Clara

Stories of Lorst #1

by Suzanna J. Linton

Sold into slavery as a child, and rendered mute by the horrors she suffered, Clara's life extends no further than the castle kitchens and their garden. Those who know about her just think of her as the dull mute girl who may be a little soft in the head, not knowing that she carries within herself a precious gift: the ability to see the future. This is a gift she keeps secret, though, for fear of persecution. However, a vision prompts her to prevent a murder, shoving her not only into the intrigues and gilded life of the nobility, but also into a civil war brewing in her country. As events unfold, and she is drawn deeper into the conflict, she meets an old friend, makes a new one, and begins to unearth secrets better left buried. Driven to learn the truth about the war, and about her friends, Clara embarks on a journey that takes her from her beloved mountains to the very Capital itself, Bertrand, where she is confronted by an evil both ancient and twisted. The only problem is, her own anger and prejudices are the catalysts her enemy needs to complete its plans. If she is not careful, not only will the entire nation be lost, but her own soul as well.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Epic Fantasy

520 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2013

About the author

Suzanna J. Linton grew up in rural Orangeburg County. At age eight, she tried to read The Secret Garden by herself. After following her mother around for a day, asking questions about the Yorkshire accent, she gave up, but that didn't deter her in developing a deep appreciation for books and the worlds to which they open. A few years later, she wrote her first poem, which eventually led her to try writing fiction.

In 2002, she went to the summer program at the SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, where she refined her poetry and wrote her first decent short story (before this, she mostly wrote novels along with her poetry). In 2003, Suzanna began attending Francis Marion University, where she graduated with a Bachelor's in English.

Today, she continues to live in South Carolina with her husband and their menagerie of animals.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a gifted copy of this book to read as part of the book tour hosted byLovebookstours.

Clara is the first book in a fantastic, new series: Stories of Lorst.
In this first book we meet Clara - a young seer who is hiding her ability but eventually realises she needs to expose herself for who she is. Clara is only a child and has been through a really tough childhood. Her exposure, although needed, creates even more hardship and troubles for a girl who is far too young to have experienced any of them.
Clara has so many emotions to work through - hunt, anger, revenge, betrayal and deceit.
Through the story we meet a selection of other main characters who all play a huge part in the story and the depth given to both the characters and the fantasy world they live in is outstanding.
I can't wait to start book 2 very soon!

[Helena Zelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My opinion on this book can be summarized in one word (and that's rare) "wow"
I really fell in love with the story. Clara is one of the most powerful characters I've read about for so many reasons. I really liked every aspect of the plot, the rest of the cast, the twist and the ending. Since I'm the worst when it comes you finishing series, I can't tell the when but I'll definitely read it! One because I'm curious to see how the story will go and two because I'm it'll be torturous in the most amazing way, just like this one was.

[J.F.R. Coates · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF'd unfortunately.

There was a good story in this. I really enjoyed the opening chapter, even if the narrative was a little clunky at times.
Sadly it all started to degrade from there. Without the title of the book, it was tough to tell who the protagonist was even meant to be, with a fluttering narrative that flitted between many characters with seeming no connection. Events kind of just happened with little explanation, and certainly no involvement from the nominal protagonist.

I wasn't able to continue after the main character was told to trust and forgive the person who literally enslaved her.

[Sara (thebookwebb) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to be honest I was a bit unsure about starting this book as, at over 500 pages, it was longer than I realised. However I thoroughly enjoyed it and engaged with it immediately. The main character begins as a little girl and is sold into slavery, then we re-connect with her years later after she has suffered abuse and trauma. Because of this she is now a mute, and I really respect the author for giving her this disability. Too many fantasy novels have the characters going through suffering and deprivation and they simply bounce back with no lasting emotional scars. I also like the character of Emmerich and the fact that he chose to initially go after Clara, not out of any unrealistic and immediate romantic notions (after all she was a little girl and he nineteen) but simply because it was the right thing to do. Again, the author portrays a realistic search and rather than just happening to find a clue or stumbling across her, Em has to eventually give up because he has no idea where to look for her. A very thoughtfully written story with characters that are realistically portrayed within their situation. I found this book to be an easy read, which is great as I know a book of this size can be daunting for some people. However I would highly recommend that you give it a go if you like fantasy.

[E.P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you just want to read a quick-moving story of romance and magic. If that's the case, then "Clara" might be the book for you.

"Clara" follows the title character from when she is sold into slavery as a child by her supposed parents to her rise as a Seer who is crucial to the sinister plans of the usurping wizard Marduk, even as she may be falling in love with the rebel general Emmerich, who tried to save her as a child...

This is a fun, easy-reading, sword-and-sorcery type of fantasy, only with a young woman as the protagonist and a bit of a love triangle as part of the plot. The worldbuilding is fairly standard medieval Europe, although with intriguing hints at a sort of feminine version of Christianity that we can hope will be developed with more detail in the sequel, and the overall storyline is fairly standard too--young foundling goes through troubles before rising to power--but Clara is a pleasantly complex character. For fans of sword and sorcery, YA fantasy, and clean romantic fantasy.

[Nimalee Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Stories of Lorst series and I really enjoyed this medieval time fantasy. I really loved the magical world created by the author.

Absolutely loved Clara's character. It was very enjoyable seeing her character develop stronger throughout the story. Apart from the solid plot, another plus point for this book is the writing style. Beautifully written and flows so well which makes it easier to read.

This book is definitely a fantastic epic fantasy read. Full of adventure and magic. Highly recommend and I'm really looking forward to reading the second book now.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread- Loved it just as much as I did the first time 🥰

---------

4.5/5 🌟

Where to start, where to start... I really enjoyed Clara😊 Just thinking of it makes me happy, sad and excited to read more about the characters.

Clara goes through more than a child should in her young life. Turning a curious 10-year old girl into a skittish mute. She keeps her seer ability secret for a long time until she decides she has no choice but to expose herself. This leads to a whole new set of troubles for Clara. Clara's character goes through so much growth throughout the story. She has to work through her feelings of anger, defeat and revenge into order to persevere. She learns to trust, to love, and that it's okay to be independent without giving up on the former.

 “This is your battle, Clara,” the creature said. “You have to make the decision.”
“What decision?”
“You have to decide what is more important.”

Alongside Clara the story has many important characters making up the story. One of those characters is Emmerich and I struggled a bit with him. When we first meet him, he has potential, standing up for what is right. Yet when time has passed he is jaded, harsh and has a slight anger issue.

" Emmerich being a winter's child made sense to Clara, as he seemed to have an almost melancholic, frosty air about him."

Next there is Jared, a royal guard, who is kind, cunning, smart and honorable. Also, Captain Asher was very personable, loyal and kind. Let's not forget about the villain Marduk who was despicable to the bone.

Last but definitely not least we have Gavin, who is the right-hand man to Emmerich. He is a true romantic at heart who showed his feeling not only through his words but also his actions. Gavin stole my heart and never gave it back. I honestly could go on and on about my love for him but I will make do with sharing more than one of my favorite Gavin quotes 😍

 " Gavin stared hard at his friend. Finally, he said, in a low, dangerous voice, “Slander her again and I will defend her honor.”

 “I see the look in her eyes some days, Emmerich. No man will be able to hold her and have all her heart because she won't be able to trust him.”
“But?”
“But, I would like to try.”

Book one in the Stories of  Lorst series, Clara, was an exciting journey that I am looking forward to continuing. I greatly enjoyed Suzanna J. Lintons writing style, from the fantastic world built to the depth she gave her characters. I would highly recommend this book to fantasy fans.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from the start to the finish. I am not a fan of medieval books but I really enjoyed the characters and the story line of this one. I love that Clara stays strong and true and even in the end doesn't give up on finding out who she is and where she comes from. This is the first I have read from this writer but this book has me running to the 2nd book of the series. I can't wait to read more!

[Hmr28 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thank you to @lovebookstours and @suzannajlinton for my copy of Clara for this #booktour

▪︎MY THOUGHTS▪︎
This is an amazing adventure following Clara's journey. There's love, loss, betrayals, secrets and politics. Plus a fantasy/supernatural element.
We follow Clara's journey throughout this book, at the start she is a skinny girl sent to work and not being able to just be a child and do child things. Then she is sold into the slave trade where she experiences such horrors it's made her mute. As we dive into Clara's story, it's revealed she has a very unique gift, a seer who can see in the future. Clara has gone through a lot and for a young girl she just wants a break, bless her she really goes through hell. Once people realise her gift they start using her for it. There are times where sometimes I felt Clara was not appreciative to things that she is given, throughout the book. She also is very angry, untrusting and miserable at times too. Sometimes it made me not like her, although it makes sense why she is the way she is.
I really appreciate the disability Clara has, Linton doesn't make it in a sense that Clara is cured, it's a daily thing for Clara. It's nice to have a disability that's not as common as others.
I really enjoyed the visions and that fantasy side of things. It was fun and very interesting and it made me want to read more and more.
I also liked the political side of this story, which sometimes is something I really don't care for. But this story is intense with that. There's secrets and lies and Clara is used as a pawn. She's used as a symbol and nothing more.

We have many a characters in this story and with Clara's journey spanning years, it can be a little confusing. I also felt some of the world building and descriptions dragged a bit, this is over 500 pages and part of me feels some parts could of been shortened or cut out.
We have villians and heroes and romance too but I like how that was done, not your happily ever after. Instead of choosing love, Clara just wants to be free, live her own life and discover herself. I liked that we had actually a character who chose herself not a man.

This was a very interesting story and once I got into the book it became hard to put down. I like how it's a starter into who Clara is and definitely looking forward to the next book to see how she grows and if the poor love can catch a break.
A very good start to a historical fanatsy, with adventure, mystery and visional elements.

[Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linton’s book follows the journey of Clara, a seemingly ordinary child to whom life has been anything but kind. Having being sold into slavery, Clara loses the ability to talk, her voice forced deep inside of her by the horrors she suffered at the hands of the slavers. Bought by a wealthy master, Clara falls into a dreary life working in the castle kitchens, never venturing further than the kitchen garden. She is known by no name and those around her see her as nothing more than a mute slave girl who is possibly a little slow. But, unbeknownst to those around her, Clara holds the unique ability to see into the future, a gift she has kept secret for years through fear of persecution. When a vision prompts her to prevent a murder, she finds herself catapulted into the lives of the nobility, and the centre of civil war that threatens to destroy the country. In a journey that takes her from her humble roots to the capital city itself, Clara discovers that the future of the nation depends on her and her alone.

Before I started reading Clara I knew nothing about the story other than the title. I think I expected a Jane Austen-style coming-of-age romance more than anything, so I was surprised by the way the story progressed. I like the way Linton gradually introduced the reader to the supernatural side of the novel, starting with Clara’s visions and gradually bringing in further aspects. The book is written in the style of a medieval fantasy and the world in which Clara lives is similar to that of our own with elements of fantasy thrown in. On the whole, Linton keeps the language of the characters fairly simple, drawing on medieval English and introducing new words occasionally to describe, for example, measures of time. I liked this aspect of the book, which added to feeling of it being a fantasy novel without becoming too confusing. I also enjoyed the setting that Linton created; the descriptions used were vivid, allowing the book to come to life. I particularly liked Linton’s description of the wealthy capital, Candor:

‘Every bit of trade going south to Bertrand went through Candor. Every bit of trade coming up from Bertrand went through Candor. It sat like a giant purse on a rich man’s desk, begging to be stolen.’

At its heart, Clara is indeed a coming-of-age novel, although perhaps not in the classic sense. Through the three hundred pages of the book, the reader forms a relationship with the heroine and follows her through an incredible transformation. From the very beginning, Clara’s life is hard on her; we are first introduced to the girl as a skinny child, sent to work and unable to play with the other children:

‘Clara trudged home, the sack of pots banging and clattering against her thin legs. The wind blew against her back, bringing with it the laughter and music of a festival she couldn’t attend.’

From this point, the reader follows her as she is sold into the slave trade, before becoming the pet ‘mouse’ of the lady of the castle in which she was so recently enslaved. Seldom throughout the novel does Clara seem genuinely happy, although one such moment that particularly spoke to me occurs shortly after Clara has escaped from slavery and is travelling with Emmerich and Gavin:

‘Mud and dust stained her dark red riding dress and her hair fell loose from her braid. A little dirt smudged her cheek. Fatigue slumped her shoulders but a small smile curved her face as the horses bent to eat the hay she sprinkled before them.’

Later in the book she is given many more luxuries and presented with beautiful clothing, ladies in waiting and guards to protect her, but it is never enough to make her happy. In some ways, Clara can appear as an unlikable character: she is angry and untrusting, miserable most of the time, and does not appreciate the things she is given. However, I think this makes her character all the more genuine; it is natural and very human for Clara to behave the way she does. Regardless of the gifts and luxuries Clara is given, she has within her always the desire to break free of the slave’s collar, which remains symbolically strapped round her neck until the end of the book.

As Clara becomes more and more entwined within the politics of the civil war she faces situations that challenge her allegiance, often leading her to wonder which the ‘right’ side is. Clara’s abilities render her invaluable to both armies and, as such, she is vulnerable to manipulation. Both sides hide the truth from her in one way or another, and it is left to Clara to decide for herself who she should put her trust in. Sometimes, doing what is ‘right’ can have unforeseen repercussions.

As Clara’s character develops, so too does her beauty. As a slave, it is easy to forget that Clara was once described as ‘beautiful’ by a friend of her parents; she becomes the dirty, mute slave girl with matted hair. As the mouse, she is described as ‘elfish’, before moving on to ‘pretty for a slave’. It is not until Clara begins to break free of these shackles that it becomes apparent just how beautiful she really is in the eyes of those who love her:

‘She looked up and formed a question with her large eyes and sweet mouth.’

Clara’s confusion towards the love she receives is a central theme throughout the novel. She finds it difficult to know how to feel about any of those who flatter her: can they really be trusted? Her nature makes her guarded towards any advances.

I thought it was inevitable that Clara should fall for one of the men in the book, but was very pleased that, ultimately, there is not a fairy-tale ending. Too often heroines give up on their dreams because they fall in love. Most prominently within Clara is the desire to escape, to be free, and to discover herself, and she makes the choice to put these dreams first, and perhaps to come back to love once she has discovered herself.

As with many of the books I review, I do have a couple of small gripes to add before I round off. Firstly, I feel the text could do with a professional edit as there are quite a few mistakes in the text. However, I do feel this is inevitable with a lot of self-published work, and I don’t feel that the mistakes overly detract from the story. Secondly, I feel that at some point events are perhaps drawn out a bit too far, and what could be described in a few pages takes up substantially more. I personally like to keep things concise. That said, I feel these are fairly minor details.

On the whole, I found Clara to be an enjoyable read. The storyline is entertaining and keeps you wanting to read on at the end of each chapter. I would be interested to see where the story goes next and in finding out the answers to some of the questions left hanging at the end of the book. I feel Clara would best suit a young adult audience, and fans of medieval fantasy.

Originally posted on Jade the Obscure

[Buttercupp77 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fairly straightforward fantasy surrounding Clara - a young Seer sold into slavery and how she ultimately has a role to play in an eventual rebellion.

The author does a good job of setting up a fictional world, although I think there are ways it could have been made even more vivid.

The characters are largely well-developed. I would have liked to have seen more flaws in the "good" characters, and more redeeming qualities in the "villains" in order to render them more multi-dimensional. (Although, there is one minor character who I think was especially well-developed. I would have like more of this character's story, though, and I think a few key tweaks would have really ramped up the tension - and the readers' concern - surrounding the character).

The plot was well-designed and well executed. There were definitely areas where some opportunities to really intensify the tension were missed, but overall the author did convey enough uncertainty for it to be an entertaining read.

While Clara's special ability was what drew power players to use her, this was a pretty weak element for me in the novel. In the author's defense, the character is untrained in how to use her gift, and they way it's woven into the story feels very realistic. (I'm not sold that the powerful men who seek to use her gift would retain interest based on what she actually accomplishes, though).

I think some sort of visual separation when perspective changes within a chapter would be very helpful to the reader. The lack of any separation made those jumps tough to follow.

Overall, this is a good read. I probably will continue to read the series.

I received a copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about an epic read. I knew when I saw the description for this story that I would enjoy the adventure, but I had no idea I was going to be sucked into a whole new epic tale! The story of Clara is engaging and riveting. Taken as a young girl into slavery and enduring the atrocities of being a slave, she’s raised with a thick collar around her neck and doing what others tell her to do. But little did anyone know that she is quite the specialty. Known as a Seer, she has visions of the future and can see various outcomes to situations or clear answers as to things that are going to happen.

The kingdom is in chaos as the Wizards have taken over the role of King when they usurped his position many years ago. The Captain of the Rebel army is also someone Clara met a very long time ago and all of their stories interweave in such a way that you can feel the crumbling of everyone’s world as this story unfolds.

Absolutely magnificent story that has me clutching for the next installment in this series. Thankfully I have them all and can keep going without stopping because I’d be an absolute mess if I couldn’t keep finding out what was happening.

One of the things I am loving most about this story is how strong and brave Clara is. Even after everything she’s endured, she stays strong for herself. Slavery took her voice, but it will not take her soul and she will continue to fight for herself, her freedom and those that are treated horrendously by those that are in power. A force to be reckoned with, Clara will warm your heart and feed that need for an epic tale that we readers all love and enjoy to ends of the earth!

[Ilona Nurmela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Positively medieval. At age 10 Clara is sold off to a slaver by her adoptive parents to pay off their rent to their landlord. The only one who cares enough to go after her is 19yo Emmerich, the son of the caravan leader. 15yrs later they meet again, she a seer and he the leader of a rebellion against a sorcerer usurper king Marduk. If you like LOTR volume books (543 pages!) full of intricate description, battle, Game of Thrones worthy intrigue and rags to riches stories, you might like this one. Despite the emotional turmoil of being broken after abandonment & slavery, Clara sure had a lot of male attention - from Gavin as well as Emmerich and then some. While everyone in power wanted her for her ability as seer (and some for more than that), I didn’t see much application of Clara’s abilities, just a couple of useful visions and afterwards whatever she saw, she refused to talk about them, but maybe this is because of the age-old adage that the future is not fixed? The plot was more about waging war against a usurper aka more action-adventure, so don’t expect a full-blown romance (there is a bit - very chaste with only a few kisses). The plot thickens 3/4 through the book, and it was a genuinely enjoyable read at about the last 100 pages. The saga goes on and while I’m intrigued about how it will all end, I prefer fast-paced shorter reads, so I doubt I’ll pick up another hefty epic volume in a while. Recommended for lovers of epic action-adventure with a bit of gore with a very clean bare bones romance on the side.

[H.R.R. Gorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I'd definitely give this a read if you like indie books and character driven stories. The fantasy elements are great, and it's not too overpowering. It's well done, consistent, and the premises are sound.

Still, I have really weird feelings about this book. First, there was nothing that I found actually wrong about it. The writing was good and consistent over a massive number of words, and it keeps moving along well.  The characters were also well done. There was absolutely nothing I could point out as to why someone shouldn't like this book.

At the same time, I could never find myself entirely interested, and I took way more and longer breaks than I felt like I should have.

I think the problem for me was that it didn't quite hit the genre that I like. It had a significant romance element that I didn't expect, and I think I kept wanting it to turn into an intense political intrigue or war story when that simply wasn't the context the book was supposed to have. There was intrigue and war, but that didn't seem to be the primary focus or the driver of interest.

Another thing that I look for in books is a main character that does things, not a main character that things happen to. Clara's life is filled with adventure, but for the vast majority of the book her agency is extremely limited and other characters drive most of the plot. As a result, those who like more character driven stories are probably going to like this more.

[Nicola Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series and its a series you can read back to back and fully enjoy every single page. But to start with let’s dig deeper into book one.

Your immediately introduced to Clara and her life who she lives with where she lives. Your immediately faced with emotions of feeling sorry for her family but even more sorry for Clara. The names and places were quite challenging to get used to but only for a short while. The moment I was sucked in was as soon as Clara has dreams and flashbacks but she’s awake and in the present. That absorbs you and fixated you to want to know more.

The shocking everts that take place shock you. Imagine being around ten years old and being sold into slavery. It made me feel really sad Clara suffering so much and becoming mute and how her life had flipped upside down. It really pulls on your heart. You soon learn that from what her initial flash backs were they weren’t and were actually visions into the future.

I cannot begin to explain every thing that happens next, secrets, passion, bravery, war, adventures and so much more spiral all into this one massive read. I felt so much excitement every step of the way, every minor set back. The way it ended left me feeling with that feeling of yes I already have book two I don’t have to wait. So I finished this book not left hanging.

[Lynelle Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author for an honest review. All views are my own.

Clara is a heart stopping story of love, and hate and the evil one person can do to another.
In the hand of an evil wizard, Clara's fate was sealed. Only when she let go of her hate could the bonds be broken. But it came at a price, a price she struggled to word.

Sold as a slave, she lost the ability to speak. For a long time, she didn't need to use her mouth. As long as she did what was expected of her, nobody wanted to hear her. She underwent abuse at the hand of her handlers, the marks a permanent reminder of her ordeal.

Once she was released from her bonds, she had to find another way of communication. Only when confronted by another pain greater than her own could she find her voice.

It's a very emotional story where truths are twisted and only the delicate twist from the author's pen could unravel the lies. But to get there, many had to lose their lives for her to truly step into her destiny as Seer.
It's a fast-paced story that touches the heart. The characters are realistic and believable and I got lost in the many twist the author had created. Truly a great story for any fantasy lover.

[Nicola Malloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been kindly #gifted #ad a digital copy of Clara by @lovebookstours and @suzannajlinton in exchange for an honest book review.
This story is fast paced; amongst a whirlwind of stunning settings and vibrancy of characters. A world filled with magic and war with the people deciding which side they support between feuding kings and magical mistrust. At times I could imagine myself in the courtyards walking amongst the stalls observing the ladies of the court and enjoying the music from the bards. This to me is a sign of great writing; when I am so drawn in I can imagine myself as an observer in the setting rather than just a reader overseeing the action.

I enjoyed following Clara’s Journey and seeing the world form around her, at times I wish the chapters where slightly longer to be in the moment more with the characters and to fully draw myself into Clara’s world and that around her.

If you love books that draw you into a new world that leaves you wanting more, this is one for you. I am excited to see what’s next from Suzanna J. Linton

[Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clara by Suzanna J. Linton is the first book in the Stories of Lorst series and it is a fast-moving clean fantasy romance. Clara is the story of Clara, a young seer who was sold into slavery as a child by her supposed parents. Clara is part of an epic plot to vanquish the wizard Marduk and along the way, she may fall in love.

Clara is set in medieval Europe where magic, love, and sorcery come together to produce a unique story. This adventure filled tale is a story of love, betrayal, loss, and secrets. The characters and world Linton has developed were quite unique. Clara’s character in particular was complex and has a disability which I found very interesting. This book was quite long, and at times I felt there were incomplete scenes and lengthy descriptions.

The premise of this series is interesting. The storyline was entertaining, and I was engaged throughout the book. I’m looking forward to how the story will progress and if we’ll get answers to some burning questions.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clara by Suzanna J. Linton was a pretty good and solid fantasy read. The plot kept me curious from the very chapter, wanting to know where everything was going to go. The characters are pretty great and I enjoyed seeing how the relationships (both romantic and platonic) were developed and I kind of really liked where things were left of for the next book, even if it’s a bit bittersweet, but at least there is no cliffhanger. I do wish that the world building had been a bit more present, while there are a few things here and there that tell you how this world works, I feel like I didn’t understand it all that well, but there are two more books in the series, so maybe they will appear later. I also hope we get to learn more about Clara, but then even she doesn’t know much about her own past, so hope to learn along with her. This was a pretty great read and I look forward to reading the next books.

*i received a copy of this book, but all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe how quickly I became engrossed in this story. I finished it within a day and was excited to know I had the second book queued up and ready to go.

The story begins with a young girl who briefly touches her future before being sentenced to her unavoidable fate. Thirteen years later, she is still living her sentence, although much about her has changed. We don’t see all she has experienced, but our vivid imaginations can easily draw conclusions as to her current state of being.

After these thirteen years, we also learn what became of the boy from her past. He, too, has endured his own world of horrors but has not been as restricted as she is. He is on a mission of revenge. He knows the real man beneath the crown and ...

Read the full review at feedmybibliodiction.wordpress.com

[AJ Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

[3.5]
This was a quick, great start to the Stories of Lorst Series. First of all, the cover is just absolutely gorgeous, which is what caught my attention at first when I was invited on this tour. The concept itself was something I hadn't seen before, so I knew I just had to read this series. After finishing this book, I'm glad I signed up for the other books in advance!

This is a pretty long book at just over five hundred pages, but it was a pretty quick read overall; I finished it in about two days. It was a captivating book, though I did need to take two or three breaks after so long to avoid getting tired of reading it. However, this is just something I usually do with longer books, so it had nothing to do with the book itself!

I enjoyed the author's writing style, and I can't wait to start the next two books closer to my tour dates.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book via the author and Love Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had difficulty in putting this book down! The story grabs you from the very beginning and doesn't let go, even at the last sentence in the final chapter. Being the start of a well written fantasy trilogy, this first book stands alone quite well, but certainly leaves the reader wanting to continue following Clara as she heads off to find out who she really is. Everything flowed together so nicely, and the characters were wonderful and completely believable.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only*

[Wayne Scace · Rating 5 out of 5]

**** SPOILER ALERT ****
"Clara" is the first book written by Lintin that I've read. The author does a great job of creating the world of "Clara", she also creates believable complex characters.
At first, I thought "Clara" was going to be a ,fairly, standard fantasy story. It turns out that I was wrong. Linton wrapped a mystery cloaked in the trappings of a fantasy.
Who is Clara, really?
What is Marduk's fell intention towards Clara?
Grab this book and find out! I highly doubt that you'll regret reading it.
In the interest of transparency: I was given a free review copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing this review. This is my own honest opinion.

[Clairey Stanhope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review.

I enjoy nothing more than a good love story with a touch of magic, twists, turns and amazing characters. This is a great example of good clean romantic young adult fantasy.

Great writing, intriguing plot and fantastic characters keeps you turning the page to the very end of the book then wanting to get the next one straight away.

Big thank you to @suzannajlinton and @lovebookstours. I adored being part of this tour. Can’t wait wake for the next one. #Ad #Gifted

[Cathleen (Woven From Words) · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Clara: Stories of Lorst' is a very engaging book about a young woman realizing her innate abilities while facing extreme circumstances!

Clara has a powerful gift as a Seer, yet is faced with struggle upon realizing her gift. Throughout the book, Linton pulls in her readers with clear imagery. I found myself totally wrapped into the tale. Despite facing many obstacles, it was a pleasure watching Clara come into her own during the story.

*Thank you to Love Books Tours for the gifted copy.*

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clara is an exceptional start to the series. I was completely taken in by this strong resilient and wilful girl who is the centre of this story of slavery, magic and the fight for a better kingdom. Thank you to Suzanna J Linton and Voracious Readers for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended!!

[John Decarteret · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Clara" is a very good first book by Suzanna J. Linton. The character of Clara comes into her own through horrific circumstances. Sold into slavery and forgetting who she is, she embarks on a journey of self discovery. I enjoyed the book with the step by step approach Suzanna took in her writing style, and set it up nicely for the sequel. A nice read for fantasy lovers. 4 stars!

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fantasy fiction

Complex characters with secret histories and impure motives. War looms and spies are everywhere; Clara wants to help the Rebels with her gift of Sight, but it's unpredictable and uncontrollable. Can she save the Kingdom or will she be manipulated into dooming them all?

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will they survive the dark king?

I really enjoyed reading this book! I've had it in my que to read for many months and finally cracked it open to find action, danger, and despair. I couldn't quit reading, it just wouldn't let me go. I'm very glad to find 2 more books to continue on the story. I'm excited to find out where Clara goes and what she finds.