(Mortal Enchantment #2)
by Stacey O'Neale
Expected release date: May 20th, 2014
Published by: Phoenix Reign Publishing
Genre: Young Adult - Fantasy
Format: Paperback, eBook
SUMMARY
In Kalin Matthew's world, elementals control the forces of nature. They are divided into four courts: air, woodland, fire, and water. At sixteen she will leave the life she's built with her mortal mother. Kalin will move to Avalon to rule with her father—the elemental king of the air court. Along the way, she's attacked by a fire court assassin and saved by Rowan, a swoon-worthy elemental with a questionable past.
Worst of all, she learns her father is missing.
To rescue him, Kalin will have to work with a judgmental council and a system of courts too busy accusing each other of deceit to actually be able to help her. But, they aren’t her biggest challenge. With the Midwinter’s Ball only five days away, Kalin must take over her father’s duties, which includes shifting control of the elements — power Kalin has yet to realize.
As Rowan attempts to train her, a war looms between the four courts. If Kalin fails, her father will die and the courts will fall, but the betrayal she’s about to uncover may cost her even more.
MY REVIEW
From the minute I opened this book I was completely immersed and lost in it! Fast-paced story, intriguing characters, amazing world building and history - I wasn't able to read fast enough! And with each page, I wanted more and more of everything that was happening...
Right from the start we get to meet Kalin, half mortal and a half air elemental, who has just turned of age and is going to Avalon to rule alongside her father in the air court. Although her father had tried to prepare Kalin for this new world, books and discussions could only teach her so much. Kalin is overly anxious to get this new part of her life started and decides to take matters into her own hands and begins her journey into the woods on her own... and of course, she is completely unprepared for the danger that is waiting for her in the forest. And even more unaware of the mysterious and haughty person who saves her, Rowan. Kalin has been kept in the dark about a lot of political things that have been happening in Avalon, and Rowan is not about to start giving her any lessons. But promises to help her, keep her safe, until they get to the castle. When they finally get there, Kalin's arrival is far less than pleasant. And her father, King Taron, is missing.
Right from the start we get to meet Kalin, half mortal and a half air elemental, who has just turned of age and is going to Avalon to rule alongside her father in the air court. Although her father had tried to prepare Kalin for this new world, books and discussions could only teach her so much. Kalin is overly anxious to get this new part of her life started and decides to take matters into her own hands and begins her journey into the woods on her own... and of course, she is completely unprepared for the danger that is waiting for her in the forest. And even more unaware of the mysterious and haughty person who saves her, Rowan. Kalin has been kept in the dark about a lot of political things that have been happening in Avalon, and Rowan is not about to start giving her any lessons. But promises to help her, keep her safe, until they get to the castle. When they finally get there, Kalin's arrival is far less than pleasant. And her father, King Taron, is missing.
Kalin is completely lost when it comes to how the elementals handle these situations. They are harsh and quick to judge. But, she is determined to be heard and is prepared to do what she has to do to take matters into her own hands. It is her father's wish that Kalin rule in the future and she will do what she has to do to honor it. Even if that means stepping in, for now. With no allies, except for the mysterious Rowan. Kalin begins training to learn how to control her own powers as she struggles with who can she trust to help her do what she has to do until she finds her father.
First, Kalin is quite the protagonist - she is fearless and determined. But, she is a bit too quick to jump into things and gives trust when she already knows that she should be questioning everyone's motives. No place is safe for her, she must learn how to use her powers and defend herself. Her father is missing, and her priority is to find him in any way that she can. And the only person she has been able to lean on is the ever so cryptic and egotistical, Rowan. She makes a whole lot of stupid mistakes. I cringed quite a few times. But, understandably, Kalin is just trying to do what she thinks is best in order to keep things in order while everything becomes more and more complicated.
And then, there is Rowan.
Rowan is so broken. After what he has gone through, he continues to do the right thing for Kalin. As things start to unfold and beome more complicated for him. He is still determined to help Kalin, find King Taron and put the elements back in order before a war ignites. Even though everyone is against him, and it is no longer his battle to fight, Rowan still cares about not only his people and Kalin, but the other elementals that involved as well... misunderstood and alone, Rowan struggles to keep his emotions in order whenever he's around Kalin.
There is a lot to learn about this world, and I did learn a lot right alongside Kalin. The layout of their world, how their government works and who rules what with many, many details and history lessons - I was completely immersed into every single letter on the page. Every character is so memorable. Every little detail is so prominent and poignant. If it wasn't for the possible outbreak of war, I would love to visit Avalon... I wish there was a map to go along with the book...
I highly recommend this book to all who are looking for a great fast-paced read; either those who love fantasy, or those that are looking for something a little bit different to dive into - this is definitely your kind of book to read right now!!!
First, Kalin is quite the protagonist - she is fearless and determined. But, she is a bit too quick to jump into things and gives trust when she already knows that she should be questioning everyone's motives. No place is safe for her, she must learn how to use her powers and defend herself. Her father is missing, and her priority is to find him in any way that she can. And the only person she has been able to lean on is the ever so cryptic and egotistical, Rowan. She makes a whole lot of stupid mistakes. I cringed quite a few times. But, understandably, Kalin is just trying to do what she thinks is best in order to keep things in order while everything becomes more and more complicated.
And then, there is Rowan.
Rowan is so broken. After what he has gone through, he continues to do the right thing for Kalin. As things start to unfold and beome more complicated for him. He is still determined to help Kalin, find King Taron and put the elements back in order before a war ignites. Even though everyone is against him, and it is no longer his battle to fight, Rowan still cares about not only his people and Kalin, but the other elementals that involved as well... misunderstood and alone, Rowan struggles to keep his emotions in order whenever he's around Kalin.
There is a lot to learn about this world, and I did learn a lot right alongside Kalin. The layout of their world, how their government works and who rules what with many, many details and history lessons - I was completely immersed into every single letter on the page. Every character is so memorable. Every little detail is so prominent and poignant. If it wasn't for the possible outbreak of war, I would love to visit Avalon... I wish there was a map to go along with the book...
I highly recommend this book to all who are looking for a great fast-paced read; either those who love fantasy, or those that are looking for something a little bit different to dive into - this is definitely your kind of book to read right now!!!
*An eARC was sent to me by the author for an honest review.
All thoughts are my own.
Read on for the Mortal Enchantments novella...
which is still FREE on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!!!
(Mortal Enchantment #1)
by Stacey O'Neal
Expected release date: March 25th, 2014
Published by: Phoenix Reign Publishing
Genre: Young Adult - Fantasy
Format: eBook
SUMMARY
Every sacrifice has consequences.
Sixteen-year-old Rowan has spent most of his life living among the mortals—learning to control the element of fire, impatiently awaiting the day his vengeful mother, Queen Prisma, will abdicate her throne. When he finally returns to Avalon for his coronation, his mother insists he must first prove his loyalty to the court by completing a secret mission:
Kill Kalin, the half-human, half-elemental daughter of the air court king.
Willing to do anything to remove his mother from power, he agrees to sacrifice the halfling. He returns to the mortal world with his best friend, Marcus, determined to kill the princess. But as he devises a plan, he starts to question whether or not he's capable of completing such a heinous task. And what price he will pay if he refuses?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Stacey O'Neale
Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.
Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.
