Reborn

The Fate Challenges #1

by Cherie Reich

To save her kingdom, a prophetess must challenge Fate.

On her seventeenth birthday, Phoenix Prophetess Yssa must leave her home to serve the God of Prophecy. Sea serpents and other gods endanger her travels and sour the omens. Her duties at the Temple of Apenth prove Yssa is cursed instead of blessed. Not yet permitted to give prophecies to temple goers, Yssa spends her days reading dusty scrolls, which does nothing to help her forget Tym, the boy back home. Then, there is Liam, the annoying yet gorgeous ferryman’s son. He proves to be a distraction not even a psychic can predict.

Her boring temple life screeches to a halt when premonitions of her parents’ murders consume her. Yssa races to her home an ocean away to stop their deaths. After all, Apenth’s rare Phoenix Prophetesses are gifted with the ability to alter the future. Fate, however, won’t be changed as easily as Yssa assumes. Worse, it has plans for her and the kingdom.

Yssa must either accept her destiny or fight Fate.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Ebooks

340 pages, ebook

First published May 9, 2014

About the author

Cherie Reich has more books than she can ever read and more ideas than she can ever write, but that doesn't stop this bookworm from trying to complete her goals, even if it means curbing her TV obsession. She is a speculative fiction writer and library assistant living in Virginia.

For more information, please visit Cherie’s website (http://smarturl.it/CReichWebsite) and blog (http://cheriereich.blogspot.com).

Reviews

[T.B. Markinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What impressed me the most about Cherie Reich’s debut novel was the ease of her writing. Her world-building is simple, and yet she creates a complicated world, that is believable. When reading, you are transported to her world and you don’t even realize it since it is so effortless.

I enjoyed all the twists and turns and was pleasantly surprised by how much she wrapped up. There are some new threads that she introduced near the end and I for one can’t wait to read the next book. This book impressed me and I’ll be reading more by this author.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I know it's pretty corny to rank my own book, so please take it with a grain of salt. We writers are supposed to think of our books as five stars, even though they might not really be.

Reborn is my debut novel. It's the first novel I completed all the way back in 2009. It's been through a complete rewrite, several edits, and multiple proofreads. I think I've read this book at five or six times this year alone while getting it ready to publish, so I thought it should count as a Goodreads' "read" book at least once. I have to say every single time the story drew me back in. Yssa may be naive, wishy-washy, and selfish at times, but she's also caring and strong. She genuinely wants to do her best for people, even if Fate won't let her. And I look forward to seeing her grow as a person in the books to come. I must admit I'm particularly proud of my world-building. I may have started modeling Amora after Ancient Rome, but I enjoyed diverging from that path and expanding on the amazing world of the Kingdom of Amora. I pulled a lot from different mythologies from Norse to Greek/Roman to even Persian. I found interesting creatures to write about that may not be so familiar to readers, such as the karshipta, the perytons, and the woodwoses. Of course we also have dragons, centaurs, and winged horses too. And now I need to get back to working on the next story in The Fate Challenges.

Thank you for taking the time to read this book, whether you love it or hate it in the end. I still appreciate your time. And if you aren't certain Reborn is for you, you can read it on Wattpad (http://www.wattpad.com/48952474-reborn), a free site. I'm posting a chapter every first and third Wednesday.

[Rachel Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherie Reich's debut novel is wonderfully creative and beautifully written.

REBORN introduces us to Yssa, a seventeen-year-old girl about to take up her duties as the Phoenix Prophetess. We accompany her as she journeys from her ordinary island life across a dangerous sea towards the future she's always known she'll have to face. But surviving a sea serpent attack is only the beginning. Secret plots and terrifying visions await Yssa when she arrives in Amora, and I couldn't wait to get back to my Kindle each night to see where Yssa's adventure would take her next.

I thoroughly enjoyed losing myself in the fantasy world of REBORN. The descriptive prose and colourful metaphors allowed me to visualise the story as if I were really there, and clever worldbuilding introduced new mythology, customs, creatures, and slang in a way that was both intriguing and believable.

The ending brought new revelations while tying up some loose ends. Other mysteries are yet to be solved, though, and I'm eager to discover what comes next!

And for those who are romantics at heart (like me), never fear: the growing (somewhat forbidden) relationship between Yssa and a certain ferryman's son will not leave you disappointed ;-)

[Karen]

Look at the pretty cover! Excited to read this one.

[Rosie Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reborn is the first book in The Fate Challenges series, a YA fantasy. A short story prequel is available for the series called Magna's Plea. Reborn opens with a prophecy about a baby girl who will be brought back to life to fulfil a role of Phoenix Prophetess to the people of Amora.

We meet the young girl Yssa just about to set off for her training as she turns seventeen years old. She's been living quietly on an island with her parents until it is her time to have full training as a Prophetess.

Yssa has visions about her future and the future of the people, but there are plenty who want to see her fail. The Gods argue over her, and Fate must be left to find its way. Yssa has a guard whom she must learn to trust. After the death of her parents Yssa's grief makes her run away. She finds peace in the forest of Waldbaum with the Woodwose, strange simple folk who make time irrelevant.

Although staying in the forest helps heal Yssa, ultimately she knows she must return to help save the land from the Great Beyonders, a race of fearsome Northerners who wish to plunder and kill. Dangled as a piece of bait, the Queen sends Yssa as an envoy to stop the Beyonders, but her mission fails and so the vision of a burning city looks like it will come true.

This book features magic and wonderful creatures in a well thought out land. The visions work really well and the relationships between Yssa and those that vie for her affection and attention tantalise just enough to keep the reader wanting more, without taking away too much from the main theme of the book. I look forward to reading the second book in the series and a continuation of Yssa's journey.

[Christine Rains · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yssa grew up on a small island, happy and loved, but she always knew her destiny was elsewhere. She is the Phoenix Prophetess, Apenth's chosen one. She is whisked away from home to serve the Queen, seeing great wonders and facing dangers beyond imagination. As the heavy weight of her position slowly smothers her, she has a vision of her parents' murder. She must save them at the risk of everything else. Can Yssa challenge Fate and win or will she find herself a mere cog in its ever-grinding wheel?

REBORN is the fantastic first book in The Fate Challenges and Cherie Reich's debut novel. The world building is astounding. The people, the cultures, the history, and the lore. Each layer is peeled back as we learn about the world through Yssa's eyes. The wonders and the horrors. I particularly love how the gods mingle with the mortals. The gods do walk among them and whisper in their ears.

Yssa is a strong and sympathetic heroine. I loved seeing her grow not only in her role as the Phoenix Prophetess, but from a small island girl into a young woman to be admired. Liam is the perfect complement to Yssa. He's a bit cocky and sharp at times, but he easily won me over. Their relationship is sometimes rocky and other times sweet. The cast of characters is large and wonderfully varied, but the Queen, Ariala, and the gods themselves are included in my favorites.

With great characterization and a marvelous story, this YA fantasy is not to be missed. I cannot wait to read the next installment in the series.

[Aaron Galvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

As a fellow fantasy author, I appreciated Reich’s world-building and usage of mythological creatures I’d not heard of before. (Karshipta and woodwoses? Yes, please!) As one might guess, I especially enjoyed the sea serpent. Wicked cool. The analogous use of Roman & Greek mythology to showcase her story, namely the gods arguing over the main character, Yssa, was also fantastic.

I found the frequency of Yssa’s visions a bit distracting, (as I feel Yssa does herself), especially in the beginning when I wanted to learn more about her and the wonderful world Reich created rather than be given hints where the story was headed. However, I became much more intrigued upon her vision of her loved ones murders. That’s the point I felt things really took off and vested me in the story.

Reborn is an impressive debut. I enjoyed the ending and look forward to what the future holds, both for Yssa and from Ms. Reich.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yssa is a Phoenix Prophetess. She was a stillborn baby brought back to life by the god Apenth and she has the phoenix mark on her chest. Her unusual purple eyes also give her away and she gets unwanted attention, with people scrambling towards her to get their fortunes told, while others want to hurt her and her family.

With different factions at war and strange creatures popping up, Yssa is in danger. She is surprised by who her guard is, what secrets cling to the Queen and her court (I believe more of this will be featured in a follow-up book), and the romantic interests that come and go.

I am not a big fantasy reader, but the author pulled me into this world. Yssa is an amazing character who is strong and sensitive as she leaves home, goes to live in a temple, and travels through treacherous areas. I enjoyed seeing her interact with the boy next door, Tym, and the darker, more passionate Liam. I also loved the magical lands and beings that added a lot of charm to the novel.

[Lexa Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her new book, Cherie Reich has done an excellent job combining a “Chosen One” story with a “Coming of Age” story. Teen protagonist, Yssa, is a very special girl, a Phoenix Prophetess, who can sometimes see the future. The people in her medieval society view her power with awe and fear. She doesn’t fit in, and when she travels to the capital to become the Queen’s advisor, she fits in even less.

One of the things I liked best about the story was how mysterious and suspicious the people at the Queen’s court are. Yssa never knows who’s telling the truth and who’s up to nefarious schemes. This adds a lot of tension to the novel. The book has interesting twists and turns, but it’s open ended, and you’ll have to read others in the series to find out if Yssa can figure out who to trust and save her country from a war. Highly recommended for those who enjoy epic fantasy.

[Cher Green-LaRock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherie does a great job with this latest book. Reborn is well written and entertaining. I recommend this one to any fantasy reader.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved! Review to come. :)
A fantastic read for those who love fantasy.

[Carol Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea behind this book was fascinating, involving a reluctant prophetess brought back to life as an infant by the god Apenth. It continues with a well-formed fantasy world full of magic and fickle gods in the vein of Greek/Roman mythology. Yssa is a likeable and vulnerable character despite her power of being the Phoenix Prophetess, since she doesn’t always know whether she can thwart Fate after seeing one of her prophetic visions. This lends a nice uncertainty to the reading rather than a predictability.

[Nick Wilford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reborn is a brilliant, absorbing fantasy novel that really gripped me and didn't let go. It has many classic fantasy elements, as well as some that may not be so familiar, but what really made it work was coupling these with the story of a young girl that is easy to relate to. Yssa is a typical teenage girl in many ways - growing up on a small island, she is slightly gauche and unsure of herself. She has a crush on her childhood friend. But she has been marked out as special from the day she was born (or reborn) as the Phoenix Prophetess, a child chosen by a god to serve her kingdom by foreseeing events. She doesn't always appreciate this gift, and longs to be normal. There is a heartbreaking moment that makes her feel her blessing is more of a curse. But she is also a brave character, and rises to the challenges that come her way. I feel Yssa was a really well-drawn character, and that also goes for the other main players in this book, especially Queen Samarra, who I never entirely trusted.

Another main point that made me love this book was the worldbuilding. It is clear that Reich has spent a lot of time and effort painstakingly creating a universe with its own races, laws, customs and gods. Sparkling descriptions made me feel fully involved in the scenes. There were even maps provided, which you don't get in every book. There were many interesting creatures, such as the karshiptas, perytons and woodwoses.

The pacing, I feel, was spot on. It is a fairly slow start, but this allows the scene to be set and the reader to become familiar with the characters' world. After the heartbreaking moment alluded to above, it just builds and builds until it becomes unputdownable. And you don't get much higher stakes than the destruction of an entire kingdom. Although the story was resolved at the end, there are still questions unanswered and I can't wait to read the forthcoming installments to find out more. All in all, a rich and satisfying fantasy with characters you can invest in that I would recommend to anyone.

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jack Baillot]

This was one of the books I was sent to read and review. I didn't turn it down because it was on my to read list and getting to read it early was a perk.

I think I will do one of those reviews were I talk about what I liked and disliked, because right now that is the only way I can think to sum up this book.

What I liked:
Liam. He had his moments where I wasn't overly fond of him, but I think most of the time he was purposely trying to annoy everyone by being grumpy. In spite of that he was cool and I loved him.
The world the book is set in. It felt real and I could see everything. I wanted to move there. (None of the details felt overbearing. It was well balanced and I could feel like I was there without getting an over load of information on how everything looked.)
The characters in general. They were a lot of fun and felt real. They were believable and I liked them all - mostly. I even liked Yssa, the main girl, though there were times when she made me want to throw my shoe at her.
There was a sea serpent! It was cool!
The last battle....I liked it, but there was part where I thought I'd have to yell at someone. (It was fixed, but I was on edge for awhile.)

What I didn't like, or had problems with:
Yssa wasn't a horrible character. I did like her, as I said before. But there were times when I wasn't so sure about her. She sometimes acted like she didn't need anyone and got irritated when Liam tried to help her with something. Other times she welcomed his help. So I kind of got lost, trying to figure her mixed emotions out. (It is probably more obvious to someone who udnerstands romance.)
Liam even bugged me during one part with Yssa's childhood friend.
There was an almost scene. Yssa is kissing her childhood friend who she has always loved, or loved for awhile, and it almost goes further.

The ending stopped one one of those cliff hangers which aren't horrible but which make you want the next book. It had a nice ending and the whole book was well written.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story: 17-year-old Yssa has known all her life that she was destined to take up duties as the Phoenix Prophetess. She's spent her life so far trying not to get too close (physically) to people for fear of having visions of their fate. But soon the time is coming when she will have no choice but to take up the mantle of prophetess and adviser to the queen. It's true that at first after Yssa takes up her duties, life sort of plods along a bit tediously - though there are hints of drama all the way through the story, and it's obvious there are secrets the reader isn't privy to. But it's after Yssa has a horrifying vision of her parents back home in grave peril that the action really picks up. From then on, Yssa's own life is constantly in danger, and the reader is never quite sure who to trust - just as Yssa herself isn't sure.

My thoughts: I feel rather honoured to be one of the first people to read this book prior to its publication. Back in high school days, I read largely fantasy - it was my staple reading material, other than Dean Koontz books anyway. But in recent times I've really branched out, so it's not all that often I read a fantasy book anymore. I didn't know what to expect of this one, but I can say I was delighted with the read.

The action was fast-paced and the world-building was intriguing. There is intrigue aplenty and while some mysteries are solved by this book's end, many more clearly need to be solved in future books. And I'd say the fact that I am eager to read book 2, having just finished book one about 5 minutes ago, is a very good sign about the quality of the book!

So, in short ... bring on book 2!!

[Aubrie Dionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich with Greek Mythology and Impressive Word Building, Reborn is Cherie Reich’s Debut Masterpiece

Yssa came into the world as a still-born prophetess. While the Gods argued over her fate, one in particular believed in her and brought her back to life. Now, she must face her destiny as she catches glimpses of other people’s fates along the way. For Yssa, this is more a curse than an honor, because she doesn’t want to leave her home, her family, and the boy she loves. Little does she know the challenges that she must face, and the tough decisions she has to make when her prophecies involve her own family.

Set in a magical land, this tale of adventure sings with Reich’s love of Greek mythology. I loved how thick the mythology was and that Reborn was still a breeze to read despite the rich imagery and painstaking detail. There is a solemn elegance in the prose which reminds me of the greatness of Lord of the Rings and other magical classics. Yssa is a sweet girl with a big heart raised by a kind family. I loved hearing about her journey and seeing her change from the frightened girl in the beginning to the independent, brave hearted Prophetess she becomes. And the journey has just begun. I eagerly await book 2. So far, every word is gold.

[Ginascozylibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't tell readers enough how much Reborn will capture their attentions. From the beginning to end, I was hooked by the characters, plot and fantastically unique world the author created. It reminded me of the fantasy books I read as a child while I literally got lost in the words written on the pages. Incredible.

The Phoenix Prophetess Yssa was easy to relate to and I loved seeing her relationships with both Tym, her childhood friend, and Liam, the dark and mysterious boy she met once her travels began to the City of Amora. Between both the City of Amora and Island of Guntas, I was intrigued by the author's ability to captivate my attention.

The writing is quite descriptive and stunning. For example, "The sun transformed from yellow to a deep orange before slipping into Hypogaia's realm. Pinks, purples, and golden hues danced across the sky until an inky blackness spread from horizon to horizon." I could totally see the world Reich had created through Yssa's eyes here in these two beautiful sentences.

Reborn is a page turner and could be read in one day. Anyone who is a fan of fantasy and YA should order a copy not only for themselves but relatives and friends who enjoy a great book. I loved it and can't wait for the next installment in this series!

[Tyrean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reborn is an excellently crafted novel from beginning to end with perfect pacing, great characterization, and world-building that invites the reader into the character's lives and moves the story forward. I read it all in one evening/night, and I found it go be a gripping adventure. Yssa, the main character, has a tough road ahead of her and her choices seem limited, and yet, she digs within herself to grow as a character and push the limitations she is confronted with as the Phoenix prophetess. The romance is sweet and wonderful, and I really enjoyed how the relationships were developed over the course of the book. Nothing felt too rushed, and the plot twists were exciting and developed well.

Cherie Reich is a talented author, and this is her best work so far! I highly recommend Reborn to Fantasy readers who enjoy a touch of romance.

If you like Esther Friesner's Nobody's Princess or Sphinx's Princess, you would love this book!

[Emilyann Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books can be full of magic, fascinating places, thrilling characters and heart piercing plots, but rarely do books have it all. Reborn incorporates all of the above and kept me interested. Yssa was relatable in her struggles to understand herself and others. She is living a very strange existence, one where she can’t run away from her special gift, but it almost seems like a curse much of the time. She’s tough yet vulnerable too, which gave her a lot of dimension as she navigated the twists and turns of the story. I’d also note that there are some very beautifully written scenes that are quite amazing to visualize. I’d recommend it to any mythology and fantasy lovers. And last but not least, is the Reborn book cover not amazing?

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - it was well written with enough twists and turns to hold my very short attention span.

The strength of this novel is the character of Yssa. She is the heart of the story. From a very young age, much is expected of her because of her abilities. At the age of 17, her life gets even more complicated when she leaves home to train as the Phoenix Prophetess.

She keeps others at a distance, and you can feel the pressure she's having to deal with. The whole story continues to build, and you can see that Yssa cannot fight her destiny. That's what makes this book very universal. Sure, it's a fantasy, but this is just a great YA book too.

Great job Ms. Reich!

[M.J. Fifield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this complimentary book in exchange for an honest review.

I found this to be an enjoyable read. It has impressive world-building, and a plot that moves at a good pace. While some reveals I saw coming (i.e. Liam's secret), I didn't know where the story would ultimately go. I thought the ending nicely sets up the next installment of the series, and I'm quite curious to know what happens next.

[Julie Flanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and found Yssa to be such an enjoyable character. She may be the Phoenix Prophetess but she never asked to be and it was impossible not to sympathize with her as she struggles with accepting her destiny. Reich's impressive imagination is on full display here and it was fun to be introduced to the world she has created for this series. I look forward to reading more and following along with Yssa's adventures.

[Crystal Collier · Rating 4 out of 5]

You definitely feel it when the author loves their work, and this book is a prime example of that love. An enjoyable read for any fantasy fans.

Content warning: alcohol usage, war violence, and suggestive situations.

[Linda Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this book although it's been a year since I read and won it. I seemed to have forgotten to say I received it or even review it. I was new to Goodreads then and I didn't know what the heck I was doing. Lol Sorry Cherie and Goodreads.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new YA fantasy adventure, fans of Greek Apollo/Cassandra characters will enjoy this work.

Read full review in the 2014 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Esther Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into it. Unfortunately, my 'to read' pile is huge, and my life is busy, so books like this that I might have slogged through years ago just get abandoned now.

The plot looked interesting, but the execution was dry and difficult to read. I don't care enough about the characters to force myself through it. Sorry.

[Sarah]

Read my review in the September release of InD'Tale's magazine. http://indtale.com/