Hak'kar is a dangerous and vengeful man. Jedda, a former spy with a price on his head, has learned this too late. Now, driven away from the two people he loves most, Jedda is on the run with the only two friends he can trust.
He is hunted everywhere. And to make things worse, his newly awakened magic is becoming dangerous to himself and everyone around him.
As hard as things are, his Luck seems to be guiding him to new friends and possibly even a safe place to call home. But larger forces are at work. Standing on the cusp of everything he's ever dreamed of, Jedda finds himself caught between Luck and Magic. And that may be more dangerous than even his worst enemies. Can he learn to control his magic before someone gets killed?
TJ has been a lifelong and voracious reader, right from the first grade. Fantastic worlds existed between the pages in books and that was where she lived. She read the Hobbit when she was about nine, and was on the hunt for them-- sure that, just like Tolkien said-- they were there, but good at hiding.
Action-wise, this is quite a different book to the first two in the series. Now the pace is slowed down markedly after the initial fleeing of Jedda, Kirrin and Cham from Tatak Rhe, with the minor detour to collect Kirrin’s mother, Tattia. The four fugitives from Hak’kar’s wrath find shelter with the Faenyr, and life for them decelerates to the calm, measured tempo of the magical race. Having no longer to fear attack by Hak’kar, the main excitement comes from learning to play the Faenyr game of qwatcha – a skilful cross between polo and relay racing. Both Jedda and his horse, Jespen, take to the game, and become fitter and healthier than they have ever been. Both Cham and Jedda are of mixed race, but while Cham grew up with the Faenyr and learned to control his magic, Jedda’s training was practically non-existent. Following a potentially catastrophic incident, everyone is clear that Jedda’s ignorance has to be dealt with. He embraces the opportunity to be taught, but, is disconcerted to find that the elders believe in the “importance of growing up and learning magic as a child”, and so take him back to the status of a child. Jedda’s control of his magic grows, but his understanding of the Faenyr way of life remains incomplete. Cham and the elders try to teach him that “Everything is connected. Nothing is unimportant” and that he still has “much to learn still, before (he) will be safe outside the w’ashan”. But, with his new skills, Jedda becomes cocky and feels constricted by their concerns. He wants to check up on Trey and Diya, and insists on leaving the safety of the Faenyr lands. In the last book, Jedda matured and learned so much, but now it becomes clear that his education – magical, moral and spiritual – is not even now complete. His impetuosity leads to an horrific tragedy: “This is what the elders meant. About choices and consequences. Every choice they made was based on what maintained balances and would continue to keep things in balance”. Too late, their meaning becomes clear. This book revolves around Jedda, and his development. The other characters are almost exclusively male, and their activities relate directly to Jedda. Tattia is the only really strong woman in this book, and we see too little of her. Because of her son, Kirrin’s, choices, she has twice been ripped away from her home and community, but she always lands on her feet, embracing the new life into which she is flung – here becoming proficient at qwatcha. Hopefully, Tattia will reappear in future Chanmyr chronicles. I wasn’t quite as taken with this book, as with the previous two, but the change of pace, environment and focus was essential to carrying the chronicles forward. I am really looking forward to seeing how the story pans out in the next book in the series.
Jedda and two friends, Kirrin and Cham, were escaping down the lane at night on horseback when a voice called out to demand who was there. They assumed it was the city watch guard and kept moving at a normal pace away from him. Luckily he chose not to chase after them.
Choosing to no longer spy and work for Hak’kar, they had no other choice than to outrun the vicious and vengeful man, who would relentlessly pursue them once he realized they were gone. But before they could leave the area, Kirrin needed to rescue his mother who was being held hostage by Hak’kar outside of the city. Then the four of them hurried away to their eventual hiding place.
The Faenyr lands along the way had camps that they could shelter in. Jedda’s father was assumed to be Faenyr, but Jedda was not that familiar with his heritage or the magical force that was said to protect the Faenyr. When his magic came to him, would he be able to wield it effectively, because misusing it could have a deadly outcome?!
This is one of those books that grows on you. The more you continue reading, the more it pulls you in and holds your attention. The character development was done very well, allowing the reader to get to know each one and know what to expect from them on their dangerous escape path. I definitely recommend this book! The story line was good and the fast pace kept the reader fully engaged.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was gratifying to witness Jedda mature and learn more about his magic abilities. I was proud of his courage and fortitude to escape the evil man who held sway over his life and not be controlled by him anymore. I was deeply saddened by some of the hard lessens he had to learn which caused him great sorrow. I'm highly anticipating reading the next books in the series to discover more about Jedda's other heritage and also about what happens in his friend's lives. I highly recommend this book to all mature readers.
I really don't know. I can't believe what happened. He is dead. I will not say more least I spoil. How can he be dead? Talk about turning dark in a hurry. Anyway... This was a very interesting entertaining action packed story of a orphan street rat who became a spy until his employer asked him to cross the line. He would not, so he is on the run. There is more, but that's what the book is for. A mostly good story. But he is dead. . .? Really?
To really enjoy this book you need to read the first book, Before the Luck Runs Out. I started with the first book and got terribly involved with the characters. Yes I then contacted the author and got a chance to read this book. Jay or Jedda moves out of his comfort zone from the city to the country. We are given addition information about how magic works and the background of his mentor Kirrin. Again another up-all-nite flashlight-under-the-covers got-to-read -it-now story.
I enjoyed this book, which traces Jedda’s growth as a person, and his beginning to learn Faenyr magic. Surprising twist at the end; but very real - we often learn through tragedy. Looking forward to the next book. Warning: Brief reference to a homosexual tryst between Jedda & Cham when Jedda was feeling lonely and in need of comfort. No description at all of it. Note: I was given a free copy of this book; no strings attached.
Another action-packed and fast-paced book in the The Chanmyr Chronicles series. Follow Jedda's story, as he has to come to some hard decisions concerning his future. Once again, TJ Muir continues to build the magical world she has created and provides us with an intriguing and captivating read. Can't wait to read the next installment!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He has betrayed all his friends for his ruler. He is give an impossible choice so he betrays his ruler and goes on the run with his two best friends. They are chased but his magic becomes unpredictable. Will they find a safe place? Will he be able to control the magic? Will the past come to haunt him again? See if it will
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great story! Jedda leaves a life behind and makes discoveries of himself. His friends and the elders try to help him understand what goes on within himself. His journey makes evident that he needs to learn patience and control. Where will the path lead him? Will he learn to listen and understand cause and effect? Only time will tell. Read to learn about Jedda.
Good continuation of Jedda's story! This book picks up right where the first one ended and continues Jedda's flight. The character development continues as Jedda finds a family and starts to learn how to control his magic and learn more about his world. There are hints that something larger is afoot. I can't wait to find out what!
It was a little difficult to identify with Jedda once he left his group of friends. His petulance and shot-sightedness was not easy to read. Also, Kirrin's character completely changed and it would have been nice to have more of him as he was in the first book. Hope to answer the puzzle with the next installment.
It seems that killing off main characters is in vogue
This excellent story is weakened only by a George Martinesque elimination of a central character. I loathe such strategies as a cheap easy way to redirect plotlines and a betrayal of the reader who has i invested both in the character and the book. Perhaps, I am too harsh as magic has rescued more than just a Harry Dresden.
This is a fantastic story, full of real life experiences that you will feel a part of. I was up most of the night because I got so caught up in the story that I could not go to sleep. The world building is perfect for the mystery of magic in all its forms and I can't wait to read the next novel, which I will start after this review.
TJ has a smooth and clever style, writing pulls you in and will not let you go. Tremendous character development and terrific pacing. I can't wait for the next in the series.
Usually, when I think a book needs an editor, it is because there are typos or excess words. This time, it is because the work is literally unfinished. There are author's notes, incomplete sentences, and logical inconsistencies throughout the work.
Excellent Book! Draws you in and leaves you wanting more. he magic in Jedda is growing and he does not know how to control it. Finally he finds a place that feels like home and the people there can help him with his magic. He is impatient tho and falls astray. What will happen to his path now? He feels alone and knows not how to go forward. Can he figure it out in time to save himself?
The story introduces more characters as the story development supercede one nation. However, the story seems a little stuck on describing how Jedda learned more about magic, to the point that this almost became a how-to book, without giving instruction.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.