5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful start to an epic fantasy
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 30, 2022
This book. Wow. Just wow. It needs more than 5 stars. This masterful tale hooks you in from the first word, grabs you by the throat and keeps you captive until the last syllable. Phew. This is the first book in a trilogy so be prepared for the resolution of some small story arcs but also for no resolution of the main story arc. Meren lives in squalor as a nobody but she is the secret identical twin of Tabra, the princess of Aryd. Meren’s purpose in life is to serve as a replacement for her sister in times of danger and there’s always danger for their family. Eidolon, the immortal king of Tyndra,, has been killing off Arydan queens for generations. Meren does have secret acts of disobedience that are just for her. Reven, the Shadowraith, has his own secrets and not just the ability to manipulate shadows. When Meren takes Tabra’s place at the coronation to protect her, it is Meren that Reven kidnaps. As Meren tries to escape from him, secrets are revealed and nothing is what it seems. The story includes what you’d expect from this genre - intrigue, fighting, dangerous situations, end of the world scenarios, paranormal creatures, evil masterminds, henchmen, loyal friends and family, tragic back stories, secrets, mystical coincidences, snark, laughs, and unexpected plots twists. While this is a YA fantasy, is also a deeply emotional book. At its heart, it’s a story of stunted, damaged and bruised but not broken people who find their way together by owning their choices, recognizing their scars, finding their strength, embracing life, and deciding to be the best version of themselves. It’s a story about the power of choice. The book is well written, has characters with a lot of depth, plenty of witty dialogue, and an engaging storyline. The adventure of Meren and Reven will give you all the feels - laughing, crying, swooning, gasping, cringing, teeth gritting, and cheering. I am super excited to read the next book in this series.
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