The Relic Class

The Relic Chronicles #1

by Jenetta Penner, David R. Bernstein

A Dreaded Ceremony. A Twist of Fate. A Death Sentence.The world outside Lore is bleak. Desolate. Dangerous. Scavenging in the borderlands to stay alive is all Arabella's lowly Relic class family has ever known. It's a miserable existence, but as long as she has her true love, Asher, by her side, she can do whatever it takes for them to survive.

But everything changes when the Queen of Lore dies during the annual Transfer of Life ceremony, mysteriously bestowing her immense power on Arabella instead of the rightful heir.

Now, falsely accused of treason, Arabella is set to be executed by the High Council for a royal murder she never committed. All while outside the castle walls, Lore descends into chaos.

Violent uprising looms on the horizon unless Arabella can prove her innocence and harness the incredible royal power now coursing through her veins…

Even if it means losing everyone she's ever loved.

*The Relic Class was previously published as Crown of Lore

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2021

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: The Relic Class
Author: Jenetta Penner and David R. Bernstein
Publisher: Torment Publishing
ISBN: B08WCTSYCF
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Relic-Class-Dy...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
The Relic Chronicles 1
A Dreaded Ceremony. A Twist of Fate. A Death Sentence.
The world outside Lore is bleak. Desolate. Dangerous. Scavenging in the borderlands to stay alive is all Arabella's lowly Relic class family has ever known. It's a miserable existence, but as long as she has her true love, Asher, by her side, she can do whatever it takes for them to survive.
But everything changes when the Queen of Lore dies during the annual Transfer of Life ceremony, mysteriously bestowing her immense power on Arabella instead of the rightful heir.
Now, falsely accused of treason, Arabella is set to be executed by the High Council for a royal murder she never committed. All while outside the castle walls, Lore descends into chaos.
Violent uprising looms on the horizon unless Arabella can prove her innocence and harness the incredible royal power now coursing through her veins…
Even if it means losing everyone she's ever loved.

Total Score: 5/5

Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel

Summary:

All young adults of the kingdom undergo the Transfer of Life ceremony where if chosen they adsorb essence of a noble who has passed form this world. Now it is Arabella’s time and all she wants is for it to be over so she can continue her life with her mother and Asher. She is almost in the clear when tragedy strikes with the death of the queen. Before anyone knows what is happening the queens essence enters Arabella changing her life and possibly the entire kingdom. Now everything is in the hands of Arabell who in the eyes of the kingdom is considered nothing but a peasant. This is just the beginning a journey for Arabella that could change not only her life, but entire kingdom.

This was a fast paced story filled with suspense, danger, and the fight has just begun. Arabella struggles to find a way to create a new life that includes her past and present. Experiencing the difficulties and challenges Arabella is faced with seem insurmountable, but the very struggles she endured growing up may give her the strength she needs to protect her people.

[Katheyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Relic Class” is the first installment in “The Relic Chronicles” by Jenetta Penner and David R. Bernstein, a YA fantasy adventure paranormal romance series, set in a royal environment, with a very distinct social class system.

Arabella (FMC) belongs to the peasant class, but she is very satisfied with her simple life, she lives and works at her mother’s shop and is very much in love with her boyfriend (Asher). But as – at least in YA fantasy – all good things must come to an end The day of her Transfer of Life ceremony approaches, a ceremony all young adults must to perform, and in which some of them are chosen to adsorb the essence of deceased noble. And of course, Arabella is chosen, and her simple life abruptly comes to an end, because the essence absorbed by Arabella is the essence of the just decease Queen. From this point forward the action develops, and the pace accelerates, showing Arabella struggle to come to terms with her new position in society, as well as the development of the Kingdom with Arabella at its center.

This is good-written story, which slowly increases the peace until the turning point (Arabella’s ceremony) approaches and the action accelerates. Penner and Bernstein create a very distinct world, rich with description, populated by credible and relatable characters, a good dose of romance, love triangle included, and an interesting plot, entertaining and fully satisfying in spite of the cliffhanger ending.

[Moms POV · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Relic Class" begins the Relic Chronicles Book Series by Jenetta Penner & David R. Bernstein. It is a intriguing, dystopian story with very clear class system. As the reader, we are following our female lead, Arabella (Bel) who of course is a part of the lowest class, The Relic Class. Even though her life is hard and full of struggles, she loves her family and Asher and wants to stay with them. Ever year at a certain age, you must go through the Transfer of Life Cermony, and this is her year. There is a very small chance of a transfer this year, but there is...of course...a magical twist and a royal is killed.

I enjoyed reading this book!! There are many themes throughout the book that are common in dystopian stories, but the magical twist as well as Bri remaining true to herself (with a hiccup here or there) made this a great read. The writing is well done, and you just want more. It is a hard book to put down once you get started.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start! Bel is a relic class struggling to survive in the kingdom of Lore. Things go stunningly wrong during the Transfer of Life Ceremony and her life is turned on end. A great premise and wonderful characters, as well as hints to broader happenings, make this a great start to what should be a very entertaining series.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun YA dystopia with a magical royal twist! There were a lot of common themes here, but the writing made this book truly fantastic to read. The concept of “essences” was intriguing. It was good to see that, for the most part, Arabella still remained herself. She is brave and tough, but also has a lot of heart. The story ends on a cliffhanger, so be sure to have book 2 at the ready.

[Mellissa Monteforte Jimenez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch

I love dystopian reads. I enjoyed reading the first book in this series and the characters. I was hooked on this story from the beginning and at the last paragraphs at the conclusion of this book I was eager to know what happened to Asher while the queendom was going crazy. Definitely a great read. I can't wait to dive into the next installment.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spend most of a day with this strange PG tale of the Queendom of Lore and what happens to Arabella of the House of Garin at the Transfer of Life Ceremony.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.