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Realm #1
Medar
Freya is half blind, poor and lives in land-locked Medar. An unlikely heroine. So when she finds a mysterious tablet telling her about a beautiful land beyond the Wall free from the evil Master, she doesn’t think anybody will believe her. The same day, her family learns they have been selected to live in the Golden City, ruled over by the Master. But instead of entering the City with her family, Freya instead finds herself condemned to death by the Guards. At the last minute Freya is rescued by an invisible Watcher. What follows is an incredible journey, pursued by guards, that takes Freya to the very edge of the only world she has ever known. Will she unlock the clues hidden in the tablet? The key to the long lost path to Tyrelia - and freedom - is in her hands.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
238 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 10, 2018
A debut novel by a New Zealand author, this Young Adult fantasy novel has a lot going for it.
Freya was half-blinded in a terrible accident as a baby - boiling water took her sight, and, in the vaguely medieval style setting common in fantasy novels, guarantees her to be somewhat of an outcast. However, with a loving family, her responsibility for the family goat, and her general optimistic world view, she is a pretty awesome heroine. One thing I particularly love about Freya is that you know she is blind in one eye, you know she has long hair in order to hide the eye from others as much as possible, and you know that others find her ugly - but that is it. She isn't the damaged but beautiful heroine often used in books, the only references to her physical appearance are those needed to tell the story. What matters most is her determination, and drive - which is how the book starts, as he hides from some would-be tormentors using her speed and cleverness to escape them.
The world building is strong in this novel, I have a complete visual image of the setting, and understanding of how the world itself works. I love that - so often in YA fantasy novels, I find myself asking - but why? I didn't have that here. It makes sense! Yes! The plot flips between Freya, and her family, once they are separated, and that really enabled the bigger picture to develop, so it was a great storytelling style to use. The actual writing is quality too, more show than tell, and the reader is treated as competent, with great language used throughout.
It does end on a cliff hanger of sorts, and I am really looking forward to see what happens next. I pretty much devoured this in one sitting, which is always a good sign, and I have lots of good questions going into the next one (rather than that why question I mentioned earlier).
A very strong first novel, and I look forward to reading more both in this series, or any other offerings to come.
Freya was half-blinded in a terrible accident as a baby - boiling water took her sight, and, in the vaguely medieval style setting common in fantasy novels, guarantees her to be somewhat of an outcast. However, with a loving family, her responsibility for the family goat, and her general optimistic world view, she is a pretty awesome heroine. One thing I particularly love about Freya is that you know she is blind in one eye, you know she has long hair in order to hide the eye from others as much as possible, and you know that others find her ugly - but that is it. She isn't the damaged but beautiful heroine often used in books, the only references to her physical appearance are those needed to tell the story. What matters most is her determination, and drive - which is how the book starts, as he hides from some would-be tormentors using her speed and cleverness to escape them.
The world building is strong in this novel, I have a complete visual image of the setting, and understanding of how the world itself works. I love that - so often in YA fantasy novels, I find myself asking - but why? I didn't have that here. It makes sense! Yes! The plot flips between Freya, and her family, once they are separated, and that really enabled the bigger picture to develop, so it was a great storytelling style to use. The actual writing is quality too, more show than tell, and the reader is treated as competent, with great language used throughout.
It does end on a cliff hanger of sorts, and I am really looking forward to see what happens next. I pretty much devoured this in one sitting, which is always a good sign, and I have lots of good questions going into the next one (rather than that why question I mentioned earlier).
A very strong first novel, and I look forward to reading more both in this series, or any other offerings to come.
October 19, 2021
Right from the start when the unlikely heroine, Freya cleverly escapes some village boys intent on tormenting her, you see that she is resourceful and independent. As a baby her face is disfigured in an accident with scalding hot water and she loses sight in one eye. All her childhood she is bullied because of this and so she has learned how to be content in her own company.
The story begins when Freya is nearly fourteen and her family is selected to live in the Golden City – which was “a ticket out of poverty and into a better life’. I liked how the world Freya lived in was presented by the author; I could see it all in my mind and it fitted together well. I was excited for Freya’s family as they left their impoverished life behind and was excited to see the Golden City. Unfortunately Freya never makes it into the Golden City as she is stopped at the Gate and her true past is revealed, and then she is separated from her parents and destined to die, her rescue coming only minutes before she was to be thrown to her death in the pit.
As the story unfolds, Freya’s resilience and determination serve her well. There are clues in an ancient prophecy to be followed and understood, each of them with dangers to overcome, making it an exciting and adventurous story that tweens and young teens will love. I especially appreciated the family aspect to the story, and how Freya’s being torn from her family affected her mother, father and brother. The shift between their story and Freya’s built the tension and made for a page-turner of a book.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting wrapped up in Medar—Freya’s world—it was engrossing. The author has done an excellent job with this, the first book in her series and I’ve already read the second book in the series and found it just as appealing.
The story begins when Freya is nearly fourteen and her family is selected to live in the Golden City – which was “a ticket out of poverty and into a better life’. I liked how the world Freya lived in was presented by the author; I could see it all in my mind and it fitted together well. I was excited for Freya’s family as they left their impoverished life behind and was excited to see the Golden City. Unfortunately Freya never makes it into the Golden City as she is stopped at the Gate and her true past is revealed, and then she is separated from her parents and destined to die, her rescue coming only minutes before she was to be thrown to her death in the pit.
As the story unfolds, Freya’s resilience and determination serve her well. There are clues in an ancient prophecy to be followed and understood, each of them with dangers to overcome, making it an exciting and adventurous story that tweens and young teens will love. I especially appreciated the family aspect to the story, and how Freya’s being torn from her family affected her mother, father and brother. The shift between their story and Freya’s built the tension and made for a page-turner of a book.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting wrapped up in Medar—Freya’s world—it was engrossing. The author has done an excellent job with this, the first book in her series and I’ve already read the second book in the series and found it just as appealing.
September 13, 2022
A sweeping, action-packed adventure with important themes of family, otherness, and resilience, Medar is the portal to the Realmshift fantasy trilogy, a worldbuilding triumph by award-nominated New Zealand author Sharon Manssen. It’s a complex well-told novel of poverty, prophecy, and problem solving, featuring an unlikely yet thoroughly likeable heroine - a fresh classic to inspire young readers with a love of fantasy. Recommended.
July 15, 2018
Excellent book both young and older readers. Being part 1 of a trilogy, the story follows the exciting adventures of a young girl through various challenges in her quest to solve a great riddle to a mysterious land. This is a lovely story with twists and turns. Looking forward to the next episode.
December 10, 2024
3.5 stars
Excellent start to this quest Freya finds herself in after surprising revelations and findings at the time her family is selected for residency at Golden City. There is still much mystery that will hopefully be revealed as she continues into the next installment.
Excellent start to this quest Freya finds herself in after surprising revelations and findings at the time her family is selected for residency at Golden City. There is still much mystery that will hopefully be revealed as she continues into the next installment.
November 28, 2017
Amazing book from a first time author. I highly recommend it for the teens in your life.
February 2, 2022
I fell in love with Freya from the very beginning. I held my breath, laughed, cheered, and cried as I followed her and her family through their adventures. No spoilers of course… but this is one of my favourites. You just absolutely fall in love with the characters and stick with them to the very end. I could not WAIT for Tyrelia (Book 2) to come out once I had finished Medar.
I definitely recommend for EVERYONE! But in particular, tweens. Woohoo Sharon!!!
I definitely recommend for EVERYONE! But in particular, tweens. Woohoo Sharon!!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews