This is not a light read. Not a book you can just browse thru. You need to pay attention and think. Go deeper than you think. Great world and complex characters.

I really enjoyed this! It was so full of adventures and very likable characters! It read very perfectly. I can't believe this was a FANTASY debut from this author because it was written so well! Full of holy Warriors and a badass woman there was nothing I didn't like! Thank you for allowing me to review this! I can't wait to share it with my friends and book community! I think more fantasy readers should read this because it was great!

Right from the start this book totally had me hooked! The multiple POV, the action, the gore, the lore, the fantasy elements, the writing. It was all amazing, no idea why it took me this long to finally pick this book up! Thank gosh I did it, can't wait for #2! I need to know what happens to all of these amazingly-fleshed out characters, will Connor and Serena meet? What's the deal with Skye? The Bazira? Her powers? I need answers!

Jeden Tag erinnert das Loch in ihrer Brust Selena Koren daran, dass sie die Gunst ihres Gottes verlor. Eisige Kälte flutet ihren Körper bei jedem Atemzug. Seit 10 Jahren kennt sie keine Wärme – seit sie 400 unschuldige Leben opferte, um Lunos‘ Krieg mit den Zak’reth zu beenden. Sie setzte ihre beträchtliche Macht als Paladin ein und zahlt einen hohen Preis dafür. Sie würde beinahe alles tun, um die schreckliche Wunde zu schließen. Doch kann sie es verantworten, für ihren Orden der Aluren zur Attentäterin zu werden und zwei dunkle Priester der Bazira zu töten? Widerwillig übernimmt Selena die Quest, nicht ahnend, dass sie bald selbst zur Beute wird.
Sebastian Vaas ist der beste Assassine in ganz Lunos. Der Zak’reth-Krieg nahm ihm seine Familie, schenkte ihm jedoch die Erkenntnis, dass er sein Talent teuer verkaufen kann. Nach einem Jahrzehnt des Blutvergießens plant Sebastian, sich zur Ruhe zu setzen. Ein letzter Job soll seinen Ruhestand sichern. Der Orden der Bazira heuert ihn an, um einen Paladin der Aluren auszuschalten. Als er erfährt, dass Selena sein Ziel ist, die gefallene Heldin, die hunderte der Zak’reth in den Tod schickte, zögert er. Aber eine Unbekannte wird ihn nicht von seinem Ruhestand abhalten. Er nimmt den Auftrag an.
So beginnt eine wilde Jagd, die Selena und Sebastian quer durch das Inselreich führt. Zu spät begreifen sie, dass sie beide lediglich Bauern in einem viel größeren Spiel sind – und der Einsatz ist Lunos‘ Schicksal.

„The Dark of the Moon“ verwandelte mich in Dornröschen. Es langweilte mich in einen 100 Jahre andauernden Tiefschlaf. Meine Güte, war das vielleicht ÖDE. Meine Augen werden immer noch glasig, wenn ich an die Lektüre zurückdenke. Sofort stellt sich das Bedürfnis ein, einfach zur Seite zu kippen, um auf der Stelle einzuschlafen. Wie gelang es E.S. Bell, aus einer spannenden Ausgangsidee ein dermaßen dröges Buch zu kreieren? Wie ist es möglich, dass mir sogar eine Verfolgungsjagd mit Zombie-Meerjungfrauen lediglich ein müdes Gähnen entlockte? Ich glaube, der Großteil meiner Probleme hing damit zusammen, dass der Reihenauftakt äußerst vorhersehbar ist, aber bis die Autorin den erwarteten Punkt erreicht, dauert es entsetzlich lang. Sie schlachtet Szenen und Situationen bis zum Bersten aus, wodurch die Handlung qualvoll langatmig ist und nur stockend Fortschritte macht. Sie stockte vor allem dann, wenn ein Dialog ins Spiel kam, was oft der Fall war, denn „The Dark of the Moon“ ist dialoglastig. Per se ist das nicht negativ, doch leider sind ihre Dialoge vollkommen hölzern und finden im luftleeren Raum statt. Wird sich unterhalten, interagiert plötzlich niemand mehr mit der Umgebung. Die Autorin beschreibt Gespräche nur, statt sie natürlich in die Handlung zu integrieren. Dadurch entstand der Eindruck interaktiver Löcher, die meine visuelle Vorstellungskraft stark beeinträchtigten. Ich kann allerdings generell nicht behaupten, dass ich mich wohl oder angekommen gefühlt hätte, obwohl ich ein großer Fan von Seefahrer-Geschichten bin. Lunos ist ein Inselreich. Einst war es ein zusammenhängender Kontinent, bis Drachen das Reich vor tausenden von Jahren in einem schrecklichen Krieg zerstörten und die Landmasse zersplitterte. Ihre Nachfahren, die Vai’Ensai, werden deshalb noch immer mit Argwohn und Ablehnung behandelt. Idiotisch, wenn ihr mich fragt, aber okay. Lassen wir durchgehen. 10 Jahre vor der Handlung in „The Dark of the Moon“ wurde Lunos von einem weiteren Krieg erschüttert. Die gefürchteten Zak’reth raubten, plünderten und mordeten sich von Insel zu Insel. Mir ist nicht klar, wer dieses Volk eigentlich ist. Was wollten die in Lunos? Woher kamen sie? Sind es Menschen? Dämonen? Schreckensgestalten von outta space? Die Bewohner_innn waren in großer Not, sie hatten der erbarmungslosen Kriegstreiberei der Zak’reth nichts entgegen zu setzen. Erst der heldenhafte, aufopferungsvolle Einsatz von Selena Koren wendete das Blatt. Leider wurde Selena jedoch nicht belohnt, sondern ist seit diesem verhängnisvollen Tag mit einer grässlichen Wunde gestraft, die Kälte in ihren Körper atmet. Von ihrem Gott verlassen, von ihrem Orden als unrein geschnitten. Tragisch. Ich hätte Selena vermutlich bemitleiden können, wäre sie nicht ohne Fehl und Tadel. Ihre berechenbare Rechtschaffenheit ermüdete mich, weil sie keinerlei Ecken und Kanten hat. Erst gegen Ende erhält sie ein wenig Feuer, aber da war es für mich bereits zu spät. Selena wird permanent von ihrem Freund und Beschützer, dem Vai’Ensai Ilior, begleitet. Die Beziehung der beiden fand ich zum Gruseln. Ilior verhält sich Selena gegenüber wie ein bevormundender, übervorsichtiger großer Bruder. Er untergräbt ihre Autorität als Paladin. Er stellt ihre Befähigung, sich allein zu behaupten, ständig in Frage. Ich hätte ihn längst zum Teufel gejagt, besonders, da Selena gleich zwei Mordanschläge plant. Den Unterschied zwischen Aluren und Bazira habe ich ebenfalls nicht kapiert. Für mich sind beide Orden lupenreine Fanatiker und ihre Differenzen erschienen mir maximal oberflächlich. Als Höhepunkt negiert dann eine Wendung am Ende noch die gesamte Handlung des ersten Bandes, sodass ich mich fragte, warum ich den Quatsch überhaupt lesen sollte.

Gäbe es einen Preis für Bücher, die heftiges Augenrollen auslösen, „The Dark of the Moon“ hätte ihn zweifellos verdient. Der pfiffige Sebastian Vaas kann mit einem Jutesack über dem Kopf hervorragend kämpfen und unsere liebe Selena ist so clever, anzumerken, dass die stumme Mannschaft eines Schiffes ja gar nicht anders aussieht. Man möchte sich fremdschämen und hinter einer ausladenden Pflanze verstecken. Selbstredend werde ich die „Chronicles of Lunos“ nicht weiterverfolgen. Es ist schon bezeichnend, wenn meine liebste Figur in einem Buch ein bösartiger, fieser Dämon namens Svoz ist, der mit Vorliebe einen Morgenstern schwingt, während mir die Hauptcharaktere völlig am Po vorbeigehen. Svoz, hau sie doch einfach alle zu Mus.

Vielen Dank an den Verlag Trillian und Netgalley für die Bereitstellung dieses Rezensionsexemplars im Austausch für eine ehrliche Rezension!

While paranormal/fantasy is not my normal genre, I have to say I am blown away by this phenomenal book. I am in awe of E.S. Bell’s beautifully written words and her fascinating, imaginative mind. This author surprised us all with a very unique story compared to what she has written in the past. It’s bold and beautiful.

Wow Such a nice surprise.The storyline is very fascinating and unique!I was hooked from the beginning because I haven't read anything like this! It tells the story of a young warrior named Selena Koren who has been cursed with an unusual wound. Selena has not felt warmth for ten years. She is sent on a mission to kill two dark priests.The only reason this wasn't a 5 stars for me is because there were some parts I was confused .

An unexpected delight. Ok, I'm a sucker for nautical fantasy. Talk to me about pirates, merfolk and so on and I'm sold. But I really enjoyed the world building here. I loved the vast array of mythical creatures, the way it provided me with a thrilling change of scene.
As for the story itself, well, it isn't a book you speed through. Because of its length, yes, but also because you want to savour it and don't want to miss anything.
I must admit I was a bit confused first, though. There is much going on in this book, a lot to remember regarding the vocabulary (thank god for the glossary at the end), the plot is intricate and the multiple POV's don't make things easier.
But the more it went on, the more I found myself engrossed in the story. Things began to fall into places and I was transported by this exciting and fascinating journey. Half the time I was on the edge my seat anticipating what would happen next! The Dark of the Moon is truly an epic book in every sense of the word. Exciting worldbuilding, strong and complex characters, a drop of romance, a story packed with twists and turns and full of magic and mystery… it will hook you in.

Wonderful fantasy fiction set in a fantastical world of sea faring mages and paladins with monsters a plenty. I love the dynamic female MC who is damaged in some fundamental way by a spiritual wound sustained in a previous battle. This was joy and a surprise to read - I enjoyed every moment of it.

I liked this. It started off slow for me, but once everyone was introduced, it quickly turned into an exciting adventure. A lot of the pantheons mentioned sounded cool, giving the world a little more depth. It made it seem more dangerous, more mysterious. It makes you wonder who's a pawn and who knows what the gods are up to.

Selena was an interesting character because she started so low in the story, slowly rising herself up with hope for a better life than what her god cursed her with. Seeing her struggle to stick to her own beliefs was entertaining, mainly because I was constantly rooting for her to be one step ahead of the others who appeared as if they knew the truth of the world. It's a definite recommend.

When 300 Zak’reth warships converge on Isle Calinda, Selena Koren is the only one who can save the people. This Aluren Paladin is gifted with the ability to summon the sea, but she’s young and still learning to use her power. She calls forth a wall of water, which destroys the 12,000 enemy warriors. The destruction ends the war, but the Two-faced God is angered that Selena’s wave also takes the lives of 400 innocent men, women, and children – the people she was trying to save. To punish her, the god wounds her with a black crescent-shaped hole over her heart.

Thus begins the first book in the Chronicles of Lunos series, and ten years have passed since that fateful day. Selena is known as the Tainted One, and ever since the god left the hole, she has never felt warmth. She prays daily for forgiveness and removal of the wound, but while the god answers her prayers to heal the sick, her pleas for self-healing go unanswered. Until she is summoned to the Moon Temple to meet with her superiors.

When Selena appears before the High Council, she learns of whispers of a new war with a new enemy. The Bazira follow the Shadow face of the god and have been slowly gathering adherents by preying on people’s fears and lack of hope. Two Bazira priests have gained much power and influence; to thwart this threat Accora and Bacchus must die, and the only one who might succeed in this endeavor is Selena. But cold-blooded murder goes against all that she believes. Her refusal to assassinate the priests results in a stern ultimatum – heed the order or be exiled and demoted in rank. Only one enticement convinces her to obey: forgiveness and the healing of her wound.

That promise entices Selena to accept the mission. Her sole companion these past ten years has been Ilior oth’Makir, a Vai’Ensai. Often called “dragonman,” he cannot return home because the Zak’reth ripped off one of his wings. Selena saved his life that day, and he has stood by her as both friend and guardian since before the attack on Calinda. The captain of the vessel hired to transport them to Accora’s island has no desire to enter those treacherous waters; instead, he abandons them on Isle Uago where pirates find safe haven.

Sebastian Vaas goes by many names, including Bloody Bastian – the moniker mothers sing in a ditty to warn their children to behave. He’s an assassin for hire, although he earned his bloodthirsty reputation in the Zak’reth war after they raped his sister and killed his family. Tired of killing, he now earns his living doing odd jobs and ferrying cargo from one island to another. The money isn’t nearly as lucrative, which has left his ship in need of repairs and his crew unpaid. (Not that they complain. None can speak, having had their tongues cut out or been born mute.) The promise of gold doubloons, however, has drawn him out of retirement for one last job. Zolin, the High Vicar of the Bazira, wants to hire Sebastian’s special talents. He cares nothing of his target, until he discovers he is to kill the one person who killed so many Zak’reth – Selena Koren. But gold is money, and Sebastian accepts the assignment.

The characters, plot, and subplots are intertwined in layers of complexity and just when you expect the problem to resolve, another twist sends you tumbling into another adventure more heart-stopping than the last. A dead ship, a lone survivor, rotting and corrupted merkind, a bounty hunter, sea scorpions, a blind nun, fortunetelling, witches, a blood dragon shapeshifter, and magic are just some of the intriguing episodes in this book. My favorite involved the whaling community on an island of ice, where frozen dragons, dragon carvings, and an underground library are so vividly described that I felt as if I was actually among the characters during their stay.

Since this is the first book in the series, Bell introduces some characters and plots that are only peripherally involved with this particular story. Here, these subplots serve as background, as well as providing brief interludes to allow readers to catch their breath and be introduced before future titles provide fuller accountings of their stories. Bell also includes a map and a glossary to help orient the reader to the world of Lunos.

The Dark of the Moon is a riveting fantasy, whether the genre appeals to you or not. Selena and Sebastian are both haunted by the past and those they have killed, but how they deal with those memories provides stunning portrayals of how people cope. Reading this story is like wending your way through a cornfield maze or a haunted house. You never know what happens next, but something unexpected is always sure to happen. I eagerly await Shadow Moon Rising, the next book in the series, which is slated to be released in 2018. If you’re brave enough to risk the journey, I think you and your inner pirate will enjoy this voyage as much as I.

Ahoy there me mateys! I received this fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .

the dark of the moon (E.S. Bell)

Title: the dark of the moon

Author: E.S. Bell

Publisher: Trillian

Publication Date: Available Now!!! (paperback)

ISBN: 978-1974398508

Source: NetGalley

Arrrrrr mateys! Ships, magic, islands, assassins, dragon-kind, merfolk, gods, and so much more. Of course the cover drew me in but the main idea in this book is what tickled me fancy.

A woman named Selena possesses magic in exchange for service to the Two-Faced God. Ten years prior to this story, Selena used her magic to destroy a naval army. Only she lost control and killed the hundreds of innocents she was meant to save. In retribution, the god marked her breast with an icy hole in the shape of a crescent moon. The wound does not heal and Selena has never been warm since her mistake. These ten years later, an order has come that may lead to her redemption. She swore she would never kill again. But will she if it means she might be warm at last?

So Selena was an excellent character. I loved following her journey. She does appear a bit naive at times but I chalked it up to being raised in a temple and the ramifications of that. Her magic is awesome. She can summon the sea and heal and such. But because of her grievous mistake, she is wary of using her own power and it causes extreme internal conflict. Her wound is creepy and otherworldly. It is a void that she can put her hand into up to the elbow! Cool and gross!

The other characters are also extremely fun and multi-faceted. There is the assassin, Sebastian Vass, who has taken one final job to get out of the business altogether. Snarky, intelligent, and ruthless. There is Selena's companion, Ilior, who is a dragon-like creature and her best friend and self-appointed protector. Caring, stoic, and faithful. There are bad folks who have actual reasons for being evil and other folks that I remain ambivalent about in the best ways possible. Best of all, these characters change and grow as the plot progresses!

The world-building was lovely too. I loved the island world and its reasons for existing. I would certainly find adventure sailing in those waters. Some more dangerous than others. The religion of the world was very interesting. The ramifications are only hinted at in this book but what ideas were there were thought-provoking, and to me mind, fun.

The only downsides for me were the somewhat uneven pacing and the romance. The book is over 500 pages and there was a little too much filler for me taste. Mostly at the beginning. That said, the majority of the book kept me avidly flipping pages. Also I would find meself thinking of the characters when I put the book down and would be excited to pick it up again. So a minor grumble.

The romance itself was overall fine and it certainly isn't all perfect rosy goodness all the time. But I found meself wanting them to get over the angst. Of course then I got a sex scene that just seemed out of place. Again minor quibble. I was glad when the deed was done.

I very much enjoyed the voyage and certainly want to read the next book which I believe comes out in 2018. Arrrrr!

So lastly . . .

Thank you Trillian!

Side note: I only included part of the blurb because in me mind it be too spoilery. And I couldn't find the e-book version on sale. But being as I read an e-book it's likely out there somewhere.

Netgalley's website has this to say about the novel:

Centuries ago, dragons broke the old world and scattered the pieces across the oceans. On this new world of islands swathed in seas, sailors are kings, and the moon god holds dominion...

Selena Koren is the moon god’s most powerful Paladin; a skilled warrior and blessed with the most potent magic. She also bears the god’s terrible wrath. Ten years before, during the bloody Zak’reth War, Selena summoned the seas to destroy her enemy's armada. The Zak’reth screamed and drowned and died, but so too did four hundred innocents. In its fury, the god smote Selena with a terrible wound: a crescent-shaped hole in her chest that breathes its icy breath every moment of every day so that she never knows warmth.

Now, her temple sends Selena on a quest to kill two powerful dark priests. This alone, she is assured, will close her terrible wound. The thought of killing without provocation rattles her soul but Selena can suffer the cold no longer . . .

To visit the author’s Goodreads page go to:

E.S. Bell - Author

To buy the novel go to:

the dark of the moon - Book

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Yer Ports for Plunder List

The beginning of the book kind of drops you in head first into the world and it can be little overwhelming, but then I discovered the glossary at the end which helped me tremendously. I really enjoyed the characters in this book, especially since they had interesting backstories. The ending definitely left me eagerly waiting for the next part of the story.

This is a copy of the review I posted on Goodreads:

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and let me say, that I'm so happy they did.

I really really enjoyed this book. It took about a 1/4 of the way through it for me to really get into it because of all the different characters and their storylines but eventually, it picked up speed and I couldn't get enough.

Selena and Sebastian's characters are fabulous. I love their complexity, their appeal, and how I've become so attached to them..... I can't wait to find out more. The world and creatures/beings that E.S. Bell has created is fantastic. She's incorporated creatures from myth and legend, as well as a few of he own. Her descriptions of the world she's create are quite vivid...I almost felt like I was standing at the entrance to the library....

Overall, really happy I picked this one. I'm so excited for the second installment because there's just so many things that need to be explained!

Interesting concept for magical beings. It was hard to wrap my head around the logistics but a really interesting take.

This book was quite a ride. Loved the plot, the world building, the development of the characters and the adventures. It's the first high fantasy book with pirates and mostly set on the sea that I've read. An innovative approach to fantasy.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been trying to write this review for nearly a month and the problem I’m having is that I don’t really know how to express how much I loved it.

I adored this book. Adored. It was pretty much perfect and if the rest of the series is any where near as good, I will have gained another favourite series!

I don't want to explain the plot because it's so lush and rich I couldn't do it justice. What you really need to know is it is a beautifully written, that characters are fantastic and the world building is on point!

It’s very rare that I have a firm favourite character. I normally have one or two that I love but this time, even though all the characters were brilliant, Sebastian is my favourite. 😮 can it be? Did she actually just say she has an actual favourite character? Yes people, I did. And here’s why: (to paraphrase one of my own updates) he’s a morally ambiguous assassin with a dream and a heartbreaking backstory. He’s terrifyingly good at what he does but he doesn’t want to do it anymore. He’s ridden the waves of anger and now that the initial tidal wave has retreated to a moderately rough sea, he wants out.

The relationship between Sebastian and Selena is great and I especially adore that Selena is a powerful, strong character in her own right. Softer than Sebastian but with the ability to obliterate islands...what a heroine!

I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give too much away and I desperately want people to read this! But all I will say is this: one of my favourite things about their relationship was that when the shit hit the fan, Selena didn’t shrug it off and allow her feelings to override her judgement. She stayed strong and firm and I love her for that. Sebastian betrayed her and she shouldn’t just roll over and accept it. I want them to end up together but it would have felt wrong for it to happen by the end of this book.

I cannot wait for the next book.

Wow! My mind is blown! I can't get this story out of my head a week after reading it! The characters were also phenomenal!

This is my first time reading E.S. Bell's works. Other reviewers have noted that she writes romance books under the name of Emma Scott but I haven't encountered them either. When I read the premise, I was quite intrigued. Nautical theme, moon gods, pirates, assassins, dragons - yes, please! The cover is gorgeous.

I should note too that this was a free reading copy thanks to NetGalley and Trillian in exchange for a fair and honest review. Parts of the novel gave me the sense that I'd read the ideas in other fantasy novels before. The crescent-shaped wound in Selena's chest which caused her so much pain and angst reminded me of the green emerald embedded in Berem's chest from the Dragonlance novels of Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. The backstory of a disgraced powerful priestess of a religion reminds me of Maskelle from Wheel of the Infinite by Martha Wells. I admit I actually prefer Maskelle as a character protagonist as she is an older character and as such, is more worldly and mature in her handling of affairs. Lastly, the deadly assassin falling in love with his mark reminds me of The Emperor's Edge series by Lindsay Buroker.

I had a lot of trouble getting immersed in the story and feeling connected to the characters. The romance didn't interest me either. So, to my regret, this will be a DNF. This book did not come together for me but your experience may differ.

A book of pirates, paladins, magic, and the moon? Yes please! This book follows the quest of Selena Koren, a paladin for a god, and wielder of light and healing magic. She sails with a mute crew, an assassin, and a one winged dragon/humanoid man to find and kill 2 of her god's enemies in an attempt to regain his favor and heal a wound she has suffered from for 10 years. Reading the description of this book just checked so many boxes for me. So yeah, this was a solid 3 stars for me. It had some really great positives like the world's geography and its magic, but it had a number of flaws as well like the damned typos, tense changes, and extraneous characters.

First the positives - this world is awesome! A land full of islands spread over such a distance as to experience an extreme weather spectrum. I enjoyed following the characters through their voyages at sea, a rain forest, beaches, the frozen north, and coastal beach towns. Second, the magic being based off the moon was awesome. The main god was the Two-Faced God (god of the moon) with a side for the full moon, The Shining Face, which was represented by warmth, light, and healing, and a side for the new moon, The Shadow Face, represented by cold, darkness, and ice. There were also smaller dieties who controlled other aspects of life such as the weather and communing with animals. A bit pagan, and pretty well thought through.

The main characters, Selena Koren and Sebastian Vaas, were great. She was strong, intelligent, kind, generous, and thoughtful. She always sees the best in people and believes them to be genuine. She truly believes in her religion, and the good it can do in her world. He is a reformed bad guy, with a heartbreaking back story, who truly wants to change and be a better human being. He's pragmatic, street smart, and tortured.

The negatives...oh my goodness. THE TYPOS.

I can forgive a few typos, say 1-3, in a professionally published book. I can forgive a few more typos, say 5-10, in a self-published book. At around 34% through the book I realized that I was being pulled out of the story way too often due to typos, usually additional/missing words, incorrect works like "on" instead of "one", or changing tenses like "were tear" instead of "was torn". Obviously this book started life in a present tense form before being changed to past tense, but the author/editor/beta readers missed some of the changes which through off so much. Also, this book seems like it was written in multiple places and then copy/pasted together into one document given the number of missing/additional words.

"I want you tell Selena Karen..."
"The four of the climbed..."
"Despite a having a small..."
"...and he fatigue overwhelmed him."

Overall this aspect was so frustrating that at 34% I decided to start keeping track thanks to my trusty kindle. From 34% to the end of the book I noted 30 typos which probably wasn't even all of them as I was definitely skimming sections. The book was full of really large type faced chapter headings and ship clip art to separate sections within the chapters. I think the effort put into making the text beautiful would have been better spent going through an additional draft stage.

The length of this book was also problematic for me as it was too long and I definitely found myself skimming portions - namely the action sequences. At 542 pages this book is massive, especially when I was expecting an adventure romance (as the writer is a romance novelist) but instead for an attempt at epic fantasy. Sadly though there were too many romance tropes for it to be an epic fantasy for me. That being said I was a bit annoyed when the romance played out the way it did considering all the typical romance tropes were in play! Also, there were extraneous characters that really had almost no function. Now that I know this book is a series maybe they will come into play in later books, but then why bother introducing them in the first book and then not have them contribute?

Finally, I have to admit I did not realize this was a series and was really confused at how the ending left so many storylines open!! I really thought it was a stand along fantasy novel and was actually a little mad when I hit 100%. At first I thought it was one of those annoying books with open ended endings. Thankfully that isn't the case here, and I just didn't think to check Goodreads prior to finishing the book to confirm that!

I think I would read the second book in the series because despite the flaws as I am intrigued by the world and the characters.

3.5/5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I was lent sure going Into it originally, however after starting it I ddnt want to stop. I had to finish it. Honestly I'm excited about the next book in this series! The author just had a way of writing the story that they pulled you and and never want to leave.