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Evil for Evil: Volume 1
For thousands of equinoxes, the Green Cloaks have sworn to protect the people of Solum Cowdh from a fearsome race poisoned by sinister magic. When a spell goes terribly wrong, the destinies of two bitter adversaries become forever changed. With a rising threat from the Darklands, Elan, a young Green Cloak, is faced with a nightmare she cannot escape. While Warrick, a bloodthirsty Darklandian, becomes tethered to the demons he has vowed to destroy. In order to defeat a shared enemy, they must each overcome a greater their own desires for revenge.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 1, 2022
***spoilers***
Alijewicz freshman effort here is quite good! It’s a Christian fantasy novel, but if it wasn’t for the Bible quote at the very end of the book you couldn’t tell, which in my estimation, is a very good thing. There’s a lot to commend this book on, and I would recommend it to people who like fantasy with a young adult angle.
Here’s what I liked. I liked the style. I’m not sure where Alijewicz is pulling her creative influences from but I have my guesses. Regardless, she writes in the modern fantasy style of third person limited like some of the greats, and, more impressively, writes the narrative in present tense. That is much rarer and impressive and I haven’t seen another fantasy author do that. That’s by itself is worth recommending for people who like to read different styles.
I liked the two main characters as well, they feel real and not overpowered which is a common mistake in many fantasy novels. When they fight, they really feel like they could die, which is great. They also aren’t perfect and avoid the Mary Sue/Gary Stu tropes that are also common. So big fan of all that.
I also liked the twist she put on the attachment between the two main characters. The idea of being attached to an evil or spiritual being is not uncommon in fantasy stuff. However, I have never seen it be someone physical, usually it’s like a spirit that is within them or something. The actual lived reality between the two because they physically can’t be apart from each other is a nice touch that I haven’t seen before.
As I alluded to earlier I also like that there is not an obvious Christian story. Obviously, the themes are there, but it isn’t like Narnia or other Christian fiction where everything is just a gospel allusion or Christ allegory. What’s more important is that the morals are here, but they kind of end up getting in the way a little, more on that later.
The world building is okay, not amazing, not bad. Just kind of typical. But I figure this means the author wanted to give more emphasis on characters than the world. Which is fine.
What didn’t work as well for me in this novel was that Alijewicz does a good job at building up morally complex situations, but then they just get deflated by easy solutions that present themselves. This might be where the Christian morals get in the way of more effective storytelling that also reflects our sinful reality. I like Christian themes, I am a Christian, I agree with them, I’m glad they are there. But sometimes it ends up leading to easy solutions presenting themselves. This is the reason it’s getting 3 stars really. I found the whole first hunger for blood thing so interesting and I liked seeing Elan try and deal with it. I thought it a good struggle, maybe emblematic of the temptation to sin, and then it gets to a point where she is ready to kill someone in order to get rid of the craving, but then just can’t go through with it. Which is fine, but I expected narrative punishment for that. Just as living a holy life is punishing in a sinful world at times. Well it turns out, that she doesn’t really need to feed. It was actually her magical crest thingy that made it hard for her to eat and so once that problem was solved the tension of the feeding was just deflated and it felt like it was all built up for nothing. Which was a shame, because I found that intriguing.
All in all, quite good. I would read a second one, which I presume will be coming out in the near future. I think if the good parts are built up and moral stakes are treated properly it could have a really good future as a series.
Alijewicz freshman effort here is quite good! It’s a Christian fantasy novel, but if it wasn’t for the Bible quote at the very end of the book you couldn’t tell, which in my estimation, is a very good thing. There’s a lot to commend this book on, and I would recommend it to people who like fantasy with a young adult angle.
Here’s what I liked. I liked the style. I’m not sure where Alijewicz is pulling her creative influences from but I have my guesses. Regardless, she writes in the modern fantasy style of third person limited like some of the greats, and, more impressively, writes the narrative in present tense. That is much rarer and impressive and I haven’t seen another fantasy author do that. That’s by itself is worth recommending for people who like to read different styles.
I liked the two main characters as well, they feel real and not overpowered which is a common mistake in many fantasy novels. When they fight, they really feel like they could die, which is great. They also aren’t perfect and avoid the Mary Sue/Gary Stu tropes that are also common. So big fan of all that.
I also liked the twist she put on the attachment between the two main characters. The idea of being attached to an evil or spiritual being is not uncommon in fantasy stuff. However, I have never seen it be someone physical, usually it’s like a spirit that is within them or something. The actual lived reality between the two because they physically can’t be apart from each other is a nice touch that I haven’t seen before.
As I alluded to earlier I also like that there is not an obvious Christian story. Obviously, the themes are there, but it isn’t like Narnia or other Christian fiction where everything is just a gospel allusion or Christ allegory. What’s more important is that the morals are here, but they kind of end up getting in the way a little, more on that later.
The world building is okay, not amazing, not bad. Just kind of typical. But I figure this means the author wanted to give more emphasis on characters than the world. Which is fine.
What didn’t work as well for me in this novel was that Alijewicz does a good job at building up morally complex situations, but then they just get deflated by easy solutions that present themselves. This might be where the Christian morals get in the way of more effective storytelling that also reflects our sinful reality. I like Christian themes, I am a Christian, I agree with them, I’m glad they are there. But sometimes it ends up leading to easy solutions presenting themselves. This is the reason it’s getting 3 stars really. I found the whole first hunger for blood thing so interesting and I liked seeing Elan try and deal with it. I thought it a good struggle, maybe emblematic of the temptation to sin, and then it gets to a point where she is ready to kill someone in order to get rid of the craving, but then just can’t go through with it. Which is fine, but I expected narrative punishment for that. Just as living a holy life is punishing in a sinful world at times. Well it turns out, that she doesn’t really need to feed. It was actually her magical crest thingy that made it hard for her to eat and so once that problem was solved the tension of the feeding was just deflated and it felt like it was all built up for nothing. Which was a shame, because I found that intriguing.
All in all, quite good. I would read a second one, which I presume will be coming out in the near future. I think if the good parts are built up and moral stakes are treated properly it could have a really good future as a series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2023
Twilight meets Middle Earth
The story reads quickly with action scenes that breeze through decades with sort of a breathless sequence of events. Elan becomes a Green Cloak, the first woman to ever do so, triggering an ancient prophecy. Unfortunately, she is also bound to her nemesis, a vampiric creature. After all, what is a prophecy without insurmountable odds? It really did remind me of Twilight but against a backdrop of LOTR.
The story makes the reader question the origins of feuds and our own reasons for labeling those we don't understand.
The story reads quickly with action scenes that breeze through decades with sort of a breathless sequence of events. Elan becomes a Green Cloak, the first woman to ever do so, triggering an ancient prophecy. Unfortunately, she is also bound to her nemesis, a vampiric creature. After all, what is a prophecy without insurmountable odds? It really did remind me of Twilight but against a backdrop of LOTR.
The story makes the reader question the origins of feuds and our own reasons for labeling those we don't understand.
November 12, 2019
Wanting more
Easy read of fantasy. Full of emotion and adventure.
Never knowing what to expect next kept me reading into the night.
The characters come alive and I felt as if I knew them. I can't wait to see what's next
Easy read of fantasy. Full of emotion and adventure.
Never knowing what to expect next kept me reading into the night.
The characters come alive and I felt as if I knew them. I can't wait to see what's next
August 8, 2020
Amazing book! Must read for all!
The concept of loving your enemy and showing mercy is strong among the storyline. Even when there is pain, loss, and unexpected circumstances. Book two better come out soon as I’m dying to know who the hermit is!
The concept of loving your enemy and showing mercy is strong among the storyline. Even when there is pain, loss, and unexpected circumstances. Book two better come out soon as I’m dying to know who the hermit is!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews