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The Hidden Dagger #1
Secrets Kept
With a curse, she will build an army.
With the dagger, she will undo the last sacrifice.
But first the sorceress must find the secret keeper.
Torn from her homeland and thrust into a betrothal against her wishes, Ayianna learns her family has a deadly secret that now has her on the run. She joins forces with Kael, an embittered half-elf, and Saeed, an elderly High Guardian, to seek answers to her father’s death, the destruction of Dagmar, and the plains people’s bizarre behavior.
Ayianna discovers there is more at stake here than just her mother’s disappearance and her familial duty to her betrothed. The sorceress has cursed the plains people, and it is a race against time to release them before the sorceress resurrects an ancient evil.
With the dagger, she will undo the last sacrifice.
But first the sorceress must find the secret keeper.
Torn from her homeland and thrust into a betrothal against her wishes, Ayianna learns her family has a deadly secret that now has her on the run. She joins forces with Kael, an embittered half-elf, and Saeed, an elderly High Guardian, to seek answers to her father’s death, the destruction of Dagmar, and the plains people’s bizarre behavior.
Ayianna discovers there is more at stake here than just her mother’s disappearance and her familial duty to her betrothed. The sorceress has cursed the plains people, and it is a race against time to release them before the sorceress resurrects an ancient evil.
428 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2013
3 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Mbewe
12 books264 followersWriting as J. L. Mbewe, Jennette is an author, artist, mother, wife, but not always in that order. Born and raised in Minnesota, she now braves the heat of Texas, but pines for the Northern Lights and the lakes of home every autumn. She loves trying to capture the abstract and make it concrete. She is currently living her second childhood with her wonderful husband and two precious children who don’t seem to mind her eclectic collections of rocks, shells, and swords, among other things. Here, between reality and dreams, you will find her busily creating worlds inhabited by all sorts of fantasy creatures and characters, all questing about and discovering true love amid lots of peril.
Her debut novel, Secrets Kept, was nominated for the 2014 Clive Staples Award.
Her debut novel, Secrets Kept, was nominated for the 2014 Clive Staples Award.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 1, 2019
I have a lot of thoughts on this book, but not sure I could remotely capture even half of them! Haha!
Since Vian became one of my favorite characters by the end, I'm going to say that he was so relatable in his fear of the unknown creatures, but also his genuineness to keep learning so he be a good future King. I greatly admired him for that. I also laughed at his attempt to pronounce some of the names because I felt I was in the same boat. Haha!
The world of Nalu is amazing! It's huge and each race has an extensive culture that really gives you "whip lash" in the sense were not in the Plains that Ayianna lived in. I'll admit that some of the places and people I mixed up or couldn't place correctly, but I appreciated the uniqueness of all of it. I think the murals that Ayianna sees near the end reflecting the history of Nalu was said best and really helped me understand many of the historic and prophetic things leading up to this current moment.
Speaking of creatures earlier, some are so scary! I mean maybe they are not like frightening in how they are described (to me some are), but I was cheering our heroes to defeat them and quickly move on. Nalu is definitely not the safest of places if you don't know where to be! It definitely doesn’t help matters when the sorceress is the second "worst" top villain I've read. She seriously gave me the chills and do NOT like her. At. All.
Since I definitely don't want to finish my thoughts without mentioning Ayianna, her struggles were so real and just deeply ache for her. She is naive, but not in a bad way. I think it adds to her character, though that doesn't mean the things passed down to her made her burdens any easier to bear. I REALLY hope good things are in store! She has been through so much and want to see her get a happy ending! <3
Overall, I would say this is a very well done epic fantasy. Lots of adventure, danger, and an underlying thread of hope. Looking forward to reading book two!
Since Vian became one of my favorite characters by the end, I'm going to say that he was so relatable in his fear of the unknown creatures, but also his genuineness to keep learning so he be a good future King. I greatly admired him for that. I also laughed at his attempt to pronounce some of the names because I felt I was in the same boat. Haha!
The world of Nalu is amazing! It's huge and each race has an extensive culture that really gives you "whip lash" in the sense were not in the Plains that Ayianna lived in. I'll admit that some of the places and people I mixed up or couldn't place correctly, but I appreciated the uniqueness of all of it. I think the murals that Ayianna sees near the end reflecting the history of Nalu was said best and really helped me understand many of the historic and prophetic things leading up to this current moment.
Speaking of creatures earlier, some are so scary! I mean maybe they are not like frightening in how they are described (to me some are), but I was cheering our heroes to defeat them and quickly move on. Nalu is definitely not the safest of places if you don't know where to be! It definitely doesn’t help matters when the sorceress is the second "worst" top villain I've read. She seriously gave me the chills and do NOT like her. At. All.
Since I definitely don't want to finish my thoughts without mentioning Ayianna, her struggles were so real and just deeply ache for her. She is naive, but not in a bad way. I think it adds to her character, though that doesn't mean the things passed down to her made her burdens any easier to bear. I REALLY hope good things are in store! She has been through so much and want to see her get a happy ending! <3
Overall, I would say this is a very well done epic fantasy. Lots of adventure, danger, and an underlying thread of hope. Looking forward to reading book two!
December 27, 2013
This book is full of secrets! Ayianna finds out she's betrothed to Desmond, the handsome nephew of a lord and a merchant. As she and her father are traveling to meet Desmond's uncle, Lord Ramiro, her father asks her to keep her heritage a secret (she's half-elf, half-human). She also learns that her father is guarding a secret. They're attacked by men who want her killed and her father taken alive, but he jumps in front of the sword meant for her and his dying words are for her to go to her brother and tell him the sun has set and the morning star is forever locked in stone. When she finds her brother, she is met with another surprise and more secrets.
She meets Kael, her brother's best friend, and they end up taking a trip with Vain, a prince, and Desmond, her betrothed. They don't all get along which makes for some humorous discussions among them. There is lots of adventure and life-threatening situations. They do look out for each other, though, and yes, they are all keeping secrets from each other. Ayianna makes a big decision at the end and I'm looking forward to reading more!
I like Ayianna overall, though at times she's frustrating. She seems to fluctuate between being wimpy and strong but I think some of her wimpiness comes from losing her family so suddenly and not knowing who to trust. Desmond doesn't seem right for her. He seems like a nice enough guy to her and she feels that she needs to trust that her parents saw something in him that she has yet to discover. His secret is a doozy, so it will be interesting to see what happens when that one is exposed.
Kael is awesome! He lets her in on some of his secrets towards the end and she is confused by what she feels for him. He's closed his heart to love but will Ayianna help him open it back up again? Vain, the prince, is actually the one we know the least about. Hopefully we will learn more about him in future books.
I read The Tales of Nalu before I read Secrets Kept and I thought it helped with background, especially with Semine, the powerful sorceress they're up against. It also helped me get a feel for the world I was about to discover. I would recommend reading those as well. If you enjoy fantasy, this is the beginning of a great series and I'm personally looking forward to reading the next book!
Mel's Shelves
She meets Kael, her brother's best friend, and they end up taking a trip with Vain, a prince, and Desmond, her betrothed. They don't all get along which makes for some humorous discussions among them. There is lots of adventure and life-threatening situations. They do look out for each other, though, and yes, they are all keeping secrets from each other. Ayianna makes a big decision at the end and I'm looking forward to reading more!
I like Ayianna overall, though at times she's frustrating. She seems to fluctuate between being wimpy and strong but I think some of her wimpiness comes from losing her family so suddenly and not knowing who to trust. Desmond doesn't seem right for her. He seems like a nice enough guy to her and she feels that she needs to trust that her parents saw something in him that she has yet to discover. His secret is a doozy, so it will be interesting to see what happens when that one is exposed.
Kael is awesome! He lets her in on some of his secrets towards the end and she is confused by what she feels for him. He's closed his heart to love but will Ayianna help him open it back up again? Vain, the prince, is actually the one we know the least about. Hopefully we will learn more about him in future books.
I read The Tales of Nalu before I read Secrets Kept and I thought it helped with background, especially with Semine, the powerful sorceress they're up against. It also helped me get a feel for the world I was about to discover. I would recommend reading those as well. If you enjoy fantasy, this is the beginning of a great series and I'm personally looking forward to reading the next book!
Mel's Shelves
July 11, 2019
Originally posted on: The Quirky Book Nerd
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Full Trilogy Review:
I really enjoyed reading this trilogy. There are so many secrets and twists and turns in the plot it is easy to become engrossed and it is hard to put down. The story moves at a solidly fast pace and is packed with many moments of gripping action which pulled me in from the start. There is a good deal of thought and time put into every element of these novels, creating a unique and fascinating narrative. With their rich world and characters, these books make for a fun and immersive fantasy read.
This series begins following a young girl named Ayianna who has just found out she is betrothed to one of the most eligible bachelors in the land. Ayianna and her father set out to meet him and begin this new chapter of her life. However, very soon after arriving, they are attacked by a mysterious group of men, leaving her father dead and Ayianna running for her life. Quickly, it becomes clear that this is not just an isolated event—that her father was keeping some important secrets and that their world is facing a great danger. Reluctantly teaming up with an elf named Kael, Desmond her betrothed, and Prince Vian, Ayianna sets off to find her mother and unravel the mystery her father left behind.
Much more happens during the course of this trilogy, but since this is a spoiler-free review, I’ll keep from going into any more detail about the plot. However, I will say it remains consistently fresh and intriguing throughout the entire narrative. There is plenty of gripping action and adventure, surprising revelations, and mysteries that keep you wanting more. I particularly loved the fight scenes, especially when the characters were up against frightening creatures like the imps. This made for many exciting and heart-pounding moments.
Occasionally, I found that the plot sometimes became a bit slow and repetitive, primarily in the first novel. For instance, when Ayianna and her companions begin their journey through the forest, it progresses a bit slowly with the characters arguing about the same things—Vian and Desmond wanting to lead them in another direction and Kael insisting he knows where to go. While there are some moments of action and adventure, it felt as though a lot of this portion of their journey consisted of this with not quite enough variety in their interactions. However, this was not a frequent issue.
The best part of these novels is the incredibly beautiful and detailed writing. Mbewe has a great talent with words, taking the magic and fantasy to a new level. The worldbuilding is absolutely fantastic the whole way through and makes you feel like you are really in the world. Mbewe constructs it in a way that is original but has that classic fantasy novel style and feel. Every setting enhances the tone of the scene that takes place in it and adds tons of dimension to the plot.
On top of the vivid descriptions of the world, Mbewe fills it with its’ own very interesting history. This element adds so much more depth to the story. It is clear that she put a huge amount of time and effort into imagining every bit of it. There are also plenty of different creatures that add to the fantastical nature of the narrative. This also adds variety to the characters as they are not all humans. And each type of creature has a part in the history of the world with fully developed backgrounds.
Mbewe completes the building of the plot with some very well-created and multi-dimensional characters. Even some of the more minor characters are developed fully. Kael was definitely my favorite out of everyone. His personality and dialogue are some of the best aspects of the story. He is sarcastic and funny with a true heart of gold and is just plain loveable
It took me a little while to decide how I felt about Ayianna as I did not entirely connect with her at first. However, she proved to be quite a strong heroine in the long-run. There were times where I felt she was not quite reaching her full potential when it came to being the tough, independent character she is through the majority of the book. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is a pretty accurate reaction to the situation she has been thrown into. Her life goes through so much upheaval and she is dealing with a massive amount of grief. Yet she pushes through it and bravely carries on through this journey.
One other issue I had with the characters at times was that their emotions were not always addressed in a consistent or realistic way. There were many instances where I did not think Ayianna’s feelings and thoughts matched up with the gravity of the situation. After everything she had gone through, her reaction lacked some intense emotion it could have had, allowing the reader to connect and sympathize with her even more. The early tension between Kael and Ayianna seemed a bit confusing. It quickly felt a bit forced and like there was not really a need or reason for it. That being said, I absolutely loved their dialogue with each other and ended up really liking their relationship.
I do consider the issues I did have with the narrative rather minor in the grand scheme of things. The characters developed well throughout the course of these books and they grew into their newfound roles. None of the main characters are ever one-dimensional and they became more complex as the narrative progressed. Constantly growing as people and in their relationships with each other, they are always interesting to follow and learn more about. The worldbuilding remains detailed and vibrant, expanding more and more, and is always fully and uniquely constructed. The writing is consistently rich and beautiful. Overall, this is a really solid trilogy.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Full Trilogy Review:
I really enjoyed reading this trilogy. There are so many secrets and twists and turns in the plot it is easy to become engrossed and it is hard to put down. The story moves at a solidly fast pace and is packed with many moments of gripping action which pulled me in from the start. There is a good deal of thought and time put into every element of these novels, creating a unique and fascinating narrative. With their rich world and characters, these books make for a fun and immersive fantasy read.
This series begins following a young girl named Ayianna who has just found out she is betrothed to one of the most eligible bachelors in the land. Ayianna and her father set out to meet him and begin this new chapter of her life. However, very soon after arriving, they are attacked by a mysterious group of men, leaving her father dead and Ayianna running for her life. Quickly, it becomes clear that this is not just an isolated event—that her father was keeping some important secrets and that their world is facing a great danger. Reluctantly teaming up with an elf named Kael, Desmond her betrothed, and Prince Vian, Ayianna sets off to find her mother and unravel the mystery her father left behind.
Much more happens during the course of this trilogy, but since this is a spoiler-free review, I’ll keep from going into any more detail about the plot. However, I will say it remains consistently fresh and intriguing throughout the entire narrative. There is plenty of gripping action and adventure, surprising revelations, and mysteries that keep you wanting more. I particularly loved the fight scenes, especially when the characters were up against frightening creatures like the imps. This made for many exciting and heart-pounding moments.
Occasionally, I found that the plot sometimes became a bit slow and repetitive, primarily in the first novel. For instance, when Ayianna and her companions begin their journey through the forest, it progresses a bit slowly with the characters arguing about the same things—Vian and Desmond wanting to lead them in another direction and Kael insisting he knows where to go. While there are some moments of action and adventure, it felt as though a lot of this portion of their journey consisted of this with not quite enough variety in their interactions. However, this was not a frequent issue.
The best part of these novels is the incredibly beautiful and detailed writing. Mbewe has a great talent with words, taking the magic and fantasy to a new level. The worldbuilding is absolutely fantastic the whole way through and makes you feel like you are really in the world. Mbewe constructs it in a way that is original but has that classic fantasy novel style and feel. Every setting enhances the tone of the scene that takes place in it and adds tons of dimension to the plot.
On top of the vivid descriptions of the world, Mbewe fills it with its’ own very interesting history. This element adds so much more depth to the story. It is clear that she put a huge amount of time and effort into imagining every bit of it. There are also plenty of different creatures that add to the fantastical nature of the narrative. This also adds variety to the characters as they are not all humans. And each type of creature has a part in the history of the world with fully developed backgrounds.
Mbewe completes the building of the plot with some very well-created and multi-dimensional characters. Even some of the more minor characters are developed fully. Kael was definitely my favorite out of everyone. His personality and dialogue are some of the best aspects of the story. He is sarcastic and funny with a true heart of gold and is just plain loveable
It took me a little while to decide how I felt about Ayianna as I did not entirely connect with her at first. However, she proved to be quite a strong heroine in the long-run. There were times where I felt she was not quite reaching her full potential when it came to being the tough, independent character she is through the majority of the book. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is a pretty accurate reaction to the situation she has been thrown into. Her life goes through so much upheaval and she is dealing with a massive amount of grief. Yet she pushes through it and bravely carries on through this journey.
One other issue I had with the characters at times was that their emotions were not always addressed in a consistent or realistic way. There were many instances where I did not think Ayianna’s feelings and thoughts matched up with the gravity of the situation. After everything she had gone through, her reaction lacked some intense emotion it could have had, allowing the reader to connect and sympathize with her even more. The early tension between Kael and Ayianna seemed a bit confusing. It quickly felt a bit forced and like there was not really a need or reason for it. That being said, I absolutely loved their dialogue with each other and ended up really liking their relationship.
I do consider the issues I did have with the narrative rather minor in the grand scheme of things. The characters developed well throughout the course of these books and they grew into their newfound roles. None of the main characters are ever one-dimensional and they became more complex as the narrative progressed. Constantly growing as people and in their relationships with each other, they are always interesting to follow and learn more about. The worldbuilding remains detailed and vibrant, expanding more and more, and is always fully and uniquely constructed. The writing is consistently rich and beautiful. Overall, this is a really solid trilogy.
October 13, 2013
Secrets Kept by J.L. Mbewe is a refreshingly brilliant and utterly sizzling beginning to an astounding epic adventure that emphasizes the innate desire in all of us to do what we fear the most – to truly live life to the fullest. I absolutely loved this story! It touched my heart on many levels and in ways that I never expected. The exquisite beauty and intimate meaning in this tale is just astounding and inspiring!
Each of us lives our life filtered by constraints put on us by ourselves, our family, and our society. We do not dare to even allow ourselves to freely and openly dream about following the deepest longings of our heart. The results could lead to scarring disappointment or open shunning by family or friends. It is much easier for us to deal with years of mounting loss and the slow strangling of our heart then it is to risk angering our loved ones and disrupting the flow of limited acceptance and conditional love given to us. However, we need to realize the devastating results of the danger of living an incomplete and unhappy life. While we might be able to fool those around us, we can never protect our heart against the blindingly searing and painfully dull ache that will only worsen with the passing of each second that true and absolute love and life are denied. It will only serve to enslave our heart, fracture our mind, and shatter our spirit into a million pieces.
While we may experience disappointments and tragedy from time to time, we must never forget to allow our heart to continue to feel unreservedly, love generously, and live purposely. If we do not, we will find our world quickly and quietly imploding while those around us will slowly back away not knowing how to reach inside and pull us back out. You will lose yourself faster than you think possible if you close your heart down and just go through the motions.
I was left breathless while reading this spellbinding story. The characters seeped into my heart, and I found myself enthralled by them. Their journey is not one for the faint of heart. It is one filled with raw emotion, individual transformation, and life-shattering revelations. As a result of becoming fully invested in the lives of these captivating individuals, I am eager to see where their trek leads to next.
J.L. Mbewe is a truly remarkable author who has proven that she has the outstanding ability to turn mere words into a breath-taking landscape filled with the most intriguing and deeply moving characters that will transport you to their realm and hold your heart captive. This is one story that will leave you thinking about your life and taking a good long look inside your heart long after it has ended.
Each of us lives our life filtered by constraints put on us by ourselves, our family, and our society. We do not dare to even allow ourselves to freely and openly dream about following the deepest longings of our heart. The results could lead to scarring disappointment or open shunning by family or friends. It is much easier for us to deal with years of mounting loss and the slow strangling of our heart then it is to risk angering our loved ones and disrupting the flow of limited acceptance and conditional love given to us. However, we need to realize the devastating results of the danger of living an incomplete and unhappy life. While we might be able to fool those around us, we can never protect our heart against the blindingly searing and painfully dull ache that will only worsen with the passing of each second that true and absolute love and life are denied. It will only serve to enslave our heart, fracture our mind, and shatter our spirit into a million pieces.
While we may experience disappointments and tragedy from time to time, we must never forget to allow our heart to continue to feel unreservedly, love generously, and live purposely. If we do not, we will find our world quickly and quietly imploding while those around us will slowly back away not knowing how to reach inside and pull us back out. You will lose yourself faster than you think possible if you close your heart down and just go through the motions.
I was left breathless while reading this spellbinding story. The characters seeped into my heart, and I found myself enthralled by them. Their journey is not one for the faint of heart. It is one filled with raw emotion, individual transformation, and life-shattering revelations. As a result of becoming fully invested in the lives of these captivating individuals, I am eager to see where their trek leads to next.
J.L. Mbewe is a truly remarkable author who has proven that she has the outstanding ability to turn mere words into a breath-taking landscape filled with the most intriguing and deeply moving characters that will transport you to their realm and hold your heart captive. This is one story that will leave you thinking about your life and taking a good long look inside your heart long after it has ended.
January 7, 2016
Ayianna against her wishes is betrothed to someone she doesn’t even know because her mother and father say it’s for the best. Unbeknownst to them, someone is in the works to destroy everything they have work so hard for.
Now Ayianna is on a quest to find her mother and to find out why her father was killed. Joining her is Kael, and Half-elf, Vain, a spoiled prince, and Desmond, Ayianna’s betrothed. As they track against forest and deserts their loyalties and trust are put to the test.
Sometimes secrets kept do nothing but turn you against those who would do anything for you.
This book was easy to catch my attention and hold it. I always love a great adventure and always jump for the chance to read one. This is an adventure unlike any other. Ayianna a half-elf disguised as a human wants to find out why her father was murdered and why her mother was kidnapped. She went through many things to get were she is now. Is she better off than when she started? NO! To me she gets weak and then strong. It was a roller coaster with her. One minute I’m thinking she is finally going to get a backbone and by the end of the story my hope fled. She is too insecure. Hopefully she will be able to hold her own in the next one since she is going to be getting some training. During the whole quest she only managed to get hurt. That doesn’t mean I didn’t like the story, on the contrary I loved it. The forest was the best part of the book. No one ever comes out alive! DUN DUN DUN!!!! It was very creepy, the forest was always trying to sway them from their path and there were dangerous creatures after them all the time. IT WAS AWESOME!!!! The desert was pretty cool too though. There are other types of people in the book like mermaids and there are terms I’m pretty sure I’ve already forgotten but I know what the story was about and I grasped everything. Nothing was confusing. Oh that reminds me it’s told in multiple povs, Ayianna being the main one though. It was nice knowing what the others thought because they are so closed off.
Ayianna was for the most part a pretty interesting character. She just ticked me off with not standing up for herself. Kael told her she had choices but she chooses to ignore them. UGH She doesn’t like Desmond and since she doesn’t think anyone else will love what she has become she is going to marry him. What kind of logic is that? She doesn’t know what other people will think. I wish she would speak up and tell people how she really feels. I looking forward to the next one to see how she manages the mess she got herself into.
Kael was my favorite character in the book. He didn’t hold anything back except his emotions of course. He is closed off from everyone and has a reason to. He lost people he loved as well and swears never to love again. My heart ached for him. I just wanted to snuggle his sexy elf self. He was very complex and I could tell by the end of the story that he was starting to come through, but Ayiaana had to go and mess it up. Please let him be more open in the next one. I want him to tell everyone how he feels as well. He doesn’t always have to be the strong one.
Desmond is of those characters in which you can’t help but to like/hate. You never know what is going on through their mind. For the most part he seems like a great guy but I had a gut feeling he was up to no good. Not to mention Kael doesn’t like him and I trust Kael over everybody in the book. Desmond just doesn’t bode well for me.
Overall: A highly enjoyable quest with everyone hiding secrets, secrets that could change everything.
4 Stars
Now Ayianna is on a quest to find her mother and to find out why her father was killed. Joining her is Kael, and Half-elf, Vain, a spoiled prince, and Desmond, Ayianna’s betrothed. As they track against forest and deserts their loyalties and trust are put to the test.
Sometimes secrets kept do nothing but turn you against those who would do anything for you.
This book was easy to catch my attention and hold it. I always love a great adventure and always jump for the chance to read one. This is an adventure unlike any other. Ayianna a half-elf disguised as a human wants to find out why her father was murdered and why her mother was kidnapped. She went through many things to get were she is now. Is she better off than when she started? NO! To me she gets weak and then strong. It was a roller coaster with her. One minute I’m thinking she is finally going to get a backbone and by the end of the story my hope fled. She is too insecure. Hopefully she will be able to hold her own in the next one since she is going to be getting some training. During the whole quest she only managed to get hurt. That doesn’t mean I didn’t like the story, on the contrary I loved it. The forest was the best part of the book. No one ever comes out alive! DUN DUN DUN!!!! It was very creepy, the forest was always trying to sway them from their path and there were dangerous creatures after them all the time. IT WAS AWESOME!!!! The desert was pretty cool too though. There are other types of people in the book like mermaids and there are terms I’m pretty sure I’ve already forgotten but I know what the story was about and I grasped everything. Nothing was confusing. Oh that reminds me it’s told in multiple povs, Ayianna being the main one though. It was nice knowing what the others thought because they are so closed off.
Ayianna was for the most part a pretty interesting character. She just ticked me off with not standing up for herself. Kael told her she had choices but she chooses to ignore them. UGH She doesn’t like Desmond and since she doesn’t think anyone else will love what she has become she is going to marry him. What kind of logic is that? She doesn’t know what other people will think. I wish she would speak up and tell people how she really feels. I looking forward to the next one to see how she manages the mess she got herself into.
Kael was my favorite character in the book. He didn’t hold anything back except his emotions of course. He is closed off from everyone and has a reason to. He lost people he loved as well and swears never to love again. My heart ached for him. I just wanted to snuggle his sexy elf self. He was very complex and I could tell by the end of the story that he was starting to come through, but Ayiaana had to go and mess it up. Please let him be more open in the next one. I want him to tell everyone how he feels as well. He doesn’t always have to be the strong one.
Desmond is of those characters in which you can’t help but to like/hate. You never know what is going on through their mind. For the most part he seems like a great guy but I had a gut feeling he was up to no good. Not to mention Kael doesn’t like him and I trust Kael over everybody in the book. Desmond just doesn’t bode well for me.
Overall: A highly enjoyable quest with everyone hiding secrets, secrets that could change everything.
4 Stars
March 1, 2015
Secrets Kept is an exciting tale of a half-elven girl trying to figure out her place in a society where she lives a lie. When disaster falls, she finds herself caught up in an adventure with people she fears to trust.
Ayianna is a girl easy to sympathize with. Her confusion, grief, and frustration is quite understandable, and though she makes some decisions and opinions that readers will shake their heads at, readers must remember they are not under her pressure. She feels duty to her betrothed, Desmond, but she's unsure if she can love him, much less trust him with her terrible secrets. Then there's that aggravating half-elf Kael who always seems to be there to help her, though he acts like it's the most annoying duty in the world...
My favorite character of this book? Kael, hands down, no doubt about it. Pretty much any scene with Kael is sure to be interesting, and if it's a scene where Kael and Desmond are clashing, so much the better, heh, heh. He's a rather dark, mysterious character, but he has a noble heart and dry wit. Some of the banter exchanged between him and Ayianna is genius.
This was quite an adventure story. Characters cover a lot of ground and enter many realms. The world abounds with characters and creatures such as elves, dryads, faeries, harpies, and feline shape-shifters. I admit, I did have trouble keeping up at some points. Sometimes, I felt the plot was a little rushed, random, or unclear, but I'm such a fast reader, I could have missed some important details. By the end of the book, the plot is well established again, and an exciting new quest is ready to launch in the next book. The ending will make readers groan and want to pick up the next book to find out how such a terrible problem will be resolved.
Ayianna is not the only one keeping secrets. Kael hides his own past and feelings close to him, afraid to love again. And Desmond has a secret or two of his own...
Violence Content: There is a descriptive scene of the aftermath of a massacre. The description of the dead bodies is rather grisly, and the squeamish of stomach might want to skip over it. There's also a good deal of combat. Decapitation is the popular method of choice.
Sexual Content: Characters kiss. Not exactly the ones you want to be kissing either. An evil sorceress obviously leads a promiscuous lifestyle (though it is not seen) and is flirtatious with fellow villains.
Language Content: None.
Spiritual Content: The world of Nalu has a wide assortment of gods, some false, some true. Keeping track of which ones are which can be a bit of a challenge at times. The Shadow God, who seems to be the greatest, has several different names, which can also be confusing. There's also the evil forces as well, such as an evil spiritual being who is locked in the underworld and is working havoc through her servants on earth. Those in service to the Higher Powers of Nalu can carry such power as casting spells or curses.
Because of the violence and suggestive content concerning villains, I probably would say this book is appropriate for readers starting at 16. Individuals may feel comfortable with it younger or older.
I really enjoyed the story! Those who love The Dragonkeeper Chronicles or Books of the Infinite, or who are just looking for a fun new fantasy adventure will find much to love in Jennette Mbewe's debut novel, Secrets Kept!
Ayianna is a girl easy to sympathize with. Her confusion, grief, and frustration is quite understandable, and though she makes some decisions and opinions that readers will shake their heads at, readers must remember they are not under her pressure. She feels duty to her betrothed, Desmond, but she's unsure if she can love him, much less trust him with her terrible secrets. Then there's that aggravating half-elf Kael who always seems to be there to help her, though he acts like it's the most annoying duty in the world...
My favorite character of this book? Kael, hands down, no doubt about it. Pretty much any scene with Kael is sure to be interesting, and if it's a scene where Kael and Desmond are clashing, so much the better, heh, heh. He's a rather dark, mysterious character, but he has a noble heart and dry wit. Some of the banter exchanged between him and Ayianna is genius.
This was quite an adventure story. Characters cover a lot of ground and enter many realms. The world abounds with characters and creatures such as elves, dryads, faeries, harpies, and feline shape-shifters. I admit, I did have trouble keeping up at some points. Sometimes, I felt the plot was a little rushed, random, or unclear, but I'm such a fast reader, I could have missed some important details. By the end of the book, the plot is well established again, and an exciting new quest is ready to launch in the next book. The ending will make readers groan and want to pick up the next book to find out how such a terrible problem will be resolved.
Ayianna is not the only one keeping secrets. Kael hides his own past and feelings close to him, afraid to love again. And Desmond has a secret or two of his own...
Violence Content: There is a descriptive scene of the aftermath of a massacre. The description of the dead bodies is rather grisly, and the squeamish of stomach might want to skip over it. There's also a good deal of combat. Decapitation is the popular method of choice.
Sexual Content: Characters kiss. Not exactly the ones you want to be kissing either. An evil sorceress obviously leads a promiscuous lifestyle (though it is not seen) and is flirtatious with fellow villains.
Language Content: None.
Spiritual Content: The world of Nalu has a wide assortment of gods, some false, some true. Keeping track of which ones are which can be a bit of a challenge at times. The Shadow God, who seems to be the greatest, has several different names, which can also be confusing. There's also the evil forces as well, such as an evil spiritual being who is locked in the underworld and is working havoc through her servants on earth. Those in service to the Higher Powers of Nalu can carry such power as casting spells or curses.
Because of the violence and suggestive content concerning villains, I probably would say this book is appropriate for readers starting at 16. Individuals may feel comfortable with it younger or older.
I really enjoyed the story! Those who love The Dragonkeeper Chronicles or Books of the Infinite, or who are just looking for a fun new fantasy adventure will find much to love in Jennette Mbewe's debut novel, Secrets Kept!
December 20, 2013
You can see my tour post here.
3.5 stars
I wasn't sure what exactly to expect when I started reading Secrets Kept. I was hoping to get a chance to read Desert Rose first, but didn't (I'll still be reading it later). The story began as many Fantasy stories, and some of my favorites do, in a small town. However, the main characters and story-line never seems to stay there.
I definitely found the title a perfect fit for the story. The MC, Ayianna, has had some secrets kept from her and then in turn must keep her own. She has a dream that is really only that. Her parents have another dream and she gives in to theirs with the hope that it will work out. Then something rather drastic and violent happens and nothing is the same.
I did get a little impatient with Ayianna and with Desmond at certain points. They both have seen death and destruction, yet they remain stubborn and are foolish when they shouldn't be. They also are the main cause of drama among their companions. I guess Vian was dramatic as well, but his was a more laid-back cocky drama and I really liked his character, especially because it seemed consistent and what you would expect from a prince. I also wanted to yell at Kael who should know better. I guess a little frustration can be good though, right? Of course I would get most frustrated with the characters when they were frustrated themselves, travelling days on end with their destination still well out of site and being plagued by things they didn't understand and feared. I'm just glad that things picked up, even though it wasn't in a good way (such as almost dying).
It was an interesting group of characters that had joined or fallen together. They all basically have the same goal: to stop the evil and protect Nalu and its people. I found them all interesting. The story was really about those that traveled with Ayianna though. I wasn't sure who I could trust for sure besides Ayianna and Kael. As I figured that out I got a little upset with how naive Ayianna really was. I wanted her to be much more observant and smart about things, but some of that stemmed from how her parents had raised her.
Like a lot of Fantasy novels, there were a lot of descriptions and quite a few travels from here to there without a whole lot going on. Then something would happen. They would get attacked or find something and then there would be all-out fighting and action. They had a lot of enemies, some of which they thought were friends. There is the threat of war, a war that has really already begun, that no one has seen coming. There are certain things that must be done to prepare as best they can.
Overall, this was a good story. I really wanted to understand more about the prophecy and dagger and the role that Ayianna and her fellow companions will play, but I'll have to wait until the next book to learn more.
Content: There was some suggestive content and some violence.
Source: From the author, which did not affect my review in any way.
3.5 stars
I wasn't sure what exactly to expect when I started reading Secrets Kept. I was hoping to get a chance to read Desert Rose first, but didn't (I'll still be reading it later). The story began as many Fantasy stories, and some of my favorites do, in a small town. However, the main characters and story-line never seems to stay there.
I definitely found the title a perfect fit for the story. The MC, Ayianna, has had some secrets kept from her and then in turn must keep her own. She has a dream that is really only that. Her parents have another dream and she gives in to theirs with the hope that it will work out. Then something rather drastic and violent happens and nothing is the same.
I did get a little impatient with Ayianna and with Desmond at certain points. They both have seen death and destruction, yet they remain stubborn and are foolish when they shouldn't be. They also are the main cause of drama among their companions. I guess Vian was dramatic as well, but his was a more laid-back cocky drama and I really liked his character, especially because it seemed consistent and what you would expect from a prince. I also wanted to yell at Kael who should know better. I guess a little frustration can be good though, right? Of course I would get most frustrated with the characters when they were frustrated themselves, travelling days on end with their destination still well out of site and being plagued by things they didn't understand and feared. I'm just glad that things picked up, even though it wasn't in a good way (such as almost dying).
It was an interesting group of characters that had joined or fallen together. They all basically have the same goal: to stop the evil and protect Nalu and its people. I found them all interesting. The story was really about those that traveled with Ayianna though. I wasn't sure who I could trust for sure besides Ayianna and Kael. As I figured that out I got a little upset with how naive Ayianna really was. I wanted her to be much more observant and smart about things, but some of that stemmed from how her parents had raised her.
Like a lot of Fantasy novels, there were a lot of descriptions and quite a few travels from here to there without a whole lot going on. Then something would happen. They would get attacked or find something and then there would be all-out fighting and action. They had a lot of enemies, some of which they thought were friends. There is the threat of war, a war that has really already begun, that no one has seen coming. There are certain things that must be done to prepare as best they can.
Overall, this was a good story. I really wanted to understand more about the prophecy and dagger and the role that Ayianna and her fellow companions will play, but I'll have to wait until the next book to learn more.
Content: There was some suggestive content and some violence.
Source: From the author, which did not affect my review in any way.
October 18, 2015
J. L. Mbewe's debut Christian fantasy novel, "Secrets Kept," introduces us to the world of Nälu. Her detailed world-building and intense storyline is sure to appeal to mature readers much like Jill Williamson's "Blood of Kings" trilogy. Filled with diverse locales, languages, and creatures, this Adult/YA crossover is a welcomed addition to the Christian fantasy genre.
One of the biggest things that drew me to this novel was the diversity. I don't think that was a main focus of Mbewe's work, but several of the different populaces of Nälu seem to be based on African and other (e.g. Middle East, Eastern) cultures. Of course, we also have cultures reminiscent of more euro-western influences as traditionally seen in American fantasy, but it's really neat to see this unique mix in a Christian fantasy series.
Needless to say, Mbewe's world-building is epic. She's obviously thought out a lot more details and background information that isn't in the book. However, you're immersed right into it, learning bit by bit as you read more of the story. This type of fantasy isn't for everyone: people will speak foreign, fantasy languages and the unique terminology and names of characters and things can be overwhelming. But those familiar with fantasy novels shouldn't have too much of a problem. I wish there was a brief pronunciation guide included, at least for commonly referenced places, items, and main characters. However there is an illustrated map, which is a personal "must have" for a fantasy novel in my book.
Like Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings," much of the story is centered a quest or traveling. It got to be wearying for me to read at times, but I think that was the point --to show the toll it took on the main characters. Besides her world-building, the action scenes are a strong point of Mbewe's. They're definitely more intense than what your typical Christian fantasy reader might be used to. It's not too graphic, but if it were a movie, I think it might just hit PG-13.
Aiyanna is a likeable heroine. Some might get frustrated with her, but for a girl who's world is suddenly thrown into disarray, I think she's coping as well as she can. My only criticism is with the ending. I felt like it kind of ended abruptly --they're still in the midst of a quest, a character decides something and then it ends. I would have liked a bit more of a conclusion. However, this is a series, so I guess it could be considered an emotional cliffhanger of sorts.
Regardless, I hope more secrets to the world of Nälu and Aiyanna's family are revealed as Mbewe continues this unique Christian fantasy series because it has it all: a detailed fantasy world, unique characters, action, mystery, and a bit of romance!
[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for review purposes.]
One of the biggest things that drew me to this novel was the diversity. I don't think that was a main focus of Mbewe's work, but several of the different populaces of Nälu seem to be based on African and other (e.g. Middle East, Eastern) cultures. Of course, we also have cultures reminiscent of more euro-western influences as traditionally seen in American fantasy, but it's really neat to see this unique mix in a Christian fantasy series.
Needless to say, Mbewe's world-building is epic. She's obviously thought out a lot more details and background information that isn't in the book. However, you're immersed right into it, learning bit by bit as you read more of the story. This type of fantasy isn't for everyone: people will speak foreign, fantasy languages and the unique terminology and names of characters and things can be overwhelming. But those familiar with fantasy novels shouldn't have too much of a problem. I wish there was a brief pronunciation guide included, at least for commonly referenced places, items, and main characters. However there is an illustrated map, which is a personal "must have" for a fantasy novel in my book.
Like Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings," much of the story is centered a quest or traveling. It got to be wearying for me to read at times, but I think that was the point --to show the toll it took on the main characters. Besides her world-building, the action scenes are a strong point of Mbewe's. They're definitely more intense than what your typical Christian fantasy reader might be used to. It's not too graphic, but if it were a movie, I think it might just hit PG-13.
Aiyanna is a likeable heroine. Some might get frustrated with her, but for a girl who's world is suddenly thrown into disarray, I think she's coping as well as she can. My only criticism is with the ending. I felt like it kind of ended abruptly --they're still in the midst of a quest, a character decides something and then it ends. I would have liked a bit more of a conclusion. However, this is a series, so I guess it could be considered an emotional cliffhanger of sorts.
Regardless, I hope more secrets to the world of Nälu and Aiyanna's family are revealed as Mbewe continues this unique Christian fantasy series because it has it all: a detailed fantasy world, unique characters, action, mystery, and a bit of romance!
[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for review purposes.]
May 10, 2016
I have been meaning to review this book for a while now, and what better time to do so than the week that the sequel (FINALLY) comes out? (No, there wasn’t a hugely long wait between books, considering that I only just read it in October/November of 2015… but I wanted the second book the moment I turned the final page, so the wait has seemed far longer than is reasonable).
Ayianna is a half-elven girl on the cusp of womanhood with dreams far above her station in life – wishing to sail on an elven ship and study the stars, impossible because she is not fully elven and because she is a woman. However, when her family moves away from the Elven city of Zurial and her father betroths her to Desmond, a handsome, human merchant who also has dreams above his position in life, it seems that Ayianna’s dreams have come to an end.
However, when her father is murdered in the forest before Ayianna’s eyes and he gives her a dagger and a cryptic message, Ayianna is unsure of how to proceed. When she discovers that her mother has disappeared and her brother has also been killed, she joins forces with an enigmatic and bitter young half-elf named Kael. Together they will travel with Desmond and his friend, Prince Vian as they search for answers as to why Ayianna’s father was killed. Along the way they will discover that something much deeper and more dangerous is in the wind.
It took two pages for this story to grab me and hold me spellbound. The writing style is beautiful and the characters step right off the pages and into your room. It is almost more like watching a theatrical play than reading a story. The descriptions made me feel like I was right there in the story, battling my way through dark forests and crossing parched deserts. I was rooting for Ayianna to realize her dreams…. and maybe grow a bit of a spine, but she can’t be faulted for not being great at wilderness exploration when she’s never done it before… I think that’s what I liked most about the story, that Ayianna is probably a pretty good depiction of how I would fare if I were thrust into an unanticipated adventure.
The pacing is very good, lots of excitement and adventure to keep your heart pounding as you read. There were a few places where I felt that the dialogue was a bit “off” – I’m not sure how to explain it… whenever a magical creature appeared, the way they spoke just didn’t feel “right” to me, like their voice wasn’t quite fleshed out. However, that only happens twice, and didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story.
I really loved this book and cannot wait to find out what happens to all of these characters. Thankfully, Darkened Hope is now available, so I can continue the adventure!
Ayianna is a half-elven girl on the cusp of womanhood with dreams far above her station in life – wishing to sail on an elven ship and study the stars, impossible because she is not fully elven and because she is a woman. However, when her family moves away from the Elven city of Zurial and her father betroths her to Desmond, a handsome, human merchant who also has dreams above his position in life, it seems that Ayianna’s dreams have come to an end.
However, when her father is murdered in the forest before Ayianna’s eyes and he gives her a dagger and a cryptic message, Ayianna is unsure of how to proceed. When she discovers that her mother has disappeared and her brother has also been killed, she joins forces with an enigmatic and bitter young half-elf named Kael. Together they will travel with Desmond and his friend, Prince Vian as they search for answers as to why Ayianna’s father was killed. Along the way they will discover that something much deeper and more dangerous is in the wind.
It took two pages for this story to grab me and hold me spellbound. The writing style is beautiful and the characters step right off the pages and into your room. It is almost more like watching a theatrical play than reading a story. The descriptions made me feel like I was right there in the story, battling my way through dark forests and crossing parched deserts. I was rooting for Ayianna to realize her dreams…. and maybe grow a bit of a spine, but she can’t be faulted for not being great at wilderness exploration when she’s never done it before… I think that’s what I liked most about the story, that Ayianna is probably a pretty good depiction of how I would fare if I were thrust into an unanticipated adventure.
The pacing is very good, lots of excitement and adventure to keep your heart pounding as you read. There were a few places where I felt that the dialogue was a bit “off” – I’m not sure how to explain it… whenever a magical creature appeared, the way they spoke just didn’t feel “right” to me, like their voice wasn’t quite fleshed out. However, that only happens twice, and didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story.
I really loved this book and cannot wait to find out what happens to all of these characters. Thankfully, Darkened Hope is now available, so I can continue the adventure!
October 20, 2016
I enjoyed Secrets Kept (Hidden Dagger #1) by J.L. Mwebe and read it quickly – a lot happens and I had a difficult time putting it down or not thinking about it when I was doing other things. I adored a few characters and despised a few others. And I can’t wait to read the next because of those adored characters. Ayianna herself is understandable but frustrating. She’s got some major growing up to do and I hope she does it quickly. Nalu is a rich, complex world full of interesting peoples and imaginative creatures. I love books that contain detailed cultures and unique mythos and Secrets Kept really delivered there.
However sometimes I felt like the complexity was also its Achilles heel. Keeping the core main characters straight isn’t too difficult but there is such an abundance of characters (and places) that I had a difficult time keeping them all straight. The book would really benefit from a glossary to keep track of the people and explain some of the creatures. There’s also a map in the beginning of the book but it’s too small and missing half the references so I found it only helpful in giving me a vague sense of direction. Lastly, so much happened in the book but the story itself didn’t progress very far – it’s like The Fellowship of the Ring, lots of journeying but not much progress made yet.
Truthfully, I found the premise fascinating and the story itself gripping but there were little things that made me feel like it was published a smidge too soon. Characters that I gave up trying to figure out who they were, creatures/peoples that weren’t explained quickly enough (or at all), a lot of points of view. And lastly, a few things confused me about the specific genre Secrets Kept is trying to be. It has elements of epic or sword & sorcery fantasy but lacks other essential aspects. It also has elements of YA coming-of-age/romantic fantasy but breaks a few standard rules of the genre, etc. (e.g. Ayianna can be hard to relate to because of her age and inexperience but the book itself is too complex and mature for it to be aimed at younger YA readers. The romance felt a bit shoehorned into the last quarter of the book and is 85% aimed at the wrong guy.) It’s disappointing because I feel like those little elements are just enough to keep this really good story from being a great one.
I won a copy of this book in a giveaway. I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
However sometimes I felt like the complexity was also its Achilles heel. Keeping the core main characters straight isn’t too difficult but there is such an abundance of characters (and places) that I had a difficult time keeping them all straight. The book would really benefit from a glossary to keep track of the people and explain some of the creatures. There’s also a map in the beginning of the book but it’s too small and missing half the references so I found it only helpful in giving me a vague sense of direction. Lastly, so much happened in the book but the story itself didn’t progress very far – it’s like The Fellowship of the Ring, lots of journeying but not much progress made yet.
Truthfully, I found the premise fascinating and the story itself gripping but there were little things that made me feel like it was published a smidge too soon. Characters that I gave up trying to figure out who they were, creatures/peoples that weren’t explained quickly enough (or at all), a lot of points of view. And lastly, a few things confused me about the specific genre Secrets Kept is trying to be. It has elements of epic or sword & sorcery fantasy but lacks other essential aspects. It also has elements of YA coming-of-age/romantic fantasy but breaks a few standard rules of the genre, etc. (e.g. Ayianna can be hard to relate to because of her age and inexperience but the book itself is too complex and mature for it to be aimed at younger YA readers. The romance felt a bit shoehorned into the last quarter of the book and is 85% aimed at the wrong guy.) It’s disappointing because I feel like those little elements are just enough to keep this really good story from being a great one.
I won a copy of this book in a giveaway. I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
August 14, 2017
Secrets Kept, by J L Mbewe, is the fantasy story of a young woman, Ayianna, who discovers she's betrothed to a stranger and loses her family in one fell sweep. Then she is thrust together with three unlikely companions--a prince, an elf guard, and her betrothed--to flee for their lives, and then go on a quest.
I enjoyed this book very much, but it isn't the best I book I have ever read. Ayianna and her friends traveled all over their fantasy world called Nalu, encountering some things I found rather new to the fantasy world, such as childlike monsters that dissolve into dust when killed or an evil harpy lord who preys on virgin girls. I enjoyed the adventure of the novel and the secrets that nearly every character hides, and of course the lies they use to cover them up. There were also scores of unanswered questions hanging over their heads throughout the tale, and only some of them were answered in the end.
However, I found that there were too many unanswered questions. Every good book needs such questions to pull the reader in, but this one had questions that needed answers, such as what a word means exactly or how one race survived the massacre without its queen (the supposed only survivor) at least knowing something. I also thought there were too many gods to keep track of, and the Shadow God had so many different names that I couldn't keep him separate in my mind from the other gods.
Despite this, Secrets Kept was an intriguing book left begging for a second book!
Things you should know: There was a number of spells cast on the people by the sorceress and her minions. Monsters abounded. The sorceress was known for sexual immorality. There was also a graphic description of a massacre and numerous battles against evil. Also, the characters accidentally traveled into a hell/abyss sort of place that wasn't very well defined as to what exactly it was.
I enjoyed this book very much, but it isn't the best I book I have ever read. Ayianna and her friends traveled all over their fantasy world called Nalu, encountering some things I found rather new to the fantasy world, such as childlike monsters that dissolve into dust when killed or an evil harpy lord who preys on virgin girls. I enjoyed the adventure of the novel and the secrets that nearly every character hides, and of course the lies they use to cover them up. There were also scores of unanswered questions hanging over their heads throughout the tale, and only some of them were answered in the end.
However, I found that there were too many unanswered questions. Every good book needs such questions to pull the reader in, but this one had questions that needed answers, such as what a word means exactly or how one race survived the massacre without its queen (the supposed only survivor) at least knowing something. I also thought there were too many gods to keep track of, and the Shadow God had so many different names that I couldn't keep him separate in my mind from the other gods.
Despite this, Secrets Kept was an intriguing book left begging for a second book!
Things you should know: There was a number of spells cast on the people by the sorceress and her minions. Monsters abounded. The sorceress was known for sexual immorality. There was also a graphic description of a massacre and numerous battles against evil. Also, the characters accidentally traveled into a hell/abyss sort of place that wasn't very well defined as to what exactly it was.
November 24, 2013
Excerpt From:
“Secrets Kept.”
J. L. Mbewe.
Kael rolled his eyes and turned away. A few yards away a sliver of polished black stone glinted beneath a layer of dead leaves. Above
it, large twisted trees stood like sentries guarding the entrance to the Forest of Inganno. Grey mist hovered over the ground and clung to their crumpled bark.It breathed of dark magic and death.
Kael looked over his shoulder. Vian stood
behind him and stared up at the trees.
Vian sucked in his breath.
Let’s hope we don’t return horrified and stricken with disease.
I was given this book to read and give my honest review. I give this book a 5 star review This book has it all action,adventure, arranged marriages,murder,wicked spells and wicked lands and yes love.
The Writer takes you step by step on an adventure. Her details are point on and you can tell she did her homework on this book. I would gladly read for her anytime and I am praying for book two.
Take Ayiannas hand and go on this hard and rugged adventure I assure you that you will be glad you did. Will she marry or will she find her own true love with her on kind??? Tell me I really want to know. Can you remember the kind of love she finds in excerpt 2? I can!!!!!
Excerpt 2
Ayianna stared into his blue eyes. Chills crawled down her spine and into her toes. His nearness chased away any coherent thought she might have had.
.
“Secrets Kept.”
J. L. Mbewe.
Kael rolled his eyes and turned away. A few yards away a sliver of polished black stone glinted beneath a layer of dead leaves. Above
it, large twisted trees stood like sentries guarding the entrance to the Forest of Inganno. Grey mist hovered over the ground and clung to their crumpled bark.It breathed of dark magic and death.
Kael looked over his shoulder. Vian stood
behind him and stared up at the trees.
Vian sucked in his breath.
Let’s hope we don’t return horrified and stricken with disease.
I was given this book to read and give my honest review. I give this book a 5 star review This book has it all action,adventure, arranged marriages,murder,wicked spells and wicked lands and yes love.
The Writer takes you step by step on an adventure. Her details are point on and you can tell she did her homework on this book. I would gladly read for her anytime and I am praying for book two.
Take Ayiannas hand and go on this hard and rugged adventure I assure you that you will be glad you did. Will she marry or will she find her own true love with her on kind??? Tell me I really want to know. Can you remember the kind of love she finds in excerpt 2? I can!!!!!
Excerpt 2
Ayianna stared into his blue eyes. Chills crawled down her spine and into her toes. His nearness chased away any coherent thought she might have had.
.
November 6, 2013
I've always been a fan of fantasy ever since I got a boxed set of the Chronicles of Narnia series when I was in elementary school, and I try to read it as much as I can. So, when I started reading J.L. Mbewe's book Secrets Kept, it didn't take me long to become engrossed in the storyline. With this book being fantasy, it does follow a lot of common tropes such as quests and good versus evil. While that is the case, it was the characters that I grew to like, especially Ayianna. She's half-elven, and finds herself in an arranged marriage to Desmond, a merchant from a city in the plains of Nalu. Out of all the characters, he's the one I grew to dislike the most. On the other hand, Ayianna is a character I empathized with, and understood her desires to follow in her own path as opposed to following one mapped out for her. I also really liked Kael, another half-elf who is a member of a group of the various races (which includes elves, merfolk and dwarves among others) known as the Guardians.
Overall, I thought the book flowed well, and I really enjoyed it. I'm curious as to what happens next, and I definitely want to read the sequel when it comes out.
Overall, I thought the book flowed well, and I really enjoyed it. I'm curious as to what happens next, and I definitely want to read the sequel when it comes out.
November 20, 2013
Secrets Kepts is a wonderful first book to the series. It follows Ayianna after she's learned about a secret that her family has hidden from her, and now, these creatures are after her and whatever it is that her family is hiding.
Ayinna finds herself betrothed to a man that she doesn't really know well, and then, she's unexpectedly joined a bizarre journey with the half-elf half-human Kael.
I found that some parts of the novel were a bit long for my taste and sometimes I wanted to smack Ayianna around, but it was still an unbelievable tale and epic fantasy that these characters have found themselves on. You'll fall in love with Kael, at least I did.
There are unexpected betrayals, lots of scary monsters, and myths becoming realities for these characters.
I cannot wait for the second book.
Ayinna finds herself betrothed to a man that she doesn't really know well, and then, she's unexpectedly joined a bizarre journey with the half-elf half-human Kael.
I found that some parts of the novel were a bit long for my taste and sometimes I wanted to smack Ayianna around, but it was still an unbelievable tale and epic fantasy that these characters have found themselves on. You'll fall in love with Kael, at least I did.
There are unexpected betrayals, lots of scary monsters, and myths becoming realities for these characters.
I cannot wait for the second book.
October 31, 2013
Honestly, I love this book. I was into it from the first chapter. It might have something to do with how in love with the short stories she published previously I was! This world is amazing. It's just so detailed and there are so many layers!
So for this book, the plot is great! I really felt for the main character, getting thrown into something she's completely unprepared for and just having to figure it out. She's such a wonderful strong character, and she really bring the story along. I did have some insight to the baddies in this book, going from what I knew in previous short stories so that was really fun for me! JL Mbewe is so great at crafting tales that deal with such deep subject matter, and weave them into the fantasy world so well. I loved it and can't wait for more!
* I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review!
So for this book, the plot is great! I really felt for the main character, getting thrown into something she's completely unprepared for and just having to figure it out. She's such a wonderful strong character, and she really bring the story along. I did have some insight to the baddies in this book, going from what I knew in previous short stories so that was really fun for me! JL Mbewe is so great at crafting tales that deal with such deep subject matter, and weave them into the fantasy world so well. I loved it and can't wait for more!
* I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review!
February 29, 2016
A Satisfactory Start
I enjoyed this book and will read the next one, however, there were a lot of characters to keep straight and a rather complicated new world. Much of the book was laying the foundation to the world and as such there were sections of characters relating just world history.
The book is told from a few points of view. The main character is a bit too confused in my opinion and the reasons for primary characters actions are not always clear. Some reasons are elucidated as the novel continues but did not always seem in character to me, but that could just be because the characters are not yet entirely fleshed out.
I have not read any of the short novels that I think preclude this novel. Maybe those stories would be useful to read first.
I enjoyed this book and will read the next one, however, there were a lot of characters to keep straight and a rather complicated new world. Much of the book was laying the foundation to the world and as such there were sections of characters relating just world history.
The book is told from a few points of view. The main character is a bit too confused in my opinion and the reasons for primary characters actions are not always clear. Some reasons are elucidated as the novel continues but did not always seem in character to me, but that could just be because the characters are not yet entirely fleshed out.
I have not read any of the short novels that I think preclude this novel. Maybe those stories would be useful to read first.
November 1, 2013
Ayianna is in for a race against time as she and her companions try to find out to fight the evil sorceress. As all the secrets are coming out and her fathers death can Ayianna find out all she needs to know? Ayianna who was thrown in this race for answers and into a marriage she does not want. To find out what happens to Ayianna get your copy to I high recommend this series. With a curse, she will build an army.
With the dagger, she will undo the last sacrifice.
But first the sorceress must find the secret keeper.
J.L. Mbewe has brought this amazing story to life. I so loved it.
With the dagger, she will undo the last sacrifice.
But first the sorceress must find the secret keeper.
J.L. Mbewe has brought this amazing story to life. I so loved it.
October 24, 2013
This book started out a little confusing. I finally caught up then it got pretty good. This book is a fantasy with a girl who is half elf and human. It has faeries, elves, trolls and giants. Her dad and brother dies and she is engaged to a real jerk. She feels obligated to marry him. Just when I was really getting into it. It ended I really hope there are more because it is like it just ended in the middle of something. That was disappointing overall it was a pretty good book.
October 24, 2013
Amazing story! I love the characters. Ayianna finds out her family deadly secret. It causes trouble in her homeland. Ayianna fights for her family. I highly recommend this book. It's well written story.
December 30, 2013
First, I would like to thank the author J.L. Mbewe for giving me this book for an honest review. I really had fun reading this book. The characters were well developed and the world building was pretty good. I don't know if this is going to be a series, but I sure hope it is.
November 16, 2013
Action packed, entertaining adventure. Sometimes you just want to tell the characters to look.....listen to yourself....run....
November 1, 2013
Review to come
November 2, 2013
THis is an emotional book and the author draws you into that world. I can't wait to read more from this author. It was very well written
September 1, 2016
Very good read. Mbewe has a very good grasp on description and detail...bringing the reader right into her fantasy world.
November 26, 2025
This was a pretty cool book!! The world building was INTENSE—while I got a little confused with all the names once or twice, it was overall really cool!! The cultures felt so real, and I love the concept of the guardians
As for the characters, Vian was possibly my favorite (though I was worried he was gonna be evil at one point), but Aberim and Darin's dynamic for the chapter we got them was so fun! I also really loved Saeed, and Kael grew on me! I like who he is when he's not letting his irritation win, especially toward Ayianna. Speaking of whom, she is highly relatable at times—I'd be just as confused and panicked as her! Honestly I'd be right there with her in everything except Desmond. He can leave
Overall this was a really interesting book!! I'll definitely have to seek out the others.
As for the characters, Vian was possibly my favorite (though I was worried he was gonna be evil at one point), but Aberim and Darin's dynamic for the chapter we got them was so fun! I also really loved Saeed, and Kael grew on me! I like who he is when he's not letting his irritation win, especially toward Ayianna. Speaking of whom, she is highly relatable at times—I'd be just as confused and panicked as her! Honestly I'd be right there with her in everything except Desmond. He can leave
Overall this was a really interesting book!! I'll definitely have to seek out the others.
November 20, 2018
Who do you trust?
Lovely, lyrical high fantasy. When her family is attacked, Ayianna must search for her mother, and learn the secret her father protected with his life. A fascinating, well-designed story with complex characters.
Lovely, lyrical high fantasy. When her family is attacked, Ayianna must search for her mother, and learn the secret her father protected with his life. A fascinating, well-designed story with complex characters.
Read
April 7, 2016I tried to get into the book but I really could not. So there will be no review or star rating.
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