Author: Morgan Cole
Series: Possibly a standalone
Genre: High Fantasy/Thriller/Adventure
Publisher: unsure
Publication Date: February 9th, 2022
Edition: Kindle Edition, 467 pages
Source: Book Sirens, Review copy
Pre-Order: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble
Synopsis:
A failed hero and shady bounty hunter team up to rescue the world's most disappointing "chosen one".
Isonder loved Karina, the Queen of Cravnica, as if she was his own daughter. His only job was to protect her, and he failed. Now his one chance at redemption—and at preserving Karina’s legacy—means traveling into Pashara to rescue her twin sister, Valery. But it’s a quest fit for a hero, and the guilt-ridden guard captain isn’t half the hero he used to be. His guide and only ally is a bounty-hunter with a dark past and an ego almost as vast as the kingdom itself. Braving monsters, bandits, and roving gangs, he prays that the hardships of the journey are worth it for what lies at journey's end: a young woman who might be able to help fill the hole Karina left behind.
Valery’s mother always told her she was destined for greatness. Instead, seduced into a life of crime by a rakish singer, she winds up condemned to serve as a medic in a refugee camp in the war-torn nation of Pashara. The city where she works soon falls under siege, and Valery’s barbed tongue and biting cynicism prove to be poor weapons against the world’s most deadly mercenary army.
On their journey back to Cravnica, the two will face down mad queens, giant centipedes, cannibal warlords, and a dangerous, narcissistic assassin—as well as the painful realization that neither of them is quite the savior the other was hoping for.
Isonder loved Karina, the Queen of Cravnica, as if she was his own daughter. His only job was to protect her, and he failed. Now his one chance at redemption—and at preserving Karina’s legacy—means traveling into Pashara to rescue her twin sister, Valery. But it’s a quest fit for a hero, and the guilt-ridden guard captain isn’t half the hero he used to be. His guide and only ally is a bounty-hunter with a dark past and an ego almost as vast as the kingdom itself. Braving monsters, bandits, and roving gangs, he prays that the hardships of the journey are worth it for what lies at journey's end: a young woman who might be able to help fill the hole Karina left behind.
Valery’s mother always told her she was destined for greatness. Instead, seduced into a life of crime by a rakish singer, she winds up condemned to serve as a medic in a refugee camp in the war-torn nation of Pashara. The city where she works soon falls under siege, and Valery’s barbed tongue and biting cynicism prove to be poor weapons against the world’s most deadly mercenary army.
On their journey back to Cravnica, the two will face down mad queens, giant centipedes, cannibal warlords, and a dangerous, narcissistic assassin—as well as the painful realization that neither of them is quite the savior the other was hoping for.
What I love most about Cole's books is her writing. The way she crafts a story puts you in the story. She also does a great job crafting characters. In both this book and her other series (Chrysathamere Trilogy), she writes these characters that in a lot of ways are morally gray. She writes characters in a way that if they were real people in those situations, they would react that way. Yes, there are ones who fill the role of an antagonist who could be defined as "evil", but they are more or less morally bankrupt.
The plot of this book is pretty straightforward, rescue mission. But the path getting there, was long and tough. These characters, all of them, go through it. Near-complete misery the whole time. I get it, and it does make sense, but it made reading frustrating at times. Like... can they catch a break, please. Just give them 24 hours where something doesn't go wrong. In that sense, it did take a bit for this book to really pick up for me. It wasn't until around 30% when I really got into the story.
Valery, was kind of dumb. I understand that she was likely also very naive, but at the same time, that boy she messed up her life to be with wasn't willing to sacrifice anything to be with her and was only asking her to give something up and risk things to be with him. She should have realized sooner that he was using her, and would have likely stolen the money they'd hoped to get as soon as it was in their hands. That was actually what I was expecting to happen. I'm also aware that she's 17.
Isonder, I didn't catch until much later in the book that people had been calling him an elf the whole time, not sure how I missed that. I think it's "long-lived/slow aging" over immortal, kind of elf. He is very much the definition of an Unwilling Hero. Deep down he does not want to be the war hero he used to be, he had hoped for an easy trip across the safe country, and an easy trip back. As soon as he realized that wasn't how things were headed, he seemed like he wanted to give the task to someone else. He was kind of pathetic for a while there. I suppose you could chalk it up to trauma, or something, but also get your shit together dude.
The listing on BookSirens has this listed as a standalone with an open ending, but I'd love to read more, to know if she was successful.
The plot of this book is pretty straightforward, rescue mission. But the path getting there, was long and tough. These characters, all of them, go through it. Near-complete misery the whole time. I get it, and it does make sense, but it made reading frustrating at times. Like... can they catch a break, please. Just give them 24 hours where something doesn't go wrong. In that sense, it did take a bit for this book to really pick up for me. It wasn't until around 30% when I really got into the story.
Valery, was kind of dumb. I understand that she was likely also very naive, but at the same time, that boy she messed up her life to be with wasn't willing to sacrifice anything to be with her and was only asking her to give something up and risk things to be with him. She should have realized sooner that he was using her, and would have likely stolen the money they'd hoped to get as soon as it was in their hands. That was actually what I was expecting to happen. I'm also aware that she's 17.
Isonder, I didn't catch until much later in the book that people had been calling him an elf the whole time, not sure how I missed that. I think it's "long-lived/slow aging" over immortal, kind of elf. He is very much the definition of an Unwilling Hero. Deep down he does not want to be the war hero he used to be, he had hoped for an easy trip across the safe country, and an easy trip back. As soon as he realized that wasn't how things were headed, he seemed like he wanted to give the task to someone else. He was kind of pathetic for a while there. I suppose you could chalk it up to trauma, or something, but also get your shit together dude.
The listing on BookSirens has this listed as a standalone with an open ending, but I'd love to read more, to know if she was successful.
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