Book Review: Deathbringer by Tamara Grantham

Deathbringer by Tamara Grantham

Crimson Tree Publishing (c) 2017

ARC e-book

Fantasy

Reviewed by Leah

Deathbringer on Amazon

Okay, so I can't do a normal review on this, because of reasons. That being said, I'm going to do my best. (However, I still require a moment to say: LOOK AT THAT COVER! ISN'T IT PURRRRTTTYYY?)

If you've been with Olive on this long journey, then you understand the title and what that means for our heroine. Will she destroy the world or won't she? A prophecy spoken ages ago declares that billions will die at her hands, and it just may be true.

Theht is coming. Olive is more aware of it day after day, and her ability to hold off the goddess diminishes at the same rate. Yet, her stubbornness isn't dead yet, nor is her determination to save everyone she loves from disaster.

There may be a sword for that. And she kind of owes Kull a new one, anyway.

What it means, however, is that she will have to travel to lands unknown and hope Theht doesn't smell blood in the water.

With all of that in mind, I don't think I was expecting the amount of adventure I found in the book. I mean, I should have known better, but I guess I wasn't expecting a trek into enemy territory in search of a druid and a sword. Which made me all the more anxious every time something (invariably) went wrong. With the anticipation heightened due to the title name and the very real consequences that I knew were to unfold, every moment before then just upped the ante for me.

It was fast paced and involved a lot of emotional pull. Having been on this journey with Olive all through the previous books, the realities of this one hit you hard and fast, and it's liable to break your heart.

You are forewarned.

Book Review: Cage of Darkness by Jennifer Anne Davis

Cage of Darkness by Jennifer Anne Davis

Reign Publishing (c) 2017

ARC e-book

Fantasy

Reviewed by Leah

Cage of Darkness on Amazon

This is a book that doesn't deceive.  There is evil in this world, and Allyssa is unfortunate enough to meet some of the worst of it.  It is also a reality in which she learns what it means to be powerless, but not helpless.

Summary:

Ambushed on the road to Fren, Allyssa and Odar find themselves the responsibility of the lone assassin that had haunted their steps.  He is a clever man who sees much more than they could wish, and whose threats drip with promise and an eagerness to follow through.  It is from him that Allyssa is given a startling revelation that fractures what little trust she has left.

Dragged across the country, innocent facts pile atop the others as the mysterious assassin takes them deeper into enemy territory.  Crossing the border into Russek seals Allyssa's fate, and she knows that she would rather die than be used to harm her parents or her country.  Though a prisoner she might be, she's still willing to fight.

A choice that is taken out of her hands by a charismatic maneuver by Prince Odar.  He swore he would do anything to keep her alive; he didn't say it wouldn't hurt.

Trapped in this world of darkness, Allyssa's hope is as transparent as glass, but it's still sharp enough to cut through the despair.  All she has to do is hold out for something.  Or someone.

Allies are found in the most unlikely of places, and they bring offers that sound too good to be true.  They usually are.

Review:

Powerless, but not helpless.

The thing I admired most about the True Reign Series was that Rema never accepted the role of a damsel in distress.  While she did need rescuing, it wasn't without her trying to help along an active escape.

Her daughter is the same kind of human being.  Allyssa knows she's in trouble, but she's got the skills to get her out of it.  All she wants is an opportunity.  Throughout this entire book, she actively seeks it.  She's a survivor; not a victim.

Granted, there is turmoil here.  There are several subplots that slip and slither throughout the main storyline, and they enhance everything about her situation.  Secrets meet reality in harsh jabs, sharp barbs, and a few wicked truths.

With the new and chaotic character dynamics exposed like a raw nerve, Allyssa's control over the situation is all but gone.  Then she makes a new ally and reality begins again to shape to her will.

To be fair, there's not a lot I can say without giving away too much.  This novel is fast-paced, addictive, and full of character.  You will feel.  Anger, frustration, hurt, relief, elation, and shock.  Allyssa's rollercoaster is also the reader's.  And it is a rollercoaster.

As with its predecessor, Cage of Darkness focuses most of its energy on its characters.  If you're looking for a massive, complicated plot with pawns moved about on a board into the situations that are the most exciting, this book is not what you need.  This one is for those of us that want to get into the skin of a single narrator and feel every sharp stab that the writer inflicts on them.  (Ms. Davis inflicts a lot; you've been warned.)

This book is about learning who can be trusted and what you're most willing to sacrifice.  In times of war, the answers may surprise you.

Book Review: Silverwitch by Tamara Grantham

Silverwitch by Tamara Grantham

Crimson Tree Publishing (c) 2016

ARC e-book

Fantasy

Reviewed by Leah

Silverwitch on Amazon

Pretty, pretty cover!

Summary:

Olive has saved Faythander quite enough.  So what's one more stop-the-world-from-ending quest?  It's more than she bargained for.

Taking refuge in Earth Kingdom after the unexpected ending of the bloodthorn, Olive has been dealing with a lot.  Which is why she has avoided returning to the place of her birth for so long.  There are secrets she would rather not share, and realities she would just as like to avoid.

All of which comes crashing down when Fan'twar, her dragon step-father and Sky King of Faythander, knocks on her door and requests that she go on an Arthurian-type quest for a magick weapon.

There's just one problem with that request.  The weapon they need is guarded by Silvestra, the silverwitch dragon.  In a race against the elves, Olive and co. will be hard pressed to retrieve the weapon and make it out alive.

At least Olive is used to desperate times and even more desperate measures.

Initial Thoughts:

Olive has the worst luck.  I mean, really, she does.  This poor girl.  On the plus side?  More adventures for us in Faythander!  I'm game.

Characters:

Olive is still an emotional wreck.  This time it has nothing to do with Kull, and everything to do with an evil Goddess invading her consciousness.  With visions of her destiny taunting her, it's all Olive can do not to push away those who care about her, while still clinging to the hope that she will prevail.  This new adventure only adds to her worries, however, as she faces a dragon with a penchant for riddles and the daily reminder that she could lose everyone she loves.

Kull is King, and he's got problems.  The stability of the Wult Kingdom is fracturing as the conflict with the elves grows closer and his own people begin to turn against him.  All the while the poor guy is just trying to help his girlfriend save the world.  Again.  But new realities settle into him this round and a true fear takes root inside of him.  Thanks to the Silverwitch, Kull changes right before our eyes, and it's heartbreaking.

Also, Heidel has her own things to work through in this storyline, that we thankfully get a closer up view of in the novella Goblinwraith.  I encourage you all to go forth and read it.

Plot & Setting:

We get to see a lot more of Faythander this time as we're dragged around by light rail to the desert country known for nefarious deeds.  We're also uncomfortably aware of our imprisonment in the Silverwitch's castle.  Oh, and a brief glimpse of the much-changed-since-we-first-saw-it capital of the elves.  Lots of hopping around here, and it's all as fantastic as the previous books have led us to expect.

That being said, there's not a lot I can give you about the plot without spoiling all of it.  However, I was pleased.  It was fast-paced.  Olive's luck is awful.  Kull's works desperately to balance it out.  And heartbreak occurs.  All as we've come to expect.

Writing Style:

I will say it with absolutely no shame that I am in love with Ms. Grantham's writing.  Her characterization is always spot on and she keeps true to the reactions her characters have for the situations they find themselves in.  I'm also never given a moment to take a breath as her pace keeps pushing us forward, looking to overcome the next obstacle.  It is a style that I appreciate a lot in my fantasy and why I keep coming back to her books time and again.

Overall Opinion:

Silverwitch kept digging claws into all of the sensitive parts of me, and I enjoyed it.  These books make you endure everything Olive is going through, and they feel no qualms about taking your emotions along for the ride.  In this one, it introduces new fears to our beloved characters as well as to the readers.  Olive's destiny is drawing closer, and everyone is looking to change it.