Title: Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms #1) Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: December 11, 2012
Pages: 412, Hardcover
Summary from Goodreads:
In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:
Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.
Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.
Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.
Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword. . . .
The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?
Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.
Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.
Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.
Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword. . . .
The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?
Review
You know what I love to see in fantasy books - death of characters (without trying to sound morbid). Yes it is heartbreaking when someone we've grown fond of is killed off but tis is life. If anyone has read George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series you know by now that no one is safe! But my the betrayal his books are good! Now, I am not saying Falling Kingdoms is on the same level as A Song of Ice and Fire, just that Morgan Rhodes is not afraid to kill off a few characters, which in my opinion, makes the fantasy feel more real and powerful.
I may be a total sucker for fantasy but I LOVED THIS BOOK. First, the characters are really strong. I honestly felt for all them, which let me tell you, made me feel awfully conflicted since they all have contrasting motives. If I had to choose, Cleo would probably be my favorite. She's headstrong, brave, and something fierce. Jonas is so loyal it could cost him his life. He spends the first half of the book blinded by rage but slowly starts to see what is right. Magnus - holy crap! Magnus is the most complex character - I don't even know how to sum him up. On one page he can make you so angry you're seeing red and the next page you want to give him a hug and and do whatever you can to fill that huge hole inside of him. Lucia is selfless and forgiving but has a lot of inner strength. I think Lucia gets the least attention but she plays a fascinating part and I am excited to see her character develop. Perhaps the BEST thing about the characters - they have all done both good and bad. No one is blameless.
In this story, you get your typical greedy kings, oppressed people, war, revenge, love, duty - but you also get a really interesting story of magic. The magic is a motivator for a lot of what happens in this book. It's not a large element though yet because very few are capable of the gift but it was steadily built up throughout the book and will likely play a bigger part in the rest of the series. I'm looking forward to seeing the it's use and limits and the lengths that people will go to control it.
My only small piece of criticism I have is the insta-love between Cleo and Theon BUT it is so small a detail that it does not distract from the book even if you are an avid insta-love hater.
This book had everything a good fantasy book needs. It was very character-driven but the character's were complex and interesting and I really enjoyed how Morgan Rhodes weaved their stories together. The ending was perfectly executed and the set-up for the next book left me wanting more. If you like fantasy books, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
I may be a total sucker for fantasy but I LOVED THIS BOOK. First, the characters are really strong. I honestly felt for all them, which let me tell you, made me feel awfully conflicted since they all have contrasting motives. If I had to choose, Cleo would probably be my favorite. She's headstrong, brave, and something fierce. Jonas is so loyal it could cost him his life. He spends the first half of the book blinded by rage but slowly starts to see what is right. Magnus - holy crap! Magnus is the most complex character - I don't even know how to sum him up. On one page he can make you so angry you're seeing red and the next page you want to give him a hug and and do whatever you can to fill that huge hole inside of him. Lucia is selfless and forgiving but has a lot of inner strength. I think Lucia gets the least attention but she plays a fascinating part and I am excited to see her character develop. Perhaps the BEST thing about the characters - they have all done both good and bad. No one is blameless.
In this story, you get your typical greedy kings, oppressed people, war, revenge, love, duty - but you also get a really interesting story of magic. The magic is a motivator for a lot of what happens in this book. It's not a large element though yet because very few are capable of the gift but it was steadily built up throughout the book and will likely play a bigger part in the rest of the series. I'm looking forward to seeing the it's use and limits and the lengths that people will go to control it.
My only small piece of criticism I have is the insta-love between Cleo and Theon BUT it is so small a detail that it does not distract from the book even if you are an avid insta-love hater.
This book had everything a good fantasy book needs. It was very character-driven but the character's were complex and interesting and I really enjoyed how Morgan Rhodes weaved their stories together. The ending was perfectly executed and the set-up for the next book left me wanting more. If you like fantasy books, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Ok, this review was legit! I have seen this one around, but haven't been inclined to pick it up! Now I just might have to! It sounds so twisted and there is nothing I like better than a twisted story. And I agree 100% about killing people off! Hence why some of my favorite film/TV authors are Joss Whedon and Danny Boyle! No one is safe!
ReplyDeleteAll 4 story lines were really strong. There are so many good things about this book. I hope you read it and like it!
DeleteThanks for another great review! I saw this book at the bookstore not long ago and almost bought it, but for some reason I hesitated, maybe because I hadn't heard a lot about it. Now after reading your review I have more reassurance to give it a try. For some reason I get really hesitant about reading brand new books by new authors. You have me sold on this one.
ReplyDeleteI understand your hesitation completely! But I don't think you'll be disappointed in this one. I hope you like it!
DeleteI love it when they kill off characters, too. I mean, I don't love it, but you know what I mean--it's nice to see the reality. If they're in a war, it means someone's going to get killed! And I LOVE complex characters, so this book really sounds like it's right up my alley! Fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteIf you love complex characters then you will LOVE Magnus but all the characters are strong. I hope you like it!!
DeleteI am also a sucker for fantasy and despite the somewhat negative things I've heard about this book, I can't wait to read it. I love the sound of the characters and I always find it very realistic when an author kills a character (not that I'm always happy with their choice :p) Thanks for the awesome review!
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
Mel I really think you will like this book! I hope you read it and I'll be interested to see your thoughts!
DeleteA character-driven fantasy eh? I can't say I was excited for this one before, but you have definitely piqued my curiosity. And an author who isn't afraid to off their characters? Yes please!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad! Hopefully some other readers will feel the same and convince you to pick it up! I really liked all of the characters! I hope you read it and like it!!
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