TW: physical and emotional abuse, marital rape, torture, and pregnancy with threat of miscarriage.

This book really surprised me. I mean, it's not like I went into it expecting to hate it, but I just thought I would like it. I ended up really loving this story, even though it's a dark one. This book deals with a lot of heavy topics, but it by no means ever romanticizes or glorifies them. The things that happen in this book are pretty horrific, but this doesn't feel like another one of those "grimdark everyone is awful dear god is there any hope" kind of stories. Through everything Shalia is a wonderful beam of light and hope and the characters around her are as well. I really liked the various characters and their dynamics, although I (as per usual, I feel like) would've enjoyed more female friendships. There is one that slowly develops throughout the book and she has a best friend who comes and goes, but for the most part Shalia is surrounded by men. Saying that, I did really like her brother, Kairos. He's the kind of character I always like. I can't necessarily say I enjoyed this, since it is a difficult read, but I really, really loved it. I read it in one sitting and I can't wait to read the sequel and do the same.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

If this story hadn’t been so long and predictable I probably would have enjoyed it better. As it was, I felt it dragged and could have used a good editing down. The main character Shalia was interesting enough but it was her brothers that I found really irksome. Both of them constantly put Shalia in danger by their stupid decisions but then told her that they didn’t want her involved with the fight for the Elementae so she would stay safe… Kairos just tells her what to do all the time and treats her like a child.

The darker scenes in the book were more annoying than troubling, to me, because it took so long for someone to take care of “the problem”. I didn’t feel there was enough explanation as to the motive of characters actions either. Overall, I didn’t really care for it but it wasn’t bad, just maybe it needed more direction.

There was a lot going on with this book. It was very heavy and emotionally exhausting. It took me a while to get through because it made me tired just to read a few chapters. The story was dark, full of many hard issues that I thought the author handled well, but not something I was expecting. There was an arranged marriage and pregnancy. Through the whole thing, I just felt like the main character was really juvenile.

The story was interesting though, and I think that's what kept me reading. It would be a great book for someone who likes darker fantasies with deep content. I wasn't in the mood for such a read, but maybe it would be something I could read again when I want something dark.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Read the Scarlet series from this author so was very excited to see another series from her. I was not dissapointed. Good story building and engaging characters. Interested to see where the story goes. The story has some serious elements to it but I was ready for a serious book.

This is a tough one for me to review, because while I really enjoyed the story, I found a few things problematic. Overall, more grey area and fewer easy answers are what I wanted from this book. This is a story of abuse and survival and I think it's an important, if difficult, one to tell. Shalia's naivity, growth, and strength are all extremely compelling, but more time spent with her struggling to get to this self-assured and fearless place would deepen the emotional engagement for me and craft a more complex representation of the aftermath of abuse. The idea of the villain at the beginning of the novel too is wonderfully tense, but falls too quickly and easily into bigger than life super villain. FInally the "big reveal" at the novel's end left some holes in the logic of the story and the ethical code it attempts to develop. All that being said, I found the story and characters compelling and I couldn't stop thinking about it after I finished. Also, I'm a sucker for the Elementae <3. I am looking forward to the next installment! 3.5 Stars.

Noteworthy experiences while reading this book: This one came alive like a flower opening if you ask me. It was slightly slower than some books but was more like a slow burn that worked out so well for this story! It was fast to ignite my passion for reading it and I was so amazed at where it took me.

Check out author's other books or related books? This is the second book that I have tried from this author. It is also the first one that I have loved hands down. I will most definitely check out this author's other titles in the future. Including book two of this series.

Recommend this book? YES! If you are reading this PRE ORDER THIS BOOK NOW!!!

Notes and Opinions: OMG what can I say about this book? When I started it I thought I was going to hate it. It made me feel like I had been dropped into the middle of a story. It starts out with Shalia getting married and I felt a little lost on what was going on. But that soon changed with just a few chapters. I was hooked after that and I couldn't put it down. The world building in this one had me remembering parts of another fantasy series which had the same feel to it. that one also had a race of people being hunted tortured and killed becuase of what they could do. This one also had a very surprising twist towards the end that I didn't see coming at all.

Reading this, you could really feel the passion the author had for this story. I read the acknowledgments afterward and I can't help but feel for what the author has gone through and I hope she gets better. But you could tell that this story was a work of deep love. I laughed and cried during this story and there is one solid cliffhanger at the end that I and crossing my fingers turn out well. The story is one that will stick with me for some time and it is also one that will rip at your heartstrings. I felt everything that Shalia felt with love, loss, and heartbreak.

The characters in this one were just fantastic! We had the cruel king who could never really love anyone, the protective brother who is always there, the girl who didn't know exactly what she was getting into and tried to change the soul and heart of the man she thought she could love. As well as the undying devotion of her guards and others around her. Each character stood on their own two feet and I would love a few novellas about each one's background. I think it would enrich the story even more.

This tale of a girl who thought she was just going to become queen for peace was so much more. It weaved a tale of a girl who became a woman and a queen and would stop at nothing to strive for the peace she held so dear. I can't wait to see where the author takes us next on this amazing journey.

Go Into This One Knowing: Very Slight Love Triangle, Magic, Torture, Death, Murder

*This book was reviewed by: Jessica P.

Loved this book. Full review coming closer to release date at www.theeverydayk.com !

This would get about a 2.5 stars for me...which was disappointing for me. I loved the author's last series, Scarlet, was a huge fan. This book started pretty good for me, liked the characters enough, but as I read through, it was way too predictable and the characters fell flat for me. I've read so many similar books (Rebel in the Sands for one) with close to the same plot lines, and it wasn't anything fresh or new, which was such a disappointment. I had such hopes, and there are so many things that frustrated me in the plot and characters as the book continued. I liked the main character but she was too perfect and too good for everything, and Calix is wow bad, but she didn't have the fight in a lead character that would have made me like her, it was just a little too blah and disappointed for sure. I liked the loyalty to her family and liked the islands that were mysterious and all, but it was just an ok read at best. I saw the ending happen way before and was annoyed that it was exactly as I had thought, oh well. Not a huge fan of the book, still a fan of the author though.

I was lucky enough to pick up a copy of this at ALA AND NetGalley and it took me until now to finally start it. The fact that I finished it in a day is a pretty good indicator of how solid of a start to a series it was. I enjoyed almost all of the main characters (and enjoyed hating the other one...) and there was some great world building and an interesting elemental-type magic scheme that seemed fresh and new.

Actually for some reason certain aspects of this book reminded me of Roar by Cora Carmack, which also had new (or new to me at least) magic concepts. So if you enjoyed that one, definitely check this out!

The only think that didn't quite convince me was the romance...can't really say more right now or else it would give things away so I'll let you guys decide. :) Definitely a new series that could be really big so come January, you better make sure you get your hands on it!

Huge thanks to Bloomsbury for the physical ARC!

This book hits the heaviest of topics--not all of which seem..."necessary", but that almost makes it more real. Is rape ever a necessity? Gaughen creates a fascinating world filled with intriguing characters. The first in a series that is sure to do well if you can make it through the darkness.

Thanks A.C.!

This book will suck you in from the first word to the last. I stayed up way too late reading this because there is no way you will want to stop reading.

I received this ARC from the publisher for a voluntary and honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Reign the Earth is my first book by A.C. Gaughen and I must say it was quite the powerful read! I love me a good fantasy read! Ones filled with magic of the mystical kind and a good romance on the side doesn’t hurt either! Reign the Earth had all that and more! It continued to amaze me with every page I turned!

Shalia is marrying a king in order to help end the strife between her people and his. Shalia comes from a clan who have a different set of beliefs than the king, Calix does. There are also Elementae about in the world, they are ones, as you can imagine, who can control an element such as Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. But despite all the hardships they’ve had, a truce has been made. Shalia isn’t too keen on an arranged marriage, but as her parents told her, love can still come from such things for their marriage was an arranged sort.

Off the bat, you can kind of already tell that Calix isn’t going to be our hero to swoon over. There’s this coldness to him that’s sort of off-putting. Shalia is new to romance and such things and when it comes time to consummate their marriage, she’s afraid and while Calix isn’t yelling and berating, he isn’t 100% kind and gentle either.

Soon queenly life moves on for Shalia though there is still unease in the kingdom. Shalia knows that her brother Rian is said to be leading a Resistance group against the king who is against all Elementae. He wants them all eradicated while Rian and his group are for allowing them to live peacefully. You can pretty much see where things are going.

Then we have Galen, Calix’s brother and captain of the guards. There is a sort of connection buzzing between him and Shalia, if the description of the book is anything to go by. Though it’s a slow and gradual thing. And even though Shalia is technically married, it doesn’t really come off as the sleazy cheating scenario. Calix, as you will see, is a cold and selfish sort. I mean I was really rooting for his demise far sooner than necessary it would seem! Lol! Calix is searching for an elixir of some kind that is said to remove the powers from an Elementa. He wants the Elementae exterminated to put it bluntly, hence the reason for the Resistance group.

The pacing to this one was a touch on the slow side, but in a way, I’m kind of used to that when it comes to fantasies. Fantasy world-building takes time and A.C. does this gradually, but not in a way where you feel like giving up on the book entirely. There’s a lot of secrets going about with the characters. Not so much in a mystery sort of way, but just carefully guarded secrets that take time to reveal.

It’s truly the characters that kept me reading! I grew to love Shalia as she’s the type of heroine I love most! A strong-willed young woman who wants to do what is right and protect those she loves. There’s great friendships building throughout this book as well and the ending is one that will leave you reeling! I was positively shocked! And this really comes about in the last ¼ of the book or so! So early shock factor geared towards that ending!

There is still a lot left unsaid, mostly wondering about certain people or things. Nothing majorly killer in the cliffhanger territory. I will definitely be looking forward to the sequel!

Reign the Earth is a magically exciting kind of read that will leave you breathless! It has the right kind of energy for a fantasy read that sweeps you off to a mystical world that you will long to return to! Counting down the days to the next one and this one hasn’t even released yet! I’m in way over my head here! Lol!


Overall Rating 4/5 stars


Reign the Earth releases January 30, 2018

I just finished Reign the Earth and I was very impressed. It was easy to read and follow the main character as she learned about a new place and how to adapt in the world. It pulled at my heart strings constantly and I have to admit I shed a few tears, but it was worth it. The characters are lovable and you want the best for them, feeling their fear and hopes throughout. Shalia is a calm rock as everyone else moves around her and seems stable and sensible. She is an easy character to love.

The novel does have some darker themes - that I would normally shy away from - and that I found hard to handle (one is physical/emotional abuse and manipulation embedded in the story and another is to do with pregnancy) but that could be a personal sensitivity I have to those issues. It is so well written and the emotions I felt as I read were akin to the main characters feelings herself.
I have to admit that I did want to stop reading about a third of the way through because of this. It was very hard going to push past these themes and read more. I had to stop twice and talk myself into continuing to read because of the emotionally dark themes and I was unsure there would be a redemption. So I will say to be careful reading this if stories with abuse are too hard to read.
When I had an hour left in the book (i'm a kindle reader) I really thought I was going to be left unsatisfied with the ending, but I wasn't. It all managed to wrap up nicely and set up the story in future books.

A fantastic read and I am so excited for the next book in the series... however I hope it has more fantasy than this book did because I live for that and it felt lacking. It read almost like a historical novel with an arranged marriage and overbearing husband, with a girl who was beyond her time and wanted to do things she shouldn't. I'm lucky I like these types of books too, so it did not ruin my reading experience. I just wish there was more of a fantasy element or a quest element for the main character - but I suppose that is possibly where this story is heading in the future.

Also you know a villain is written well when you want to see him dead every time they enter a room.

4 out of 5 Stars
I would definitely recommend this book but its not a story about bunnies and fluffy chickens, it has some heavy topics. So be aware before you start. Even with all I have said I'm really looking forward to the next book and I did enjoy this book.

The concept was superb; the execution left me wanting. Shaila was, for the most part, a strong character. Her interaction with other characters was not believable. It was too forced, and I couldn’t not comprehend why was she so loved by everyone. I could simply not see it. I felt like the author was trying to force the main character on us, and to love her as much as everyone in the book seem to do so, but it did not happen. At least for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for allowing my to read this advanced copy.

The idea that there are those who can heal with the elements and control them in ways I have never imagined was intriguing and kept me reading to the end.

Familial ties aside, the characters were fighting for what they believed in, so of course, you had to route for the underdogs!

<blockquote><i>”I am a daughter of the desert, and my feet will never fail me.”</i></blockquote>

mmm yeah okay. This was good. But it was also super hecka long??? Hm. Whatever.

<u>Plot</u>

A++ in concept. Arranged marriage in the name of peace between warring countries? Having to hide your powers from your abusive husband bc he committed genocide on your people? Sign me up!

Not so good in execution, though. Goodness. I was so bored. I didn’t even realize I was so bored until I was, like, fifty percent through the book and I looked at myself and asked <i>’why tf is it taking me so long to finish this?’</i> Answer? <b>nothing happens. nothing is connected.</b> The action picked up like 75% of the way into the book but honestly?? The first 300 pages could have been covered in 150. Everything was incredibly drawn out, from the journey to Tri City, to Shalia working at the mills, to going to the Summer Palace….. I just wasn’t engaged. It was all filler, no hiller.

I’ll give the book this, though: I did not see a lot of the plot twists coming. When the action finally started it almost was enough for me to bump it up to four stars… but then I got bored again. Whatevs.

<u>Characters</u>

uhhh pretty much the only reason why I gave this three stars instead of two was because Shalia, Galen, Danae, and Kai have my heart. Everyone else? Not so much. I couldn’t keep people straight. I couldn’t remember any names. Bleh. I loved to hate Calix, and I loved to love those four, but I legit do not care about or remember any other characters.

Everything was just flat. People were two-dimensional. I’m sure some of it was due to the writing and the slow advancement of the plot, but, ugh. Nothing engaged me at all.

<u>Writing</u>

The battle sequences in this book were choppy and gory and just plain not written well. I didn’t know what was going on half the time, I had no idea what the setting was, and I literally. Did not know what was happening. That could be my own fault though bc it could have just been lazy reading on my part, but everything moved too fast and UGH big blocks of exposition puts me to sleep especially when I’m already bored. I couldn’t follow anything. I was so lost.

But!! There was some truly beautiful dialogue in this here book. It was eloquent without being to prose-y and it made my heart <i>feel</i> things. Very poetic and so superb.

<u>Romance</u>

my FAVORITE part of the book (which is a feat in of itself because hmmMM I usually don’t like romance in non-romance books) Shalia deserves the world and she and Galen are so cute together and I just want them to be happy and run off together and forget about Calix. Screw Calix.

I love how Shalia’s powers manifest themselves when she’s happy and around Galen and I love how quietly affectionate and patient Galen is!! o!! t!! p!! I may read the rest of the series just for them. I would recommend this book just for them. Slow-burn romances are my favorite kind of book-food. I’m so happy. What an iconic couple.
<b><blockquote><i>”’I love you, Shalia d’Dragyn. Your heart is my heart.’”</i></blockquote></b>

<u>World-Building</u>

<b>I am a <i>slut</i> for good world-building.</b> And this book HAS it. I loved reading about the different cultures between Tri City and the desert people, and the different religions, and customs, and aaaa!! I love world-building!! I loved how each city has it’s own history and it’s own everything and how the desert people are so much more open and accepting and feminist compared to Tri City and reading how Shalia has to deal with that culture shock! I need more of this world!!

<u>Misc. Stuff of Importance</u>
- Idk maybe this book just wasn’t for me??? Everyone else seemed to enjoy it and I hope my review doesn’t stop someone from reading it. Maybe it just didn’t click with me for some reason. Whatever lol
- I hate Calix
- Am I the only one who thought this was a going to be a re-telling of the story of Esther for a hot second? Yep? Mmkay. Idk why I thought that, but if that’s what you’re looking for then you’re not gonna find it my dude
- I hate Calix
- How does the pet hawk land on Kai and Rian and Shalia’s arms without digging into them when they’re not wearing gloves or ANY protective wear?? ?
- Why did this book take me ten days to read?? this really <i>was</i> boring.
- I really fridgin’ hate Calix

<u>Conclusion</u>

Bleh. I really don’t know how I feel about this one. I guess I would recommend <i>Reign of the Earth</i> for high fantasy fans or people who love a good slow-burn. I didn’t really like it, but idk?? You might.

Gonna sign off with a quote that smashed my heart to bits:

<blockquote><i> “’I want you to be happy, and I want you to be safe. Unfortunately, I don’t know that you can have both at the same time right now.’

I looked down. ‘I don’t know that I can have either, Kai.’

He put his arm around me. ‘One day. One day.’”</i></blockquote>

A feminist fantasy delight. I cannot wait to get this into the hands of patrons at work.

I absolutely adored Gaughen's Scarlet series which is why I picked this up without any hesitation at all. Add in the cover and that description and I knew I would get something different, something fun, and something well written.

And I did get those things but yet I can't help but feel somewhat..... disappointed.

Don't get me wrong, this was a good story but it some how fell lacking from the greatness that was Scarlet.

It was a bit slow and even dragged in places and the love interest and storyline were predictable at best and even, I hate to say it, a tiny bit cliched. But, there is a but here, it was still a really good and interesting (and most of the time entertaining) story and one I am glad that I took the time to read. I definitely won't be giving up on this author or any of her stories because she really does know how to create a unique twist on something that isn't unique at all and that is always worth a try.

5 billion stars!!! Wow oh wow oh wow. I am still trying to decide how to put my feelings into words here. This book was absolutely stunning. A masterpiece. If I could rate it higher than 5 stars I totally would. It had all the right elements of an amazing fantasy and I could not put this book down! I received this e-ARC thanks to the amazing publishers and author. First off - I can't get enough of the cover art! The text and the colours used are exactly the kinds of things I look for in a book cover. If I hadn't received this from the publisher, I would have picked it up myself at a bookstore just based on the cover alone. The story follows Shalia, a daughter of the desert clans, in a world where two peoples are warring. She marries into the opposing family to help create peace between their people. Her new husband, Calix, is the king and he despises people with the magical talents of the elements - earth, air, fire and water. Shalia becomes the queen and together with her brothers, she tries to make their world a better place. 
​
This book made me laugh, chuckle and gasp. It made me feel a type of anger I don't think I've really felt before - or is only reserved for the most evil of characters. It had a few twists and turns and A. C. Gaughen wrote this plot beautifully. She created some wonderful secondary characters that are some of my favourite characters ever. I loved Zeph and Kairos, they made me laugh so hard and were really adorable. Galen - *swoon* - is one of my new favorite book boyfriends. He was fierce, mysterious and really supportive of Shalia. If you love magic, war between peoples, a delicious swoon worthy love interest, an amazing plot and supremely evil characters this book is definitely for you!! This book will be hugely popular and I am so thankful I got to read an advanced copy. I cannot wait to get my hands on a print copy - and neither should you! Pre-order it now, I promise you will not regret it.