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The Kinderra Saga #1
Trine Rising
Not all gifts are blessings...
Sixteen-summer-old Mirana Pinal is one of the few to have ever possessed all three magical powers of the Aspects. She has terrifying visions, however, that if she wields her powers, her homeland of Kinderra will be destroyed-through her. Desperate to keep her dark fate from unfolding, she tells no one about her destructive destiny but her beloved Teague Beltran, a young apprentice herbsman born without powers.
When Mirana receives alarming premonitions of an enemy attack on Kinderra, she is forced to reveal to her people that she is a Trine to warn them of the impending assault.
As the Kinderrans fight to hold armies of a cunning and ruthless enemy warlord at bay, Mirana must decide if using her powers will aid her people-or will bring them more peril.
Sixteen-summer-old Mirana Pinal is one of the few to have ever possessed all three magical powers of the Aspects. She has terrifying visions, however, that if she wields her powers, her homeland of Kinderra will be destroyed-through her. Desperate to keep her dark fate from unfolding, she tells no one about her destructive destiny but her beloved Teague Beltran, a young apprentice herbsman born without powers.
When Mirana receives alarming premonitions of an enemy attack on Kinderra, she is forced to reveal to her people that she is a Trine to warn them of the impending assault.
As the Kinderrans fight to hold armies of a cunning and ruthless enemy warlord at bay, Mirana must decide if using her powers will aid her people-or will bring them more peril.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2020
41 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
C.K. Donnelly
3 books17 followersWhile other kids read comic books under the covers with a flashlight at bedtime, C.K. DONNELLY wrote Star Wars like fan fiction and fantasy stories.
She used her love of writing to pursue a career in journalism and was honored with several press awards. She continued to follow her dreams of writing a novel — a journey that was "uphill, both ways" — and every day she promised she would quit. Just as soon as she finished the next chapter. After 20 years, the self-described “Unsuccessful Quitter” self-published her first YA Fantasy novel.
"'Unsuccessful quitting' really means persevering, and allowing yourself the chance to catch your breath, try a new direction, even fail epically, but trying again and moving forward," C.K. says.
C.K. resides in Arizona with her oh-so-patient husband and her little black dog (who is equally patient). She no longer writes under the covers by flashlight. Usually.
(Photo Credit: Mike Harvey/Peak Image Photography)
She used her love of writing to pursue a career in journalism and was honored with several press awards. She continued to follow her dreams of writing a novel — a journey that was "uphill, both ways" — and every day she promised she would quit. Just as soon as she finished the next chapter. After 20 years, the self-described “Unsuccessful Quitter” self-published her first YA Fantasy novel.
"'Unsuccessful quitting' really means persevering, and allowing yourself the chance to catch your breath, try a new direction, even fail epically, but trying again and moving forward," C.K. says.
C.K. resides in Arizona with her oh-so-patient husband and her little black dog (who is equally patient). She no longer writes under the covers by flashlight. Usually.
(Photo Credit: Mike Harvey/Peak Image Photography)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 18, 2022
Read this if…
🔺 You like Harry Potter
🔺 You love books with a strong female MC
🔺 You’ve sometimes questioned your own self worth
MY SYNOPSIS: Mirana is your typical teenage girl: head over heels in love with a boy. Between her studies and sneaking out at night to meet up with him, it would seem that life is pretty simple, except it’s not. Mirana is a trine, which means she has been blessed three times by the Aspects Above with the gifts of healing, seeing, and defending - an incredibly rare gift that puts her life in danger. Follow along as she discovers her destiny and her true inner strength!
MY THOUGHTS: Fantasy is not normally my first choice (except for HP) but when Liz reached out to me with the synopsis, I couldn’t deny how good this book sounded. It honestly reminded me a lot of HP in terms of the MC being part of a larger prophecy and holding incredible powers. CK Donnelly did such an amazing job designing this world and you can tell a lot of thought was put into it. There was some alternative vocabulary developed, but even without using the dictionary in the back of the book, I could understand it from context. The ending left me with such a cliffhanger that I immediately raced over to Amazon to put the sequel in my cart - I cannot wait to see what Mirana accomplishes next!
🔺 You like Harry Potter
🔺 You love books with a strong female MC
🔺 You’ve sometimes questioned your own self worth
MY SYNOPSIS: Mirana is your typical teenage girl: head over heels in love with a boy. Between her studies and sneaking out at night to meet up with him, it would seem that life is pretty simple, except it’s not. Mirana is a trine, which means she has been blessed three times by the Aspects Above with the gifts of healing, seeing, and defending - an incredibly rare gift that puts her life in danger. Follow along as she discovers her destiny and her true inner strength!
MY THOUGHTS: Fantasy is not normally my first choice (except for HP) but when Liz reached out to me with the synopsis, I couldn’t deny how good this book sounded. It honestly reminded me a lot of HP in terms of the MC being part of a larger prophecy and holding incredible powers. CK Donnelly did such an amazing job designing this world and you can tell a lot of thought was put into it. There was some alternative vocabulary developed, but even without using the dictionary in the back of the book, I could understand it from context. The ending left me with such a cliffhanger that I immediately raced over to Amazon to put the sequel in my cart - I cannot wait to see what Mirana accomplishes next!
August 22, 2020
A truly immersive fantasy! It’s not my go-to genre, but I have the wonderful opportunity to do a Q&A with the author for her book launch next week, so I devoured it over the past week. The world-building (even language creating!) is so thorough and impressive, and I loved the nuances of each character, especially (and surprisingly!) the villain. As I was reading it, it felt so cinematic to me. This could easily be a movie series as well as a book trilogy. I don’t want to give away much more. So excited to chat with Ms. Donnelly about its creation and her process next week!
January 11, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. I was in awe of the story that the author created, and this YA fantasy completely captured my attention. It was very, very well written and had the ability to draw me in immediately, which I very much appreciated. The plot is solid, the characters are memorable, and I feel like if you enjoyed The Game of Thrones or Harry Potter, you will love this book.
July 21, 2020
Part of what I love about fantasy is the ability to explore new worlds without ever leaving my house. In the case of Trine Rising by C.K. Donnelly, I was absolutely enthralled by the world that was created; it was vivid, well-crafted and featured a conlang that had me eagerly working out its pieces.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book is something between a coming-of-age piece and an epic fantasy. I suppose it would be YA fantasy, but it felt deeper than a lot of YA that I’ve read recently. The basic premise is that there is a prophecy stating that two trines, or people who controlled all three magical Aspects rather than just one, would appear: a dark and light trine. The whole of Kinderra would then be at their mercy, destroyed and then rebuilt. The only problem is, Mirana is a trine and her visions have told her that such a thing does not necessarily bode well.
This book had two particular styles of plot advancement that I liked quite well. The first is the action, the events that require Mirana to make a decision. They are increasingly pressing, and tie up a good deal of the characters, as well as force the second mode of plot advancement: the character development. The characters must make decisions, move forwards with their lives, and face the consequences of previous actions before things get worse or things will, ah, get…worse. Much worse. I liked the intertwining of the plot-based and character-based writing styles and think it works exceptionally well.
2. Thoughts on the main character
Mirana is not your typical YA hero. For one, she seems to act on her dislike of her powers in a rational manner. Instead of just rejecting her place in the world out of hand, as I have seen in many YA pieces, she has a reason for doing precisely that. She is perhaps more rational than you would expect, but she also has emotions driving her to move. These two pieces are at war, which makes for a very interesting piece of conflict. I especially like the scene in the library, as well as the climactic piece towards the end, where her decision is made.
3. Favourite part
I cannot really say a whole lot about my favourite bit, because spoilers, but I can say that the ending, where Mirana’s mentor is musing on things…and the fantastic plot twist that reveals…cue sharp intake of breath as I gasped in surprise. Stunning.
4. Critique
Oddly, as I love linguistics, the main critique I have has to do with the naming conventions. Not in any structural way, or for any dislike of the conlang (actually, I loved it), but the way that they were interspersed throughout the novel. This mostly is to do with who people are and where they are from. These things are quite intricate, which makes sense because there is a great deal of political machinations behind the dramatic plot. I haven’t got a problem with that. But I would have loved just a touch more explanation of where these people were from—describe the setting of their homeland or province—so I wouldn’t have to flip back to the map every few pages. With an ebook that was difficult to do. It honestly isn’t a huge thing at all, just enough directions and places that my directionally/geographically challenged brain had a hard time keeping up, especially since I was trying to dissect the names as they were constructed.
Overall, I would say that Trine Rising is a fantastic first book in a series. It has a fun plot, great characters, a plot twist that had me smiling, and a conlang phrase at the top of the chapters, which was pretty great. If you are looking for a book into which you can immerse yourself, this is the one for you. A very good book!
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book is something between a coming-of-age piece and an epic fantasy. I suppose it would be YA fantasy, but it felt deeper than a lot of YA that I’ve read recently. The basic premise is that there is a prophecy stating that two trines, or people who controlled all three magical Aspects rather than just one, would appear: a dark and light trine. The whole of Kinderra would then be at their mercy, destroyed and then rebuilt. The only problem is, Mirana is a trine and her visions have told her that such a thing does not necessarily bode well.
This book had two particular styles of plot advancement that I liked quite well. The first is the action, the events that require Mirana to make a decision. They are increasingly pressing, and tie up a good deal of the characters, as well as force the second mode of plot advancement: the character development. The characters must make decisions, move forwards with their lives, and face the consequences of previous actions before things get worse or things will, ah, get…worse. Much worse. I liked the intertwining of the plot-based and character-based writing styles and think it works exceptionally well.
2. Thoughts on the main character
Mirana is not your typical YA hero. For one, she seems to act on her dislike of her powers in a rational manner. Instead of just rejecting her place in the world out of hand, as I have seen in many YA pieces, she has a reason for doing precisely that. She is perhaps more rational than you would expect, but she also has emotions driving her to move. These two pieces are at war, which makes for a very interesting piece of conflict. I especially like the scene in the library, as well as the climactic piece towards the end, where her decision is made.
3. Favourite part
I cannot really say a whole lot about my favourite bit, because spoilers, but I can say that the ending, where Mirana’s mentor is musing on things…and the fantastic plot twist that reveals…cue sharp intake of breath as I gasped in surprise. Stunning.
4. Critique
Oddly, as I love linguistics, the main critique I have has to do with the naming conventions. Not in any structural way, or for any dislike of the conlang (actually, I loved it), but the way that they were interspersed throughout the novel. This mostly is to do with who people are and where they are from. These things are quite intricate, which makes sense because there is a great deal of political machinations behind the dramatic plot. I haven’t got a problem with that. But I would have loved just a touch more explanation of where these people were from—describe the setting of their homeland or province—so I wouldn’t have to flip back to the map every few pages. With an ebook that was difficult to do. It honestly isn’t a huge thing at all, just enough directions and places that my directionally/geographically challenged brain had a hard time keeping up, especially since I was trying to dissect the names as they were constructed.
Overall, I would say that Trine Rising is a fantastic first book in a series. It has a fun plot, great characters, a plot twist that had me smiling, and a conlang phrase at the top of the chapters, which was pretty great. If you are looking for a book into which you can immerse yourself, this is the one for you. A very good book!
June 11, 2024
Interesting fantasy read. It definitely had all the parts of a fantasy book--fantasy world, magic system, complicated names. It was really interesting getting to know the three aspects magic. I loved the glossary in the end, it helped me during the read to understand things. I liked getting to read different POVs.
August 13, 2020
Donnelly’s intriguing, deeply engrossing debut fantasy gets her “The Kinderra Saga” YA fantasy series off to an impressive start.
Sixteen-summer-old Mirana Pinal is one of the few in Kinderra to have ever possessed all three magical powers of the Aspects, and unfortunately one of two trines at whose hands the whole of the Kinderra will be destroyed and rebuilt. An alarming premonition of an enemy attack forces Mirana to reveal her destiny to the people of Kinderra and pick between using her powers and leaving them intact.
Donnelly devotes as much time to characterization as she provides to plot development, making the tale both thrilling and deep. She takes her time with Mirana’s pressing inner conflicts, providing depth and substance to the protagonist’s coming-of-age story.
The chilling action sequences involving the ruthless warlord notch up the tension and suspense, and the fascinating premise and complex worldbuilding will keep readers hooked.
This is a winner.
Sixteen-summer-old Mirana Pinal is one of the few in Kinderra to have ever possessed all three magical powers of the Aspects, and unfortunately one of two trines at whose hands the whole of the Kinderra will be destroyed and rebuilt. An alarming premonition of an enemy attack forces Mirana to reveal her destiny to the people of Kinderra and pick between using her powers and leaving them intact.
Donnelly devotes as much time to characterization as she provides to plot development, making the tale both thrilling and deep. She takes her time with Mirana’s pressing inner conflicts, providing depth and substance to the protagonist’s coming-of-age story.
The chilling action sequences involving the ruthless warlord notch up the tension and suspense, and the fascinating premise and complex worldbuilding will keep readers hooked.
This is a winner.
September 15, 2020
I had pleasure of reading this incredible first novel and am in awe of the complexity of the world and language c.k. Created. I’m so thankful for the glossary at the end too!
I love strong female characters who aren’t perfect but still try to make the best choices for the people they love.
Mirana, our heroine, is very bright & caring but you also just want to sit her down and tell her to calm down and then give her advice lol. But that is what pulls you in, what is she going to do next!
Definitely recommend this book and the series is shaping up to be a sweeping saga.
I love strong female characters who aren’t perfect but still try to make the best choices for the people they love.
Mirana, our heroine, is very bright & caring but you also just want to sit her down and tell her to calm down and then give her advice lol. But that is what pulls you in, what is she going to do next!
Definitely recommend this book and the series is shaping up to be a sweeping saga.
June 10, 2022
Who doesn't want to possess all the powers of the universe and be a saviour? But what if that saviour can become the destruction of the same universe?
Mirana was no less, the Aspects Above, gifted her all three magical powers of the Aspects ( Seeing, Defending and Healing) but she had a horrifying vision about which no one has an Iota of knowledge, she was born not to save but destruct her motherland Kinderra.
To save her land she tries to hide her powers but for how long a 16 summers old girl can hide her true identity?
Trine Rising is the first part of The Kinderra Saga in which the author has built a beautiful fantasy world of Kinderra where you'll get a chance to meet so many brave hearts.
The language used in the book is lucid, however, at some places, I find the story been too stretched which made some parts dull for me.
Mirana was no less, the Aspects Above, gifted her all three magical powers of the Aspects ( Seeing, Defending and Healing) but she had a horrifying vision about which no one has an Iota of knowledge, she was born not to save but destruct her motherland Kinderra.
To save her land she tries to hide her powers but for how long a 16 summers old girl can hide her true identity?
Trine Rising is the first part of The Kinderra Saga in which the author has built a beautiful fantasy world of Kinderra where you'll get a chance to meet so many brave hearts.
The language used in the book is lucid, however, at some places, I find the story been too stretched which made some parts dull for me.
January 21, 2024
In a fantasy society where some special people have the powers of Seeing, Healing or Defending, teenage Mirana discovers she has all three Aspects. She has impressive powers, but she knows that revealing her true abilities might put her in danger.
The storyline follows Mirana's journey of self-discovery, both connected to her unique abilities, and in spite of them. Mirana chooses to conceal her powers from her community, content with her role as Teague's girlfriend. However, a disturbing vision forces her to reveal her status as a Trine, setting the stage for her to grapple with the consequences and learn to control her potentially dangerous abilities with the guidance of a mentor.
Before this starts to feel like a generic chosen-one YA fantasy (I'm looking at you, Divergent), the author starts playing with the whole chosen-one trope. The narrative takes unexpected twists, with Mirana ignoring the usual young adult fiction heroine conventions. There's no self-doubt, as Mirana is fully aware of her exceptional nature and the risks posed by her powers from basically the beginning. of the book. Her decision to suppress her abilities reflects a pragmatic approach from this unusual heroine. She also has a serious boyfriend, Teague, so there's no forced love triangle or instalove here. This is heartwarming and also adds intensity to Mirana's trials since she is about to face problems that her kind and loving boyfriend can't help her solve. Another unusual trait for a YA fantasy heroine is that her parents are not just alive and happily married, but they genuinely love and care for her. That's not to say that Mirana, boyfriend Teague, and her parents all agree on what to do, of course, just that care and compassion informs their choices.
Without too much of a spoiler, Mirana begins to have hints that she's less of the chosen savior and more of a villain. This adds to the coming-of-age themes, as she wonders if she's actually the problem and if her potential will separate her from the people she loves. These worries also play with the fantasy tropes around the Chosen One.
The storyline follows Mirana's journey of self-discovery, both connected to her unique abilities, and in spite of them. Mirana chooses to conceal her powers from her community, content with her role as Teague's girlfriend. However, a disturbing vision forces her to reveal her status as a Trine, setting the stage for her to grapple with the consequences and learn to control her potentially dangerous abilities with the guidance of a mentor.
Before this starts to feel like a generic chosen-one YA fantasy (I'm looking at you, Divergent), the author starts playing with the whole chosen-one trope. The narrative takes unexpected twists, with Mirana ignoring the usual young adult fiction heroine conventions. There's no self-doubt, as Mirana is fully aware of her exceptional nature and the risks posed by her powers from basically the beginning. of the book. Her decision to suppress her abilities reflects a pragmatic approach from this unusual heroine. She also has a serious boyfriend, Teague, so there's no forced love triangle or instalove here. This is heartwarming and also adds intensity to Mirana's trials since she is about to face problems that her kind and loving boyfriend can't help her solve. Another unusual trait for a YA fantasy heroine is that her parents are not just alive and happily married, but they genuinely love and care for her. That's not to say that Mirana, boyfriend Teague, and her parents all agree on what to do, of course, just that care and compassion informs their choices.
Without too much of a spoiler, Mirana begins to have hints that she's less of the chosen savior and more of a villain. This adds to the coming-of-age themes, as she wonders if she's actually the problem and if her potential will separate her from the people she loves. These worries also play with the fantasy tropes around the Chosen One.
January 4, 2022
*Spoiler Free*
"A warning comes, not with a clang of swords, but with the softest of whispers."
Trine Rising is a high fantasy with tons of world building and its own language. It is breathtaking and it is the authors first work. For a first book it was well written, and I enjoyed many aspects of it. I am giving it a 3/5-star rating.
Trine Rising is about a girl named Mirana who lives in a small village that her parents currently reside over. Her family are Aspects, which means that they possess one of three gifts. The three gifts available are Seer, Healing, and Defending. Her mother is a seer, and her father is a defender. Mirana is not quite old enough to choose a stone that will help her project her aspect quite yet. She is only 16 and must wait until the day she turns 18. With war waging Mirana is realizing she is different. Different from others. To find out what happens you'll have to read book 1. Book 2 is available too!
Now, the reason I am giving this book a 3 /5 stars is because our main character went from really strong and being different and accepting herself to degrading. She started off pleasantly strong and I was really excited to meet a character that was so sure of herself and had no doubts. Unfortunately, after a few chapters the character began to have melt downs and so many thoughts of self-doubt it detracted from the storyline.
I do intend on reading book two because the storyline was actually pretty interesting. I hope Mirana becomes more sure-footed and less self-degrading, because that's the type of character we need. I do recommend this one for the storyline.
"A warning comes, not with a clang of swords, but with the softest of whispers."
Trine Rising is a high fantasy with tons of world building and its own language. It is breathtaking and it is the authors first work. For a first book it was well written, and I enjoyed many aspects of it. I am giving it a 3/5-star rating.
Trine Rising is about a girl named Mirana who lives in a small village that her parents currently reside over. Her family are Aspects, which means that they possess one of three gifts. The three gifts available are Seer, Healing, and Defending. Her mother is a seer, and her father is a defender. Mirana is not quite old enough to choose a stone that will help her project her aspect quite yet. She is only 16 and must wait until the day she turns 18. With war waging Mirana is realizing she is different. Different from others. To find out what happens you'll have to read book 1. Book 2 is available too!
Now, the reason I am giving this book a 3 /5 stars is because our main character went from really strong and being different and accepting herself to degrading. She started off pleasantly strong and I was really excited to meet a character that was so sure of herself and had no doubts. Unfortunately, after a few chapters the character began to have melt downs and so many thoughts of self-doubt it detracted from the storyline.
I do intend on reading book two because the storyline was actually pretty interesting. I hope Mirana becomes more sure-footed and less self-degrading, because that's the type of character we need. I do recommend this one for the storyline.
November 26, 2023
Trine Rising follows Mirana, a sixteen-year-old girl struggling with the knowledge that she is a Trine or a wielder of all three Aspects. Typically those gifted with an Aspect are only granted one, but Mirana believes she is the Dark Trine the prophecies speak of.
This book has chapters from multiple POVs, mainly Mirana, but also from the antagonist, her parents, and her crush Teague. It really made for a well-rounded story, and it is fun to be the (mostly) all-knowing reader and watch as the characters try to put the pieces together. But, it also means we know things the other characters don’t when the book comes to a close, which had me concerned for everyone but also incredibly ready to dive into the second book. As someone who loves knowing what everyone is thinking at all times, this was great for me.
In terms of fantasy, I really love the magic going on here. The concept of the Aspects, and needing an amulet to channel them to their fullest, isn’t something I’ve seen in other books I’ve read, making it a unique experience for me. I also like that it’s treated as something that is a wonderful gift since not everyone in Kinderra is gifted with one.
The battle in the third act was amazing. Combined with the multiple POVs, it really makes you feel like you’re seeing the battle from every side, creating a wonderfully full picture that makes you root for Mirana and the good guys while hoping they evade the bad guys in time. Did I repeatedly have to check the map at the front of the book to make sure I understood where everyone was at all times during that battle? Yes, and I am not ashamed of that. Maps in fantasy books are the best and they are there for me to use. And there’s a glossary for all the terms.
Will I dive into Trine Fallacy quickly? Literally as soon as I finish some of my other anticipated reads (because I am making myself stop pausing my library holds).
This book has chapters from multiple POVs, mainly Mirana, but also from the antagonist, her parents, and her crush Teague. It really made for a well-rounded story, and it is fun to be the (mostly) all-knowing reader and watch as the characters try to put the pieces together. But, it also means we know things the other characters don’t when the book comes to a close, which had me concerned for everyone but also incredibly ready to dive into the second book. As someone who loves knowing what everyone is thinking at all times, this was great for me.
In terms of fantasy, I really love the magic going on here. The concept of the Aspects, and needing an amulet to channel them to their fullest, isn’t something I’ve seen in other books I’ve read, making it a unique experience for me. I also like that it’s treated as something that is a wonderful gift since not everyone in Kinderra is gifted with one.
The battle in the third act was amazing. Combined with the multiple POVs, it really makes you feel like you’re seeing the battle from every side, creating a wonderfully full picture that makes you root for Mirana and the good guys while hoping they evade the bad guys in time. Did I repeatedly have to check the map at the front of the book to make sure I understood where everyone was at all times during that battle? Yes, and I am not ashamed of that. Maps in fantasy books are the best and they are there for me to use. And there’s a glossary for all the terms.
Will I dive into Trine Fallacy quickly? Literally as soon as I finish some of my other anticipated reads (because I am making myself stop pausing my library holds).
September 30, 2021
hi everyone! I know it’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted but I was given this wonderful opportunity to read these two books and thank you to C.K. Donnelly for them 🤍
Right away, I was blown away by the entire world building & a whole language (love to see) that evolves throughout these! The actual story is unique and refreshing! Seemed as YA epic fantasy but still carrying a deeper element.
Mira ~ our lovely & determined heroine~ is one of the few to ever possessed all three powers of the Aspects & has visions that ultimately might have her home Kinderra destroyed. Throughout this series, i couldn’t help but feel for Mirana & her constant battle of helping the ones she loves ~ we absolutely love a strong heroine who recognizes her own struggles ~
While the first book was slow to start as would any new fantasy series, I was really impressed how much more we got in Trine Fallacy from the battles, to more character / story development ~ Mira again I FEEL FOR YOU but girl you’re breaking my heart & if you’ve read these then you know 🥲 ~ one of my favorite things in this entire series is Mira’s inner dialogue but I swear she drives me nuts sometimes especially with Teague.
I throughly enjoyed reading these & being given this opportunity is something I will always be grateful for but please everyone go and read these! Not your average fantasy read & the detail that was put into this series has left a lasting impression & can’t wait to for book 3 !
Right away, I was blown away by the entire world building & a whole language (love to see) that evolves throughout these! The actual story is unique and refreshing! Seemed as YA epic fantasy but still carrying a deeper element.
Mira ~ our lovely & determined heroine~ is one of the few to ever possessed all three powers of the Aspects & has visions that ultimately might have her home Kinderra destroyed. Throughout this series, i couldn’t help but feel for Mirana & her constant battle of helping the ones she loves ~ we absolutely love a strong heroine who recognizes her own struggles ~
While the first book was slow to start as would any new fantasy series, I was really impressed how much more we got in Trine Fallacy from the battles, to more character / story development ~ Mira again I FEEL FOR YOU but girl you’re breaking my heart & if you’ve read these then you know 🥲 ~ one of my favorite things in this entire series is Mira’s inner dialogue but I swear she drives me nuts sometimes especially with Teague.
I throughly enjoyed reading these & being given this opportunity is something I will always be grateful for but please everyone go and read these! Not your average fantasy read & the detail that was put into this series has left a lasting impression & can’t wait to for book 3 !
December 26, 2023
I adore a well-written fantasy series and this one is attention-getting the minute you open the cover to find two informative maps that will be incredibly useful as you read. I love a beautifully illustrated map to begin the adventure. You'll also discover a character guide and glossary in the back. I found that I understood the language the author created, interspersed throughout the story, without having to refer to it, but it is fascinating to read through and can provide another level of understanding.
The story is told through several points of view so we get to see more of the actions and motivations of the characters. I loved the development and growth of Mirana as she struggles to understand and use her gifts as a Trine. Having been gifted all three aspects is unusual and the training and guidance she receives from Tetric is an intriguing part of the story as is her relationship with her childhood friend/boyfriend Teague.
This is a series that will appeal to young adult and regular fantasy readers alike due to the amazingly detailed world building by C.K. Donnelly. The book ends with an impressive cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to continuing the journey with these characters and seeing the direction the author takes in the next book in the trilogy.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told through several points of view so we get to see more of the actions and motivations of the characters. I loved the development and growth of Mirana as she struggles to understand and use her gifts as a Trine. Having been gifted all three aspects is unusual and the training and guidance she receives from Tetric is an intriguing part of the story as is her relationship with her childhood friend/boyfriend Teague.
This is a series that will appeal to young adult and regular fantasy readers alike due to the amazingly detailed world building by C.K. Donnelly. The book ends with an impressive cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to continuing the journey with these characters and seeing the direction the author takes in the next book in the trilogy.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2022
I was given the first two books of the Kinderra Saga I’m exchange for a review!
First off, this book was a surprise! I was intrigued from the moment I saw that CK created her own language for this book and it delivered! (Glossary is provided in the back of the book). I was a bit nervous that it would slow my reading pace significantly but once you accumulate to the language it’s a breeze.
Secondly, this book is rated as YA, though it felt more on the adult side of YA. Which was something that I very much enjoyed.
Thirdly, I really loved the main character Mirana. As a reader I really liked seeing her internal struggles as a reflection of what’s happening to her in irl. She is a strong, yet kind of chaotic character, which was so fun to read.
CK did a wonderful job with this first book in the saga and I am very much looking forward to reading the rest!
First off, this book was a surprise! I was intrigued from the moment I saw that CK created her own language for this book and it delivered! (Glossary is provided in the back of the book). I was a bit nervous that it would slow my reading pace significantly but once you accumulate to the language it’s a breeze.
Secondly, this book is rated as YA, though it felt more on the adult side of YA. Which was something that I very much enjoyed.
Thirdly, I really loved the main character Mirana. As a reader I really liked seeing her internal struggles as a reflection of what’s happening to her in irl. She is a strong, yet kind of chaotic character, which was so fun to read.
CK did a wonderful job with this first book in the saga and I am very much looking forward to reading the rest!
November 20, 2025
Coming-of-age stories will always be a go to for me, and what CK Donnelly has launched with the Kinderra Saga is coming-of-age at its very best. Add in the right touch of magical elements and world built to perfection, and I'm locked in for an all-nighter of reading. What Donnelly has created is the perfect blend of action and a slow-burn love story all balanced carefully around one girl's journey from unknown to greatness. I'm a sucker for the prophecy trope - hello, Dune fan here! The way Donnelly deploys it doesn't make it feel trite or manipulative, but rather the thread that's constantly brewing in the background while Mirana fights within herself to make an impossible choice. The fantasy elements feel rooted in reality, which makes this an easy read even for the non-fantasy readers. I highly recommend the series.
January 17, 2022
I absolutely loved Trine Rising!
Trying not to spoil anything here, but this book is a coming-of-age story with MUCH deeper messaging than YA. You know how sometimes people think you're really lucky because you get to have something, but they have NO IDEA how hard it is to actually maintain. That's the crux of the protagonist's dilemma.
The heroine is interesting and the antagonist elicits sympathy from the reader. The battle at the end wraps you up and makes it really hard to put down. I'm excited to read book two!
Trying not to spoil anything here, but this book is a coming-of-age story with MUCH deeper messaging than YA. You know how sometimes people think you're really lucky because you get to have something, but they have NO IDEA how hard it is to actually maintain. That's the crux of the protagonist's dilemma.
The heroine is interesting and the antagonist elicits sympathy from the reader. The battle at the end wraps you up and makes it really hard to put down. I'm excited to read book two!
July 17, 2023
I have to start this review by asking, "How has this book not been turned into a movie or HBO/Netflix show?" With lyrical writing, fast-paced action scenes, a plot that keeps you turning the pages, and well-rounded, memorable characters, this is a perfect read for fans of Game of Thrones, the Wheel of Time, and Lord of the Rings. The world-building was detailed without being overwhelming, and I loved the creative and unique magic system. I can't wait to read the sequel, and I highly recommend this engrossing fantasy read.
~ Katie Keridan
~ Katie Keridan
September 7, 2021
This is one of those stories that feels so much bigger than it actually is. While I found myself trying to guess where the story was going in certain spots, it never felt predictable. The characters are bold and come to life immediately.
Add this to your to be read file, it will not disappoint.
Add this to your to be read file, it will not disappoint.
July 11, 2024
I really enjoyed this book a lot. The prose was very in depth, and the descriptions were very immersive. I could really envision the world the author was building. If you like fantasy stories that focus on war tactics and political intrigue, this is a great read.
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