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Vale #1
The Wizard's Ward
Francis has gray blood.
The King of the Elves ordered all gray bloods be put to death, by any means necessary. Francis, the Wizard's Ward, has been hiding in plain sight all her life, under the care of Billington, the King's wizard. When Billington disappears from the Cardinal castle, Francis enlists the help of her first love, a battle-ridden soldier called X, to find the only family she's ever known.
But outside the castle walls, there is a war raging between kingdoms and Francis faces countless dangers that plague the land of Vale. Shapeshifting bounty hunters search for military deserters, pirates maraud Vale's seas, combat-trained dragons dwell in the witch's mountains, and betrayals harden once-warmed hearts.
As the journey pushes Francis to her limits, she uncovers the true power of her gray blood, a power that could fulfill a prophecy and bring down a psychotic king.
Vale: The Wizard's Ward is the first installment of an epic young adult fantasy franchise.
The King of the Elves ordered all gray bloods be put to death, by any means necessary. Francis, the Wizard's Ward, has been hiding in plain sight all her life, under the care of Billington, the King's wizard. When Billington disappears from the Cardinal castle, Francis enlists the help of her first love, a battle-ridden soldier called X, to find the only family she's ever known.
But outside the castle walls, there is a war raging between kingdoms and Francis faces countless dangers that plague the land of Vale. Shapeshifting bounty hunters search for military deserters, pirates maraud Vale's seas, combat-trained dragons dwell in the witch's mountains, and betrayals harden once-warmed hearts.
As the journey pushes Francis to her limits, she uncovers the true power of her gray blood, a power that could fulfill a prophecy and bring down a psychotic king.
Vale: The Wizard's Ward is the first installment of an epic young adult fantasy franchise.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2022
19 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Jules McAleese
1 book15 followersJules hails from Portland, OR. She lives with her husband, daughter, and golden retriever in a house built in 1906, that she and her husband restored themselves. Before becoming a writer, she was a creative producer that worked in film, experiential and digital marketing. When she’s not writing thrilling fantasy stories for young adults, Jules can be found spending time with her family at the Oregon Coast or eating a burger at the local pub.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 19, 2022
While exploring books through BookSires, this cover automatically caught my attention and then the synopsis sealed the deal. This was the first arc I read through this site, and it didn't disappoint one bit!
The author's writing is appealing, the descriptions are enough to locate us spatially and the story itself is engaging, from the characters to the world. The characters were what captivated me the most in this book, from the main characters to the secondary ones, but especially Francis and X, even though the latter derailed completely along the way, this was an unexpected plot twist that I personally loved! Francis, on the other hand, goes through a huge evolution that was very nice to follow and leaves so much to be unraveled, she’s a complex character with a lot to explore, but not in a negative way, the author leaves room for development for the next books that I am looking forward to reading! In terms of plot, the first part of this book was completely addictive, the second part started off equally well, but started to have some confusing moments towards the end and the third part continued a bit confusing but was mostly marked by rushed moments that didn't allow me to enjoy reading it as much as in the beginning of the book. The plot thus runs at a medium pace until halfway through the book and then the rest at a faster pace, I feel that if it had always kept its medium pace, it would be more cohesive as a whole. The ending was similarly rushed, but left a nice set up for the sequel, a lightened cliffhanger, it doesn't leave one in extreme anxiety, but it does leave that nice urge to read more.
This is the author's first book, a start of a saga with immense potential, a good read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy book! I can't wait to find out what the future holds for Vale, in particular for Francis 🥰
Plot | 3⭐
Characters | 4⭐
Ease of Read | 4⭐
Quality of Writing | 4⭐
Overall | 3,75⭐
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author's writing is appealing, the descriptions are enough to locate us spatially and the story itself is engaging, from the characters to the world. The characters were what captivated me the most in this book, from the main characters to the secondary ones, but especially Francis and X, even though the latter derailed completely along the way, this was an unexpected plot twist that I personally loved! Francis, on the other hand, goes through a huge evolution that was very nice to follow and leaves so much to be unraveled, she’s a complex character with a lot to explore, but not in a negative way, the author leaves room for development for the next books that I am looking forward to reading! In terms of plot, the first part of this book was completely addictive, the second part started off equally well, but started to have some confusing moments towards the end and the third part continued a bit confusing but was mostly marked by rushed moments that didn't allow me to enjoy reading it as much as in the beginning of the book. The plot thus runs at a medium pace until halfway through the book and then the rest at a faster pace, I feel that if it had always kept its medium pace, it would be more cohesive as a whole. The ending was similarly rushed, but left a nice set up for the sequel, a lightened cliffhanger, it doesn't leave one in extreme anxiety, but it does leave that nice urge to read more.
This is the author's first book, a start of a saga with immense potential, a good read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy book! I can't wait to find out what the future holds for Vale, in particular for Francis 🥰
Plot | 3⭐
Characters | 4⭐
Ease of Read | 4⭐
Quality of Writing | 4⭐
Overall | 3,75⭐
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 6, 2022
It is a fun book that drove me in a journey in a magical worl full of elfs, wizards, witchs and pirats. I did like very much the worldbulding and the quest of the main character. Francis is the a lovely girl that in the begging do not know what is her mission, but after the missing of her adopted father she discover her true powers.
I did wish that more development in the in the father-daughter relationship. But I did enjoy the revelation in the end.
X e Medea are super anoying. I especialy deslike X because I appers to be the good guy but he will hurt Francis.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I did wish that more development in the in the father-daughter relationship. But I did enjoy the revelation in the end.
X e Medea are super anoying. I especialy deslike X because I appers to be the good guy but he will hurt Francis.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 12, 2022
The Wizard’s Ward is the story of Francis, a young woman with grey blood in a world that ordered all grey bloods murdered years ago. When her ward Billington goes missing, Francis invokes the help of a childhood friend to find him. Throughout her journey, Francis learns more about herself and her unusual blood, the war-torn country she lives in, political plots, and more.
Francis goes through so much over the course of the story, and her journey is exciting, dangerous, unexpected, and emotional. I loved her character and the immense growth she goes through. Her character is layered and interesting, and I feel like there’s so much more she (and the reader) will learn as the series continues. She is a strong, smart, and loyal protagonist who fights for the people she loves. Protective and resilient, Francis travels through a war-torn land riddled with dangerous and potentially deadly situations, and she won’t give up until she finds her father figure. I love her ferocity and determination, as well as her willingness to believe the best in people.
Francis has been treated unfairly by many people in her life, and she has a secret that could lead to her demise. Raised and protected by Billington, the King’s Ward, Francis doesn’t realize how much he means to her until he’s gone. And when she suspects he didn’t leave of his own free will, she determines to find Billington. This relationship propels the plot and highlights messages about family, loyalty, and love.
The relationship between Francis and X is another intriguing and complicated one. Though childhood friends, they haven’t seen each other in quite some time, and X is very different from the boy he used to be. The pair go through many trials and tribulations as X aids Francis in her quest to find Billington. I was so intrigued by this relationship and all the unexpected revelations that resulted from it. Like Francis, X has been through so much, and his harsh reality has irrevocably changed him. What he went through while he was away was heart-breaking! X struggles with his feelings toward his duty and his desires, and there are several unexpected twists in his actions. I’ll be curious to see what happens with X and his relationships in future books.
The story introduces the reader to many secondary characters, some who are very easy to hate, and others who endear themselves to the reader despite their faults. I love that Francis finds people who treat her better and respect her more than some of the vindictive people she’s grown up with. I also really enjoyed the world-building. Vivid and unique, Francis’s journey takes her to many new places, each as easy to picture as the one before it. McAleese has a way of creating strong visuals of the setting that really immerses you into the story. I also love the fantasy elements, from wizards, witches, elves, and dragons to unique abilities and beings.
The Wizard’s Ward is an entertaining, well-paced YA fantasy with complex characters and a protagonist you can root for. Plus, the ending has a few surprise twists that I totally didn’t see coming!
Francis goes through so much over the course of the story, and her journey is exciting, dangerous, unexpected, and emotional. I loved her character and the immense growth she goes through. Her character is layered and interesting, and I feel like there’s so much more she (and the reader) will learn as the series continues. She is a strong, smart, and loyal protagonist who fights for the people she loves. Protective and resilient, Francis travels through a war-torn land riddled with dangerous and potentially deadly situations, and she won’t give up until she finds her father figure. I love her ferocity and determination, as well as her willingness to believe the best in people.
Francis has been treated unfairly by many people in her life, and she has a secret that could lead to her demise. Raised and protected by Billington, the King’s Ward, Francis doesn’t realize how much he means to her until he’s gone. And when she suspects he didn’t leave of his own free will, she determines to find Billington. This relationship propels the plot and highlights messages about family, loyalty, and love.
The relationship between Francis and X is another intriguing and complicated one. Though childhood friends, they haven’t seen each other in quite some time, and X is very different from the boy he used to be. The pair go through many trials and tribulations as X aids Francis in her quest to find Billington. I was so intrigued by this relationship and all the unexpected revelations that resulted from it. Like Francis, X has been through so much, and his harsh reality has irrevocably changed him. What he went through while he was away was heart-breaking! X struggles with his feelings toward his duty and his desires, and there are several unexpected twists in his actions. I’ll be curious to see what happens with X and his relationships in future books.
The story introduces the reader to many secondary characters, some who are very easy to hate, and others who endear themselves to the reader despite their faults. I love that Francis finds people who treat her better and respect her more than some of the vindictive people she’s grown up with. I also really enjoyed the world-building. Vivid and unique, Francis’s journey takes her to many new places, each as easy to picture as the one before it. McAleese has a way of creating strong visuals of the setting that really immerses you into the story. I also love the fantasy elements, from wizards, witches, elves, and dragons to unique abilities and beings.
The Wizard’s Ward is an entertaining, well-paced YA fantasy with complex characters and a protagonist you can root for. Plus, the ending has a few surprise twists that I totally didn’t see coming!
June 16, 2022
I first saw reviews for The Wizard’s Ward on a couple of blogs I follow. I was very interested in reading it from the blurb and the reviews I kept seeing. But I figured that I would have to wait until I saw it for sale on Amazon. So, imagine my surprise when the author emailed me and asked if I would like to read/review this book. Of course, I jumped on it, and when I got the physical copy of the book, I decided that this would be my vacation book. Let’s say I read this book in 4 hours (split between two days) while driving to Fl, and I couldn’t get enough of it. I also have loaned it to a friend and her daughter (remember, I got a physical book). When I get it back, my 16 and 14-year-olds want to read it. So yes, I liked this book and have been recommending it to everyone.
The Wizard’s Rule had an exciting plotline. Francis is Billington’s ward, the wizard for The King of Elves. But Francis has a secret. She has gray blood, and The King has ordered all people with gray blood to be killed. Billington is hiding her in plain sight to protect her. Several things happen at once. Francis’s first love, a soldier named X is back from his 2-year deployment, Francis is required to attend a ball about her bully who happens to be the sister of The King, and Billington disappears. Determined to find him, Francis needs to go outside the castle and follow clues to where he could be. With the help of X, she escapes the castle but soon realizes that X is damaged and dangerous. With help from a surprising source, Francis enlists on a journey that will have her sail with pirates, fly with dragons, and confront a tyrant. But, can she find Billington, and can she learn what makes her so special to so many people?
I loved Francis. She did take her relationship with Billington for granted until he disappeared. It was then that she realized how much she had been protected. She also realized that he would have never disappeared without letting her know. That is when she took action and decided to go search for him. She learned much about herself and what her gray blood could do on that journey. Seeing her character grow and evolve was awesome!!
Let’s talk about X. I was pretty conflicted about his character right from the start. I didn’t understand why Francis had such strong feelings for him. He didn’t seem like her type. As the book went on and I got to see what happened from his perspective, I understood what attracted her to him. I also began to understand what attracted him to her. Francis was X’s haven. Memories of her helped him keep sane and not lose it when he was on that horrible island and forced to do awful things. So, I was a little surprised when the author had the storyline go the way it did. Surprised didn’t precisely entirely cover my reaction to that scene. More accurately, I was sad, horrified, and disgusted by his actions. Those feelings carried over for the rest of the book with everything he did and who he ended up hooking up with. But there were hints of the old X in there. He still thought about Francis constantly and imagined her when he was with Medea (which did gross me out).
I wish that Billington was more of a presence in the book. I loved how he came into the custody of Francis and raised her as his daughter. But there was a massive chunk of the book where he was just gone. I couldn’t get a feel for him as a character because of that. I hope he will be more there in the next book. I also hope the author explores Billington and Francis’s relationship a little more. He is her father, he did raise her, and I would love to see that discussed more.
The storyline about Francis’s gray blood was well written. I loved that the author didn’t fully explain what it meant (other than the prophecy and magic) until the end of the book. At that point, it made perfect sense, considering what had happened. I hope that in book 2, the author delves more into what gray blood can do.
The romance angle of the book was well written also. But, to be honest, I couldn’t pair Francis and X together in my head romantically. They were just too different. I hope that the author has them come together at some point in book 2. There are a lot of unresolved feelings on both their ends.
The author very well wrote the fantasy/magic angle of The Wizard’s Rule. The author did a fantastic job building this rich world where magic existed and was used for almost everything. I loved that Francis didn’t have a good grip on her magic for 90% of the book. She understood the spells, but they wouldn’t obey her. She ended up “wishing” for the magical things to happen, and they did. I can’t wait to see where the author will take that. I also can’t wait to see more of the fantasy world that these characters live in. The author gave us a glimpse into witches, sirens, centaurs, dragons, and pirates. What else could there be?
There are a couple of twists in the plotline. One comes with X’s storyline (see above). While I didn’t see it coming at the time, looking back, it made sense. But, the other plotline twist is HUGE and takes place in the very last chapter. I was so taken aback by what was revealed that I had to read that chapter 3 times. And each time, I kept thinking, “OMG, what did I READ!!!” It was very sneaky of the author to do that because there are certain characters that I can’t look at the same now. It also makes me want to read book two because of what was revealed.
As I mentioned, the end of The Wizard’s Ward was a complete bombshell. The author didn’t wrap up any of the storylines. Instead, she left them open, which left a vast opening for book 2.
I would recommend The Wizard’s Way for anyone over 13. There is no language, mild to moderate violence, and some very mild non-graphic sexual content (with X and Medea).
The Wizard’s Rule had an exciting plotline. Francis is Billington’s ward, the wizard for The King of Elves. But Francis has a secret. She has gray blood, and The King has ordered all people with gray blood to be killed. Billington is hiding her in plain sight to protect her. Several things happen at once. Francis’s first love, a soldier named X is back from his 2-year deployment, Francis is required to attend a ball about her bully who happens to be the sister of The King, and Billington disappears. Determined to find him, Francis needs to go outside the castle and follow clues to where he could be. With the help of X, she escapes the castle but soon realizes that X is damaged and dangerous. With help from a surprising source, Francis enlists on a journey that will have her sail with pirates, fly with dragons, and confront a tyrant. But, can she find Billington, and can she learn what makes her so special to so many people?
I loved Francis. She did take her relationship with Billington for granted until he disappeared. It was then that she realized how much she had been protected. She also realized that he would have never disappeared without letting her know. That is when she took action and decided to go search for him. She learned much about herself and what her gray blood could do on that journey. Seeing her character grow and evolve was awesome!!
Let’s talk about X. I was pretty conflicted about his character right from the start. I didn’t understand why Francis had such strong feelings for him. He didn’t seem like her type. As the book went on and I got to see what happened from his perspective, I understood what attracted her to him. I also began to understand what attracted him to her. Francis was X’s haven. Memories of her helped him keep sane and not lose it when he was on that horrible island and forced to do awful things. So, I was a little surprised when the author had the storyline go the way it did. Surprised didn’t precisely entirely cover my reaction to that scene. More accurately, I was sad, horrified, and disgusted by his actions. Those feelings carried over for the rest of the book with everything he did and who he ended up hooking up with. But there were hints of the old X in there. He still thought about Francis constantly and imagined her when he was with Medea (which did gross me out).
I wish that Billington was more of a presence in the book. I loved how he came into the custody of Francis and raised her as his daughter. But there was a massive chunk of the book where he was just gone. I couldn’t get a feel for him as a character because of that. I hope he will be more there in the next book. I also hope the author explores Billington and Francis’s relationship a little more. He is her father, he did raise her, and I would love to see that discussed more.
The storyline about Francis’s gray blood was well written. I loved that the author didn’t fully explain what it meant (other than the prophecy and magic) until the end of the book. At that point, it made perfect sense, considering what had happened. I hope that in book 2, the author delves more into what gray blood can do.
The romance angle of the book was well written also. But, to be honest, I couldn’t pair Francis and X together in my head romantically. They were just too different. I hope that the author has them come together at some point in book 2. There are a lot of unresolved feelings on both their ends.
The author very well wrote the fantasy/magic angle of The Wizard’s Rule. The author did a fantastic job building this rich world where magic existed and was used for almost everything. I loved that Francis didn’t have a good grip on her magic for 90% of the book. She understood the spells, but they wouldn’t obey her. She ended up “wishing” for the magical things to happen, and they did. I can’t wait to see where the author will take that. I also can’t wait to see more of the fantasy world that these characters live in. The author gave us a glimpse into witches, sirens, centaurs, dragons, and pirates. What else could there be?
There are a couple of twists in the plotline. One comes with X’s storyline (see above). While I didn’t see it coming at the time, looking back, it made sense. But, the other plotline twist is HUGE and takes place in the very last chapter. I was so taken aback by what was revealed that I had to read that chapter 3 times. And each time, I kept thinking, “OMG, what did I READ!!!” It was very sneaky of the author to do that because there are certain characters that I can’t look at the same now. It also makes me want to read book two because of what was revealed.
As I mentioned, the end of The Wizard’s Ward was a complete bombshell. The author didn’t wrap up any of the storylines. Instead, she left them open, which left a vast opening for book 2.
I would recommend The Wizard’s Way for anyone over 13. There is no language, mild to moderate violence, and some very mild non-graphic sexual content (with X and Medea).
May 11, 2022
This book follows our young protagonist, Francis, ward to the King's Wizard. Although she is being taught magic by him, she realizes she may also have other abilities, undoubtedly tied to the fact that she has grey blood. Greybloods are uncommon, and she knows that it is something she needs to hide about herself. She has always felt like an outcast, but her friendship with X brought her a lot of joy. When X comes back, they uncover an unsettling royal plot coinciding with the disappearance of the Wizard and flee. During their travels, Francis encounters new friends and learns a lot more about herself and what (and who) she thought she knew.
This was a really fun young adult fantasy that brought political intrigue, and fantastical beasts, and had some Lost Boys vibes as well. I really enjoyed the easy-to-follow worldbuilding and a lot of the characters. Francis is an easy MC to like and sympathize with, and I enjoyed the side characters who all felt very dynamic and complex.
One thing I struggled with was the character X - I didn't find that the reasoning behind his name was compelling enough and X just felt kind of distracting from the main story to me. I also wish the story slowed down a bit more - the plot felt rushed to me at times, and I would have appreciated perhaps some more dialogue or maybe even more world-building to flesh it out some more.
I enjoyed the ending which gives us enough satisfaction while leaving us knowing there are going to be more exciting storylines to come in book two!
I'd recommend this one to YA Fantasy fans, particularly fans of fast-paced storylines with fun magic and beasts!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a really fun young adult fantasy that brought political intrigue, and fantastical beasts, and had some Lost Boys vibes as well. I really enjoyed the easy-to-follow worldbuilding and a lot of the characters. Francis is an easy MC to like and sympathize with, and I enjoyed the side characters who all felt very dynamic and complex.
One thing I struggled with was the character X - I didn't find that the reasoning behind his name was compelling enough and X just felt kind of distracting from the main story to me. I also wish the story slowed down a bit more - the plot felt rushed to me at times, and I would have appreciated perhaps some more dialogue or maybe even more world-building to flesh it out some more.
I enjoyed the ending which gives us enough satisfaction while leaving us knowing there are going to be more exciting storylines to come in book two!
I'd recommend this one to YA Fantasy fans, particularly fans of fast-paced storylines with fun magic and beasts!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 26, 2022
Thank you to the PR team for this book for sending me a copy to review.
Rating: 4/5
CW: attempted SA, death, beheading,
-
First I want to list some great things about this book that I loved
- it’s easy to read and get into
- fast paced plot
- relatable mc
- good twists
- will keep you entertained the whole way through
- good formatting
- dragons
- a good ending that makes you want to read the next book
- is great for younger YA readers
- good world-building that has no info dumps and isn’t confusing
I read this book in one sitting (which is good thing for me) - that means it was captivating enough and easy enough to read that I could go through it with no issues. Our MC Francis is the ward to the wizard who served the king of the elves. Francis has this mysterious and powerful gray blood that if found out, she would be killed. When the wizard mysteriously goes missing she gets X, her childhood best friend/first love to help her. What seems as a simple adventure story to find the wizard is not so simple after all. Twists and betrayals after that point make this story really fun and unique. Throw in some lovable rebels, some pirates and a dragon and you’re in for a wild ride. Where I think this story could’ve improved upon was the side characters. I don’t feel like I got enough time or info on some of these characters to get attached and to care about them. I also think we needed a few more slow moments towards the end of the book because once she leaves the castle it feels like non stop action. Overall it’s a good read and I would definitely recommend it to people wanting to get into YA fantasy and to younger readers.
Rating: 4/5
CW: attempted SA, death, beheading,
-
First I want to list some great things about this book that I loved
- it’s easy to read and get into
- fast paced plot
- relatable mc
- good twists
- will keep you entertained the whole way through
- good formatting
- dragons
- a good ending that makes you want to read the next book
- is great for younger YA readers
- good world-building that has no info dumps and isn’t confusing
I read this book in one sitting (which is good thing for me) - that means it was captivating enough and easy enough to read that I could go through it with no issues. Our MC Francis is the ward to the wizard who served the king of the elves. Francis has this mysterious and powerful gray blood that if found out, she would be killed. When the wizard mysteriously goes missing she gets X, her childhood best friend/first love to help her. What seems as a simple adventure story to find the wizard is not so simple after all. Twists and betrayals after that point make this story really fun and unique. Throw in some lovable rebels, some pirates and a dragon and you’re in for a wild ride. Where I think this story could’ve improved upon was the side characters. I don’t feel like I got enough time or info on some of these characters to get attached and to care about them. I also think we needed a few more slow moments towards the end of the book because once she leaves the castle it feels like non stop action. Overall it’s a good read and I would definitely recommend it to people wanting to get into YA fantasy and to younger readers.
September 4, 2022
I really enjoyed myself while reading this, it is a classic YA fantasy with loveable characters that is really easy to read. I wish it was a little more developed and gave more time to specific scenes, but I understand that is sometimes just the nature of YA. I can’t wait for the next book to continue the story and hopefully develop the relationships between characters more!
August 2, 2023
THE WIZARD'S WARD is the first book in the Vale series and we are introduced to a world divided - you have the mers, the elves, the mortals, and the witches. Only by combining these four races in equal measure, do you get a grey blood. Francis is such a unicorn, but she doesn't know it.
We start off with her life in the castle, as a ward to the wizard - in case the title didn't give it away! We learn of her friendship with X, the son of one of the military leaders, who disappears one day without saying goodbye. We learn of her role (sort of) in the castle, with those she likes and loves, and those she loathes. When Billington (the wizard) disappears, Francis is determined to find him and sets out, with X's help. Along the way, they meet friend and foe, but no one seems to be as they appear.
This is a twisted and intriguing story that will keep you turning the pages. Francis is a strong character who faces situations head-on, even if she knows she is at a disadvantage. She doesn't sit back and wait to be rescued. Instead, she forges bonds with others and does her best to help, no matter the circumstances.
X is a character that I thoroughly enjoyed. He is complex and dark, and I can't wait to see where he goes next. How he was, was NOT what I was expecting, so I loved that it caught me unawares.
I personally wish we had more details about the Rottentoes. I can see Ezrah and Cornelia, but Puck and Darwin seem to fade together. Cora is also a character with a lot of depth.
There are parts of this story that are full of world- and character-building, but there are other parts that almost seem skimmed over. I would have loved to have known more about the world itself, the elves' kingdom, and the geography.
As a debut book, I thought this was off to a brilliant start. The story is there and with great characters. I look forward to reading more by this author and continuing with this saga. Recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 26, 2022
We start off with her life in the castle, as a ward to the wizard - in case the title didn't give it away! We learn of her friendship with X, the son of one of the military leaders, who disappears one day without saying goodbye. We learn of her role (sort of) in the castle, with those she likes and loves, and those she loathes. When Billington (the wizard) disappears, Francis is determined to find him and sets out, with X's help. Along the way, they meet friend and foe, but no one seems to be as they appear.
This is a twisted and intriguing story that will keep you turning the pages. Francis is a strong character who faces situations head-on, even if she knows she is at a disadvantage. She doesn't sit back and wait to be rescued. Instead, she forges bonds with others and does her best to help, no matter the circumstances.
X is a character that I thoroughly enjoyed. He is complex and dark, and I can't wait to see where he goes next. How he was, was NOT what I was expecting, so I loved that it caught me unawares.
I personally wish we had more details about the Rottentoes. I can see Ezrah and Cornelia, but Puck and Darwin seem to fade together. Cora is also a character with a lot of depth.
There are parts of this story that are full of world- and character-building, but there are other parts that almost seem skimmed over. I would have loved to have known more about the world itself, the elves' kingdom, and the geography.
As a debut book, I thought this was off to a brilliant start. The story is there and with great characters. I look forward to reading more by this author and continuing with this saga. Recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 26, 2022
March 1, 2022
Vale the Wizard’s Ward is the most effortlessly enjoyable YA fantasy I have ever read. I tend to be partial to fiction because I find it hard to acclimate to the world in a fantasy novel which makes getting started more difficult. Somehow, this novel manages to have all the complexity and wonder of a unique fantasy world without ever making me confused. My understanding of the world the story takes place in developed steadily along with the plot, and the backstories embedded into the narrative were so seamlessly integrated that I would become immersed enough to forget it wasn’t the main story. I always looked forward to picking this book up again, and I never found it difficult to jump back into the story where I left off.
Worldbuilding is critical to a great fantasy novel, and as I previously mentioned, this story did a fantastic job at revealing the world along with the plot in a way that was effortless and clear. The mechanics of the world, such as the magic, were somewhat similar to other magic I have read about, but with a unique aspect brought by Francis. I loved the mix of old-technology and aesthetics with magic and advanced society.The pacing of this book was also very good. The switch from the first chapter of backstory to the primary narrative was slightly disorienting, but the perspective it gave me certainly enhanced my experience of the rest of the novel.
Despite the very different subjects, settings, and characters, my love for this book reminded me of the love I had for the Percy Jackson series when I was younger. I think this comes from the characters. Both Percy Jackson and Vale the Wizard’s Ward have strong, engaging, fantasy worlds, but ultimately their characters are what made me fall in love. I felt like Francis, the main character in Vale the Wizard’s Ward, had gone back in time and stolen emotions from a younger teenage me. Early on in the story, she describes a mysterious type of magic she does where she simply “begs” the magic to work, and I really resonated with this sense of desperation to succeed at the things that mattered to me and the way that they often worked out inexplicably. Francis’s struggles throughout the story feel so deeply authentic and realistic, which is so grounding in a fantastical world. Her insecurity about how she fits into the world she lives in is a feeling I know everyone can relate to.
In terms of characters overall, each one of them had a complex and specific personality that is evident from the moment they are introduced. Billington, the wizard who takes Francis under his wing as a baby, is immediately likeable. He does not act like a typical father to Francis, yet his relationship to her is similarly nurturing which makes their relationship both relatable and intriguingly atypical. Unlike many characters in YA stories, Francis’s love interest, X, manages to be a complete character independent of his ark with Francis. His depth is revealed later than some other characters, but I could always root for him. Other characters, including ones we are designed to be against are still captivating and enjoyable to read about. The characters in this story are consistently themselves while experiencing massive growth throughout the story, mirroring the reality that every person experiences as they grow and change.
Overall, I loved this book, and I think anyone could. This story contained all the best elements of fantasy, romance, and young adult stories. Beyond that, I think the pure entertainment factor of this book makes it worth the read. It was simply enjoyable! Francis’s journey feels universally accessible, and the fantasy world she lives in is fascinating, making the overall story one that I never wanted to put down.
Worldbuilding is critical to a great fantasy novel, and as I previously mentioned, this story did a fantastic job at revealing the world along with the plot in a way that was effortless and clear. The mechanics of the world, such as the magic, were somewhat similar to other magic I have read about, but with a unique aspect brought by Francis. I loved the mix of old-technology and aesthetics with magic and advanced society.The pacing of this book was also very good. The switch from the first chapter of backstory to the primary narrative was slightly disorienting, but the perspective it gave me certainly enhanced my experience of the rest of the novel.
Despite the very different subjects, settings, and characters, my love for this book reminded me of the love I had for the Percy Jackson series when I was younger. I think this comes from the characters. Both Percy Jackson and Vale the Wizard’s Ward have strong, engaging, fantasy worlds, but ultimately their characters are what made me fall in love. I felt like Francis, the main character in Vale the Wizard’s Ward, had gone back in time and stolen emotions from a younger teenage me. Early on in the story, she describes a mysterious type of magic she does where she simply “begs” the magic to work, and I really resonated with this sense of desperation to succeed at the things that mattered to me and the way that they often worked out inexplicably. Francis’s struggles throughout the story feel so deeply authentic and realistic, which is so grounding in a fantastical world. Her insecurity about how she fits into the world she lives in is a feeling I know everyone can relate to.
In terms of characters overall, each one of them had a complex and specific personality that is evident from the moment they are introduced. Billington, the wizard who takes Francis under his wing as a baby, is immediately likeable. He does not act like a typical father to Francis, yet his relationship to her is similarly nurturing which makes their relationship both relatable and intriguingly atypical. Unlike many characters in YA stories, Francis’s love interest, X, manages to be a complete character independent of his ark with Francis. His depth is revealed later than some other characters, but I could always root for him. Other characters, including ones we are designed to be against are still captivating and enjoyable to read about. The characters in this story are consistently themselves while experiencing massive growth throughout the story, mirroring the reality that every person experiences as they grow and change.
Overall, I loved this book, and I think anyone could. This story contained all the best elements of fantasy, romance, and young adult stories. Beyond that, I think the pure entertainment factor of this book makes it worth the read. It was simply enjoyable! Francis’s journey feels universally accessible, and the fantasy world she lives in is fascinating, making the overall story one that I never wanted to put down.
July 14, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this physical finshed copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Wizard’s Ward
Author: Jame McAleese
Book Series: Vale Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, high fantasy
Publication Date: April 30, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Relevance: 16+ (romance, war, alcohol consumption, possible attempted sexual assault, torture, gore, blood magic, death)
Explanation of Above: There is some slight romance in the book and there is some alcohol consumption shown in the book. There is a war ongoing in the book and there is some torture and gore mentioned. There is also blood magic shown and used in the book, as well as death. There is also a possible attempted sexual assault, but it is very vague.
Publisher: Vale Media LLC
Pages: 291
Synopsis: Francis has gray blood.
The King of the Elves ordered all gray bloods be put to death, by any means necessary. Francis, the Wizard's Ward, has been hiding in plain sight all her life, under the care of Billington, the King's wizard. When Billington disappears from the Cardinal castle, Francis enlists the help of her first love, a battle-ridden soldier called X, to find the only family she's ever known.
But outside the castle walls, there is a war raging between kingdoms and Francis faces countless dangers that plague the land of Vale. Shapeshifting bounty hunters search for military deserters, pirates maraud Vale's seas, combat-trained dragons dwell in the witch's mountains, and betrayals harden once-warmed hearts.
As the journey pushes Francis to her limits, she uncovers the true power of her gray blood, a power that could fulfill a prophecy and bring down a psychotic king.
Vale: The Wizard's Ward is the first installment of an epic young adult fantasy franchise.
Review: For the most part I thought this was an ok book. Overall I liked the story and the characters were well developed. I think this will be an amazing storyline in the future and with a bit more editing it’ll be an epic fantasy novel series.
However, there are a few things that I had issue with. There were undefined time skips throughout the book. The pacing was way too fast but yet there was a lot of background information, which meant we didn’t get to the heart of the plot until about 200 pages in. There was lots of telling and not showing in the book and it lacked a lot of world building for me. There’s also an issue with blood magic being used which made me a bit weary of the text and while I’m not educated on the matter I think the author should review blood libel to make sure to avoid any antisemetic writing.
Verdict: It’s ok, it’s got potential, but it needs some work still.
Book: The Wizard’s Ward
Author: Jame McAleese
Book Series: Vale Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, high fantasy
Publication Date: April 30, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Relevance: 16+ (romance, war, alcohol consumption, possible attempted sexual assault, torture, gore, blood magic, death)
Explanation of Above: There is some slight romance in the book and there is some alcohol consumption shown in the book. There is a war ongoing in the book and there is some torture and gore mentioned. There is also blood magic shown and used in the book, as well as death. There is also a possible attempted sexual assault, but it is very vague.
Publisher: Vale Media LLC
Pages: 291
Synopsis: Francis has gray blood.
The King of the Elves ordered all gray bloods be put to death, by any means necessary. Francis, the Wizard's Ward, has been hiding in plain sight all her life, under the care of Billington, the King's wizard. When Billington disappears from the Cardinal castle, Francis enlists the help of her first love, a battle-ridden soldier called X, to find the only family she's ever known.
But outside the castle walls, there is a war raging between kingdoms and Francis faces countless dangers that plague the land of Vale. Shapeshifting bounty hunters search for military deserters, pirates maraud Vale's seas, combat-trained dragons dwell in the witch's mountains, and betrayals harden once-warmed hearts.
As the journey pushes Francis to her limits, she uncovers the true power of her gray blood, a power that could fulfill a prophecy and bring down a psychotic king.
Vale: The Wizard's Ward is the first installment of an epic young adult fantasy franchise.
Review: For the most part I thought this was an ok book. Overall I liked the story and the characters were well developed. I think this will be an amazing storyline in the future and with a bit more editing it’ll be an epic fantasy novel series.
However, there are a few things that I had issue with. There were undefined time skips throughout the book. The pacing was way too fast but yet there was a lot of background information, which meant we didn’t get to the heart of the plot until about 200 pages in. There was lots of telling and not showing in the book and it lacked a lot of world building for me. There’s also an issue with blood magic being used which made me a bit weary of the text and while I’m not educated on the matter I think the author should review blood libel to make sure to avoid any antisemetic writing.
Verdict: It’s ok, it’s got potential, but it needs some work still.
May 18, 2022
3.5/5⭐
Thank you BookSirens for the e-ARC!
This book follows Francis, an orphan girl who lived with the palace wizard, Billington. Francis is not an ordinary girl. She has grey blood that according to prophecy will be the one who bring back order to the kingdom. But she didn't know that fact until one day Billington was missing from the palace and Francis has to looking for him with her long lost first love, X.
The Wizard's Ward was an easy fantasy book to read. It has great world building, characters, and plot. I personally thought that in the early chapters there's too much about Francis feelings toward X and it gets a little boring but when Francis and X finally met a group of deserter army, things escalate pretty fast.
Francis's journey involved evil elves, pirates, and dragons. Francis has also discover her secret power when she met Phineas Kale, the legendary pirate, and she met Cora, Billington's friend. There're lot of exciting events in this journey but for such a fast-paced story, the writing is a little bit too wordy for me.
Parallel with Francis's journey, some scenes tells us about what happen in the palace. The political intrigues, the cruelty of King Mortus and her sister, and the truth behind Billington's disappearance. But these parts that tell the events at the palace was far less than Francis' trip with the Rottentoes so it doesn't add too much of tension to the story.
I also think Francis and Billington's relationship needs to be explained deeper to make Francis goes to such lengths to save him. Yes, Francis lived her whole life with him but I prefer more back story that'll wrench my heart when they're cruelly separated.
And for X, he's an interesting character but I don't think his story is complete enough to form such a strong and complicated character.
My most favorite part of this book is probably the last chapter! The plot twist is surprising and it promises a great next story (I'll look forward to read the sequel just because I want to see what happen to Phineas Kale next).
Thank you BookSirens for the e-ARC!
This book follows Francis, an orphan girl who lived with the palace wizard, Billington. Francis is not an ordinary girl. She has grey blood that according to prophecy will be the one who bring back order to the kingdom. But she didn't know that fact until one day Billington was missing from the palace and Francis has to looking for him with her long lost first love, X.
The Wizard's Ward was an easy fantasy book to read. It has great world building, characters, and plot. I personally thought that in the early chapters there's too much about Francis feelings toward X and it gets a little boring but when Francis and X finally met a group of deserter army, things escalate pretty fast.
Francis's journey involved evil elves, pirates, and dragons. Francis has also discover her secret power when she met Phineas Kale, the legendary pirate, and she met Cora, Billington's friend. There're lot of exciting events in this journey but for such a fast-paced story, the writing is a little bit too wordy for me.
Parallel with Francis's journey, some scenes tells us about what happen in the palace. The political intrigues, the cruelty of King Mortus and her sister, and the truth behind Billington's disappearance. But these parts that tell the events at the palace was far less than Francis' trip with the Rottentoes so it doesn't add too much of tension to the story.
I also think Francis and Billington's relationship needs to be explained deeper to make Francis goes to such lengths to save him. Yes, Francis lived her whole life with him but I prefer more back story that'll wrench my heart when they're cruelly separated.
And for X, he's an interesting character but I don't think his story is complete enough to form such a strong and complicated character.
My most favorite part of this book is probably the last chapter! The plot twist is surprising and it promises a great next story (I'll look forward to read the sequel just because I want to see what happen to Phineas Kale next).
May 30, 2022
Frances, the ward of the King's wizard, Billington, teeters between the privilege of the higher society surrounding her whilst also holding the fatal secret of her origin. In a land where each of the four prevalent species--mortal, witch, elf, and mer--have blood exclusive to their kind, Frances's blood is gray. With the King outlawing and hunting gray bloods, this secret sets her apart and casts her down from those seemingly her peers.
3.5 stars!
When her mentor disappears under mysterious circumstances, Frances bands together with her estranged friend and previous romantic entanglement, X, and traverses the land of Vale on a long journey. On the way, she makes friends, foes, and recognizes the truer nature of the company she keeps along the way.
The prose is solid and compelling, works well in its job to illustrate the story, and is one of the highlights for me. It holds the reader's attention with medium to fast pacing, and the world-building and magic systems are well-developed too.
While Frances aligns with the "Chosen One" type main character, this doesn't detract from her position and suitability as a good protagonist. Her struggles are clear and relatable. She takes initiative in a time and place where she is treated as inferior and simplified into a figure rather than a whole, unique person by those she holds closest to.
On top of this, the other characters introduced throughout the story have enough substance that they too are intriguing, and will hopefully get to blossom further in later installments. I'd love to explore more into each of the Rottontoes and see their development. Outside of Frances, Ezrah and Cornelia were the characters that drew me in most, particularly more so than X (who has quite the character arc).
The Wizard's Ward is a well-done young adult fantasy novel and definitely worth a read for fans of the genre, with its strongest qualities laying in the writing and all of Vale's potential for future installments.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
3.5 stars!
When her mentor disappears under mysterious circumstances, Frances bands together with her estranged friend and previous romantic entanglement, X, and traverses the land of Vale on a long journey. On the way, she makes friends, foes, and recognizes the truer nature of the company she keeps along the way.
The prose is solid and compelling, works well in its job to illustrate the story, and is one of the highlights for me. It holds the reader's attention with medium to fast pacing, and the world-building and magic systems are well-developed too.
While Frances aligns with the "Chosen One" type main character, this doesn't detract from her position and suitability as a good protagonist. Her struggles are clear and relatable. She takes initiative in a time and place where she is treated as inferior and simplified into a figure rather than a whole, unique person by those she holds closest to.
On top of this, the other characters introduced throughout the story have enough substance that they too are intriguing, and will hopefully get to blossom further in later installments. I'd love to explore more into each of the Rottontoes and see their development. Outside of Frances, Ezrah and Cornelia were the characters that drew me in most, particularly more so than X (who has quite the character arc).
The Wizard's Ward is a well-done young adult fantasy novel and definitely worth a read for fans of the genre, with its strongest qualities laying in the writing and all of Vale's potential for future installments.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
May 1, 2022
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book has SO many elements that make it such a fun, fantastical action-adventure , with a twist at the end that made my jaw drop. (Also, the cover is absolutely gorgeous!!)
In the world of Vale, four main bloods exist - Mers, Mortals, Witches, and Elves. Each has clear, red, purple, and brown blood respectively. But enter our protagonist Francis - she has gray blood - but graybloods were ordered to be killed off by the Elf King years ago. And we follow her in this story as she journeys to find Billington, the wizard who raised her who has suddenly mysteriously disappeared, encountering her childhood love X who disappeared two years ago, a ragtag band of soldiers-turned-survivors, pirates, witches, dragons - and discovering the secrets of her gray blood, as well as becoming embroiled in political machinations - namely, the war between Witches and Elves that the current Elf King Mortus has plunged them all into.
This is a pretty quick and captivating read with fun adventures and characters. We definitely mainly get Francis' POV, her being the protagonist, then pleasantly, we get several chapters of others' POVs, namely X's (and a huge revelation at the end that had me holding my breath). I did feel that the relationship dynamics between Francis and X, as well as Francis and Billington, could have been developed deeper, as well as having the characters be more fleshed-out, since some changes in dynamics were quite jarring to me, but otherwise, this is a book that's set in a fantastical world with many fantastical creatures and thrilling, fast-paced action-adventure; a most promising start to the series that I would love to read more of.
This book has SO many elements that make it such a fun, fantastical action-adventure , with a twist at the end that made my jaw drop. (Also, the cover is absolutely gorgeous!!)
This promises
✓ fantastical creatures
✓ pirates
✓ a ragtag crew
✓ childhood friends-to-.... 👀
✓ nobility
✓ soft magic
✓ shocking revelations
In the world of Vale, four main bloods exist - Mers, Mortals, Witches, and Elves. Each has clear, red, purple, and brown blood respectively. But enter our protagonist Francis - she has gray blood - but graybloods were ordered to be killed off by the Elf King years ago. And we follow her in this story as she journeys to find Billington, the wizard who raised her who has suddenly mysteriously disappeared, encountering her childhood love X who disappeared two years ago, a ragtag band of soldiers-turned-survivors, pirates, witches, dragons - and discovering the secrets of her gray blood, as well as becoming embroiled in political machinations - namely, the war between Witches and Elves that the current Elf King Mortus has plunged them all into.
This is a pretty quick and captivating read with fun adventures and characters. We definitely mainly get Francis' POV, her being the protagonist, then pleasantly, we get several chapters of others' POVs, namely X's (and a huge revelation at the end that had me holding my breath). I did feel that the relationship dynamics between Francis and X, as well as Francis and Billington, could have been developed deeper, as well as having the characters be more fleshed-out, since some changes in dynamics were quite jarring to me, but otherwise, this is a book that's set in a fantastical world with many fantastical creatures and thrilling, fast-paced action-adventure; a most promising start to the series that I would love to read more of.
August 30, 2022
What a fun read! It’s been a while since I’ve read a YA fantasy but I really loved it!
The Wizards Ward starts out with Billington, a powerful wizard, being unwillingly given a baby he has to take care of. Despite not wanting to take the child, he grows to love the Francis as his own. It then skips forward several years to Francis, who is the wizards ward. While she’s not technically a servant, she is treated badly by those in the castle where she lives. Francis is preparing for a ball where she is anticipating to see her long lost friend and first love, X, who she hasn’t seen since he left for war. During this ball, Billington disappears without a trace which causes Francis to panic and decide to go look for him.
I have always enjoyed fantasy but this book is everything that I love about YA fantasy. Pirates, dragons, and elves, what more could I want??
While I love complex world building, sometimes I want something easy to follow and more straightforward. While the world building wasn’t super extensive, it was enough to get an idea of the world where Francis lives. And the politics in the kingdom of Vale was enough where it didn’t overwhelm most of the plot or overshadow the fantasy aspect of the story.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy was how surface level some characters felt. I would have loved to get to know the Rottontoes more in-depth and seen how they interacted. We did get interactions but instead of feeling that they were friends who had been through something tragic together, they felt more like characters who were just coexisting. I am also excited to get to know Cora more, I can already tell she’s going to be one of my favorite characters! Also, I am so interested in hearing Kale’s story!
Despite this, I really enjoyed it! I’m excited to read the second book and see what happens!
The Wizards Ward starts out with Billington, a powerful wizard, being unwillingly given a baby he has to take care of. Despite not wanting to take the child, he grows to love the Francis as his own. It then skips forward several years to Francis, who is the wizards ward. While she’s not technically a servant, she is treated badly by those in the castle where she lives. Francis is preparing for a ball where she is anticipating to see her long lost friend and first love, X, who she hasn’t seen since he left for war. During this ball, Billington disappears without a trace which causes Francis to panic and decide to go look for him.
I have always enjoyed fantasy but this book is everything that I love about YA fantasy. Pirates, dragons, and elves, what more could I want??
While I love complex world building, sometimes I want something easy to follow and more straightforward. While the world building wasn’t super extensive, it was enough to get an idea of the world where Francis lives. And the politics in the kingdom of Vale was enough where it didn’t overwhelm most of the plot or overshadow the fantasy aspect of the story.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy was how surface level some characters felt. I would have loved to get to know the Rottontoes more in-depth and seen how they interacted. We did get interactions but instead of feeling that they were friends who had been through something tragic together, they felt more like characters who were just coexisting. I am also excited to get to know Cora more, I can already tell she’s going to be one of my favorite characters! Also, I am so interested in hearing Kale’s story!
Despite this, I really enjoyed it! I’m excited to read the second book and see what happens!
June 21, 2022
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
Hello Fellow Readers,
It's been a while since I've read a true Epic Fantasy, so I was a bit rusty and it took me longer than I would have liked to finish this book. Let me just say that I like the concept of McAleese's world. The magic seemed very interesting, and the different species that live in their world. BUT I do wish they would have gone into more detail about everything, especially the magic.
As far as characters go I didn't think I would like Francis. I thought she was melodramatic, selfish and stubborn, but as the story progressed and I realized that she was only a young teenager I started to really feel for her and everything she is going through. I am not sure how I feel about the rottentoes as I thought they would have played a bigger role in some situations, but I feel like they were glossed over a bit and only put in for Francis to make some allies. I hated X (and not just because his name) and Medea, but thought they were complex characters who seemed interesting.
The story flowed well in the first part, but once the action started it seemed like it never stopped. It was really fast paced and unfortunately some parts did feel rushed, as if there was too much the author needed to add but had a page limit. The ending really did make me want to read the next book, which I will when it comes out.
Overall, A solid start to an Epic YA Fantasy
Hello Fellow Readers,
It's been a while since I've read a true Epic Fantasy, so I was a bit rusty and it took me longer than I would have liked to finish this book. Let me just say that I like the concept of McAleese's world. The magic seemed very interesting, and the different species that live in their world. BUT I do wish they would have gone into more detail about everything, especially the magic.
As far as characters go I didn't think I would like Francis. I thought she was melodramatic, selfish and stubborn, but as the story progressed and I realized that she was only a young teenager I started to really feel for her and everything she is going through. I am not sure how I feel about the rottentoes as I thought they would have played a bigger role in some situations, but I feel like they were glossed over a bit and only put in for Francis to make some allies. I hated X (and not just because his name) and Medea, but thought they were complex characters who seemed interesting.
The story flowed well in the first part, but once the action started it seemed like it never stopped. It was really fast paced and unfortunately some parts did feel rushed, as if there was too much the author needed to add but had a page limit. The ending really did make me want to read the next book, which I will when it comes out.
Overall, A solid start to an Epic YA Fantasy
August 14, 2022
First, I want to thank Influence Hunter and Vale Media for sending me a gifted copy of this new YA fantasy!
Francis, a young ward of the most famous wizard in the Vale, Billington, is growing up- and discovering she may not be who she always thought she was. You see, Francis has gray blood; and in the Vale, gray blood is a death sentence.
When Billington goes missing, Francis sets off to find him with her childhood love, X- son of the evil king's most trusted soldier, Bassur. But soon, trouble strikes in the magical forest where they take refuge and Francis' life as she knew it is tipped off its axis.
With the help of a band of ragtag lost children, the Rottentoes, a seductive witch named Cora, a morally gray pirate named Kale, and a powerful dragon, Francis sets off once again to find Billington, kill the king, and save the Vale.
This fantasy has it all! Wizards, witches, dragons, centaurs, mermaids, lost children, and magic- just to name a few.
I loved the fast pace of this adventure and the twist at the end has me hankering for the next book in the series.
While I did feel that some characters' motives were shady and didn't quite add up, I suspect there may be some dark magic at play that could potentially be revealed in subsequent books, so I'm looking forward to finding out what that may be.
This book is available for FREE right now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YV3V1PL
CW: Murder, death of a loved one
Francis, a young ward of the most famous wizard in the Vale, Billington, is growing up- and discovering she may not be who she always thought she was. You see, Francis has gray blood; and in the Vale, gray blood is a death sentence.
When Billington goes missing, Francis sets off to find him with her childhood love, X- son of the evil king's most trusted soldier, Bassur. But soon, trouble strikes in the magical forest where they take refuge and Francis' life as she knew it is tipped off its axis.
With the help of a band of ragtag lost children, the Rottentoes, a seductive witch named Cora, a morally gray pirate named Kale, and a powerful dragon, Francis sets off once again to find Billington, kill the king, and save the Vale.
This fantasy has it all! Wizards, witches, dragons, centaurs, mermaids, lost children, and magic- just to name a few.
I loved the fast pace of this adventure and the twist at the end has me hankering for the next book in the series.
While I did feel that some characters' motives were shady and didn't quite add up, I suspect there may be some dark magic at play that could potentially be revealed in subsequent books, so I'm looking forward to finding out what that may be.
This book is available for FREE right now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YV3V1PL
CW: Murder, death of a loved one
July 29, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 rounded up for GoodReads
Francis has gray blood. The King of the Elves has issued the order for all gray bloods to be put to death. As a small child, Francis became the ward of the King’s Wizard, Billington. Years later, when Billington disappears, Francis must set out on a quest for survival and find the only family she’s ever known. She must discover the truth behind her power and fulfill her destiny.
This was a fun and magical YA fantasy! The world building wasn’t as complex as I would have liked, but it was easy to follow and understand. Francis was such a fun MC to read about! She was strong, intelligent, and fiercely loyal to the people she cared about. Her growth as a character was the best overall, by far. The cast of secondary characters were unique and very well developed! Cora and Kale really stood out to me and I loved reading their chapters. The first half of the book was very engaging and entertaining! Although, the second half was much slower and I felt like the plot jumped around a lot so it was confusing at times. I did love the plot twist at the end! It leaves the door wide open for the second book in the series. Thank you to the author and publisher for my gifted copy!
Francis has gray blood. The King of the Elves has issued the order for all gray bloods to be put to death. As a small child, Francis became the ward of the King’s Wizard, Billington. Years later, when Billington disappears, Francis must set out on a quest for survival and find the only family she’s ever known. She must discover the truth behind her power and fulfill her destiny.
This was a fun and magical YA fantasy! The world building wasn’t as complex as I would have liked, but it was easy to follow and understand. Francis was such a fun MC to read about! She was strong, intelligent, and fiercely loyal to the people she cared about. Her growth as a character was the best overall, by far. The cast of secondary characters were unique and very well developed! Cora and Kale really stood out to me and I loved reading their chapters. The first half of the book was very engaging and entertaining! Although, the second half was much slower and I felt like the plot jumped around a lot so it was confusing at times. I did love the plot twist at the end! It leaves the door wide open for the second book in the series. Thank you to the author and publisher for my gifted copy!
May 11, 2022
All Hail the Vale
Vale: The Wizard’s Ward is a well crafter fantasy about a world ruled by magical and the non-magical. However, this world does not belong to the gray blood. They were hunted and executed a generation ago by king Mortua’ royal decree and has made sure that no such being exists within his kingdom accept one is right under his very nose, living under his roof and is privy to court life. Will the young Francis be discovered? And what will happen when she is reacquainted with her long lost friend X?
This book is such a pleasant surprise. So many good twists and turns kept me up till 2am needing to know what happens next! This YA fantasy is not just a page turner, but it takes stereotype characters and endears you to them. I loved the pace, the character development and all the new characters introduced through the book!
The ending is brilliant!
Many hails to Vale: The Wizards Ward
Vale: The Wizard’s Ward is a well crafter fantasy about a world ruled by magical and the non-magical. However, this world does not belong to the gray blood. They were hunted and executed a generation ago by king Mortua’ royal decree and has made sure that no such being exists within his kingdom accept one is right under his very nose, living under his roof and is privy to court life. Will the young Francis be discovered? And what will happen when she is reacquainted with her long lost friend X?
This book is such a pleasant surprise. So many good twists and turns kept me up till 2am needing to know what happens next! This YA fantasy is not just a page turner, but it takes stereotype characters and endears you to them. I loved the pace, the character development and all the new characters introduced through the book!
The ending is brilliant!
Many hails to Vale: The Wizards Ward
June 2, 2022
I am super excited for this series. The magic system in this book is easy to follow, though the rules of certain blood types seem a bit understated. I may have overlooked some of the specifications but I don't quite grasp the limits of magic in this world. I also find the war to be a tad understated and I would like a bit more information about why or what started it, which hopefully happen as the series continues.
The main character, Francis, seems a tad detached from you initially but grows into someone I find to be strong. I am excited to see her development and I am happy she has found a group of friends that will help her grow. The end of the book has me asking for more already and I can't wait until the next book comes out. I received this book for free as an ARC copy, so my review is entirely voluntary.
The main character, Francis, seems a tad detached from you initially but grows into someone I find to be strong. I am excited to see her development and I am happy she has found a group of friends that will help her grow. The end of the book has me asking for more already and I can't wait until the next book comes out. I received this book for free as an ARC copy, so my review is entirely voluntary.
June 9, 2022
The wizard's ward is the first novel of a new series. It follows the story of a young girl with magic powers living in the realm of elves. She is the ward of the royal wizard and obviously she has an extraordinary fate tangled with politics awaiting her.
All in all, it was interesting but I found it to be uneven. I was personally not fond of the main characters. The villains were pretty easy to hate though. I found the beginning of the story very promising but my interest waned as the rhythm of the story speeded up. The little twist in the end though might just make me pick up the next book.
This is of course my personal opinion and while I did not enjoy everything fully, I still think that there is room for interesting development.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
All in all, it was interesting but I found it to be uneven. I was personally not fond of the main characters. The villains were pretty easy to hate though. I found the beginning of the story very promising but my interest waned as the rhythm of the story speeded up. The little twist in the end though might just make me pick up the next book.
This is of course my personal opinion and while I did not enjoy everything fully, I still think that there is room for interesting development.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 19, 2022
01. Could this book have a more beautiful cover?
02. Are you a fan of YA fantasies full of adventure, first loves, found family and magic?
03. Do you like dragons?
04. What about pirates, witches, wizards, elves and a ton of other magical creatures?
05. Did I mention dragons?
Well if you answered yes to ANY of those questions, then you need to pick up The Wizard's Ward.
This was a lush, fast-paced fantasy I couldn't help but fall into effortlessly. Page after page of a cast of characters who were all so rich and a story that pulled you along right until the end - and what an end! That twist was unexpected and made you reframe everything you had read up until the reveal.
This book was an absolute joy to read and I recommend that you pick it up quick, for the beautiful cover and the compellingly beautiful story inside!
02. Are you a fan of YA fantasies full of adventure, first loves, found family and magic?
03. Do you like dragons?
04. What about pirates, witches, wizards, elves and a ton of other magical creatures?
05. Did I mention dragons?
Well if you answered yes to ANY of those questions, then you need to pick up The Wizard's Ward.
This was a lush, fast-paced fantasy I couldn't help but fall into effortlessly. Page after page of a cast of characters who were all so rich and a story that pulled you along right until the end - and what an end! That twist was unexpected and made you reframe everything you had read up until the reveal.
This book was an absolute joy to read and I recommend that you pick it up quick, for the beautiful cover and the compellingly beautiful story inside!
September 28, 2022
I don’t read too many fantasy novels. I’m more of a contemporary or supernatural romance fan. But i really enjoyed The Wizard’s Ward. There were so many twist and turns that had me flipping to the next page.
I felt like I was going on different adventures with the main character and I was transported to a 80s fantasy movie.
The pacing was slow in some parts but pretty much at the end of each chapter, there was a cliffhanger that kept me reading.
I loved how every single character was written and that’s saying something 😅 Each character felt fleshed out; being their own person and having their own story to tell. The main character, Francis, wasn’t perfect or overly confident like she doesnt need other people for help. She sought help when she needed to and was willing to listen in order to learn and grow.
The ending? 🫢Ahh!! So good. I can’t wait for book two! 😆💕
🤗 Thanking Jules McAleese’s marketing manager for sending me a free copy.
If you love mystery, romance, adventure, and mischievous characters, definitely give this book a read! You can purchase the ebook now for 99 cents on Amazon!
I felt like I was going on different adventures with the main character and I was transported to a 80s fantasy movie.
The pacing was slow in some parts but pretty much at the end of each chapter, there was a cliffhanger that kept me reading.
I loved how every single character was written and that’s saying something 😅 Each character felt fleshed out; being their own person and having their own story to tell. The main character, Francis, wasn’t perfect or overly confident like she doesnt need other people for help. She sought help when she needed to and was willing to listen in order to learn and grow.
The ending? 🫢Ahh!! So good. I can’t wait for book two! 😆💕
🤗 Thanking Jules McAleese’s marketing manager for sending me a free copy.
If you love mystery, romance, adventure, and mischievous characters, definitely give this book a read! You can purchase the ebook now for 99 cents on Amazon!
June 3, 2022
4.25⭐️
YA fantasy
This book got my attention quick
Page 1 starts off with a bang about a baby being passed off to an all powerful wizard for safe keeping and then flashes you forward to present day
Francis is different. A grey blood. And I am DYING to know what this entails.
I love how this story doesn’t leave you wanting for anything. There was no lull at all in the plot.
Francis’ embarks on an unexpected journey to save her mentor who happens to fill the void of father figure. On her journey she discovers some fun characters and more about who she is and who she thought some people were to her
This book is packed with magic and action. And the ending left me salivating for more!
Cannot wait for book 2!!
YA fantasy
This book got my attention quick
Page 1 starts off with a bang about a baby being passed off to an all powerful wizard for safe keeping and then flashes you forward to present day
Francis is different. A grey blood. And I am DYING to know what this entails.
I love how this story doesn’t leave you wanting for anything. There was no lull at all in the plot.
Francis’ embarks on an unexpected journey to save her mentor who happens to fill the void of father figure. On her journey she discovers some fun characters and more about who she is and who she thought some people were to her
This book is packed with magic and action. And the ending left me salivating for more!
Cannot wait for book 2!!
Read
August 2, 2022gave me shadow & bone, cruel prince, with hints of harry potter vibes!
elves, giants, witches, trolls, you name it this books got it!! the secrecy of her gray blood, and mysterious past with a man named X i was intrigued. i thought this book was very fun! i wish we gotten more from billington (guardian) and francis, i just thought the father/daughter relationship between the two was so cute! i caught myself getting frustrated with francis and x because they lacked communication. i’m confused about what is going to go down between the two, and dying to figure out! really loved the ending portion of this book it was so so good! i am so excited for what’s to come of this series
♡
fun adventurous read! if your into high fantasy with some side romance i think this book is perfect for you
elves, giants, witches, trolls, you name it this books got it!! the secrecy of her gray blood, and mysterious past with a man named X i was intrigued. i thought this book was very fun! i wish we gotten more from billington (guardian) and francis, i just thought the father/daughter relationship between the two was so cute! i caught myself getting frustrated with francis and x because they lacked communication. i’m confused about what is going to go down between the two, and dying to figure out! really loved the ending portion of this book it was so so good! i am so excited for what’s to come of this series
♡
fun adventurous read! if your into high fantasy with some side romance i think this book is perfect for you
August 3, 2022
4.35-This was the absolute definition of an amazing YA fantasy book. Wow. I wish that this was published when I was younger because I think I would have developed a new personality trait from it. However- just because it is young adult did not mean for one second that I ATE THIS UP! This book was fast paced and did not for one second leave me absently reading.
This book LITERALLY has every element of a fantasy novel that I love, no but seriously, EVERY element: magic, dragons, witches, elves, romance, pirates, a BA female protagonist- need I say more? Every page was another twist and then that led you through this adventure with Francis.
And that cliffhanger????!!!!
I cannot wait for the second.
This book LITERALLY has every element of a fantasy novel that I love, no but seriously, EVERY element: magic, dragons, witches, elves, romance, pirates, a BA female protagonist- need I say more? Every page was another twist and then that led you through this adventure with Francis.
And that cliffhanger????!!!!
I cannot wait for the second.
May 23, 2022
“Breath of mer and sight of witch, mind of elf and heart of man, nothing else will break Mort’s skin, only gray blood can.”
If you love indie books (I lerve indies) and love wild romps through fantasy worlds with great characters and mildly complex plot lines, Jules McAleese’s The Wizard’s Ward is a book for you. It’s an upper YA with spirit, witches, wizards, spycraft, romance, pirates, dragons, and more! It was such a struggle for me reading—I could not decide whether I should barrel through the whole thing in one sitting or savor it slowly and take my time so I wasn’t finished and didn’t have a book hangover. I managed a fine balance of the two, and now I sit down to write a review with more struggle because there are so many things that I loved about this book and most I can’t mention because they’re spoilers! Alas, I shall have to settle pointing out generalities, though with no small amount of enthusiasm.
See my full review on my blog!
Blog / Instagram / Literal / BookBub
If you love indie books (I lerve indies) and love wild romps through fantasy worlds with great characters and mildly complex plot lines, Jules McAleese’s The Wizard’s Ward is a book for you. It’s an upper YA with spirit, witches, wizards, spycraft, romance, pirates, dragons, and more! It was such a struggle for me reading—I could not decide whether I should barrel through the whole thing in one sitting or savor it slowly and take my time so I wasn’t finished and didn’t have a book hangover. I managed a fine balance of the two, and now I sit down to write a review with more struggle because there are so many things that I loved about this book and most I can’t mention because they’re spoilers! Alas, I shall have to settle pointing out generalities, though with no small amount of enthusiasm.
See my full review on my blog!
Blog / Instagram / Literal / BookBub
May 21, 2022
Francis’ story was one I really enjoyed reading. It had an easy to follow plot with very likeable characters. The world itself was a little confusing and I would have loved to see different aspects explored more (like the different types of blood and what it means) but once you got into the book it all just flowed together easily. Francis was very likeable and at times a very relatable protagonist. I also really liked the Rottentoes and I loved their sibling dynamic that I can’t wait to see more of. All in all this was a really good YA fantasy book and I can’t wait to see where the story goes. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 3, 2022
Loved this fast-paced YA high fantasy story!! It had so much - wizards, witches, elves, pirates, mortals, dragons, and mermaids. Political intrigue and high stakes. Romance and betrayal. War and prophecies. I was impressed with the accurate portrayal of PTSD and the world-building.
I’m frustrated with X, but I do feel like that was the author’s intent. He’s the definition of morally gray. Part of me hopes he gets a redemption arc and part of me wants Francis to rip him a new one 😅😅 There were some parts of the story where the pacing was off, but that’s my only critique.
I love the “chosen one” trope and LOVED the twist at the end. Can’t wait for the next installment!!
I’m frustrated with X, but I do feel like that was the author’s intent. He’s the definition of morally gray. Part of me hopes he gets a redemption arc and part of me wants Francis to rip him a new one 😅😅 There were some parts of the story where the pacing was off, but that’s my only critique.
I love the “chosen one” trope and LOVED the twist at the end. Can’t wait for the next installment!!
April 17, 2022
Francis, the ward of Billington, the king's wizard grows up learning magic but not quite fitting in except her friendship with a young elf named X. She is a grey blood, a race that has been banned in the kingdom. The story starts of really well, but once Francis and her childhood friend X set off on an escape, there is just too much blood shed and betrayal for my taste. The story becomes hard to follow and I'm baffled by some of the plot choices. 3/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2022
Prepare to be whisked away to a complex land of fantasy, magic, emotion, war, and love. Vale: The Wizard’s Ward is an imaginative and adventurous coming of age story, challenging each of us to decipher who we can trust, to step out into the world, to learn our natural gifts, and to harness our powers. It’s the message every young girl needs in today’s world — you are strong, you are powerful, and you can have an impact on the world. I couldn’t wait to turn the page to what would happen next. Highly recommend it!
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