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Draev Guardians #1
Strayborn
Elemental Manipulation is a tricky business. Only those with the power can train to become a Draev Guardian.
Cyrus Sole hates life. She’s only half-human, with weak wrists, and not a day goes by when someone doesn’t say something mean about it—especially her step-mom. But when the forbidden power to manipulate metal awakens inside her, she finds herself on the run as the Argos Corps is sent to kill her…
Aken is a Scourgeblood, the last in a line of monsters. But all he really wants is to gain wings and be free. Until a new power suddenly awakens, changing the course of his life…
The Draev Guardian Academy is their only sanctuary. But training to become a Draev won’t be easy. Cyrus has to hide her human side when she gets placed in Floor Harlow with the outcast students, and dreams of her deceased mother keep returning.
With creepy Corpsed on the prowl, and whispers of Cyrus possibly being a reborn Hero, both she and Aken find themselves caught up in a web of secrets, racial tension, and an old legend with enemies that could spell their untimely demise…
Cyrus Sole hates life. She’s only half-human, with weak wrists, and not a day goes by when someone doesn’t say something mean about it—especially her step-mom. But when the forbidden power to manipulate metal awakens inside her, she finds herself on the run as the Argos Corps is sent to kill her…
Aken is a Scourgeblood, the last in a line of monsters. But all he really wants is to gain wings and be free. Until a new power suddenly awakens, changing the course of his life…
The Draev Guardian Academy is their only sanctuary. But training to become a Draev won’t be easy. Cyrus has to hide her human side when she gets placed in Floor Harlow with the outcast students, and dreams of her deceased mother keep returning.
With creepy Corpsed on the prowl, and whispers of Cyrus possibly being a reborn Hero, both she and Aken find themselves caught up in a web of secrets, racial tension, and an old legend with enemies that could spell their untimely demise…
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2019
24 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 9, 2019
Oh my word. Oh my word. Oh my word. Oh my word.
I'm about to explain why you need this on your on your bookshelf--if you read the rest of this review you might have another book on your TBR.
There are very few people in the world of storytelling that I consider master's of the art. I have just added Elizabeth Rawls to that tiny list. She knows how to grab you by the throat and hurdle you through pages of magnificence.
The synopsis hooked me more than a lot of other books I've checked out. I love a good Fantasy story, and this book reminds me of the beautiful fantasies that hooked me on the genre. It's a masterpiece of originality and gorgeous world building. For those who love amazing world building (like I) this is one I definitely recommend.
I wish I could give this book a hundred thousand stars just like the fantastic authors C. S. Lewis, Marissa Meyer, Nadine Brandes, Robin McKinley, Morgan L. Busse, and Sarah Addison Fox. These authors have impacted me heavily and Elizabeth Rawls has earned her place among them.
Setting ~ We are in the world of Eartha (a second earth where all the Altered have been transferred....along with stray humans). As far as we humans have been told this world was erased from our memories when the portal sealed. There's a bunch of amazing forests and haunting legends that have attached themselves to this world crafting a magnificent fantasy. We're mostly in the kingdom of vempars, where the Draev Guardians Headquarters are located. Vemparic Empire and Xotiph Human Empire are the biggest kingdoms.
Plot ~ Unexpected, and absolutely astounding. I LOVED IT. It always kept you guessing, throwing mystery after mystery into your face while answering them. There was a perfect combination of characters stealing your heart, world building, and action. I was never bored.
Message ~ There was a lot of side "morals" that flowed perfectly, not becoming preachy nor capturing the whole story. The main message of accepting and forgiving those who are different than you was SO WELL DONE. I loved it. It acted subtly, stealing your emotions and agreement before showing the characters learning the lesson. 💖
Romance ~ Eh? It's a friendship. There's normal daily attractions that every human being deals with, being male or female. But it's just a beautiful friendship that I'm certain develops later.
Content ~ There is some level of darkness and creepy monsters (that I'm sure not everyone will find scary). Some nasty words that Aken uses (jerk, son of a warthog--I laughed so hard at this one--and some others). It's not super gory, but there are wounds. I'd give it a PG for content, but YA (PG-13) for the level of people that will understand what's going on throughout the adventure. 😂
Characters ~ OH MY WORD I LOVE THEM ALL SO MUCH. They have captured my heart and have refused to release. The amount of love I have for these characters matches that of my favorite authors stated above. If you get me started, I won't stop talking about them!! *squealing* However, I probably can't pronounce 1/4 of the names in this book. 😂😂😂 (Floor Harlow = 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞)
Cyrus ~ GAH. I loved her arc so much. I felt all of her emotions as my own, and understood her decisions. They weren't stupid choices and her motives were always realistic driving me to draw closer to her. 💖 She's such a courageous little Swan Princess.
Aken ~ ALSO GAH. CUZ I cannot handle the amount of emotions that tore through me when reading from his perspective and understanding his motives. (*points finger at suspect* you little devious troublemaker) I always wanted him to beat up all those people who hurt him emotionally, but when he finally did and unlocked his epic power I wished he hadn't. Geez, all the difficulties.
Lykale ~ Hmph. I'm not sure what I think of you. Your different--not too understanding--and very smart.
Bakoa ~ How can you not love this sandy bundle of energy??!!! His mood is so contagious (although when reading from Aken's perspective at first made me not like him). I love his power...so unique.
Hercule ~ I JUST REALLY WANT TO UNDERSTAND YOU BUT I'M SO MAD. Snooty little prince. Gahhhh, I want to make your life better--steal all those expectations from your shoulders and let you live freely. And I can't help but mention how painfully curious I am about your secret.
Mamoru ~ AH HA!! I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING OFF ABOUT YOU. I KNEW IT. 💖💖💖💖💖 Now I'm so curious as to what's going on. . . . . Also I have to admit your ability is kinda freaky. 0.0
Zartanian ~ Aww, your eyes are so gorgeous. I wish you weren't so shy.....💖 But I am awfully suspicious as to your past and what you do now. I don't even know what your power is..... and so I have no choice but to try (very unsuccessfully) to guard my heart from loving you. Wouldn't want there to be a surprise in the end and your actually the bad guy.....
Overall ~ If this review hasn't convinced you to add this book to your shelf then you obviously aren't a fantasy fan. I MUST NOW GO BUY THIS FOR MY SHELF AND URGE ELIZABETH RAWLS TO WRITE FASTER.
*Side Note* The one thing that bothered me was the closeness of vampires and vempars. I don't do vampires....so it took me awhile of reading to realize they only resemble one another in name and form not behaviour. Also the vempar "ability" is a rare blood gift that was created inside them. :)
**FTC DISCLOSURE** I received a complimentary copy of Strayborn from the author in exchange for an honest review. I'm not affiliated with Elizabeth Rawls in any way. If my review has offended you in some manner please don't take it personally, it wasn't intended that way. Thanks!
I'm about to explain why you need this on your on your bookshelf--if you read the rest of this review you might have another book on your TBR.
There are very few people in the world of storytelling that I consider master's of the art. I have just added Elizabeth Rawls to that tiny list. She knows how to grab you by the throat and hurdle you through pages of magnificence.
The synopsis hooked me more than a lot of other books I've checked out. I love a good Fantasy story, and this book reminds me of the beautiful fantasies that hooked me on the genre. It's a masterpiece of originality and gorgeous world building. For those who love amazing world building (like I) this is one I definitely recommend.
I wish I could give this book a hundred thousand stars just like the fantastic authors C. S. Lewis, Marissa Meyer, Nadine Brandes, Robin McKinley, Morgan L. Busse, and Sarah Addison Fox. These authors have impacted me heavily and Elizabeth Rawls has earned her place among them.
Setting ~ We are in the world of Eartha (a second earth where all the Altered have been transferred....along with stray humans). As far as we humans have been told this world was erased from our memories when the portal sealed. There's a bunch of amazing forests and haunting legends that have attached themselves to this world crafting a magnificent fantasy. We're mostly in the kingdom of vempars, where the Draev Guardians Headquarters are located. Vemparic Empire and Xotiph Human Empire are the biggest kingdoms.
Plot ~ Unexpected, and absolutely astounding. I LOVED IT. It always kept you guessing, throwing mystery after mystery into your face while answering them. There was a perfect combination of characters stealing your heart, world building, and action. I was never bored.
Message ~ There was a lot of side "morals" that flowed perfectly, not becoming preachy nor capturing the whole story. The main message of accepting and forgiving those who are different than you was SO WELL DONE. I loved it. It acted subtly, stealing your emotions and agreement before showing the characters learning the lesson. 💖
Romance ~ Eh? It's a friendship. There's normal daily attractions that every human being deals with, being male or female. But it's just a beautiful friendship that I'm certain develops later.
Content ~ There is some level of darkness and creepy monsters (that I'm sure not everyone will find scary). Some nasty words that Aken uses (jerk, son of a warthog--I laughed so hard at this one--and some others). It's not super gory, but there are wounds. I'd give it a PG for content, but YA (PG-13) for the level of people that will understand what's going on throughout the adventure. 😂
Characters ~ OH MY WORD I LOVE THEM ALL SO MUCH. They have captured my heart and have refused to release. The amount of love I have for these characters matches that of my favorite authors stated above. If you get me started, I won't stop talking about them!! *squealing* However, I probably can't pronounce 1/4 of the names in this book. 😂😂😂 (Floor Harlow = 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞)
Cyrus ~ GAH. I loved her arc so much. I felt all of her emotions as my own, and understood her decisions. They weren't stupid choices and her motives were always realistic driving me to draw closer to her. 💖 She's such a courageous little Swan Princess.
Aken ~ ALSO GAH. CUZ I cannot handle the amount of emotions that tore through me when reading from his perspective and understanding his motives. (*points finger at suspect* you little devious troublemaker) I always wanted him to beat up all those people who hurt him emotionally, but when he finally did and unlocked his epic power I wished he hadn't. Geez, all the difficulties.
Lykale ~ Hmph. I'm not sure what I think of you. Your different--not too understanding--and very smart.
Bakoa ~ How can you not love this sandy bundle of energy??!!! His mood is so contagious (although when reading from Aken's perspective at first made me not like him). I love his power...so unique.
Hercule ~ I JUST REALLY WANT TO UNDERSTAND YOU BUT I'M SO MAD. Snooty little prince. Gahhhh, I want to make your life better--steal all those expectations from your shoulders and let you live freely. And I can't help but mention how painfully curious I am about your secret.
Mamoru ~ AH HA!! I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING OFF ABOUT YOU. I KNEW IT. 💖💖💖💖💖 Now I'm so curious as to what's going on. . . . . Also I have to admit your ability is kinda freaky. 0.0
Zartanian ~ Aww, your eyes are so gorgeous. I wish you weren't so shy.....💖 But I am awfully suspicious as to your past and what you do now. I don't even know what your power is..... and so I have no choice but to try (very unsuccessfully) to guard my heart from loving you. Wouldn't want there to be a surprise in the end and your actually the bad guy.....
Overall ~ If this review hasn't convinced you to add this book to your shelf then you obviously aren't a fantasy fan. I MUST NOW GO BUY THIS FOR MY SHELF AND URGE ELIZABETH RAWLS TO WRITE FASTER.
*Side Note* The one thing that bothered me was the closeness of vampires and vempars. I don't do vampires....so it took me awhile of reading to realize they only resemble one another in name and form not behaviour. Also the vempar "ability" is a rare blood gift that was created inside them. :)
**FTC DISCLOSURE** I received a complimentary copy of Strayborn from the author in exchange for an honest review. I'm not affiliated with Elizabeth Rawls in any way. If my review has offended you in some manner please don't take it personally, it wasn't intended that way. Thanks!
October 19, 2019
(Originally posted here.)
That was delightful! A unique and thrilling MG adventure, which I enjoyed very much despite being older than the target audience. I think readers of all ages will find this Christian Fantasy story a delight, especially if you like academy stories! (Think Harry Potter, Knightly Academy, Ewan Pendle, etc.) It’s exciting and not without its bouts of tragedy, but it’s also full of heart and fun and it makes me happy. I keep smiling just thinking about it! :)
I loved getting to know Cyrus (our quiet heroine who has hidden strength) and the other misfit students at the Draev academy, a school for those with Ability. Their different Abilities/powers were so intriguing, though I don’t want to give anything away about them. ;) The characters also struggle with very real issues, like Cyrus’s weak wrists, the prejudice against the people who are different, or the issues between the different races—humans, vempars, faeryns, etc. And there is a Christian element at the center, providing a moral compass and direction for the characters.
Speaking of characters . . . Master Nephryte is THE COOLEST. I love the young magical mentor type character. He gives me slight Chrestomanci vibes and I love how he puts up with his students despite their shenanigans and is such a wise, sturdy character, but still with a sense of fun. Plus, I mean, wind powers. He’s so epic and just the absolute best!
The characters were all so real and such a delightful misfit bunch. Cyrus, of course, and Aken, the other main character—who sometimes could be annoying but other times I loved. But he’s a troublemaker, so. ;) I especially loved Mamoru who is so fascinating and mysterious. And others who would take too long to list here. I love all the character-growth going on! Character arcs are my favorite. Even some of the side characters I didn’t think I liked ended up becoming very intriguing. I can’t wait to read more in the series and find out more about all the characters and their secrets and backstories! Aaahh! I’m sooo curious. :D
This world is Eartha, a sort of alternate fantasy world that’s somewhat like Earth but different. The blend of modern times and old-fashioned feel, with fantasy and a dash of almost-steampunk-but-not-quite, was so unique, as were the twists on things such as the “vempars” who are like vampires but . . . not. The worldbuilding was a delight and I was utterly drawn in and fascinated to spend time in this world. I can’t wait to come back to it someday!
The plot kept me on my toes and even while mixing familiar elements—like a magical-ish academy, a contest to determine who would enter the Duel, and a heroine pretending to be a boy—I never suspected what was going to happen next and it was all delightfully fresh and so much fun. It stole my heart. An excellent beginning to a new series, and a splendid debut novel!
If you’re on the lookout for a unique Christian Fantasy tale, perfect for middle-graders or any lovers of fantasy, full of twists and mysteries and a cast of characters who quickly grow on you, STRAYBORN is your book. :) I enjoyed it so much and I need more!
I received a complimentary e-ARC of this book from the author for the blog tour and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
That was delightful! A unique and thrilling MG adventure, which I enjoyed very much despite being older than the target audience. I think readers of all ages will find this Christian Fantasy story a delight, especially if you like academy stories! (Think Harry Potter, Knightly Academy, Ewan Pendle, etc.) It’s exciting and not without its bouts of tragedy, but it’s also full of heart and fun and it makes me happy. I keep smiling just thinking about it! :)
I loved getting to know Cyrus (our quiet heroine who has hidden strength) and the other misfit students at the Draev academy, a school for those with Ability. Their different Abilities/powers were so intriguing, though I don’t want to give anything away about them. ;) The characters also struggle with very real issues, like Cyrus’s weak wrists, the prejudice against the people who are different, or the issues between the different races—humans, vempars, faeryns, etc. And there is a Christian element at the center, providing a moral compass and direction for the characters.
Speaking of characters . . . Master Nephryte is THE COOLEST. I love the young magical mentor type character. He gives me slight Chrestomanci vibes and I love how he puts up with his students despite their shenanigans and is such a wise, sturdy character, but still with a sense of fun. Plus, I mean, wind powers. He’s so epic and just the absolute best!
The characters were all so real and such a delightful misfit bunch. Cyrus, of course, and Aken, the other main character—who sometimes could be annoying but other times I loved. But he’s a troublemaker, so. ;) I especially loved Mamoru who is so fascinating and mysterious. And others who would take too long to list here. I love all the character-growth going on! Character arcs are my favorite. Even some of the side characters I didn’t think I liked ended up becoming very intriguing. I can’t wait to read more in the series and find out more about all the characters and their secrets and backstories! Aaahh! I’m sooo curious. :D
This world is Eartha, a sort of alternate fantasy world that’s somewhat like Earth but different. The blend of modern times and old-fashioned feel, with fantasy and a dash of almost-steampunk-but-not-quite, was so unique, as were the twists on things such as the “vempars” who are like vampires but . . . not. The worldbuilding was a delight and I was utterly drawn in and fascinated to spend time in this world. I can’t wait to come back to it someday!
The plot kept me on my toes and even while mixing familiar elements—like a magical-ish academy, a contest to determine who would enter the Duel, and a heroine pretending to be a boy—I never suspected what was going to happen next and it was all delightfully fresh and so much fun. It stole my heart. An excellent beginning to a new series, and a splendid debut novel!
If you’re on the lookout for a unique Christian Fantasy tale, perfect for middle-graders or any lovers of fantasy, full of twists and mysteries and a cast of characters who quickly grow on you, STRAYBORN is your book. :) I enjoyed it so much and I need more!
I received a complimentary e-ARC of this book from the author for the blog tour and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
November 27, 2021
This book came highly recommended to me, but I had my doubts about it. I didn't really get into it until around the 20% mark, when I finally came to terms with the fact that there were no potato chips in the house and I would just have to continue reading this book without them. Well, as soon as I sat down for the next chapter, it got good. No potato chips necessary.
I was told the worldbuilding in this story is excellent. Well, it is. I don't want to go into too much detail, but I especially loved the author's twist on creatures such as vampires and fairies and such. Of course in the beginning, worldbuilding isn't enough to draw you into a story... which moves us on to the next part of my review!
Our main characters are Cyrus and Aken, both former outcasts finding second chances at the elite Draev Academy. I didn't immediately connect with either at first, but as the story progressed I found myself immersed in Cyrus's-- refreshingly unique-- character as she discovered the world of the vempars. We are with her, learning more and more about this fascinating and unfamiliar place and experiencing her wonder. For me, it was that joy of discovery that connected me to Cyrus :P She had other great characteristics as well, but the joy of discovery shouldn't be spoiled in a review ;)
Aken was very different. He could be darn right annoying one moment and have me laughing my head off the next! But hey, the best people in life are like that, although I'd say it's easier to experience them than to read about them, haha. Nevertheless, his arc was very satisfying to read.
I loved the side characters especially! The Harlow boys were so much fun and had a great group dynamic, plus they each harbor their fair share of mysteries o_O I'm curious to learn more about them and see them grow and develop as well. Master Nephryte has his hands full!
Typically I don't have much to say about plots, and... this does count as typically. It definitely keeps you reading! Also, I just loved the humor. I wish YA novels could have as much real humor as MG novels do. (Seriously though... Don't teenagers and young adults laugh too?) Aken and his monkeylike behavior (I say it as the highest form of compliment) contributed a lot to the laughs.
I had only a few problems with the book. The writing kind of jarred me at times-- not the style itself, but maybe the editing? There are some other minor things that show up from time to time in other books, just "me" things. Other than those, this is one of the true delights of middle grade fantasy!
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a lovely MG fantasy with undertones of Narnia and Legend of Zelda. Don't ask me why it reminds me of LoZ but it does and that automatically makes it wonderful, in addition to everything else. This is what MG fantasy looks like!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required; all views and opinions expressed are my own.*
I was told the worldbuilding in this story is excellent. Well, it is. I don't want to go into too much detail, but I especially loved the author's twist on creatures such as vampires and fairies and such. Of course in the beginning, worldbuilding isn't enough to draw you into a story... which moves us on to the next part of my review!
Our main characters are Cyrus and Aken, both former outcasts finding second chances at the elite Draev Academy. I didn't immediately connect with either at first, but as the story progressed I found myself immersed in Cyrus's-- refreshingly unique-- character as she discovered the world of the vempars. We are with her, learning more and more about this fascinating and unfamiliar place and experiencing her wonder. For me, it was that joy of discovery that connected me to Cyrus :P She had other great characteristics as well, but the joy of discovery shouldn't be spoiled in a review ;)
Aken was very different. He could be darn right annoying one moment and have me laughing my head off the next! But hey, the best people in life are like that, although I'd say it's easier to experience them than to read about them, haha. Nevertheless, his arc was very satisfying to read.
I loved the side characters especially! The Harlow boys were so much fun and had a great group dynamic, plus they each harbor their fair share of mysteries o_O I'm curious to learn more about them and see them grow and develop as well. Master Nephryte has his hands full!
Typically I don't have much to say about plots, and... this does count as typically. It definitely keeps you reading! Also, I just loved the humor. I wish YA novels could have as much real humor as MG novels do. (Seriously though... Don't teenagers and young adults laugh too?) Aken and his monkeylike behavior (I say it as the highest form of compliment) contributed a lot to the laughs.
I had only a few problems with the book. The writing kind of jarred me at times-- not the style itself, but maybe the editing? There are some other minor things that show up from time to time in other books, just "me" things. Other than those, this is one of the true delights of middle grade fantasy!
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a lovely MG fantasy with undertones of Narnia and Legend of Zelda. Don't ask me why it reminds me of LoZ but it does and that automatically makes it wonderful, in addition to everything else. This is what MG fantasy looks like!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required; all views and opinions expressed are my own.*
December 15, 2021
4.5 stars // read December 2021
A delightful Christian MG fantasy perfect for fans of the “magical school” trope.
A delightful Christian MG fantasy perfect for fans of the “magical school” trope.
December 30, 2021
I loved this book! So creative and amusing and sweet.
The crowning jewel of this story was its characters, Every character was beautifully written with believable inner conflict, and I can tell that there is plenty of character growth coming in future books. Nephryte, Zartanian, and Hercule were especially loveable. Nephryte was a wonderful spin on the "mentor" trope: relatively young, wise, and kind with a hint of mischief flickering in his personality. Zartanian is utterly precious, and Hercule has hurting shards buried under his pompous and rude exterior. I just want to protect both those boys. (It's possible that I like Hercule much more than I otherwise would because I read Dragons and Ravens first, but I can tell he has hidden depths just waiting to emerge.) Oh, and did I mention Nephryte?
To be perfectly honest, though, I wasn't really a fan of the way Cyrus pretended to be a boy. I…get why she did…sort of. But it didn’t seem perfectly necessary, and I’m just pretty wary of that sort of thing in today’s world.
The worldbuilding of Strayborn was so imaginative and made it so much more than just another magical academy book. The setting descriptions blended seamlessly into the narrative and gave me a vivid picture of Eartha and Draevensett.
Also, the way the author blended Christianity into the story was gorgeous and impressive. I loved it.
Overall, Strayborn is an excellent middle-grade novel. I'm so excited to read the sequel and spend more time in this world with these amazing characters!
Content: Violence. Cyrus pretends to be a boy. The kids claim to be “traumatized” from learning about the birthing process in health class. Hercule’s (married) mother is known to flirt with other men.
The crowning jewel of this story was its characters, Every character was beautifully written with believable inner conflict, and I can tell that there is plenty of character growth coming in future books. Nephryte, Zartanian, and Hercule were especially loveable. Nephryte was a wonderful spin on the "mentor" trope: relatively young, wise, and kind with a hint of mischief flickering in his personality. Zartanian is utterly precious, and Hercule has hurting shards buried under his pompous and rude exterior. I just want to protect both those boys. (It's possible that I like Hercule much more than I otherwise would because I read Dragons and Ravens first, but I can tell he has hidden depths just waiting to emerge.) Oh, and did I mention Nephryte?
To be perfectly honest, though, I wasn't really a fan of the way Cyrus pretended to be a boy. I…get why she did…sort of. But it didn’t seem perfectly necessary, and I’m just pretty wary of that sort of thing in today’s world.
The worldbuilding of Strayborn was so imaginative and made it so much more than just another magical academy book. The setting descriptions blended seamlessly into the narrative and gave me a vivid picture of Eartha and Draevensett.
Also, the way the author blended Christianity into the story was gorgeous and impressive. I loved it.
Overall, Strayborn is an excellent middle-grade novel. I'm so excited to read the sequel and spend more time in this world with these amazing characters!
Content: Violence. Cyrus pretends to be a boy. The kids claim to be “traumatized” from learning about the birthing process in health class. Hercule’s (married) mother is known to flirt with other men.
August 13, 2020
Nutrition Facts:
-Fabulous Middle Grade novel
-Fun, epic, heartwarming
-Has a heroine who is going to follow the Lord God no matter what
-Great worldbuilding
-Super enjoyable read
Serving Suggestion:
-If you like fantasy
-Want a Christian Middle Grade book
-If you like Howl's Moving Castle
Ingredients:
-Cyrus, brave, faithful, determined.
-Aken, fun-loving, fiercely loyal, gets into trouble.
-Nephryte, devoted Christian, mentor, has air powers.
-Mamoru, O.o o.0 O_O
Allergens:
-Some very watered down language
-Some action/violence
-Some blood/frightening images
-A bit of rude humor typical of Middle Grade novels
-Vampires
Servings per container:
-Unlimited re-read potential! :)
-Fabulous Middle Grade novel
-Fun, epic, heartwarming
-Has a heroine who is going to follow the Lord God no matter what
-Great worldbuilding
-Super enjoyable read
Serving Suggestion:
-If you like fantasy
-Want a Christian Middle Grade book
-If you like Howl's Moving Castle
Ingredients:
-Cyrus, brave, faithful, determined.
-Aken, fun-loving, fiercely loyal, gets into trouble.
-Nephryte, devoted Christian, mentor, has air powers.
-Mamoru, O.o o.0 O_O
Allergens:
-Some very watered down language
-Some action/violence
-Some blood/frightening images
-A bit of rude humor typical of Middle Grade novels
-Vampires
Servings per container:
-Unlimited re-read potential! :)
October 15, 2019
“Fresh and original” aren't words I often use in connection with a story that revolves primarily around vampires, but they absolutely apply to Strayborn. Thankfully, Strayborn steers well away from all the usual tropes that afflict YA vampire novels…so much so that I wouldn't actually saddle it with that category. The vampires of this story (called “vempar”) are a clever and richly-detailed new take on the mythological creature that's a far cry from the stock blood-drinker archetype you'll find in most YA fantasy. This isn't a “vampire novel,” it's more of a gothic version of Harry Potter. The cast of characters is likable and engaging, the plot has a number of unexpected twists, and there's a good balance of humor and earned moments of darkness. The deep worldbuilding and teases of further revelations about main characters leave plenty of room for future stories to carry the series forward. I'm definitely on board to find out what happens next. Highly recommended.
April 2, 2020
How much do you like vampires?
I could answer that question with “Not at all”, but after watching Dracula: Untold and Hotel Transylvania with my family, a small part of my hear opened up to allow myself to say, “They’re okay.”
But today, I am here to tell you that vampires rock! Or, at least E. E. Rawls’s vampires do. Called ‘vempars’ in her debut middle-grade novel Strayborn, Rawls paints a whole new picture of vampires, letting the world explore a side of them never seen in common fiction—vulnerability. Humanity.
Strayborn illustrates the tale of a young half-vempar girl named Cyrus living in the human village of Elvenstone, hated and feared by everyone except a boy named Huntter. She is also mocked for her boyish appearance, leaving her feel unwanted. Then, her life is turned around when she runs into a vempar trapped in a cage and frees him. In return, he takes her to the vempar capital city of Draethvyle, where she feels free to use her powers.
But things don’t get any easier for Cyrus. Now she must hide her human side and is disguised as a boy in a school mostly attended by boy vempars. But with her new friend Aken at her side, Cyrus just might have a chance to make a name for herself. Strayborn is told mostly from the perspective of Cyrus but also follows Aken, Master Nephryte, and several other key players. Usually, the amount of point of view chapters used in this book would be confusing, but Rawls writes in a way that makes the transitions flow smoothly.
While one could call this novel a fun romp, it also addresses more serious issues, like bullying, racism, and gender identity. Rawls points out each one with gentleness, and addresses the issues with grace and kindness, making this book packed with undermined values.
Strayborn is a fun, interesting twist on vampires, making them more child-friendly while addressing more serious themes throughout. I would recommend this book to anyone who reads middle-grade fiction, fantasy, and/or has a love of vampires, or wants to read a story with them without diving into darker tales.
I could answer that question with “Not at all”, but after watching Dracula: Untold and Hotel Transylvania with my family, a small part of my hear opened up to allow myself to say, “They’re okay.”
But today, I am here to tell you that vampires rock! Or, at least E. E. Rawls’s vampires do. Called ‘vempars’ in her debut middle-grade novel Strayborn, Rawls paints a whole new picture of vampires, letting the world explore a side of them never seen in common fiction—vulnerability. Humanity.
Strayborn illustrates the tale of a young half-vempar girl named Cyrus living in the human village of Elvenstone, hated and feared by everyone except a boy named Huntter. She is also mocked for her boyish appearance, leaving her feel unwanted. Then, her life is turned around when she runs into a vempar trapped in a cage and frees him. In return, he takes her to the vempar capital city of Draethvyle, where she feels free to use her powers.
But things don’t get any easier for Cyrus. Now she must hide her human side and is disguised as a boy in a school mostly attended by boy vempars. But with her new friend Aken at her side, Cyrus just might have a chance to make a name for herself. Strayborn is told mostly from the perspective of Cyrus but also follows Aken, Master Nephryte, and several other key players. Usually, the amount of point of view chapters used in this book would be confusing, but Rawls writes in a way that makes the transitions flow smoothly.
While one could call this novel a fun romp, it also addresses more serious issues, like bullying, racism, and gender identity. Rawls points out each one with gentleness, and addresses the issues with grace and kindness, making this book packed with undermined values.
Strayborn is a fun, interesting twist on vampires, making them more child-friendly while addressing more serious themes throughout. I would recommend this book to anyone who reads middle-grade fiction, fantasy, and/or has a love of vampires, or wants to read a story with them without diving into darker tales.
January 8, 2020
The Christian Fantasy We've Needed All Along
This is an interesting book! Let me get this plug out of the way and say that The Rebel Christian is always on the lookout for amazing Christian fiction, so I was very pleased to add this wonderful piece to my collection!
When I was first approached for a review I felt a little leery because this book was a bit long but it turned out to be such an adventure! What I liked most about this story was that it was most certainly a fantasy novel in every sense of the word. I loved the concept behind the magic and the “second” earth. Having all the magical and mythological creatures you’ve heard of packed together in one incredible superhuman planet makes for one mind-blowing setting. Rawls does a wonderful job at painting a background for her unique characters; I think the descriptive language was probably one of the strongest points in this book.
The protagonist, Cyrus, is such a lovely girl. She’s someone who is easy to like and incredibly easy to cheer for as she draws you in and shows you every bright and beautiful, and dark and menacing part of the world Rawls has created.
Read my full review at The Rebel Christian!
*The Rebel Christian received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
This is an interesting book! Let me get this plug out of the way and say that The Rebel Christian is always on the lookout for amazing Christian fiction, so I was very pleased to add this wonderful piece to my collection!
When I was first approached for a review I felt a little leery because this book was a bit long but it turned out to be such an adventure! What I liked most about this story was that it was most certainly a fantasy novel in every sense of the word. I loved the concept behind the magic and the “second” earth. Having all the magical and mythological creatures you’ve heard of packed together in one incredible superhuman planet makes for one mind-blowing setting. Rawls does a wonderful job at painting a background for her unique characters; I think the descriptive language was probably one of the strongest points in this book.
The protagonist, Cyrus, is such a lovely girl. She’s someone who is easy to like and incredibly easy to cheer for as she draws you in and shows you every bright and beautiful, and dark and menacing part of the world Rawls has created.
Read my full review at The Rebel Christian!
*The Rebel Christian received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
November 17, 2019
I beta read this for EE Rawls quite some time ago, and remembered really enjoying it then. Some bits were familiar enough, Aken's hot-headedness, Cyrus's determination, the misfit band of students she falls in with at the Draev Academy (basically a magic school for vempires), the mentor with secrets...
The other part I remembered was the fresh worldbuilding. In this world, a second earth type planet with magic (but separate from ours), we have humans, vempires, faeryn, dragons, etc. All twists on the familiar urban legends of our earth. Cyrus is half human and half vempire with strange and unique abilities that make her outcast among both races until she decides to disguise herself as a boy vempire...
It's a fun, fast-paced story, with plenty of humor and some touching moments between characters. Aken and Cyrus both struggle with acceptance - a familiar battle for many. And they find it in each other. Legends and myths about and plenty of hints are dropped that promise they are more than they know. Excited to see where the next books in the series take us. Lots of tantalizing threads left at the end!
Fun, clean read that I'd recommend for early teens and up! Especially those wanting something fresh and unique with worldbuilding and something different from the standard teen vampire storylines! Loved it and looking forward to the next book!
The other part I remembered was the fresh worldbuilding. In this world, a second earth type planet with magic (but separate from ours), we have humans, vempires, faeryn, dragons, etc. All twists on the familiar urban legends of our earth. Cyrus is half human and half vempire with strange and unique abilities that make her outcast among both races until she decides to disguise herself as a boy vempire...
It's a fun, fast-paced story, with plenty of humor and some touching moments between characters. Aken and Cyrus both struggle with acceptance - a familiar battle for many. And they find it in each other. Legends and myths about and plenty of hints are dropped that promise they are more than they know. Excited to see where the next books in the series take us. Lots of tantalizing threads left at the end!
Fun, clean read that I'd recommend for early teens and up! Especially those wanting something fresh and unique with worldbuilding and something different from the standard teen vampire storylines! Loved it and looking forward to the next book!
partly-read
April 9, 2020I think I'm going to stop getting books via Prolific Works (the former Instafreebie); I don't think I've ever had one that I liked without reservation.
I picked up the extended sample of this book that way. It did not make me want to buy the book, for reasons I'll discuss shortly.
First, the good. This is an appealing world, fairly clearly based on anime/manga (the brightly coloured hair, the vaguely steampunkish setting, the approximate laws of physics, the ability of the teacher to produce a picnic for eight people out of his shoulder bag); the cover reflects this well. The two protagonists have appropriately difficult backstories - most of the sample consists of setting out their backstories and having them begin to interact with each other and explore the magical-academy setting, plus setting up a potential tragic conflict between them. This makes them engaging characters with a bit of dimension to them, even if it doesn't provide much yet in the way of plot. There are infodumps, but they're not too obtrusive; one or two of them cover ground that the characters they're presented to should really know, though, even if the reader doesn't.
Which brings me to the issues. I'll start with the small ones and build up.
- Female main character with a male name, following a to-me-incomprehensible current fashion.
- Names generally a bit of a mish-mash, with no underlying logic that was discernible to me.
- Name of a fantasy race spelled in a weird way to underline that these ones are a bit different from what you're imagining.
- A prophecy about a Chosen One, expressed in awful poetry.
- Said bookisms ("voiced" or "furthered" instead of "said" and "added").
- Author doesn't know when to use, and more importantly, when not to use a hyphen. Or when to make a phrase one word and when not to.
- Punctuation ropey in general; excess coordinate commas, missing or misplaced apostrophes.
- Grammar a bit dodgy at times also.
- Worst of all, clearly not spellchecked; the words "curiosity", "chiseled", "drunken", "plumed", "vicious", "sneaking", "gelateria", "wrestled", "pallor" and "sandwich" are all misspelled. I'm used to anything remotely steampunk-adjacent being full of homonym errors (and here we have flare for flair, titled for tilted, and road for rode, none of which a spellcheck would catch), but really, spellchecking is utterly basic. It's not hard, and it's the very minimum you can do if you want to be taken seriously. There's an excuse, possibly, for not knowing rules of punctuation (though if you're going to write a book, I think you should learn them), but there's no excuse for not running spellcheck. None.
So: craft and storytelling, reasonably promising, though by the end of the sample there's not a lot of plot yet, so I can't judge that aspect. Copy editing poor, and not just in the ways that thousands of books are poorly copy edited (though those too), but in not using the most basic of tools to fix the most basic of errors.
I picked up the extended sample of this book that way. It did not make me want to buy the book, for reasons I'll discuss shortly.
First, the good. This is an appealing world, fairly clearly based on anime/manga (the brightly coloured hair, the vaguely steampunkish setting, the approximate laws of physics, the ability of the teacher to produce a picnic for eight people out of his shoulder bag); the cover reflects this well. The two protagonists have appropriately difficult backstories - most of the sample consists of setting out their backstories and having them begin to interact with each other and explore the magical-academy setting, plus setting up a potential tragic conflict between them. This makes them engaging characters with a bit of dimension to them, even if it doesn't provide much yet in the way of plot. There are infodumps, but they're not too obtrusive; one or two of them cover ground that the characters they're presented to should really know, though, even if the reader doesn't.
Which brings me to the issues. I'll start with the small ones and build up.
- Female main character with a male name, following a to-me-incomprehensible current fashion.
- Names generally a bit of a mish-mash, with no underlying logic that was discernible to me.
- Name of a fantasy race spelled in a weird way to underline that these ones are a bit different from what you're imagining.
- A prophecy about a Chosen One, expressed in awful poetry.
- Said bookisms ("voiced" or "furthered" instead of "said" and "added").
- Author doesn't know when to use, and more importantly, when not to use a hyphen. Or when to make a phrase one word and when not to.
- Punctuation ropey in general; excess coordinate commas, missing or misplaced apostrophes.
- Grammar a bit dodgy at times also.
- Worst of all, clearly not spellchecked; the words "curiosity", "chiseled", "drunken", "plumed", "vicious", "sneaking", "gelateria", "wrestled", "pallor" and "sandwich" are all misspelled. I'm used to anything remotely steampunk-adjacent being full of homonym errors (and here we have flare for flair, titled for tilted, and road for rode, none of which a spellcheck would catch), but really, spellchecking is utterly basic. It's not hard, and it's the very minimum you can do if you want to be taken seriously. There's an excuse, possibly, for not knowing rules of punctuation (though if you're going to write a book, I think you should learn them), but there's no excuse for not running spellcheck. None.
So: craft and storytelling, reasonably promising, though by the end of the sample there's not a lot of plot yet, so I can't judge that aspect. Copy editing poor, and not just in the ways that thousands of books are poorly copy edited (though those too), but in not using the most basic of tools to fix the most basic of errors.
August 14, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
Reasons for rounding up:
-Unique take on vampires (in this series they’re called “vempar”)
-Those snippets at the end
-Nephryte (if he and the vempar lady are “just friends”, can I have him? XD)
Reasons for nixing stars:
-SO many YA/MG cliches; Adults Are Useless, Everyone Hates the MCs, etc.
-The writing was choppy most of the way through; fragmented sentences that got a bit annoying during action scenes, POV switches (between close third and distant third)
-Random chapters from the POV of other characters
-Exposition (because exposition and saving the MCs are all adults are good for?)
To begin, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the 13-yo shenanigans. Snatching food, sneak attacks, stupid jokes, a brief Kung-Fu Panda moment of mockery...it was all great. (It was mostly Aken doing these things, which I found a little off-kilter because I personally think that at least one of the other kids would have joined him. Anyways, it was all hilarious and I almost choked on my food a few times.)
Speaking of Aken, he very much put in mind of Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes. The trouble he got into, the pranks he pulled, his desire to be the best of the best, combined with his strange and powerful Scourgeblood abilities, made for a fun character.
Cyrus was a gem (not a cinnamon roll, a gem). I wanted to take her in, snuggle her, and scrunch up her wild hair (right after giving her family a lecture about xenophobia and racism, maybe stick them in one of those death-cages and see how they liked it). Is that weird? Anyways...
She has her doubts, prays about them, and occasionally makes the right decision. One refreshing thing she did that's out of the norm in MG/YA literature is that she actually trusted a few adults. Eventually. Luckily for her, since she isn't a convincing liar, those few adults figured out her secrets beforehand and helped protect her.
Sort of.
See the trope of Adults are Useless, and Cassandra Truth.
(Links: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph..., https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...)
Can I just beat everyone up and bring her home to live happily and help her experiment with her Ability? Thanks.
On to Nephryte! He annoyed me at first. Not sure why; maybe it was because he’s shown mostly through the POV of Aken, and Aken has a few bones to pick with him. Whatever the reason, I grew to like him through his continued patience and Scripture-driven advice in dealing with his young and rambunctious class.
Before reaching 23 years old (the age he is at the time of the story, so far as I can tell), he managed to become vempar society’s most revered hero. It keeps being said, but we only get to see him fight in one action-driven scene, fighting a Corpsed (). Hopefully he gets more fight scenes in the next book, because I want to see what made him such a big deal!! Not that the one fight scene was unimpressive; it was just so short (a testament to his Ability, I suppose). XD
Despite being so young, all of the characters all have secrets. These secrets get revealed as friendship grows, and some secrets that would have been better off being admitted up front have drastic consequences.
That’s one thing I appreciated about this story; the stupid actions of the young MCs have consequences. They sometimes seemed a bit more...uh, drastic/serious than the stupid action called for, but this is vempar territory; they don’t do things in moderation.
Those snippet scenes at the end? PERFECTION. Every book needs scenes that give information on random nitty-gritty questions that readers have (how did the older student get that scar? What sort of pin does Nephryte wear? Who is Gandif and why does he appear to have so many connections?).
Also, this world is apparently a result of the Earth we are familiar with being split into two realms, Earth and Eartha (where all the cool people are: vempar, faeryn, etc.). I'm hoping this series will eventually include some portal fantasy, because C'MON THAT WOULD BE SO MUCH FUN.
I was somewhat put off by the writing style; it left out some details, then a chapter or so later dropped the details like they had already been established. E.g., the name of Aken’s bird, Limitless—I don’t recall it having a name before he showed it to Cyrus; calling Bakoa (I think I spelled that right) a genie, when before all it had mentioned were sand powers—I mean, genie and sand powers make sense, but I had just assumed that he was a vempar with power over sand like Nephryte was a vempar with power over air. Or is Nephryte part sylph?
There were a few other fact-drops that would have had more impact if they had a bit of foreshadowing, but I’ll not name them because they’d be spoilers.
There were also chapters from the POV of other characters. I think they were supposed to build suspense, but kind of came off as cheesy dramatics. They didn’t reveal anything that I didn’t already know/suspect (maybe I infer more than most readers, or am a bit above the age of the intended audience?).
The only scary/questionable content I can recall:
-The Corpsed (a pretty gruesome creature); they show up a few times, and when they die they disintegrate
-A scene near the end, in which
Overall, this was a fun read. I'll be keeping my eye out for the next book. Recommended for anyone looking for a fresh take on vampires.
**FTC disclosure: I received a copy in exchange for review, opinions are my own, this didn’t affect my rating, etc. etc.***
Reasons for rounding up:
-Unique take on vampires (in this series they’re called “vempar”)
-Those snippets at the end
-Nephryte (if he and the vempar lady are “just friends”, can I have him? XD)
Reasons for nixing stars:
-SO many YA/MG cliches; Adults Are Useless, Everyone Hates the MCs, etc.
-The writing was choppy most of the way through; fragmented sentences that got a bit annoying during action scenes, POV switches (between close third and distant third)
-Random chapters from the POV of other characters
-Exposition (because exposition and saving the MCs are all adults are good for?)
To begin, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the 13-yo shenanigans. Snatching food, sneak attacks, stupid jokes, a brief Kung-Fu Panda moment of mockery...it was all great. (It was mostly Aken doing these things, which I found a little off-kilter because I personally think that at least one of the other kids would have joined him. Anyways, it was all hilarious and I almost choked on my food a few times.)
Speaking of Aken, he very much put in mind of Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes. The trouble he got into, the pranks he pulled, his desire to be the best of the best, combined with his strange and powerful Scourgeblood abilities, made for a fun character.
Cyrus was a gem (not a cinnamon roll, a gem). I wanted to take her in, snuggle her, and scrunch up her wild hair (right after giving her family a lecture about xenophobia and racism, maybe stick them in one of those death-cages and see how they liked it). Is that weird? Anyways...
She has her doubts, prays about them, and occasionally makes the right decision. One refreshing thing she did that's out of the norm in MG/YA literature is that she actually trusted a few adults. Eventually. Luckily for her, since she isn't a convincing liar, those few adults figured out her secrets beforehand and helped protect her.
Sort of.
See the trope of Adults are Useless, and Cassandra Truth.
(Links: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph..., https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...)
Can I just beat everyone up and bring her home to live happily and help her experiment with her Ability? Thanks.
On to Nephryte! He annoyed me at first. Not sure why; maybe it was because he’s shown mostly through the POV of Aken, and Aken has a few bones to pick with him. Whatever the reason, I grew to like him through his continued patience and Scripture-driven advice in dealing with his young and rambunctious class.
Before reaching 23 years old (the age he is at the time of the story, so far as I can tell), he managed to become vempar society’s most revered hero. It keeps being said, but we only get to see him fight in one action-driven scene, fighting a Corpsed (). Hopefully he gets more fight scenes in the next book, because I want to see what made him such a big deal!! Not that the one fight scene was unimpressive; it was just so short (a testament to his Ability, I suppose). XD
Despite being so young, all of the characters all have secrets. These secrets get revealed as friendship grows, and some secrets that would have been better off being admitted up front have drastic consequences.
That’s one thing I appreciated about this story; the stupid actions of the young MCs have consequences. They sometimes seemed a bit more...uh, drastic/serious than the stupid action called for, but this is vempar territory; they don’t do things in moderation.
Those snippet scenes at the end? PERFECTION. Every book needs scenes that give information on random nitty-gritty questions that readers have (how did the older student get that scar? What sort of pin does Nephryte wear? Who is Gandif and why does he appear to have so many connections?).
Also, this world is apparently a result of the Earth we are familiar with being split into two realms, Earth and Eartha (where all the cool people are: vempar, faeryn, etc.). I'm hoping this series will eventually include some portal fantasy, because C'MON THAT WOULD BE SO MUCH FUN.
I was somewhat put off by the writing style; it left out some details, then a chapter or so later dropped the details like they had already been established. E.g., the name of Aken’s bird, Limitless—I don’t recall it having a name before he showed it to Cyrus; calling Bakoa (I think I spelled that right) a genie, when before all it had mentioned were sand powers—I mean, genie and sand powers make sense, but I had just assumed that he was a vempar with power over sand like Nephryte was a vempar with power over air. Or is Nephryte part sylph?
There were a few other fact-drops that would have had more impact if they had a bit of foreshadowing, but I’ll not name them because they’d be spoilers.
There were also chapters from the POV of other characters. I think they were supposed to build suspense, but kind of came off as cheesy dramatics. They didn’t reveal anything that I didn’t already know/suspect (maybe I infer more than most readers, or am a bit above the age of the intended audience?).
The only scary/questionable content I can recall:
-The Corpsed (a pretty gruesome creature); they show up a few times, and when they die they disintegrate
-A scene near the end, in which
Overall, this was a fun read. I'll be keeping my eye out for the next book. Recommended for anyone looking for a fresh take on vampires.
**FTC disclosure: I received a copy in exchange for review, opinions are my own, this didn’t affect my rating, etc. etc.***
December 26, 2019
Well, that was rather fun*. I do like a good school-of-magic story, and while this does have a lot of Harry Potter DNA, it has its own ideas as well. The world building in particular was vivid, colourful, and interesting. The world of Eartha bursts with exotic races, monsters, woods, cities, colourful personalities and their rivalries – and the academy which our young heroes attend is a microcosm of all this imagination. Our two POV protagonists are likeable and believable kids: Cyrus is a half-human girl pretending to be a boy to get into the school and is sweet, well intentioned, caring and a bit naive. Aken-shou is a smart, energetic, lonely boy who is mostly out of control. They live in a small dorm full of orphans and oddballs with weird powers. My favourite parts were probably the quieter moments where we get to enjoy the world and its characters, a bit like Aladdin on his magic carpet ride.
The storytelling is paced well with plenty happening and some good action setpieces, but also some meaningful character development. (I remember not appreciating all that ‘emotional stuff’ as a 12 year old boy, but I have changed my mind since. Perhaps also being a Dad of a ‘middle grade’ age kids now gives me a different perspective, but I also appreciated that there were some very positive as well as negative adult figures throughout the story).
The book is open with its Christian themes and ethos. Some heavier themes weave through the story, though lightly developed in this first instalment: racial and class prejudice and bullying, but also the impact on kids of being orphaned or rejected by their parents and peers. Aken-shou in particular is not merely “naughty all the time”, but clearly struggling with grief and trauma in a way that is all too common in real life schools but not always recognised or talked about. Other characters in the dorm also seem to have different trauma-like reactions to their own back stories, such as extreme introversion or emotional reserved-ness. There are also some chosen-ones-must-save-the-world-from-malevolent-secret-forces plot beats, which to me felt unnecessarily epic for this episode, but I suppose it sets up for an exciting overall series arc.
So the book is basically good fun, recommended for anyone who liked Harry Potter 1-3, and at similar reading age. It is open with its Christian ethos and with some weighty themes in places.
* Free copy received in exchange for an honest review.
The storytelling is paced well with plenty happening and some good action setpieces, but also some meaningful character development. (I remember not appreciating all that ‘emotional stuff’ as a 12 year old boy, but I have changed my mind since. Perhaps also being a Dad of a ‘middle grade’ age kids now gives me a different perspective, but I also appreciated that there were some very positive as well as negative adult figures throughout the story).
The book is open with its Christian themes and ethos. Some heavier themes weave through the story, though lightly developed in this first instalment: racial and class prejudice and bullying, but also the impact on kids of being orphaned or rejected by their parents and peers. Aken-shou in particular is not merely “naughty all the time”, but clearly struggling with grief and trauma in a way that is all too common in real life schools but not always recognised or talked about. Other characters in the dorm also seem to have different trauma-like reactions to their own back stories, such as extreme introversion or emotional reserved-ness. There are also some chosen-ones-must-save-the-world-from-malevolent-secret-forces plot beats, which to me felt unnecessarily epic for this episode, but I suppose it sets up for an exciting overall series arc.
So the book is basically good fun, recommended for anyone who liked Harry Potter 1-3, and at similar reading age. It is open with its Christian ethos and with some weighty themes in places.
* Free copy received in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2019
7 Reasons You Should Drop Everything and Read This Book:
1. Cyrus Sole. I completely fell in love with young Cyrus within the first chapter, and when the story deviated from her storyline to briefly introduce a new character, I didn't want to leave. I wanted to know more about her, about how she was going to handle all the things, and where her story would take her, and what would happen next. She starts out as a sort of Cinderella-meets-Harry-Potter, but there are plenty of unique twists and turns to this tale as well.
2. Aken Shou. However, I quickly came to enjoy learning more about Aken Shou, and found him to be a sympathetic character as well. However, he takes a few of life's more difficult blows and it changes him a bit from a quiet, introspective boy into a mischievous troublemaker carrying a grudge and a well of darkness within his heart that he tries to hide. And yet, when he lets his guard down, there's an innocence about him as well that you just can't help but be drawn in by. The friendship that grows between Aken and Cyrus (though Cyrus is a bit reluctant at first) was another of my favorite things about this story.
3. Nephryte. Quite possibly my favorite character in the entire story... and that's saying something considering that about halfway through the book I began suspecting that he was actually a villain. I won't say if my concerns were founded or not... you'll just have to read the book to find out! The characters in general were all well-developed and each of them had interesting and understandable reasons for the various actions they took throughout the story.
4. The Draev Academy. I would have happily spent many more pages exploring this school. I really enjoyed the few glimpses I saw, and would have enjoyed getting better acquainted. In so many ways it felt akin to getting to go back to Hogwarts, and yet it definitely had its own feel and unique elements as well.
5. Elemental Power Manipulation. I loved the way the author took the basic idea of elemental powers that we see in many different stories and gave them her own twist. Instead of just having the four basic elements of earth, fire, water, and air, she breaks the elements down into even smaller components and each of the vempars have fairly specific abilities and focuses when it comes to their powers.
6. The plot and story... lest you think I got overawed by the characters and trimmings... this book also has a well-paced, epic story surrounding the characters as they struggle to achieve their various goals.
7. The world-building. Speaking of vempars, have I mentioned that I went through a vampire-reading phase when I was about 12? I devoured just about every MG vampire book I could get my hands on, most of them were cheesy beyond all reason, but I loved them. I graduated to Bram Stoker's Dracula in high school and actually can appreciate Stephanie Meyers for giving them her own unique twist. (Disclaimer: There are definitely parts of the Twilight saga I take issue with and I wouldn't recommend them to their target audience for many various reasons... but Meyer's making vampires her own thing is not one of the problems I have with the series). I only bring this up because Strayborn also takes the mythical "vampire" and makes it something wholly unique to this fantasy world. While vempars have the classic sharp teeth, they do not appear to feast on human blood, but rather on human "essence" which can be harvested without actually harming the human. Or at least, that's the idea. There is a darkness in the vempar culture that Cyrus begins to discover in the short time she has been living at the Draev Academy. I also liked that other mythical creatures and races were mentioned and seen throughout the story, and a lot of history is described... giving the world a feel of largeness and scope without actually having to travel terribly far. If anything, the scope that is hinted at made me wish that I could have unpacked the world itself a bit more, I feel that there is still a lot I don't understand about Eartha and how it works. I'm still not sure if it is supposed to be some post-apocalyptic version of Earth, or if it is supposed to be completely its own totally-made-up world. Part of what threw me about this is that throughout the book, the Bible is quoted and read and important to several of the characters, which made me feel like this must be some sort of variation on our own Earth.... but that is never made clear to the reader.
A few nit-picky little unimportant things that did not in any way detract from my enjoyment of this story...
I would have loved to see Cyrus spend some more time in various classes and actually learning how to use her powers or at least work on some things like conditioning and strength-training. As it was, there were parts about the end that felt a little rushed and her participation in the big competition was a wee bit difficult to fathom.
The second to last chapter detours away from the main plot and characters to follow a secondary character to his home. While there are important things that happen in this chapter, it sort of came at me out of left field like a baseball zinging the wrong direction and I was left trying to figure out why we couldn't have gotten hints of this earlier in the story, or if it even needed to be in this book at all.
After the Epilogue, there are several additional scenes called "Extra Bites" that sort of felt like I was getting a view of random "outtakes" the way you might see them at the end of a movie after the credits have rolled. Some of them were interesting, but the tone was quite different from that of the book, which was a bit jarring.
Overall, I heartily enjoyed this intriguing, mysterious, fun-filled story about a young girl searching for her place between two worlds that do not want her. I'm not sure if she's found her place yet, but she has found something equally precious: friendship and family.
If you enjoy Harry Potter, the Princess Academy, Percy Jackson, and non-sparkly vampires... I'm sure you'll love this book!
1. Cyrus Sole. I completely fell in love with young Cyrus within the first chapter, and when the story deviated from her storyline to briefly introduce a new character, I didn't want to leave. I wanted to know more about her, about how she was going to handle all the things, and where her story would take her, and what would happen next. She starts out as a sort of Cinderella-meets-Harry-Potter, but there are plenty of unique twists and turns to this tale as well.
2. Aken Shou. However, I quickly came to enjoy learning more about Aken Shou, and found him to be a sympathetic character as well. However, he takes a few of life's more difficult blows and it changes him a bit from a quiet, introspective boy into a mischievous troublemaker carrying a grudge and a well of darkness within his heart that he tries to hide. And yet, when he lets his guard down, there's an innocence about him as well that you just can't help but be drawn in by. The friendship that grows between Aken and Cyrus (though Cyrus is a bit reluctant at first) was another of my favorite things about this story.
3. Nephryte. Quite possibly my favorite character in the entire story... and that's saying something considering that about halfway through the book I began suspecting that he was actually a villain. I won't say if my concerns were founded or not... you'll just have to read the book to find out! The characters in general were all well-developed and each of them had interesting and understandable reasons for the various actions they took throughout the story.
4. The Draev Academy. I would have happily spent many more pages exploring this school. I really enjoyed the few glimpses I saw, and would have enjoyed getting better acquainted. In so many ways it felt akin to getting to go back to Hogwarts, and yet it definitely had its own feel and unique elements as well.
5. Elemental Power Manipulation. I loved the way the author took the basic idea of elemental powers that we see in many different stories and gave them her own twist. Instead of just having the four basic elements of earth, fire, water, and air, she breaks the elements down into even smaller components and each of the vempars have fairly specific abilities and focuses when it comes to their powers.
6. The plot and story... lest you think I got overawed by the characters and trimmings... this book also has a well-paced, epic story surrounding the characters as they struggle to achieve their various goals.
7. The world-building. Speaking of vempars, have I mentioned that I went through a vampire-reading phase when I was about 12? I devoured just about every MG vampire book I could get my hands on, most of them were cheesy beyond all reason, but I loved them. I graduated to Bram Stoker's Dracula in high school and actually can appreciate Stephanie Meyers for giving them her own unique twist. (Disclaimer: There are definitely parts of the Twilight saga I take issue with and I wouldn't recommend them to their target audience for many various reasons... but Meyer's making vampires her own thing is not one of the problems I have with the series). I only bring this up because Strayborn also takes the mythical "vampire" and makes it something wholly unique to this fantasy world. While vempars have the classic sharp teeth, they do not appear to feast on human blood, but rather on human "essence" which can be harvested without actually harming the human. Or at least, that's the idea. There is a darkness in the vempar culture that Cyrus begins to discover in the short time she has been living at the Draev Academy. I also liked that other mythical creatures and races were mentioned and seen throughout the story, and a lot of history is described... giving the world a feel of largeness and scope without actually having to travel terribly far. If anything, the scope that is hinted at made me wish that I could have unpacked the world itself a bit more, I feel that there is still a lot I don't understand about Eartha and how it works. I'm still not sure if it is supposed to be some post-apocalyptic version of Earth, or if it is supposed to be completely its own totally-made-up world. Part of what threw me about this is that throughout the book, the Bible is quoted and read and important to several of the characters, which made me feel like this must be some sort of variation on our own Earth.... but that is never made clear to the reader.
A few nit-picky little unimportant things that did not in any way detract from my enjoyment of this story...
I would have loved to see Cyrus spend some more time in various classes and actually learning how to use her powers or at least work on some things like conditioning and strength-training. As it was, there were parts about the end that felt a little rushed and her participation in the big competition was a wee bit difficult to fathom.
The second to last chapter detours away from the main plot and characters to follow a secondary character to his home. While there are important things that happen in this chapter, it sort of came at me out of left field like a baseball zinging the wrong direction and I was left trying to figure out why we couldn't have gotten hints of this earlier in the story, or if it even needed to be in this book at all.
After the Epilogue, there are several additional scenes called "Extra Bites" that sort of felt like I was getting a view of random "outtakes" the way you might see them at the end of a movie after the credits have rolled. Some of them were interesting, but the tone was quite different from that of the book, which was a bit jarring.
Overall, I heartily enjoyed this intriguing, mysterious, fun-filled story about a young girl searching for her place between two worlds that do not want her. I'm not sure if she's found her place yet, but she has found something equally precious: friendship and family.
If you enjoy Harry Potter, the Princess Academy, Percy Jackson, and non-sparkly vampires... I'm sure you'll love this book!
June 2, 2021
Found this book randomly and im so glad I picked it up! Its got me hooked on the story straight away and I can't wait for book 2 to come out now! It has action and so many amazing stories all mixed in!
February 13, 2020
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
Okay, this review was such an easy thing to do, this book was a great story and a wonderful adventure to follow. I think this story is for a younger audience but I still enjoyed it a lot and didn't diminish my enjoyment one bit, hehe :D
The characters
Cyrus Sole: This is by far my favorite character <3
I wanted to know more about her, about her family, her inner struggles and thoughts, I just craved for more and more. At first, it was too Disney, but it quickly became darker and better. Everything about her felt better and the author did a wonderful job with her.
All the other characters were written masterfully as well, and I enjoyed there interaction and adventures. I enjoyed every chapter to get to know them all and follow them wherever they might go, no matter what they do (good or bad) I still wanted to follow them more and most of all I wanted to get to know them even more.
The relationship between Cyrus and Aken is written so beautifully and I was just enjoying seeing them both in the story and following all their hardships and adventures.
Nephryte: This character seemed as though the author worked the most on, He is so well written and I loved! following him. I want to know more, I want to know everything about this character. I can't say much here but trust me when I say that this character is amazing.
The world-building
This story takes place in an alternate earth-like place, called Eartha.
Cyrus starting to notice that something is very wrong with the Draev Academy and through her eyes and actions we can see and find out many details about the Academy and it reminded me of the Vampire Academy a bit and even Harry Potter.
I am so glad that the author put more history in the book, it was so interesting to know more of the place, the races, I wanted to know more, I can't wait for the second book to come out, I want to learn so much more. It feels like there's so much more to know and see and so much land to discover in Eartha and I know that as soon as you will read this book, you will want to know more as well.
I am not a religious person, I believe in a higher power of the universe and the elements around us and the author did quote the bible in this book several times, I may not be a religious person but I do know the bible a bit and it didn't feel annoying to see all the quotes, because it meant a lot to the characters and it was written in a very nice and organic way.
Elemental Power Manipulation
Which is the magic system in tI love love LOVE the use of the elements and the elemental power, the author did a wonderful job here explaining how it works. She took the basic elements and made it into something more dynamic, fluid, where each of the Vempars has a very specific way they do magic and how they focus their powers, amazing!
The ending
The ending took me by surprise a bit and some details in the book just made it even stronger. I loved the little extra details she wrote and it is clear that the story is not near to it's ending and there's so much more to tell and I truly can't wait to see where the story will continue.
Overall
If you love Fantasy, this book is for you and for the author herself I want to say...
Please write faster... I want more, lol, I need at least 4-7 books about these characters and this world, the Academy and everything, lol.
Read more reviews on Coffee n' Notes Blog
Okay, this review was such an easy thing to do, this book was a great story and a wonderful adventure to follow. I think this story is for a younger audience but I still enjoyed it a lot and didn't diminish my enjoyment one bit, hehe :D
The characters
Cyrus Sole: This is by far my favorite character <3
I wanted to know more about her, about her family, her inner struggles and thoughts, I just craved for more and more. At first, it was too Disney, but it quickly became darker and better. Everything about her felt better and the author did a wonderful job with her.
All the other characters were written masterfully as well, and I enjoyed there interaction and adventures. I enjoyed every chapter to get to know them all and follow them wherever they might go, no matter what they do (good or bad) I still wanted to follow them more and most of all I wanted to get to know them even more.
The relationship between Cyrus and Aken is written so beautifully and I was just enjoying seeing them both in the story and following all their hardships and adventures.
Nephryte: This character seemed as though the author worked the most on, He is so well written and I loved! following him. I want to know more, I want to know everything about this character. I can't say much here but trust me when I say that this character is amazing.
The world-building
This story takes place in an alternate earth-like place, called Eartha.
Cyrus starting to notice that something is very wrong with the Draev Academy and through her eyes and actions we can see and find out many details about the Academy and it reminded me of the Vampire Academy a bit and even Harry Potter.
I am so glad that the author put more history in the book, it was so interesting to know more of the place, the races, I wanted to know more, I can't wait for the second book to come out, I want to learn so much more. It feels like there's so much more to know and see and so much land to discover in Eartha and I know that as soon as you will read this book, you will want to know more as well.
I am not a religious person, I believe in a higher power of the universe and the elements around us and the author did quote the bible in this book several times, I may not be a religious person but I do know the bible a bit and it didn't feel annoying to see all the quotes, because it meant a lot to the characters and it was written in a very nice and organic way.
Elemental Power Manipulation
Which is the magic system in tI love love LOVE the use of the elements and the elemental power, the author did a wonderful job here explaining how it works. She took the basic elements and made it into something more dynamic, fluid, where each of the Vempars has a very specific way they do magic and how they focus their powers, amazing!
The ending
The ending took me by surprise a bit and some details in the book just made it even stronger. I loved the little extra details she wrote and it is clear that the story is not near to it's ending and there's so much more to tell and I truly can't wait to see where the story will continue.
Overall
If you love Fantasy, this book is for you and for the author herself I want to say...
Please write faster... I want more, lol, I need at least 4-7 books about these characters and this world, the Academy and everything, lol.
Read more reviews on Coffee n' Notes Blog
November 29, 2020
Wow, this was a fascinating read!
The first thing I really want to mention is how the writing style conjures different images in my mind. Let me explain. Usually when I read a book, a little mini movie plays in my mind. I can see the character's faces, watch what they're doing, look at the setting, all that stuff. When I was reading this book, I didn't just picture a movie in my head. At times, the writing felt like I was watching an anime. Other times, like I was watching a cartoon. And still other times, like a video game cutscene. It was so strangely epic, and I was really surprised at how the writing managed to create such different things in my mind.
A couple qualms I have with this book would be the plot. I love a meandering plot if it's done well, but the plot here just didn't quite cut it for me. I loved the characters and the setting, but it felt like the plot was a bit...nonexistent. Or maybe it just didn't quite have the direction it needed? Either way, it seemed to slow down at some parts, while greatly speeding up at others. It was a bit jarring.
I really, really loved the worldbuilding! It was so unique, unlike anything I've seen in the fantasy genre before. The use of vampires, humans, and a few other races was really fascinating to read about, and I loved learning about the history of the world. Though if I'm being honest, I REALLY WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CORPSED. LIKE. What are they?! Where did they come from? Is this going to be explained. I NEED TO KNOW. O_O
As for the characters, I really enjoyed them! Cyrus was a pretty good protagonist, though sometimes fell a bit flat. Aken was a goofball most of the book, and didn't get really serious until more towards the end, but he was hilarious. All the other boys of Harlow, Bakoa, Zartin, Hercule, Lykale, and Mamoru were really fun too. I think my favorite was probably a tie between Zartin and Mamoru. But Zartantian, guys? My boy Zartin? Like, I'm not gonna lie, if the whole book had been about him, if he was the main character...that would have been awesome. I seriously need to know more about him.
There were a few spelling and grammar errors that brought me out of the story a bit, but nothing too drastic.
Overall, this was a nice read. A lot of fun.
4/5.
The first thing I really want to mention is how the writing style conjures different images in my mind. Let me explain. Usually when I read a book, a little mini movie plays in my mind. I can see the character's faces, watch what they're doing, look at the setting, all that stuff. When I was reading this book, I didn't just picture a movie in my head. At times, the writing felt like I was watching an anime. Other times, like I was watching a cartoon. And still other times, like a video game cutscene. It was so strangely epic, and I was really surprised at how the writing managed to create such different things in my mind.
A couple qualms I have with this book would be the plot. I love a meandering plot if it's done well, but the plot here just didn't quite cut it for me. I loved the characters and the setting, but it felt like the plot was a bit...nonexistent. Or maybe it just didn't quite have the direction it needed? Either way, it seemed to slow down at some parts, while greatly speeding up at others. It was a bit jarring.
I really, really loved the worldbuilding! It was so unique, unlike anything I've seen in the fantasy genre before. The use of vampires, humans, and a few other races was really fascinating to read about, and I loved learning about the history of the world. Though if I'm being honest, I REALLY WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CORPSED. LIKE. What are they?! Where did they come from? Is this going to be explained. I NEED TO KNOW. O_O
As for the characters, I really enjoyed them! Cyrus was a pretty good protagonist, though sometimes fell a bit flat. Aken was a goofball most of the book, and didn't get really serious until more towards the end, but he was hilarious. All the other boys of Harlow, Bakoa, Zartin, Hercule, Lykale, and Mamoru were really fun too. I think my favorite was probably a tie between Zartin and Mamoru. But Zartantian, guys? My boy Zartin? Like, I'm not gonna lie, if the whole book had been about him, if he was the main character...that would have been awesome. I seriously need to know more about him.
There were a few spelling and grammar errors that brought me out of the story a bit, but nothing too drastic.
Overall, this was a nice read. A lot of fun.
4/5.
January 13, 2020
This middle grade fantasy by E.E. Rawls has some fascinating world-building that a young reader could easily get lost in. The “Abilities” that the students at Dravensett have are diverse, well-thought, intricate, and interesting. She has created quite a vast magic system with rules for each Ability and race, making the characters have use their differences to work together. A wonderful lesson!
Tucked within the pages of Strayborn are several beautiful lessons that young people really need to hear and take to heart. There is a lot about not judging a book by its cover and seeing the heart instead, or about not comparing yourself to others, but striving to be the best version of you, that kiddos these days definitely need to be reminded of often.
There were some issues for me as a reader, however. The author inserted onomatopoeic words (such as bong-bong or skrnch-chnk) that either didn’t leave much to the imagination of the reader, or took me out of the story because my mind was trying to figure out just what that word was supposed to sound like. I think she did this because it’s a middle grade novel, and she felt she had to help young readers understand, but it seemed a little over-the-top to me.
Also, for a middle grade book, this was quite long: over 400 pages. If a middle-grade-level reader is going to tackle a book this size, they are likely going to be a decent reader to begin with, and likely won’t need the extra help of all the onomatopoeic words. And there are quite a few little errors that a good editor could clean up quickly, but that could lead to confusion for younger readers.
Overall, though, Strayborn is a decent read for a middle-grade-level reader, and the world building is definitely interesting.
Thanks to the author for providing an e-copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own! 🙂
Tucked within the pages of Strayborn are several beautiful lessons that young people really need to hear and take to heart. There is a lot about not judging a book by its cover and seeing the heart instead, or about not comparing yourself to others, but striving to be the best version of you, that kiddos these days definitely need to be reminded of often.
There were some issues for me as a reader, however. The author inserted onomatopoeic words (such as bong-bong or skrnch-chnk) that either didn’t leave much to the imagination of the reader, or took me out of the story because my mind was trying to figure out just what that word was supposed to sound like. I think she did this because it’s a middle grade novel, and she felt she had to help young readers understand, but it seemed a little over-the-top to me.
Also, for a middle grade book, this was quite long: over 400 pages. If a middle-grade-level reader is going to tackle a book this size, they are likely going to be a decent reader to begin with, and likely won’t need the extra help of all the onomatopoeic words. And there are quite a few little errors that a good editor could clean up quickly, but that could lead to confusion for younger readers.
Overall, though, Strayborn is a decent read for a middle-grade-level reader, and the world building is definitely interesting.
Thanks to the author for providing an e-copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own! 🙂
October 19, 2019
Great beginning to new ya fantasy series
Strayborn has all the boxes checked for a great series starter. This is definitely ya fantasy that is appropriate for young ya readers, too, and I get the impression the whole series will grow with the readers.
Full of mystery, the story mainly follows Cyrus, a half-human half-vempar carrying a secret inside herself not even she knows, and Aken-Shou, a pureblood vempar boy hated by his own kind and determined to prove he is not the scourge they all believe him to be.
Through tragedy and plans beyond their understanding, these two meet and become unlikely friends at a school for those with elemental abilities. But no one wants to see either of them succeed expect the ragtag group of kids who share their floor called Harlow.
Between hazy pasts, weird dreams, bring chased by Corpsed, and the possibility of prison for one and the thread of death for the other, Cyrus & Aken will pull you in to their world and leave you wanting more.
This is definitely Christian ya fantasy, and the author did a fine job of weaving faith into the lives of her characters, giving it a real and authentic feel. I recommend Strayborn to upper middle-grade readers and older who enjoy fantasy stories with vampire-like beings, faeries, dragons, elemental powers, and a good mystery to unravel.
Strayborn has all the boxes checked for a great series starter. This is definitely ya fantasy that is appropriate for young ya readers, too, and I get the impression the whole series will grow with the readers.
Full of mystery, the story mainly follows Cyrus, a half-human half-vempar carrying a secret inside herself not even she knows, and Aken-Shou, a pureblood vempar boy hated by his own kind and determined to prove he is not the scourge they all believe him to be.
Through tragedy and plans beyond their understanding, these two meet and become unlikely friends at a school for those with elemental abilities. But no one wants to see either of them succeed expect the ragtag group of kids who share their floor called Harlow.
Between hazy pasts, weird dreams, bring chased by Corpsed, and the possibility of prison for one and the thread of death for the other, Cyrus & Aken will pull you in to their world and leave you wanting more.
This is definitely Christian ya fantasy, and the author did a fine job of weaving faith into the lives of her characters, giving it a real and authentic feel. I recommend Strayborn to upper middle-grade readers and older who enjoy fantasy stories with vampire-like beings, faeries, dragons, elemental powers, and a good mystery to unravel.
December 2, 2019
This promises to be a delightful series for fans of clean fantasy with a hint of steampunk. The primary characters, Cyrus and Aken-Shou, demand to be loved. I don't see how a reader could not fall for them both. Both young, without families and full of pain and secrets they don't even understand, Cyrus and Aken form a bond that's sure to guide them in their journeys ahead.
The main critique I would give is Cyrus keeps a couple of secrets. One of them I could not understand, though I was sure the author had a good reason. That reason did come, but not until the very end. It was a secret that bugged me throughout, so I would have just loved to see that explanatory scene earlier. Like I said, I knew it had to be coming so it didn't deter me from enjoying the story.
I would recommend this book to lovers of fantasy of all ages. This is one I will share with my children (ages 12 and 10, who have read Tolkien, Lewis and Rowling).
The main critique I would give is Cyrus keeps a couple of secrets. One of them I could not understand, though I was sure the author had a good reason. That reason did come, but not until the very end. It was a secret that bugged me throughout, so I would have just loved to see that explanatory scene earlier. Like I said, I knew it had to be coming so it didn't deter me from enjoying the story.
I would recommend this book to lovers of fantasy of all ages. This is one I will share with my children (ages 12 and 10, who have read Tolkien, Lewis and Rowling).
October 22, 2020
This was an interesting story but I had a hard time staying engaged in the plot. There is a lot of back story and world building. The main characters are all early or mid teens. The perspective of different characters was helpful but there were places that I got bored or wanted the story to move on and kept having to put the book down. I'm not sure if I would continue on in this series but there was enough intrigue that I may be persuaded.
Content:
Sexual: none
Violence: mild/murder
Language: none
Content:
Sexual: none
Violence: mild/murder
Language: none
June 29, 2022
OK, this book is absolutely fantastic. it's really hard to find any interesting clean fantasy books nowadays, and it turns out, this book fits that description to the T. I was browsing my library not knowing what to get that day when I stumbled upon this treasure. I have no regrets in picking up this book on that day, and am heading over to get the sequel as soon as I am done writing this, so, bye! off to get more amazingness.
July 22, 2020
I got the sample (15 chapters) in a giveaway and have to say that the book is really good. The characters are well drawn, as is the world and the magic in it. This book works for older children as well as adults, I think; the sample ends on a cliff-hanger but it looks like there will be some serious good and evil and betrayal coming up. Will definitely read more to find out what happens!
February 13, 2020
RTC, probably.
January 29, 2020
Rough, but good
It's a good book, interesting and I want to know where the story is going. It's a bit rough in some ways i.e. sentences or passages that could be rewritten to flow more smoothly, but overall it's a good book and I look forward to the sequel.
It's a good book, interesting and I want to know where the story is going. It's a bit rough in some ways i.e. sentences or passages that could be rewritten to flow more smoothly, but overall it's a good book and I look forward to the sequel.
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