A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes

Published: June 23rd, 2015

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 368

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Modern-day sisters discover deadly ancient magic in book 1 of this Falling Kingdoms spin-off series!

Worlds collide in this suspenseful, page-turning Falling Kingdoms spin-off series, which explores a whole new side of Mytica—and an even darker version of its magic.

Crystal Hatcher, Modern-day Toronto: It’s a normal afternoon in her mother’s antique bookshop when Crys witnesses the unthinkable: her little sister Becca collapses into a coma after becoming mesmerized by a mysterious book written in an unrecognizable language.

Maddox Corso, Ancient Mytica: Maddox Corso doesn’t think much of it when he spots an unfamiliar girl in his small village. Until, that is, he realizes that she is a spirit, and he is the only one who can see or hear her. Her name is Becca Hatcher, and she needs Maddox to help get her home.

Farrell Grayson, Modern-day Toronto: Rich and aimless Farrell Grayson is thrilled when the mysterious leader of the ultra-secret Hawkspear Society invites him into the fold. But when he learns exactly what he has to do to prove himself, Farrell starts to question everything he thought he knew about family, loyalty, and himself….

Fate has brought these young people together, but ancient magic threatens to rip them apart. 

Both Christinabean and I are both huge fans of Morgan Rhodes' Falling Kingdoms series so it's a no-brainer that A Book of Spirits and Thieves is pretty high on our TBR lists.  I'm not sure if  Christinabean has managed to get hold of a copy yet, but I was first on the waiting list for our copy at work and I read through it in about a day and a half.

What to tell you about this book other than the fact that it's really good?  Well it's parallel story lines, which I always enjoy and the contemporary story takes place in Toronto, so that makes it an immediate plus for this Ontario girl (I can drive to Toronto in 30 mins or so and do, often).  Ms Rhodes has taken the landscape and immortal characters from her original series and has woven a new and complex story around them.

We have secret societies, magical brainwashing, out and out murder dressed up as being 'good for society',  nasty, nasty bad guys - immortal and from another world.  Tell me, what chance do we poor mortals have?  Well following Crystal in her search for the truth was engrossing and suspensful.  Watching  Becca and Maddox trying to solve Becca's dilema was a double-edged sword.  Getting to the end of the book was both a relief and an agony.  One problem solved, many more to work on.  

I am really looking forward to continuing with this side of the Mytica story, but since vol. 4 of the original series, Frozen Tides, doesn't come out until December 2015, it's going to be a while before we see any more of this spin-off, and that's a great pity.

Btw, did you know that Morgan Rhodes also writes as Michele Rowen?  I didn't until very recently, so I've decided to read a few more of her books under that name while I'm waiting. Not quite the same, but I'll take what I can get.

Gathering Darkness - Morgan Rhodes

Published: December 2014

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 416

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

In GATHERING DARKNESS, book three of the New York Times bestselling Falling Kingdoms series, the stakes have never been higher as three teams push forward on a race to find the Kindred, the four elemental crystals possessing ancient all-powerful magic, first:

Prince Magnus has just witnessed torture, death, and miracles during the bloody confrontation that decimated the rebel forces. Now he must choose between family and justice as his father, the cruel King Gaius, sets out to conquer all of Mytica. All Gaius needs now are the Kindred - the four elemental crystals that give godlike powers to their owner. But the King of Blood is not the only one hunting for this ancient, storied magic...

• THE KRAESHIANS join the hunt. Ashur and Amara, the royal siblings from the wealthy kingdom across the Silver Sea, charm and manipulate their way to the Kindred, proving to be more ruthless than perhaps even the King of Blood himself.

• THE REBELS forge ahead. Princess Cleo and vengeful Jonas lead them, slaying with sweetness, skill, and a secret that can control Lucia's overpowering magic - all so they can use the Kindred to win back their fallen kingdoms.

• THE WATCHERS follow Melenia out of the Sanctuary. They ally in the flesh with King Gaius, who vows to use Lucia's powers to unveil the Kindred.

The only certainty in the dark times is that whoever finds the magic first will control the fate of Mytica... but fate can be fickle when magic is involved. 

Review:

If you thought things were getting exciting in Book #2, wait until you start reading Book 3 of Falling Kingdoms. This is where the real fun begins and the storylines across kingdoms starts to really mix together. 

There will be spoilers in this review. 

The Watchers are starting to make more of an appearance as the supernatural part of Mytica is shaping up.  Alexis has stunned me with his decision to become mortal.  I only hope that Lucia doesn't get burned by him. As much as she seems to be venturing into the dark side, I like her. She has an innocence about her that needs to be nurtured. It is sad that everyone has lied to her and she really needs someone she can depend on.

We are also introduced to Ashur and Amara, the Kraeshians. I am a little wary of them though and very distrustful.  Where did they come from out of the blue and why are they hanging around?  Whose side are they on or are they playing an entirely different game?  Will their presence re-define the boundaries of the game players?

On a side note, does anyone feel like the Ashur is a little bit like Oberyn from the Game of Thrones?

The last 10% of the book is a big cliff hanger.  What a surprising turn of events!  I can't WAIT until Book #4 to come out.  For those of you also eagerly awaiting the release of Frozen Tides in December 2015, you might want to check out Morgan Rhodes other series - A Book of Spirits and Thieves coming out at the end of June 2015.  

It is so hard to do a review on a book that is in the middle of a series.  All I can say is that I recommend reading Falling Kingdoms to you in the epic story-reading crowd.  It is wonderful to see a Canadian writer churning out awesomeness. :)

By the way, if you would like to see Morgan Rhodes in person and are in the TORONTO area, she will be at Bakka Phoenix Books at 84 Harbord Street, Toronto, Ontario on Tuesday June 23, 6:30-8:30pm.  Please RSVP with Penguin Books by emailing Vickki VanSickle at vvansickle@penguinrandomhouse.com.

Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes

Published: Razorbill

Publisher: December 2013

Pages: 401

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

The road to power...is paved with blood and magic.

Cleo is now a prisoner in her own palace, forced to be an ambassador for Mytica as the evil King Gaius lies to her people.
Magnus stands to eventually inherit the new kingdom but is still obsessed with his feelings for his adopted sister, Lucia.
Lucia is haunted by the outcome of the breathtaking display of magic that allowed her father to capture the kingdoms.
Jonas watched at the palace gates a troop of rebels behind him, waiting for him to tell them how he plans to overtake King Gaius.

After a bloody siege, Auranos has been defeated, its young queen orphaned and dethroned. The three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now unwillingly united as one country called Mytica. But the allure of ancient, dangerous magic beckons still, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the whole world over....

At the heart of the fray are four brave young people grappling for that magic and the power it promises. For Cleo, the magic would enable her to reclaim her royal seat. In Jonas's hands, it frees his nation, and in Lucia's, it fulfills the ancient prophecy of her destiny. And if the magic were Magnus's, he would finally prove his worth in the eyes of his cruel and scheming father, King Gaius, who rules Mytica with a punishing hand.

When Gaius begins to build a road into the Forbidden Mountains to physically link all of Mytica, he sparks a long-smoking fire in the hearts of the people that will forever change the face of this land. For Gaius's road is paved with blood, and its construction will have cosmic consequences.

Review:

Book #2. Am I ever glad that I waited for a few of these titles to be printed BEFORE starting this series. I was able to dive right into Rebel Spring after reading Falling Kingdoms and it was TOTALLY worthwhile. 

So Rebel Spring is much darker and much more involved than its predecessor. You will not have to worry about second book suckitis here because there is plenty of action happening.  What you can look forward to are more unexpected deaths in this book.  

STOP HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ THE SPOILERS

King Gaius flexes his power and ruthlessness over the Princess under the guise of Magnus and Cleo's romance.  It is all a farce of course but the two young people do have a spark, a connection that binds them in the most unusual way.  They both have a hatred of the king and I am very eager to see how this ignites. 

Magnus fails to inspire me as a prince as he lacks the ability to stand up to his tyrant father. Nor does he seem particularly clever in outwitting his father in playing at his own game. I think he would be a less ruthless ruler and more kind to the people of the three lands but has he really learned anything about ruling a kingdom from dear old Dad?  With Cleo, they could make a formidable pair.  It makes me wonder if he will come into his strengths later because he does FEEL guilt and remorse over his actions and those of his father. He also takes action to prevent unnecessary circumstances (Mira and Thanos).  Plus, he DID keep Nic alive after recognizing that he had saved Magnus'  life from Cleo.

Last spoiler - Chapter 30 - WHAT???!! The hot bachelor prince is gay???

END SPOILER ALERTS

So my take on Book #2 is to obviously read it if you have finished Book #1 but be prepared for lots of action and more deaths.  I wholeheartedly enjoyed it and am rooting for Book #3.  Bring on Gathering Darkness!!

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Published: December 2012

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 412

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten. And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest now simmers below the surface.

As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love.

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

It's the eve of war.... Choose your side.

Princess: Raised in pampered luxury, Cleo must now embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of magic long thought extinct.

Rebel: Jonas, enraged at injustice, lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished. To his shock, he finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Sorceress: Lucia, adopted at birth into the royal family, discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Heir: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, firstborn son Magnus begins to realise that the heart can be more lethal than the sword....

Review:

When the Falling Kingdoms series first came out, I shrunk back a little from reading it because it just seemed to involved and epic.  I have to admit that it went on my TBR list but I waited until Book #3 so that I could fully immerse myself in the story and didn't have to do the dreaded "wait 8 months to a year for the next book" drama.  I'm glad I waited.  I read all three books in succession and it was awesome.  So let me tell you about Book #1.  

Kingdoms, And neighbouring, arguing kingdoms.  Why is no one ever happy with the land they have or the people who live there? So we have these three kingdoms and of course two of them are not doing very well and one is prospering.  There is so much animosity towards the prosperous kingdom and it has been building up for years.  The youngest princess of the realm triggers a small ripple in one region that leads to a shocking uproar.  Picture Game of Thrones YA style. Morgan Rhodes does a wonderful job of world building and character building. She sets up the story well. It was engaging and I loved the intensity and intricacy of each plot.  The number of characters was almost intimidating and I wish I had had an outline with reference to everyone's relationships!

There was just one aspect of Book #1 that I did not "feel".  It was Theon and Chloe's suddent involvement.  It happened very quickly and I just didn't feel it building up to the degree that Chloe claimed.  To me, it just felt like a girl who had fallen quickly for the man put in charge of protecting her.  Young, unexperienced love.  

Despite this minor detail, I really enjoyed Book #1 and was super-charged to jump into Rebel Spring, Book #2.  If you enjoy watching or reading Game of Thrones, you will like this.  Also, fans of the Legacy series by Cayla Kluver would enjoy this title.

Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes - A short review.

Published: December 9th, 2014

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 416

Copy: Edelweiss

Summary: Goodreads

In GATHERING DARKNESS, book three of the New York Times bestselling Falling Kingdoms series, the stakes have never been higher as three teams push forward on a race to find the Kindred, the four elemental crystals possessing ancient all-powerful magic, first:

Prince Magnus has just witnessed torture, death, and miracles during the bloody confrontation that decimated the rebel forces. Now he must choose between family and justice as his father, the cruel King Gaius, sets out to conquer all of Mytica. All Gaius needs now are the Kindred - the four elemental crystals that give godlike powers to their owner. But the King of Blood is not the only one hunting for this ancient, storied magic...

• THE KRAESHIANS join the hunt. Ashur and Amara, the royal siblings from the wealthy kingdom across the Silver Sea, charm and manipulate their way to the Kindred, proving to be more ruthless than perhaps even the King of Blood himself.

• THE REBELS forge ahead. Princess Cleo and vengeful Jonas lead them, slaying with sweetness, skill, and a secret that can control Lucia's overpowering magic - all so they can use the Kindred to win back their fallen kingdoms.

• THE WATCHERS follow Melenia out of the Sanctuary. They ally in the flesh with King Gaius, who vows to use Lucia's powers to unveil the Kindred.

The only certainty in the dark times is that whoever finds the magic first will control the fate of Mytica... but fate can be fickle when magic is involved.

Ok I have very little to say about this book that isn't in the blurb above.  Not because it was bad, but because it was really good. If you've already ready the first two ('Falling Kingdoms' and 'Rebel Spring'), you're going to love it, if you haven't read the first two, don't start with this one - go back to the beginning.

However, I do have to exclaim, rather loudly, WT ........  I thought this was a trilogy, but apparently NOT.  I got to the end and I was left hanging! By my fingertips! Right at the edge of the cliff!! AAARRRGGHH!

Great fun, great adventure, great character development, great romance, great story.  Well worth reading. Now where is the next installment?

Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes

Published: December 3, 2013

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 401

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Cleo is now a prisoner in her own palace, forced to be an ambassador for Mytica as the evil King Gaius lies to her people.

Magnus stands to eventually inherit the new kingdom but is still obsessed with his feelings for his adopted sister, Lucia.
Lucia is haunted by the outcome of the breathtaking display of magic that allowed her father to capture the kingdoms.
Jonas watched at the palace gates a troop of rebels behind him, waiting for him to tell them how he plans to overtake King Gaius.

After a bloody siege, Auranos has been defeated, its young queen orphaned and dethroned. The three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now unwillingly united as one country called Mytica. But the allure of ancient, dangerous magic beckons still, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the whole world over....

At the heart of the fray are four brave young people grappling for that magic and the power it promises. For Cleo, the magic would enable her to reclaim her royal seat. In Jonas's hands, it frees his nation, and in Lucia's, it fulfills the ancient prophecy of her destiny. And if the magic were Magnus's, he would finally prove his worth in the eyes of his cruel and scheming father, King Gaius, who rules Mytica with a punishing hand.

When Gaius begins to build a road into the Forbidden Mountains to physically link all of Mytica, he sparks a long-smoking fire in the hearts of the people that will forever change the face of this land. For Gaius's road is paved with blood, and its construction will have cosmic consequences.

Review

Rebel Spring is an excellent follow up to Falling Kingdoms.  We continue to follow the intersecting lives of the four main characters (see above) and we learn more about each of them as we go along.  I was completely surprised by my changing opinions of Magnus.  I really wasn't very fond of him to start with, but by the end of this book I had changed my mind.  He's a very complex character and I often felt quite sorry for him.  I'm very interested to see where Ms Rhodes takes him in the final book.

Ms Rhodes has succeeded in producing a complete world in Mytica.  Its three different regions and peoples are all important to the overall plot of the books and it's interesting to note all of the differences she manages to incorporate.

While still very much a 'middle' book, Rebel Spring has enough tension and action in it to keep the story moving along nicely and I am really looking forward to reading Gathering Darkness, which is due out in December. With lots of blood, death, intrigue and action, Rebel Spring was well worth reading.