I'm going to start the month off with a young adult fantasy...and not a new one. This is the first in a popular series, which first appeared in 2013. It's now getting a new shine and hit the shelves with fresh dazzle around the beginning of this year. I haven't read the series, yet, and thought this would be a good opportunity to take a peek.
So, with high expectations (since it's done so well), let's open this one up and see what adventures it holds.
PROPHECY
The Fractured Kingdom #1
by M.L. Fergus
Tundra Books
YA Fantasy
352 pages
A girl who yearns for freedom, a handsome thief . . . and the start of an epic romantic adventure that will change the course of history, combining the romance and adventure of The Princess Bride with the political intrigue of Game of Thrones. For fans of Stephanie Garber, Leigh Bardugo, Shelby Mahurin and Jennifer L. Armentrout.
A lifetime of hardship and toil has left Persephone dreaming of a destiny that belongs to none but her. When a chance encounter with a handsome thief offers hope of escape, she recklessly sets her plan in motion.
But the thief, Azriel, has plans of his own and no intention of letting her go anywhere. For he and his clan believe that Persephone could be the key to defeating the king's regent, a sadistic monster who has hunted them for years. Torn between her longing for freedom and her growing feelings for Azriel, Persephone finds herself plunging ever deeper into a dark and dangerous world where death is never more than one careless word away.
As tensions rise to a fever pitch, Persephone faces the hardest choice she has ever had to make. And no one—least of all her—could have imagined the shocking truth her decision will reveal.
Updated and revised for a brand-new audience, this propulsive blend of romance, fantasy and adventure will ensnare readers' hearts and imagination. Once Upon a Broken Heart meets The Queen's Thief in Prophecy, the first book in The Fractured Kingdom trilogy — filled with heart-pounding romance and epic adventure.
A lifetime of hardship and toil has left Persephone dreaming of a destiny that belongs to none but her. When a chance encounter with a handsome thief offers hope of escape, she recklessly sets her plan in motion.
But the thief, Azriel, has plans of his own and no intention of letting her go anywhere. For he and his clan believe that Persephone could be the key to defeating the king's regent, a sadistic monster who has hunted them for years. Torn between her longing for freedom and her growing feelings for Azriel, Persephone finds herself plunging ever deeper into a dark and dangerous world where death is never more than one careless word away.
As tensions rise to a fever pitch, Persephone faces the hardest choice she has ever had to make. And no one—least of all her—could have imagined the shocking truth her decision will reveal.
Updated and revised for a brand-new audience, this propulsive blend of romance, fantasy and adventure will ensnare readers' hearts and imagination. Once Upon a Broken Heart meets The Queen's Thief in Prophecy, the first book in The Fractured Kingdom trilogy — filled with heart-pounding romance and epic adventure.
MY TIDBITS
Adventure meets spunk and humorous back-and-forths as a hero and heroine come up against a despicable evil.
Persephone has grown up as a slave and been her entire life mistreated. When a thief steals a chicken, everything turns upside down and not just because her owner has almost had enough of her. When the thief returns the next day as a Lord and purchases her, she finds herself, supposedly, freed from slavery, but now, she's at the center of a rebellion. She's thought to be the possible heroine of a prophecy, one that will place a new king on the throne and unite the people. But she's not convinced this prophecy is true. After all, it's just a person's words, and for her, it's another form of slavery...and all she wants is freedom.
This was released several years ago, did well, and now...if I've understood this correctly... has been revised to hit the world again. It's sold as a Princess Bride meets Game of Thrones. The later is only very lightly there, in the sense that there are several tribes always fighting to survive or take control. The Princess Bride vibes do come through on the dialogue and relationship between the hero and heroine, and a slight bit of over-the-top-ness on the animal friendships and horribleness of the bad guy. Otherwise, this tale takes on a complete feel of its own.
This first pages are on the darker side as the prophecy is born, and Persephone's situation is introduced. The circumstances are harsh. This heavier atmosphere remains throughout the story thanks to the terrible villain, who seems to have no redeeming qualities. In juxtaposition, there's the rest of the read. While Persephone faces dangerous and awful situations, her attitude and tendency to work with things in her own way keep a constant flow of lightness and even raise the eyebrows, at times. She leans to immaturity, and this keeps the novel in a solid young adult realm despite, sometimes, heavier moments.
As the first book in the series, this one does a nice job at laying the foundation of the characters and intrigue. The chapters allow insight not only into the hero's and heroine's thoughts but also give needed looks into the villain's head. The other side-characters hold little richness outside of their original personalities, which do add spice to the tale. But this one isn't about super depth. Even the world-building holds just enough to let the adventure and tension flow, but I hear whispers that the needed support on this end might appear in book two. That leaves this first book as a fun read to simply enjoy from beginning to end. And it is enjoyable.
And here she is...
M.L. FERGUS‘s many books for young people have been translated into more than a dozen languages, optioned for television, adapted for stage, and won or been shortlisted for numerous prestigious awards. She writes illustrated books for young readers under the name Maureen Fergus. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada with her family.
More information about M.L. Fergus can be found on her website www.maureenfergus.com.
More information about M.L. Fergus can be found on her website www.maureenfergus.com.