The Silver Spear

Violet Fox #2

by Clare C. Marshall

Rule.
That’s what my prince tells me.
But to win the respect of my people
and shield them from the threat of war,
I must find the Silver Spear.

There are two kinds of people in Marlenia: the surface-dwelling Marlenians, and the newly liberated Freetors, who live underground.

Although sixteen-year-old Kiera Driscoll stands to become the High Queen of Marlenia, she cannot forget her origins as the Violet Fox, the world’s most wanted Freetor criminal. She rules alongside Prince Keegan, her intended, in the mountain castle in the West.

Kiera’s new position comes at a heavy cost. The East’s powerful Frostfire family prepares to march west, provoked by Keegan’s refusal to wed their daughter, Lady Sylvia.

With the world on the brink of war, Kiera turns to the elusive Elder apprentices–the only ones left underground who can control magic. In exchange for their help, the apprentices want something in return: the Silver Spear, an ancient Freetor artefact of immense importance and power to the Freetor people. Yet the Spear is a legend, and finding it won’t be easy–if it exists at all.

The world outside is treacherous, and their allies are few. At every turn, Kiera must sacrifice what she holds dear to move forward. As assassins trail their every move from the shadows, and a mysterious force plots to tear Keegan and Kiera apart, they must travel to the edge of the world to uncover the truth of the Spear before the East destroys their home.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Canada

Unknown Binding

First published September 13, 2015

About the author

Clare C. Marshall grew up in rural Nova Scotia with very little television and dial-up internet, and yet she turned out okay. Her YA sci-fi novel Dreams In Her Head was nominated for Canada's 2014 Creation of Stories award. She is a full-time freelance editor, book designer, ghostwriter, and web manager. If there’s time left in the day, she devotes it to Faery Ink Press, her publishing imprint. When she’s not writing or fiddling up a storm, she enjoys computer games and making silly noises at cats.

Reviews

[Chloe Kenney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adventure. Romance. Fantasy. Magic. Mystery. So much in one.

You knew twists were on the horizon, but the actual shape still took me by surprise.

Looking forward to the next instalment in a local series.

Also, obsessed with the physical book. The creamiest cover.

[Andria Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Prequel Spoilers*

Book two in The Violet Fox series finds Kiera now living in the castle of the High King instead of the underground slums,
and adjusting to her new life there. Working toward peace between the upper class Marlenians and the underground Freetor people is her main goal until the city is invaded by the Northern and Eastern Kingdoms. Now she and Prince Keegan must escape the invading armies, evade Sylvia's determined advances on the Prince, and search for the mythical Silver Spear in an effort to unite Marlenians and Freetors against their common enemies.

This novel was a great adventure and an action-packed continuation of the series. It is interesting to see Kiera's character develop as her role in the world shifts, from thief and protector of the Freetor people to future leader of the realm. Kiera and Keegan's relationship also evolves and is tested by the introduction of the travelling warrior bard, Monju. Fair warning, this book ends with in a cliff hanger, so be prepared with The Emerald Cloth on hand.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a 4.5 star book. Wonderful story, but the pacing seemed to drag a little at times and it was easy to put down in a couple of spots. However it was also very easy to pick back up. It didn’t grip me the way the first in the series did, but I had to know what was going to happen to Keegan and Kiera at all times and had to continue to read. Overall it was a wonderful story of fantastic adventure with chartered that you love and an ending that makes me so anxious to read the third one.

[Diego Diz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Silver Spear escrito por Clare C. Marshall @faeryinkpress es el segundo volumen de la saga Violet Fox. Es una continuación directa donde seguimos los pasos de nuestra protagonista quien parte al oeste junto con el príncipe y un compañero inesperado en búsqueda de un artefacto que podrá ayudarla a equilibrar la balanza a su favor en la inminente guerra. Al igual que el primero, es un libro fácil de leer, con buen ritmo y entretenido. En mi opinión, vale mucho la pena adentrarse en este mundo.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this one up right after finishing 'The Violet Fox' since I'd bought all three of the books right from the get go. Some of the pacing in book 2 felt a little odd, particularly at the start, but it smoothed out towards the end. The love triangle the author had going is fairly typical of the genre but not as annoying as they usually are.

All in all, an enjoyable book and I'll be moving on to book 3 shortly.

[Say · Rating 3 out of 5]

I preferred the first one myself, the stakes felt a bit higher where as this one has a lot of things that are questionable, and the twist is easy to see coming. It also ends on a cliff hanger which to me means the author probably should have considered putting it all in one big edition, but I suppose that's a personal preference.

I will say it's still a decent book, and I'll continue with the series, but as stated I preferred the first in the series.

[Lindsey Rojem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book from the author at the Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo. It reminded me a lot of the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard, with the two factions of the kingdom and the subterfuge. I enjoyed this more than book 1, it wasn't complex but it was less predictable and ended in a terrible place that makes me crave book 3.

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Built well off the first book and loved the action!

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning continuation of a wonderfully written story. Quite the cliffhanger ending though.. I impatiently await the third installment!