Destiny's Rebel

Destiny's Rebel #1

by Philip S. Davies

Ten days until she comes of age and Kat feels suffocated. Bullied by her guardians and oppressed by expectation, Kat dreads the Coronation Day that will end her dreams of freedom and adventure. She refuses to surrender to her fate and runs away - straight into a different kind of trap. Captured by slave traders, she realises too late where her true destiny lies.

Will Kat get back to Anestra in time to save her country from their enemies' schemes? Can she accept the fate from which she flees? Can she, on this last quest, restore the lost and broken Crown of Anestra with its sacred powers as a relic of the Divine?

Kat's adventure becomes something far greater, as she weaves through treachery and intrigue to discover the truth about herself, her friends and her place in history.

Genres: Fantasy

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2015

Reviews

[Fran Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The protagonist of this YA novel is seventeen year old Kat, and within the first few pages, I cared a lot about her and was rooting for her. So, as she rebelled against her destiny, escaping in the night from the Anestran kingdom of which she was about to become Queen, I wanted to know whether she would ever come back and, if so, what would make her do so. As I followed her story, turning the pages wasn't hard at all, even though YA fiction - especially that set in a fantasy world - isn't my normal read. The fantasy world setting is, in fact, convincing and well-described. The novel is paced just right, with some 'ooooh!' surprises thrown in, and all the characters are distinctive. There was one decision Kat made late on in the novel that I wouldn't have expected from her, and this came as a less convincing surprise, but this was quickly resolved. I will be recommending the novel at the girls' school at which I teach as I'm sure many of them will identify with the main character and will want to experience her adventures, and hopefully those of any sequels.

[S.C. Skillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantasy adventure story for young adults which I found very engaging to read. I could see the author's debt to The Lord of the Rings on several occasions; set in a medieval fantasy world, it tells the story of Princess Katelin, known as Kat to her friends, who is fighting against her destiny to become Queen. She associates her role of Queen with restriction, responsibility, stifling court ritual, and the loss of her freedom to be herself. She starts with a very negative, despairing view of her destiny, and through friendship, loyalty, danger, challenge, pain and adversity, a much bigger, profounder view of her destiny opens up.

I found the book very well written with many gritty action scenes. Not a word is wasted, the narrative is very pacey and tight, and Kat comes over as a robust, strong-willed heroine. I enjoyed the twists in the plot, and the story kept me turning the pages.

I look forward to the next book in the series!

[Philip S Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's eleven years now since I wrote the first draft of this novel, and the basic idea for it came to me in a dream a few years before that. So it's been wonderful to fall in love with Katelin's story again, including some scenes I'd forgotten about. Is it a good sign that some parts of it still move me to tears (in a good way!), even though I know what's going to happen? It is all that an author can hope for, that what they've written might also touch the lives of others.

[Sarah Portlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author comes in frequently to help with my school's Writer's Group, I thought it only fair to read his book. As per usual, I went into this book without any expectations. The book, in my opinion, was a total refresh to the mind. It's been at least a year since I've got into a good fantasy series and this is my new favourite.

Told from the third person view of Princess Katelin, I thought her to be one of the strongest characters in a long time. Unlike recent lead characters in fantasy novels (with the exception of Throne of Glass and A Court of Thornes and Roses), Katelin is not afraid to be independent, and stand up when faced with challenges. Her abilities are widely put to the test throughout the novel alongside friends she meets on her way.

When it came to secondary characters, there were none that I disliked. They all played a sufficient role to the story and helped the play progress.

When it came to the plot, I thought that it was great to see inside the mind of a successor who wasn't particularly happy with being thrust into the crown. It was really clever of the author to intertwine faith and power. This gave us an interesting equal struggle within the characters and how it forced the plot to move forward.

Overall I gave this book 5/5 stars. It has a very strong female lead and an all-round engaging plot.

[Jude Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite not being the target audience (I really bought it for my 11-year old son - see review below), I really enjoyed reading this book. A great range of characters, from admirable, dashing or intriguing to deplorable and downright nasty. The flawed heroine, Kat, is appealing and likeable, and I enjoyed watching her develop and start to find her path. I particularly appreciated her interactions with Sigzay, one of her travelling companions – the way these two young women circle each other, wary and suspicious, yet on the same side, is very believable and compelling – it’s one of the main reasons I’d go on and read the next 2 books in fact. Unlike my son, it took me a while to settle in to the book – perhaps not being a regular ready of fantasy / adventure, I needed more help getting in to the world – but from about chapter three the action really took hold and I was genuinely gripped. A good story, with a satisfying ending and lots of tantalising loose ends pulling me into the sequel!

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The main character is Kat and she is the Soon-to-be Queen of Anestra. She travelled through peril and learnt that she is important to her city. I like the book because it is adventurous and natural. The best part in my opinion is when the battle of Anestra broke out because it was thrilling and strategic. This book made me feel how important you are to other people. I’m an 11-year-old boy and whoever likes adventure and fantasy will love this book. I read the next two books as well, and loved them too.

[TaeVon (TizzyMatic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to StotyCartel for gifting me with this advance reader copy in exchange for an unbiased review*

This was one of those books that you might not know how you feel about it the entire time because of all the anticipation and build-up. Come to find out, you finished it quickly and enjoyed it.

A princess who will be queen in no more than 10 days, the story expanded on those days and it was pretty well done. You wonder, "Wouldn't you get bored with that?". Nope.

The pacing will keep you in prolonged suspense throughout the story. That alone held the plot and interest up. Then you come back to realize that I rated this four stars, why is that? World building is ALWAYS a huge part in anything fantasy related. Personally, I would have wanted to know more backstory on what happened before the princess was determined to be queen later in life.

With a bit more info added to the world building, I would have rated this a solid 5 stars. I recommend for my fantasy lovers out there!

[Tonielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author, who was a vicar in another life and happens to live local to me, at a craft fair and purchased two of his books on the spot. I was initially drawn in by the description on the back and was pleasantly surprised to find that it really was a great story as I could hardly put it down! A few minor things could be worked on, but for the first in a series, I really enjoyed it. Definitely will be happily passing it to my reading buddies.

[Karen Ingerslev · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my usual choice of book but somewhere along the way I was gripped. I found myself racing through to find out what would happen to Kat and her friends and there were many surprises along the way. I particularly admire how the writer weaves the themes of faith and destiny and the Divine into the narrative; themes which are relevant for each one of us. Do we have a destiny? If so, can we change or escape it? And what happens if we try to rebel against it?

[Tiffany Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely enjoyed this. It was generally well-paced and the world-building was easy to follow. It does feel very much like it's building up to a sequel, but that's not really a criticism when the sequel is ready and waiting.

[Branwyn Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. A thrilling plot with masterful world building. A fantasy fan must-have.

[Patrissia Cuberos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining adventure. Engaging characters, well narrated. Good dialogues. A good refreshing read. The spiritual aspects are well place, accessible and don't detract for a second from the sense of excitement of the adventure.

[B.B. Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting and fast paced fantasy that will leave the reader wanting more! Unhappy with her life Kat takes matters into her own hands, but her adventure doesn't quite take the course she had intended. A YA fantasy with twists and turns that leave the reader eagerly awaiting book 2

[Lyans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway. Thank you very much!

Kat, the princess that doesn't want to be queen, goes searching for the missing broken pieces of the crown, in an attempt to do something good for her country while enjoying the last moments of freedom. But things change and her journey begins in the wrong path. She meets new and helpful people and while searching for the lost crown of her country, she also search's for herself and how to accept her future.
I liked all the protagonists, they were well placed in the story.
I must say this book was wonderful and very well written. We can enjoy a strong heroine in an old fantasy style book, where the story show us the battle between good and evil, where friendship is embraced and where sometimes you only need a little courage to change things.
I will be waiting for a sequel.

[Chloe Macphail · Rating 4 out of 5]

for about the first 50 pages i thought this was one of the best books ive ever read. but then the adding of a load of characters started to confuse me. i had to go back pages several times to work out whos who. the end of the book picked up rapidly in pace and returned to my final opinion of the first 50 pages. so over all an enjoyable read.

[Emma Ludlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

***RECEIVED FROM GOODREADS GIVEAWAY***

This is a good adventure story, a real coming of age struggle. How will Katelin cope with gaining a crown she doesn't want? Running away she starts an adventure that tests her and shapes the destiny of her kingdom.

[Simon Mcleish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, enjoyable, slightly old fashioned, fantasy with Christian overtones (which are relatively subtle for most of the story).

[Charlotte Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destiny’s Rebel opens ten days before the 18th birthday and subsequent coronation of Princess Katelin (or Kat as she’s known). She will become Queen of Anestra and is dreading it. A life full of royal duties is not one she wants to live. She would rather be out in the real world living as her people do. With the death of her parents and brother during a great battle many years ago, the Kingdom of Anestra has been ruled up until now by Kat’s Uncle Ethabos and Aunt Sirika. They revel in the position of Crown Regent and resent Kat her birthright, believing that she will not rule the kingdom in the right way. They enjoy ridiculing her and take every opportunity to punish her. As the novel opens, Kat is undergoing one final punishment set by her guardians, but before her sentence is completed, Kat escapes her castle. Buying passage on a ship called The Oyster Shell she travels to a neighboring kingdom and it is there that her adventure begins.

By book two, Destiny’s Revenge, Katelin has become Queen of Anestra. Her kingdom however has been overtaken by an untreatable plague and Katelin is forced to make some difficult decisions in order to save her people.

Kat is a feisty young woman. She demonstrates to young readers what a strong and determined young woman can achieve. She is unwavering in her resolve, intelligent and ready lead by example, even in difficult situations. She demonstrates the importance of compassion, in particular for those less fortunate than herself. In YA literature, Kat sits alongside many feisty young women: Bella Swan in The Twilight series, Katnis Everdeen in The Hunger Games trilogy, Clary Fray in The Mortal Instruments series, and Tris Prior in the Divergent Trilogy to name just a few.

The Destiny Trilogy offers something different to those now famous novels, however. It not only brings that powerful female role model down to a younger age group than those who might read The Mortal Instruments or Divergent, but this series offers different examples of how a strong woman can act whatever her temperament. Kat’s cousin Rashelin, for example, is composed, always calm, willing to intervene and settle arguments between her parents and Kat, showing that you don’t need to be forthright to be strong. Sigzay, a tribe woman who Kat meets during her first adventure, is full of courage and able to fight the most well trained of soldiers, capable of tracking, and surviving outdoors. She speaks two languages and demonstrates a different type of intelligence to the readership, showing young women that you don’t have to be well read and academic to be intelligent.

And then of course there is The Divine, a female God who is kind and forgiving. Written by a Reverend, Christian messages abound within the texts, but the novels don’t preach. Rather, any messages are woven subtly into the text, allowing the reader to digest them at leisure and act on them only if they might want to.

Aimed at young adults, the novels are fast paced, packed with plot and vivid characters. They are exciting but also full of meaning. I would recommend them to any young person.

[Paul Trembling · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, a disclaimer: this is a Young Adult book, and it's been a while since I could be considered YA! And perhaps for that reason I found the style of the writing a little simpler than I'm used to. However, simple style does not mean a simplistic plot. In fact, the author has woven together a number of different strands, and there are conflicts going on at several different levels.

On the surface level, the obvious conflict is with Duke Bassikrin and his plans for conquest. But there is also the battle of wills between the heroine, Kat, and her Aunt and Uncle, the Regents who rule her Kingdom. And deeper yet is the conflict within Kat herself as she struggles with duties and responsibilities she doesn't feel ready for and doesn't really want.

It's the interaction between these various levels of conflict that gives the story it's drive and interest. Add to this a well developed background, some colourful and interesting characters, and the mystery of the broken Crown, and you have a very enjoyable fantasy tale. Even for someone who's no longer YA!

[Viktor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an exciting story, ready at times, and develops Katelin's character well – her longing to be free, the tension between her and her aunt, but also her sensitivity and love for the common people. It's a YA book with a simple style and somewhat implausible adventures for an old man like me. The supernatural elements are woven in quite realistically, without devaluing the human responsibilities. I think a tomboyish teenage girl would resonate with this story.