What do you think?
Rate this book
The Worldmaker Trilogy #2
Heartland
She came to protect a people, but she needs to preserve a world
Kyndra has saved and damned the people of Mariar. Her star-born powers healed a land in turmoil, but destroyed an ancient magic - which once concealed them from invaders. Now Kyndra must head into enemy territory to secure peace.
She finds the Sartyan Empire, unstable but as warlike as ever. It's plagued by dissident factions, yet its emperor still has the strength to crush her homeland. The Khronostians, assassins who dance through time, could help Kyndra; or they might be her undoing. And deep within the desert, Char Lesko struggles to control his own emerging powers. He's been raised by a mercenary whose secrets could change everything - including the future and the past.
But when Kyndra and Char meet, will their goals align? Kyndra must harness the full glory of the stars and Char has to channel his rage, or two continents will be lost.
Kyndra has saved and damned the people of Mariar. Her star-born powers healed a land in turmoil, but destroyed an ancient magic - which once concealed them from invaders. Now Kyndra must head into enemy territory to secure peace.
She finds the Sartyan Empire, unstable but as warlike as ever. It's plagued by dissident factions, yet its emperor still has the strength to crush her homeland. The Khronostians, assassins who dance through time, could help Kyndra; or they might be her undoing. And deep within the desert, Char Lesko struggles to control his own emerging powers. He's been raised by a mercenary whose secrets could change everything - including the future and the past.
But when Kyndra and Char meet, will their goals align? Kyndra must harness the full glory of the stars and Char has to channel his rage, or two continents will be lost.
482 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2016
46 people are currently reading
841 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Hounsom
10 books164 followersLucy is the author of the Worldmaker Trilogy, beginning with STARBORN. Her fourth book, SISTERSONG, is published in 2021.
She has worked for Waterstones Booksellers for over 10 years and has a BA in English & Creative Writing from the University of London. She went on to complete the MA in Creative Writing in 2010.
She co-hosts the intersectional feminist podcast, Breaking the Glass Slipper, which won Best Audio in the British Fantasy Awards 2019.
Lucy lives by the sea in Devon (UK) with two cats and a bedroom full of stories. She loves gaming, anime and playing the piano. Her sister is the author, Laura Madeleine.
She has worked for Waterstones Booksellers for over 10 years and has a BA in English & Creative Writing from the University of London. She went on to complete the MA in Creative Writing in 2010.
She co-hosts the intersectional feminist podcast, Breaking the Glass Slipper, which won Best Audio in the British Fantasy Awards 2019.
Lucy lives by the sea in Devon (UK) with two cats and a bedroom full of stories. She loves gaming, anime and playing the piano. Her sister is the author, Laura Madeleine.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 16, 2017
I absolutely adored Starborn, the first novel in this series, I’ve had Heartland hanging around for a while as I wanted it to be a complete treat read and recently the time I really needed that arrived – so in I dove and hey, turns out I loved this too. Also, I now have the next one ready and waiting so you can be sure I’ll be into that in fairly short order.
Kyndra is still struggling to embrace her fate, her true self and still trying to control it in a world that she is somewhat responsible for. Heartland follows Kyndra and our other characters as they set out to make peace, finding allies and enemies and following an unknown path.
The intricate and beautifully layered world Lucy Hounsom created and continues to create in this series is truly second to none – such a gorgeous descriptive immersive sense of where the characters live and breathe. Magic on the page, with well defined, intriguing and often emotive characters, vibrant and very real in the moment, it is a truly addictive and wonderful reading experience.
Rich in language, full of heart stopping action and deeply felt emotional resonance, this is fantasy at its very best – unique in its storytelling and creatively dazzling I just loved it. Really cannot recommend it highly enough – this short, sharp review will hopefully ensure a few more people pick it up. You won’t be disappointed!
Kyndra is still struggling to embrace her fate, her true self and still trying to control it in a world that she is somewhat responsible for. Heartland follows Kyndra and our other characters as they set out to make peace, finding allies and enemies and following an unknown path.
The intricate and beautifully layered world Lucy Hounsom created and continues to create in this series is truly second to none – such a gorgeous descriptive immersive sense of where the characters live and breathe. Magic on the page, with well defined, intriguing and often emotive characters, vibrant and very real in the moment, it is a truly addictive and wonderful reading experience.
Rich in language, full of heart stopping action and deeply felt emotional resonance, this is fantasy at its very best – unique in its storytelling and creatively dazzling I just loved it. Really cannot recommend it highly enough – this short, sharp review will hopefully ensure a few more people pick it up. You won’t be disappointed!
November 29, 2017
Starborn is one of my favourite fantasy debuts in recent years and I’ve been eagerly awaiting to find out what happened next in the sequel Heartland. Luckily both remaining parts of the trilogy are out in 2016 (final part next month). I'm pleased to say that Heartland is a step up in terms of scale, character and quality which now makes me just need the final volume right now….right now…….anytime now…
In the previous novel we left Kyndra having finally inherited her powers as a Starborn – someone who can literally summon ALL of the cosmic forces of the sky at any time. As part of this transformation she had the power to stop the various enchanted apocalyptic storms wrecking havoc on the local population but by doing so made she removed the enchantment that made Raimar finally visible again to the Empire it has been at war with several centuries ago and nearly conquered by. This novel explores the consequences of that how the Sartyan Empire reacts to their ancient enemies returning. Kyndra and a small group of Wielders (people able to harness the energy of the Moon or the Sun) go on a scouting mission to find out if the Empire may now be ready to talk.
One criticism of Starborn is that it took a while to move from Kyndra’s home town to reaching the wider world of the wielders but in this book with all the set-up to explain how the magic system works now completed means Hounsom can march straight into the action. Cleverly the story this time is divided between four main groups. Kyndra trying to work out if the Empire is a threat; back home with her former protector Bregenne trying to persuade her fellow Wielders that it may be time to shore up the defences and interestingly two new groups from the Empire itself. We meet General Hagdon a noble army commander who the Emperor has ordered to battle a local sect of mysterious assassins and most intriguing Char Lesko a young man who has become a slaver in tandem with his tough as nails guardian known as Ma. These welcome additions show the Sartyans as a divided group on the brink of civil war. I love a bit of palace intrigue and seeing the Empire as more than a group of evil monsters is a welcome change to some fantasy series out there. Char is an interesting character who seems to be full of pent up rage and while initially I was not that sympathetic slowly we saw the struggle this young man is having particularly as he too seems to have a very different type of power to Kyndra’s.
I really enjoyed the way the novel poses different kind of problems for Kyndra and her allies to face. Kyndra a relatively young woman from a small village is now thrust into a tense and dangerous world of politics and strategy – she is initially reluctant to demonstrate her power as Starborn energy seems to have an impact on her humanity but when she finally uses it the effects are devastating. Where she now goes with this rather tempting ability to destroy is a growing theme in the story. When you are the most powerful person in the room how do you stop yourself going too far? There are also some gloriously staged set pieces of violence and battle in this story which give the book a lot of energy as it balances the plots but at the same time it points out violence has consequences and how the cast start reacting to Kyndra sets up some interesting thoughts for the rest of the series.
In the previous novel we left Kyndra having finally inherited her powers as a Starborn – someone who can literally summon ALL of the cosmic forces of the sky at any time. As part of this transformation she had the power to stop the various enchanted apocalyptic storms wrecking havoc on the local population but by doing so made she removed the enchantment that made Raimar finally visible again to the Empire it has been at war with several centuries ago and nearly conquered by. This novel explores the consequences of that how the Sartyan Empire reacts to their ancient enemies returning. Kyndra and a small group of Wielders (people able to harness the energy of the Moon or the Sun) go on a scouting mission to find out if the Empire may now be ready to talk.
One criticism of Starborn is that it took a while to move from Kyndra’s home town to reaching the wider world of the wielders but in this book with all the set-up to explain how the magic system works now completed means Hounsom can march straight into the action. Cleverly the story this time is divided between four main groups. Kyndra trying to work out if the Empire is a threat; back home with her former protector Bregenne trying to persuade her fellow Wielders that it may be time to shore up the defences and interestingly two new groups from the Empire itself. We meet General Hagdon a noble army commander who the Emperor has ordered to battle a local sect of mysterious assassins and most intriguing Char Lesko a young man who has become a slaver in tandem with his tough as nails guardian known as Ma. These welcome additions show the Sartyans as a divided group on the brink of civil war. I love a bit of palace intrigue and seeing the Empire as more than a group of evil monsters is a welcome change to some fantasy series out there. Char is an interesting character who seems to be full of pent up rage and while initially I was not that sympathetic slowly we saw the struggle this young man is having particularly as he too seems to have a very different type of power to Kyndra’s.
I really enjoyed the way the novel poses different kind of problems for Kyndra and her allies to face. Kyndra a relatively young woman from a small village is now thrust into a tense and dangerous world of politics and strategy – she is initially reluctant to demonstrate her power as Starborn energy seems to have an impact on her humanity but when she finally uses it the effects are devastating. Where she now goes with this rather tempting ability to destroy is a growing theme in the story. When you are the most powerful person in the room how do you stop yourself going too far? There are also some gloriously staged set pieces of violence and battle in this story which give the book a lot of energy as it balances the plots but at the same time it points out violence has consequences and how the cast start reacting to Kyndra sets up some interesting thoughts for the rest of the series.
September 25, 2017
So STARBORN ended on an OMG-when-do-I-get-the-sequel cliffhanger, with a hidden land unveiling itself and a whole new realm about to be revealed! I was so excited to see just how different Acre and the Sartyan Empire would be from its long-lost neighbour Mariar/Rairam. We find out the answers piece by piece in HEARTLAND, and it's a gripping process of discovery.
The world outside Mariar and the wielder city of Naris is BIG, and Hounsom hooks us up with some fabulous new characters with whom to explore it. My favourites were Char (nursing a pretty significant secret) and his mother, who gives a whole new meaning to 'tough love' (and has a pretty major secret of her own). And General Hagdon. Ahhh, I can never resist a noble-hearted military type, and Hagdon is channelling Gladiator's Maximus. (Yes, an absolute compliment, becasue I have seen that movie a zillion times.) He doesn't appear to have any secrets, but is irresistible anyway.
And the Starborn herself, Kyndra... Well, Hounsom's risk-taking characterisation of Kyndra in book 1, where she is a little stiff and aloof, pays off here as Kyndra's powers develop and we see just how formidable they are - and how alienating. Kyndra reminds me of a cold-blooded version of Garth Nix's wonderful Sabriel, whose magic operates through chiming bells. Kyndra's magic, though, draws on the stars themselves, and Hounsom does a fantastic job of showing the burden and limitations of immense gifts.
HEARTLAND ups the ante considerably from STARBORN, and is thoroughly recommended. Now anxiously awaiting book 3, FIRESTORM, in December.
The world outside Mariar and the wielder city of Naris is BIG, and Hounsom hooks us up with some fabulous new characters with whom to explore it. My favourites were Char (nursing a pretty significant secret) and his mother, who gives a whole new meaning to 'tough love' (and has a pretty major secret of her own). And General Hagdon. Ahhh, I can never resist a noble-hearted military type, and Hagdon is channelling Gladiator's Maximus. (Yes, an absolute compliment, becasue I have seen that movie a zillion times.) He doesn't appear to have any secrets, but is irresistible anyway.
And the Starborn herself, Kyndra... Well, Hounsom's risk-taking characterisation of Kyndra in book 1, where she is a little stiff and aloof, pays off here as Kyndra's powers develop and we see just how formidable they are - and how alienating. Kyndra reminds me of a cold-blooded version of Garth Nix's wonderful Sabriel, whose magic operates through chiming bells. Kyndra's magic, though, draws on the stars themselves, and Hounsom does a fantastic job of showing the burden and limitations of immense gifts.
HEARTLAND ups the ante considerably from STARBORN, and is thoroughly recommended. Now anxiously awaiting book 3, FIRESTORM, in December.
December 8, 2017
Classic in feel, but with an eye to modern sensibilities, Heartland is a gem of a read. Opening book two of a series is a scary proposition, but this one did not disappoint! Hounsom cranks up both tension and pacing, and takes her characters and her world to new depths.
At the center of this book is not only the exploration of new lands and peoples, but also each character's examination of the truth of who they are and of their own potential. Some like what they find, and others don't -- but even choosing to look at strengths and fears and dreams is powerful. This theme echoes throughout each encounter in the book, whether with rulers or soldiers or town folk. Entire people must come to terms with change and who they are at heart. Past acts have consequences. Fears color the future. Choices must be made and faced, for better or worse.
Like its title implies, this book is about heart -- and it has that in spades. The warmth of Hounsom's writing, and the clarity with which she presents details of her world pull the reader into the story, uncovering layer after layer of plot and character until you can't wait to find out what happens next. It's a good thing book three will be out soon!
At the center of this book is not only the exploration of new lands and peoples, but also each character's examination of the truth of who they are and of their own potential. Some like what they find, and others don't -- but even choosing to look at strengths and fears and dreams is powerful. This theme echoes throughout each encounter in the book, whether with rulers or soldiers or town folk. Entire people must come to terms with change and who they are at heart. Past acts have consequences. Fears color the future. Choices must be made and faced, for better or worse.
Like its title implies, this book is about heart -- and it has that in spades. The warmth of Hounsom's writing, and the clarity with which she presents details of her world pull the reader into the story, uncovering layer after layer of plot and character until you can't wait to find out what happens next. It's a good thing book three will be out soon!
June 24, 2018
An enjoyable escapist fantasy story. Didn't think it was quite as good as the first in the series which I think benefited from being more focused on Kyndra alone.
October 5, 2017
This book was slow to get going, compared to Starborn, but once I got to about part two, I felt like it really drew me in and I just wanted to keep reading. Really looking forward to the third book.
September 18, 2017
Okaaaay so with Heartland we're straight back in to things, and I feel like the pacing was a bit better in this book than in the first one, meaning there weren't so many of the slower moments where things where very plot driven! Heartland has a really good, steady pace, picking up speed as we head towards the end of the book and the, quite frankly, hugely shocking finale! I really didn't see that coming at all I'm not going to lie, and now I need book three like...yesterday because OH MY GOD. Not over it.
As with the previous book, we get multiple POV's and I'm really loving this tactic in this series because it helps keep you engaged with the book, and keeps it fresh. Plus not only do we get to carry on knowing more about the characters we've already met but we get to know a couple of new characters too! Plus it has the added bonus of showing us what's happening in another part of the story with other characters separate from Kyndra. We kinda had two narratives going, Kyndra's plot and then what was going on with Gareth.
Our first new characters is Hagden. I wasn't sure what to make of him at first, I was like "Okay he's working with the wrong team so he's going to be the ominous villain presence." but then things happened and I was starting to like him more and more and I was like "Make the right choice...come to the good guys!". I'm genuinely so excited to see more of him in the next book, he's just a regular soldier, ruthlessly mutinied by his own men and women. Frankly I'm amazed he stayed on the side he did for as long as he did considering his backstory. He also provides us with a character to hate. Iresonté was such a damn snake I can't even. I hissed when she appeared yet again, doing something shady yet again.
Our other new character is the mysterious Char. He's trying to get the truth about who and what he is, and I spent a lot of the book changing my mind about which theory I was going with. I just couldn't decide. I was a bit wary of him at first, because working with slavers, but he grew on me over the course of the book. Not just because he provided a good chunk of intrigue either. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him next book...and more of he and Kyndra.
Kyndra is back and I continue to love her, while spending a small fraction of time wanting to give her a good shake. She actually bugged me at one point in the book and I was a bit like "hmmm". But she's going down a certain path that's going to be interesting to see play out as she's dealing with the consequences and fallout of the last book. Things are getting dark for her, is all I'm going to say and it's going to be interesting to watch and see resolved.
Medavle continues to be the shadiest of the shady and his POV was rather ominous more than once. This book decided for me that I don't really like him at all. I mean I get where he's coming from but we all know it's not going to end well. Things like what he's after never do in movies...TV...books...anything. Kait is another character I find to be a bit shady and I didn't really warm up to her at all and I spent most of the book disliking her. Partially because leave my ship alone Kait!
We get Bregenne's POV and you guys know how much I love her! She's badass and I ship her and Nediah so badly so I was kinda gutted they where separated for the book! She's teamed up with Gareth to try and deal with his...issue shall we say. We all know he did the thing he shouldn't have done, and as predicted, the fallout from it was interesting. I mean...I actually came to really like Gareth so I'm like 'please don't die' but also...you kinda had it coming. Thanks to Gareth and Bregenne's journey we get to see a different part of the world and a different set of characters which was a lot of fun because their story had a different vibe to what was going on with Kyndra and her group. Don't get me wrong it's all woven together but it was like two stories in one in this book!
The world building continues to be brilliant. Like I said, we get to see some more settings, and meet some more characters that populate these new settings. I'm loving learning more and more about the world and it's history and how it works and I feel like Lucy does a brilliant job with her world building. It's richly written, and very vivid.
Once again, I ended up feeling a lot of different emotions while reading, and I was kinda exhausted by the end of the book! There's a lot of action to keep you on the edge of your seat. A lot of intrigue and mystery for you to puzzle out and think through and come up with theories for...that then ends up surprising you with a brilliant twist. And of course there's the betrayal and backstabbing and political manoeuvring that personally had me feeling a multitude of different things depending on who was doing what.
Heartland has a different vibe from Starborn, in Starborn Kyndra's journeying to find out who and what she is, and there where some Harry Potter vibes going on for one part of the book. In this book I felt some Game of Thrones vibes more than once. Things are getting serious. There's plenty of different plot threads woven together to create the plot of this book, everything with Char, Gareth, and Kyndra herself. There's lots of different intrigues. I personally enjoyed the complexities of the plot, sure it meant there where slower parts but it wasn't so many as the first book and it all went towards developing the world, characters or previously mentioned plot so I can't really find a fault with it. It's not like it was pages of information that had nothing to do with anything if you know what I mean!
Things really ramp up towards the end with even more betrayals and shock plot twists. I feel like the ending, much like the ending of Starborn, is a real game changer and kind of changes the landscape of the book. I'm not sure how to explain what I mean, like, Starborn for me was all about the journeying to the Hogwarts-esque place that Kyndra needed to go and then at the end it was like BOOM. Completely mind blown and things changed. Then with this book, everything happens, it's a bit Game of Thrones-y and then we think we know how this is going to go but then BOOM another mind blowing plot twist that changes the game completely and for me made me reevaluate again where this story is going.
Either way this series has really sucked me in with the rich world building and writing and the intricate plot. Not to mention the interesting characters that populate the book and all the other little touches that really hook you in to the books! Every time I think I've figured out what's going on, I'm completely blown away and I'm loving the pacing and just everything basically. Once again, the way has been paved for the second book, and I'm excited to see what twists and turns are going to come next, and see where the story is going to take us.
As with the previous book, we get multiple POV's and I'm really loving this tactic in this series because it helps keep you engaged with the book, and keeps it fresh. Plus not only do we get to carry on knowing more about the characters we've already met but we get to know a couple of new characters too! Plus it has the added bonus of showing us what's happening in another part of the story with other characters separate from Kyndra. We kinda had two narratives going, Kyndra's plot and then what was going on with Gareth.
Our first new characters is Hagden. I wasn't sure what to make of him at first, I was like "Okay he's working with the wrong team so he's going to be the ominous villain presence." but then things happened and I was starting to like him more and more and I was like "Make the right choice...come to the good guys!". I'm genuinely so excited to see more of him in the next book, he's just a regular soldier, ruthlessly mutinied by his own men and women. Frankly I'm amazed he stayed on the side he did for as long as he did considering his backstory. He also provides us with a character to hate. Iresonté was such a damn snake I can't even. I hissed when she appeared yet again, doing something shady yet again.
Our other new character is the mysterious Char. He's trying to get the truth about who and what he is, and I spent a lot of the book changing my mind about which theory I was going with. I just couldn't decide. I was a bit wary of him at first, because working with slavers, but he grew on me over the course of the book. Not just because he provided a good chunk of intrigue either. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him next book...and more of he and Kyndra.
Kyndra is back and I continue to love her, while spending a small fraction of time wanting to give her a good shake. She actually bugged me at one point in the book and I was a bit like "hmmm". But she's going down a certain path that's going to be interesting to see play out as she's dealing with the consequences and fallout of the last book. Things are getting dark for her, is all I'm going to say and it's going to be interesting to watch and see resolved.
Medavle continues to be the shadiest of the shady and his POV was rather ominous more than once. This book decided for me that I don't really like him at all. I mean I get where he's coming from but we all know it's not going to end well. Things like what he's after never do in movies...TV...books...anything. Kait is another character I find to be a bit shady and I didn't really warm up to her at all and I spent most of the book disliking her. Partially because leave my ship alone Kait!
We get Bregenne's POV and you guys know how much I love her! She's badass and I ship her and Nediah so badly so I was kinda gutted they where separated for the book! She's teamed up with Gareth to try and deal with his...issue shall we say. We all know he did the thing he shouldn't have done, and as predicted, the fallout from it was interesting. I mean...I actually came to really like Gareth so I'm like 'please don't die' but also...you kinda had it coming. Thanks to Gareth and Bregenne's journey we get to see a different part of the world and a different set of characters which was a lot of fun because their story had a different vibe to what was going on with Kyndra and her group. Don't get me wrong it's all woven together but it was like two stories in one in this book!
The world building continues to be brilliant. Like I said, we get to see some more settings, and meet some more characters that populate these new settings. I'm loving learning more and more about the world and it's history and how it works and I feel like Lucy does a brilliant job with her world building. It's richly written, and very vivid.
Once again, I ended up feeling a lot of different emotions while reading, and I was kinda exhausted by the end of the book! There's a lot of action to keep you on the edge of your seat. A lot of intrigue and mystery for you to puzzle out and think through and come up with theories for...that then ends up surprising you with a brilliant twist. And of course there's the betrayal and backstabbing and political manoeuvring that personally had me feeling a multitude of different things depending on who was doing what.
Heartland has a different vibe from Starborn, in Starborn Kyndra's journeying to find out who and what she is, and there where some Harry Potter vibes going on for one part of the book. In this book I felt some Game of Thrones vibes more than once. Things are getting serious. There's plenty of different plot threads woven together to create the plot of this book, everything with Char, Gareth, and Kyndra herself. There's lots of different intrigues. I personally enjoyed the complexities of the plot, sure it meant there where slower parts but it wasn't so many as the first book and it all went towards developing the world, characters or previously mentioned plot so I can't really find a fault with it. It's not like it was pages of information that had nothing to do with anything if you know what I mean!
Things really ramp up towards the end with even more betrayals and shock plot twists. I feel like the ending, much like the ending of Starborn, is a real game changer and kind of changes the landscape of the book. I'm not sure how to explain what I mean, like, Starborn for me was all about the journeying to the Hogwarts-esque place that Kyndra needed to go and then at the end it was like BOOM. Completely mind blown and things changed. Then with this book, everything happens, it's a bit Game of Thrones-y and then we think we know how this is going to go but then BOOM another mind blowing plot twist that changes the game completely and for me made me reevaluate again where this story is going.
Either way this series has really sucked me in with the rich world building and writing and the intricate plot. Not to mention the interesting characters that populate the book and all the other little touches that really hook you in to the books! Every time I think I've figured out what's going on, I'm completely blown away and I'm loving the pacing and just everything basically. Once again, the way has been paved for the second book, and I'm excited to see what twists and turns are going to come next, and see where the story is going to take us.
August 25, 2019
! ACHTUNG - ENTHÄLT SPOILER ZUM VORGÄNGER !
Inhalt:
Kyndra bricht gemeinsam mit ihren Begleitern auf, um Acre zu erkunden und Frieden für ihr Land zu suchen. Doch was ist geblieben von dem machtsüchtigen Imperium, das vor fünfhundert Jahren Krieg gebracht hatte? Und lässt sich dort wirklich Frieden finden?
Derweil muss Brégenne feststellen, dass Mariar beziehungsweise Rairam im Falle eines Angriffs wehrlos ist. Also fasst sie den Entschluss, sich ihren Ratsmitgliedern zu widersetzen und ihr Land zu warnen - selbst wenn das bedeutet, die Identität der Wirker nach jahrhundertelanger Geheimhaltung zu enthüllen.
Meine Meinung:
Schon beim ersten Band war ich total mitgerissen von dem World Building und dadurch, dass man nun auch Acre kennenlernt (und nicht länger nur aus Kieriks Erinnerung), bestätigt sich das nur noch. Schon Mariar-jetzt-Rairam ist ein Land voller unterschiedlicher Kulturen und Lebensweisen, und auch Acre ist voller Vielfalt, von der man als Leser*in natürlich nur einen Bruchteil erfährt.
Aber allein schon die Tatsache, dass es zwei Zeitebenen gibt, die von Bedeutung sind, nämlich einmal die der Gegenwart, in der die Handlung spielt, und die der Vergangenheit von vor fünfhundert Jahren, die die jetzigen Zustände erheblich beeinflusst hat, ist beeindruckend und lässt die Welt, die somit eine Vergangenheit hat, wirklich erscheinen.
Das Imperium, das, wie der/die Leser*in schnell feststellt, einiges an Glanz verloren hat, erinnerte mich von dieser Ausbreitung inklusive technischer Erneuerungen hin zum schleichenden Verfall ganz grob an die Geschichte des Römischen Imperiums.
Auch die Magie fasziniert immer noch. Die Wirker von Naris, aber auch andere außergewöhnliche Phänomene, denen man nun in Acre begegnet, wie den Khronostianern (leicht inspiriert von der griechischen Mythologie, vermute ich :D), die die Zeit manipulieren können.
Allerdings muss ich sagen, dass dieser Teil durchaus zweiter-Band-Charakter hat. Er hat einfach nicht die Epik des Auftaktes mit all seinen Enthüllungen oder des Show-Downs, auch wenn es durchaus nicht an Spannung mangelt. Auf Kyndras Seite, weil unklar ist, wem sie vertrauen können und welcher Seite sie sich anschließen sollen, auf der von Naris wegen der Ungewissheit des Schicksals von Rairam - und weil der Panzerhandschuh, den Gareth aus dem Archiv geklaut hat, sich immer mehr zu einer Bedrohung für seinen Geist und sein Leben entwickelt. Und auch sonst ist die Autorin nicht gerade zimperlich mit ihren Leser*innen.
Die Liebesgeschichten spielen weiterhin kaum und wenn, maximal weit im Hintergrund eine Rolle. Nediah und Brégenne haben sich ihre Gefühle einander immer noch nicht so ganz gestanden, gleichzeitig gibt es eine weitere Entwicklung, die ich erst geshippt habe, wobei es mir dann zwischenzeitlich doch etwas schnell ging, aber da das alles wie gesagt für das Geschehen kaum von Bedeutung ist, kann man damit leben.
Erzählt wird die Handlung aus mehreren Sichten, neben Kyndras gibt es da Medavle, Brégenne, aber auch neue Charaktere wie Char oder Hegdon, die einen Einblick in die acreanische Lebensweise geben.
Kyndra zeigt wunderbar, dass Macht ihren Preis hat. Sie kämpft gegen ihr Erbe an, um nicht ihre Menschlichkeit zu verlieren und befindet sich gleichzeitig wieder im Konflikt, dass sie ihren Freunden im Ernstfall nicht helfen kann, wenn sie sich weigert ihre Kräfte einzusetzen. Als mahnendes Beispiel fungiert Kierik mit seinen Taten der Vergangenheit, die Kyndra immer wieder einholen.
Dadurch, dass er in ihren respektive genaugenommen seinen Erinnerungen in Kyndra weiterlebt, bleibt auch die Faszination seines Charakters erhalten, deren Sicht man teilweise aus erster Hand erfährt, während seine Handlungen andererseits oft verurteilt werden. Aber gerade diese Macht der Sterne fasziniert. Und ich mochte es, wie Kyndra neben ihrer starken Seite auch ihre verletzliche behält, und wie sie dagegen kämpft, ihre Menschlichkeit zu verlieren.
Nediah mochte ich schon im ersten Band, genau wie Brégenne, die ich mit diesem Teil zunehmend ins Herz schloss. Sie ist einfach ein starker, aber innerlich auch sensibler Charakter mit einer leicht rebellischen, eigenständigen Art, der sich trotz seiner Macht manchmal kindliche Freude erhalten hat und sich auch verändert.
Auch Char ist ein faszinierender Charakter, von dem man anfangs nicht so ganz weiß, wie man ihn einschätzen soll.
Medavle habe ich allerdings nicht so ganz getraut, einfach, weil seine Rache nicht wirklich erfüllend war, und man in den Passagen aus seiner Sicht merkt, dass er nicht wirklich loyal ist und eher nach eigenen Interessen handelt, und zudem sehr der Vergangenheit nachtrauert, was ich als sehr gefährlich empfand. Unwillkürlich hab ich mich gefragt, wofür er sich wirklich einsetzt.
Die Geschichte konnte mich auch diesmal fesseln und ich kehrte immer wieder gerne nach Acre zurück, sodass ich mich jetzt schon auf den Abschluss der Trilogie freue.
Fazit: Fesselnder, spannender zweiter Band mit einem tiefgründigen, vielschichtigen und faszinierenden World Building einer Welt mit Vergangenheit und sympathischen Charakteren, dem es zwar an der Epik eines Auftaktes oder Abschlusses fehlt, bei dem es jedoch trotzdem nie langweilig wird und der auch den Preis von Macht aufzeigt
Inhalt:
Kyndra bricht gemeinsam mit ihren Begleitern auf, um Acre zu erkunden und Frieden für ihr Land zu suchen. Doch was ist geblieben von dem machtsüchtigen Imperium, das vor fünfhundert Jahren Krieg gebracht hatte? Und lässt sich dort wirklich Frieden finden?
Derweil muss Brégenne feststellen, dass Mariar beziehungsweise Rairam im Falle eines Angriffs wehrlos ist. Also fasst sie den Entschluss, sich ihren Ratsmitgliedern zu widersetzen und ihr Land zu warnen - selbst wenn das bedeutet, die Identität der Wirker nach jahrhundertelanger Geheimhaltung zu enthüllen.
Meine Meinung:
Schon beim ersten Band war ich total mitgerissen von dem World Building und dadurch, dass man nun auch Acre kennenlernt (und nicht länger nur aus Kieriks Erinnerung), bestätigt sich das nur noch. Schon Mariar-jetzt-Rairam ist ein Land voller unterschiedlicher Kulturen und Lebensweisen, und auch Acre ist voller Vielfalt, von der man als Leser*in natürlich nur einen Bruchteil erfährt.
Aber allein schon die Tatsache, dass es zwei Zeitebenen gibt, die von Bedeutung sind, nämlich einmal die der Gegenwart, in der die Handlung spielt, und die der Vergangenheit von vor fünfhundert Jahren, die die jetzigen Zustände erheblich beeinflusst hat, ist beeindruckend und lässt die Welt, die somit eine Vergangenheit hat, wirklich erscheinen.
Das Imperium, das, wie der/die Leser*in schnell feststellt, einiges an Glanz verloren hat, erinnerte mich von dieser Ausbreitung inklusive technischer Erneuerungen hin zum schleichenden Verfall ganz grob an die Geschichte des Römischen Imperiums.
Auch die Magie fasziniert immer noch. Die Wirker von Naris, aber auch andere außergewöhnliche Phänomene, denen man nun in Acre begegnet, wie den Khronostianern (leicht inspiriert von der griechischen Mythologie, vermute ich :D), die die Zeit manipulieren können.
Allerdings muss ich sagen, dass dieser Teil durchaus zweiter-Band-Charakter hat. Er hat einfach nicht die Epik des Auftaktes mit all seinen Enthüllungen oder des Show-Downs, auch wenn es durchaus nicht an Spannung mangelt. Auf Kyndras Seite, weil unklar ist, wem sie vertrauen können und welcher Seite sie sich anschließen sollen, auf der von Naris wegen der Ungewissheit des Schicksals von Rairam - und weil der Panzerhandschuh, den Gareth aus dem Archiv geklaut hat, sich immer mehr zu einer Bedrohung für seinen Geist und sein Leben entwickelt. Und auch sonst ist die Autorin nicht gerade zimperlich mit ihren Leser*innen.
Die Liebesgeschichten spielen weiterhin kaum und wenn, maximal weit im Hintergrund eine Rolle. Nediah und Brégenne haben sich ihre Gefühle einander immer noch nicht so ganz gestanden, gleichzeitig gibt es eine weitere Entwicklung, die ich erst geshippt habe, wobei es mir dann zwischenzeitlich doch etwas schnell ging, aber da das alles wie gesagt für das Geschehen kaum von Bedeutung ist, kann man damit leben.
Erzählt wird die Handlung aus mehreren Sichten, neben Kyndras gibt es da Medavle, Brégenne, aber auch neue Charaktere wie Char oder Hegdon, die einen Einblick in die acreanische Lebensweise geben.
Kyndra zeigt wunderbar, dass Macht ihren Preis hat. Sie kämpft gegen ihr Erbe an, um nicht ihre Menschlichkeit zu verlieren und befindet sich gleichzeitig wieder im Konflikt, dass sie ihren Freunden im Ernstfall nicht helfen kann, wenn sie sich weigert ihre Kräfte einzusetzen. Als mahnendes Beispiel fungiert Kierik mit seinen Taten der Vergangenheit, die Kyndra immer wieder einholen.
Dadurch, dass er in ihren respektive genaugenommen seinen Erinnerungen in Kyndra weiterlebt, bleibt auch die Faszination seines Charakters erhalten, deren Sicht man teilweise aus erster Hand erfährt, während seine Handlungen andererseits oft verurteilt werden. Aber gerade diese Macht der Sterne fasziniert. Und ich mochte es, wie Kyndra neben ihrer starken Seite auch ihre verletzliche behält, und wie sie dagegen kämpft, ihre Menschlichkeit zu verlieren.
Nediah mochte ich schon im ersten Band, genau wie Brégenne, die ich mit diesem Teil zunehmend ins Herz schloss. Sie ist einfach ein starker, aber innerlich auch sensibler Charakter mit einer leicht rebellischen, eigenständigen Art, der sich trotz seiner Macht manchmal kindliche Freude erhalten hat und sich auch verändert.
Auch Char ist ein faszinierender Charakter, von dem man anfangs nicht so ganz weiß, wie man ihn einschätzen soll.
Medavle habe ich allerdings nicht so ganz getraut, einfach, weil seine Rache nicht wirklich erfüllend war, und man in den Passagen aus seiner Sicht merkt, dass er nicht wirklich loyal ist und eher nach eigenen Interessen handelt, und zudem sehr der Vergangenheit nachtrauert, was ich als sehr gefährlich empfand. Unwillkürlich hab ich mich gefragt, wofür er sich wirklich einsetzt.
Die Geschichte konnte mich auch diesmal fesseln und ich kehrte immer wieder gerne nach Acre zurück, sodass ich mich jetzt schon auf den Abschluss der Trilogie freue.
Fazit: Fesselnder, spannender zweiter Band mit einem tiefgründigen, vielschichtigen und faszinierenden World Building einer Welt mit Vergangenheit und sympathischen Charakteren, dem es zwar an der Epik eines Auftaktes oder Abschlusses fehlt, bei dem es jedoch trotzdem nie langweilig wird und der auch den Preis von Macht aufzeigt
May 31, 2017
Kyndra, die Sterngeborene, hat sich dazu entschlossen gemeinsam mit ihren Freunden im Nachbarland Acre nach Verbündeten zu suchen, bevor das Land über ihre Heimat herfallen kann. Sie begegnen einem Land in Aufruhr, in dem diverse Mächte um die Macht kämpfen. Kyndra muss sich entscheiden!
Ich habe lange auf diesen zweiten Band gewartet, nachdem der erste mich mit seiner soliden Handlungsführung und seinen Charakteren überzeugt hatte. Das Cover ist in der Tradition des ersten Bandes gehalten und hat somit Widererkennungswert, was ich persönlich als positiv wahrnehme. Das Mädchen (Kyndra) wirkt mit dem Schwert an seiner Seite kriegerischer, was, wie ich nach der Lektüre feststellte, bezeichnend für die Handlung ist.
Der Einstieg fiel mir nicht unbedingt leicht. Zu lange ist es schon her, dass ich den ersten Band gelesen hatte. Ich musste erst mal in meinen gedanklichen Schubladen kramen und verstaubte Verbindungen wieder knüpfen, ehe ich mit einem deutlichen Aha-Effekt nach 20 oder 30 Seiten wieder im Buch war. Die ersten Kapitel beginnen gleich mit zwei fremden (Haupt)Charakteren, die nicht unbedingt vollkommen handzahm sind. Hagdon, der General des Imperiums, kommt charismatisch daher, hat aber für seine Handlungen und Entscheidungen einen tieferen Grund, was ihn für mich zumindest interessant machte. Char, ein junger Sklavenhändler, kämpft mit seinen eigenen dunklen Dämonen. Kyndra, die Protagonistin aus dem letzten Band, ist diesmal natürlich ebenfalls mit von der Partie. Doch wir treffen mit ihr auf eine unsichere Führerin, die ihre neue Macht noch nicht annehmen will und fürchtet, in die falsche Richtung zu driften. Diese Unsicherheit von ihr, das langsame Heranreifen zur Anführerin, zieht sich durch das ganze Buch, ohne extrem thematisiert zu werden. Die Thematik hält sich dezent im Hintergrund, was ich gut finde. Auch der Handlungsstrang in der Heimat wird weitergeführt. Die Geschichte rund um Brégenne und Gareth und den Eisenhandschuh habe ich besonders gern gelesen, da mir das Setting einigermaßen vertraut war.
Die Handlung unterschied sich aufgrund der überraschenden Actionszenen grundlegend vom ersten Band. Während in Band 1 Kyndra eingeführt und aufgebaut wurde und die Szenerie eher einem Schulsetting glich, wurde in diesem Buch Abenteuer und viel Action großgeschrieben. Einerseits heiße ich das gut, da dadurch viel Spannung in „Das Schicksal der Sterne“ miteinfloss. Andererseits litt unter den vielen Szenen auch ein wenig der rote Faden, der manchmal arg dünn wurde und sich erst zum Ende hin wieder zu einem dicken Strang verspann.
Das Ende riss übrigens vieles für mich wieder heraus, da es mich wirklich feurig überraschte und in sich stimmig war.
Auch die zarten Liebesgeschichten wirkten im vorliegenden Buch lange nicht so klischeehaft wie im ersten Band (ich bin ja immer noch für Nedirah (meine Lieblingsnebenfigur) und Brégenne ;)). Und hielten sich schön zurück.
Der Schreibstil von Lucy Hounsom ist wunderschön bildhaft und plastisch, sodass man manchmal wirklich glaubt die Sterne vor sich zu sehen. Manchmal mutet der Stil fast schon poetisch an.
Trotzdem war ich nicht ganz zufrieden mit dem Buch. Ich brauchte ein bisschen, ehe ich mich an die neuen Charaktere gewöhnt hatte und mit Char, dem Sklavenhändler, wurde ich bis zum Ende nicht wirklich warm. Außerdem schwächelte die Handlung des Buches in der Mitte. Aus dem Grund kann ich nur schwache vier Sterne geben, bin jedoch auf den dritten und hoffentlich finalen Band der Reihe gespannt.
Ich habe lange auf diesen zweiten Band gewartet, nachdem der erste mich mit seiner soliden Handlungsführung und seinen Charakteren überzeugt hatte. Das Cover ist in der Tradition des ersten Bandes gehalten und hat somit Widererkennungswert, was ich persönlich als positiv wahrnehme. Das Mädchen (Kyndra) wirkt mit dem Schwert an seiner Seite kriegerischer, was, wie ich nach der Lektüre feststellte, bezeichnend für die Handlung ist.
Der Einstieg fiel mir nicht unbedingt leicht. Zu lange ist es schon her, dass ich den ersten Band gelesen hatte. Ich musste erst mal in meinen gedanklichen Schubladen kramen und verstaubte Verbindungen wieder knüpfen, ehe ich mit einem deutlichen Aha-Effekt nach 20 oder 30 Seiten wieder im Buch war. Die ersten Kapitel beginnen gleich mit zwei fremden (Haupt)Charakteren, die nicht unbedingt vollkommen handzahm sind. Hagdon, der General des Imperiums, kommt charismatisch daher, hat aber für seine Handlungen und Entscheidungen einen tieferen Grund, was ihn für mich zumindest interessant machte. Char, ein junger Sklavenhändler, kämpft mit seinen eigenen dunklen Dämonen. Kyndra, die Protagonistin aus dem letzten Band, ist diesmal natürlich ebenfalls mit von der Partie. Doch wir treffen mit ihr auf eine unsichere Führerin, die ihre neue Macht noch nicht annehmen will und fürchtet, in die falsche Richtung zu driften. Diese Unsicherheit von ihr, das langsame Heranreifen zur Anführerin, zieht sich durch das ganze Buch, ohne extrem thematisiert zu werden. Die Thematik hält sich dezent im Hintergrund, was ich gut finde. Auch der Handlungsstrang in der Heimat wird weitergeführt. Die Geschichte rund um Brégenne und Gareth und den Eisenhandschuh habe ich besonders gern gelesen, da mir das Setting einigermaßen vertraut war.
Die Handlung unterschied sich aufgrund der überraschenden Actionszenen grundlegend vom ersten Band. Während in Band 1 Kyndra eingeführt und aufgebaut wurde und die Szenerie eher einem Schulsetting glich, wurde in diesem Buch Abenteuer und viel Action großgeschrieben. Einerseits heiße ich das gut, da dadurch viel Spannung in „Das Schicksal der Sterne“ miteinfloss. Andererseits litt unter den vielen Szenen auch ein wenig der rote Faden, der manchmal arg dünn wurde und sich erst zum Ende hin wieder zu einem dicken Strang verspann.
Das Ende riss übrigens vieles für mich wieder heraus, da es mich wirklich feurig überraschte und in sich stimmig war.
Auch die zarten Liebesgeschichten wirkten im vorliegenden Buch lange nicht so klischeehaft wie im ersten Band (ich bin ja immer noch für Nedirah (meine Lieblingsnebenfigur) und Brégenne ;)). Und hielten sich schön zurück.
Der Schreibstil von Lucy Hounsom ist wunderschön bildhaft und plastisch, sodass man manchmal wirklich glaubt die Sterne vor sich zu sehen. Manchmal mutet der Stil fast schon poetisch an.
Trotzdem war ich nicht ganz zufrieden mit dem Buch. Ich brauchte ein bisschen, ehe ich mich an die neuen Charaktere gewöhnt hatte und mit Char, dem Sklavenhändler, wurde ich bis zum Ende nicht wirklich warm. Außerdem schwächelte die Handlung des Buches in der Mitte. Aus dem Grund kann ich nur schwache vier Sterne geben, bin jedoch auf den dritten und hoffentlich finalen Band der Reihe gespannt.
April 19, 2019
A better book than the first, and a strong sequel with solid plotting taut with tension, intrigue, and suspense. I enjoyed this more. The narrative is fast paced with four major viewpoints that broadens the scope of the story a well as focus on character development. This was a vast improvement from the singular perspective of Kyndra, for it gives the readers a chance to explore the world in more depth while following the sojourn of the characters in their quest and adventure.
The setting here shifts from Mariar to the entire continent of Acre, and we venture into the kingdom of Sartya. The changes wrought by Kyndra upon the world by uniting Acre has its consequences, and everyone is at a edge. Lucy Hounsom gives us a lot to love this novel, be it talking dragons, time manipulating assassins, magical artifacts, a empire bent on war, revolutionaries trying to overthrow a tyrannical monarchy, and the change that has come to the world in the wake of a great power. I loved the change of tone in the story as its takes an epic scope charged with twists and revelations. The politically electrifying mood enhances the sense of urgency, which is felt in the war that is brewing in the Sartyan empire, and its bloody history with Rairam.
The most intriguing part for me in the novel was the subplot of the Kronostians, and the story of Char. Hounsom deftly integrated the two varied narratives into the main plot giving a greater significance to the overall plot and its events that are to have an impact in the story. I liked the way the author has developed her characters by putting them at crossroads. Bregenne here cracks up her mask a little trying to come into terms with her emotions and feelings, while Kyndra struggles with her powers torn between becoming alienated for power at the cost of her humanity. The most terrifying part was related to Gareth wielding the magic gauntlets which I leave for the potential readers to find out for themselves. But, above all the characters I really enjoyed reading about was of Ma and Char, which is intriguing. In Ma, Hounsom has created an amazing character endowed with strength, depth and complexity.
This second book is a quest for the characters, quest to find out more about the world and about themselves in relation to the greater events that are being played out. It was quite brilliantly done. The action when it comes is superb, and the interactions between the characters is imbued with vigour and wit. The writing is also vastly improved, and Hounsom's imagination is garnished with philosophical touches in random that gives the story a range to ponder over power, life, love, war, and the choices that makes one human and truly live.
The setting here shifts from Mariar to the entire continent of Acre, and we venture into the kingdom of Sartya. The changes wrought by Kyndra upon the world by uniting Acre has its consequences, and everyone is at a edge. Lucy Hounsom gives us a lot to love this novel, be it talking dragons, time manipulating assassins, magical artifacts, a empire bent on war, revolutionaries trying to overthrow a tyrannical monarchy, and the change that has come to the world in the wake of a great power. I loved the change of tone in the story as its takes an epic scope charged with twists and revelations. The politically electrifying mood enhances the sense of urgency, which is felt in the war that is brewing in the Sartyan empire, and its bloody history with Rairam.
The most intriguing part for me in the novel was the subplot of the Kronostians, and the story of Char. Hounsom deftly integrated the two varied narratives into the main plot giving a greater significance to the overall plot and its events that are to have an impact in the story. I liked the way the author has developed her characters by putting them at crossroads. Bregenne here cracks up her mask a little trying to come into terms with her emotions and feelings, while Kyndra struggles with her powers torn between becoming alienated for power at the cost of her humanity. The most terrifying part was related to Gareth wielding the magic gauntlets which I leave for the potential readers to find out for themselves. But, above all the characters I really enjoyed reading about was of Ma and Char, which is intriguing. In Ma, Hounsom has created an amazing character endowed with strength, depth and complexity.
This second book is a quest for the characters, quest to find out more about the world and about themselves in relation to the greater events that are being played out. It was quite brilliantly done. The action when it comes is superb, and the interactions between the characters is imbued with vigour and wit. The writing is also vastly improved, and Hounsom's imagination is garnished with philosophical touches in random that gives the story a range to ponder over power, life, love, war, and the choices that makes one human and truly live.
October 2, 2017
I'd been looking forward to this book for the last couple of years and I was not disappointed. It was very gripping and I found it hard to put aside, and eager to pick it up again.
I loved the way Kyndra was presented in this story, and her struggle with her being a Starborn. That the stars seemed to be sentient surprised me, especially considering that the Solar and Lunar energies did not present as any sentient energy. I was never sure whether they were a power to be feared or whether they were trying to encourage Kyndra not to fear them, and considering her decision at the end, I think it may be the latter (though Sigel I'm not so sure...).
I initially took a dislike to Char. Maybe it was because he was a slaver and he appeared very 'rough around the edges', but once he met Kyndra I started to warm up to him. I started to have suspicions about him by this point, and was glad that my suspicion was right, though Ma's revelation I did not expect!
I liked Hagdon's character. He struck me as a man of loyalty but with a conscience, and was shocked at how poorly his loyalty was repaid. Most of this I'm sure is down to Iresonte, who I feel has been planning this for a long time. I'll be really interested to see how his character develops in Firestorm.
I am glad at how Bregenne has softened. Maybe it's just because we're seeing her viewpoint more, but I like her more this way. At the start of Starborn I found her cold and distant (as I know she tried to present herself) but now that shield has started to drop she is much more likable. I also like how she became so protective of Gareth, determined to help him with the gauntlet.
Kait I am growing to dislike more, mostly because of her attitude. I also feel she's half-mad herself - there's a lot of references to her having an odd look in her eyes, and I wonder if this is a hint of her madness. I also just want to shove her out of Nediah's way, and am annoyed that Nediah hasn't properly noticed this himself.
Overall, the story was very well-written and I loved how it all weaved together. Everything was spot on and there was nothing left unanswered that we know we're going to find out in Firestorm. I'm really looking forward to December when that book comes out!
I loved the way Kyndra was presented in this story, and her struggle with her being a Starborn. That the stars seemed to be sentient surprised me, especially considering that the Solar and Lunar energies did not present as any sentient energy. I was never sure whether they were a power to be feared or whether they were trying to encourage Kyndra not to fear them, and considering her decision at the end, I think it may be the latter (though Sigel I'm not so sure...).
I initially took a dislike to Char. Maybe it was because he was a slaver and he appeared very 'rough around the edges', but once he met Kyndra I started to warm up to him. I started to have suspicions about him by this point, and was glad that my suspicion was right, though Ma's revelation I did not expect!
I liked Hagdon's character. He struck me as a man of loyalty but with a conscience, and was shocked at how poorly his loyalty was repaid. Most of this I'm sure is down to Iresonte, who I feel has been planning this for a long time. I'll be really interested to see how his character develops in Firestorm.
I am glad at how Bregenne has softened. Maybe it's just because we're seeing her viewpoint more, but I like her more this way. At the start of Starborn I found her cold and distant (as I know she tried to present herself) but now that shield has started to drop she is much more likable. I also like how she became so protective of Gareth, determined to help him with the gauntlet.
Kait I am growing to dislike more, mostly because of her attitude. I also feel she's half-mad herself - there's a lot of references to her having an odd look in her eyes, and I wonder if this is a hint of her madness. I also just want to shove her out of Nediah's way, and am annoyed that Nediah hasn't properly noticed this himself.
Overall, the story was very well-written and I loved how it all weaved together. Everything was spot on and there was nothing left unanswered that we know we're going to find out in Firestorm. I'm really looking forward to December when that book comes out!
June 8, 2018
Honestly it just seems that this books only purpose is to set up the story that will continue in the third. The book can be surmised with two words : filler, and gore. Hounsom seems to be aware that barely anything is happening in the story and so overcompensated with gratuitous descriptions of death and gore, which only take away from the story instead of add to it. When people kept dying, I rolled my eyes rather than felt sad. It all felt too gimmicky, too in-your-face.
Hounsom also has a history with some slightly problematic plot points. In the first book, there is continuous sexual assault that goes ignored, the only disabled character is "cured" by a man who supposedly loves her, and it only gets worse from here. A literal slaver doesn't have to face consequences for his actions just because the main character finds him dishy. In fact, Kyndra's friend Irilin brings up the fact that the group is now just hanging out with someone who used to ENSLAVE and SELL PEOPLE and Kyndra decides the most sensible course is to DEFEND his actions. And we're supposed to sympathise with her?
The forced love triangle between Kait, Nediah, and Brégenne is so irritating it makes me want to pull out my hair. I'll admit I was a huge fan of Brégenne and Nediah in the first book so to have Kait keep pressing herself onto Nediah and to have him, instead of resisting because he's in love with someone else, effectively tease her and lead her on is just annoying more than anything else. In fact, it made me lose intense respect for both Nediah and Kait, and Brégenne's refusal to just drop Nediah a message saying "hey I fancy you" so this can all be solved is just a way of extending this useless fucking mess.
In fact every character I liked in the first book I hated by the end of this. This book was by all accounts a waste of my time, and I'd recommend people to just not bother.
Hounsom also has a history with some slightly problematic plot points. In the first book, there is continuous sexual assault that goes ignored, the only disabled character is "cured" by a man who supposedly loves her, and it only gets worse from here. A literal slaver doesn't have to face consequences for his actions just because the main character finds him dishy. In fact, Kyndra's friend Irilin brings up the fact that the group is now just hanging out with someone who used to ENSLAVE and SELL PEOPLE and Kyndra decides the most sensible course is to DEFEND his actions. And we're supposed to sympathise with her?
The forced love triangle between Kait, Nediah, and Brégenne is so irritating it makes me want to pull out my hair. I'll admit I was a huge fan of Brégenne and Nediah in the first book so to have Kait keep pressing herself onto Nediah and to have him, instead of resisting because he's in love with someone else, effectively tease her and lead her on is just annoying more than anything else. In fact, it made me lose intense respect for both Nediah and Kait, and Brégenne's refusal to just drop Nediah a message saying "hey I fancy you" so this can all be solved is just a way of extending this useless fucking mess.
In fact every character I liked in the first book I hated by the end of this. This book was by all accounts a waste of my time, and I'd recommend people to just not bother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2020
Kyndra Vale has reconnected Mariar and the lost land of Acre. But with the return of Acre comes the potential threat of invasion. In a preemptive measure to secure peace, Kyndra and her friends venture into enemy territory, where they find considerably more danger and unrest than they anticipated. Can Kyndra find enough allies to achieve her goal and ensure the safety of Mariar?
I waited far, far too long between finishing Starborn and starting this, but fortunately the plot isn’t too complicated to get to grips with, even if you can’t really remember what came beforehand.
To be honest, I wasn’t particularly bothered about continuing this series (which is why it took me so long to get around to it), but since I already had a copy of Heartland, I decided to give it a go. A good thing, because I ended up enjoying this book much more than the first.
Kyndra is still struggling to come to terms with who she is, and is still quite boring. The good news is that there are lots of other characters to liven things up, including a romantic interest for Kyndra to make her a little less doom-and-gloom-y. The story is split into a couple of simultaneous threads, with Kyndra & co traversing across Acre, getting into multiple fights, while Bregenne and Gareth take a trip to Umvast on a serious mission of their own. We’re also introduced to Char, a slaver who starts being harassed by strange people who seem to think he’s their leader. I could happily have read a book entirely devoted to Gareth and Bregenne’s journey. They’re a fantastic duo and their plot-line was definitely the most interesting to me.
Heartland is a proper fantasy adventure, and has persuaded me to finish the trilogy, despite my earlier trepidation. I will be buying myself a copy of Firestorm after I’ve published this.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I waited far, far too long between finishing Starborn and starting this, but fortunately the plot isn’t too complicated to get to grips with, even if you can’t really remember what came beforehand.
To be honest, I wasn’t particularly bothered about continuing this series (which is why it took me so long to get around to it), but since I already had a copy of Heartland, I decided to give it a go. A good thing, because I ended up enjoying this book much more than the first.
Kyndra is still struggling to come to terms with who she is, and is still quite boring. The good news is that there are lots of other characters to liven things up, including a romantic interest for Kyndra to make her a little less doom-and-gloom-y. The story is split into a couple of simultaneous threads, with Kyndra & co traversing across Acre, getting into multiple fights, while Bregenne and Gareth take a trip to Umvast on a serious mission of their own. We’re also introduced to Char, a slaver who starts being harassed by strange people who seem to think he’s their leader. I could happily have read a book entirely devoted to Gareth and Bregenne’s journey. They’re a fantastic duo and their plot-line was definitely the most interesting to me.
Heartland is a proper fantasy adventure, and has persuaded me to finish the trilogy, despite my earlier trepidation. I will be buying myself a copy of Firestorm after I’ve published this.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2018
Well. It had been a while since I read the first book in this trilogy, so I read all the reviews for the first book, to refresh my memory of the storyline & to be honest, I still didn't recall any of the first book. Although, it must have been good, else I wouldn't have wanted to read this book. As this is her second book of writing, it's quite good.(She was only young, when she wrote her debut novel, for this trilogy.) I did find it ploddy. The story was split into factions. All factions on a journey. Mostly to unite their empire into one & prevent a war.
There are a lot of different characters of varying races & abilities. But to me, it doesn't seems to get anywhere. Took me 10 days to read it, as I kept putting it down & going back to it. Didn't capture my full attention.
I'm just starting the last book in this trilogy, which I'm hoping is better.
There are a lot of different characters of varying races & abilities. But to me, it doesn't seems to get anywhere. Took me 10 days to read it, as I kept putting it down & going back to it. Didn't capture my full attention.
I'm just starting the last book in this trilogy, which I'm hoping is better.
April 10, 2021
I finished (and loved) Starborn and then instantly started reading Heartland - I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
I don't know what to say... everything just really ramped up in this one. The original characters from book 1 are still around but split into two groups but now there are an array of new and interesting characters to follow. I love how this book goes the route of chaptered POVs and it works so well.. especially as I always want to go back to whichever character isn't the current POV.
So much happens plotwise, it's a very good middle book, continuing the story set up in Starborn while adding layers and building fresh plotlines.
I can't wait to start Firestorm. I need to know what will happen to these characters (especially Gareth, who I didn't even like at first!).
I don't know what to say... everything just really ramped up in this one. The original characters from book 1 are still around but split into two groups but now there are an array of new and interesting characters to follow. I love how this book goes the route of chaptered POVs and it works so well.. especially as I always want to go back to whichever character isn't the current POV.
So much happens plotwise, it's a very good middle book, continuing the story set up in Starborn while adding layers and building fresh plotlines.
I can't wait to start Firestorm. I need to know what will happen to these characters (especially Gareth, who I didn't even like at first!).
February 18, 2023
As book 2 in the trilogy, I was worried it would suffer from second book syndrome. I'm happy to say it did not! This book dives deeper into the magic of the world which is really interesting. I particularly liked learning more about Kyndra's powers in particular.
The world expands as Mariar has been reunified with Acre and so politics and war play their part. I enjoyed exploring all of these elements. We also meet new characters and get their P.O.V's too which add to the richness of the world.
What I especially love about this book, is that there are consequences. To each and every decision made there are consequences whether for good or ill. As a result, this book felt less YA than the first one.
I am half intrigued and half dreading book three for Kyndra because of those consequences. I have a feeling she is going to go through hell in the finale.
The world expands as Mariar has been reunified with Acre and so politics and war play their part. I enjoyed exploring all of these elements. We also meet new characters and get their P.O.V's too which add to the richness of the world.
What I especially love about this book, is that there are consequences. To each and every decision made there are consequences whether for good or ill. As a result, this book felt less YA than the first one.
I am half intrigued and half dreading book three for Kyndra because of those consequences. I have a feeling she is going to go through hell in the finale.
January 21, 2024
rating: 5 stars
This was amazing! I enjoyed every minute of reading this book and Kyndra's character development was perfect. The new characters that were introduced had such great dynamics with the original characters and the ending, again, was amazing. Also, the way the new characters managed to meet in the end was very seamless and didn't feel forced at all. The polotics of this book can be slightly confusing and a couple times i had to re-read a paragraph to fulyl understand what was going on but i only had to do this a few times and it didn't take away from the story. I have very high hopes for the next (And last) book in the trilogy!
This was amazing! I enjoyed every minute of reading this book and Kyndra's character development was perfect. The new characters that were introduced had such great dynamics with the original characters and the ending, again, was amazing. Also, the way the new characters managed to meet in the end was very seamless and didn't feel forced at all. The polotics of this book can be slightly confusing and a couple times i had to re-read a paragraph to fulyl understand what was going on but i only had to do this a few times and it didn't take away from the story. I have very high hopes for the next (And last) book in the trilogy!
March 28, 2018
This series is getting under my skin. I am thinking about the characters and I look forward to discovering what happens next. There is great world building, a sprawling backdrop for characters who each have their own struggles alongside their struggle to save their world. Kyndra is struggling with who she is in this book and when she meets Char, she recognises his struggle too. Together they have to figure it out before Khronosta destroy everything. I cant wait to get stuck into the third installment.
June 1, 2018
I enjoyed this second novel a lot more than the first. The world is still brilliant, even more so now that there's so much more of it to explore. There are some brilliant ideas such as assassins whose skin is a patchwork of young and old, a citadel that can disappear and move to where it wants. The characters are much improved too, I preferred their arcs in this story and found myself actually coming to root for Kyndra. On the whole its a pacey and fun fantasy full of great ideas and a world to explore. I'm looking forward to the final book.
November 27, 2023
A brilliant second part to a trilogy with plenty of new characters and plot threads introduced: enough to keep it interesting, not so many that it gets confusing. As the scope increases this feels like a more mature story, and yes there are familiar fantasy tropes but there are also some very original ideas. The pace keeps going nicely, and while the conclusion is a bit complex it feels like the right place to end the book, and still leaves you ready to dive into the next.
August 10, 2025
The series continues after Kyndra broke the concealment hiding Mariar / Rairam from Acre. Kyndra, Nediah and others travel west with the aim of forging an alliance to stop any possible threat of invasion from Sartya. Meanwhile Bregenne and Gareth head east, against the council’s will, hoping to rally a defensive force in case it is needed.
I enjoyed this book as Kyndra struggles with her Starborn abilities and new characters - Char, Ma, General Hagdon - are brought into the story.
I enjoyed this book as Kyndra struggles with her Starborn abilities and new characters - Char, Ma, General Hagdon - are brought into the story.
September 24, 2024
new characters! an expanded world! more magic - corrupting and with such great power and potential u wouldn't want it in the wrong hands! this sequel delivered on the promise shown in Starborn and i'd eagerly sink my teeth into the final book in the trilogy to see what conclusion this sweeping fantasy takes us to.
March 23, 2018
Admittedly this one was a DNF. I wasn't particularly enamoured with Starborn but I saw potential. Unfortunately Heartland was too slow for me to really get into.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2024
I loved the word building, some of the characters are irritating but that makes the world feel more real. I think black blood should have been a clue but I was still surprised at many of the outcomes. I was also constantly surprised by the treachery. Looking forward to the next in the series
November 2, 2024
This was looking really promising but it felt like the author really rushed the conclusion. It was dissatisfing and was lacking narrative.
The big bad guy made an unexpected appearance and wasn't given the time that the rest of the story makes you think he needs.
Disappointing.
The big bad guy made an unexpected appearance and wasn't given the time that the rest of the story makes you think he needs.
Disappointing.
September 11, 2017
3.5 stars. This book was great and I liked all the different perspectives even when I usually don't like a lot of different perspectives from other people. I will continue to read the next one.
February 8, 2018
c2017 (4) FWFTB: Kyndra, Mariar, invaders, Sartyan, assassins. Way, way to YA for me. Just couldn't get past Chapter 5, I'm afraid. So, unable to recommend at this time.
August 6, 2018
This book is as good as the first in the series, I love all of the characters and loved to see how well the story moves focus between the different characters.
October 23, 2018
Wow! What an amazing sequel. It was even better than the first book. The pace is great, the characters and the world very well developed. Rushing to get the final instalment.
October 24, 2019
Great trilogy.... just waiting to get the 3rd book in audio form from my library. Can’t wait!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews