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Lightning & Ember
No expectations—no chance for disappointment. Akina de Kitamura had long given up hope that Volandrian nobility would come to accept her and her identical twin sister, Miki. Four years at the Academy, Volandria's most prestigious military school, hadn't changed her opinion. They were bastard children, the product of a Volandrian nobleman's tryst with a Solterrean commoner. Even the favor of famed commander Marquis Genji de Kitamura, their uncle, couldn't spare them from scorn. Her engagement to her childhood friend Cassius d'Etrius's older brother compounded the sentiment when the former heir to the duchy fled in the dead of night after murdering his family. She hated that her sister and her friend saw the exposition at the end of graduation as their chance to force the haughty nobles to acknowledge them. The event brought the best and the brightest from military schools across the Four Kingdoms. It also brought along increased pressure to perform. All eyes would be on the Academy graduates to deliver as this year's hosts, and Cassius and Miki had no intention of letting the opportunity slip by for any of them, even if it meant dragging Akina along with them. However, when an unexpected intruder brings about shocking revelations concerning the past, the trio realizes nothing ever goes quite as planned. With their wits and training to guide them, they race to adjust to the changing landscape and protect one another from harm.
496 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2023
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 18, 2024
I received this book from voracious readers in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book! The world building was very well done. The relationships between characters were fleshed out and pulled me in. I was invested within 30%. Each character was distinctive and the interactions between them were always entertaining, either witty or interesting. I love the various POV's and I feel that it brings a deeper understanding of the world, the characters and the political environment of the book. For the initial part of the book, relationships, friendships and ambitions were identified and built upon. This was done in such a natural way that flowed well, making reading it and connecting with the characters easy and enjoyable.
Akina is one twin and the book starts with her in an arena. The book starts with a bang and then retreats back to 5 years previously. It was a gentle build up and an easy read. Akina just wants to join the military. she wants to be a good soldier and rise through the ranks, making her uncle proud. She doesn't want the top spot, she wants her sister Miki to have it, she doesn't want to control The Marsh (their heritage) but love her life outside of it. She is well known for her fighting ability and battle strategies.
Miki is the other twin who has more divinity than anyone should have. She is ambitious but only because she has something to prove. She believes her and her sister deserve better than they have had and how they have been treated. She wants power for stabilities sake. She is more volatile thank Akina but they balance each other out.
Cassius is the heir apparent to a dukedom. He, Akina and Miki grew up together, along with his older brother, Julian and younger sister. Tragedy struck while they were younger (I won't give anymore than that away) and tightened the bonds between them. He loves Akina and has done from a young age but is too afraid of ruining their friendship to take the chance.
There are other secondary characters such as Dante and Posey. They have their own bonds with the main characters and it enhances the story.
There is some violence and some magic within this book, becoming heavier as the story progresses. There's political intrigue, angst, heart pounding sacrifices, twists, turns and plenty of shadows. It has a little bit of everything and all together it makes a wonderful story!
I loved this book! The world building was very well done. The relationships between characters were fleshed out and pulled me in. I was invested within 30%. Each character was distinctive and the interactions between them were always entertaining, either witty or interesting. I love the various POV's and I feel that it brings a deeper understanding of the world, the characters and the political environment of the book. For the initial part of the book, relationships, friendships and ambitions were identified and built upon. This was done in such a natural way that flowed well, making reading it and connecting with the characters easy and enjoyable.
Akina is one twin and the book starts with her in an arena. The book starts with a bang and then retreats back to 5 years previously. It was a gentle build up and an easy read. Akina just wants to join the military. she wants to be a good soldier and rise through the ranks, making her uncle proud. She doesn't want the top spot, she wants her sister Miki to have it, she doesn't want to control The Marsh (their heritage) but love her life outside of it. She is well known for her fighting ability and battle strategies.
Miki is the other twin who has more divinity than anyone should have. She is ambitious but only because she has something to prove. She believes her and her sister deserve better than they have had and how they have been treated. She wants power for stabilities sake. She is more volatile thank Akina but they balance each other out.
Cassius is the heir apparent to a dukedom. He, Akina and Miki grew up together, along with his older brother, Julian and younger sister. Tragedy struck while they were younger (I won't give anymore than that away) and tightened the bonds between them. He loves Akina and has done from a young age but is too afraid of ruining their friendship to take the chance.
There are other secondary characters such as Dante and Posey. They have their own bonds with the main characters and it enhances the story.
There is some violence and some magic within this book, becoming heavier as the story progresses. There's political intrigue, angst, heart pounding sacrifices, twists, turns and plenty of shadows. It has a little bit of everything and all together it makes a wonderful story!
July 20, 2024
Dont sleep on this author, yall. Unforgettable characters, sword fighting, magic, heartbreak, trauma, prejudice, and so much more. The fight scenes were some of the best I've ever read. The original magic and world building is incredible. This was a fantastic read with an fmc that I will always remember. Her personality was so amazing and strong. 👏
August 3, 2024
3.5 / 5 stars
The book was okay, nothing out of the ordinary, but it's more like YA. The only issue I had was that the story was dragging a bit at some point, and them many things happened, and some characters did some mindless actions, and I don't really see the point. Also, the relationship between an 18 yo and a 15 yo is a bit weird, even when the 15 yo doesn't really feel like an early teen.
The story is focused on two twins in their final year in school, the last part of the year to be specific. It's quite typical but I got a bit confused at times regarding the powers they have. There is a bit of romance, a lot of bullying because they are not pure blooded and not yet adopted into the noble family (even when everybody knows they were under the protection of a powerful marquis). At the end of the school year they have to pass the exams and things get an unexpected turn, after that there is the ball and after that just a bit left before the books ends on a sort of cliffhanger. For me, the period between the exams and the ball was really dragged and part of the ball too, which almost made me stop reading, because it just felt like the book was gonna end, but there was quite a bit left.
There are many things that are not explained and, at times, the multiple POVs were confusing.
All in all, the book is okay, feels very YA and it didn't have an extraordinary element for me, but it was still pleasant.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion
The book was okay, nothing out of the ordinary, but it's more like YA. The only issue I had was that the story was dragging a bit at some point, and them many things happened, and some characters did some mindless actions, and I don't really see the point. Also, the relationship between an 18 yo and a 15 yo is a bit weird, even when the 15 yo doesn't really feel like an early teen.
The story is focused on two twins in their final year in school, the last part of the year to be specific. It's quite typical but I got a bit confused at times regarding the powers they have. There is a bit of romance, a lot of bullying because they are not pure blooded and not yet adopted into the noble family (even when everybody knows they were under the protection of a powerful marquis). At the end of the school year they have to pass the exams and things get an unexpected turn, after that there is the ball and after that just a bit left before the books ends on a sort of cliffhanger. For me, the period between the exams and the ball was really dragged and part of the ball too, which almost made me stop reading, because it just felt like the book was gonna end, but there was quite a bit left.
There are many things that are not explained and, at times, the multiple POVs were confusing.
All in all, the book is okay, feels very YA and it didn't have an extraordinary element for me, but it was still pleasant.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion
June 27, 2024
Akira has an inner-diologue that goes something like this....."I am so ordinary. Plain, athletic and blocky. I just don't care to pursue higher learning to any level of accomplishment." Her sisters goes something like "Akira is so hot, does she even notice that the hottest and most eligible Baron in the whole land has a chubby for her? She is the most brilliant person in this school but chooses to be a warrior hotty princess. Without even trying she is in Golds level, one below Platinum..." And that is what you get for buying YA BS.
As we move through the schooling year, without apparent notice, everyone snickers or basically denigrates the sisters because they are....wait for it.....HALF-BREEDS! OH THE HUMANITY! So while they suffer in stoic silence, Hunky Duke / Baron Cassius (whom now has teleportation powers) that grew up with them, trounces those that would hurt his childhood besties.
Yeah this novel is way over the top and reads like most YA trash out there. But the story line is good, you just have to sift through the tropes.
As we move through the schooling year, without apparent notice, everyone snickers or basically denigrates the sisters because they are....wait for it.....HALF-BREEDS! OH THE HUMANITY! So while they suffer in stoic silence, Hunky Duke / Baron Cassius (whom now has teleportation powers) that grew up with them, trounces those that would hurt his childhood besties.
Yeah this novel is way over the top and reads like most YA trash out there. But the story line is good, you just have to sift through the tropes.
October 6, 2024
This book!! This is a challenging review to write. The plot focuses on the graduating class of noble students, each gifted with unique magics and trained to be expert fighters in the land of Volandria. The top graduates intend to seek further training in the army, and with limited opportunities, competition is fierce. Outside of the classroom, they each have burdens to bear, some publicly, some in private. Many carry unreasonable family expectations; some overwhelming grief; some racism; and some walk the thin line between hope and despair.
Many parts of this book were absolutely fabulous, including the overarching plot, characters, world building, and intriguing magic system. However, it struggled in other areas, especially with pacing. The action sequences are AMAZING – absolute page turners! But the bulk of the book is much slower paced, with numerous flashbacks for multiple characters. And while some of the world-building is exceptionally well thought out, some bits of information are curiously absent.
I’m normally a fast reader and able to switch between characters easily. However, I struggled in this book, and that was in large part because the points of view shift curiously. The two female leads are exceptionally talented twins, raised in their esteemed uncle’s house but practically orphaned, and are disrespected by their society because of their mixed bloodline. Their chapters are told in first-person. However, the story of the male lead, their good friend, is told in third person. The frequent switch from first to third turned out to be a real stumbling block for me!
This author has so much talent and has put in impressive effort with the backstories of all the main characters. I’m excited to read the next book – there are SO MANY questions I need answered – but I also need a little time to recover. This was an intense read for me and I imagine some people, especially those new to fantasy, might struggle a bit with it.
Action, characters, plot – 5 stars
Pacing and approach – 3 stars
Many parts of this book were absolutely fabulous, including the overarching plot, characters, world building, and intriguing magic system. However, it struggled in other areas, especially with pacing. The action sequences are AMAZING – absolute page turners! But the bulk of the book is much slower paced, with numerous flashbacks for multiple characters. And while some of the world-building is exceptionally well thought out, some bits of information are curiously absent.
I’m normally a fast reader and able to switch between characters easily. However, I struggled in this book, and that was in large part because the points of view shift curiously. The two female leads are exceptionally talented twins, raised in their esteemed uncle’s house but practically orphaned, and are disrespected by their society because of their mixed bloodline. Their chapters are told in first-person. However, the story of the male lead, their good friend, is told in third person. The frequent switch from first to third turned out to be a real stumbling block for me!
This author has so much talent and has put in impressive effort with the backstories of all the main characters. I’m excited to read the next book – there are SO MANY questions I need answered – but I also need a little time to recover. This was an intense read for me and I imagine some people, especially those new to fantasy, might struggle a bit with it.
Action, characters, plot – 5 stars
Pacing and approach – 3 stars
April 2, 2024
Wow, this was some kind of amazing book. The main characters are all strong and capable and capable of getting into trouble. This story just grabbed me from the first page and I just held on for the ride and what a ride it was. Oh, I just have to know what's coming next, it's driving me nuts. Hopefully the author will be putting out the second book soon as patience is not my middle name! Great book. Enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews