Review: Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

Fallen Isles Trilogy #1

Before

Mira Minkoba is the Hopebearer. Since the day she was born, she’s been told she’s special. Important. Perfect. She’s known across the Fallen Isles not just for her beauty, but for the Mira Treaty named after her, a peace agreement which united the seven islands against their enemies on the mainland.

But Mira has never felt as perfect as everyone says. She counts compulsively. She struggles with crippling anxiety. And she’s far too interested in dragons for a girl of her station.

After

Then Mira discovers an explosive secret that challenges everything she and the Treaty stand for. Betrayed by the very people she spent her life serving, Mira is sentenced to the Pit–the deadliest prison in the Fallen Isles. There, a cruel guard would do anything to discover the secret she would die to protect.

No longer beholden to those who betrayed her, Mira must learn to survive on her own and unearth the dark truths about the Fallen Isles–and herself–before her very world begins to collapse.

I really wanted to love BEFORE SHE IGNITES. The premise of the blurb pulled me in, and the concept of the story was very intriguing. However the execution just left some things to be desired in my opinion. The story was told flip flopping in time back and forth between before and after the major change in Mira's life. I understand the intention was to slowly unfurl the secrets and the story, but in practice, this was more frustrating than not. Even by the end of the book I still didn't fully grasp the world, or what was truly going on, or at stake. I just wish more time had been spent setting things up rather than the continual bouncing back and forth.

Another difficulty I had with this book was my detachment from the heroine, Mira. She spends most of the book in a vapid state for lack of a better word. I hate to be so harsh, but until the very end of the book, she just didn't seem to have any substance to her. I realize she was literally raised to be an object for the counsel's use, but it just was incredibly hard to stay engaged in her plight. The only strength she showed throughout the book were her attempts to hold out against torture to keep the secret of the dragons. BUT unfortunately this didn't show real strength as there never seemed a reason for her to withhold such knowledge. Speaking of what she found is what landed her in the Pit in the first place, but upon imprisonment and torture, the cat suddenly got her tongue? It just range false.

While this first book in this new series started off rocky, by the end I was fully hooked into the world. I will be continuing on with this series to see what happens next in this fascinating world.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     The Moonlight Library
     Gizmo's Reviews
     Du Livre

Review: One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake

One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake

Three Dark Crowns #2

The battle for the Crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail?

With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off. Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than ever before. Arsinoe, after discovering the truth about her powers, must figure out how to make her secret talent work in her favor without anyone finding out. And Mirabella, once thought to be the strongest sister of all and the certain Queen Crowned, faces attacks like never before—ones that put those around her in danger she can’t seem to prevent.

In this enthralling sequel to Kendare Blake’s New York Times bestselling Three Dark Crowns, Fennbirn’s deadliest queens must face the one thing standing in their way of the crown: each other.

There's something just deliciously dark and yummy about these books. The enthralling darkness and complexity of the world started in the first book, and continued even stronger in ONE DARK THRONE. The horrors of the Ascension Year are in full swing this time around and previously allegiances are in shatters. It made for an enthralling read. I won't spoil things, but there were so many twists and turns leading up to one heck of a cliffhanger ending. I was left in utter shock!

I had absolutely no trouble connecting with the characters this time around. Getting to know the girls in the first book was a bit rocky I have to admit, but all three of the triplets have found their identities and aren't holding their punches anymore. I had my favorites for sure, but each girl and their allies brought something special to the table making it hard to choose sides at times. Everything is so up in the air with this trio, I can't wait to see how it all pans out in the end.

All in all, if you're looking for a dark and enthralling YA fantasy read, look no further than ONE DARK THRONE.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     The Moonlight Library
     Book Series Recaps
     Her Bookish Things

Previous Books:
     1. Three Dark Crowns