Hey all! So today's review is a little different. Since I was asked by the publishing house to review the two books and it's not an official tour or anything, I just thought of posting it as today's 'feature'. Now my 'Featured Review' is nothing regular, rather I prefer using it only when other things are not applicable. It sounds confusing for now, but with time, you'll get the picture :D
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Book 1: Dark One RisingAuthor: Leandra Martin
[REVIEW COPY]
Blurb:
The Kingdom of Aelethia has been quiet for five hundred years, but the Dark One is rising from out of the depths. All of Aelethia will perish unless the Chosen One comes forward to save them.
Unfortunately, the Chosen One doesn’t know her destiny in the world; she only knows she is odd and confused about where her destiny lies. She wants to find love, but the men in her life that actually love her, she cannot have, and the only one that wants her is as evil as they come.
The elves know of her destiny and must tell her and train her in time, in order to fulfill the prophesy that has been laid out before her. Can she become the person they have waited for? Can she, in time, destroy the evil that is threatening to overtake her kingdom? With friends to guide her and a man to whom she truly loves beside her, she may be able to save Aelethia.
My Review:
The book starts with the king waiting for his wife's delivery. A girl is
born and a fate is sealed. I loved the book because: one, it has a
kickass female lead and two, it is full of adventure! I mean, how many
times have you read a book or series that revolves around a female
'chosen one'? Though I have some issues with the overly used cliche
'Chosen One' throughout the series, a girl being one really made up for
that to a great extent.
I think I love Mel! Though at times she
behaves real immature and I felt like asking her what on earth was such a
big deal I couldn't dislike her. She is from such a time where women
were basically used for showcasing their beauty to 'noble men' and they
didn't even have the right to say anything for their life altering
decisions. Guess she was born in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Except for a few friends and her brother Keevan, everybody thought she is
not a proper lady. Until she is encountered by King Dainard ofcourse.
One
thing I liked about Dain is that the author had not tried to portray him
as an all-virtuous hero. He is a realistically flawed character. He is a
promiscuous, flirtatious, womenizer and an irresponsible king looking
for excuses to procrastinate in his duties. However, his life and
character takes an unlikely 360 degree turn when he meets Melenthia. The
romance part is pretty predictable, yet you cannot shun it as boring or
dragging or useless, because Dain unknowingly helps Mel fulfill half of
the prophecy.
Throughout book 1, Melenthia's protests, her
reaction after knowing her identity and goal, her struggles to fight
Fallon while the Rise is near, and not to mention the journey of Dain
and Mel from strangers to something more than friends keeps you well
occupied. There are moments, however, where I felt the story was
dragging. There are descriptions of things I felt were unnecessary. I'm
not much of a details person. Too much details tends to bore me really.
But thankfully the characters and the story were engrossing enough to
keep me going till the end.
PURCHASE/PRE-ORDER:
Book 2: Aelethia's Hope
Author: Leandra Martin
[REVIEW COPY]
Blurb:
With the completion of Melenthia’s training by the elves, she is ready to return to the love of her life. With her knowledge and training, and the revelation that she has Elvin blood, she hopes her relationship with Dain won’t fail, or the destiny she must face in defeating the darkness.Fallon has grown strong and is preparing for war. Kevaan and his knights plan to take back Lachlan Castle from Fallon's grip, and Alek must reach the Chancellor in the west before war breaks out. With faith that the Isamarians will join them in the fight to save the world, Melenthia will prepare herself for the ultimate battle, one against Fallon and the Dark One.Join Melenthia and her friends on this perilous battle between good and evil. Will this be the end for her and Dain? With Tanith’s power, will she be able to withstand the strength of Fallon and the Dark One? Or will she fail and watch as all of Aelethia falls into darkness?This is the exciting finale of the journey of the Chosen One and her powerful sword Tanith.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
My Review:
Before
you get any idea, I'd like to say that I've almost equally liked it.
But if I have to choose between the two, I'd say book 1 is my favorite.
The way the whole plot development happens, its just wonderful! Although
book 2 has its own positives.
Book two, Aelethia's Hope starts
with an account of Melenthia getting trained to fight the Dark One. Dain and Mel are faced with an unwanted separation required in order to
prepare for the battle. In between the training and other side tracks,
Mel's life is not an easy one. She is attacked by Fallon's men and/or
whatever the creature is. Fallon hunts her even in her dreams, from
which she needs to learn to protect herself.
The description
felt a little more dragging at times in this book. But I really liked
how Melenthia's character develops throughout the story, from a
headstrong little girl to a Princess to a strong savior. Apart from the
pretty predictable romantic track Dain and she has, her character makes
the reading all the more enjoyable.
I liked the sub plot if
Alexand'r. To be honest, he appeared a lot younger in my visualization
compared to the description.That's maybe because I couldn't imagine
someone who Dain would call a friend to be too old:p I loved his track
with Aaliyah, with so much going around. It shows how people can still
find their moments of happiness in tough times. In the battlefield when
he got seriouslly injured, my heart went for him. Would you believe I
read that specific part twice to make sure he was okay? (Lol I can be
real loonie at times).
What I liked most is the ending. Though I
believe the author could have written it in a lot better way. Instead
everything just seemed have ended in a quite abrupt way. I would have
loved to see more of Mel-Fallon confrontation. A duel between Dain and
Fallon would have been great. But I really liked how Melenthia put all
her power to use against the Dark One. And surprises that came (from Mel
to be specific) were really, surprisingly wonderful (though one of those seemed a
little too fast!)
The Tanith Prophecy is a series that would all
of a sudden take you to a land of dark minds, black magic and heroes
with a promise of hope. As it is a series, you would not want to miss
one book for the other. If you love adventure, if you love books dealing
with a dark one and a chosen one (no matter how cliched they sound),
you've GOT to read The Tanith Prophecy :)
PURCHASE/PRE-ORDER:
