Be Careful What You Joust For

Gods of Pentavia #1

by Ryan Hauge, Ivy Smoak

The fiercest knights in the realm are coming together to compete in the Joust for Arwin's Lance, a tournament that will divide even the closest alliances. The winner alone will have the power to start or prevent a war from unfolding across the peaceful lands of Pentavia.


House Hornbolt, a prominent family that desires peace above all else, is hosting the tournament. The Hornbolt’s have always been strict followers of tradition. The first born son wears the armor of a knight. The second takes the priestly Oath of Arwin. And the daughters get married off to the most eligible suitors.


The eldest son is the favorite to win the tournament. But the rest of the Hornbolts aren't as eager to follow the paths laid out for them. What if the second born wants to be a knight too? And what if the eldest daughter just gave her heart to a common thief?


Customs are meant to be broken. But that’s not all that threatens to shatter House Hornbolt, not when a secret deeper than the late king's grave is unearthed right before the joust.


The fate of Pentavia hangs in the balance as war becomes imminent. And the scales are about to tip.


One wrong move and everything could fall to pieces.

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, High Fantasy

450 pages, ebook

First published April 17, 2018

About the author

Ryan Hauge is the author of the bestselling Gods of Pentavia fantasy series. Drawing inspiration from his toy business and the countless computer games he grew up playing, he weaves tales of mystery and intrigue.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/HaugeAMZ
Facebook: http://bit.ly/HaugeFB
Twitter: http://bit.ly/HaugeTweet
Instagram: http://bit.ly/HaugeInsta



The Ruin of House Hornbolt is now available in KU!

Amazon: bit.ly/BCWYJoustAMZ

GODS OF PENTAVIA SERIES:

Reviews

[Virginia Ronan ♥ Herondale ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much for sending me your book, Ryan! I’m sorry it took me so long to get to it!**

”Even the most careful traitors slip up eventually. And when they do, I'll be there to catch them.”

Well, this book was definitely quite something and to read it was a more than just interesting experience. I loved the fact that I didn’t get a lot of history but was rather “thrown” into the current story line and events! It made me feel like I was a part of that strange and new world and the longer I read, the more everything seemed to make sense. =)

What also became quite clear right from the beginning was that there was going to be a huge cast of different characters that all have their own problems and worries! It was really intriguing to see how close the Hornbolts were, yet at the same time they didn’t know anything about each other. It was kind of fascinating to watch how they interacted and talked with each other, but didn’t dare to tell anyone about how they truly felt or what moved or motivated them. They all had their secrets and told some lies and believe me when I say that you could fill an entire book with all the scheming and intrigues that happened behind the scenes! Oh wait, they actually filled an entire book! *lol*

If I’m entirely honest this was one of the things that made me like this book so much though. I’m a sucker for fantasy books with complex and cunning characters and “Be Careful What You Joust For” definitely delivered and kept me entertained. All the main characters were interesting in their own way, but if I had to pick favourites it would be Isolda, Terric and Bastian. Those three seemed to be key individuals that moved the plot forward and of course they all had their own goals, interests and motives as well. ;-)

Also it’s kind of funny that I didn’t want to like Prince Rixin but somehow ended up liking him though. I mean he’s the perfect prince and he has a title so long that every herald is close to choking when he finally finished announcing him. *lol* Still, his heart seems to be in the right place and even though I didn’t want to like him, he somehow managed to win me over. Believe me; it’s confusing even for myself. XD I guess I know exactly how Oriana felt. Haha!

All told “Be Careful What You Joust For” was a really nice read and the story and its characters kept me engaged throughout the entire book. What really got me and caused me to give this book four stars was the ending though!!

WHAT A CLIFFHANGER!!!

I’m still not over it and I can’t wait to read the next book! Which brings me to a very serious problem:

”If you could leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads that would be amaze-balls. It’s like that old adage about kittens dying and angels getting their wings, only in this case, every time Be Careful What You Joust For gets a review, I write another paragraph in Book 2.”

ARE YOU KIDDING ME, RYAN?!
Just a paragraph!? I want an entire Bastian chapter for that review. *LOL* ;-P

Well, anyway! I loved your book and I hope many other people will like it too! Just keep on writing book two, we’ll spread the word! XD
Be careful what you joust wish for, Ryan. You might have to write more paragraphs than you ever anticipated! *lol* ;-P

[Anne Vivliohomme · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT! *glares angrily to the authors* WHAT DID JUST HAPPEN?!?! This was not the plan guys... The plan was that I was going to read a nice medieval novel about knights trying to win a lady's heart and epic sword fights. And then I'd be like: "yeah, that was a nice three star novel, but I don't really wanna read the entire series so I can peacefully continue reading a book from my TBR list"

But NO! Now I'm attached to a series of which the first book hasn't even come out yet!

Oh well, let's actually review :)
In the beginning I wasn't really a fan of the book. But since it was my first ARC ever, I decided to keep reading. I started of thinking that there were waaay to many POVs, because the characters just didn't have any dept. At all.

Terric was a pervert with the vocabulary of a grandpa, Oriana was just obsessed over someone she last saw when she was an iny tiny child, Isolda was badass, but didn't have a personality, and Garrion was just... well, he wasn't anything actually, that's the problem.

But after a hundred pages I just... fell in love. I don't know how it happened, why, or when, but suddenly I got this warm feeling thinking about this book. Suddenly, all the characters started to link with each other. Terric (still a pervert) became partners in crime with his sister's secret lover, Garrion and Isolda became an adorable couple and I was suspecting everyone of murder. I mean, at some point I was thinking that maybe Nesta was the big bad evil.

Oriana still reminded me a bit of Bella Swan, but I just loved her when she was with Rixin or Bastian (so much love for Bastian). One moment I shipped her with Bastian (Orian?), the next I was a hundred percent sure she was meant to be with Rixin (Rixiana?).

Definitely need to work on shipnames though.

The thing I perhaps loved the most about this book (okay, besides Jax, Nesta and Nut) was the use of the different point of views. You get to see in someone's head, and then I'm like: ahw you're so sweet and innocent. But then, when the story is told from another perspective, the POV discovers something about the person I thought was innocent. And I'm like: wait, are you a sweet potato or the villain of this story? I hope that made sense...

I guess this is used a lot in crime novels and detectives, but I never read those, so I really liked the way it was used in this novel. I never knew with certainty what was truth and what was a lie.

I would have given this book five stars, were it not for the beginning. And the fact that I'm now forced to add even more books to the mountain of books I want to read. Just kidding, I love adding books :) Even when they break my heart in smaller pieces than Lord Voldie's soul.

[Theresa Ijachi · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I'd like to thank the author for giving me an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Am sure am the worst arc reader of all, I can't believe it took me this long to read this.

I actually ended up enjoying this book a lot.

Full and proper review to come.

[Ryan Hauge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now Available!

Amazon: bit.ly/BCWYJoustAMZ
Nook: bit.ly/BCWYJoustNook
iBooks: bit.ly/BCWYJoustIBooks



Be Careful What You Joust For is the first book in the Pentavia series, an epic fantasy trilogy.

[Pauline Fireheart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

✮ Summary ✮

This is the first book in the Pentavia series.
In a medieval world on the verge of war, a tournament takes place. The winner will decide the fate of Pentavia as he will either start or prevent war. A lot of buried hatred resurface as different Houses face each other once again.
This book gave me Game of Thrones vibes in the sense that it is a multiple POV fantasy story with a lot of political intrigues.

✮ Writing ✮

This book is well written and enjoyable to read in its simplicity. It was disturbing at first that medieval characters would use modern words and idioms. But that aspect of the writing style made for an easy reading experience.
I have to point out that the word « Arwin » was used way too much and that the amount of money involved in the gauntlet affair kept changing between 50 and 500 which was a bit confusing.

✮ Characters ✮

In this book we get the points of views of seven characters. Each character has a distinct voice so the switch from one point of view to another was never confusing.

Duke Garrion of House Hornbolt is hosting the tournament. He is really devout and it’s obvious that he cares a lot for his family. But he is also really blind to everything that is happening around him and makes some stupid decisions from time to time. He has a lot of anger and regrets inside him and therefore he is intriguing.
I enjoyed the flashbacks of his life we got throughout the book but I am still not sure about his real intentions.

Duchess Isolda is the wife of Garrion and she could have been my favorite character. We learn very quickly that she has a double life. She seeks to discover the identity of her father’s murderer and then to avenge him. For this purpose, she becomes Lady Marsilia aka the most notorious crime lord in Arwin’s Gate. I really thought she was going to be a badass character but unfortunately, she was mostly Duchess Isolda throughout this book. It’s not that I don’t like that side of her, I just wish there were most fight/action scenes in this book.

Oriana is the eldest daughter of Garrion and Isolda and she is just like Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones. She’s shallow and dramatic, she’s in love with a boy she hasn’t seen in years and her only purpose in life is to make him fall in love with her. I am really not a fan of hers.

Marcus is the eldest son of Garrion and Isolda. He’s training to be a knight, wants to win the tournament and that’s pretty much everything that we know about him at this point.

Terric is the youngest son of Garrion and Isolda and as it is the tradition for the second son in House Hornbolt, he is training to be a priest. However that is not the life that he wants for himself, he wishes to become a swordsman and plans to run away before his father makes him take his vow. He’s really young but that doesn’t excuse the fact that he makes stupid decisions without thinking for a second and he is quite selfish.

Rixin from House Talenov is Isolda's nephew and he is heir to the throne. He is jousting in the tournament. I really can’t figure him out. He seems genuinely nice and caring but he is still related to an evil character so...

Bastian or the highlight of this book is a thief and has a highly intelligent pet squirrel named Nut. Are you sold already? His chapters are the most interesting and entertaining in my opinion.

✮ Plot ✮

This book obviously sets the foundations for the series but that meant that it was a bit slow at times.
For a book that promised an epic tournament, it took awfully long for the actual jousting to take place. The tournament only begins near the end of the book and lasts a few pages. That was disappointing because it would have been more interesting to read about the tournament then the preparations.
That being said, I really enjoyed the political intrigue, it was well executed and it was hard to know which character was trustworthy or not.
I also liked the tiny touches of Norse mythology that were thrown here and there.

✮ Overall ✮

A good first book that ended on a cliffhanger and therefore makes you want to continue on with the series. I hope to learn more about the magic system in the second installment.

[David Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The land of Pentavia has been peaceful for some time but it’s a fragile peace that may soon fall apart. A jousting tournament is about to take place in Treland and the greatest knights from all over the world will be there. The stakes are high as the winner will have the power to declare or prevent a war from happening.

House Hornbolt is hosting the tournament and the family is about to go through some major changes. The oldest son will be fighting in the tournament and is favored to win, the second born son will be taking an oath to be a priest in the name of Arwin which he actually wants no part of and the eldest daughter will be married off to one of the eligible suitors competing in the joust. There’s a lot riding on the results of this joust and there are forces at work behind the scenes that’s affecting everyone involved. The only thing we know for sure is that the world will never be the same when the winner of the tournament is crowned.

The description I just gave for Be Careful What You Joust For by Ryan Hauge and Ivy Smoak isn’t a very good one. There is a lot going on in this book and if I wanted to mention everything about the plot this review would be 10,000 words. This book has a complex plot set in a complex fantasy world and no matter what kind of story you like to read you will find something in this tale that you’ll like. A story about love, power, religion, politics, family, tradition and loyalty, it’s all in this book. I love how the beginning of this epic adventure hooks you by stating that each respectable joust should have at least three deaths.

My favorite part of this book is how members of the Hornbolt family seem to be playing roles in society but in reality are something different. Isoloda is the wife to Garrion and unknown to anyone else she is also a crime lord going by the name Lady Marsilia. Her son Terric is being forced into the priesthood while he really wants to be like his brother Marcus and become a knight. We also have Garrion who has a secret and unbeknownst to him his wife suspects him of a murder and a theft that could change the whole kingdom. The Hornbolt family all have secrets they are keeping from each other and they are still trying to stick to their traditions. Beneath the surface they don’t fully embrace those traditions but despite that they still love each other.

If I had any complaint about this book it would be that it’s a little light on action. That being said I was so into everyone’s story and enjoying the fantasy world that Ryan and Ivy built that the lack of action was easily overlooked. I also loved the fact that the story didn’t go where I thought it would go. The characters are not black and white, at times they act like heroes and at other times they act like villains and that’s what makes this book so entertaining. That’s also what makes this fantasy feel like reality, no person is always good and no person is always bad. The ending of this book is left open and I’m anxiously awaiting the sequel.

[Larry Cerullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of Be Careful What You Joust For in return for an honest review.

What an entirely enjoyable read! This book is incredibly written and Ryan Hauge is a superb storyteller! The book is massive and although I was only able to read it in the evenings, it was very hard to put down. As I read this tale, I found myself smiling and laughing at the antics of the various characters. There is a little bit of mystery that is unwound near the end of the book and it included a number of surprises as well.

Hauge has written an easily digested light medieval fantasy that is at times witty and often compelling. The author presents his world with an uncomplicated flair. The descriptions throughout were "just enough" and not overly presented to the reader. The book is narrated through the voices of the many characters and each chapter is presented from the point of view of the various main characters. There are many plots and subplots throughout the book and each arc is a necessary addition to the book as a whole.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to any fantasy lover. It was a great deal of fun from the very first few pages. I truly look forward to the second installment of this adventure!

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE MESMERIZING READ!!!
Wonderfully written, easy to follow, smooth flowing read with unpredictable surprises around every corner and twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. With trouble lurking and danger hanging around like a storm cloud overhead you find out fast who your friends are. Captivating characters show their true colors as the tale continues with graphic detail that's so vivid you can almost see it. The authors wove together scenes that are so realistic it captivates your attention and holds it until the very end. You guys did an amazing job bringing this read to life.

[Lino Matteo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Careful What You Joust For
By Ryan Hauge & Ivy Smoak
Advanced Review Copy - March 7, 2018
Copyright 2018 Ryan Hauge & Ivy Smoak
All Rights Reserved
4.5 stars….
This book lays the foundation for an epic fantasy/adventure series. Am looking forward to the coming editions.
Why?
• Easy to read.
• Well laid out
• Some depth to characters
• Male, females, risqué but not over the top…can see this as good family reading
Of course, there is also intrigue, family dynamics, adventure, noble anti-heroes, quests and the hint of much more.
In short it was a good introduction to a new world, a world that releases us from our daily grind without requiring us to undertake an overly difficult quest to understand the new.

After all it is about the preparation for a joust, so be careful what you joust for….


The version that I read, was PDF generously supplied for review purposes by the authors.

Spoiler alerts:

15: And with any luck, she'd find her father's assassin and drive her hairpin through his blackened heart. His death would be the third.
24: His (Terric) plan to escape to the Huntlands still needed work.
36: Garrion took the stairs two at a time. His head was spinning by the time he pushed through the doors into the gardens. He gasped for air, but the fresh air did little to calm him. Nothing could erase the images of death.
41: She (Oriana) only had eyes for one lord. She had been smitten with Prince Rixin since the first moment she saw him. Please let him feel the same way about me now.
53: Isolda knew Garrion. He wouldn't do something like that. He had his faults, but he was a good man. A peaceful man. He was the one who had warned her brothers that Philip Hyposa and the Rashidi were planning to assassinate them.
61: Being underestimated can be just as powerful as being feared
63: A few years ago someone started a rumor that he was going bankrupt. He wasn't, but it didn't matter. The other lords and merchants stopped trading with him out of fear that he wouldn't be able to pay his debts. It turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
71: "Ignoring a question is not answering it." ~ Isolda
72: Isolda couldn't imagine having to wait an entire month without knowing if Garrion was a murderer or not.
82: A thief who had saved her (Oriana) life. With a smile that could light up this dark room. "No need to thank me. It was my pleasure, my lady." He (Bastian) winked again and jumped onto the window sill.
89: Isolda has been leaving our room at night, and I don't know where she's been going. Have a pair of guards watch her at all times.
100: The body wasn't there.
104: "So what happened to the airship?" asked Terric. Wherever it was, he wanted to go find it.
"It was destroyed, and the schematics were sealed by the ministry. None have been built since."110: …time was running out before he had to make his escape or be condemned to a lifetime of priesthood
118: Marcus glared at Rixin. For a second, he had actually been starting to like him. But now he realized it was all just a trick to make Marcus lose focus on the tournament.
How could he have been so blind? He had to win the tournament. He had to win the title of Arwin's Lance. He had to stop Prince Rixin from starting a war.
125: It was like Bastian had ignited a spark in her. And she wasn't sure if she wanted it to be extinguished.
127: But as Bastian and Nut went deeper underground, they soon encountered a few dim lanterns. I wonder what Oriana would think if she ever saw my home, thought Bastian as he wove his way through the tunnels.
139: Foreman Owen wasn't the only person that knew about the body. Tobias did too. And as she had just realized a moment before, he was always one step ahead of her.
145: … words of Lord Arwin, 'He who steals a loaf of bread has committed a wrong, but he who wastes the gift of life is the greatest criminal among us.'
158: In dangerous times such as these, we can't afford to be blind to our enemies movements
163: Terric smiled triumphantly. It felt like he was closer than ever to becoming a knight. And more importantly, he was closer than ever to not being a priest
166: Rixin kept getting his hopes up. Maybe this time he'll come, he thought. After all, the king's sister was there. And it was the tournament for Arwin's Lance.
179: She (Oriana) needed the spare key to her room as soon as possible so she could get in and make sure there were no dolls visible when Bastian arrived.
185: With Reavus coming to town, she had a feeling sleep would be hard to come by for them both.
192: 'Every enemy can be beaten if you know where to strike.'
201: “It is true,” said Nesta. “Navya’s yucky. And he kissed my hand! And he kissed yours too. He loves us.”
207: Bastian shook his head, ignoring his squirrel as he reached up in search of another place for his fingers. The last thing he needed was a broken limb if he was going to be banished over the wall.
214: But Terric already felt like they were in the clear. He had the prince's ring. His plan was coming together
222: She wanted to sleep with memories of the feeling of Bastian's lips on her hand.
228: "No, I don't believe Marcus would turn. He's our only hope. Which is why it's a good thing you have me training him."
240: If Garrion was evil enough to give Marcus tipped lances, Terric didn't know what else he'd be willing to do to keep it quiet.
250: Oriana placed her hand on her chest. She knew that love was more than just a look. It was a feeling too. And Bastian gave her that feeling. He did. She let her face fall into her hands.
252: None of them really cared about him (Terric). So why is it so hard to leave?
254: "Uncle Jax!" yelled Terric.
260: Jax shrugged. "All is fair in love and jousts."
263: “Give it time,” Aldric said. “You’d be surprised what a young man would be willing to do for a pretty lady.”
274: On his way up to his room, he (Terric) passed Bella standing at the end of a long line of servants waiting to bathe.
280: "And he won't if he does what he's told. Now say goodbye. This will be the last time you see each other."
284: "My father. He's the key. Before the war, my family meant something.
My family had a title. I (Bastian) wasn't a prince, but my father was still a count. I have to reclaim my title."
289: Garrion had murdered Isolda's father. Garrion had murdered King Bogdan!
…Maybe this was Terric's punishment for spying on Bella
297: He (Rixin) was going to propose to Oriana Hornbolt. Right after he figured out what to do about the tournament.
305: Terric rummaged through his pack and found the seeds. Maybe there was more to them than met the eye. But what?
313: "No, I'm a grown up just like you. Why? Do you think it's scary?" Terric asked.
321: Now that she (Isolda) thought about it, it was kind of crazy to trust this thief with so much gold. And with the gauntlet. And with her only opportunity to know if it's real.
325: She (Oriana) tried to push thoughts of Rixin and Bastian aside. Really, they should both be banished over the wall.
332: Quit talking and prepare the horses," said Aldric. He whistled and three steeds appeared from a patch of particularly tall grass. "We have a lot of ground to cover. If we hurry, we might even get back in time for the final joust.”
341: Arwin teaches peace, not war. And Marcus will keep that peace.
352: Oriana hoped that she truly was as excited about this marriage as Nesta was about that kiss.Her whole future had just been decided by a smile. She glanced back at Rixin. But what a smile.
360: His (Marcus) head slammed against the back of his helmet. And the last thing he saw was his blood seeping into the dirt of the tournament grounds before everything went black.
366: But first they all had to make it to the castle alive. Aldric was out there somewhere, and he'd already proven he wasn't afraid to kill.
373: "Aye, a grand story indeed," said Sir Aldric. For the first time, he was smiling. "It's a shame I can't let you live to tell it." "What?" asked Bastian. But it was too late. Aldric's fist crashed into the back of his head.
381: Before Isolda could respond, Aldric sliced the blade….
385: "They're your sister's children," Rixin said. "Stand down, Reavus. That's a direct order."
387: With one last glance, Terric turned his back on his family.
END OF BOOK 1



My thoughts:
• Easily read and flows nicely….each chapter from the perspective of a main character
• Easy to grasp – sometimes these fantasy worlds are too fantastical for the story to be grasped in a first reading
• Still only at page 72, but laying a foundation for a saga with both male and female leads – interesting.
• At page 289 starting to feel that it was a very long introduction but it seems things are starting to heat up…

When the action builds up, the foundations are well laid for it to come fast and furious. It leaves the reader wondering: when will volume 2 be out?

[Daydreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be Careful What you Joust For
By Ryan Hauge

🌟🌟🌟🌟✨(4,5)/5 stars

I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:
This novel starts during the preparations of a big tournament, where the best fighters of the different countries come together and compete for the title of Arwins lance. The winner can declare war or keep the peace.
The story revolves around House Hornbolt, which is a highly traditional and religious family. The first born, Marcus, will be a knight. The second born, Terric, will be a priest. And Oriana will be married to the best candidate.

My thoughts:

🌟... about the story

The story is very interesting and becomes unusual through its different focus. While most stories focus on the tournament, here, the intrigues that start before are in the spotlight.
There are many interesting twists, which I didn’t see coming.
But while they are surprising, they are all logical and understandable.

You should know that this book is slow-paced. Not boring, but slow. And suddenly in the end it all comes crashing down and it feels a lot as if G.R.R. Martin was allowed to play around with it.
That ending was amazing and now I’m craving for book 2!

🌟...about the characters:

The story is told from different point of views, so you get a loser look at every important character.
They’re all lovely and have their flaws, but are somehow adorable.

Isolda was amazing from the beginning, Nesta annoyed me sometimes a bit, but often she was just absolutely adorable and Oriana is one of the most complex characters I’ve seen in a while!
Oriana deserves a lot of praise, in my opinion.
She’s stuck in that traditional view that she’ll marry some rich guy whether she wants it or not. But she learns that nobody is a better human just because of the money he possesses. And she learns that she deserves to be loved and not to be stuck in some unhappy marriage.

🌟Here my favourite quote: “And I’m not interested in being a consolation prize. I deserve more than that. I want someone to look at me like I’m the only woman in the room.”

I love her, seriously.
Anyway, sometimes it was quite amusing to watch how many misunderstandings existed and how many false conclusions were drawn. It was outright hilarious!

🌟...about the world:

The political titles and who answers to whom often confused me and in the end, it didn’t really matter to me.
I liked the described traditions and religion and really liked how it basically influenced every tiny bit in that kingdom, but sometimes I would have wished for a bit more background.
A bit about the story of the country. And why exactly they’re always only one word away from war. But other than that, I really liked the setting.

🌟...About the style:
I enjoyed reading this book and especially in the end, I couldn’t put it away. I just had to read on.
I suffered with the characters and hoped for their best. The emotions were awesome.
However the general description could have been a few more. I would have loved to learn more about the look of the castle and the rooms where the girls live in.

🌟The Cover is also worth mentioning, because I think it looks super cool. And also all these little drawings and the map in the beginning were absolutely stunning! I loved those!

Since this book has an amazing story and adorable characters, it earns four and a half stars!

And now I need book 2!

[Liv Danger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello potential readers. I was given an ARC copy of this fantastical start by Ryan, and I hope this review helps bring in a wave of excited fans.

This book was simply an easy, entertaining read. By giving each main character their own voice Ryan and Ivy implored readers to be invested in each of their drives while at the same time pleasantly revolves around the main plot. I particularly enjoyed the set-up of Treland and was instantly smitten by the world’s history and current standings. That being said, I do have a few tiny complaints. Because my philosophy of reviews is not to give everything away, I will try not to reveal unnecessary information.

There was one character who I don’t believe needed to have a voice because it was hard for me to root for him. I would’ve personally preferred to have insight on one of the more “villianous” characters in his stead. Perhaps that will come in the later publications...;)

I also was less interested in the romance part of the writings. This isn’t to say I don’t like romance, in fact my priorities in reading usually sway towards paranormal romance, as it is what I enjoy the most. No, what bothered me was the predictability factor in both lines of possibility. It is obvious to me who our girl will choose in the end, despite the ending to this novel, obvious that her preferred choice will make a re-appearance in later additions, and annoying to me that she seemed to fall in love so quickly. That last part may be a personal thing for me, I was always adamant that Romeo and Juliet were idiots for making such astronomically rash decisions based on one meeting that was blown out of proportion. I mean, you’re young, but not stupid, don’t you think you need a little more time and information about one another to want to kill yourself for that person? Sorry, little Liv-rant.

My last complaint is perhaps more of a personal opinion, but I can’t help but voice it. Curiosity killed the joust...or it just killed of my favorite character. What?! Did that just happen? Yes, yes it did. How could you? This person was the most developed, the most complicated, and the most interesting in the whole book. I just feel like you guys could’ve had a different, just as effective martyr. All I can say is, I hope you add someone with just as much depth to root for and follow in book 2.

Overall though, I think BCWYJF was a great first attempt and I’m definitely all in for the succeeding installations.

Signing off, with my love addiction to fiction, and don’t forget my avid readers to read and Liv Dangerously.

[E.K Earle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was approached by Ivy Smoak and given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I made a lot of notes when I was writing this so I wouldn't forget to discuss them/think over them after.
"You can't just replace a word in an idiom with 'joust' and have it make sense," replied Aldric.
"Sure you can. Jousts speak louder than words. Don't count your chickens before they joust. It takes two to joust. Kill two knights with one joust. Be careful what you joust for..." (I laughed way too hard when I finally read this bit. The title all ties together!)
First off; I'm actually really happy about how this book opens up. Having recently read ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas it's nice that the action is immediately dived into, instead of a third of the way into the book. The scene is immediately set, and some intrigue is raised.
It's very fast paced and simplisticly (don't mistake simplistic for bad- it's nice!) written, which means it was very easy to read and keep up with. I didn't find myself struggling or daydreaming and losing my spot- the chapters were a really solid length too, long enough to entertain but short enough that they didn't drag on.
Honestly, this book did give me some less psychopathic Game of Thrones vibes, which is always nice. I do feel like it was quite inspired by the GOT series, and I could feel it in the writing a lot. I hope that the next book finds its own voice a little more. Especially with Ori- she feels just a bit too much like Sansa Stark for me.
Also- the implied lust, the niggling moments of anticipation between these young adults that are just beginning to realise they're attracted to each other- they were written so earnestly. YA in particular seems to be saturated with soft-core erotica but Oriana's experiences were so tender and sweet to me.(Although Rixin was a bit cheesy at the joust). I didn't cringe like I normally do- I smiled and silently hoped that Bastian would steal her away. It was full of the innocence that young love and first times should be, and I really appreciated it. I also was really intrigued by them touching on addiction in poorer people- I get that. There was an interesting juxtaposition between people with status and people that were literally living on the streets.
I was a bit thrown at times by the naming conventions, and this did almost bump my rating down. I like it to be unique but still readable- if I stumble more than once over a name and have to break immersion it bums me out, and as the tournament was approaching and people arrived, I experienced this far too hard. Also, while it was relevant to the plot, I'd be quite content to never read the name Arwin again. These are what bumped it down half a star for me- I found myself getting put off by it the same way Game of Thrones does for me. Also, we got some intriguing information on Isolda and then...what? It just wasn't looked at besides the Arwin stuf? No, I wanted to see her marching around prostitutes and doing cool stuff. But...then...well...
This book offers action, romance, betrayal, and what I can only presume to be the worst kinds of magic. Congratulations to Ryan and Ivy; I really enjoy this book though, and I'll be looking forward to the rest of them!

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap... what in the world... This book was freaking awesome!!! Like my mind is blown. I so did not expect the ending. Like what?!?! I loved Bastian, Nut and Nesta. I would have to say they are my favorite characters in the book. Overall this book was great. It’s an easy read and gives you multiple point of views (which i loveee). The characters are well developed and the story line is great. Then ending is freaking amazing and unexpected. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves action, mystery and some romance.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not pass on this book if you are a fan of fantasy. This book has an in depth world with lots of great characters and intrigue . This book was amazing. Definitely a page turner. Once I started reading it in every free moment I had it was in my hands. This book reminded me of the fun, easy readability and world of the king killer chronicles with the possibility of magic like those books have, and the history and world building that you find in a song of ice and fire.

I would rate this book among those title if I was to recommend reading to friends. I cannot wait to read more from this series. Every character has their side of their story and their reality which drives them to do what they are doing and it all unfolds in a way which you would not expect in the end. There are so many unexplored aspects of this story which I really want to know more about, especially the thief’s guild and the criminal underworld.

I would love and could see playing a great dungeons and dragons campaign in this world

Thanks again and I highly recommend this book.

[Ivy Smoak]

Be Careful What You Joust For is live!! Grab your copy of Be Careful What You Joust For today:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/BCWYJoustAMZ
Nook: http://bit.ly/BCWYJoustNook
iBooks: http://bit.ly/BCWYJoustIBooks

[Steph Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC of this book. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

Wow! First, I have to say that the title does NOT do this book full justice! I was expecting a medieval romp; something like Monty Python’s Holy Grail or All’s Well That Ends Well but with more jousting. Instead this was an immersive, exciting and emotionally charged epic fantasy drama. The tone is light-hearted, but with more depth than the title initially suggests.

The plot is packed full of mystery, intrigue and adventure, with spies, assassins, thieves and knights. There are touches of romance, salted with the taste of harsh reality; practicality, indecision, loss. There is magic and religion; men (and women) and monsters, and it is not always clear which is which.

The book starts with a slow, steady build-up, introducing us to the world and the characters, and establishing the various points of conflict. Then the authors assemble the players at the critical event and drop the flag, and off they go! I literally could not stop reading… it felt like I knew the characters and was totally invested in their outcomes.

Which was the other major strength of this book: the characterisation and character development are superb. We get to read chapters from different character perspectives, and they, without exception, believable and gripping. Parents worry about their children’s happiness, whilst simultaneously blindly following their own dreams for them, and failing to recognise the dichotomy; teenage boys are obsessed with fighting, girls and glory, and just cannot see what anyone would see in their sisters; teenage girls bicker with and support their sisters, underestimate their brothers and moon about bad boys and romance. These might sound stereotypical, but they are not. They are real and recognisable, and the characters live on the pages as you read them.

I held my breath at the sneaky bits, smiled at the banter and the familial affection, and shed a tear at… no spoilers! 😉

I’ve seen this book compared to Game of Thrones and can see the likeness, although I would argue that the darkness ratio is less bleak here (no rape, torture or incest). I certainly think fans of Robert Jordan and other epic fantasy writers would enjoy this, and personally hope the authors have book 2 ready to go, because I need to know what happens next!



Also, much as I love Jax, I am with Aldric in the below quote:


Jax shrugged. “All is fair in love and jousts.”
“You can’t just replace a word in an idiom with ‘joust’ and have it make sense,” replied Aldric.
“Sure you can. Jousts speak louder than words. Don’t count your chickens before they joust. It takes two to joust. Kill two knights with one joust. Be careful what you joust for…”
“Fine,” conceded Aldric. “Maybe you can.”

– Ryan Hauge & Ivy Smoak, Be Careful What You Joust For

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...

[Crystal Collier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know what to expect from this book, but I was fascinated by the blurb—enough to give an unfamiliar author a try. What unfolded is something I can only call a family drama, placed in a familiarly medieval world, complicated by politics, but with a few unexpected elements of magic.

I bonded with the characters pretty much instantly and liked the intrigue introduced early on. Granted, I didn’t understand why we were jumping to a new character’s perspective so soon after entering the book, but it didn’t take long to get a feel for the story’s pace. There are more than 6 perspective characters, but unlike in some books I’ve read, they were introduced and woven together in a way that didn’t put me off.

I did find two aspects difficult to buy. [Spoiler warning] Isolda is a noblewoman and always has been—of the highest rank. Her dabbling in the underground of their society grabbed my interest at first, but as I became more familiar with her, these things didn’t mesh with her character—especially her involvement in burlesque establishments. I couldn’t reconcile her upbringing with an acceptance/embracing of prostitution. I think perhaps if she’d had a less fulfilling relationship with her husband, I could have accepted the idea. As it was, her personal history didn’t blend with that aspect of her character. Secondly, Bastian. I liked his character and the complication he created for our focus family, but in no reality could a thief even begin to imagine he deserved the hand of THE young woman anticipated to marry a prince—excepting in the case of a magic lamp and a genie. [End of spoiler]

Magical elements are presented in a dubious light and don’t become apparent until later in the story—which I thoroughly enjoyed. You’re left wondering if they’re real or just a matter of legend, right along with the characters.

Toward the end of the story, I held my breath. Action ramped up well, and I was genuinely concerned for several characters and worried about the ulterior motives of side characters. How was this going to play out?

I didn’t see the end coming…partially because it wasn’t an end. It was a “to be continued.” The story lost a few points in my book because of that, but that’s a personal preference. The surprise at the end left me somewhat skeptical and a little frustrated, but I suppose that’s what drives many people to read on.

Over all, I enjoyed the book and found myself snatching more and more moments to read as I neared the end. The pace isn’t fast. It’s an easy, steady plod toward a building climax with a whisper of falling action. I got invested in the characters and sincerely worried about their plights. I followed the twists with interest. I cheered on underdogs and booed at the appropriate moments. If not for the cliff-hanger ending, I would have been 100% sold. As it is, I was well entertained for the duration of the tale.

I received a copy of this book for review.

Content warning: There are several points of sensual content, though nothing of a grotesque nature. Some violence.

[Teresa Barrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author was kind enough to send an advanced copy for an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this. The characters were well developed as well as the plot. This was definitely a page turner and I was at the edge of my seat until the last page. I can't wait for the second book to find out what happens next.
I have to say that a couple of times I wanted to reach in and knock Terric up the backside of his head for being a little peeper or hoped Bella would find out and wack him. It reminded me of some of the 11 to 12 year old boys when I was in school who ran into the girls bathroom trying to get a peek at all the girls before getting caught by the teacher.
I did enjoy learning more about Terric along with the rest of the characters. Most of the time when author's give more than 2 to 3 point of views, I get confused and lose the focus of really being able to sink into the story, but the authors, Ryan and Ivy did a great job of giving multiple POV's without taking anything away from the story.
I had a real feel for the characters and the scenery, I could picture everything in my head. I have to say, I loved that Bastian had a squirrel, Nut, as his sidekick. Made me miss my friend squirrel I called Nibbles, she wasn't as bright as Nut, but squirrels are pretty cool creatures.
I would definitely recommend this book, it's a great read. I was glued to it. I found myself laughing at the humor, tensed at events happening and feeling emotional at other parts. Like I mentioned earlier, I definitely can't wait to find out where the story goes when the next book comes out.

[plonks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this awesome opportunity to read this book before it’s actual release (from the author himself😊). I was really excited about this and after reading the synopsis, I was even more hyped – I mean it really seemed like a book I would enjoy.

And guess what, I loved it. Right from the first chapter. So thanks for this awesome opportunity😊

But now, about the book itself – the story started right off with action. We were introduced the secret life of someone. Someone, for whom this kind of thingy in my opinion is quite a taboo. So of course I was happy about this development. Yes, it is all still about the first chapter (and yes, I did finish the whole book).

The story is well written and does not overwhelm a reader with lot of descriptions about the setting. It is very well balanced and gives just the right amount of information regarding the environment and characters, which gives the reader the opportunity to create their own world and characters just how they like it.

In my opinion the story is a mix of The Song of Ice and Fire and Kingkiller Chronicle – or at least that’s what I felt – the setting is medieval, but it is not dragging on and is full of little surprises (and sharp comments). Each character has it’s own personality and I quickly started to like some of them more as others.

Nesta was awesome, Terric a bit annoying and Tobias seems very mysterious (and also a bit of scaredy-cat). Oriana actually reminded me a bit of Sansa (from GoT), but she is smarter and is not afraid to speak her mind – very welcoming.

I guess my least favourite character is Garrion, since he is so fixiated on rules – „my second son must be a priest, because that’s how it’s meant to be“. What a jerk I’d say, but he fits into the story perfectly – I mean, no family is perfect. And Hornbolts, well, let’s just say that there’s a lot going on for everyone – maybe except Selina, but I hope we see more from her in coming books.

All in all, I really loved this book and the ending was a total cliffhanger, so can’t wait for the next book. And of course, I recommend it to everyone who likes fantasy stories with a bit (or lot) of twists and unexpected moments.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, Its very well written and aside from the very occasional grammatical error in the ARC, and the previously mentioned 50/500 drachma error, I found the entire novel flowed very well from chapter to chapter and I was completely immersed in the tale. These errors are only editing issues and may or may not be fixed in the release version. They certainly had no impact on the story or my experience. In fact multi perspective stories often struggle to change from one character to the next smoothly, I think the authors nailed it with this book.

I was definitely eager to pick up the story again each time I had time to read. In fact it was hard to put it down again. For the most part the characters were very well fleshed out and quite endearing. There were definitely some surprises in the story and enough mysteries and intrigue to keep me guessing.

Be warned this is part of a series and the book did leave plenty of story untold with some major cliffhangers, I do not see that as a fault, it just left me eager for the next episode.

I would rate this a 4.5 and definitely recommend it to fans of fantasy.

On a further note I found that the dialogue was written in a fairly modern way which was light and easy to read. At first it threw me a little but after a few pages I was complexly adjusted, and because of the style I would be more inclined to recommend this to friends and family who don't normally like fantasy.

I look forward to more.

[Jonathon Danyluk · Rating 5 out of 5]

i absolutely love this book, from the game of thrones style multi character telling(although more suitable to a younger reader) to the unpredictability of what will happen, for most of this book i was convinced i knew what was coming, until i was almost finished the book and it hadn't happened, i could never see where this book was headed and I love when i can say that. theirs a few grammatical errors/words that weren't changed when a sentence was reworked, the most noticeable for me is a little over a quarter of the way into the book "she ran from the room, leaving it open behind her" which was obviously 'she ran out the door, leaving it open behind her'. i love the constant use of the ironwood hairpin but i was really hoping that Isolda was going to stab someone with it. i cant wait for the second book to be released, hopefully that one i will be able to read in like 4 days and not keep getting distracted by other things.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the authors for allowing me the privilege of reading this book early and reviewing it. It was a great adventure.

this book reminded me of all my favourite fantasy novels and video games, with a little bit of "a knights tale" and King Arthur medieval goodness thrown into the mix.

I found this book simple and very easy to read (which isn't bad at all) - comparatively I found it quite hard to stay on task with books like GoT because G.R.R Martin spent 10 pages describing a plate of food.

Great characters and development - I quite enjoyed reading a different character viewpoint as a focus for each chapter. Similar to GoT in that regard.

I enjoyed the nuances of the characters in this story, and individual struggles they encountered. Choosing between parental expectation and personal desire, between love and duty, breaking the chains of caste and class.. Isolda as a character was one of my favourites - innocent mum on the surface but an entrepreneurial hard hitter behind closed doors. I was devastated by the loss of her.

I was fascinated by the lore presented in the book, and I'm really hoping this is explored in a book 2 if we get one!! I want to know more about the Skylanders and about the Viriphytes and the lands outside Arwin's gate.

The end of the book left me with so many questions!! what has happened to Bastian? Is Marcus okay? Where is Aldric?? Will Ori timeshare Bastian and Rixin - how could she choose? And what will become of the hornbolts now?

Wanting a book 2 ASAP!!

[Lovett Salander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy and chose to review it.
It's the first book of a series. So, after I finished I felt in need of reading the next one.
I really liked it, it's kinda Game of thrones style of book, in regard of multiple chracters point of view, detailed maps, lots of characters that are not entirely good or bad.
With fantasy yet history plot.
And I really liked the variety of main chracters involved (adults, youngs, female and male).
Plus a intriguing and interesting ending.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Isolda had become quite adept at spotting the guards that Garrion sent to protect her whenever she left the castle.’

Ryan Hauge is the author of the highly anticipated Pentavia fantasy series. Drawing inspiration from his toy business and the countless computer games he grew up playing, he weaves tales of mystery and intrigue. When he’s not writing, you can bet that he’s distracting his wife from her work, handling a toy emergency, or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen. He lives in Wilmington, Delaware with his wife, Ivy Smoak. They do everything together, including writing the Pentavia Series.

Ryan and Ivy open their book with a series of maps of the make believe land of Pentavia – a fine gesture that puts us in touch with the strange names and connects them to places. And setting the character of the tone of the book is evident in the telling opening paragraphs – ‘Isolda's father once told her that any respectable tournament would feature at least three deaths. Such events were dangerous affairs. A lance could catch a knight in just the wrong spot and find its way through his armor, or a man might take a moment too long to yield in the hand to hand combat. The competitors weren't the only ones in danger, though. Brawls in the stands could often turn deadly. And sometimes people gambled more than they can afford, forcing the debt collectors to take their payment in flesh rather than coin. Isolda knew that the upcoming tournament would be no exception to the rule of three deaths. It was to be the biggest tournament Treland had ever seen. Bigger arena, more knights, more spectators, and definitely higher stakes. There were even whispers that this tournament was the one foretold in the Prophecy of Arwin. Surely there would be at least three deaths. But who? The first death, Isolda knew, would belong to her youngest son, Terric. He wasn't going to take a lance through the heart or partake in illegal gambling... at least, she hoped he hadn't gotten into such things. No, his death was of a different variety. He was to take the Oath of Arwin on the final day of the tournament, and with that oath, his dreams of becoming a knight would be snuffed out. The second death would belong to Isolda's eldest daughter, Oriana. She was of marrying age, and with so many young lords and knights coming to town, it was inevitable that a betrothal would be arranged. Whether it would be to Prince Rixin or some other noble, Isolda was not sure, but either way, the second death would be that of her daughter's childhood. The third death... Isolda didn't know what the third death would be. She hoped it wouldn't happen at all, but if it had to, she prayed it wouldn't belong to her eldest son, Marcus. His wouldn't be the death of a childhood dream or the death of his youth. He was competing in the tournament, so if the third death belonged to him, surely it would be death in the simplest sense of the word: the end of his life.’

The complex plot is made clear in the couple’s synopsis – ‘‘The fiercest knights in the realm are coming together to compete in the Joust for Arwin's Lance, a tournament that will divide even the closest alliances. The winner alone will have the power to start or prevent a war from unfolding across the peaceful lands of Pentavia. House Hornbolt, a prominent family that desires peace above all else, is hosting the tournament. The Hornbolt’s have always been strict followers of tradition. The first born son wears the armor of a knight. The second takes the priestly Oath of Arwin. And the daughters get married off to the most eligible suitors. The eldest son is the favorite to win the tournament. But the rest of the Hornbolts aren't as eager to follow the paths laid out for them. What if the second born wants to be a knight too? And what if the eldest daughter just gave her heart to a common thief? Customs are meant to be broken. But that’s not all that threatens to shatter House Hornbolt, not when a secret deeper than the late king's grave is unearthed right before the joust. The fate of Pentavia hangs in the balance as war becomes imminent. And the scales are about to tip. One wrong move and everything could fall to pieces.’

Jolly good writing in a novel that provides escapism and entertainment in the grand style. This is a fine writing team!

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a brief admission: I did receive an advanced copy of this book in return for this review. However, everything I have written here is entirely my honest opinion.

So, I've given 'Be Careful What You Joust For' (BCWYJF) 3/5 stars, only because I can't give it 3.5/5 and whilst I did enjoy it very much I was a little dissatisfied by some elements.

Overall, I found this a very enjoyable read. The simplicity was refreshing: a lot of fantasy novels get too caught up in elaborate world-building that can quickly become dull. In contrast, Hauge creates an interesting world in BCWYJF without suffering such a problem. There is a good amount of lore and interesting elements of religion but not so much that the world becomes unrecognisable and the plot is bogged down by minutiae.

My biggest problem?

"This is the first in an epic fantasy series, but it can be read as a stand-alone."

...No. No it can't. There is an enormous cliffhanger at the end of the novel and very little - ...anything? - of the plot is resolved. This is very much "the first in an epic fantasy series" which is not a problem, but by no stretch of the imagination could this be considered a "stand-alone" except that it's the first in the series and technically you don't need to read anything prior to it in order to understand BCWYJF.

Usually I'm not a big fan of when chapters keep changing point of view. BCWYJF avoids this being a problem by tying the characters closely enough together that my attention isn't too split between various plot lines and it all remains different sides of the same story. Therefore to my surprise there weren't any points of view I found a drag to read. Each subplot brought a different feel and there was a nice mixture of mystery, romance and fantasy that means there's something for everyone in this book.

That being said, I started BCWYJF most excited Isolda's plot line and her's was the one that left me most disappointed because it didn't really go anywhere. She first seemed like she was going to be a bit of a badass but I felt her character was pushed aside for other aspects of the plot. Too much of the focus of the plot was on Terric's dreams of avoiding priesthood, although perhaps I am a little biased because by far Terric was my least favourite character.

Terric is very much a twelve year old boy. He is slightly obsessed by girls - and slightly creepy about it given he spies on his crush whilst she's bathing - and he fails to see any perspective outside his own. Honestly, he's a bit of a brat that spoils everything. He's naive and selfish and whilst he clearly loves his family he's ignorant to the real world and his actions have big consequences.

Oriana is a good character. She's boy-obsessed and it would have been easy for Hauge to make her into a stereotype but he avoids this and one of my favourite moments is an interaction between Oriana and her younger sister Nesta. Nesta ruins Oriana's dress - something she has been working hard on to impress the Prince - but instead of being mean about it, Oriana immediately sets aside her own feelings for the sake of her sisters. Oriana has depth and had me rooting for her.

There is one very small inconsistency in that when arranging to pay a sum to some inspector's to assess whether an artefact is real, the sum keeps fluctuating between 50 and 500 drachmas throughout the book. Obviously though, this is minor and doesn't really have an impact on much.

The ending felt a bit rushed and, ironically, a little bit anticlimactic. Ironic because it's actually a massive cliffhanger.

Overall I would definitely recommend this book. It's fast paced, has some endearing characters, has an engaging plot and is set in an interesting 'verse. There are some elements I found disappointing but for the most part it was an easy read and worth my investing time in it.

[Alyssa Russek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an advanced copy to review.

To start off I just have to say this book was just a little bit like a soap opera…. but I absolutely loved it. Ultimately this book could be shelved in a few genres, those being drama, fantasy, romance, coming of age, and mystery. I put the genres in the order I found their prominence.

There were a lot of characters, so obviously you’re going to have your favorites (Terric, Oriana) and least favorites (Isolda, Garrion) for pretty simple reasons. Everyone will probably have different reasons and different favorites. And no matter who you are you will love Nesta more than anyone ever.
Personally, I found the children’s storylines easier to relate to. I also found them to be pretty well paced.
Oriana is stuck between who she should marry, Rixin or Bastian, one seems to be a perfect prince and the other appears to be a dashing thief. As the story progresses you find out more about the boy’s individual backstories because they as well get their own chapters and it helps you decide who you would prefer (I am 100% team Rixin. Sorry Bastian, just can’t say no to Prince Charming) but it also leaves you with understanding for the other side.
Terric is a teenage boy with seemingly accurate feelings as a normal one would have. His father wants him to be a priest but he’s just discovering himself and his sexuality, although the book doesn’t get too far into it in my opinion it’s pretty tame in the erotica side.
I didn’t fully understand the religion itself but what I could grasp is that the priests themselves didn’t really have a great life. This left me with nothing but sympathy for Terric and hope that he could escape it.
Isolda and Garrion both had some interesting back stories but I felt they were too fast paced and I was left wanting to know more. Personally, I feel as if these stories could both be their own books at some point. These characters really move the whole story so you really want to get to know them and their motives just like you’ve gotten to know their children.
Yes, the story lines all combine pretty well in the end but you’re left thinking… wait now what??? TELL ME MORE!! The twists at the end were so heartbreaking you just feel so empty. But at the same time… fantastic.

So, here’s the deal. If you want to read a new series you can really get into this is it. There is a lot of drama within the story, and at times it goes a little fast, but the characters are great and there are so many to really fall in love with I doubt you’ll be left unsatisfied.

There are many beautiful quotes as well. I highlighted many while reading and if I can figure out how to take them off the Kindle and put them on here I promise I will

Okay so now that the review is over. Seriously I love Oriana and her storyline and I am currently DYING to know who she chooses. Please let me know which boy you choose because I really need to talk to someone about this!!

[Lora Shouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Careful What You Joust For is a satisfying Epic Fantasy with great characters and a tight plot. It is also a fascinating story.

There is a big tournament coming up. The prize is the honor of becoming ‘Arwin’s Lance,’ apparently a somewhat honorary position with vaguely religious overtones. The tournament is to be held in the city of Arwin’s Gate, a place under the control of Duke Garrion Hornbolt. The book details how the approach of the tournament and the preparations for it affect each member of the Hornbolt family.

The Duke is an old warrior who was originally, as the second son of his house, destined to become a priest of Arwin. But the death of his older brother frustrated his plans, and he was forced to become a knight instead. He is now trying to have his second son, Terric initiated as a priest of Arwin, but Terric wants nothing to do with being a priest. He would prefer to be a knight.

Arwin, by the way, is a figure from the past, somewhere between legendary knight and god, so he has priests, and people like Duke Garrion believe he controls people’s destinies and leads them to take certain actions. Duke Garrion believes Arwin wants to bring about an end to war. Most of his peers don’t seem very interested in this plan.

Although Arwin has now been deceased for many years, Garrion’s wife, Isolda, discovers what appears to be his dead body in a section of old mine revealed in a cave-in at a brothel Isolda runs in her alternate identity as Lady Marsilia, the most notorious crime lord of Arwin’s Gate. The body of Arwin was a relic belonging to Lady Isolda’s late father, and she considers it a clue to finding out who murdered him.

The Hornbolt children seem to be normal children involved in the normal dramas of a knightly family. Marcus, the oldest son, is planning to participate in the tournament and is seriously training to defeat his cousin, Prince Rixin, the crown prince of Treland. Orianna, the oldest daughter, has had a crush on Prince Rixin since she was little, and now could wind up betrothed to him if Rixin’s father, King Ivan, agrees. But Orianna runs into a thief in the market who excites her imagination too. Terric is planning to run away from home so that he doesn’t have to become a priest. Selina, the second daughter, spends most of her time reading. And Nesta, the precious youngest daughter, is at least as enamored of Prince Rixin as her older sister.

So it is particularly heartbreaking when the swirling suspicions and old enmities suddenly rare up and wreak havoc with this precariously balanced family and kingdom.

[Michelle Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for review.
Started: 17/03/18

Note: I am reading this on an iPad. I wrote notes as I read, so some of this is my reaction at the time of reading.

Story notes:

Be Careful for What You Joust For, by Ryan Hauge and Ivy Smoak is a snackable read. One you know you’ll enjoy because it’s quick, but you know you’ll get hooked on the content. It’s fast-paced highs and lows leave you wanting more as soon as you turn the page, with quite a number of memorable characters to keep you firmly anchored in the story.

Isolda’s father once told her that any respectable tournament would feature at least three deaths.

What a first line. You got me, you really did. I want to read more. And while i’m at it, quit stepping on squirrels tails! D:

Lady Isolda Hornbolt, Duchess of the Shield aka Lady Marsilia, notorious crimelord of Arwin’s Gate - HOLD ON. YOU HAVE ME HOOKED EVEN MORE WITH A BADASS HEROINE. What, even. Was not expecting. I’m not even through the first chapter yet, and I already have this amazing image of her in my head. She brings to mind George (a character from Tamora Pierce’ the Lioness series) playing both sides of the field (royal/thieves court), and it’s such a wonderful, refreshing combination to see in a female character. Bravo authors. By the end of the first chapter, I already love her. She reads as extremely resourceful, loyal, inquisitive, and possessing a strong strength of character.

By the fourth chapter, I’m not sure how well I’m feeling the POV jumps every chapter. It’s interesting, but for me personally I’m usually not a fan. The author gives us a little snippet of one character, and then immediately jumps to the next, with lead-up, sometimes without. If i were to critique one thing from early on in the storyline, it’s that the cliche story-marks jump out right away. IE: Garrion was seeing images of death suuuuper early on. IMHO, there needs to be a lead-up; feelings, suspicions, odd happenings that would lead someone to feel/think that death is creeping closer. Don’t just drop the d-word early on!
With the children, I was a little confused about their ages for the first little while; between the way they were treated (like young children), and their behaviours, to what they thought privately (especially Terric, regarding Bella), I could never really get a feel for who they were as characters.

Enter Bastian. He has a pet squirrel. He can be my future husband, okay? Tall, dark mysterious street-thief stranger? Be still my heart. My most favourite of favourite character descriptions.

The story is very fast-paced; it builds quickly, and leads you to build suspicions quickly. Isolda questions Garrions loyalties, and you find yourself asking 'WTH is happening?’. Seriously. It reminds me of the first time I read mystery novels; i want to know more, NOW. When you add the combination of Garrions’ recollection of past memories, and Bastians’ desires, you get a tantalizing mix of heady intrigue, and

To me, this is beginning to feel like a cross between Game of Thrones, and a young adult fantasy novel, which isn’t a bad thing. You’ve got splashes of things to make you want to read more; intrigue, flashbacks to bad memories, quick snatches of forbidden love interests, romance, and the dreams of a better place. And all of this work to create a great package deal. I found myself concerned over Isolda’s fears about Garrion, empathetic at Terrics distress about the oath, and annoyed as heck over Oriana’s feckless and girlish heart (It was a serious Sansa Stark moment). Like I said, it’s a fast paced read, and I just reached the final few chapters and it becomes a HOLY HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATS MOMENT. I was not expecting that finale. I think I read parts of it twice and I’m still a little mindblown. Like, what just happened, and HOLY HECK IT HAPPENED.

In the end, I give this book a solid four stars. There's a ton of intrigue that I really didn't see until I had finished the book and thought about it, heady young romance enough to make you shake your head and ask yourself why are you doing this, and the beginnings of great adventures to come. If you're a fan of George R. Martin, or Tamora Pierce, rest assured this one is something you should pick up. As a debut novel for a series, it adds just the right amount of adventure, intrigue, character development and plot development to pave the way for a bigger series.

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recieved an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

Be Careful What You Joust For is a multiple perspective book set in a medieval world at the brink of war. The winner of the upcoming Joust will have the power to start the war or prevent it from happening.

What I liked:
- Writing that was simple and easy to read
- Interesting and non predictable plot
- Characters with depth that you can actually care about (or dislike with a passion - I am looking at you, Oriana)
- Multiple PoVs that are easy to follow even if you are not used to reading books with so many perspectives
- Douchess who leads a double life. She is the wife of Duke Hornbolt and… a wanted criminal, Lady Marsilla (it's not a spoiler, we learn about that very quickly) Actually Isolda was my favourite character. She had so much potential. The fact that she died before she got the development she deserved is actually painful to me.
- A charming thief who has a pet squirrel named Nut (how adorable is that?)
- Nesta! (It actually feels weird to like a character named Nesta. Thank you, ACOTAR) She is an amazing little girl. I am usually not fond of kids in books but she is definitely an exception

What I didn't like:
- There are only 2 PoC that are important in any way (correct me if there is more) and one of them is constantly described as "hideous horse face", "hideous monster", "odd little monster girl"… you get the picture. I think it would be enough to say that she was not attractive. And stating it once or twice is enough for the reader to understand that she is no match for the wonderful Oriana
- ORIANA!!! She reminded me of Sansa Stark from GoT but… 10 times worse. She is concerned with only her looks and having a husband is her life goal. She instantly falls in love with every man who shows her even a little bit of attention
- Instalove and love triangle
- Characters used language that didn't match the setting of the story at all. It made the book easier to read, but it made me feel a little disconnected - at times I felt like I was reading a fanfiction instead of an actual book

Overall I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to. It wasn't the most unique story, but it was a lot of fun. I can't wait to see this world develop and expand. I will definitely be continuing with this series. The cliffhanger at the end made sure of it!

[Whitney McGruder · Rating 5 out of 5]

So there's definitely a lot of things to enjoy if I gave a book 5 stars, right? I'm a sucker for characters, and Hauge does a fantastic job in creating a whole cast of characters who break their respective molds. Here's a breakdown of some characters I particularly enjoyed:

Isolda—Yes, a duke's wife, but she's got her whole separate life of using underground businesses to get information about her father's death. I love how communicative and empathetic she is to her children. Hauge avoids a lot of cringey drama by letting Isolda get right to the point and establishes trust really quickly with the other characters.
Bastian—I envisioned him as a Flynn Ryder kind of a dude; he is a charming thief after all. I enjoyed his deeper backstory, his morals, and his honesty with what he wants and who he is.
Garrion—For the longest time, you don't really know how to feel about him, because he reads as a typical dad and duke: they don't really know what people want and assume they're doing the right thing for others. He's the opposite of Isolda in that regard. He also has a fascinating backstory; he isn't just a hot-headed zealot like all the other dukes.
Rixin—The story sets him up to be really untrustworthy and cunning, but like most antagonists, he's a gray character. I sympathized with him in many ways, and you'll see that there's a method to his madness. He's definitely not as conniving as Marcus assumes him to be.
Oriana—Yay, Oriana! She falls in love with both Rixin and Bastian in an interesting love triangle; I honestly can't pick which one I like more, so the next book will need to help me decide. However, she's more than the love triangle or her looks. She's clever, she learns to value herself, and she uses her agency as much as her life path will allow.
Nesta—What a snot of a baby sister. Y'all will love her.

Overall, I was impressed about how realistic each character was; the parents sounded like parents and the kids sounded like kids. The genders were also very realistic, too. Either he had phenomenal beta readers, Hauge knows his characters, or both.

So I was overall super impressed with the characters, world building, and storytelling decisions. Hauge definitely establishes a flourishing world with culture, religion, customs, and history. Hauge also helps you get to know each character to the point where you're not sure who to root for. I certainly can't wait until the next book where I can learn more about who wins out in the end.