RATING: 5/5 (although that ending gave me heart palpations and I may dock off half a point)
I was fortunate to recieve this as an ARC. If you are on the hunt for a Game of Thrones/Pirates of the Caribbean/hint of element bending like Avatar (the air bender, not the blue people) then I may have found the book for you.
Please note this does contain violence and gruesome themes.
The sundered islands of Riverda are dying. The earth magics that protected and sustained them before the Rivening are unbalanced.
On the eve of her wedding to the future emperor, Kalla is kidnapped along with many innocent Felitians by hideous flaming demons. She must find a way to survive in her harsh new surroundings and she will do whatever it takes.
Meanwhile, her beloved but power hungry betrothed vows to retrieve his bride against the odds and the wishes of his father. As Nerosus begins his plan of ridding the empire of magic, he enters into a power struggle with his Oracle sister for control of the Felitian people.
The book focuses on 6 main characters, and although that sounds like a lot, they are blended seamlessly and come together for an intense final stand off. But I warn you- don't have hero favourites in this book, as you may find they are the real enemy.
Do you need to read the other books in this universe to understand this one? No it is fully contained, although you may recognise some familiar faces and references if you do.