemla together. The book started off good. However, there were parts where I was bored. As the story progressed, the story did pick up a little bit more, but it was not as good as the first few chapters. I thought the ending lacked a bit for me. Overall, a quick read. Thank you Cassandra Webb for the opportunity to read your book. It was a good first book of the series.
Actual Rating: 3.15
This was a good read. I liked the characters. I loved the world building. I thought the story was interesting. The magic and the romance aspect were good too. I liked Leon and Kemla together. The book started off good. However, there were parts where I was bored. As the story progressed, the story did pick up a little bit more, but it was not as good as the first few chapters. I thought the ending lacked a bit for me. Overall, a quick read. Thank you Cassandra Webb for the opportunity to read your book. It was a good first book of the series.
July 19, 2013
I log in and read the new chapter of this every week. It's down as YA but I'd call this Chick-Lit.
There's romance and love and danger, all things I love in a story.
There are bonus stories, so short stories from other peoples point of views, and I love those too. The world is so three dimensional and it just keeps getting deeper and better.
I hope this series never ends.
There's romance and love and danger, all things I love in a story.
There are bonus stories, so short stories from other peoples point of views, and I love those too. The world is so three dimensional and it just keeps getting deeper and better.
I hope this series never ends.
September 6, 2016
Originally posted here: http://alwayslostinbooks.wordpress.co...
After reading the book, I was surprised to find that anyone can read this book online through Cassandra Webb’s blog, Life. Family. Magic., yet she gave me a copy directly from Amazon. This does not, however, affect my review in anyway. But I’m truly grateful for it because I certainly enjoyed the book.
The book definitely needs proofreading – there were just too many typos. But once you look past all of those, the story was definitely entertaining. I honestly didn’t know what I should have expected from this book. I judged the book by its cover, but the cover definitely doesn’t do it justice. It’s one that is beautiful in the inside.
Kemla has been living hidden in the mountains for most of her life. Her family needed to go in hiding because magic has been prohibited by their realm, and her mother definitely has magic in her. Kemla’s mother used her abilities to hide their location in the mountains. Over the course of them living there, they have adopted a couple of children who had no where else to go to. Since they were only masked by sight, they had to remain silent most of the time so that they wouldn’t be found. So Kemla developed a way to speak and connect with her horse, Lii. I found that part really interesting – how they’re both so in tune with each other.
One day, her sister and some other children were captured by slave traders. As the eldest (not counting her mother), Kemla took responsibility and went after them. She was successful in saving them, but in turn, she got captured. Now Kemla must find a way to escape from the slave traders, but it’s definitely not going to be easy.
There’s the mysterious mage, Leon. I honestly don’t know what I should think of him, but I may have developed Stockholm syndrome for him. He’s part of the slave traders group that took Kemla, but unlike the slave traders, Leon doesn’t like hunting for children to coerce them into slavery and he doesn’t like mistreating them either. He’s trying very hard to keep Kemla alive and unharmed, yet he wouldn’t allow her to escape. I’m definitely interested in this character, and at the end of the book, I wanted to know more about him. I hope I see more of him in the sequels.
I like Kemla and Leon, and the rest of the characters were definitely an interesting bunch. I like how the characters can be complicated (i.e. kidnapping children yet having their own families, not wanting to escape from slavery because she doesn’t want to go home, etc.) I like the thoughts put into the situations in the story. I like how most of the chapters are entitled “Life…” (i.e. Life as a slave, Life with magic, Life as a channeler, etc.). The ending was a little anticlimactic, but I liked it in a sense.
I can assure you that this book is good enough that I checked up on what’s coming next. Book 2 isn’t fully done yet though so, but it would be published in a few days or weeks. I think I would just wait for it before actually reading the book because I’m not really fond of reading on my computer. I snuck a peek though and saw a new character. I didn’t want to spoil myself any further so I stopped looking.
**************************************************
OVERALL, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s not one that should be judged by its cover because it’s definitely far better. The story follows Kemla’s journey as a captive slave where she learns more about herself and her abilities. With the help of her horse, Lii, and the mysterious mage, Leon, she’s able to persist in achieving her freedom. There are compelling characters, interesting concepts, and a good plot line. It’s not perfect, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I want to know more about the characters, magic, and realms in this series. I would certainly like to read the next book.
After reading the book, I was surprised to find that anyone can read this book online through Cassandra Webb’s blog, Life. Family. Magic., yet she gave me a copy directly from Amazon. This does not, however, affect my review in anyway. But I’m truly grateful for it because I certainly enjoyed the book.
The book definitely needs proofreading – there were just too many typos. But once you look past all of those, the story was definitely entertaining. I honestly didn’t know what I should have expected from this book. I judged the book by its cover, but the cover definitely doesn’t do it justice. It’s one that is beautiful in the inside.
Kemla has been living hidden in the mountains for most of her life. Her family needed to go in hiding because magic has been prohibited by their realm, and her mother definitely has magic in her. Kemla’s mother used her abilities to hide their location in the mountains. Over the course of them living there, they have adopted a couple of children who had no where else to go to. Since they were only masked by sight, they had to remain silent most of the time so that they wouldn’t be found. So Kemla developed a way to speak and connect with her horse, Lii. I found that part really interesting – how they’re both so in tune with each other.
One day, her sister and some other children were captured by slave traders. As the eldest (not counting her mother), Kemla took responsibility and went after them. She was successful in saving them, but in turn, she got captured. Now Kemla must find a way to escape from the slave traders, but it’s definitely not going to be easy.
There’s the mysterious mage, Leon. I honestly don’t know what I should think of him, but I may have developed Stockholm syndrome for him. He’s part of the slave traders group that took Kemla, but unlike the slave traders, Leon doesn’t like hunting for children to coerce them into slavery and he doesn’t like mistreating them either. He’s trying very hard to keep Kemla alive and unharmed, yet he wouldn’t allow her to escape. I’m definitely interested in this character, and at the end of the book, I wanted to know more about him. I hope I see more of him in the sequels.
I like Kemla and Leon, and the rest of the characters were definitely an interesting bunch. I like how the characters can be complicated (i.e. kidnapping children yet having their own families, not wanting to escape from slavery because she doesn’t want to go home, etc.) I like the thoughts put into the situations in the story. I like how most of the chapters are entitled “Life…” (i.e. Life as a slave, Life with magic, Life as a channeler, etc.). The ending was a little anticlimactic, but I liked it in a sense.
I can assure you that this book is good enough that I checked up on what’s coming next. Book 2 isn’t fully done yet though so, but it would be published in a few days or weeks. I think I would just wait for it before actually reading the book because I’m not really fond of reading on my computer. I snuck a peek though and saw a new character. I didn’t want to spoil myself any further so I stopped looking.
**************************************************
OVERALL, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s not one that should be judged by its cover because it’s definitely far better. The story follows Kemla’s journey as a captive slave where she learns more about herself and her abilities. With the help of her horse, Lii, and the mysterious mage, Leon, she’s able to persist in achieving her freedom. There are compelling characters, interesting concepts, and a good plot line. It’s not perfect, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I want to know more about the characters, magic, and realms in this series. I would certainly like to read the next book.
October 4, 2015
Cassandra Webb is a self-proclaimed chocoholic and writer from the small coastal village of Narooma, Australia. She writes children’s and young adult fiction, fantasy and picture books. She also enjoys writing creative non-fiction. She grew up in rural and remote Australia and remembers riding horses, working with helicopters and being homeschooled. Now on the coast with her three children she enjoys the beaches in summer and the nearby snowy mountains in winter. Adapted from her Goodreads bio blurb at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
This is a strong 4-star rating novel despite the many grammatical errors and lack of proofreading and editing. I know when further editions come out, this will really become a top notch read for those that enjoy YA fantasy. The storyline is awesome and the characters evoke many emotions and are relatable. It is a story about magic and fear and hope and new awakening. Kemla is a young woman that lives with her mom and sister and other kids she has saved along the way to keep them safe from the slave traders. She has always had an extra ability to sense where others are and becomes aware her siblings are in trouble. She is discovered while attempting to save the kids and is captured and taken a prisoner. She connects with one of the slave traders and discovers he uses magic, which is banned. Those with magic are killed on sight. This mage helps open her eyes to her potential. We are left hanging and drooling for book two so that we can see what may come between Leon and Kemla and how Kemla will deal with the aftermath of this unwarranted capture. Overall great job!
This is a strong 4-star rating novel despite the many grammatical errors and lack of proofreading and editing. I know when further editions come out, this will really become a top notch read for those that enjoy YA fantasy. The storyline is awesome and the characters evoke many emotions and are relatable. It is a story about magic and fear and hope and new awakening. Kemla is a young woman that lives with her mom and sister and other kids she has saved along the way to keep them safe from the slave traders. She has always had an extra ability to sense where others are and becomes aware her siblings are in trouble. She is discovered while attempting to save the kids and is captured and taken a prisoner. She connects with one of the slave traders and discovers he uses magic, which is banned. Those with magic are killed on sight. This mage helps open her eyes to her potential. We are left hanging and drooling for book two so that we can see what may come between Leon and Kemla and how Kemla will deal with the aftermath of this unwarranted capture. Overall great job!
September 22, 2015
I received this in exchange for an honest review.
I am surprised by 'Life', a story with exciting mystery & adventure, I wasn't expecting it to be that great, not something I thought I would be able to get into.
The story is about Kemla's journey as a captive slave where she tries to save her siblings who got captured by slave trader. She was successful in saving them but got herself captured. Time goes on & she learns more about herself & her abilities.
The interesting part was the silence communication between herself & her trusted horse, Lii. I also found myself very curious about the mysterious character Leon, who himself is a slave trader but not like others of his groups. He doesn't let Kemla go, but protects her from others. I will read the next in this sequel.
It did however take a while to get into, I kinda found it strange with everything being shortened example ma & da, babe etc, it's just not the way I'm used to reading but I did get into it after a while.
I would recommend to others.
I am surprised by 'Life', a story with exciting mystery & adventure, I wasn't expecting it to be that great, not something I thought I would be able to get into.
The story is about Kemla's journey as a captive slave where she tries to save her siblings who got captured by slave trader. She was successful in saving them but got herself captured. Time goes on & she learns more about herself & her abilities.
The interesting part was the silence communication between herself & her trusted horse, Lii. I also found myself very curious about the mysterious character Leon, who himself is a slave trader but not like others of his groups. He doesn't let Kemla go, but protects her from others. I will read the next in this sequel.
It did however take a while to get into, I kinda found it strange with everything being shortened example ma & da, babe etc, it's just not the way I'm used to reading but I did get into it after a while.
I would recommend to others.
September 8, 2013
In Kemla: Life, we are introduced to Kemla, a young girl who is already a skilled hunter. She lives a relative quiet life with her mother and younger siblings until she ventures out too far one day and is captured by a group of slave traders. I was glued to her tale from beginning to end, wondering if and how she would escape from her captors. What I found especially intriguing was how she could communicate using only her mind with her trusted horse, Lii, and a young trader named Leon. Rugged and strong, Leon can hold his own in the gang and yet is not a brute like the rest of them. He foils Kemla's escape plans time and time again, but still does his best to protect her from the others. Who is he and what does he mean to Kemla? You'll have to read the story yourself and find out! In all, I highly recommend Kemla: Life for anyone looking for adventure, mystery, and an overall good story.
September 4, 2015
*I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
One thing that I really liked about this book was Kemla's bond with Lii. This was nice for me because of the bond I have with my own horses. Maybe different, but same concept. I wish there had been a bit more explanation about this earlier in the novel.
The world building was the main thing that was lacking for me. The beginning was rather confusing and I didn't feel like their was enough explanation about the world and magic until near the end.
The novel could also use a bit more editing. The biggest thing that I noticed, and that kind of hugged me, was the use of then and than. These two words were constantly being swapped. Again, this wasn't a huge deal to me because it's an easy fix. It was just an annoyance.
Overall I found some things interesting in this story, but the development was too lacking for me to enjoy it more.
One thing that I really liked about this book was Kemla's bond with Lii. This was nice for me because of the bond I have with my own horses. Maybe different, but same concept. I wish there had been a bit more explanation about this earlier in the novel.
The world building was the main thing that was lacking for me. The beginning was rather confusing and I didn't feel like their was enough explanation about the world and magic until near the end.
The novel could also use a bit more editing. The biggest thing that I noticed, and that kind of hugged me, was the use of then and than. These two words were constantly being swapped. Again, this wasn't a huge deal to me because it's an easy fix. It was just an annoyance.
Overall I found some things interesting in this story, but the development was too lacking for me to enjoy it more.
May 7, 2013
I was very pleasantly surprised with the chapter of this book I read, and am looking forward to the opportunity to read the rest of it. LIFE, book one in the Kemla Trilogy by Cassandra Webb is a great story. The plot (from what I’ve seen so far) is well thought out, and exciting. The writing is seeing as Cassandra has neither editor nor a lot of time (a chapter is released each week). There were quite a few spelling/grammatical mistakes, but I think that comes with the territory. Reading an un-edited book, I mean.
This particular chapter that I had the privilege to read/review, I thoroughly enjoyed. It was exciting, the characters were well developed, and the ending. The ending was fantastic! Cassandra Webb has a lot of potential in the writing world...
READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE: http://escapingrealitybookreviews.wor...
This particular chapter that I had the privilege to read/review, I thoroughly enjoyed. It was exciting, the characters were well developed, and the ending. The ending was fantastic! Cassandra Webb has a lot of potential in the writing world...
READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE: http://escapingrealitybookreviews.wor...
September 2, 2015
I received this book on a read to review basis, but this does not affect my review.
This story was very original and interesting. The only reason I gave it four stars was because it was slightly slow for my taste. This is a quick read that I would recommend. It follows Kemla who has been captured by slave traders. The take her across country to be sold. One of her captives, Leon, seems to be kinder than the rest and also possesses magic. This confuses Kemla and intrigues her at the same time. Thoughts like will he help her in the end or watch her be sold start running through her head. I enjoyed the relationship that forms between Kemla and Leon. It's innocent and isn't insta-love. This book is definitely worth the read.
This story was very original and interesting. The only reason I gave it four stars was because it was slightly slow for my taste. This is a quick read that I would recommend. It follows Kemla who has been captured by slave traders. The take her across country to be sold. One of her captives, Leon, seems to be kinder than the rest and also possesses magic. This confuses Kemla and intrigues her at the same time. Thoughts like will he help her in the end or watch her be sold start running through her head. I enjoyed the relationship that forms between Kemla and Leon. It's innocent and isn't insta-love. This book is definitely worth the read.
September 5, 2015
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This book was a very fast read, though I had a bit of trouble getting into it. I felt like the plot wasn't made clear, which left me confused at the end. The characters were alright, though they could have been fleshed out more. I didn't ache for these characters like I do in other books. I don't know that I would continue with the series, but it wasn't a terrible read. I just didn't really get what the whole point was. What was Leon's purpose? What kind freedom did Kemla obtain? She was kidnapped, yet her mother kept referring to it as freedom?
This book was a very fast read, though I had a bit of trouble getting into it. I felt like the plot wasn't made clear, which left me confused at the end. The characters were alright, though they could have been fleshed out more. I didn't ache for these characters like I do in other books. I don't know that I would continue with the series, but it wasn't a terrible read. I just didn't really get what the whole point was. What was Leon's purpose? What kind freedom did Kemla obtain? She was kidnapped, yet her mother kept referring to it as freedom?
July 2, 2016
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author Cassandra Webb.)
This story started out okay, but I lost interest. I couldn’t connect with the main character, and I got to the point where I didn’t care what happened to her at all. There wasn’t anything horribly wrong with this book, and I think that other people might enjoy it, but I think this was probably a case of wrong book, wrong person.
6 out of 10
This story started out okay, but I lost interest. I couldn’t connect with the main character, and I got to the point where I didn’t care what happened to her at all. There wasn’t anything horribly wrong with this book, and I think that other people might enjoy it, but I think this was probably a case of wrong book, wrong person.
6 out of 10
April 20, 2015
I love this book. Cassandra Webb is an amazing writer, and this novel is definitely worth the read. Life, as well as her other books, are available on amagicalsaga.com, but I definitely prefer to buy them.
Kemla is a fantastic main character. She's witty and sarcastic, but level-headed and amazing. Experiencing her life through reading is an amazing adventure, and riding along on her magic horse Lii just adds to the fun. I won't spoil the book too much, but it's definitely worth checking out.
Kemla is a fantastic main character. She's witty and sarcastic, but level-headed and amazing. Experiencing her life through reading is an amazing adventure, and riding along on her magic horse Lii just adds to the fun. I won't spoil the book too much, but it's definitely worth checking out.
August 24, 2015
I receved a copy from the author! Thank you Cassandra Webb ♡
This book.... was a very short book. I read it on like 4 hours... But, it was a very good 4 hours :) I truly felt sorry for her. The writing was so good, I felt like I was the one taken away. It's unclear to me if her and Leon were developing a romantic relationship... but a guess I'll find out in the second one :) This book deals with heavy stuff... Rape. Whiping. Ect. Just to warn parents of teens. I highly recommend this book.
This book.... was a very short book. I read it on like 4 hours... But, it was a very good 4 hours :) I truly felt sorry for her. The writing was so good, I felt like I was the one taken away. It's unclear to me if her and Leon were developing a romantic relationship... but a guess I'll find out in the second one :) This book deals with heavy stuff... Rape. Whiping. Ect. Just to warn parents of teens. I highly recommend this book.
May 8, 2013
Amazingly entertaining, if I do say so myself. A story that potentially never ends.
Want to read
November 5, 2013I have received a complimentary copy of this book from the author herself, Cassandra Webb.
I will start reading it and will give my review after. Happy reading for me.
I will start reading it and will give my review after. Happy reading for me.
August 25, 2015
Life Book 1 of the Kemla Saga by Cassandra Webb.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Kemla, a 16 year old girl living in the time of slave trading. All her life her and her family have been hiding in the mountains praying everyday to the Goddess to not get eaten by red eyed dogs or captured by the merciless slave traders. All she ever dreams about is leaving the mountains to travel and find adventure. And adventure she gets but not the kind she was hoping for. She is captured by the ruthless slave traders and there is no one to save her. Amongst her captors is a boy named Leon who is not as cruel she expected but foils every plan of her escape.
I received this book from the kind author for "a read to review". And here is my God honest review :D
This book surprised me. It was short and sweet. I loved all the magic that was uncovered in the book though a lot is still a mystery. The world they live in seems interesting but unfortunately there wasn't much of world building- did I mention this is a short novel? - but maybe that was the authors intention? To pique our interest? Well my interest is definitely piqued.
Anyways, Kemla is a wonderful female protagonist and is very interesting. She is brave and skilled with a knife as well as a bow and arrow. She doesn't despair or give up hope of ever escaping. Even though Leon frustrates her every attempt. I loved how she had a special bond with her horse Lii as I love novels where the protagonist has a non human companion that is a main character.
The dialogue was kind of funny as I felt that some of the word choices did not fit the era they live in (is crap a word used in the old days? i don't know lol, I hope that makes sense). But after a while I got used to it. It is written in first person (I know that's important to many readers).
I rated it 3.5 stars because it didn't leave me with my heart racing and cheeks flushed begging to read the next one. BUT, it was good, it captured my interest, and I will be reading the next book hopefully because I'm curious to see what happens. In the next book I hope for there to be more world building to help me picture the life the characters live and to get more attached to them.
I would recommend this book to those who like to read fantasy, young adult, and even chick lit (a lot of the time that's what I felt the book should be classified as, chick lit/fantasy). It's a short book that you can finish quickly.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Kemla, a 16 year old girl living in the time of slave trading. All her life her and her family have been hiding in the mountains praying everyday to the Goddess to not get eaten by red eyed dogs or captured by the merciless slave traders. All she ever dreams about is leaving the mountains to travel and find adventure. And adventure she gets but not the kind she was hoping for. She is captured by the ruthless slave traders and there is no one to save her. Amongst her captors is a boy named Leon who is not as cruel she expected but foils every plan of her escape.
I received this book from the kind author for "a read to review". And here is my God honest review :D
This book surprised me. It was short and sweet. I loved all the magic that was uncovered in the book though a lot is still a mystery. The world they live in seems interesting but unfortunately there wasn't much of world building- did I mention this is a short novel? - but maybe that was the authors intention? To pique our interest? Well my interest is definitely piqued.
Anyways, Kemla is a wonderful female protagonist and is very interesting. She is brave and skilled with a knife as well as a bow and arrow. She doesn't despair or give up hope of ever escaping. Even though Leon frustrates her every attempt. I loved how she had a special bond with her horse Lii as I love novels where the protagonist has a non human companion that is a main character.
The dialogue was kind of funny as I felt that some of the word choices did not fit the era they live in (is crap a word used in the old days? i don't know lol, I hope that makes sense). But after a while I got used to it. It is written in first person (I know that's important to many readers).
I rated it 3.5 stars because it didn't leave me with my heart racing and cheeks flushed begging to read the next one. BUT, it was good, it captured my interest, and I will be reading the next book hopefully because I'm curious to see what happens. In the next book I hope for there to be more world building to help me picture the life the characters live and to get more attached to them.
I would recommend this book to those who like to read fantasy, young adult, and even chick lit (a lot of the time that's what I felt the book should be classified as, chick lit/fantasy). It's a short book that you can finish quickly.
July 15, 2015
I read the complete book, now on Amazon. (I note some reviews speak of chapter by chapter on a website.)
Kemla is the lead character in this fast moving story. Kemla is independent, competent, she can fight, and she has a desire to help others. But she is also vulnerable. It is this combination of hero with vulnerability that make the best characters. I became caught up in her adventures very quickly, and very much enjoyed this story in spite of its flaws.
The story was written in present tense, which gives it a hurried, breathless quality, and occasionally leads to some small loss of clarity. I have always preferred the traditional past tense for books. In the early parts, it would have been helpful if there had been a little more explanation included. Maybe someone has been telling this author, ‘show, not tell,’ one of those asinine modern ‘rules’ for writing that we hear too much of. There were also a few errors and typos.
And yet, in spite of the minor flaws, this is a most enjoyable story. I recommend it, and would have given it 5 stars if it had been just a little better executed.
Kemla is the lead character in this fast moving story. Kemla is independent, competent, she can fight, and she has a desire to help others. But she is also vulnerable. It is this combination of hero with vulnerability that make the best characters. I became caught up in her adventures very quickly, and very much enjoyed this story in spite of its flaws.
The story was written in present tense, which gives it a hurried, breathless quality, and occasionally leads to some small loss of clarity. I have always preferred the traditional past tense for books. In the early parts, it would have been helpful if there had been a little more explanation included. Maybe someone has been telling this author, ‘show, not tell,’ one of those asinine modern ‘rules’ for writing that we hear too much of. There were also a few errors and typos.
And yet, in spite of the minor flaws, this is a most enjoyable story. I recommend it, and would have given it 5 stars if it had been just a little better executed.
May 29, 2015
My daughter read this book, she's 14 and isn't allowed any internet accounts - so here I am learning how to use goodreads for her.
Here's her review:
At first all I wanted to say is that this book is too good for words. But dad made me think of more to say. Its fast and funny, has a few scary bits which I liked, it's god a horse who has magic!!!
I loved all the characters, well I didn't love the slave traders, but I did love everyone else. Adah was fun, I hope we get to meet him again in another book. Kemla was the best, she's the one with magic. She has other special abilities, like she can hold her breath for a long time, but mostly she's just nice and funny.
So because this is the first LOOONG book I've ever read (over 200pages, yay me) I really wanted to write this review.
Thanks dad
Here's her review:
At first all I wanted to say is that this book is too good for words. But dad made me think of more to say. Its fast and funny, has a few scary bits which I liked, it's god a horse who has magic!!!
I loved all the characters, well I didn't love the slave traders, but I did love everyone else. Adah was fun, I hope we get to meet him again in another book. Kemla was the best, she's the one with magic. She has other special abilities, like she can hold her breath for a long time, but mostly she's just nice and funny.
So because this is the first LOOONG book I've ever read (over 200pages, yay me) I really wanted to write this review.
Thanks dad
July 2, 2015
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Kemia is a caring, if somewhat unexperienced young woman. At 16, she seems like she still has a child's imagination, but the ability to hear others' thoughts sets her apart from most of her adopted family. Faced with the threat of starvation if she doesn't hunt and go to the town, the other option might be dreaded marriage.
Read on for my review, scroll on down for some words from the author!
The first chapter packs a powerful message, and introduces me to the character in a great way. I felt immediately drawn into the storyline - I wanted to know if Kemia had family, or if she was hunting by herself, and why she had these urges to save small children at the threat of losing her own life. It also introduces the system of magic well - Armoured Dragons that can kill with a sound. I loved this idea of dragons, and I was drawn to the fact that it was the dragon's song which was dangerous.
I was worried that this story would disappoint me, but I found myself pleasantly surprised. The world building the author has put in, and the time she has obviously spent on this project is great. Webb has young children, and it reads into the text nicely. I tend to pick up how accurate a relationship the author has with children (although I've been wrong before) because sometimes the things expected of children in novels is unrealistic.
The dialogue was a little stilted for me, but I imagine that the later chapters and later drafts will improve this novel. Also, the details of the knife jolted me out of the narrative. I appreciated that the author wanted to get its importance across, but it just seemed awkward after the human contact that had just been displayed. I wasn't convinced by the introduction to the marriage storyline. For some reason the dialogue there just felt stilted, and I felt like more could have been done with it.
Webb is good at grabbing the reader's attention back though, as evidenced by my Ah moment! I was just thinking to myself, how inappropriate for Kemia to consider a haircut, and then her ma picks it up too! I wondered almost immediately whether Kemia was also able to do this, and the author didn't keep me waiting to guess.
I didn't know why there was a chapter titled 'Bonus material'. I think it could have fitted in nicely into the end of Chapter 1, or as Chapter 2. I don't always read bonuses, and so if I hadn't in this case I could have missed out on something that gave me more insight into Kemia's relationships with the other characters.
I did not like the way each sentence had its own line, or almost. I appreciated that it broke up the somewhat stream-of-counciousness narrative style, which can be overwhelming in large clumps of text. Also the format of publishing online can often be disruptive, and laying things out with lots of 'blank space' is a good thing.
There was a little much 'telling' rather than 'showing', but again I have hope that Webb will improve as the novel goes on. It is just so hard to get a good impression from a couple of chapters! I did fine myself at the end of Chapter 4 and thinking 'Oh no, that's it for another week!'
I got off on both a good foot and a bad foot for this novel. I was requested by the author to review her book, so that was exciting. I'm not sure I'll ever get over the excitement of someone actually asking me to read books for pleasure! The bad thing was that when I went to the Blurb of the book, I found it a little fragmented and I got confused about what the story was actually about. The good thing about this being an online book means that it is easy for the author to fix that! She has also recently updated the page.
I don't know whether I will keep reading this novel past the first couple of chapters, as I've never been particularly good at remembering to check. I do use GoogleReader religiously now to keep up with all the other reviewing blogs (and some makeup/nail art blogs) so it might have a chance. Not necessarily though, as I like to read my novels in a big hit. I find it useful to keep a novel on my laptop in order to read it wherever I am though, and without having the foresight to open the page before travelling, it isn't possible with this novel. It is certainly not a critique of Webb's writing.
I'd recommend this book for older children and teens at this stage. Unless the later (unpublished) chapters contain huge amounts of sex and violence, I don't think this will change. I don't think there was anything particularly contentious - just a good, easy read.
I was asked by the author to review this book, but I have not received any monetary compensation, or had her opinion influence the review I have given in any way.
Kemia is a caring, if somewhat unexperienced young woman. At 16, she seems like she still has a child's imagination, but the ability to hear others' thoughts sets her apart from most of her adopted family. Faced with the threat of starvation if she doesn't hunt and go to the town, the other option might be dreaded marriage.
Read on for my review, scroll on down for some words from the author!
The first chapter packs a powerful message, and introduces me to the character in a great way. I felt immediately drawn into the storyline - I wanted to know if Kemia had family, or if she was hunting by herself, and why she had these urges to save small children at the threat of losing her own life. It also introduces the system of magic well - Armoured Dragons that can kill with a sound. I loved this idea of dragons, and I was drawn to the fact that it was the dragon's song which was dangerous.
I was worried that this story would disappoint me, but I found myself pleasantly surprised. The world building the author has put in, and the time she has obviously spent on this project is great. Webb has young children, and it reads into the text nicely. I tend to pick up how accurate a relationship the author has with children (although I've been wrong before) because sometimes the things expected of children in novels is unrealistic.
The dialogue was a little stilted for me, but I imagine that the later chapters and later drafts will improve this novel. Also, the details of the knife jolted me out of the narrative. I appreciated that the author wanted to get its importance across, but it just seemed awkward after the human contact that had just been displayed. I wasn't convinced by the introduction to the marriage storyline. For some reason the dialogue there just felt stilted, and I felt like more could have been done with it.
Webb is good at grabbing the reader's attention back though, as evidenced by my Ah moment! I was just thinking to myself, how inappropriate for Kemia to consider a haircut, and then her ma picks it up too! I wondered almost immediately whether Kemia was also able to do this, and the author didn't keep me waiting to guess.
I didn't know why there was a chapter titled 'Bonus material'. I think it could have fitted in nicely into the end of Chapter 1, or as Chapter 2. I don't always read bonuses, and so if I hadn't in this case I could have missed out on something that gave me more insight into Kemia's relationships with the other characters.
I did not like the way each sentence had its own line, or almost. I appreciated that it broke up the somewhat stream-of-counciousness narrative style, which can be overwhelming in large clumps of text. Also the format of publishing online can often be disruptive, and laying things out with lots of 'blank space' is a good thing.
There was a little much 'telling' rather than 'showing', but again I have hope that Webb will improve as the novel goes on. It is just so hard to get a good impression from a couple of chapters! I did fine myself at the end of Chapter 4 and thinking 'Oh no, that's it for another week!'
I got off on both a good foot and a bad foot for this novel. I was requested by the author to review her book, so that was exciting. I'm not sure I'll ever get over the excitement of someone actually asking me to read books for pleasure! The bad thing was that when I went to the Blurb of the book, I found it a little fragmented and I got confused about what the story was actually about. The good thing about this being an online book means that it is easy for the author to fix that! She has also recently updated the page.
I don't know whether I will keep reading this novel past the first couple of chapters, as I've never been particularly good at remembering to check. I do use GoogleReader religiously now to keep up with all the other reviewing blogs (and some makeup/nail art blogs) so it might have a chance. Not necessarily though, as I like to read my novels in a big hit. I find it useful to keep a novel on my laptop in order to read it wherever I am though, and without having the foresight to open the page before travelling, it isn't possible with this novel. It is certainly not a critique of Webb's writing.
I'd recommend this book for older children and teens at this stage. Unless the later (unpublished) chapters contain huge amounts of sex and violence, I don't think this will change. I don't think there was anything particularly contentious - just a good, easy read.
I was asked by the author to review this book, but I have not received any monetary compensation, or had her opinion influence the review I have given in any way.
May 29, 2015
So this 17 year old has to choose, save her own ass or save her sisters - she saves her sisters and spends the length od the novel trying to escape from slave traders.
Mysteriously the powerful mage in the group keeps helping her, only to foil her escape attempts - until the very end.
I enjoyed their relationship, there's some heat - but its not the focus of the story.
I also really enjoyed the first person narrative, and the most recent version if very much up to a professional (clean spelling etc) standard.
Mysteriously the powerful mage in the group keeps helping her, only to foil her escape attempts - until the very end.
I enjoyed their relationship, there's some heat - but its not the focus of the story.
I also really enjoyed the first person narrative, and the most recent version if very much up to a professional (clean spelling etc) standard.
July 4, 2015
loved the main character, she was someone I might have been if I was ever in a magical medieval type world, and I can't wait to read the next one.
July 4, 2015
loved the main character, she was someone I might have been if I was ever in a magical medieval type world, and I can't wait to read the next one.
July 4, 2015
loved the main character, she was someone I might have been if I was ever in a magical medieval type world, and I can't wait to read the next one.
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