War by Jennifer Anne Davis
Clean Teen Publishing © 2014
Book Three of the True Reign Series
Paperback Edition
Fantasy
Reviewed by Leah
Okay, everyone stop what you're doing right now and look at that absolutely gorgeous cover! I'm serious, you can just stare at it this whole time and not read the review, and I wouldn't even blame you.
Being that this is a review, however, perhaps it's time for me to move on…
I feel some backstory is needed here, since my other two reviews for these books were done on GoodReads before this site existed. Therefore, I shall allow you a glimpse into what you may/not have missed in the first two books.
In The Key we were introduced to two narrators: Rema, a simple horse merchant's niece, and Prince Darmik, Commander of the King's Army. Thanks to a chance encounter and the watchful eyes of Darmik's spiteful older brother, Prince Lennek, their worlds are turned around in a single instant. Leaving them both battling against a tyrannical King and heir when their lives are held so thoroughly in their grasp.
Also, watch out for that cliff at the end. It'll leave you hanging.
Red picks up from the very last second that The Key left off. Which is a good thing for everyone all around (and especially the author whom everyone wanted to beat to death after The Key's ending).
Immediately, we are taken through a hectic skirmish and frantic chase as Darmik succeeds in baiting the Rebels and forced to face a heartbreaking truth: Rema is exactly who he suspected her to be. It is a blow he cannot bear, but it clears his head as equally as it confuses him. Could she not be both the woman he'd come to care for, and the woman who could be the rightful Queen? Or was this simply a game to her, and he a pawn?
For Rema, the answer is simple, for she is a simple merchant's niece. Harbored safely in a fortress amongst the mountains, she lives and trains with the Rebel forces, uncertain but grateful as to her rescue. It isn't until Darmik reveals her true history to her that she knows her own legacy. And in her stubborn heart, she knows she will not retreat from this position. And she will do whatever it takes to see her people free of tyranny and injustice.
Now, if only there weren't an Emperion assassin hunting for her…
Summary for War:
Queen Amer Rema of Greenwood Island is now facing her most horrific death sentence yet: being beheaded before the Emperor. Yet, she takes the news with calm grace when the words leave the assassin's lips as they travel aboard a ship destined for Emperion. With her first sight of open ocean available to her, she refuses to waste the moment worrying about something that would likely never come to pass. After all, she'd faced an execution once and lived to tell of it.
Prince Darmik is far more frantic as he gives chase in a commandeered Emperion military vessel. The very same one that Captain arrived on, but did not leave by. Hoping to catch the merchant vessel, but planning for more likely scenarios, Darmik and his friends have only one thing to rely on when it comes to reaching Emperion: Darmik's relationship to Emperor Hamen. He hopes it might guarantee his safety and that of his friends, but he's never had much luck with family before.
The plan is simple: rescue Rema from her second execution and return to Greenwood Island where they might finally end the tyranny wrought by King Barjon and his eldest son, Prince Lennek. If only things could be that easy…
Review:
I'm throwing the formula out the window here and going with my gut (as I have for the other two books in this series).
I squeed, I eeked, and I awed my way through this book. Lots of hands covering face, bouncing in place, and giggling to myself. (Audek, you know what I'm talking about…) Overall, an enjoyable and lovely read.
Yesterday, I picked this book up round five o'clock. I read over two hundred pages by the time my boyfriend picked me up. Today, I have finished the entire novel. That's two whole sittings that I was able to enjoy this wonderful fantasy world and I reveled in every moment of it. This is what I keep spouting about the writing: it is beautiful, captivating, and keeps you turning pages. No matter the content, Jennifer Anne Davis will keep you locked firmly in place until the story is told.
As far as the plot is concerned, it goes a bit something like this:
Rema is on a ship headed to Emperion so that the Emperor can see her personally beheaded. This is the first time the assassin, previously known as Captain but named Nathenek, has ever had to spend copious amounts of time with his assignment. So what do they do to pass the time? He trains her. While showing her maneuvers that would knock down a man many times her size, to throwing a knife with deadly accuracy. All with the silken reminder that, should she try anything, there would be no stopping him from fulfilling his mission.
Perhaps my favorite part, and the reason my respect for Rema has grown tenfold in the course of this story, is that she never stops planning to escape. She doesn't know a rescue party has been sent for her. As far as she is concerned, it is her job to escape her assassin before her execution and return to Greenwood Island to reclaim her throne. Despite Nathenek's warnings, she plots and plans. Even when the reader becomes aware that Nathenek's motives have shifted, it is apparent to Rema that he's still an assassin hired to kill her. And she tries to get away.
The reason I am so proud of this fact is simple: most heroines don't do that. They sit back and begin to trust someone so very clearly dangerous and equally out to get them. Lots of heroines act less like a hero than a damsel in distress. Rema clearly does not. She has all the compassion and gentleness of a DiD, but the backbone of Hercules. And a willingness to survive that overrules all else. And that is why she surpassed most of the females I've read about recently.
However, in the long series of 'who is this week's book boyfriend' I really have to choose Nathenek. Though Darmik was his usual heroic self, he's never been my type. Neco, fantastic as he is, could never be with anyone but Ellie. Savenek, with his loyalty and courage could make any heart ache. However, Nathenek is cool-headed, unapologetic, loyal, clever, and just. He doesn't speak often and gives no explanations or excuses for his actions. And he is now an absolute beast in my mind. A very attractive one…
As far as the Emperor goes, he was actually exactly how I had imagined him. Cold and ruthless. And I couldn't blame him. Given his motives--the legitimacy of his throne and the threat of an usurpation--I could easily see how eliminating Rema was his most desirable course of action. As a leader and paranoid Emperor, he was entirely believable.
This is a very complete ending to the True Reign Series and I am happy with the conclusion. It is an ending not without sacrifice, but nor is it without some form of peace and even joy. I highly recommend it to all those who love a story where love conquers all.
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