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Resonance Crystal Legacy #1
Petition
In the Dominion of Aleznuaweite, anyone can rise to the greatest heights—if they are willing to pay the price.
Failure is a luxury Rahelu can’t afford. Her family sold everything, left their ancestral home, and became destitute foreigners for the sake of her resonance skills. Now she can manipulate emotional echoes to discern truth from lies, conjure the past, and even foretell the future.
But an act of petty revenge by her rival destroys her chance at joining one of the great Houses. Desperate to prove her family’s sacrifices were not in vain, Rahelu calls upon the most dangerous magic of all—altering fortune.
A slight twist of fate is enough to restore her way forward…with deadly consequences she never bargained for. The Houses make a pawn of her in their bitter struggle for control of the Dominion. A shadowy cult grows ever closer to completing an ancient ritual.
And Rahelu discovers that fulfilling her oath to her family might come at the cost of her mother’s life.
2023 Indie Ink Award Winner and a 2023 Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off Semi-Finalist!
Failure is a luxury Rahelu can’t afford. Her family sold everything, left their ancestral home, and became destitute foreigners for the sake of her resonance skills. Now she can manipulate emotional echoes to discern truth from lies, conjure the past, and even foretell the future.
But an act of petty revenge by her rival destroys her chance at joining one of the great Houses. Desperate to prove her family’s sacrifices were not in vain, Rahelu calls upon the most dangerous magic of all—altering fortune.
A slight twist of fate is enough to restore her way forward…with deadly consequences she never bargained for. The Houses make a pawn of her in their bitter struggle for control of the Dominion. A shadowy cult grows ever closer to completing an ancient ritual.
And Rahelu discovers that fulfilling her oath to her family might come at the cost of her mother’s life.
2023 Indie Ink Award Winner and a 2023 Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off Semi-Finalist!
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2022
23 people are currently reading
627 people want to read
About the author
Delilah Waan
2 books39 followersDelilah Waan is a literal bookworm who alphabetically devours her way through the shelves at her local library.
Her preferred diet is fantasy epics—full of complex intrigue, morally ambiguous characters and tragic ends—though she does enjoy the occasional quippy, fast-paced action adventure. (Sappy romances, however, give her indigestion.)
When she’s not binge-reading the next doorstopper on her TBR or engaging in frantic theory crafting in between Brandon Sanderson and Will Wight book releases, she likes to spit bars in her best Angelica Schuyler impression and walk her cat.
Her preferred diet is fantasy epics—full of complex intrigue, morally ambiguous characters and tragic ends—though she does enjoy the occasional quippy, fast-paced action adventure. (Sappy romances, however, give her indigestion.)
When she’s not binge-reading the next doorstopper on her TBR or engaging in frantic theory crafting in between Brandon Sanderson and Will Wight book releases, she likes to spit bars in her best Angelica Schuyler impression and walk her cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 4, 2025
Updated Jan. 4, 2025:
It took me until the 20-30% mark to really understand the worldbuilding, magic system, and House politics. The author drops the reader into the world without much handholding, so you have to figure everything out by yourself. It was nonstop action and trying to understand character allegiances and alliances while having to figure out the technical-ish magic system was pretty confusing.
But after that, it was smooth sailing and I enjoyed the story and reading about Rahelu's journey to becoming a supplicant, while balancing her duty to her parents. (Relatable.)
I liked how Rahelu has to use her wits and skills to beat out her more privileged competitors. I'm so glad that the author didn't make her OP or anything unrealistic. Rahelu has her limits, and it's great that those are shown. I feel like a lot of fantasy novels don't really bother to show characters exhausting their magic.
The romance was actually kind of cute, with a buildup that felt natural instead of forced or instalove. I'd really like to see where that goes. And Rahelu's internal struggle with the income disparity between herself and her love interest reads very realistic.
I'm definitely interested in reading the sequel.
~~~
Soft DNF for now. The magic system and worldbuilding are just thrown at you and I'm finding it hard to connect everything together.
It took me until the 20-30% mark to really understand the worldbuilding, magic system, and House politics. The author drops the reader into the world without much handholding, so you have to figure everything out by yourself. It was nonstop action and trying to understand character allegiances and alliances while having to figure out the technical-ish magic system was pretty confusing.
But after that, it was smooth sailing and I enjoyed the story and reading about Rahelu's journey to becoming a supplicant, while balancing her duty to her parents. (Relatable.)
I liked how Rahelu has to use her wits and skills to beat out her more privileged competitors. I'm so glad that the author didn't make her OP or anything unrealistic. Rahelu has her limits, and it's great that those are shown. I feel like a lot of fantasy novels don't really bother to show characters exhausting their magic.
The romance was actually kind of cute, with a buildup that felt natural instead of forced or instalove. I'd really like to see where that goes. And Rahelu's internal struggle with the income disparity between herself and her love interest reads very realistic.
I'm definitely interested in reading the sequel.
~~~
Soft DNF for now. The magic system and worldbuilding are just thrown at you and I'm finding it hard to connect everything together.
Read
March 31, 2024An underdog story centered by a young woman whose immigrant, rock bottom poor parents have sacrificed everything, and run themselves into debt, to secure a better future for their daughter. As Rahelu strives to honor that burden of legacy, and make her mark as a trained resonance mage just graduated from a course of education tilted to favor the rich, her hot temper and impetuous chip on the shoulder attitude will run her afoul of her more privileged peers, and jeopardize every inch of ground gained by grit, determination and smarts.
Set against a non-western cultural backdrop, with a hunger-games edge to the competitive tests facing graduates petitioning to find permanent place and a house affiliation to secure their future, this story is the opener for a more sinister cult, on the move under the fringes of society. For readers who enjoy coming of age, a developed and systemized style of magic and augury, competition between peers sharpened by wit and by weaponry - the traditional elements of rich kid vs poor and the unequal fabric dividing the cosseted wealth and the hardscrabble poor - this book's solid pacing and workmanlike style provides the opening book for a series with much more to come, as Rahelu surmounts her trials and faces the wider world, with what would seem to be greater stakes and sinister play.
Set against a non-western cultural backdrop, with a hunger-games edge to the competitive tests facing graduates petitioning to find permanent place and a house affiliation to secure their future, this story is the opener for a more sinister cult, on the move under the fringes of society. For readers who enjoy coming of age, a developed and systemized style of magic and augury, competition between peers sharpened by wit and by weaponry - the traditional elements of rich kid vs poor and the unequal fabric dividing the cosseted wealth and the hardscrabble poor - this book's solid pacing and workmanlike style provides the opening book for a series with much more to come, as Rahelu surmounts her trials and faces the wider world, with what would seem to be greater stakes and sinister play.
September 4, 2022
3.5/5
I liked it. Petition sticks to familiar tropes but twists them here and there and introduces a layer of the unexpected.
Rahelu was born with a strong aptitude for magic but to a low-income fisherfolk family. Because her parents couldn't afford the tuition for the magic school in their homeland, they moved to the other side of the continent. They hoped things would get easier, but capitalism is brutal, and money helps everywhere.
Rahelu is likable, and her determination to succeed (plus her motives to do so) is praiseworthy. She's a classic underdog character with an entertaining arc. Petition is structured around a tournament to secure a better future and a well-paid job in one of the Houses. The author adds a murder mystery, some politics, and a tiny bit of romance to the mix. For the most part, it works - I finished the book in two sittings.
Rahelu is sympathetic, and her determination to succeed (and her motives for doing so) are commendable. She's a classic underdog with an entertaining story. Petition is structured around a tournament to secure a better future and a well-paying job in one of the Houses. The author adds a murder mystery, some politics, and a little dash of romance into the mix. On the whole, it works - I read the book in two sittings.
Things that didn't quite work for me include the initial simplistic division between the worlds of the relatable working class and the upper class detached from reality. Also, there's a trope that I wholeheartedly despise - a rich and dazzling high-born bullies our impoverished protagonist. Fortunately, things change quickly, and we experience more complexity as the story progresses.
The other thing that annoyed me a bit concerned the world-building - the author introduced various terms describing powers/resonances by naming them without explaining their effect. But then, again, it's easy to get the hang of it quickly, so maybe I'm just nitpicking a bit.
Overall, I had a good time reading the book, and I'm interested in reading the sequel once it's published.
I liked it. Petition sticks to familiar tropes but twists them here and there and introduces a layer of the unexpected.
Rahelu was born with a strong aptitude for magic but to a low-income fisherfolk family. Because her parents couldn't afford the tuition for the magic school in their homeland, they moved to the other side of the continent. They hoped things would get easier, but capitalism is brutal, and money helps everywhere.
Rahelu is likable, and her determination to succeed (plus her motives to do so) is praiseworthy. She's a classic underdog character with an entertaining arc. Petition is structured around a tournament to secure a better future and a well-paid job in one of the Houses. The author adds a murder mystery, some politics, and a tiny bit of romance to the mix. For the most part, it works - I finished the book in two sittings.
Rahelu is sympathetic, and her determination to succeed (and her motives for doing so) are commendable. She's a classic underdog with an entertaining story. Petition is structured around a tournament to secure a better future and a well-paying job in one of the Houses. The author adds a murder mystery, some politics, and a little dash of romance into the mix. On the whole, it works - I read the book in two sittings.
Things that didn't quite work for me include the initial simplistic division between the worlds of the relatable working class and the upper class detached from reality. Also, there's a trope that I wholeheartedly despise - a rich and dazzling high-born bullies our impoverished protagonist. Fortunately, things change quickly, and we experience more complexity as the story progresses.
The other thing that annoyed me a bit concerned the world-building - the author introduced various terms describing powers/resonances by naming them without explaining their effect. But then, again, it's easy to get the hang of it quickly, so maybe I'm just nitpicking a bit.
Overall, I had a good time reading the book, and I'm interested in reading the sequel once it's published.
February 2, 2025
What a triumph.
Rahelu is a force of nature and the chemistry with Lhorne is simply sizzling.
The audio production by Emily Woo Zeller is phenomenal, but regardless of how you like to consume books, do yourself a favour and pick 👏 this 👏 up 👏!!
Rahelu is a force of nature and the chemistry with Lhorne is simply sizzling.
The audio production by Emily Woo Zeller is phenomenal, but regardless of how you like to consume books, do yourself a favour and pick 👏 this 👏 up 👏!!
January 17, 2023
Full text review: https://www.jamreads.com/reviews/peti...
Interview with Delilah Waan: https://www.jamreads.com/interviews/s...
Petition is the first book in the Resonance Crystal Legacy series, written by Delilah Waan. I found it to be a really strong book, a solid debut novel, which kept me hooked from the start to the end, and twisted some of the tropes of high fantasy in a way that hit directly in the feelings.
We are going to be following Rahelu, an immigrant's daughter, who moved into the city of Aleznuaweite, in order to give the best opportunities to her; using all the limited resources in order to give her the best education in Resonance, a sort of magic, which can open her the gates to scale the social ladder, contracting a big debt for her training. Rahelu must prove her worth in the final tests, given by the Guild, in order to get an offer from one of the Houses, and plea an oath to them.
These trials get an important role in the whole plot, as working through them in order to impress the Houses' representative to get an offer is the only way Rahelu has to repay the debt her parents have contracted. And during this process, Rahelu starts getting to know new people, some of them that will team with her in order to maximize the offers. To add more spice to the process, some assassinations happen, and stopping it becomes one of the tasks they must accomplish as part of these trials.
During the duration of all these trials, we can see how our main character evolves, how Rahelu gets pushed to her limits, sometimes even shooting herself in the feet due; as somebody coming from low origins, there's an incredible contrast between her and her partners, as most of them are "House-born", and come from wealthy families. As said before, Rahelu's origin plays an important role in how she behaves, as she's in the feeling of having to repay the debt her parents have contracted in order to give her the best possible future, even moving from Chanaz to this city; she's pushing herself because she can't afford to fail, a pressure that becomes difficult to bear sometimes. The way Waan explore this kind of theme, on how the parents can sacrifice all to give the best future possible to their sons; how those sons can feel in debt, and at which point it can be considered paid is certainly one of the elements that most resonated with me, as it is amazingly written, and I feel it is not explored enough.
There is also a great cast of secondary characters in order to complement the main character, each one with its own voice, and really well depicted in the context of the city they belong to. Despite some of them taking more of the spotlight, I can certainly say that most of them are memorable enough to connect with the reader (and honestly, I think Lhorne and Dharya are chef kiss). It also helps how Waan has made the characters adapt their way of talking to the place they are from, introducing their own vocabulary into the dialogues.
The world in this novel and how magic works are probably the only aspects I would have liked to see more developed. While we get to know several parts of the city due to how the trials work, I feel we get only slight details of the places surrounding the city, only getting a little bit more of Chanaz, as it is the natal place of Rahelu's mother. The resonance system is kinda interesting, but vaguely explained (and I hope to certainly get to know more of it in the next books).
The pacing is excellent, alternating sections that are faster and with action, with sections that serve greatly to let the reader have a little bit of rest in between things happening. They are also excellent to give a more introspective view of Rahelu, and to know how she's feeling; in general, I think there's a great balance.
I found Petition to be a really enjoyable novel, which I think would be perfect for people who like to read epic fantasy that takes place in a smaller setting (a city), and great also for people who like interesting proposals that are different from classic fantasy. I can't honestly wait to continue living adventures with Rahelu in Supplication.
Interview with Delilah Waan: https://www.jamreads.com/interviews/s...
Petition is the first book in the Resonance Crystal Legacy series, written by Delilah Waan. I found it to be a really strong book, a solid debut novel, which kept me hooked from the start to the end, and twisted some of the tropes of high fantasy in a way that hit directly in the feelings.
We are going to be following Rahelu, an immigrant's daughter, who moved into the city of Aleznuaweite, in order to give the best opportunities to her; using all the limited resources in order to give her the best education in Resonance, a sort of magic, which can open her the gates to scale the social ladder, contracting a big debt for her training. Rahelu must prove her worth in the final tests, given by the Guild, in order to get an offer from one of the Houses, and plea an oath to them.
These trials get an important role in the whole plot, as working through them in order to impress the Houses' representative to get an offer is the only way Rahelu has to repay the debt her parents have contracted. And during this process, Rahelu starts getting to know new people, some of them that will team with her in order to maximize the offers. To add more spice to the process, some assassinations happen, and stopping it becomes one of the tasks they must accomplish as part of these trials.
During the duration of all these trials, we can see how our main character evolves, how Rahelu gets pushed to her limits, sometimes even shooting herself in the feet due; as somebody coming from low origins, there's an incredible contrast between her and her partners, as most of them are "House-born", and come from wealthy families. As said before, Rahelu's origin plays an important role in how she behaves, as she's in the feeling of having to repay the debt her parents have contracted in order to give her the best possible future, even moving from Chanaz to this city; she's pushing herself because she can't afford to fail, a pressure that becomes difficult to bear sometimes. The way Waan explore this kind of theme, on how the parents can sacrifice all to give the best future possible to their sons; how those sons can feel in debt, and at which point it can be considered paid is certainly one of the elements that most resonated with me, as it is amazingly written, and I feel it is not explored enough.
There is also a great cast of secondary characters in order to complement the main character, each one with its own voice, and really well depicted in the context of the city they belong to. Despite some of them taking more of the spotlight, I can certainly say that most of them are memorable enough to connect with the reader (and honestly, I think Lhorne and Dharya are chef kiss). It also helps how Waan has made the characters adapt their way of talking to the place they are from, introducing their own vocabulary into the dialogues.
The world in this novel and how magic works are probably the only aspects I would have liked to see more developed. While we get to know several parts of the city due to how the trials work, I feel we get only slight details of the places surrounding the city, only getting a little bit more of Chanaz, as it is the natal place of Rahelu's mother. The resonance system is kinda interesting, but vaguely explained (and I hope to certainly get to know more of it in the next books).
The pacing is excellent, alternating sections that are faster and with action, with sections that serve greatly to let the reader have a little bit of rest in between things happening. They are also excellent to give a more introspective view of Rahelu, and to know how she's feeling; in general, I think there's a great balance.
I found Petition to be a really enjoyable novel, which I think would be perfect for people who like to read epic fantasy that takes place in a smaller setting (a city), and great also for people who like interesting proposals that are different from classic fantasy. I can't honestly wait to continue living adventures with Rahelu in Supplication.
July 28, 2024
Petition is probably the SPFBO book most similar (so far) to the fantasy books I tend to enjoy. An intriguing world and magic system, a storyline that kept me interested, and characters that I enjoyed reading about. While I liked quite a bit of other books I tried in the first round of SPFBO, Petition clearly came out on top for me.
As an immigrant family on both sides and watching Elementals way too many times with my daughter over the last few weeks, the dedication really stood out to me. It put me in a great mood to start the book. I did find the prologue a bit confusingly written though and the interludes later on as well.
I liked that the life situation and main goal of the MC were made clear quickly within a few pages. It was easy to orient myself around that and understand how to approach everything else coming at her throughout the story. Other circumstances were introduced relatively organically but her initial goal still always stayed as the foundation for her actions.
I had a hard time keeping the house names straight and learning the different branches of the magic system was a bit of a struggle as well. Though I did find that to be extremely interesting with its basis on emotions and characters having to work around the challenges that come along with being able influence people’s emotions as well as having to mask theirs from others.
The writing style felt really smooth with a good amount of detail and world building, I loved the path the story took, and I appreciated the mystery that was introduced as well. I had a really good time with this book and wish it the best of luck in the future. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
As an immigrant family on both sides and watching Elementals way too many times with my daughter over the last few weeks, the dedication really stood out to me. It put me in a great mood to start the book. I did find the prologue a bit confusingly written though and the interludes later on as well.
I liked that the life situation and main goal of the MC were made clear quickly within a few pages. It was easy to orient myself around that and understand how to approach everything else coming at her throughout the story. Other circumstances were introduced relatively organically but her initial goal still always stayed as the foundation for her actions.
I had a hard time keeping the house names straight and learning the different branches of the magic system was a bit of a struggle as well. Though I did find that to be extremely interesting with its basis on emotions and characters having to work around the challenges that come along with being able influence people’s emotions as well as having to mask theirs from others.
The writing style felt really smooth with a good amount of detail and world building, I loved the path the story took, and I appreciated the mystery that was introduced as well. I had a really good time with this book and wish it the best of luck in the future. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
October 3, 2023
Delilah Waan’s debut novel Petition is the kind of story i just got lost in from the very beginning. Rahelu’s family have sacrificed everything for her to be given the opportunity to become a Petitioner in a high House but she will have to cross many roads to get there. With a deep and dense magic system, a murder mystery for our main POV to solve, and the Dominion turning into political turmoil, Delilah Waan has hit a home run with her debut and as a semifinalist in the SPFBO competition, many readers will agree.
Rahelu has a gift with The Resonance and depicting the emotional imprints it leaves on the world. In order to truly understand the story in all its glory we first need to discuss how the magic system works. Each user is more gifted in certain fields than the others but all skills with be but to use in one way or another for this story. Seeking is the art of reading emotional resonances. Projection is the art of amplifying resonance. Obfuscation suppresses resonance while Evocation is remembering past events. The art which captures me from the get go is Augury or predicting the future. In this world, the threads of the past can be brought forth with great accuracy and detail while the Augury is portrayed with mystery and elusive threads we as readers have to piece together. Scenes where a few will come to pass, others will be hinted at, while others still will be saved for the future.
This storytelling style reminded me so much of Janny Wurts Wars of Light and Shadow series and in particular The Prophecies Janny works into the story seamlessly. Delilah has that same skill at work here and it is put on full display. Rahelu goes through a lot of self doubt, turmoil, backstabbing and at the end of it all she will be the at the head of a team trying to solve a string of murders in The Dominion. Her skills will be greatly needed as she has a debt that will be coming due. The writing style can be a bit on the dense side but it will grow on readers willing to invest the time and effort.
I greatly enjoyed this story Delilah has written and I can only hope the sequels will be just as riveting and unpredictable as the debut. The sky is the limit and I wish the author all the best in the finishing of this series.
Cheers!
Rahelu has a gift with The Resonance and depicting the emotional imprints it leaves on the world. In order to truly understand the story in all its glory we first need to discuss how the magic system works. Each user is more gifted in certain fields than the others but all skills with be but to use in one way or another for this story. Seeking is the art of reading emotional resonances. Projection is the art of amplifying resonance. Obfuscation suppresses resonance while Evocation is remembering past events. The art which captures me from the get go is Augury or predicting the future. In this world, the threads of the past can be brought forth with great accuracy and detail while the Augury is portrayed with mystery and elusive threads we as readers have to piece together. Scenes where a few will come to pass, others will be hinted at, while others still will be saved for the future.
This storytelling style reminded me so much of Janny Wurts Wars of Light and Shadow series and in particular The Prophecies Janny works into the story seamlessly. Delilah has that same skill at work here and it is put on full display. Rahelu goes through a lot of self doubt, turmoil, backstabbing and at the end of it all she will be the at the head of a team trying to solve a string of murders in The Dominion. Her skills will be greatly needed as she has a debt that will be coming due. The writing style can be a bit on the dense side but it will grow on readers willing to invest the time and effort.
I greatly enjoyed this story Delilah has written and I can only hope the sequels will be just as riveting and unpredictable as the debut. The sky is the limit and I wish the author all the best in the finishing of this series.
Cheers!
September 7, 2023
I'm coming out of a long reading slump, and the books I've picked up lately are absolutely killing it. I felt like kicking ass after The Combat Codes, and Petition left me feeling like fire and flame. It's an angry book, but not gratuitously so, and as a daughter of immigrant parents, it was so relatable it stung. It's even called Petition, in case it needs to hammer home the idea of building a better life for your loved ones.
What intrigued me the most was the magic system. It plays with the concept of words and emotions being our own worst enemies. Throw in spears and crossbows, and you've got an action-packed story of resilience, determination, and overcoming personal demons in a world that is actively othering (and rejecting) you.
And yeah, spears and crossbows.
The characters are wonderful to follow. Ralehu is rightfully angry throughout the book, and because of her experiences growing up, she treats everyone with suspicion. But, and I found this really refreshing, she knows (more or less, haha) when to not antagonize thy opponent, or at least realizes she done messed up when she does. A lot of readers immediately expect fire and flame and anger and down with the system, but that's hideously unrealistic in many circumstances, especially for many POC. Expecting Ralehu to clock the equivalent of a noblewoman in the face, in front of a bunch of guards when her family is on the brink of eviction is—while a fantasy—not the kind that belongs in this book.
For me, the book didn't feel 400+ pages long. It flew by thanks to the author's pacing, writing style, and character work. There is a lot going on, a lot of deep and complex ideas manifesting itself in this broken society, but the writing is sprinkled with tokens (hee, hee) of humor that make it easier to read without downplaying its severity.
The only thing I didn't really get excited for, which is 100% personal preference, is the romance. It felt a little out of place considering the stakes, which I can't really explain without spoiling. It's nothing too dramatic or distracting, though, and it didn't affect my enjoyment at all.
I had a wonderful time with Petition.
What intrigued me the most was the magic system. It plays with the concept of words and emotions being our own worst enemies. Throw in spears and crossbows, and you've got an action-packed story of resilience, determination, and overcoming personal demons in a world that is actively othering (and rejecting) you.
And yeah, spears and crossbows.
The characters are wonderful to follow. Ralehu is rightfully angry throughout the book, and because of her experiences growing up, she treats everyone with suspicion. But, and I found this really refreshing, she knows (more or less, haha) when to not antagonize thy opponent, or at least realizes she done messed up when she does. A lot of readers immediately expect fire and flame and anger and down with the system, but that's hideously unrealistic in many circumstances, especially for many POC. Expecting Ralehu to clock the equivalent of a noblewoman in the face, in front of a bunch of guards when her family is on the brink of eviction is—while a fantasy—not the kind that belongs in this book.
For me, the book didn't feel 400+ pages long. It flew by thanks to the author's pacing, writing style, and character work. There is a lot going on, a lot of deep and complex ideas manifesting itself in this broken society, but the writing is sprinkled with tokens (hee, hee) of humor that make it easier to read without downplaying its severity.
The only thing I didn't really get excited for, which is 100% personal preference, is the romance. It felt a little out of place considering the stakes, which I can't really explain without spoiling. It's nothing too dramatic or distracting, though, and it didn't affect my enjoyment at all.
I had a wonderful time with Petition.
September 9, 2023
I read Petition for SPFBO9 as a member of the Before We Go blog team. Checkout the full team review here:
https://beforewegoblog.com/spfbo9deli...
Delilah Waan’s voice is effortless, interesting, comfortable. Familiar and yet unique. Little details like magic ink got me excited. An excellent balance between prose and world building and action kept me hooked.
As I kept reading, Rahelu had me laughing (literally) out loud. She’s witty, sarcastic, hard-headed, but it never feels heavy handed or over the top for effect. She’s also grounded in very relatable love for her family and a desire to give back a little of what her parents sacrificed to give her a shot at a better life. As I said before, there is much that is familiar in Petition. A young girl carries the weight of her family’s hope by throwing herself into the world’s school system, with the intention of building a better life. Her parents have so little to give because of their station in the culture’s hierarchy, and yet they give it anyway. People who have more power give her a helping hand. Others try to kick her back down. Petition is so imbued with honest, earnest love of the genre and of family, that it positively glows from within. Added to that glow, Waan gives the story a bit of a unique angle by actually skipping over the school part and dropping Rahelu into the mires of job hunting. Sure, she scraped through her magic education, but now what? Will it all have been a waste, or can she claw a little bit of space for herself in a field that seems to be rather inundated with nepotism?
“No, not just allowed it. Encouraged it. She summoned every single moment of hope and anger and frustration that she had kept dammed up inside since they had arrived in this stupid, stinking, House-born-infected city; she let all those roiling emotions flood out of her body and into the world. Let them all know.”
Waan’s prose is a balance of pain and wit, offering hilarious highs and heart-wrenching lows. The magic system is doled out well so it never feels infodumpy, but I always know enough to understand what’s going on.
My quibbles are only minor, and more personal in nature: mostly, there’s something about the action scenes that are a little bit distant, which at times made it hard for me to track what was happening. I had to read over some of the physical altercations more than once just to track what was going down, but I believe this was a style choice on Waan’s part. It seems the narration focuses more on how Rahelu feels and the chaos, which considering they are pretty chaotic fight scenes, is a valid focus! It just left me wishing for a bit more details so I could track how it happened, but as I said, that’s personal taste. Having the house names all start with the letter I was a bit of a hurdle for me, but I got there eventually XD
All in all, Petition is a fantastic book, and I hope to see it gain popularity in the indie SFF crowd.
9/10, rounded up to 5 for GR
https://beforewegoblog.com/spfbo9deli...
Delilah Waan’s voice is effortless, interesting, comfortable. Familiar and yet unique. Little details like magic ink got me excited. An excellent balance between prose and world building and action kept me hooked.
As I kept reading, Rahelu had me laughing (literally) out loud. She’s witty, sarcastic, hard-headed, but it never feels heavy handed or over the top for effect. She’s also grounded in very relatable love for her family and a desire to give back a little of what her parents sacrificed to give her a shot at a better life. As I said before, there is much that is familiar in Petition. A young girl carries the weight of her family’s hope by throwing herself into the world’s school system, with the intention of building a better life. Her parents have so little to give because of their station in the culture’s hierarchy, and yet they give it anyway. People who have more power give her a helping hand. Others try to kick her back down. Petition is so imbued with honest, earnest love of the genre and of family, that it positively glows from within. Added to that glow, Waan gives the story a bit of a unique angle by actually skipping over the school part and dropping Rahelu into the mires of job hunting. Sure, she scraped through her magic education, but now what? Will it all have been a waste, or can she claw a little bit of space for herself in a field that seems to be rather inundated with nepotism?
“No, not just allowed it. Encouraged it. She summoned every single moment of hope and anger and frustration that she had kept dammed up inside since they had arrived in this stupid, stinking, House-born-infected city; she let all those roiling emotions flood out of her body and into the world. Let them all know.”
Waan’s prose is a balance of pain and wit, offering hilarious highs and heart-wrenching lows. The magic system is doled out well so it never feels infodumpy, but I always know enough to understand what’s going on.
My quibbles are only minor, and more personal in nature: mostly, there’s something about the action scenes that are a little bit distant, which at times made it hard for me to track what was happening. I had to read over some of the physical altercations more than once just to track what was going down, but I believe this was a style choice on Waan’s part. It seems the narration focuses more on how Rahelu feels and the chaos, which considering they are pretty chaotic fight scenes, is a valid focus! It just left me wishing for a bit more details so I could track how it happened, but as I said, that’s personal taste. Having the house names all start with the letter I was a bit of a hurdle for me, but I got there eventually XD
All in all, Petition is a fantastic book, and I hope to see it gain popularity in the indie SFF crowd.
9/10, rounded up to 5 for GR
April 14, 2024
Petition is a fast-paced, exciting, yet in places deeply emotional epic fantasy novel in an East Asian-inspired setting.
The feisty, determined main character, Rahelu was easy to like and root for from page one, partly because I’m also an immigrant who faced similar struggles on a much smaller scale, but mainly because of the excellent and consistent writing Waan delivers throughout the story. It was good to have a strong female lead, who besides her many positive qualities was also allowed to have a few flaws, and remained likeable despite me wanting to shake her sometimes when her hotheadedness and stubbornness became her own undoing.
The novel has given me a kind of magic school vibe, where an underprivileged student enters the playground of the rich, (despite here the students being mage graduates looking for jobs and for their place in the hierarchy system through an organised tournament) and I thought it did a good job tackling the usual elements we so enjoy in these settings: the forming of friendships, difficult challenges, bickering team members, bullies, romance, and so on.
While the slow-burn romance was very enjoyable, with Lhorne being one of my favourite characters, the real love and commitment in the story was captured between Rahelu and her parents, their mutual sacrifices and loyalty towards each other endearing and inspiring.
The only bit where I struggled sometimes was the magic system, finding it at times difficult to understand what was going on or what was possible and what wasn’t and why, but to be fair, I’m not very well read in the fantasy genre (never read Sanderson to start with) and can’t think of any books I read with a hard magic system before. So this is likely down to my own lack of experience in the subgenre and my reading preference, namely that I just want to get on with the story, instead of losing myself in the technical details as long as what I’m reading “makes sense” and is consistent.
The book was well paced and the appearance of a cult and a malicious higher being looking to unleash himself on the world raised the stakes sufficiently to make Petition only the opening act of a much larger, epic story. The epilogue carries a great hook and I look forward to finding out where Waan takes her story next.
The feisty, determined main character, Rahelu was easy to like and root for from page one, partly because I’m also an immigrant who faced similar struggles on a much smaller scale, but mainly because of the excellent and consistent writing Waan delivers throughout the story. It was good to have a strong female lead, who besides her many positive qualities was also allowed to have a few flaws, and remained likeable despite me wanting to shake her sometimes when her hotheadedness and stubbornness became her own undoing.
The novel has given me a kind of magic school vibe, where an underprivileged student enters the playground of the rich, (despite here the students being mage graduates looking for jobs and for their place in the hierarchy system through an organised tournament) and I thought it did a good job tackling the usual elements we so enjoy in these settings: the forming of friendships, difficult challenges, bickering team members, bullies, romance, and so on.
While the slow-burn romance was very enjoyable, with Lhorne being one of my favourite characters, the real love and commitment in the story was captured between Rahelu and her parents, their mutual sacrifices and loyalty towards each other endearing and inspiring.
The only bit where I struggled sometimes was the magic system, finding it at times difficult to understand what was going on or what was possible and what wasn’t and why, but to be fair, I’m not very well read in the fantasy genre (never read Sanderson to start with) and can’t think of any books I read with a hard magic system before. So this is likely down to my own lack of experience in the subgenre and my reading preference, namely that I just want to get on with the story, instead of losing myself in the technical details as long as what I’m reading “makes sense” and is consistent.
The book was well paced and the appearance of a cult and a malicious higher being looking to unleash himself on the world raised the stakes sufficiently to make Petition only the opening act of a much larger, epic story. The epilogue carries a great hook and I look forward to finding out where Waan takes her story next.
November 9, 2022
Oh my god, I brought this a while back and didn't get round to reading it, but I'm so glad I did!
I loved Rahelu as a protagonist, she was strong and determined and stubborn but understandably wary of the other characters, given the differences in their social status and backgrounds. Weirdly enough, it's great to see a protagonist who has a family and is largely motivated by that family - fantasy has way too many magical orphans honestly!
Her relationship with Lhorne was *chef's kiss* - I'm mostly a fantasy and romance reader and I understand that romance is probably not this book's primary genre, BUT the utter longing in the last scene they shared? Lhorne giving Rahelu his pendant again before she leaves? I'm going to need ten working days to recover 😭 Because sometimes love just isn't enough? Sometimes life and circumstances (and the plot) just get in the way, and it just isn't right for two characters to be together at that point. And Rahelu doesn't owe him a relationship even though he's clearly loved her for a very long time. I just really loved this particular subplot okay?
I also really liked the magic system! It was tricky to get the hang of at first, but as the story went on I understood it more and I found the emotion-based aspects of it really interesting? Definitely more unique than your usual tower of wizards!
Other things I enjoyed: a murder mystery subplot set in a single city where the characters are using magic to try and solve it (niche but it's just something I like in a story), a pair of disaster siblings (one of whom goes through about ten different wardrobe changes whilst they're solving a murder), and Maketh, who is clearly trying to do his job but nobody appreciates him 😂
Very much looking forward to the sequel!
I loved Rahelu as a protagonist, she was strong and determined and stubborn but understandably wary of the other characters, given the differences in their social status and backgrounds. Weirdly enough, it's great to see a protagonist who has a family and is largely motivated by that family - fantasy has way too many magical orphans honestly!
Her relationship with Lhorne was *chef's kiss* - I'm mostly a fantasy and romance reader and I understand that romance is probably not this book's primary genre, BUT the utter longing in the last scene they shared? Lhorne giving Rahelu his pendant again before she leaves? I'm going to need ten working days to recover 😭 Because sometimes love just isn't enough? Sometimes life and circumstances (and the plot) just get in the way, and it just isn't right for two characters to be together at that point. And Rahelu doesn't owe him a relationship even though he's clearly loved her for a very long time. I just really loved this particular subplot okay?
I also really liked the magic system! It was tricky to get the hang of at first, but as the story went on I understood it more and I found the emotion-based aspects of it really interesting? Definitely more unique than your usual tower of wizards!
Other things I enjoyed: a murder mystery subplot set in a single city where the characters are using magic to try and solve it (niche but it's just something I like in a story), a pair of disaster siblings (one of whom goes through about ten different wardrobe changes whilst they're solving a murder), and Maketh, who is clearly trying to do his job but nobody appreciates him 😂
Very much looking forward to the sequel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2023
17 year old Rahelu has been training for years to show her skills as a petitioner. Common born she needs to rely on her skills over house born privileges in order to succeed in gaining the status of petitioner. Her family have sacrificed everything to give her this chance and it is one she will do anything to repay.
This well paced, new adult novel was a delightful blend of coming of age as well as coming of responsibility for ones self. It has a wonderful genre blend, hard hitting conversations about feeling like you do or do not fit in and trying your hardest for the ones you love.
I really loved the magic system here, the elements of murder mystery which I wasn't expecting and the journey of loyalty and friendship.
Petition was incredibly easy to read and get lost in, it was easy to see why this was picked up so early as a SPFBO9 semi-finalist.
This well paced, new adult novel was a delightful blend of coming of age as well as coming of responsibility for ones self. It has a wonderful genre blend, hard hitting conversations about feeling like you do or do not fit in and trying your hardest for the ones you love.
I really loved the magic system here, the elements of murder mystery which I wasn't expecting and the journey of loyalty and friendship.
Petition was incredibly easy to read and get lost in, it was easy to see why this was picked up so early as a SPFBO9 semi-finalist.
July 10, 2024
Vivid world building marred by too much juvenile pettiness. Entertaining read.
February 22, 2024
With the ability to sense and manipulate emotions, a connection to powerful crystals, complex political hierarchies and a fight to bring about success and security for her family, Petition is a unique and creative expression of the inherited debts we owe to others and the debts we owe to ourselves.
Petition provides a glimpse into the generational burdens felt by the children of the impoverished and more explicitly the children of immigrants.
Through self doubt, fierce determination, and a love for parents who both do their best and are unable to do more for their daughter, Petition shows the faults in both the mindset of inherited emotional and economic debt as well as the consistent unspoken fabric of love that holds these families together. You feel how these debts are unfair but you also feel how these debts aren't a choice and are brought from a confusing mixture of obligation, guilt, and love.
Pros:
- unique and creative system of magic/power
- a dynamic representation of real world struggles that shows the truth and fiction of a promise land
- unique characters and relationship building
- no pregnancy tropes
- no miscommunication tropes
- string FMCs
- a great opening to sequels
- ends on a cliffhanger
- writing style was clear and easy to read. Not needlessly verbose.
Cons:
- the magic system is complex and I wish there was a clearer explanation of what the resonance skills were, where the crystals come from, how the system is set up and works, etc.
You're able to put the pieces together but the lack of a clear explanation has a way of pulling you out of the main story as you try to sort it all out. Even just one page outlining everything after the first few chapters would have gone a long way.
- there is also a lot of deep character relationship histories I wish I had the background on early on. There was also the introduction of a powerful mage that we really know nothing about so even just a few paragraphs at her introduction giving us the history would have been incredibly helpful.
Overall a great start to a series that has a lot of promise! Would absolutely read the sequel!
3.75
Petition provides a glimpse into the generational burdens felt by the children of the impoverished and more explicitly the children of immigrants.
Through self doubt, fierce determination, and a love for parents who both do their best and are unable to do more for their daughter, Petition shows the faults in both the mindset of inherited emotional and economic debt as well as the consistent unspoken fabric of love that holds these families together. You feel how these debts are unfair but you also feel how these debts aren't a choice and are brought from a confusing mixture of obligation, guilt, and love.
Pros:
- unique and creative system of magic/power
- a dynamic representation of real world struggles that shows the truth and fiction of a promise land
- unique characters and relationship building
- no pregnancy tropes
- no miscommunication tropes
- string FMCs
- a great opening to sequels
- ends on a cliffhanger
- writing style was clear and easy to read. Not needlessly verbose.
Cons:
- the magic system is complex and I wish there was a clearer explanation of what the resonance skills were, where the crystals come from, how the system is set up and works, etc.
You're able to put the pieces together but the lack of a clear explanation has a way of pulling you out of the main story as you try to sort it all out. Even just one page outlining everything after the first few chapters would have gone a long way.
- there is also a lot of deep character relationship histories I wish I had the background on early on. There was also the introduction of a powerful mage that we really know nothing about so even just a few paragraphs at her introduction giving us the history would have been incredibly helpful.
Overall a great start to a series that has a lot of promise! Would absolutely read the sequel!
3.75
April 23, 2024
I only knew this book was an SPFBO9 semifinalist that was a hair's away from being a finalist. In fact, I never quite recall which book from that blog was selected. I know it was a group of death with 4 equally strong semifinalists not advancing. Perhaps despite the strong contention the blog selected a Senlin choice? Not sure, only that one thing is certan: the competition is insanely brutal and if a book became a semifinalist, chances are good the book is good.
And this accolade is deserving for this book. In any other given year, with the stars aligned differently, this book could have been a finalist.
The story is quite simple and shares ressemblances with countless other fantasy YA novels. We have the magic school trope, but this story fast forwards the expected tropes of learning spells and dealing with rich pompous bullies. Everything really begins when a fresh school graduate Rahelu is struggling to write a petition letter stipulating she is good hunting fish with the spear and... not much else.
One thing this book changes from the tropes is Rahelu is the daughter of an impoverished married couple of fishermen. They are all recent immigrants from a foreign country called Chanaz, who have worked themselves halfway to death paying rent in a slum, the loans to their tiny fishing sloop and Rahelu's magic school fees.
We soon learn a few things about this city with a really hard to type name where graduates from the school could get loans to attain certain licenses such as magic shop clerk and make a decent living. And looking back, it would have been a decent plan B for Rahelu. Only that, she is insanely driven due to immense economic need and is willing to do anything to impress any of the 5 wealthy Houses to become an apprentice. Their jobs might be very dangerous, but doing so could mean economic prosperity for her future children. The problem isn't just the fact she never had private combat tutoring or the best magic channelling gizmos, it's the systemic corruption. Nobody told her about the hidden incurred fees for permits, or the fact you need a House sponsor to get one foot in the door.
And while I did feel Rahelu's anger issues were a bit over-the-top in the early portions of the novel, I dare say that I identify with her so damn much that it surprises me. Outside of the bullying, her struggles with unfairness, starvation and wearing crumpled hand-me-downs was a startling mirror of my college experience. I would spend over 10 hours every day starving myself because I couldn't afford even 1 little tiny bottle of coca cola. I was lucky when I could bring the exact same and horribly repetitive ham sandwich with extra cheap cheese day after day because it was an inexpensive and easy thing to bring. Or the time I had to walk over 2 hours in a highway in a dangerous part of town at 10 pm because I couldn't afford the second bus fare. Can't even remember why that day, only that I probably spent fare on photocopies and my daily school allowance didn't cover any luxuries.
Even to this day, I still tend to be frugal with expenses. So, I both understood Rahelu's alienation and detested the way even the most worthless Houseborn students were allowed to loiter and fritter the family House fortune away. And yes, I too have a similar college story to how Rahelu starts getting close to a nice Houseborn guy that was always interested in her. Nope, won't spoil the rest!
As for the book, I didn't enjoy the 30-50% of the story that much. Too much jumping around, and we get slammed in our faces vague knowledge of the 5 houses that are very similar sounding that made me skim read a lot. However, the story really picks up at the 60% point and ends on a really high note that made my eyes water in tears.
I will definitely be interested in reading the sequel!
And this accolade is deserving for this book. In any other given year, with the stars aligned differently, this book could have been a finalist.
The story is quite simple and shares ressemblances with countless other fantasy YA novels. We have the magic school trope, but this story fast forwards the expected tropes of learning spells and dealing with rich pompous bullies. Everything really begins when a fresh school graduate Rahelu is struggling to write a petition letter stipulating she is good hunting fish with the spear and... not much else.
One thing this book changes from the tropes is Rahelu is the daughter of an impoverished married couple of fishermen. They are all recent immigrants from a foreign country called Chanaz, who have worked themselves halfway to death paying rent in a slum, the loans to their tiny fishing sloop and Rahelu's magic school fees.
We soon learn a few things about this city with a really hard to type name where graduates from the school could get loans to attain certain licenses such as magic shop clerk and make a decent living. And looking back, it would have been a decent plan B for Rahelu. Only that, she is insanely driven due to immense economic need and is willing to do anything to impress any of the 5 wealthy Houses to become an apprentice. Their jobs might be very dangerous, but doing so could mean economic prosperity for her future children. The problem isn't just the fact she never had private combat tutoring or the best magic channelling gizmos, it's the systemic corruption. Nobody told her about the hidden incurred fees for permits, or the fact you need a House sponsor to get one foot in the door.
And while I did feel Rahelu's anger issues were a bit over-the-top in the early portions of the novel, I dare say that I identify with her so damn much that it surprises me. Outside of the bullying, her struggles with unfairness, starvation and wearing crumpled hand-me-downs was a startling mirror of my college experience. I would spend over 10 hours every day starving myself because I couldn't afford even 1 little tiny bottle of coca cola. I was lucky when I could bring the exact same and horribly repetitive ham sandwich with extra cheap cheese day after day because it was an inexpensive and easy thing to bring. Or the time I had to walk over 2 hours in a highway in a dangerous part of town at 10 pm because I couldn't afford the second bus fare. Can't even remember why that day, only that I probably spent fare on photocopies and my daily school allowance didn't cover any luxuries.
Even to this day, I still tend to be frugal with expenses. So, I both understood Rahelu's alienation and detested the way even the most worthless Houseborn students were allowed to loiter and fritter the family House fortune away. And yes, I too have a similar college story to how Rahelu starts getting close to a nice Houseborn guy that was always interested in her. Nope, won't spoil the rest!
As for the book, I didn't enjoy the 30-50% of the story that much. Too much jumping around, and we get slammed in our faces vague knowledge of the 5 houses that are very similar sounding that made me skim read a lot. However, the story really picks up at the 60% point and ends on a really high note that made my eyes water in tears.
I will definitely be interested in reading the sequel!
February 1, 2024
Exciting!
They sacrificed all for a chance. A burden & motivator to fire her soul. In a deadly game of great houses all hopes, dreams & survival hinge on its outcome.
Fun cast surrounded with magic & mystery. Blistering pace & sense of dogged determination within. Great!
They sacrificed all for a chance. A burden & motivator to fire her soul. In a deadly game of great houses all hopes, dreams & survival hinge on its outcome.
Fun cast surrounded with magic & mystery. Blistering pace & sense of dogged determination within. Great!
Want to read
January 2, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
A ritual murder … a girl of low birth agonizes over her Petition to the Houses to become a Supplicant - a position which could change all her fortunes.
Resonance auras of emotion emanate from our MC’s family. They can be felt. They can be suppressed. She has paid guilds to help her prepare to Petition. It may not be enough.
She has thinned her ink so much it trails gray from her brush. As much as I was intrigued by the heady mix of complicated world details in the opening of this novel, this detail is what won me over. It is perfectly understated and expresses so much.
The violent, impassioned murder of the prologue is a promise of more violence to come. It was a flashy snap shot, but I did not feel my feet under me in the story until I got to our MCs brush.
She desperately wants this Petition to go through. But there is little else she can do but try to write well, and exaggerate her simple accomplishments. This makes it easy for me (at least) to identify with her.
The dialogue is sparse but natural. There is an energy and a sense of voice in the prose. The rigorous systems and institutions of this world seem like they’re going to be a highlight.
I’m reminded of the meritocracy of the old Chinese dynasties. Anyone can take the test to become officials. Score well, and your lot in life can improve. I’ve read little fantasy like this, and that makes this story feel unique.
I’m tantalized by the juxtaposition of our unhinged, prologue murderer with this girl from a fishing village. The collision of these stories should be interesting. I’d like to see more of the world. I’m in.
A ritual murder … a girl of low birth agonizes over her Petition to the Houses to become a Supplicant - a position which could change all her fortunes.
Resonance auras of emotion emanate from our MC’s family. They can be felt. They can be suppressed. She has paid guilds to help her prepare to Petition. It may not be enough.
She has thinned her ink so much it trails gray from her brush. As much as I was intrigued by the heady mix of complicated world details in the opening of this novel, this detail is what won me over. It is perfectly understated and expresses so much.
The violent, impassioned murder of the prologue is a promise of more violence to come. It was a flashy snap shot, but I did not feel my feet under me in the story until I got to our MCs brush.
She desperately wants this Petition to go through. But there is little else she can do but try to write well, and exaggerate her simple accomplishments. This makes it easy for me (at least) to identify with her.
The dialogue is sparse but natural. There is an energy and a sense of voice in the prose. The rigorous systems and institutions of this world seem like they’re going to be a highlight.
I’m reminded of the meritocracy of the old Chinese dynasties. Anyone can take the test to become officials. Score well, and your lot in life can improve. I’ve read little fantasy like this, and that makes this story feel unique.
I’m tantalized by the juxtaposition of our unhinged, prologue murderer with this girl from a fishing village. The collision of these stories should be interesting. I’d like to see more of the world. I’m in.
April 25, 2025
This is nothing short of phenomenal — a dazzling masterpiece that deserves every star in the universe. This book delivers everything you could hope for in epic fantasy and then some. From heart-pounding high-stakes action to a brilliantly crafted magic system and breathtaking world-building, it is a feast for the imagination.
The storyline is refreshingly original, weaving together a thrilling tapestry of forged friendships, perilous alliances, and daring risks that keep you on the edge of your seat. The cast of characters is as vibrant and compelling as the world they inhabit, making it impossible not to root for them through every twist and turn.
What truly sets this book apart is its ability to strike the perfect balance between pulse-pounding intensity and moments of humor. The witty banter and camaraderie between the characters add layers of charm and depth to the narrative, making it a joy to immerse yourself in their journey.
Atmospheric, gripping, and utterly unputdownable, “Petition” is a fast-paced page-turner that will leave you breathless and longing for more.
I’ve already placed my order for the next instalment of this series: “Supplicant”!
The storyline is refreshingly original, weaving together a thrilling tapestry of forged friendships, perilous alliances, and daring risks that keep you on the edge of your seat. The cast of characters is as vibrant and compelling as the world they inhabit, making it impossible not to root for them through every twist and turn.
What truly sets this book apart is its ability to strike the perfect balance between pulse-pounding intensity and moments of humor. The witty banter and camaraderie between the characters add layers of charm and depth to the narrative, making it a joy to immerse yourself in their journey.
Atmospheric, gripping, and utterly unputdownable, “Petition” is a fast-paced page-turner that will leave you breathless and longing for more.
I’ve already placed my order for the next instalment of this series: “Supplicant”!
June 25, 2022
Delilah Waan's debut in high Fantasy is a solid read front to back, with a well-paced plot and set in an intriguing world full of magic. The book is rife with action and suspense but also personal and interpersonal conflict. I finished this book in ~6 hours' time, a little longer than I usually take for a book of this length. I bought the paperback version.
NON-SPOILERISH SYNOPSIS
Petition follows the story of Rahelu, a poorer-than-dirt immigrant's daughter who tries to climb the social ladder of Aleznuaweite with her talent for magic. She does this by attending a magical academy. Unlike the colonial-era posh English boarding school we see in HP, this one resembles our real-world college more. She needs to work hard at school, work hard outside of school, take on student debt and get absolutely 0 (zero) job guarantees in the end. Even the final exams, a brutal struggle among the remaining students, offer no assurances to be hired by one of the ruling "Houses".
Rahelu must find a way to prove her worth to these potential employers if she wants to pay off her family's debt and keep her parents and herself from starvation. Along the way, she finds out her own strengths and weaknesses and comes to rely on a set of unlikely friends.
PROSE
The prose in Petition is quite rich but certainly not overbearing. Waan makes frequent use of in-world idioms which have to do with the sea and with fishing. Rahelu's parents are fishers after all, and so is she until she manages to graduate and find other employment. This fits the narration very well and solicited multiple chuckles.
Sentence structures run rampant here and there, with sentence introductions missing in two sentences or taking too long to finish in other places. If you slow down your pace by a bit, it should pose no barrier. Twice did I have to reread a sentence to make sense of it; both were in an italicized part of the narration reserved for magic.
LIGHT SPOILERS — PLOT NOT DISTURBED
NON-SPOILERISH SYNOPSIS
Petition follows the story of Rahelu, a poorer-than-dirt immigrant's daughter who tries to climb the social ladder of Aleznuaweite with her talent for magic. She does this by attending a magical academy. Unlike the colonial-era posh English boarding school we see in HP, this one resembles our real-world college more. She needs to work hard at school, work hard outside of school, take on student debt and get absolutely 0 (zero) job guarantees in the end. Even the final exams, a brutal struggle among the remaining students, offer no assurances to be hired by one of the ruling "Houses".
Rahelu must find a way to prove her worth to these potential employers if she wants to pay off her family's debt and keep her parents and herself from starvation. Along the way, she finds out her own strengths and weaknesses and comes to rely on a set of unlikely friends.
PROSE
The prose in Petition is quite rich but certainly not overbearing. Waan makes frequent use of in-world idioms which have to do with the sea and with fishing. Rahelu's parents are fishers after all, and so is she until she manages to graduate and find other employment. This fits the narration very well and solicited multiple chuckles.
Sentence structures run rampant here and there, with sentence introductions missing in two sentences or taking too long to finish in other places. If you slow down your pace by a bit, it should pose no barrier. Twice did I have to reread a sentence to make sense of it; both were in an italicized part of the narration reserved for magic.
LIGHT SPOILERS — PLOT NOT DISTURBED
January 14, 2024
4,5 (rounded up)
Petition is an entertaining fantasy novel with great personal stakes and an impressive main character. I was hooked right from the start.
After a short prologue, the story begins on the morning of a very important day in Rahelu's life: In the Dominion of Aleznuaweite, after many years of study and preparations, Petitioners have one day a year to submit their Petition.
If their Petitions are accepted, their trials are not over yet: To test their physical and mental abilities as well as their respective magical skills, they have to participate in a kind of tournament. The better they fare in the tournament, the higher their chances of gaining the patronage of one of the city's great Houses. Such a patronage would allow working for the House in question and being well paid.
So anyone who is magically gifted can rise above their station if they work hard and persevere. Or at least, that is the common belief. A dream shared by Rahelu's parents, who have immigrated to Aleznuaweite to live a poor life by fishing, sacrificing everything and accumulating debts for the sake of their daughter's education.
Having always been a loner, Rahelu soon has to learn to trust the right people and forge alliances in order to stand any chance at all. For her enemies want to see her out of the race, individual Houses entangle her in their politics and, last but not least, a series of murders haunts the town, the investigation of which becomes part of the trials. Will Rahelu succeed in showing her worth and fulfil her oath to her parents?
Petition is a highly entertaining novel that centres on the tournament and its individual challenges, as well as Rahelu's relationships with her parents, allies and enemies alike. Themes like friendship and loyalty, racism, life of immigrants and class differences play an important role. In addition, there is a romance subplot which was quite up my alley with its tender and slow burn quality.
The plot takes place within only a couple of days and in just one city.
Overall, I found the pacing well-balanced with –I can't put my finger on it – a slight drop in the middle, only to pick up again once the murder mystery was introduced.
I like the approach of the different 'disciplines' of the resonance magic and that it is based on emotions with crystals functioning as kind of catalysts.
With only a few exceptions, I found the characters absolutely wonderful, first of all Rahelu. It is very easy to root for her since she's such a compelling and relatable main character with a fierce determination to do her best and never give up. Even though she is initially prejudiced and dismissive of her fellow House-born contenders - no wonder, given her low-born background and past experiences with racism, discrimination and bullying - she manages to overcome her prejudices and form the necessary alliances. Next to her magical skills, Rahelu is quick in problem-solving and knows to use a spear – a fitting weapon for the daughter of fishermen.
All the scenes with Rahelu and her parents – this is where the novel shines the brightest. They feel very authentic to me and, in their sparse appearances, contain a lot of emotion and raise many important questions: To what extent should parents make sacrifices for the sake of their children? Can and should this debt ever be repaid? What pressure is placed on the child who grows up with the firm conviction that they must repay this debt?
More, it is not only the familial relationship that Waan works out superbly: I loved to see the relationships between Rahelu and her different allies grow, and there are a lot of interesting side characters. Throughout the book there are a number of people who help Rahelu, not only those who work with her for mutual benefit, but also others who help her simply because they can and want to help her. That was really heartwarming to read. I also have to mention that Rahelu is smart enough to accept the help offered to her when she realises she can't do without it - a trait often lacking in other works with super-self-reliant and defiant heroines.
One part I did not like, though: While waiting in the queue to hand in her petition, Rahelu allows herself to be baited by an upper class bully instead of just ignoring her. While I understand that the developing chase through the streets is important from a plot point of view, her behaviour seemed unrealistic to me and contradiced her otherwise cleverness: If you have this one chance in life and you've spent many years putting all your strength and determination into this goal, your parents have sacrificed everything to give you this one chance, I highly doubt you'd allow yourself to be provoked on such an important day. Not enough, this scene also contains sexual harassment, which I found unncecessary.
The book surprised me with a beautiful ending (leaving the epilogue out of consideration) that was as simple and unspectacular as it was touching and wholesome, and I look forward to seeing how Rahelu's story continues in the sequel.
One final thought: Lhorne is just wonderful. ;-)
Petition is an entertaining fantasy novel with great personal stakes and an impressive main character. I was hooked right from the start.
After a short prologue, the story begins on the morning of a very important day in Rahelu's life: In the Dominion of Aleznuaweite, after many years of study and preparations, Petitioners have one day a year to submit their Petition.
If their Petitions are accepted, their trials are not over yet: To test their physical and mental abilities as well as their respective magical skills, they have to participate in a kind of tournament. The better they fare in the tournament, the higher their chances of gaining the patronage of one of the city's great Houses. Such a patronage would allow working for the House in question and being well paid.
So anyone who is magically gifted can rise above their station if they work hard and persevere. Or at least, that is the common belief. A dream shared by Rahelu's parents, who have immigrated to Aleznuaweite to live a poor life by fishing, sacrificing everything and accumulating debts for the sake of their daughter's education.
Having always been a loner, Rahelu soon has to learn to trust the right people and forge alliances in order to stand any chance at all. For her enemies want to see her out of the race, individual Houses entangle her in their politics and, last but not least, a series of murders haunts the town, the investigation of which becomes part of the trials. Will Rahelu succeed in showing her worth and fulfil her oath to her parents?
Petition is a highly entertaining novel that centres on the tournament and its individual challenges, as well as Rahelu's relationships with her parents, allies and enemies alike. Themes like friendship and loyalty, racism, life of immigrants and class differences play an important role. In addition, there is a romance subplot which was quite up my alley with its tender and slow burn quality.
The plot takes place within only a couple of days and in just one city.
Overall, I found the pacing well-balanced with –I can't put my finger on it – a slight drop in the middle, only to pick up again once the murder mystery was introduced.
I like the approach of the different 'disciplines' of the resonance magic and that it is based on emotions with crystals functioning as kind of catalysts.
With only a few exceptions, I found the characters absolutely wonderful, first of all Rahelu. It is very easy to root for her since she's such a compelling and relatable main character with a fierce determination to do her best and never give up. Even though she is initially prejudiced and dismissive of her fellow House-born contenders - no wonder, given her low-born background and past experiences with racism, discrimination and bullying - she manages to overcome her prejudices and form the necessary alliances. Next to her magical skills, Rahelu is quick in problem-solving and knows to use a spear – a fitting weapon for the daughter of fishermen.
All the scenes with Rahelu and her parents – this is where the novel shines the brightest. They feel very authentic to me and, in their sparse appearances, contain a lot of emotion and raise many important questions: To what extent should parents make sacrifices for the sake of their children? Can and should this debt ever be repaid? What pressure is placed on the child who grows up with the firm conviction that they must repay this debt?
More, it is not only the familial relationship that Waan works out superbly: I loved to see the relationships between Rahelu and her different allies grow, and there are a lot of interesting side characters. Throughout the book there are a number of people who help Rahelu, not only those who work with her for mutual benefit, but also others who help her simply because they can and want to help her. That was really heartwarming to read. I also have to mention that Rahelu is smart enough to accept the help offered to her when she realises she can't do without it - a trait often lacking in other works with super-self-reliant and defiant heroines.
One part I did not like, though: While waiting in the queue to hand in her petition, Rahelu allows herself to be baited by an upper class bully instead of just ignoring her. While I understand that the developing chase through the streets is important from a plot point of view, her behaviour seemed unrealistic to me and contradiced her otherwise cleverness: If you have this one chance in life and you've spent many years putting all your strength and determination into this goal, your parents have sacrificed everything to give you this one chance, I highly doubt you'd allow yourself to be provoked on such an important day. Not enough, this scene also contains sexual harassment, which I found unncecessary.
The book surprised me with a beautiful ending (leaving the epilogue out of consideration) that was as simple and unspectacular as it was touching and wholesome, and I look forward to seeing how Rahelu's story continues in the sequel.
One final thought: Lhorne is just wonderful. ;-)
December 31, 2023
*4.5 stars
another book that i have a ton to say about but far too little time to put together a readable review. anyway i really really really hope my oomfs read this i need to know everyone's opinion this was so close to becoming my new tsok (but not quite there). full review to come!!
another book that i have a ton to say about but far too little time to put together a readable review. anyway i really really really hope my oomfs read this i need to know everyone's opinion this was so close to becoming my new tsok (but not quite there). full review to come!!
May 4, 2024
I stayed up until 4am to finish reading this book last night and I can't stop thinking about it! Can't wait to read this sequel. If you love engrossing epic fantasy with intriguing magic systems and complex characters then you should definitely pick this one up!
September 22, 2023
Action-packed and kept me clenched. I love it when a stubborn character frustrates me and has me rooting for her at the same time.
September 28, 2025
Although it took me a while to follow this very intricate magic system, I finally was able to enjoy the story. The magic was called Resonance, which is an imprint of emotions left by your soul. Augury is for soothsaying, Seeking is for truth telling, Projection amplifies resonance, Obfuscation suppresses resonance, Evocation remembers, and Fortunement changes something.
I’m not sure I do understand, but I really like the main characters both heroic and villainous. The students go through incredible challenges to advance from Applicant to Petitioner to Supplicant.
There’s an amazing twist that totally changes Rahelu’s decision and future. This will be very interesting to continue her journey.
I’m not sure I do understand, but I really like the main characters both heroic and villainous. The students go through incredible challenges to advance from Applicant to Petitioner to Supplicant.
There’s an amazing twist that totally changes Rahelu’s decision and future. This will be very interesting to continue her journey.
December 22, 2022
Intriguing magic system that leaves me with more questions because the characters who live with it don’t need to think about certain things but it doesn’t impair the enjoyment of the story overall. I quite liked most characters. The noble houses virtually all start with an “I” in their name, which is possibly not the best choice?
Intricate world-building overall.
Very clean/well proofread for a self-published work.
Enjoyed it a lot and look forward to the next book in the series. Rounding up to five stars.
Intricate world-building overall.
Very clean/well proofread for a self-published work.
Enjoyed it a lot and look forward to the next book in the series. Rounding up to five stars.
January 27, 2024
I loved this story. It’s a little rough around the edges, and some of the magic is kind of hand-wavey at times, but the story was excellent and I loved the exploration of poverty and it’s effects on… well everything, and how it’s viewed through the lens of those who come from a privileged background.
It makes me a bit sad that this missed the finals of SPFBO just BARELY, and I encourage others to read it; it’s heads and tails above a lot of extremely popular published fantasy I’ve read.
This is a STRONG 4 stars.
It makes me a bit sad that this missed the finals of SPFBO just BARELY, and I encourage others to read it; it’s heads and tails above a lot of extremely popular published fantasy I’ve read.
This is a STRONG 4 stars.
February 5, 2024
Full Bodied Review Here: https://britreviewsbooks.wordpress.co...
tl;dr Review: I liked this very much, I suggest reading it highly.
Petition is not normally a book in the wheelhouse of what I read. I'm afraid as a Half-European, Half-British bloke I normally stick to European fantasy stuff. Mostly either satirical in nature, or Greek in nature, or both. But it was 99p on Kindle last year and I thought "What the hell, give it a try" and I dove in.
Petition reminds me most of two books/series in recent years: Cradle (by Will Wight) and Arcane Ascension (By Andrew Rowe). Its a story focusing on the working class Rahelu's journey through the magical society of Aleznuaweite (Try saying that 5 times quickly!). Her first goal is to be accepted into the lofty status of Petitioner of the Great Houses who call want that ultimate slice of the pie that is p-p-p-p-p-power. The issue is those born of a house (house-born, your upper class types) have a incey-wincey massive advantage in society.
Without diving into the plot too much, we follow Rahelu and her friends/team (delete as appropriate) as they fight first for the title of Petitioner (hence the title, get it?) then, as Petitioners, for the coveted rank of Supplicant. There's multiple storylines and a lot of setup, many strands of which are not fully tied up in this book alone but the main core story is solid and interesting. For a good 95-99% of the story the pacing is fantastic - immediately eliminating my main complaint with stuff like Cradle, where I am about 3-4 books in and it STILL feels like its setting up. The magic system has rules as part of it but they're not exactly spelt out like a textbook which I appreciate.
The ending, which is one of the most important parts for me, is good. The pacing goes a tiny bit off but I can forgive it for how strong the majority of the story and book is. Even though Petition appears to be part of a larger series, the ending is satisfactory enough where you could leave it there and not feel like the author is sequel-bating you. However there's still enough minor mysteries and plot threads set up that when book 2 (Supplicant) is out I'll be picking it up.
Highly recommended - I'd give this a 9/10 happily. Even with my very western-fantasy view this was a really interesting view into eastern-style-fantasy (I hope I have got the genre correct-ish)
tl;dr Review: I liked this very much, I suggest reading it highly.
Petition is not normally a book in the wheelhouse of what I read. I'm afraid as a Half-European, Half-British bloke I normally stick to European fantasy stuff. Mostly either satirical in nature, or Greek in nature, or both. But it was 99p on Kindle last year and I thought "What the hell, give it a try" and I dove in.
Petition reminds me most of two books/series in recent years: Cradle (by Will Wight) and Arcane Ascension (By Andrew Rowe). Its a story focusing on the working class Rahelu's journey through the magical society of Aleznuaweite (Try saying that 5 times quickly!). Her first goal is to be accepted into the lofty status of Petitioner of the Great Houses who call want that ultimate slice of the pie that is p-p-p-p-p-power. The issue is those born of a house (house-born, your upper class types) have a incey-wincey massive advantage in society.
Without diving into the plot too much, we follow Rahelu and her friends/team (delete as appropriate) as they fight first for the title of Petitioner (hence the title, get it?) then, as Petitioners, for the coveted rank of Supplicant. There's multiple storylines and a lot of setup, many strands of which are not fully tied up in this book alone but the main core story is solid and interesting. For a good 95-99% of the story the pacing is fantastic - immediately eliminating my main complaint with stuff like Cradle, where I am about 3-4 books in and it STILL feels like its setting up. The magic system has rules as part of it but they're not exactly spelt out like a textbook which I appreciate.
The ending, which is one of the most important parts for me, is good. The pacing goes a tiny bit off but I can forgive it for how strong the majority of the story and book is. Even though Petition appears to be part of a larger series, the ending is satisfactory enough where you could leave it there and not feel like the author is sequel-bating you. However there's still enough minor mysteries and plot threads set up that when book 2 (Supplicant) is out I'll be picking it up.
Highly recommended - I'd give this a 9/10 happily. Even with my very western-fantasy view this was a really interesting view into eastern-style-fantasy (I hope I have got the genre correct-ish)
May 25, 2025
This one took me a little while to settle into, but once I did, I was hooked. The magic system is super unique and really cool, but also kind of dense at first. Same with all the Houses—lots of names and politics to keep track of. But it’s worth sticking with.
Rahelu is a great main character—stubborn, determined, and really easy to root for. I loved watching her navigate a world that’s basically set up against her. And the dynamic between her and Lhorne? Honestly, one of my favorite parts. Their relationship had so much tension and growth, and I'm looking forward to see what's going to happen in the next book.
Overall, a smart and refreshing fantasy that feels different in a good way. Can't wait to read the sequel.
Rahelu is a great main character—stubborn, determined, and really easy to root for. I loved watching her navigate a world that’s basically set up against her. And the dynamic between her and Lhorne? Honestly, one of my favorite parts. Their relationship had so much tension and growth, and I'm looking forward to see what's going to happen in the next book.
Overall, a smart and refreshing fantasy that feels different in a good way. Can't wait to read the sequel.
October 31, 2022
This was really good. It’s a familiar story structure (poor kid has to succeed in a competition rigged to favor the rich/successful upper classes if she wants to join them), but imo a good one. Everything about the book is just executed really well throughout, characters, plot, pacing, prose, world-building etc. I’m looking forward to the follow up.
November 20, 2024
I liked it a lot. It was a captivating story.
It felt smart and held my attention all the way through. Even though it took a while to get used to all the names , places and so on. It made it a little confusing in the beginning.
It felt believable and I could relate to multiple characters.
It felt smart and held my attention all the way through. Even though it took a while to get used to all the names , places and so on. It made it a little confusing in the beginning.
It felt believable and I could relate to multiple characters.
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