Saturday, June 22, 2013

Brad About Books: Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Read from April 24 to 25, 2013
FALLING KINGDOMS
Published: December 11, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 412 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Kingdoms, #1

The gripping New York Times bestseller that is Game of Thrones for teens

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

CleoA princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

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

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

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



Falling Kingdoms is an outstanding, riveting read that had me intertwined with this world and totally consumed by the beautiful, yet haunting, world that Rhodes expertly crafted. George R.R. Martin better watch out - Morgan Rhodes is a fantastic and brilliant voice in fantasy!

If you don't know this, I am such a fanatic for high fantasy (or just regular fantasy) books - they're just so complex and fantastic. I love them! Falling Kingdoms is easily one of the best high fantasy novels I have ever read. I honestly think that this book is the new modern Lord of the Rings. World-building is what makes a fantasy novel come together, and this war-torn and bloodshed land is absolutely phenomenal. The three kingdoms {Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia} are enticing and captivating - I would love to be able to visit this world! Morgan Rhodes (or Michelle Rowen) weaved this land together so brilliantly and mind-blowing. If you're a fan of high fantasy/fantasy, Falling Kingdoms is an absolute must-read!

The characters are also phenomenal. Yes, it's a bit complex to figure out and remember who's who, what role they play in this world, and who they want revenge on/are in hiding from. Once you get the hang of it, it's not hard whatsoever - that's how much of an amazing job Rhodes did with this book. I'm in shocked! I'm stunned! I am so excited for Rebel Spring, the sequel. I need that book, like, yesterday!

I'm a big fan of first lines. I'm an even bigger fan of first paragraphs. But I'm a MAJOR fan of last lines. If an author can really nail the last line of a book, whether it be a cliffhanger or just the end to a series, I know I'm hooked and captivated. And let me say, Falling Kingdoms has one of my favorite last lines ever. Seriously. It's not very cliffhanger-y, but it definitely makes me want the rest of the series! Oh my gosh, I can't even with this book. It's just fantastic.

I'm speechless.

Overall, Falling Kingdoms is an absolutely mind-blowing and phenomenal fantasy that stands out as a favorite book of the year... and of all time. Stunning, stellar, and enchanting as magic, Falling Kingdoms is a must-read!

M Y    R A T I N G


4 comments:

  1. This is one of my favourite high fantasy books. I'm a high fantasy fan as well :) There needs to be more in YA

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  2. "An absolutely mind-blowing and phenomenal fantasy" eh??? Count me in! I'm now totally considering buying it just to read that last line! Lovely review and I'm really intrigued. :) I shall go hunt this book down at my local library right away.

    Ruby @ http://feedmebooksnow.blogspot.co.uk

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  3. Very nice gushy review! I don't read a whole lot of fantasy, but this one does sound really good. World building is one of those things that is really hard for me to love because I have to really truly believe a world in order to like it. This book seems like something I might like. I'll definitely have to give it a shot. Thanks for the review!

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  4. I absolutely adore high fantasy and I regret not picking this up at ALA last year. This will be the next book I buy for sure. Thanks for the review!
    -Danna

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Thank you so much for stopping by! I read every comment and truly appreciate them. I would love to hear your thoughts! If you leave a comment, I'll be sure to leave a comment back on your blog ASAP! -Brad