Friday 56 and Book Beginning: Whispers of Shadow & Flame (Earthsinger Chronicles #2) by L. Penelope || Friday 50/50: Best/Worst Read of July

Please join us over at RoseCityReader every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author’s name.

This is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice
These are the rules:

1. Grab a book, any book.

2. Turn to page 56, or 56% on your eReader.

3. Find any sentence (or a few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.

4. Post it.

5. Add the URL to your post in the link on Freda's most recent Friday 56 post.

(Uncorrected Proof provided by NetGalley)

Synopsis:

  The Mantle that separates the kingdoms of Elsira and Lagrimar is about to fall. And life will drastically change for both kingdoms. 

  Born with a deadly magic she cannot control, Kyara is forced to become an assassin. Known as the Poison Flame in the kingdom of Lagrimar, she is notorious and lethal, but secretly seeks freedom from both her untamed power and the blood spell that commands her. She is tasked with capturing the legendary rebel called the Shadowfox, but everything changes when she learns her target’s true identity.

  Darvyn ol-Tahlyro may be the most powerful Earthsinger in generations, but guilt over those he couldn’t save tortures him daily. He isn’t sure he can trust the mysterious young woman who claims to need his help, but when he discovers Kyara can unlock the secrets of his past, he can’t stay away.

  Kyara and Darvyn grapple with betrayal, old promises, and older prophecies—all while trying to stop a war. And when a new threat emerges, they must beat the odds to save both kingdoms.

Book Beginning:

  Prologue

The earth holds its breath as the young Queen falls to the ground. The jeweled handle of her betrayer's dagger protrudes from her side.

Friday 56:

Laketown, everyone gathered in the market squares for free food, and wine, and to witness the executions.

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50/50 Friday is a new weekly link-up hosted by Carrie @ The Butterfly Reader and Laura @ Blue Eye Books.  Every week they have a new topic featuring two sides of the same coin - you share a book that suits each category and link up on the hosts' blogs.

Best
Tie Between Red Sister and Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence.


Worst
The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
The ending kind of made me feel like I was cheated out of character development for one of the characters. I enjoyed my time reading it, but that ending almost completely ruined the book for me in a lot of ways.