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The Cast-Offs #1
Unbound Life: World of Heavenfall
Darcon and Mina, the two worst acolytes at the temple observatory of Celestriona, can only rely on each other. Her presence is a salve for his furious emotions and his the only light against the dark terrors that haunt her.
Together, they compete against the other initiates in desperate hopes of becoming one of the rare guardians of the heavens: a Celestial dragon. Each evening, it’s martial training as the sun sets, followed by studying the divine magics and hours observing the weaving patterns within the constellations.
They struggle to follow the paths laid out for them, as each academic competition, each magical test, and each fight amongst the acolytes pushes the pair closer to expulsion from the temple where life outside the sheltering walls means failure for Darcon and starvation for Mina.
Their delicate equilibrium is destroyed when a magic-wielding stranger arrives with a message that threatens to separate the young initiates from their mountaintop home. They soon find themselves struggling to not only keep their place at the temple but fighting to save their very lives—a mystical battle that will destroy their beliefs and compel them to pierce the veil of death itself.
Together, they compete against the other initiates in desperate hopes of becoming one of the rare guardians of the heavens: a Celestial dragon. Each evening, it’s martial training as the sun sets, followed by studying the divine magics and hours observing the weaving patterns within the constellations.
They struggle to follow the paths laid out for them, as each academic competition, each magical test, and each fight amongst the acolytes pushes the pair closer to expulsion from the temple where life outside the sheltering walls means failure for Darcon and starvation for Mina.
Their delicate equilibrium is destroyed when a magic-wielding stranger arrives with a message that threatens to separate the young initiates from their mountaintop home. They soon find themselves struggling to not only keep their place at the temple but fighting to save their very lives—a mystical battle that will destroy their beliefs and compel them to pierce the veil of death itself.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2021
25 people are currently reading
797 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 18, 2022
Wow!
This book started off with a bang that instantly got me interested, and stayed really interesting throughout the story.
Unbound life follows the story of Mina and Darcon - twoMonk initiates trying to learn to worship the Goddess of life and the stars - however they both go through trials and tribulations and their lives change forever. I don't know how to explain it better than that without giving spoilers away, but it is such an interesting read that I think after the prologue you'll be hooked!
STORYLINE:
So the story is really interesting. It's one that kept me guessing, and has some turns that I didn't see coming. It's got fighting, magic, love interests and a lot of amazing factors that turns this into a great fantasy read.
WORLDBUILDING:
The worldbuilding in Unbound Life is quite impressive. In my mind's eye, I could see down the steep stairs to the temple, and see all of the rooms and training yards of the temple as well. The authors build a beautiful world that I was excited to read about, and their descriptions made me feel as if I was standing there watching what was happening.
CHARACTERS:
I love when authors give you the perspective of the "villain." I love having insight to what they are thinking, knowing what drives them, and why they act the way they act. So not only did we get perspectives from two awesome characters (Mina and Darcon) but we got Seath - who was the villain of the story (in a way.)
Each character introduced was well written, and it didn't feel like the authors were just throwing them in for filler. Honestly each had pertinent parts in the story and made it that much more interesting.
The main characters, Mina and Darcon, were well written. Their personalities, their trials and tribulations, their reactions and curses... so good! I love them best together but loved reading about how each of their stories unfolded.
All in all, this is an excellent read for fantasy lovers, and I cannot wait to read the next one!
I received this book from Booksirens and the publishers as an ARC for my honest review. I would like to thank Booksirens, Story Garden Publishing, Riley Rookehouse and Marie McCue for the chance to read this book early.
This book started off with a bang that instantly got me interested, and stayed really interesting throughout the story.
Unbound life follows the story of Mina and Darcon - twoMonk initiates trying to learn to worship the Goddess of life and the stars - however they both go through trials and tribulations and their lives change forever. I don't know how to explain it better than that without giving spoilers away, but it is such an interesting read that I think after the prologue you'll be hooked!
STORYLINE:
So the story is really interesting. It's one that kept me guessing, and has some turns that I didn't see coming. It's got fighting, magic, love interests and a lot of amazing factors that turns this into a great fantasy read.
WORLDBUILDING:
The worldbuilding in Unbound Life is quite impressive. In my mind's eye, I could see down the steep stairs to the temple, and see all of the rooms and training yards of the temple as well. The authors build a beautiful world that I was excited to read about, and their descriptions made me feel as if I was standing there watching what was happening.
CHARACTERS:
I love when authors give you the perspective of the "villain." I love having insight to what they are thinking, knowing what drives them, and why they act the way they act. So not only did we get perspectives from two awesome characters (Mina and Darcon) but we got Seath - who was the villain of the story (in a way.)
Each character introduced was well written, and it didn't feel like the authors were just throwing them in for filler. Honestly each had pertinent parts in the story and made it that much more interesting.
The main characters, Mina and Darcon, were well written. Their personalities, their trials and tribulations, their reactions and curses... so good! I love them best together but loved reading about how each of their stories unfolded.
All in all, this is an excellent read for fantasy lovers, and I cannot wait to read the next one!
I received this book from Booksirens and the publishers as an ARC for my honest review. I would like to thank Booksirens, Story Garden Publishing, Riley Rookehouse and Marie McCue for the chance to read this book early.
January 7, 2022
I received an advance review copy of this book and am freely writing this review.
Unbound Life is a fun dark fantasy read in a detailed, imaginative world. The writing is beautifully crafted, and the world is fleshed-out and full of unique creatures. It feels like it’s setting up for a series, and there’s a lot of world-building that makes the setting feel political and lived-in. The magic is original and creepy, and the characters each have unique abilities that interact in surprising ways. Seath was especially interesting as a sympathetic villain, and I’m looking forward to learning more about his backstory in later books. This book doesn’t shy away from violence, horror, and politics. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who the real bad guys are, since each character has their own motivations that come into conflict, which makes them feel real, complicated, and developed. I loved the setting, the variety of cool monsters, and the detail about the government organizations. I hope we get to explore more of this world in future books.
Overall this was an intriguing, very well-written story, and I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
Unbound Life is a fun dark fantasy read in a detailed, imaginative world. The writing is beautifully crafted, and the world is fleshed-out and full of unique creatures. It feels like it’s setting up for a series, and there’s a lot of world-building that makes the setting feel political and lived-in. The magic is original and creepy, and the characters each have unique abilities that interact in surprising ways. Seath was especially interesting as a sympathetic villain, and I’m looking forward to learning more about his backstory in later books. This book doesn’t shy away from violence, horror, and politics. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who the real bad guys are, since each character has their own motivations that come into conflict, which makes them feel real, complicated, and developed. I loved the setting, the variety of cool monsters, and the detail about the government organizations. I hope we get to explore more of this world in future books.
Overall this was an intriguing, very well-written story, and I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
January 5, 2022
I got this book as an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review.
The best aspect of the book was the quality of the prose. The writing was beautiful and exciting. I was immersed in the world and loved that feeling.
Another strong point was a feeling of mystery and wonder. We get sneak peeks at the magic and divine powers, but nothing in detail yet. There is a downside to this, though - almost nothing is explained, and things "just happen". For example, the changes to main heroes, the ritual, and many other things - just happened without any explanation.
Another problem is in the heroes themselves - they "just act". Seath has to do certain things because he is compelled to do them, but he can also easily do whatever he wants. Mina always follows the rules... unless she doesn't want to do it. And there are more examples of it.
So many things happen only because the plot demands it.
Still, I liked the book and am interested in seeing what will happen in the following books.
The best aspect of the book was the quality of the prose. The writing was beautiful and exciting. I was immersed in the world and loved that feeling.
Another strong point was a feeling of mystery and wonder. We get sneak peeks at the magic and divine powers, but nothing in detail yet. There is a downside to this, though - almost nothing is explained, and things "just happen". For example, the changes to main heroes, the ritual, and many other things - just happened without any explanation.
Another problem is in the heroes themselves - they "just act". Seath has to do certain things because he is compelled to do them, but he can also easily do whatever he wants. Mina always follows the rules... unless she doesn't want to do it. And there are more examples of it.
So many things happen only because the plot demands it.
Still, I liked the book and am interested in seeing what will happen in the following books.
January 23, 2022
I loved this novel. As far as I'm concerned, it's a really good first volume for a trilogy.
The world described in the book felt novel and really intriguing. While it had this expected dynamic of Light vs. Darkness, the order of monks described, that we follow felt really original. Those were scholarly monks but I liked how the order was based on astronomy and how they linked stars and destiny.
The novel follows three storylines and each storyline is actually crucial to understand what is going on. All the characters described and followed were well-developed and had a true purpose.
The authors were successful in making you feel how they want you to feel. You empathize with the heroes and you hate who you feel are the villains.
I'm truly impatient to discover what will happen to the heroes and I hope to learn more about their world in the next volume.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world described in the book felt novel and really intriguing. While it had this expected dynamic of Light vs. Darkness, the order of monks described, that we follow felt really original. Those were scholarly monks but I liked how the order was based on astronomy and how they linked stars and destiny.
The novel follows three storylines and each storyline is actually crucial to understand what is going on. All the characters described and followed were well-developed and had a true purpose.
The authors were successful in making you feel how they want you to feel. You empathize with the heroes and you hate who you feel are the villains.
I'm truly impatient to discover what will happen to the heroes and I hope to learn more about their world in the next volume.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 8, 2022
This book was compelling and addictive.
At the start an event leaves you startled but so captivated by the story that you MUST continue.
A story worth reading and reviewing.
Full of originality with a fantastical reality, this is an author to try.
At the start an event leaves you startled but so captivated by the story that you MUST continue.
A story worth reading and reviewing.
Full of originality with a fantastical reality, this is an author to try.
January 7, 2022
Interesting read. Great storyline. Likeable characters. I enjoyed this read, however I felt like the characters lacked depth. The world in which they live needed a bit more description. Things seemed to happen at times with no explanation as to why.
I am invested to see where Mina and Dracon's future leads them so looking a bit forward to the next in the series hoping for more details in this saga.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am invested to see where Mina and Dracon's future leads them so looking a bit forward to the next in the series hoping for more details in this saga.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 14, 2022
Fun, immersive read. I have always been more of a fan of fantasy where the use of magic is limited, and can't be arbitrarily used to get out of any situation - that's the case here in this enjoyable page-turner. The setting is rich with details and the world, its denizens and politics are complex. The plot was a pleasant surprise with the two central characters being dropped into a (seemingly) insurmountable situation that I didn't expect at all - I was hooked immediately as their situation deteriorated to the point that I had to find out how they were going to get through it all.
Looking forward to getting more on all the characters in the next installment!
Looking forward to getting more on all the characters in the next installment!
January 14, 2022
This book sets up a rich fantasy world with interesting characters. Their journey is full of adventures leading to a climactic ending. I instantly became a fan! Next book soon please.
June 19, 2022
To begin, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writing style of Unbound Life was incredible easy to read and was written pretty beautifully overall. I feel that the plot had strong points and twists which built the adventure and left you wanting more.
However, it did feel as though some plot points happened for the sake of something exciting happening, and weren't really explained. It didn't always feel necessary to have certain points as they sometimes didn't match up with the character. There was almost an element of chaos to the book and the storyline. But that doesn't mean it wasn't enjoyable.
Roughly halfway through the book, I noticed the introduction of more crude/swear words, which doesn't bother me at all, but I did feel as though, again, they had been thrown in there for the sake of it. Some made sense with the story, but others just felt out of place within the storyline and among the characters.
Despite all of this, I still enjoyed this book and would be interested to know where Darcon and Mina end up in the next stages of their story.
The writing style of Unbound Life was incredible easy to read and was written pretty beautifully overall. I feel that the plot had strong points and twists which built the adventure and left you wanting more.
However, it did feel as though some plot points happened for the sake of something exciting happening, and weren't really explained. It didn't always feel necessary to have certain points as they sometimes didn't match up with the character. There was almost an element of chaos to the book and the storyline. But that doesn't mean it wasn't enjoyable.
Roughly halfway through the book, I noticed the introduction of more crude/swear words, which doesn't bother me at all, but I did feel as though, again, they had been thrown in there for the sake of it. Some made sense with the story, but others just felt out of place within the storyline and among the characters.
Despite all of this, I still enjoyed this book and would be interested to know where Darcon and Mina end up in the next stages of their story.
October 13, 2022
Fun fantasy read
February 2, 2023
Unbound Life is a fast-paced fantasy adventure novel that weaves together three different character perspectives with sharp writing, interesting magical powers, and plenty of action. The story centers on two acolytes, Mina and Darcon, from a temple observatory who hope to ascend to the divine role of celestial dragon. However, their studies are rudely interrupted when antihero Seath turns them into collateral damage in his quest for a mysterious amethyst dragon egg.
All three of the characters have distinct personalities, with Darcon being the brawn, Mina the anxious brains, and Seath the tortured man forced to obey the magical tattoos that cover his body. I enjoyed the different dynamics between them, especially in the latter half of the novel. The ending wraps up the main story while leaving things open for future installments, with plenty of intrigue about Seath's backstory in particular. I see that the sequels, Mina of Misfortunes and Darcon of Dawns, explore what happens next in their stories.
The world-building is expansive, and it's clear there's a lot beneath the surface to explore. The wide variety of places, creatures, and magical abilities make the world feel lived in and immersive.
I look forward to reading more books set in the Heavenfall story universe!
All three of the characters have distinct personalities, with Darcon being the brawn, Mina the anxious brains, and Seath the tortured man forced to obey the magical tattoos that cover his body. I enjoyed the different dynamics between them, especially in the latter half of the novel. The ending wraps up the main story while leaving things open for future installments, with plenty of intrigue about Seath's backstory in particular. I see that the sequels, Mina of Misfortunes and Darcon of Dawns, explore what happens next in their stories.
The world-building is expansive, and it's clear there's a lot beneath the surface to explore. The wide variety of places, creatures, and magical abilities make the world feel lived in and immersive.
I look forward to reading more books set in the Heavenfall story universe!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews