Curses are made to be broken ... but oaths are meant to be kept.
A cursed king. A garbled legend centuries old. A young woman forced to follow it.
When King Urien of Evergaze is secretly cursed by his own son, the tears of a star are his only hope for recovery.
Ada Wrembeck, a historical consultant with a sombre past, finds herself unceremoniously pulled from her world and appears in his court in a blaze of holy fire.
She agrees to the seemingly finding the tears of a star to save the dying king.
After all, completing the quest is her only way home.
Ada finds herself among four of the king's best warriors, including his mysterious candle keeper, Matteo. Their quest leads to the heart of a dangerous country where they must steal a fabled weapon-Seregn-from a tyrannical queen and journey to a mighty mountain to shoot a star from the sky.
But with enemies on their heels, a traitor in their midst, and a companion with a secret of his own, Ada begins to wonder if there's any chance of success. And if they do succeed, will it be worth the ever-rising cost?
Ah……Seregn. Some time has passed since I received an ARC copy of Seregn to review, it wasn’t even the final manuscript as I recall. I had thought, perhaps, I might need a refresher before embarking on a review of it. I find I do not. Unlike many books I have read over the years (and some I have read even more recently than Seregn) I find the world of Evergaze still as clear and vibrant now as it was then. In short, if I had to condense a review of Seregn into a single sentence it would probably be along the lines of “I have been to Evergaze, and a part of me is still there.” (much like Ada!). If I were to try and condense it down to one sentence, however, I would spend a bit more time over it and, no doubt, come up with a better line, and this is exactly what Brooke Martin has been kind enough to do for us in Seregn. The world-building in Seregn is excellent and beautifully described, this is because Martin has done it the justice of spending many years there herself in the creating of this tale. It is clear as we are led on our journey across Evergaze and beyond that our guide knows the territory well. Tolkien criticised Lewis for writing a story in a rush and creating the world around it as he went. Tolkien of course, spent years creating an entire universe before even trying to set a story there. The world in Seregn has more the feel of the latter. Although, it is fair to say that at times in Seregn the influences of both writers can be felt. This is in no way a criticism. For any book to invoke feelings reminiscent of the fellowship battling up the Pass of Caradhras or that mystery of sailing the sweetened waters beyond Ramandu’s island can only be a recommendation of the skill of the writer.
I will not lay out the plot in this review, that is not the point and you would be much better off receiving the plot correctly paced from Martin as you read. I can say this with confidence because of the way in which it is delivered in Seregn is excellent. The balance of of pace against detail is very well done, there are times were, along with the characters themselves, you are keen to push on and put some distance behind you no matter how your limbs are aching. And yet, when a moment of respite comes, you are allowed to enjoy the brief moments of rest along with them too. One element in particular that I loved in the plot is an underlying element of ‘Whodunit’, or to be closer to the mark without any spoilers, ‘Who-IS-it’. As a writer myself, I am all too aware how difficult it is to get the balance right between giving out and withholding just the right amount of information to allow this type of plotline to really sing, and here it does. From the moment I was aware of this element in Seregn I was determined to get there first, was hypervigilant in my assessment of every character in question, and devoured every possible hint that was thrown my way. There was a scene in a mountain pass where for a moment I was sure the cat was out of the bag, I was shocked to find the bag metaphorically dropped into my lap and had to re-read several pages in a double-take to be sure that Martin had finally let me get it. On closer inspection, I was awed to find that bag was empty, if there had ever been a cat, it had somehow slipped away in the dark and fog of that mountain pass. This, in particular, I thought was masterfully done.
The world, characters, plot are excellent. There are consequences, not everyone makes it, not everyone who does make it is still in one piece! (a choice I very much respect). This is a portal fantasy for those who love the genre and want to see it done well, and for those who are new to it and want the bar set suitably high. I would certainly recommend this book, and will certainly be taking my own advice by re-reading it again soon.
This book will rip your heart out so be prepared. Have tissues on hand especially starting midway through!
The plot, world building, characters were all well done. From the start, we’re carried away to a whole new world. Our main character is forced against her will into situations she wanted no part in. With no way to turn back she had to press forward in order to make it back home.
The growth of Ada was so good. Watching her struggle with her current situations, coming to terms with them, doing things she’d never dream she’d do, loosing people and parts of her along the way is a constant flow of emotions. She’s a very lifelike and real character. I love her connection with Matteo and Autumn.
This book has plenty of twists and turns, challenges, dangers, and mystery.
I hope there will be another book following Ada as I have a few outstanding questions from the ending, and I just gotta know what happened.
Overall well written, exciting, fingernail biting read. Recommend to all fantasy readers. Even if you aren’t a big portal fantasy reader, this is well worth the read. The best books make you feel for the characters and experience all their emotions, and this one definitely delivered in that category.
There is some violence and torture. So if you’re sensitive to that, best avoid this one. It’s not too explicit. Just enough to give you second hand heart pain and make you flinch a time or two. It will do more emotional damage to your heart than anything and make you tear up.
The epic portal fantasy “Seregn” by Brooke Martin carries one of the most beautiful messages in one of the most beautiful worlds I’ve read: that love is powerful enough to hold up the world, and that it is worth sacrificing oneself in its name.
The main character, Ada, begins the story as a very reluctant hero, dragged from her own familiar surroundings and selfish pursuits to a noble mission in a foreign world. That world, the world of Evergaze and Warnost and a thousand island nations, is where Martin shines. It feels expansive and complex, blessed with diverse peoples and cultures, riddled with political intrigues, and infused with a deep-seated religion intertwined with mythology. The elegant descriptions of elaborate architectural edifices, exquisitely appointed halls, and awe-inspiring natural wonders made an incredible world that I didn’t want to leave. History mixes with legend, and magic mixes with new technologies that show a society on the brink of major changes.
In the midst of that, a king falls terribly ill, forcing his loyal followers to place their hopes in legend and in each other, including Ada. To save their king, they must bring him the healing power of the stars using the magical device Seregn. However, their path is fraught with danger as they are pursued by vicious enemies, and suddenly the path forward no longer seems clear.
Ada, at first believing her call to be straightforward if not easy, finds herself embroiled in fear, drowning in doubt, and reeling with terror and pain. She leans on her companions, finding in them unexpected measures of strength, courage, and love. Even as well-meaning intentions and oaths made go awry, she finds something growing in herself, morphing and transforming although not always comfortable, and not always easy. Even in the darkest moments of suffering and despair, Ada begins to see the reason to seek hope, to endure, to be brave.
“Seregn” was a pleasure to read. The language is elaborate and descriptive, the characters are believable and unique, and the journey is both heartbreaking and satisfying. The book’s message is obstinately hopeful, despite the dreariness and mercilessness of the broken world, and left me inspired to believe it, even in our own broken reality.
Thank you to Brooke Martin for letting me be part of your ARC team! I can’t wait for more books from you!
Favorite quotes
The Candles’ passion, the very reason for their existence, is to burn. But to burn also means they inevitably flicker out. Yet it is their purpose and thus their passion nonetheless.
She found [him], his whole body moving with the music, lurching and swaying as he played, and the light caught and shined in the tears on his cheeks, and she knew that in his heart, he mourned too.
A shockingly beautiful tale about the meaning of life and love in the midst of the deepest darkness and trauma. Seregn addresses the most fundamental questions of the human experience through a soul-shattering quest that will leave you aching for heaven.
From the opening scene, Seregn sucks you into a unique and intricately imagined world with brilliant wordsmithing and an intriguing, flowing story. Plot-centered for the first third, we get a lot of "what" without the "why", which frustrated me at first, but impelled me to continue reading, hoping all would be revealed–and it was! Answers to every question unfolded at just the right time. Characters transformed through trials and displayed remarkable depth. Though I wanted more emotional investment in the beginning, I really enjoyed how everything came together so nicely.
Ada, the main character, is chosen by an unknown power to walk through a portal to another world and embark on a quest to save a dying king. Understandably, she balks at this, and hints of loss and trauma in her family history provide reasons she struggles to trust or invest in new relationships. However, she’s not a typical “chosen one” as “the future isn’t set in stone” and characters must suffer the consequences of their choices. Four soldiers accompany Ada on her quest, and each has his or her own motives for joining. One of them is a traitor. Martin expertly weaves a web of intrigue, providing each member of the little band with a reason to resent their ailing monarch, keeping us guessing until the end. A couple of dastardly villains–the kind we love to hate–an ancient legend, a unique weapon, fascinating minor players, a loveable dog, and a touch of romance add to the drama.
There are a couple of moments of intense violence, so this is not a book for everyone I expect some may put the book down when they get to this point. It takes some trust in the character and skill of the author to continue when all hope seems lost. And that is the point of this book. It's like Prince Caspian for grown-ups-learning how to follow God's lead even when it doesn't make sense, when you could get hurt, when the way forward is so dark it seems no light can penetrate it. Ada must decide if fulfilling her mission, if letting herself love, is worth the cost. "Many refuse to face the brokenness of their hearts, Ada,' Elsie began quietly. 'But in their refusal, they wander in it nonetheless. Yet, when it's faced head on and conquered, it changes everything. Heart, mind, body, soul."
I can't remember the last time I finished a book feeling so thoroughly satisfied. The hauntingly beautiful ending has stuck with me for days. Do you struggle with hopelessness? “Courage, dear heart.” Read this book.
What can I say about Seregn that hasn’t been said already? If you’re looking for a fantasy novel that will take you on a tantalising, exciting journey exploring themes of love, friendship, grief, sacrifice and belonging, then this is the book for you. I’ve been fortunate enough to read this book twice (once before release and again after) and both times have left me thinking of the characters for weeks after. For a debut novel, Seregn is a hard book to follow, even for an avid bookworm. I’m not usually a fan of portal fantasy so when I started Seregn I was a bit apprehensive but the more I read, the more invested I became in the story. Ada is a reluctant hero thrown into a strange world on the cusp of a new era. She’s just as cynical as one would expect to be, dropped from the bustling 21st century to a realm of fantastical new countries, divinely inspired magic, political intrigue and an old guard with a strong code of honour to an ailing king. Matteo, Gaene, Adeline and Gerrolt, a handful of the kings elite soldiers, are assigned to help Ada on their quest to save the king, and what a bunch they are. Fiercely loyal, caring, a bit grumpy at times but oh so human. Every character is fleshed out and they work so well together (even when they butt heads). They’ve made me laugh, scrunch my toes in anxiety and shed a tear or two (no spoilers, but Gaene my beloved!) Like Narnia or Middle Earth, the Seregn universe is absolutely a world I couldnt get enough of and hope to enjoy exploring more. If you need me, I’ll be nursing my book hangover. 10/10
It’s a fantasy quest but modernised the best way by giving each and every (and I mean every) character their own strengths, weaknesses and story.
Brooke Martin has done an exceptional job in creating a world so vast and unique and characters that speak to so many different perspectives.
I felt Ada was a beautifully complex main character, who didn’t just accept her new reality but struggled with her understandings and had to really work to find her place in this foreign land.
On her travels she meets a flurry of characters who were just all so unique in their own right and had myself questioning who was “right” and “wrong” in all the best ways.
I was caught off guard a few different times and felt these moments really kept me engaged and wanting to read on to find out what would happen next.
The ending felt perfect to me as we see Ada’s whole identity changed after her intense and emotional journey and I feel like after spending all these pages with her, her ending doesn’t feel too “picture perfect wrapped up in a bow” but instead, settled and calm and ready for whatever decision she makes next.
Brooke Martin has done a magnificent job with Seregn and I will be recommending to all.
Seregn is a fantasy about going on a quest after traveling through a magical portal. Like in any good quest, Ada has a mission, objects to help her, and traveling companions. Unfortunately for Ada, the true mission is unclear and she doesn't follow the signs she is given. However, through trial and error, learning how to listen to her own instincts, as well as beginning to rely on friends, Ada and her friends finally understand what is really happening to their worlds. They are then determined to see the quest completed. There are setbacks, betrayals, and sacrifices in order to complete the quest. This story really is a beautiful tale of love, and there is a lot of character development in this standalone story. This book is a little different than the fantasy I normally read, but I loved the relationships that developed between the characters. Ada was also very realistic because when she is thrown into a quest she never asked for, she is a bit cynical. However, by the end of the book she would do anything to accomplish the mission because she truly cares for the people involved. I give this book 5 stars!
Sereng is a lovely and beautifully written book. A tale about the power of love to overcome evil, set in a fantasy world. I fell in love with multiple characters, they were so exquisitely written. The journey the FMC has to go on after she is thrust into a strange world, makes for a very entertaining read. And the characters she meets along the way to help her fulfill this quest add so much depth to the story.
The world building in this portal fantasy was fantastic. The various lands and geography all come to life in your imagination thanks to the vivid detail provided by the author.
If you’re looking for a detailed, slightly lengthy fantasy book with strong characters and the relationships developed, wonderful world building, good vs evil, and a strong and engaging plot, this book has it all. Highly recommend for fantasy lovers.
I received an advance reader copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“Curses are made to be broken ... but oaths are meant to be kept.”
In Seregn by Brooke Martin Ada has so break a curse to help a dying king.
From the first page I was hooked. I love a book with some curse, so I was eager to read this book. Ada is a great character, she gets sucked into a magical world. She is lovely person, realistic, but struggles with her past. She leans at first on her companions who will help her on her quest, and they are great as well. Each has his of her own reasons to accompany her, and one is a traitor, which makes for breathless reading. All characters come across so good!
The writing is lovely, it’s a great, fast paced and flowing story. The worldbuilding is fantastic and beautiful.
Seregn is a book that has totally surprised me, in a good way. It’s a story I love greatly. It has all the elements you want in an engrossing and entertainng fantasy story: magic, danger, betrayal, intrigue and a mystery to solve.
This is the first portal fantasy I have read and it did not disappoint. Ada finds herself in a new world on a quest to find a cure for a dying king. With a group of warriors at her side they set off to steal a weapon that will shoot down a star, only what is brought down is not what was expected. As they make their way back to their kingdom, they are pursued by the enemy and face many trials, betrayals, and staggering losses. This book will have you on the edge of your seat cheering one minute only to break your heart the next. The world building is epically beautiful, there are also tropes of found family, love and loss, ancient artifacts, a fish out of water female protagonist and religious undertones.