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Mortal Heritance #1
Sisters of the Perilous Heart
What would you do to save a sister?
As the last mortal kingdom of Kepler resists the Immortal Empire, its young queen faces a devastating attack. Queen Vivian is two minutes into her reign when an arrow pierces her heart and infects her with the Immortality Virus. But she has too much magic to become immortal and not enough to survive. She must find more magic fast, or she’ll die.
Meanwhile, another young mortal faces an uncertain future of her own. Carina is fleeing for her life, but her magic is a tracking beam for immortals. She must learn to harness and control it, or she’ll be captured and killed. Then she meets the queen of South Kepler.
Vivian needs Carina’s magic, and she can offer safe haven in exchange. But can Vivian trust this common girl? Carina isn’t on the kingdom’s registry of magicians. What if she’s a Northern rebel? A spy for the Immortal Empire? And will the truth be revealed in time to save them both?
Sisters of the Perilous Heart is Book One of the Mortal Heritance series.
As the last mortal kingdom of Kepler resists the Immortal Empire, its young queen faces a devastating attack. Queen Vivian is two minutes into her reign when an arrow pierces her heart and infects her with the Immortality Virus. But she has too much magic to become immortal and not enough to survive. She must find more magic fast, or she’ll die.
Meanwhile, another young mortal faces an uncertain future of her own. Carina is fleeing for her life, but her magic is a tracking beam for immortals. She must learn to harness and control it, or she’ll be captured and killed. Then she meets the queen of South Kepler.
Vivian needs Carina’s magic, and she can offer safe haven in exchange. But can Vivian trust this common girl? Carina isn’t on the kingdom’s registry of magicians. What if she’s a Northern rebel? A spy for the Immortal Empire? And will the truth be revealed in time to save them both?
Sisters of the Perilous Heart is Book One of the Mortal Heritance series.
395 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2018
4 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
Sandra L. Vasher
7 books18 followersSandra L. Vasher is an indie writer, recovering lawyer, dreamer, consultant, blogger, serial entrepreneur, and mommy of very spoiled dog. She enjoys long drives in fall weather, do-it-yourself projects, animated movies and cartoons, fanfiction, red wine, traveling everywhere, and baking sweet and savory treats. She can often be found trying not to hunch over her computer at her favorite coffee shops in Raleigh, North Carolina. Follow her online at sandyvasher.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
April 4, 2020
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What to say.. what to write. Sisters of the Perilous Heart was interesting. I honestly have so many questions after just finishing this. It also doesn't help that I didn't know who to trust throughout the entire book either. Well, unless you count the MC - Vivian. She is the only one that I truly understood and could tell was herself throughout the entire thing.
As for everyone else, man that's a toss up for sure. Of course, you get little bits and pieces about them in certain chapters and at one point - things definitely start to make sense or click together. Yet, I still have no idea what to say about any of them. All I want to say, is that I hope that what happened at the end didn't actually happen. Ya know?
The only reason I'm thinking or wanting this is because that would make book two so good. I mean, after that cliffhanger-ish ending, we are left questioning everyone and every little thing. So, yeah.. I don't know what to expect in the next book but I'm wondering about certain possibilities..
What to say.. what to write. Sisters of the Perilous Heart was interesting. I honestly have so many questions after just finishing this. It also doesn't help that I didn't know who to trust throughout the entire book either. Well, unless you count the MC - Vivian. She is the only one that I truly understood and could tell was herself throughout the entire thing.
As for everyone else, man that's a toss up for sure. Of course, you get little bits and pieces about them in certain chapters and at one point - things definitely start to make sense or click together. Yet, I still have no idea what to say about any of them. All I want to say, is that I hope that what happened at the end didn't actually happen. Ya know?
The only reason I'm thinking or wanting this is because that would make book two so good. I mean, after that cliffhanger-ish ending, we are left questioning everyone and every little thing. So, yeah.. I don't know what to expect in the next book but I'm wondering about certain possibilities..
April 30, 2020
Thank you so much to Xpresso Book Tours via NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own!
Sisters of the Perilous Heart is a unique sci-fi / fantasy crossover novel that got delightfully dark for the genre. There is even a tad bit of romance, and half of it is actually.....cute.
Immortality is engineered by a virus strain in a future Earth. Ships with Immortals are sent out to colonize other planets, and the events of the novel take place some 4000 years later. Once we read through some boring-ish but important epidemiology stuff, this book became truly enjoyable. I will not say spoilers but the end of the book was BRAVE on the author’s part!
The world-building and history is extremely well done. It comes in bits and pieces. In the beginning things are a bit confusing, but by the end of the book the various Strains of Immortals and Mortals and mostly everything else makes sense. The world itself is very well constructed with terrain, geography, architecture, food and dress that is very Earthlike at times. We even get a glimpse into the Royal family, succession, and political maneuvering but the novel never felt info dumpy in the present-day chapters. My favorite bit was to see the native citizens and some animals too.
The two main characters are both sweet and pretty relatable. Carina the girl from the brewery and Vivian, the Queen, poisoned two minutes into her rule. I liked these two, and the funny thing was that every single side character was a huge wildcard while the main characters stayed their courses. The princes obviously have their own agendas, and who knows what’s going on with Carina’s travelling buddies. A lot of character development was built around angst and hiding things, but teens in books rarely have open communication and that would make it too easy, right? Poor Queen Vivian though I really liked her and everyone thinks she’s a monster because of her god-terrible mother. I did like the dynamic between the trio of siblings – ha ha usually. I repeat: pay attention to the side characters while reading!
The magic was pretty straightforward. Certain Mortals in the Cardinal families have strong abilities in telekinesis and either heat or cold, while most people have some mild telekinetic skill. They vary from the interpersonal threads similar to Truthwitch to moving objects, healing, sensing people’s where abouts, to being able to tear a building apart.
Quick note: once it got going the pacing is perfect. I promise the plot and character twists toward the end are worth the reader’s time. Some is foreshadowed, some really isn’t.
Last but not least, the OneReadingNurse medical rant©! As a medical professional I am not sure how I feel about HIV+Flu mixing to cause the Immortality virus. I feel like it would just … kill people. I did like how much thought Vasher put into the etiology and epidemiology of the virus, but caution readers not to take it as advice on any specific modern day viruses. I also think her magical healing makes sense – Danielle Jensen and Kristin Britain in the past have written similar magical healing elements – it takes ENERGY to heal! It would likely wipe out the healer, and I like how the energy transfer is acknowledged and realistic here!
Anyway! In summary: Miscommunication as a plot device is not always a bad thing. There is political intrigue, sibling banter, and a whole lot of ‘why murder me when you could have just asked’? I liked the mix of modern, medical, and fantastic elements. I definitely recommend this book to both sci-fi and fantasy readers. I rated 3.5 stars for the learning curve at the beginning and amount of time it took to clear up the different factions, and I didn’t like Carina’s group’s dynamic. I definitely have 100% respect for the author for doing what she did at the end of the book 😉 and definitely need to read the next installment!
Sisters of the Perilous Heart is a unique sci-fi / fantasy crossover novel that got delightfully dark for the genre. There is even a tad bit of romance, and half of it is actually.....cute.
Immortality is engineered by a virus strain in a future Earth. Ships with Immortals are sent out to colonize other planets, and the events of the novel take place some 4000 years later. Once we read through some boring-ish but important epidemiology stuff, this book became truly enjoyable. I will not say spoilers but the end of the book was BRAVE on the author’s part!
The world-building and history is extremely well done. It comes in bits and pieces. In the beginning things are a bit confusing, but by the end of the book the various Strains of Immortals and Mortals and mostly everything else makes sense. The world itself is very well constructed with terrain, geography, architecture, food and dress that is very Earthlike at times. We even get a glimpse into the Royal family, succession, and political maneuvering but the novel never felt info dumpy in the present-day chapters. My favorite bit was to see the native citizens and some animals too.
The two main characters are both sweet and pretty relatable. Carina the girl from the brewery and Vivian, the Queen, poisoned two minutes into her rule. I liked these two, and the funny thing was that every single side character was a huge wildcard while the main characters stayed their courses. The princes obviously have their own agendas, and who knows what’s going on with Carina’s travelling buddies. A lot of character development was built around angst and hiding things, but teens in books rarely have open communication and that would make it too easy, right? Poor Queen Vivian though I really liked her and everyone thinks she’s a monster because of her god-terrible mother. I did like the dynamic between the trio of siblings – ha ha usually. I repeat: pay attention to the side characters while reading!
The magic was pretty straightforward. Certain Mortals in the Cardinal families have strong abilities in telekinesis and either heat or cold, while most people have some mild telekinetic skill. They vary from the interpersonal threads similar to Truthwitch to moving objects, healing, sensing people’s where abouts, to being able to tear a building apart.
Quick note: once it got going the pacing is perfect. I promise the plot and character twists toward the end are worth the reader’s time. Some is foreshadowed, some really isn’t.
Last but not least, the OneReadingNurse medical rant©! As a medical professional I am not sure how I feel about HIV+Flu mixing to cause the Immortality virus. I feel like it would just … kill people. I did like how much thought Vasher put into the etiology and epidemiology of the virus, but caution readers not to take it as advice on any specific modern day viruses. I also think her magical healing makes sense – Danielle Jensen and Kristin Britain in the past have written similar magical healing elements – it takes ENERGY to heal! It would likely wipe out the healer, and I like how the energy transfer is acknowledged and realistic here!
Anyway! In summary: Miscommunication as a plot device is not always a bad thing. There is political intrigue, sibling banter, and a whole lot of ‘why murder me when you could have just asked’? I liked the mix of modern, medical, and fantastic elements. I definitely recommend this book to both sci-fi and fantasy readers. I rated 3.5 stars for the learning curve at the beginning and amount of time it took to clear up the different factions, and I didn’t like Carina’s group’s dynamic. I definitely have 100% respect for the author for doing what she did at the end of the book 😉 and definitely need to read the next installment!
April 4, 2020
The story is set in a planet named Kepler, where people from Earth travelled to many years ago. The world building and character building was excellent. The two main protagonists of the novel are - Vivian, an 18 year old newly coronated queen, who was attacked by immortal assassins, which resulted her being infected by the immortality; and Carina an orphan girl who was brought up by the sisters in a convent.
The story is a mix of science fiction and fantasy. So, it may seem confusing at the beginning. But as on reading more, the reader get immersed in the book. Also, the story is somewhat slow-paced. However, on reading me, he story picks the reader's curiosity. Especially the second part of the story is very interesting as it gains more speed and there are numerous twists and turns. In short, this book exposes us to a new world full of adventure, fantasy, science, problems, betrayals and heartbreaks.
The story is a mix of science fiction and fantasy. So, it may seem confusing at the beginning. But as on reading more, the reader get immersed in the book. Also, the story is somewhat slow-paced. However, on reading me, he story picks the reader's curiosity. Especially the second part of the story is very interesting as it gains more speed and there are numerous twists and turns. In short, this book exposes us to a new world full of adventure, fantasy, science, problems, betrayals and heartbreaks.
April 4, 2020
I apologize in advance for the mess that is my review. I've just finished reading this book and I am still processing everything that I read. Overall, just know that I really liked it and I can't wait for the next book! I'm never really good at explaining things and this time, it's no different especially since this world and the magic is a little complicated and confusing at first.
I don't know what my expectations were going into this book but there is no way I could have imagined this world or the plot. I felt like this book's world-building was original and mixed fantasy with sci-fi but also dystopia. The story is set on Kepler, another planet populated by "Kepler mortals" and Immortals. These Immortals have red eyes and don't possess any empathy. That obviously causes problems. The best way to fight the virus turning people into Immortals is with magic. Therefore, the Immortals are hunting any magic-users.
And in this book you'll follow two perspectives : Vivian, who was recently crowned and Carina, a girl who lost her family in an attack and is hidden by "Sisters" in the mountain with her younger sister Miguela. Both girls have incredible amounts of magic and while Vivian knows everything about her powers, Carina knows almost nothing. She's been hidden from the world for her own protection and has been forbidden to use her magic. When Immortals finds her, she has to run away with her little sister in order to survive.
At the very beginning, Vivian is attacked and almost dies from an arrow. While the wound healed, the virus got to her and her magic is trying to fight it. Unfortunately, even with the help of her two younger brothers, she needs more magic or she will either die or become an Immortal. Both possibilities are unacceptable and that's why the three of them go on a quest to find someone that could help her.
Their paths will cross, a couple of romances will happen in-between, and the ending gave so many reveals that I did not expect and left me wanting to know more.
I also need to mention that I never knew what to feel or where to stand with most of the characters (both Princes, Max and even Carina's sister). It felt very weird to not know if I liked them or not or if I should suspect them. I was very unsure about them and I still don't know how to feel to be honest. I think the only two characters I knew for sure I liked were Carina and Vivian.
Random thought: I feel like the cover isn't going to attract many readers but I hope people will give this book a chance and enjoy reading it <3
(Thank you for letting me review and read an ARC via Netgalley)
I don't know what my expectations were going into this book but there is no way I could have imagined this world or the plot. I felt like this book's world-building was original and mixed fantasy with sci-fi but also dystopia. The story is set on Kepler, another planet populated by "Kepler mortals" and Immortals. These Immortals have red eyes and don't possess any empathy. That obviously causes problems. The best way to fight the virus turning people into Immortals is with magic. Therefore, the Immortals are hunting any magic-users.
And in this book you'll follow two perspectives : Vivian, who was recently crowned and Carina, a girl who lost her family in an attack and is hidden by "Sisters" in the mountain with her younger sister Miguela. Both girls have incredible amounts of magic and while Vivian knows everything about her powers, Carina knows almost nothing. She's been hidden from the world for her own protection and has been forbidden to use her magic. When Immortals finds her, she has to run away with her little sister in order to survive.
At the very beginning, Vivian is attacked and almost dies from an arrow. While the wound healed, the virus got to her and her magic is trying to fight it. Unfortunately, even with the help of her two younger brothers, she needs more magic or she will either die or become an Immortal. Both possibilities are unacceptable and that's why the three of them go on a quest to find someone that could help her.
Their paths will cross, a couple of romances will happen in-between, and the ending gave so many reveals that I did not expect and left me wanting to know more.
I also need to mention that I never knew what to feel or where to stand with most of the characters (both Princes, Max and even Carina's sister). It felt very weird to not know if I liked them or not or if I should suspect them. I was very unsure about them and I still don't know how to feel to be honest. I think the only two characters I knew for sure I liked were Carina and Vivian.
Random thought: I feel like the cover isn't going to attract many readers but I hope people will give this book a chance and enjoy reading it <3
(Thank you for letting me review and read an ARC via Netgalley)
May 2, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
”The queen is supposed to be a light of hope for the entire kingdom, Viv,” he admonished. “Where’s your faith?” “Completely in you for the moment,” she admitted. “That’s a start,”
This book was so much better than I expected! It was full of action and excitement and I found myself getting the jitters as I anxiously waited to find out what was happening haha
The book had two POV’s from Carina and Vivian, although I think I enjoyed Carina’s chapters a little more. The world building and magic was pretty good, but kind of confusing? I was confused on when it actually took place because they had things from let’s say the 1800s as well as modern day. Idk maybe I just didn’t catch on?!
Have you ever read a book where you didn’t know who or what to trust so it completely frustrated you? Well this was the book for me haha I went from “omg I love them” to “wait can I even trust him/her?” It’s a rollercoaster in the best possible way. I definitely think everyone should grab a copy of this book once it’s released and I excited for book two.
4/5 🌟’s
”The queen is supposed to be a light of hope for the entire kingdom, Viv,” he admonished. “Where’s your faith?” “Completely in you for the moment,” she admitted. “That’s a start,”
This book was so much better than I expected! It was full of action and excitement and I found myself getting the jitters as I anxiously waited to find out what was happening haha
The book had two POV’s from Carina and Vivian, although I think I enjoyed Carina’s chapters a little more. The world building and magic was pretty good, but kind of confusing? I was confused on when it actually took place because they had things from let’s say the 1800s as well as modern day. Idk maybe I just didn’t catch on?!
Have you ever read a book where you didn’t know who or what to trust so it completely frustrated you? Well this was the book for me haha I went from “omg I love them” to “wait can I even trust him/her?” It’s a rollercoaster in the best possible way. I definitely think everyone should grab a copy of this book once it’s released and I excited for book two.
4/5 🌟’s
September 18, 2020
2.5 stars
I gotta say, I'm immensely disappointed with this book. There were so many things the author could have focused on that was more interesting instead of detailing every little thing every character did especially the daily mediocre things that everyone does.
The scientific and political aspects of the book was honestly amazing but they were barely focused on which is a whole miss really. Like they made an immortal virus by fusing parts of HIV and influenza together and going out to space to find other planets with life! Why wasn't this the focus instead? It's so much more interesting. Every earth mission logs were so good but too bad there wasn't much of it.
Some of the other things that I disliked are the convenient and anticlimactic moments as well as over-explanation of insignificant things. There was also the warnings of using said powers but never explaining why one should be careful and then when said consequences happens, they go like "we should have told you"! Are you kidding me? What did you expect???
As for the characters, I really wasn't a fan of many. I loved Vivian and Miguela while I hated Carina and Max a lot compared to Vivian's brothers where I have a love and hate relationship with them. The problem for me was most of the book focuses more on Carina than Vivian and her make out sessions with Max.
Moreover, I have complicated feelings towards the ending because it feels like things were happening too fast that some of the conflicts throughout the whole book didn't matter in that last battle.
Overall, what I was expecting from this book was plot and how Vivian was going to survive with the help of Carina and beating her mother. What I got is them doing daily chores or normal events in their lives with plot content here and there. Moreover, the said meeting happens more than halfway through the book and Carina is being thickheaded and not bothering to listen. Wow. So helpful. And then she gets mad that they didn't bother explaining to her the situation. Wow, she's a good listener.
Anyways, I really have no desire to read the next book since the focus will be on Carina and not Vivian.
Thank you Netgalley and BookSirens for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.
I gotta say, I'm immensely disappointed with this book. There were so many things the author could have focused on that was more interesting instead of detailing every little thing every character did especially the daily mediocre things that everyone does.
The scientific and political aspects of the book was honestly amazing but they were barely focused on which is a whole miss really. Like they made an immortal virus by fusing parts of HIV and influenza together and going out to space to find other planets with life! Why wasn't this the focus instead? It's so much more interesting. Every earth mission logs were so good but too bad there wasn't much of it.
Some of the other things that I disliked are the convenient and anticlimactic moments as well as over-explanation of insignificant things. There was also the warnings of using said powers but never explaining why one should be careful and then when said consequences happens, they go like "we should have told you"! Are you kidding me? What did you expect???
As for the characters, I really wasn't a fan of many. I loved Vivian and Miguela while I hated Carina and Max a lot compared to Vivian's brothers where I have a love and hate relationship with them. The problem for me was most of the book focuses more on Carina than Vivian and her make out sessions with Max.
Moreover, I have complicated feelings towards the ending because it feels like things were happening too fast that some of the conflicts throughout the whole book didn't matter in that last battle.
Overall, what I was expecting from this book was plot and how Vivian was going to survive with the help of Carina and beating her mother. What I got is them doing daily chores or normal events in their lives with plot content here and there. Moreover, the said meeting happens more than halfway through the book and Carina is being thickheaded and not bothering to listen. Wow. So helpful. And then she gets mad that they didn't bother explaining to her the situation. Wow, she's a good listener.
Anyways, I really have no desire to read the next book since the focus will be on Carina and not Vivian.
Thank you Netgalley and BookSirens for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.
December 8, 2025
Lets just say, throw all your conceptions right out the window and enjoy the amazing ride.
Sisters of the Perilous Heart was nothing at all what I was anticipating but I was completely blown away by Vasher's imagings. Amazing world building but then you realize the world they live in insist what you thought it was and still it was fabulously contrived. It’s a mash up of scifi and fantasy with space travel, viruses, immortality, a dystopian but modern feel.
You are introduced to a newly crowned, 18 yr old Queen Vivian and her two magical brothers, Nate and Bas, as she is crowned and then immediately attacked and infected with the immortal virus. The attack makes you think you are in a time of long ago with arrows and swords.
Then you meet Carina and her sister Miguela, who are hiding in a convent of sisters. Carina is a magic user hiding from the “red eyes” and her sister Miguela hates magic. The convent is under siege because the “red eyes” have found them and they go on the run to the “north”. During their travels they quickly run into Max, who isn’t at all who you and Carina think he is.
There is horse travel and vans, dinners and old inns, you almost feel like Camelot meets an urban fantasy world.
Along the way, Vivian’s family and Carina and crew keep crashing together, somewhat hostile, somewhat intrigued and ultimately required for their survival.
The storytelling was somewhat convoluted or confusing but overall I found myself hooked. I will be reading on and I can’t wait to see where Vasher is taking this next.
I received this ARC copy of Sisters of the Perilous Heart from Morton Ink Press, LLC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Sisters of the Perilous Heart was nothing at all what I was anticipating but I was completely blown away by Vasher's imagings. Amazing world building but then you realize the world they live in insist what you thought it was and still it was fabulously contrived. It’s a mash up of scifi and fantasy with space travel, viruses, immortality, a dystopian but modern feel.
You are introduced to a newly crowned, 18 yr old Queen Vivian and her two magical brothers, Nate and Bas, as she is crowned and then immediately attacked and infected with the immortal virus. The attack makes you think you are in a time of long ago with arrows and swords.
Then you meet Carina and her sister Miguela, who are hiding in a convent of sisters. Carina is a magic user hiding from the “red eyes” and her sister Miguela hates magic. The convent is under siege because the “red eyes” have found them and they go on the run to the “north”. During their travels they quickly run into Max, who isn’t at all who you and Carina think he is.
There is horse travel and vans, dinners and old inns, you almost feel like Camelot meets an urban fantasy world.
Along the way, Vivian’s family and Carina and crew keep crashing together, somewhat hostile, somewhat intrigued and ultimately required for their survival.
The storytelling was somewhat convoluted or confusing but overall I found myself hooked. I will be reading on and I can’t wait to see where Vasher is taking this next.
I received this ARC copy of Sisters of the Perilous Heart from Morton Ink Press, LLC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
April 25, 2020
Sisters of the Perilous Heart (Book1 of The Mortal Heritance Series) – Sandra L. Vasher
I was kindly given an advanced copy of this book in order to provide a review.
Sandra L. Vasher has written some young adult fiction and some short stories. I have not read anything by Sandra L. Vasher prior to starting this book.
“Sisters of the Perilous Heart” is the first book in “The Mortal Heritance Series”.
Earth has changed since the discovery of the virus – the Immortality Virus. If the virus doesn't kill you, you become immortal. However there is a catch, besides now having red eyes you will slowly loose yourself and slowly loose all capacity for empathy towards others.
But that is not all that has changed, magic has appeared in the world. Having magic though will not give you immunity against the immortality virus. If you are lucky enough to survive the virus and become immortal, you will loose all your magic.
Now the humans have left Earth and travelled to other places, places such as Kepler.
Kepler was once ruled by a few magically strong families known as Cardinals. But now all that is left is the newly crowned Queen of South Kepler, Vivian and her two brothers, Nate and Bast. And amongst it all is the Empress of the Immortal Empire threatening to tear it all down – Empress Hildebrand. Her goal is to crush the mortals with the Immortal Empire bearing down over them all. Whilst the King of North Kepler, King Reginald – has kept himself quiet and away from the conflict, refusing to ally with South Kepler against this common enemy.
Alas, Queen Vivian has more immediate concerns, immortal assassin attempted to assassinate her at her coronation and they might yet still be successful. She was infected with the immortality virus. Now Vivian and her brothers race against time to find a cure where none has been found before, travelling the lands of South Kepler and seeking the famous Guru hiding in the Mountain of Peril.
During their journey they stumble across the orphan Carina and her sister Miguela. Carina and Miguela have hidden Carina's magical abilities all their lives for fear of the Red-eyed Ones finding them and hunting them down, yet they must also fear the royal family of South Kepler who eliminate all magical threats to their line – none can be stronger in magic than they. Fighting each other and the enemies chasing them can they find a cure for Vivian; can the sisters escape the Red-eyed ones and the royal family of South Kepler?
“Sisters of the Perilous Heart” is an interesting and fascinating young adult fantasy story. With many intricate characters and just as many intertwining story lines, this is a story that keeps you thinking and trying to figure out what is going to happen next. And trust me, you won't able to guess all the little twists and turns through out this story. But my favourite part of all, and yes this may sound weird, was the twist at the end that I never saw coming – oh my god. I just wish the next book was out already so I knew how all the characters were coping with this jaw dropping revelation.
If you are looking for the next fantasy series to loose yourself in – don't look any further because here it is!
I was kindly given an advanced copy of this book in order to provide a review.
Sandra L. Vasher has written some young adult fiction and some short stories. I have not read anything by Sandra L. Vasher prior to starting this book.
“Sisters of the Perilous Heart” is the first book in “The Mortal Heritance Series”.
Earth has changed since the discovery of the virus – the Immortality Virus. If the virus doesn't kill you, you become immortal. However there is a catch, besides now having red eyes you will slowly loose yourself and slowly loose all capacity for empathy towards others.
But that is not all that has changed, magic has appeared in the world. Having magic though will not give you immunity against the immortality virus. If you are lucky enough to survive the virus and become immortal, you will loose all your magic.
Now the humans have left Earth and travelled to other places, places such as Kepler.
Kepler was once ruled by a few magically strong families known as Cardinals. But now all that is left is the newly crowned Queen of South Kepler, Vivian and her two brothers, Nate and Bast. And amongst it all is the Empress of the Immortal Empire threatening to tear it all down – Empress Hildebrand. Her goal is to crush the mortals with the Immortal Empire bearing down over them all. Whilst the King of North Kepler, King Reginald – has kept himself quiet and away from the conflict, refusing to ally with South Kepler against this common enemy.
Alas, Queen Vivian has more immediate concerns, immortal assassin attempted to assassinate her at her coronation and they might yet still be successful. She was infected with the immortality virus. Now Vivian and her brothers race against time to find a cure where none has been found before, travelling the lands of South Kepler and seeking the famous Guru hiding in the Mountain of Peril.
During their journey they stumble across the orphan Carina and her sister Miguela. Carina and Miguela have hidden Carina's magical abilities all their lives for fear of the Red-eyed Ones finding them and hunting them down, yet they must also fear the royal family of South Kepler who eliminate all magical threats to their line – none can be stronger in magic than they. Fighting each other and the enemies chasing them can they find a cure for Vivian; can the sisters escape the Red-eyed ones and the royal family of South Kepler?
“Sisters of the Perilous Heart” is an interesting and fascinating young adult fantasy story. With many intricate characters and just as many intertwining story lines, this is a story that keeps you thinking and trying to figure out what is going to happen next. And trust me, you won't able to guess all the little twists and turns through out this story. But my favourite part of all, and yes this may sound weird, was the twist at the end that I never saw coming – oh my god. I just wish the next book was out already so I knew how all the characters were coping with this jaw dropping revelation.
If you are looking for the next fantasy series to loose yourself in – don't look any further because here it is!
May 12, 2020
I received this ARC free in exchange for my honest review.
I'm on a roll with ARCs!! I really, really enjoyed Sisters of the Perilous Heart. The pacing is great and while lacking in twists, the book leaves plenty of secrets to be unraveled in the next installment.
The theme is so diverse and different. It's like medieval fantasy set super far into the future so it's a little SciFi but it's also magicky but it's also got some chosen one stuff peeking through. As I said, very different and in a refreshing sort of way.
The writing is smooth and well edited. It does not feel bogged down or self serving, an issue I find commonly in YA fantasy. The relationships between characters are complex and intriguing as well as evolving throughout the book.
One thing I did dislike is that the two sort of POVs we're told the story through seemed a little too parallel to me. Like one group meets mysterious boy and then the other group meets mysterious boy. And it goes on from there but I can't talk about it because spoilers. :) Maybe that's thematic as well, to be revealed in a later book but I do have to mark it down for now.
All in all, a successful read for me. 4 stars and book 2 IS going on my TBR! Yay!
I'm on a roll with ARCs!! I really, really enjoyed Sisters of the Perilous Heart. The pacing is great and while lacking in twists, the book leaves plenty of secrets to be unraveled in the next installment.
The theme is so diverse and different. It's like medieval fantasy set super far into the future so it's a little SciFi but it's also magicky but it's also got some chosen one stuff peeking through. As I said, very different and in a refreshing sort of way.
The writing is smooth and well edited. It does not feel bogged down or self serving, an issue I find commonly in YA fantasy. The relationships between characters are complex and intriguing as well as evolving throughout the book.
One thing I did dislike is that the two sort of POVs we're told the story through seemed a little too parallel to me. Like one group meets mysterious boy and then the other group meets mysterious boy. And it goes on from there but I can't talk about it because spoilers. :) Maybe that's thematic as well, to be revealed in a later book but I do have to mark it down for now.
All in all, a successful read for me. 4 stars and book 2 IS going on my TBR! Yay!
May 27, 2020
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult / Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Sisters of the Perilous Heart is the first installment in author Sandra L. Vasher's Mortal Heritance series. This story takes place on the planet of Kepler. The backstory is that once upon a time, scientists on Earth apparently discovered the Immortality Virus by combining HIV with Influenza. Now, I'm not a virologist, but this seems kind of absurd to me. But I digress. Even though the story primarily focuses on two separate young women, Queen Vivian Wellington and Carina Grace, you cannot ignore in-between chapters or the secondary characters.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult / Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Sisters of the Perilous Heart is the first installment in author Sandra L. Vasher's Mortal Heritance series. This story takes place on the planet of Kepler. The backstory is that once upon a time, scientists on Earth apparently discovered the Immortality Virus by combining HIV with Influenza. Now, I'm not a virologist, but this seems kind of absurd to me. But I digress. Even though the story primarily focuses on two separate young women, Queen Vivian Wellington and Carina Grace, you cannot ignore in-between chapters or the secondary characters.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
April 21, 2020
This book was received as an ARC from Mortal Ink Press, LLC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
My heart was beating out of my chest throughout the entire book. The descriptors and imagery expressed throughout the book was so brilliantly done that you could feel the struggle of magic between Carina and Vivian. Vivian needs magic to survive and Carina must harness and control her magic so she can't be tracked and watched by the immortals. I needed a five minute breather after finishing this book and this is how I should feel after YA Fantasy books like this. I can not wait to share this book with our teen book club and hear the discussions.
We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
My heart was beating out of my chest throughout the entire book. The descriptors and imagery expressed throughout the book was so brilliantly done that you could feel the struggle of magic between Carina and Vivian. Vivian needs magic to survive and Carina must harness and control her magic so she can't be tracked and watched by the immortals. I needed a five minute breather after finishing this book and this is how I should feel after YA Fantasy books like this. I can not wait to share this book with our teen book club and hear the discussions.
We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
March 14, 2020
I requested Sisters of the Perilous Heart by Sandra L. Vasher from NetGalley on a whim because the premise sounded interesting. It was fairly decent tale, and I’ll tell you all about it in a little bit.
Have you ever seen a Zonkey?
A Zorse?
A Liger?
Some of these animals sound like pure myth, but no one would dare say the same about my mother-in-law’s Yorkie Poo.
We get them from cross-breeding two animals of the same scientific family, but of completely different species. Such is the case with the Zebra and the Donkey, or the Zebra and the Horse.
Well, Science Fiction and Fantasy are both under the umbrella of Speculative Fiction, but they are two distinct beings.
Sisters of the Perilous Heart cross-breeds the two to make a very interesting take on viruses, immortality, and space travel.
Sisters of the Perilous Heart Review
Sisters of the Perilous Heart starts with a diary log of a space traveler. And if you just read the blurb and were expecting a fantasy book, but got this space traveler diary entry, you might be really confuse.
I sure was.
But it quickly goes by and you’re greeted with newly crowned Queen Vivian of South Kepler with an arrow in her heart that infected her with the Immortality Virus.
Wait a second. Hold up.
The book started with an arrow in her chest?
Yup, it sure did.
Usually one for starting in the middle of it, I think I could have used a little bit of a rewind. Perhaps the moment the crown hits her head and watching the arrow zip to her heart.
Just a minute or two earlier was all I needed.
But hey! It didn’t start off boring like so many other books I’ve read lately.
Fantasy Elements
There’s a couple quite obvious from the start. We’re talking about a Queen, so there must be a kingdom. And she’s got an arrow in her chest, so we’ve got medieval weapons.
Queen Vivian and her brothers, Bastian and Nathaniel, are all Cardinals. That means they’re magic users blessed with three kind of magic. Telekinesis (they can move stuff), thermodynamics (they either control hot or cold), and a special ability unique to each individual.
Vivian can see relationships between people in colored threads that bind people. Bastian can tell if someone is lying, and Nate talks to animals.
Pretty nifty concept.
At first, I felt like they had too much magic, but it really wasn’t overly burdensome by the end of the book.
Science Fiction Elements
Well Kepler is another planet in our solar system. And the first people to travel there came from Earth on Nanny ships that took thousands of years to arrive.
The nanny ships had robots on them that would raise humans naturally without interference. But they also had adult immortals onboard that had been infected with the immortality virus.
Except Vasher doesn’t really tell you why it’s bad to be immortal until about halfway through. And I don’t think it ruins anything to say that the virus makes immortals unable to show empathy and very mean and vicious.
It’s also deadly to anyone who has magic. So when Vivian gets it, she’s going to die unless she finds a cure.
There’s trucks, TVs, jeans, guns, and all sorts of stuff in this world, on a faraway planet, that is also still medieval in many other ways.
My Thoughts?
Sisters of the Perilous Heart is told with two main POV characters and the back and forth between them in not even. Sometimes you’d go 5 chapters without a switch.
It was long enough that I didn’t care for the new POV I was switching to and only wanted to get back to the other POV.
Which by the way the other main characters are Carina, an orphan girl at a convent, and her sister Miguela. Carina is a magic user, but she’s terrible at it and no one will teach her, and her sister hates magic.
The immortals are chasing her because they don’t like people with magic and want to kill them all.
Shortly in the story she’s on the run, and they bump into Vivian and crew along the way as Vivian and her brothers try to get Carina to lend them her magic to help heal Vivian.
That being said, I wasn’t much a big fan at the rate of POV changing, but I feel that with any POV swapping book. I just want to continue the view I was reading.
Sisters of the Perilous Heart is a decent story. It’s nothing earth shattering, and I saw a lot of the twists coming a mile away, but the story was still fun.
I didn’t much care for the tone of the story. It felt very middle-grade, instead of YA. But once I got over that, I started to enjoy it more.
My biggest beef with the story is how the character aimlessly wandered around.
They either cared about people that we’ve never met and wanted to rush off to find them for no reason, or they wandered around the map needlessly. Only to be redirected multiple times when they could have gone to Point D from the very beginning.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a unique and different take on Fantasy, give Sisters of the Perilous Heart a shot.
I’ve docked a few half stars for the things I’ve mentioned above, and I’ll consider reading the second book when it comes out.
Because, be aware, Sisters of the Perilous Heart does end on a bit of a cliffhanger.
3.5/5 stars
More reviews on my blog at https://tlbranson.com/blog
April 11, 2020
I enjoyed this book and it was a good book to read on a rainy day. What I didn't like was one of the main characters Queen Vivian and I couldn't place my finger on why I didn't like her. The other main character Carina was a little more likable than Queen Vivian. I did love the side characters a lot better Max and the two princes.
Now the story starts off with Queen Vivian becomes queen but soon is infected by the Immortality Virus by a would be assassin. Her and her brothers set off to find someone to save her. Then we meet Carina and her sister living at a brewery in the mountains with 'Sister' (Like nuns). They were brought there when their parents died. Carina can't control her magic and soon is on the run.
I really liked the world building but I just wish there was more about the characters that I liked. The magic system was really interesting and maybe the next book we can learn about it more. I will be buying a physical copy of this book and I will be recommend this book to my friends.
Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Now the story starts off with Queen Vivian becomes queen but soon is infected by the Immortality Virus by a would be assassin. Her and her brothers set off to find someone to save her. Then we meet Carina and her sister living at a brewery in the mountains with 'Sister' (Like nuns). They were brought there when their parents died. Carina can't control her magic and soon is on the run.
I really liked the world building but I just wish there was more about the characters that I liked. The magic system was really interesting and maybe the next book we can learn about it more. I will be buying a physical copy of this book and I will be recommend this book to my friends.
Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
June 27, 2020
Rating: 4.5 🌟
ARC Review: Received for free via BookSirens for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Warnings provided by the author: The book deals with death and includes some violence, but is not graphic.
CW/TW: ableist slurs, blood, assassination attempt, vomiting, kidnapping, drugging, neglect, fire, guns, mention of suicide
I—
I am in shock.
Okay, so it took me almost till the last day to actually get into this book. The synopsis sounded interesting and I figured it'd be right up my alley, but I didn't think it would go this hard. Like this book speaks to me at a spiritual level. I love books like this and cannot believe it took me this long to actually get into it.
There is so much I want to react to about this book, but it's all pretty much spoilery because holy shit so much happens in this book that had me losing my shit, but like, whoooooow. It's a lot.
Like gang, I have ships okay, and like none of my ships will ever be I thinj, but I am low-key highkey hoping that the one does become a thing because whow gang, imagine the deliciousness that would be an enemies-to-lovers with a dollop of slow-burn, sign me the heck up! Like give me that slowburn, I need it, I want it, bring it, bring it.
Okay, now I'm here imagining it and it tastes so delicious. And I want it even more because of who the characters are and how they are to each other and just— whoa gang, I need, I need, I want it. I need that slowburn enemies-to-lovers so badly now. Why'd I do this to myself? And the fact that it might not happen because one of the LIs is not as much of an asshole as I thought.
It's unfair.
But I'll have my dreams, and maybe I'll have fanfiction, who knows. But ugh.
And I'm just here praying that [redacted] isn't **** because no, NO!
Oh man, gang. I cannot wait for the second book, holy whowza.
ARC Review: Received for free via BookSirens for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Warnings provided by the author: The book deals with death and includes some violence, but is not graphic.
CW/TW: ableist slurs, blood, assassination attempt, vomiting, kidnapping, drugging, neglect, fire, guns, mention of suicide
I—
I am in shock.
Okay, so it took me almost till the last day to actually get into this book. The synopsis sounded interesting and I figured it'd be right up my alley, but I didn't think it would go this hard. Like this book speaks to me at a spiritual level. I love books like this and cannot believe it took me this long to actually get into it.
There is so much I want to react to about this book, but it's all pretty much spoilery because holy shit so much happens in this book that had me losing my shit, but like, whoooooow. It's a lot.
Like gang, I have ships okay, and like none of my ships will ever be I thinj, but I am low-key highkey hoping that the one does become a thing because whow gang, imagine the deliciousness that would be an enemies-to-lovers with a dollop of slow-burn, sign me the heck up! Like give me that slowburn, I need it, I want it, bring it, bring it.
Okay, now I'm here imagining it and it tastes so delicious. And I want it even more because of who the characters are and how they are to each other and just— whoa gang, I need, I need, I want it. I need that slowburn enemies-to-lovers so badly now. Why'd I do this to myself? And the fact that it might not happen because one of the LIs is not as much of an asshole as I thought.
It's unfair.
But I'll have my dreams, and maybe I'll have fanfiction, who knows. But ugh.
And I'm just here praying that [redacted] isn't **** because no, NO!
Oh man, gang. I cannot wait for the second book, holy whowza.
July 19, 2020
It's quite confusing in the beginning and boring too. Then once it gets to Vivian, 18 years old queen who were recently crowned and Carina pov it gets interesting. But mostly I loved Vivian parts. I loved the way her brothers Bas and Nate wanted to find cure for the immortal virus that she got infected during her coronation day. Loved the way they quarrels lol it's annoying but funny af 🤣 Ohhh trust me you don't know who you can trust in this book!
What else should I say? I am still processing what I just read lol there are a lot of unanswered questions goshhh I wanted to know more so I need to read the next book and I don't know when it's going to come out. Goshh this is a torture phewww
Thank you Booksirens for Sisters of the Perilous Heart ARC!
What else should I say? I am still processing what I just read lol there are a lot of unanswered questions goshhh I wanted to know more so I need to read the next book and I don't know when it's going to come out. Goshh this is a torture phewww
Thank you Booksirens for Sisters of the Perilous Heart ARC!
May 31, 2020
Thank you Mortal Ink Press, LLC and NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.
This book got my attention because of the cover which I like very much, the description sounded good so I was eager to start reading. However, after several times trying to read this book, I finally decided to DNF it.
I coudn’t get into this story, I found it confusing from the beginning, there was no connection that I was feeling with any of the characters and to be honest, I got frustrated by reading this book.
This book got my attention because of the cover which I like very much, the description sounded good so I was eager to start reading. However, after several times trying to read this book, I finally decided to DNF it.
I coudn’t get into this story, I found it confusing from the beginning, there was no connection that I was feeling with any of the characters and to be honest, I got frustrated by reading this book.
April 28, 2020
This book kept up the pace all the way through. There wasn't one moment I felt like putting it down. It was absolutely brilliant 5 stars for Sisters of a Perilous Heart can't wait to read the next one. Recommended!
June 29, 2020
I would like to thank Sandra L. Vasher and Mortal Ink Press, LLC for my copy of the ARC, due to this kind gesture I have decided to leave an honest review.
I struggled with the rating for this book as it was an ok quick read but I had a lot of questions so I settled on 3 stars!
The book follows two teenagers who have had to grow up fast; Carina who has been hidden away with her sister with beer-making nun/sister types, and Vivien the new Queen of Kelper. As soon as Vivian is crowned at her coronation she is infected with the immorality virus. With time running out her brothers are determined to find a cure but how do Vivian and Carina's paths intertwine and can Viv be cured of this virus?
The book was slow-paced, which can take a bit to try and get into as its narratives jump around which blows your mind a little because it's two very different paths then you have the people who brought the immortality virus to Kelper. I still don't really get how this virus works as it wasn't really explained, or maybe I just missed it.
I didn't click with any of the characters. I found Carina extremely naive, her younger sister had more sense than her. I did, however, feel myself leaning towards Viv and her brothers. I loved how her the brothers were polar opposites but banded together for their sister. You see them grow and by the second half of the book it picks up and you are hooked! I did, however, feel myself wanting Nate to be ok, he's a little gem.
The world-building was not bad, I could picture what was being put out and I was genuinely interested in getting to know more but I don't understand what the actual plot of the book is? I'm wondering how the second book will play out because where is it going to go? Because what is the actual plot? I get we need to get Viv better but then what?
Anyhoo, it's an okay read and I would like to see where it goes.
Check out my blog https://mandyizzym.tumblr.com/
I struggled with the rating for this book as it was an ok quick read but I had a lot of questions so I settled on 3 stars!
The book follows two teenagers who have had to grow up fast; Carina who has been hidden away with her sister with beer-making nun/sister types, and Vivien the new Queen of Kelper. As soon as Vivian is crowned at her coronation she is infected with the immorality virus. With time running out her brothers are determined to find a cure but how do Vivian and Carina's paths intertwine and can Viv be cured of this virus?
The book was slow-paced, which can take a bit to try and get into as its narratives jump around which blows your mind a little because it's two very different paths then you have the people who brought the immortality virus to Kelper. I still don't really get how this virus works as it wasn't really explained, or maybe I just missed it.
I didn't click with any of the characters. I found Carina extremely naive, her younger sister had more sense than her. I did, however, feel myself leaning towards Viv and her brothers. I loved how her the brothers were polar opposites but banded together for their sister. You see them grow and by the second half of the book it picks up and you are hooked! I did, however, feel myself wanting Nate to be ok, he's a little gem.
The world-building was not bad, I could picture what was being put out and I was genuinely interested in getting to know more but I don't understand what the actual plot of the book is? I'm wondering how the second book will play out because where is it going to go? Because what is the actual plot? I get we need to get Viv better but then what?
Anyhoo, it's an okay read and I would like to see where it goes.
Check out my blog https://mandyizzym.tumblr.com/
June 26, 2020
The Story is setup on an Earth like planet Kepler almost 3-4k years from now time on Earth. To colonise other planets & get life sustainability on other planets Mortal ships filled with nanny bots were sent on 15 other planets among among which 12 were successful and people who colonised there were known as Mortals, they developed magic within, had kingdoms,rulers, civilization & their own natural or hybrid animals also. Rulers are gifted with each unique have high ability of Telekinesis, Telesthesia, Thermodynamics, Telekinetic,etc which helps them to produce hot/cold energy, slow down attacks, communicate with animals, detect lie & many other things.
While in progress there is a virus spreads named 'The Immortal Virus', people infected from it are known as The Immortals loses their magic, sympathy & natural deaths.
Now after 3k yrs most of the planets & civilization are under the control of Immortal except for the Kepler where Mortal rule still exist but is weaking & is always under fear of attack & loss of magic.
Queen Vivian was crowned few moments ago when she gets attacked by an arrow direct in her chest infected with Immortal Virus, she'd enough magic to become Immortal but not to save her life. She & her brothers Nate & Bast had to flee from their territory & soon had to find cure or more magic.
Meanwhile, a normal girl Carina & her Sister Miguela who'd been hidden on mountains for years are too on run as Immortals have finally found them & Carina still can't figure out when everyone wants her & how much extreme her magic is.
Ohh! I loved this book so much. For few moments it also gave vibes of Dystopia. The world imagined & civilization set up was beautiful. Character were confusing which I appreciate as it helped in more character growth & still the book ended bravely with so many questions. I just can't wait for 2nd book.
While in progress there is a virus spreads named 'The Immortal Virus', people infected from it are known as The Immortals loses their magic, sympathy & natural deaths.
Now after 3k yrs most of the planets & civilization are under the control of Immortal except for the Kepler where Mortal rule still exist but is weaking & is always under fear of attack & loss of magic.
Queen Vivian was crowned few moments ago when she gets attacked by an arrow direct in her chest infected with Immortal Virus, she'd enough magic to become Immortal but not to save her life. She & her brothers Nate & Bast had to flee from their territory & soon had to find cure or more magic.
Meanwhile, a normal girl Carina & her Sister Miguela who'd been hidden on mountains for years are too on run as Immortals have finally found them & Carina still can't figure out when everyone wants her & how much extreme her magic is.
Ohh! I loved this book so much. For few moments it also gave vibes of Dystopia. The world imagined & civilization set up was beautiful. Character were confusing which I appreciate as it helped in more character growth & still the book ended bravely with so many questions. I just can't wait for 2nd book.
May 23, 2020
This ARC was provided for review, but in no way affects the following impartial and unbiased review:
•
3,5*
Pros: A refreshing mix of scifi and fantasy. Multi-dimensional and complex characters, even secondary ones. Fun magic system. Flowing and well-written multiple PoVs. Interesting design pieces interspersed with the story. Fantastic and realistic view of relationships between siblings. Emotional and not sugar-coated.
.
Cons: Slow to begin. Disappointing lack of world-building. Dropped plot lines.
•
3,5*
Pros: A refreshing mix of scifi and fantasy. Multi-dimensional and complex characters, even secondary ones. Fun magic system. Flowing and well-written multiple PoVs. Interesting design pieces interspersed with the story. Fantastic and realistic view of relationships between siblings. Emotional and not sugar-coated.
.
Cons: Slow to begin. Disappointing lack of world-building. Dropped plot lines.
March 22, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for sending me a free copy for an honest review.
Sisters of the Perilous Heart follows to point of views. One is Queen Vivian and the other is Carina, an orphan girl and then throughout the story there are excerpts from logs, journals, poems, etc. that give context to the world of Kepler.
Very quickly you realize this world is not Earth but a planet called Kepler that years ago people from Earth traveled to. There is a virus called the Immortality Virus that many humans took back on Earth but quickly realized it causes red eyes and lack of empathy that turned people into violent versions of themselves. On the planet of Kepler humans adapted and some gained magic.
The magic system in this book was the best part. It was very interesting and fun to read. Especially since you are basically learning about magic with Carina who has lived most of her life not knowing how to use her gifts while in contrast reading about Queen Vivian and her two brothers who have very good grasps on their magic.
Okay but let’s talk about the story in general and why I did not really care for it and only gave it three stars instead of two which it would have been given if not for the last two chapters of the book and the magic system.
Overall this YA fantasy novel read more middle grade. The world, while an interesting concept, was lacking and the characters mindlessly wandered and were a bit lackluster.
Let’s start with the world. I felt so confused about this place. For part of the book these people are using carriages, horses, swords but then other parts of the book there are trucks, TVs, and guns and it is only explained way later why this is and not even very clearly but it’s something to do with a mortal commitments that state taking care of the planet, or something like that. Really all it seemed to do was make for a confusing setting that wanted to be modern but with an old-times vibe.
The wandering plot line.
The whole story could have been resolved halfway through the book if the characters would just talk to each other. I don’t want to give any spoilers away but let’s just say that I am not a fan of “keeping pointless secrets”. This causes a boring, pointless, story line in my opinion. However sometimes it can be really well done, this was not one of those times. Carina even states in the last chapters that if she had known she could have done more.
Overall I was very bored and put the book down multiple times. I even found myself thinking why is this happening multiple times.
The characters.
This is the part I had the biggest problem with. I can be fine with a wandering plot line in a world that could use a little more work if the characters are great. These ones were not. Their was a lot of unneeded “sibling rivalry” that felt more like he is stupid and that is that. And a lot of “she doesn’t love me enough” or “your my favorite” it was all just very petty.
The romance was also very hard to read. I never fell in love with any of the characters. The romance felt forced because it’s YA and there has to be romance I guess? I don’t like being told “they made out”. I guess the big problem was the description was more telling versus showing.
Anyway, I don’t know that I can really convey my thoughts without someone having read it. But honestly I wouldn’t recommend unless you like middle grade or that Graceling book... this felt similar to that which I also did not care for much.
But just because something wasn’t for me doesn’t mean you won’t like it. Give it a chance if you want and be sure to leave a review for others so they know your opinion.
Sisters of the Perilous Heart follows to point of views. One is Queen Vivian and the other is Carina, an orphan girl and then throughout the story there are excerpts from logs, journals, poems, etc. that give context to the world of Kepler.
Very quickly you realize this world is not Earth but a planet called Kepler that years ago people from Earth traveled to. There is a virus called the Immortality Virus that many humans took back on Earth but quickly realized it causes red eyes and lack of empathy that turned people into violent versions of themselves. On the planet of Kepler humans adapted and some gained magic.
The magic system in this book was the best part. It was very interesting and fun to read. Especially since you are basically learning about magic with Carina who has lived most of her life not knowing how to use her gifts while in contrast reading about Queen Vivian and her two brothers who have very good grasps on their magic.
Okay but let’s talk about the story in general and why I did not really care for it and only gave it three stars instead of two which it would have been given if not for the last two chapters of the book and the magic system.
Overall this YA fantasy novel read more middle grade. The world, while an interesting concept, was lacking and the characters mindlessly wandered and were a bit lackluster.
Let’s start with the world. I felt so confused about this place. For part of the book these people are using carriages, horses, swords but then other parts of the book there are trucks, TVs, and guns and it is only explained way later why this is and not even very clearly but it’s something to do with a mortal commitments that state taking care of the planet, or something like that. Really all it seemed to do was make for a confusing setting that wanted to be modern but with an old-times vibe.
The wandering plot line.
The whole story could have been resolved halfway through the book if the characters would just talk to each other. I don’t want to give any spoilers away but let’s just say that I am not a fan of “keeping pointless secrets”. This causes a boring, pointless, story line in my opinion. However sometimes it can be really well done, this was not one of those times. Carina even states in the last chapters that if she had known she could have done more.
Overall I was very bored and put the book down multiple times. I even found myself thinking why is this happening multiple times.
The characters.
This is the part I had the biggest problem with. I can be fine with a wandering plot line in a world that could use a little more work if the characters are great. These ones were not. Their was a lot of unneeded “sibling rivalry” that felt more like he is stupid and that is that. And a lot of “she doesn’t love me enough” or “your my favorite” it was all just very petty.
The romance was also very hard to read. I never fell in love with any of the characters. The romance felt forced because it’s YA and there has to be romance I guess? I don’t like being told “they made out”. I guess the big problem was the description was more telling versus showing.
Anyway, I don’t know that I can really convey my thoughts without someone having read it. But honestly I wouldn’t recommend unless you like middle grade or that Graceling book... this felt similar to that which I also did not care for much.
But just because something wasn’t for me doesn’t mean you won’t like it. Give it a chance if you want and be sure to leave a review for others so they know your opinion.
April 24, 2020
I was provided an opportunity to read this in exchange for providing feedback (via the BookSirens).
Actual review 3.5 stars. I struggled a bit to understand exactly how the Immortality Virus works. Despite that, the author writes well and it picked up enough for me in the second half that I'd probably read the next one.
Actual review 3.5 stars. I struggled a bit to understand exactly how the Immortality Virus works. Despite that, the author writes well and it picked up enough for me in the second half that I'd probably read the next one.
April 28, 2020
This book was really fun and enjoyable. I loved the dual perspective we got from Carina and Vivian. My only real complaint is that the virus was a bit confusing to follow. I feel that if that was explained a bit more clearly it wouldn't be much of a problem.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 14, 2020
*I received an e-book version of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Mortal Ink Press for an opportunity to read it.*
This book was a fun ride. It was fast paced and characters actually acted as teenagers should! I liked the excerpts from various books/diaries thrown in between chapters. I think it was a nice way to incorporate more information about the virus, magic, characters and world building without too much info dumping.
This book was a quick and fun read but it was your typical YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy so although it was fun, it was predictable and full of cringe worthy lines like: “God, you’re… gorgeous … If you can’t remember your name, maybe I’ll just call you that.”
Some of the characters were frustrating. I found Carina to be incredibly annoying but it wasn’t surprising because she was your typical rebellious teenager. I appreciated the growth of Vivian’s character. Her proud nature was quite annoying as well, but she matured a lot as the story went on.
The other problem I had was that there was a lot of telling and not showing, especially in the beginning of the book, but even that became less of a problem the farther we got into the story.
I think this book is perfect for teens. Even though the twists were predictable, they were still interesting and exciting. I know my teen self would have enjoyed this book a lot.
This book was a fun ride. It was fast paced and characters actually acted as teenagers should! I liked the excerpts from various books/diaries thrown in between chapters. I think it was a nice way to incorporate more information about the virus, magic, characters and world building without too much info dumping.
This book was a quick and fun read but it was your typical YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy so although it was fun, it was predictable and full of cringe worthy lines like: “God, you’re… gorgeous … If you can’t remember your name, maybe I’ll just call you that.”
Some of the characters were frustrating. I found Carina to be incredibly annoying but it wasn’t surprising because she was your typical rebellious teenager. I appreciated the growth of Vivian’s character. Her proud nature was quite annoying as well, but she matured a lot as the story went on.
The other problem I had was that there was a lot of telling and not showing, especially in the beginning of the book, but even that became less of a problem the farther we got into the story.
I think this book is perfect for teens. Even though the twists were predictable, they were still interesting and exciting. I know my teen self would have enjoyed this book a lot.
May 7, 2020
Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free e-arc!
I was truly pleased with this book! Once I got through the first chapter or so it really drew me in. I did feel at times that the plot line was slow but it is worth it over all. Very well built world with plenty of back ground. I think the best part was getting to know the Royal siblings and loving them through their own eyes, and then meeting them through Carina's eyes and hating them.
I can't wait to see what comes next!
I was truly pleased with this book! Once I got through the first chapter or so it really drew me in. I did feel at times that the plot line was slow but it is worth it over all. Very well built world with plenty of back ground. I think the best part was getting to know the Royal siblings and loving them through their own eyes, and then meeting them through Carina's eyes and hating them.
I can't wait to see what comes next!
June 7, 2020
I can't believe that the book has ended this way and the second one is not here yet 😭💔
The story is intriguing and in parallel we get glimpses from a far away past that explains the reason why the world is how it is today. A world divided between mortals and immortals.
From the beginning we are entering a world of magic and follow two brothers in their quest to find a cure for their dying sister and in another part of the country we meet two sisters that run from their safe place in order to keep one of them from being captured and killed for having magic.
Carina and her younger sister Miguela are two orphans that were being kept safe by the Sisters of Novi Dupree. Carina has magic but she doesn't know how to use it and she tries to learn by herself. But the Sisters being the grown-ups that they are forbade her to (I'm totally on Carina's side with this).
One day, Carina meets a boy around her age - Max, and she almost instantly likes and trust him even though she knows almost nothing about him. He's cute tho 😁
Miguela is the complete opposite to Carina. She hates magic and doesn't trust Max at all. She's a pessimist and almost always she says no. There is no middle way with her.
" it would have been better if Miguela hadn’t been sitting across from them, scowling at Max and peering around so suspiciously at everyone else that no one would sit by her"
“What is that?” Carina asked.
“It’s a blindfold,” he said. “I got the idea from one of the exercises in the book, but this is how warriors always train with their masters. The teacher blindfolds the student to help them hone their other senses.”
Carina was skeptical. “How am I supposed to move something I can’t see?”
“You can’t move something you can see,” Miguela pointed out dryly. “This can’t hurt.”
Max backed away, and there was a pause before he said: “Great. Now Miguela and I are going to take turns throwing rocks around you and—”
“You’re going to take turns throwing stuff at me?”
“Sounds like fun, doesn’t it, Care?” Miguela said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Vivian and her brothers Bast and Nate.
Wow! I think I haven't encountered until now such a perfect description of love between brothers. I love all of them so much.
The way they care and protect their sister made my heart warm ♥️
Nate sort of smiled at her.
“I think you’re the only person Bast thought he could always trust to be there for him. He’s angry at you because he thinks if you loved him the way he loves you, you’d know that he needs you, and you’d let him help you so that he can keep you. So, he’ll come around. Eventually. He can’t lose you.”
At her coronation ceremony Vivian is shot and poisoned with the immortality virus. Her magic being the only thing that kept her alive. Her brothers came to her rescue and keep her alive by giving from their magic to her.
She isn't sure who tried to kill her and she suspects even her own mother. So the three brothers travel to meet the guru in the mountains to help cure her.
During their travel Vivian kept assessing and comparing everything to how was since she lived at the palace. Her clothes, the carriage, the quality of the bed she slept in.. But she never complained. A queen never does 👑
Instead, she thought about how she could change things and how to remove the corruption from the Gandhi council:
"Her favorite shoes came from an upscale boutique in Gandhi. She didn’t want them tarnished by corruption." 😂
Because they were riding horses and traveled by coach I couldn't stop imagining them wearing old fashioned clothes 🤣
Their powers were telekinesis, thermodynamics, and telesthesia. Nate can talk to animals and I think Carina can too. Bast perceives lies and Vivian can perceive connections.
This is so cool 🤩 that she can see the connections in different colored lines, red representing rage and mortal enemies while blue represents loyalty.
"The paternal connection was supposed to be orange-gold. That’s how it was between Vivian and her father. But with Herschel and the boys, it was always a more tarnished color. Bast at least had an orange-blue connection with Mom, who probably wasn’t capable of an orange-gold relationship with anyone. Nate’s connection to Mom was piss-gray. The only way she could have cared less about him is if she had never met him."
Throughout the story is clear that almost everyone has something to hide or they are not who they say they are: Miguela, Max, Bast, Nate, Brandon, Franklin/Leo (I believe they are one and the same), Sister Agda and even the guru.
I haven't mentioned the queen's mother because she isn't hiding anything, I know exactly what she wants 😠
The ending was painful 💔 and left me with a lot of questions that hopefully will be answered in the next book. I hope it will be released as soon as possible 🙏😊
Thank you BookSirens for welcoming me in your team and giving me this ARC for an honest review ❤️
The story is intriguing and in parallel we get glimpses from a far away past that explains the reason why the world is how it is today. A world divided between mortals and immortals.
From the beginning we are entering a world of magic and follow two brothers in their quest to find a cure for their dying sister and in another part of the country we meet two sisters that run from their safe place in order to keep one of them from being captured and killed for having magic.
Carina and her younger sister Miguela are two orphans that were being kept safe by the Sisters of Novi Dupree. Carina has magic but she doesn't know how to use it and she tries to learn by herself. But the Sisters being the grown-ups that they are forbade her to (I'm totally on Carina's side with this).
One day, Carina meets a boy around her age - Max, and she almost instantly likes and trust him even though she knows almost nothing about him. He's cute tho 😁
Miguela is the complete opposite to Carina. She hates magic and doesn't trust Max at all. She's a pessimist and almost always she says no. There is no middle way with her.
" it would have been better if Miguela hadn’t been sitting across from them, scowling at Max and peering around so suspiciously at everyone else that no one would sit by her"
“What is that?” Carina asked.
“It’s a blindfold,” he said. “I got the idea from one of the exercises in the book, but this is how warriors always train with their masters. The teacher blindfolds the student to help them hone their other senses.”
Carina was skeptical. “How am I supposed to move something I can’t see?”
“You can’t move something you can see,” Miguela pointed out dryly. “This can’t hurt.”
Max backed away, and there was a pause before he said: “Great. Now Miguela and I are going to take turns throwing rocks around you and—”
“You’re going to take turns throwing stuff at me?”
“Sounds like fun, doesn’t it, Care?” Miguela said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Vivian and her brothers Bast and Nate.
Wow! I think I haven't encountered until now such a perfect description of love between brothers. I love all of them so much.
The way they care and protect their sister made my heart warm ♥️
Nate sort of smiled at her.
“I think you’re the only person Bast thought he could always trust to be there for him. He’s angry at you because he thinks if you loved him the way he loves you, you’d know that he needs you, and you’d let him help you so that he can keep you. So, he’ll come around. Eventually. He can’t lose you.”
At her coronation ceremony Vivian is shot and poisoned with the immortality virus. Her magic being the only thing that kept her alive. Her brothers came to her rescue and keep her alive by giving from their magic to her.
She isn't sure who tried to kill her and she suspects even her own mother. So the three brothers travel to meet the guru in the mountains to help cure her.
During their travel Vivian kept assessing and comparing everything to how was since she lived at the palace. Her clothes, the carriage, the quality of the bed she slept in.. But she never complained. A queen never does 👑
Instead, she thought about how she could change things and how to remove the corruption from the Gandhi council:
"Her favorite shoes came from an upscale boutique in Gandhi. She didn’t want them tarnished by corruption." 😂
Because they were riding horses and traveled by coach I couldn't stop imagining them wearing old fashioned clothes 🤣
Their powers were telekinesis, thermodynamics, and telesthesia. Nate can talk to animals and I think Carina can too. Bast perceives lies and Vivian can perceive connections.
This is so cool 🤩 that she can see the connections in different colored lines, red representing rage and mortal enemies while blue represents loyalty.
"The paternal connection was supposed to be orange-gold. That’s how it was between Vivian and her father. But with Herschel and the boys, it was always a more tarnished color. Bast at least had an orange-blue connection with Mom, who probably wasn’t capable of an orange-gold relationship with anyone. Nate’s connection to Mom was piss-gray. The only way she could have cared less about him is if she had never met him."
Throughout the story is clear that almost everyone has something to hide or they are not who they say they are: Miguela, Max, Bast, Nate, Brandon, Franklin/Leo (I believe they are one and the same), Sister Agda and even the guru.
I haven't mentioned the queen's mother because she isn't hiding anything, I know exactly what she wants 😠
The ending was painful 💔 and left me with a lot of questions that hopefully will be answered in the next book. I hope it will be released as soon as possible 🙏😊
Thank you BookSirens for welcoming me in your team and giving me this ARC for an honest review ❤️
April 21, 2020
I loved this book!!! I was hooked from the very first “entry.” I can’t wait for the sequel. I took so many notes along the way, let’s see what I can share without spoilers... Also, many thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC.
The story follows two families of siblings. First is Vivian and her two brothers, Bastian and Nate. She has just been crowned Queen. The other two are Carina and Miguela who are orphans raised by sisters (but not nuns). Only Royals have strong magic. The immortals have no magic and no empathy/emotions, and they’re hunting both families.
This world is intriguing. It’s over 3000 years in the future but they still use horse drawn carriages and bow and arrows. One thing I enjoyed was that the story wasn’t drawn out. At one point they take a few day journey in a vehicle and the author didn’t waste our time with filler story documenting all three days. Just gave us what we needed to know and moved on.
Very early on I did make some predictions that came true in the end but it didn’t deter me from enjoying the story and the journey.
Definitely recommend!
The story follows two families of siblings. First is Vivian and her two brothers, Bastian and Nate. She has just been crowned Queen. The other two are Carina and Miguela who are orphans raised by sisters (but not nuns). Only Royals have strong magic. The immortals have no magic and no empathy/emotions, and they’re hunting both families.
This world is intriguing. It’s over 3000 years in the future but they still use horse drawn carriages and bow and arrows. One thing I enjoyed was that the story wasn’t drawn out. At one point they take a few day journey in a vehicle and the author didn’t waste our time with filler story documenting all three days. Just gave us what we needed to know and moved on.
Very early on I did make some predictions that came true in the end but it didn’t deter me from enjoying the story and the journey.
Definitely recommend!
February 19, 2024
I really wanted to like this book... truly I did. I'm not one to DNF a book, but this was a close call; I had a difficult time finishing it. Some elements of the story were interesting, but overall, it fell flat for me. The biggest issue I had was the pacing and the amount of characters you need to follow. Overall, if I had to describe the book in one word it would be: inconsistent. Sometimes the author sensors out swear words and the next chapter uses said curses. Sometimes characters behave in the way that they are described to do, but then completely turn their actions around in a way that doesn't make sense by the next page. We get glimpses into moments of the past that should have meaningful impact to the storyline, but they don't seem to connect any of the dots. We start out with a concept that is fresh and unique, but then they lapse into overplayed cliches.
There are so many points of view going on, and the story is constantly bouncing between present, past, textbook entries/mission logs, flashbacks and dream-like states. The textbook entries and past mission logs were particularly disconnected from the story and often left me feeling like I was jolted out of place before being thrown back in again, with more questions than answers. A lot of the information gleaned from these sections would have been better suited to explanation by characters in the present set of the story, and it may have helped things flow more smoothly.
The emblems at the top of each chapter help somewhat with differentiating where you are and with whom you're with, but again, the amount of characters was giving me whiplash. I had a hard time connecting to any of these characters because they seemed so disingenuous. The only character I truly liked by the end was Captain Brandon Thurlow, a royal guard that had a very minor role (at least to the extent of this installment).
I had a particularly hard time wrapping my brain around the time period/setting. We're on an alien planet, clearly far into human future, and yet one group resorts to using swords and bows with arrows while another has televisions, cars and guns? I just couldn't stay routed in the story because I didn't feel a definitive sense of space or time. I understand that this is only a first installment in a series, but there really wasn't any progression to the story line. We get one big revelation by the end of the book, but it still doesn't explain the majority of the book's events, and doesn't exactly entice me to come back for more in a second book.
I absolutely hate giving books negative reviews because all books, all writing, has purpose and value. The author independently published her work and put it out into the world and I wholeheartedly respect and admire that. It takes a lot of courage! Based on the other reviews I see here, there are plenty of others who enjoyed the story and that's awesome. I'm simply putting this out there in case any of the issues I described above bother any of you personally, as a reader, because then this one may not be for you.
There are so many points of view going on, and the story is constantly bouncing between present, past, textbook entries/mission logs, flashbacks and dream-like states. The textbook entries and past mission logs were particularly disconnected from the story and often left me feeling like I was jolted out of place before being thrown back in again, with more questions than answers. A lot of the information gleaned from these sections would have been better suited to explanation by characters in the present set of the story, and it may have helped things flow more smoothly.
The emblems at the top of each chapter help somewhat with differentiating where you are and with whom you're with, but again, the amount of characters was giving me whiplash. I had a hard time connecting to any of these characters because they seemed so disingenuous. The only character I truly liked by the end was Captain Brandon Thurlow, a royal guard that had a very minor role (at least to the extent of this installment).
I had a particularly hard time wrapping my brain around the time period/setting. We're on an alien planet, clearly far into human future, and yet one group resorts to using swords and bows with arrows while another has televisions, cars and guns? I just couldn't stay routed in the story because I didn't feel a definitive sense of space or time. I understand that this is only a first installment in a series, but there really wasn't any progression to the story line. We get one big revelation by the end of the book, but it still doesn't explain the majority of the book's events, and doesn't exactly entice me to come back for more in a second book.
I absolutely hate giving books negative reviews because all books, all writing, has purpose and value. The author independently published her work and put it out into the world and I wholeheartedly respect and admire that. It takes a lot of courage! Based on the other reviews I see here, there are plenty of others who enjoyed the story and that's awesome. I'm simply putting this out there in case any of the issues I described above bother any of you personally, as a reader, because then this one may not be for you.
April 6, 2020
From the first page, Sisters of the Perilous Heart had my full attention. With stories deftly woven through time and space, the author acquaints us with multi-faceted characters. Themes include responsibility, trust, fear, ethics, sibling relationships, young love, and feminine power. All of this, laced with magic and poetry, left me eager for more….
March 24, 2020
The story follows Carina and Vivian, the orphan and the queen. They’re both jerks, but Vivian is also a spoiled brat. There’s not a lot of character development, and the little they grow happens in bursts forced by other characters, not by inner conflict or motivation. It doesn’t help that they’re rarely called out on their shit or that, when they are, we’re supposed to disagree. They’re almost always right, except that not really. I couldn’t stand either of them.
Very little happens that has an actual impact on the story. It just drags and drags and drags. It pretends to have a plot, but it’s just a bunch of scenes strung together.
Carina is running away from people who want her captured or dead. It’s full of action scenes, harrowing escapes, and moments when the characters decide to take a detour for no logical reason.
Vivian, on the other hand, is searching for a cure to her illness, or she’ll die. She says she’s very sick and weak, but she doesn’t show it. It’s all very dire, but they have time to go shopping and have a pretend-to-be-a-commoner day. She’s supposedly dying soon, but there’s no urgency or sense of impending doom.
Their world, Kepler, is uncreative and it makes no sense. It has the things we associate with monarchs, like castles and carriages, but also jeans and burger joints. It’s set hundreds or thousands of years into the future, when humans have colonized other planets, but it has the same clothes we do and the most advanced technology is spaceships, while everything is at our current level. They have religions, names and languages very similar to our own, when those things should’ve evolved and changed over time. There’s nothing new or interesting there.
The land itself is divided into four. For most of its history, each part was ruled by a royal family, i.e. the family with more powerful magic. That’s very elitist with a might-is-right vibe.
Native Keplerians are treated almost as zoo attractions that must be protected. Given real life colonialism, this has some unfortunate implications, to say the least.
Sisters of the Perilous Heart is very flawed in almost every aspect. I couldn’t find anything I like in it, except for Miguela and Nate (but not how Carina and Vivian treat them). It’s not enough for more than one star.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Very little happens that has an actual impact on the story. It just drags and drags and drags. It pretends to have a plot, but it’s just a bunch of scenes strung together.
Carina is running away from people who want her captured or dead. It’s full of action scenes, harrowing escapes, and moments when the characters decide to take a detour for no logical reason.
Vivian, on the other hand, is searching for a cure to her illness, or she’ll die. She says she’s very sick and weak, but she doesn’t show it. It’s all very dire, but they have time to go shopping and have a pretend-to-be-a-commoner day. She’s supposedly dying soon, but there’s no urgency or sense of impending doom.
Their world, Kepler, is uncreative and it makes no sense. It has the things we associate with monarchs, like castles and carriages, but also jeans and burger joints. It’s set hundreds or thousands of years into the future, when humans have colonized other planets, but it has the same clothes we do and the most advanced technology is spaceships, while everything is at our current level. They have religions, names and languages very similar to our own, when those things should’ve evolved and changed over time. There’s nothing new or interesting there.
The land itself is divided into four. For most of its history, each part was ruled by a royal family, i.e. the family with more powerful magic. That’s very elitist with a might-is-right vibe.
Native Keplerians are treated almost as zoo attractions that must be protected. Given real life colonialism, this has some unfortunate implications, to say the least.
Sisters of the Perilous Heart is very flawed in almost every aspect. I couldn’t find anything I like in it, except for Miguela and Nate (but not how Carina and Vivian treat them). It’s not enough for more than one star.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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