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Courtlight #1
Sworn to Raise
Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the empire. But beneath her empire’s seemingly idyllic surface lies a hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder—intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.
Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companion’s Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she’d never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.
But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.
This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with remarkable characters and unforgettable magic. Sworn To Raise is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Michelle Sagara, and Maria Snyder.
Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companion’s Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she’d never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.
But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.
This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with remarkable characters and unforgettable magic. Sworn To Raise is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Michelle Sagara, and Maria Snyder.
265 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
676 people are currently reading
5010 people want to read
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Terah Edun
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews
September 25, 2013
There are those books that you just love to hate. You quote them, you have fun mocking the book, et cetera. And there are those books that blow you off your feet from the incomprehensible amount of beauty, minimal flaws, and the most perfectly written characters.
And then there are books like Sworn to Raise.
You don't hate them, you don't love them, and they don't really affect your life in any way. You're kind of indifferent to everything that occurs and could care less about any of the characters. You notice the countless flaws, but couldn't be bothered enough to actually list all of them.
Usually, this "meh" feeling is a sigh of amateur writing and under-developed characters. Needless to say, when readers feel this way towards a book, that is a BAAAAAD sign.
From the moment I began reading this, the writing clearly needed work. There were run-on sentences, sentences that made little sense, and sentences that completely ignored the rules of grammar. It was painful to read, to say the least.
AND THE MISPLACED COMMAS OH GOD.
Trudging through this book, I noticed that it lacked the given fundamentals that a reader expects. The plot went all over the place, there was no cohesiveness, and plenty of times I found myself scratching my head out of confusion. The conversations flowed unnaturally. To be put bluntly, it was all very awkward.
I could go on and on about the numerous problems with this book, (ex: why did she willingly travel with an unknown stranger? Where was the world-building?) but, I don’t believe this series has much hope. It needs a lot more improvement, and by a lot, I mean A LOT. Just read this sentence and you be the judge.
"Inch by inch, it withdrew from the core of his magic like a parasitic water worm being withdrawn from a swollen sore."
....
And then there are books like Sworn to Raise.
You don't hate them, you don't love them, and they don't really affect your life in any way. You're kind of indifferent to everything that occurs and could care less about any of the characters. You notice the countless flaws, but couldn't be bothered enough to actually list all of them.
Usually, this "meh" feeling is a sigh of amateur writing and under-developed characters. Needless to say, when readers feel this way towards a book, that is a BAAAAAD sign.
From the moment I began reading this, the writing clearly needed work. There were run-on sentences, sentences that made little sense, and sentences that completely ignored the rules of grammar. It was painful to read, to say the least.
AND THE MISPLACED COMMAS OH GOD.
Trudging through this book, I noticed that it lacked the given fundamentals that a reader expects. The plot went all over the place, there was no cohesiveness, and plenty of times I found myself scratching my head out of confusion. The conversations flowed unnaturally. To be put bluntly, it was all very awkward.
I could go on and on about the numerous problems with this book, (ex: why did she willingly travel with an unknown stranger? Where was the world-building?) but, I don’t believe this series has much hope. It needs a lot more improvement, and by a lot, I mean A LOT. Just read this sentence and you be the judge.
"Inch by inch, it withdrew from the core of his magic like a parasitic water worm being withdrawn from a swollen sore."
....
November 20, 2014
Kind of like a poor man's Harry Potter, but every flaw in the Harry Potter series is magnified here, and there's just nothing unique, interesting or worthwhile about it. Especially egregious are the bizarre inconsistencies in the setting and tone. For example, it's very obvious from the way characters talk and act that there's no kind of gender equality, but then the author goes out of her way to point out that there are female soldiers and male prostitutes escorts "companions", like she wanted it to be a world where men and women are treated equally but just kept accidentally not writing that.
Or the fact that the story seems to be written for children, right up until the point where the protagonist has to sneak out of her room to avoid being raped. It's not even like it's implied only, it's just clearly stated "It wasn't the best place to sleep, but it was better than being raped" (actual quote). And the tone of the narrative doesn't even change in that section. It's almost presented as a minor nuisance, like the protagonist is weighing up the options "I don't want to sleep in the barn, but on the other hand, rape. Hmm..." (not an actual quote). But then after that it goes back to schoolyard bullying being the biggest problem she faces.
It reminds me of the TV show Torchwood, because both of them feel like a fourteen-year-old's idea of what a serious, grown-up story should be like.
Or the fact that the story seems to be written for children, right up until the point where the protagonist has to sneak out of her room to avoid being raped. It's not even like it's implied only, it's just clearly stated "It wasn't the best place to sleep, but it was better than being raped" (actual quote). And the tone of the narrative doesn't even change in that section. It's almost presented as a minor nuisance, like the protagonist is weighing up the options "I don't want to sleep in the barn, but on the other hand, rape. Hmm..." (not an actual quote). But then after that it goes back to schoolyard bullying being the biggest problem she faces.
It reminds me of the TV show Torchwood, because both of them feel like a fourteen-year-old's idea of what a serious, grown-up story should be like.
April 23, 2013
'"You know," said Prima with a hint of cruelty in her voice, "If you really wanted to learn how to pay respect to the ground, I would have had Teachene show you."
Going stiff with ire at the girl's dig at her friend, Ciardis retorted, "It takes a dirt kisser to know one, Prima. Perhaps you should teach me."'
This book was an interesting combination of court intrigue, medieval-esque politics and complications, ancient magic and the painstaking trials of etiquette involved in becoming a true 'lady'.
Ciardis is of gypsy origin partially, which made her a fierce, fiery and intelligent heroine for the most part. Her being taken to be trained to become a companion - the process involving makeovers, new dresses, lessons, never-ending critique, and more - reminded me a lot of The Princess Diaries. Especially that scene in the movie when they're sitting in the screening room and looking at the profiles for potential husbands. A similar scene is shown in this book, with the girls being told to memorise the family histories and information folders on the men who wish to 'court' them.
It had a good use of humour, which broke up the storyline and made a refreshing change from the tough-love of Ciardis' mentor Serena - 'Defence was probably better described as 'how to hide pointy things in your dress and curtsey without stabbing yourself,' but it was actually quite fun.'
The only critique I have was that this story tended to lack cohesiveness. The only way I can explain it is that too many extra elements were added that seemed to clutter the storyline - and points that should have been given the time to mature, and grow, were often rushed. Ciardis' decision to leave to become a companion is quicker than blinking, the prince asks for her help and barely knows her, and then there's this maze competition which you would assume is part of the main plot (a.k.a her becoming a companion) but then the prince drags her away from it to aid him in another plot.
The problem wasn't the lack of entertainment, or interest. Rather that I think too many plotlines were being juggled at the one time. Her becoming a companion, her being a descendant of that esteemed magic-carrying family, the land dying, the prince being lied to, court conspiracies...it was too much to take in and felt forced at times. Perhaps some of these elements could have been addressed in a future novel in the series - or the length of the book could have been altered to allow them to have time to take root properly.
But all in all this was a pleasant novel to read - I for one love a novel with weaponry, court intrigue, wit and a spark of romance! And Sworn to Raise had these in abundance!
Going stiff with ire at the girl's dig at her friend, Ciardis retorted, "It takes a dirt kisser to know one, Prima. Perhaps you should teach me."'
This book was an interesting combination of court intrigue, medieval-esque politics and complications, ancient magic and the painstaking trials of etiquette involved in becoming a true 'lady'.
Ciardis is of gypsy origin partially, which made her a fierce, fiery and intelligent heroine for the most part. Her being taken to be trained to become a companion - the process involving makeovers, new dresses, lessons, never-ending critique, and more - reminded me a lot of The Princess Diaries. Especially that scene in the movie when they're sitting in the screening room and looking at the profiles for potential husbands. A similar scene is shown in this book, with the girls being told to memorise the family histories and information folders on the men who wish to 'court' them.
It had a good use of humour, which broke up the storyline and made a refreshing change from the tough-love of Ciardis' mentor Serena - 'Defence was probably better described as 'how to hide pointy things in your dress and curtsey without stabbing yourself,' but it was actually quite fun.'
The only critique I have was that this story tended to lack cohesiveness. The only way I can explain it is that too many extra elements were added that seemed to clutter the storyline - and points that should have been given the time to mature, and grow, were often rushed. Ciardis' decision to leave to become a companion is quicker than blinking, the prince asks for her help and barely knows her, and then there's this maze competition which you would assume is part of the main plot (a.k.a her becoming a companion) but then the prince drags her away from it to aid him in another plot.
The problem wasn't the lack of entertainment, or interest. Rather that I think too many plotlines were being juggled at the one time. Her becoming a companion, her being a descendant of that esteemed magic-carrying family, the land dying, the prince being lied to, court conspiracies...it was too much to take in and felt forced at times. Perhaps some of these elements could have been addressed in a future novel in the series - or the length of the book could have been altered to allow them to have time to take root properly.
But all in all this was a pleasant novel to read - I for one love a novel with weaponry, court intrigue, wit and a spark of romance! And Sworn to Raise had these in abundance!
April 27, 2015
I was initially very excited to begin this book, I had read praising reviews and looked forward to another exciting adventure set in a alternate universe. My excitement was unfounded.
The editing of this book was not great, contingency errors counting. I know that I am OTT about grammar and spelling but when I am constantly finding missed words(pardon the pun)or letters, sometimes even misspelled words (no spell check?), it can be distracting.
The editing of this book was not great, contingency errors counting. I know that I am OTT about grammar and spelling but when I am constantly finding missed words(pardon the pun)or letters, sometimes even misspelled words (no spell check?), it can be distracting.
Anyway that is not to say the story and concept was not good; at first I was drawn in by the rags to riches story that unfolded but the lack of character development meant that I found Ciardis a bit boring and an unworthy heroine, who was conveniently in the right place at the right time. Maybe more plot development was needed.
Also, I would have liked more development on Ciardis' potential patrons; giving information about only two patrons when there are six, made it difficult for me to make a decision about the one I liked best.
Anyhoo, I am a little disappointed with this book because of its potential for more.
I would recommend reading this book for those who like an uncomplicated read, with a sweet heroine and some action.
January 7, 2014
Decent ideas, but terrible execution.
There was a core of a good story in here, but sadly the horrible writing muted and muffled it. The heroine, in one paragraph, went from huddled dejectedly to smiling happly because she got a new haircut.
The timelines were illthought out. Far too much was cramed into far too short a time for it to be in any way realistic. Three months to go from illiterate laundress to polished courtesan (even with "transfers") is literally incredible.
Interpersonal relationships served solely to advance the plot. There was no depth behind them.
So, why two stars rather than one. Well, at least I finished it, and, knowing I've the second on my kindle, I'll probably read that at some point. The central premise of elemental magic and bonds is just intriguing enough that I'll take a stab at it - but no time soon. Vastly in need of good beta readers and a good editor.
There was a core of a good story in here, but sadly the horrible writing muted and muffled it. The heroine, in one paragraph, went from huddled dejectedly to smiling happly because she got a new haircut.
The timelines were illthought out. Far too much was cramed into far too short a time for it to be in any way realistic. Three months to go from illiterate laundress to polished courtesan (even with "transfers") is literally incredible.
Interpersonal relationships served solely to advance the plot. There was no depth behind them.
So, why two stars rather than one. Well, at least I finished it, and, knowing I've the second on my kindle, I'll probably read that at some point. The central premise of elemental magic and bonds is just intriguing enough that I'll take a stab at it - but no time soon. Vastly in need of good beta readers and a good editor.
February 8, 2014
My first thoughts on this one? What a phenomenally unique and completely captivating tale. I couldn’t put it down for a second. And my final thoughts? Holy cliffhanger without actually being a cliffhanger. And everything that came in between was amazing too. I don’t think that I put this book down once.
This was a quick read that was very easy to immerse myself in. I love this author’s writing style. It’s smooth & approachable without talking down to you or becoming simplistic. It’s eloquent yet not over the top. Edun’s descriptions paint an exciting world in front of her reader’s eyes. As a reader, you feel like you’re walking through a fantasy world while being caught up in an enchanting storyline.
I quite appreciated the vast array of characters that I encountered throughout this tale. They cover many age ranges and walks of life, making the story even more interesting. The female lead was definitely brilliant. I appreciated the fact that although she went from rags to riches, she still stayed true to who she was at the core. Not only did I feel connected with her in the present, but I found myself guessing at her future, where she’ll end up and who with. Edun makes her characters even more memorable with their one of a kind names. So many of them are unique or at least uncommon, but none are difficult to remember.
As a whole I was completely entranced by the story. It was exciting, adventurous, and a brilliant way to get to know this author. I would definitely recommend this novel to others and can’t wait to read more by this brilliant author.
This was a quick read that was very easy to immerse myself in. I love this author’s writing style. It’s smooth & approachable without talking down to you or becoming simplistic. It’s eloquent yet not over the top. Edun’s descriptions paint an exciting world in front of her reader’s eyes. As a reader, you feel like you’re walking through a fantasy world while being caught up in an enchanting storyline.
I quite appreciated the vast array of characters that I encountered throughout this tale. They cover many age ranges and walks of life, making the story even more interesting. The female lead was definitely brilliant. I appreciated the fact that although she went from rags to riches, she still stayed true to who she was at the core. Not only did I feel connected with her in the present, but I found myself guessing at her future, where she’ll end up and who with. Edun makes her characters even more memorable with their one of a kind names. So many of them are unique or at least uncommon, but none are difficult to remember.
As a whole I was completely entranced by the story. It was exciting, adventurous, and a brilliant way to get to know this author. I would definitely recommend this novel to others and can’t wait to read more by this brilliant author.
April 23, 2017
I'm going with the Goodreads description of 'It was ok' for two stars on this fantasy I picked up at Netgalley. It really is 'ok' and has potential, but it is still very rough around the edges, even for a galley. There are a lot of typos, and several times I got lost in sentences - run-ons are writing problems, not typos. So it could use some good editing.
The story itself is interesting, but feels disjointed or random at times. There's a makeover story, learning of magic and history, a bachelorette-type contest for a patron that includes a hunt as well as balls and a challenging maze, and there's political intrigue with the magical fate of the country at stake.
I found it quite entertaining, but something was missing - depth of most of the characters was lacking, and connections between events and other people besides the protagonist were loose. At times the actions of the other characters were drastic and unexpected, which added to the shock value, but I felt like I didn't know those characters well enough to expect that kind of action from them. The event that Ciardis spends the first half preparing for is also left incomplete. We only meet a couple of her prospective patrons and the book ends on the 3rd day of the event. Also, what happened to her friend? She is only present during Ciardis' training and then melts away.
This was only novella length, so I think it could have been longer and provided more complexity and closure on these plot points rather than waiting for a second book.
**Received free arc for review.
The story itself is interesting, but feels disjointed or random at times. There's a makeover story, learning of magic and history, a bachelorette-type contest for a patron that includes a hunt as well as balls and a challenging maze, and there's political intrigue with the magical fate of the country at stake.
I found it quite entertaining, but something was missing - depth of most of the characters was lacking, and connections between events and other people besides the protagonist were loose. At times the actions of the other characters were drastic and unexpected, which added to the shock value, but I felt like I didn't know those characters well enough to expect that kind of action from them. The event that Ciardis spends the first half preparing for is also left incomplete. We only meet a couple of her prospective patrons and the book ends on the 3rd day of the event. Also, what happened to her friend? She is only present during Ciardis' training and then melts away.
This was only novella length, so I think it could have been longer and provided more complexity and closure on these plot points rather than waiting for a second book.
**Received free arc for review.
September 13, 2013
This and my other reviews can be found at http://amethystbookwyrm.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks to Netgalley and All Night Reads for giving me this book to review.
Ciardis has grown up with the people in her small vale always looking down on her, however, after all the plans she has made begin crumbling around her, Ciardis’s luck changes as she is chosen to train at the Companions guild, a position which a lowly laundress should not be available to her. Now she must learn and discover skills to be able to attract a patron and help the prince discover what is wrong with his powers.
Sworn to Raise is an ok fantasy book that has court politics, a strong heroine and magic, however, that being said I could not get into it and it felt like there was something missing.
A big problem with this book was that I did not care about any of the characters as I could not bond to them. Also it felt like the story was all jumbled together and did not connect making it at some points a bit confusing.
Even though Sworn to Raise should have been my type of book I just could not get into it and therefore I cannot recommend it.
Thanks to Netgalley and All Night Reads for giving me this book to review.
Ciardis has grown up with the people in her small vale always looking down on her, however, after all the plans she has made begin crumbling around her, Ciardis’s luck changes as she is chosen to train at the Companions guild, a position which a lowly laundress should not be available to her. Now she must learn and discover skills to be able to attract a patron and help the prince discover what is wrong with his powers.
Sworn to Raise is an ok fantasy book that has court politics, a strong heroine and magic, however, that being said I could not get into it and it felt like there was something missing.
A big problem with this book was that I did not care about any of the characters as I could not bond to them. Also it felt like the story was all jumbled together and did not connect making it at some points a bit confusing.
Even though Sworn to Raise should have been my type of book I just could not get into it and therefore I cannot recommend it.
April 7, 2013
I loved how unique the story was, in almost all aspects as well.
The Characters:
I loved the main character! She was a very strong lead who was in afraid to stand up in what she believed in, whether she was talking to other people her age or princes. She has an awesome power, how cool would being a weathervane be?
The Good:
-the story was very unique.
-companions a unlike anything I have read before, I am definitely interested in learning more about them.
-the protagonist was likeable and better than a fair few protagonists in books I have read previously.
-the cover is very pretty and suits the mood of the story well.
-i liked the authors writing style, the author was very good at describing characters. I loved the names of the characters!
-there was an unexpected twist at the end.
The Not so Good:
-I can not really think of anything....
I would recommend this to people who enjoy reading fantasy young adult fiction. Really good book, I am very intrigued to see how the rest of the series turns out.
The Characters:
I loved the main character! She was a very strong lead who was in afraid to stand up in what she believed in, whether she was talking to other people her age or princes. She has an awesome power, how cool would being a weathervane be?
The Good:
-the story was very unique.
-companions a unlike anything I have read before, I am definitely interested in learning more about them.
-the protagonist was likeable and better than a fair few protagonists in books I have read previously.
-the cover is very pretty and suits the mood of the story well.
-i liked the authors writing style, the author was very good at describing characters. I loved the names of the characters!
-there was an unexpected twist at the end.
The Not so Good:
-I can not really think of anything....
I would recommend this to people who enjoy reading fantasy young adult fiction. Really good book, I am very intrigued to see how the rest of the series turns out.
August 4, 2013
(I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
This had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat.
At times i was confused, and through out the book, i was bored.
It took quiet a long time for the pace to pick up, and when it did, it felt quite jumbled and rushed.
There's a few things that aren't explained either. Quite a few times, it was mentioned that Ciardis's sponsor wasn't very fond of another sponsor, but we never found out why. While it's not important to the plot, i really wanted to know why the rivalry was there.
I did like Ciardis sarcastic comments. Although, apart from that i really feel like she, and all the other characters needed more development.
This had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat.
At times i was confused, and through out the book, i was bored.
It took quiet a long time for the pace to pick up, and when it did, it felt quite jumbled and rushed.
There's a few things that aren't explained either. Quite a few times, it was mentioned that Ciardis's sponsor wasn't very fond of another sponsor, but we never found out why. While it's not important to the plot, i really wanted to know why the rivalry was there.
I did like Ciardis sarcastic comments. Although, apart from that i really feel like she, and all the other characters needed more development.
December 13, 2016
Mind candy can be tasty and it doesn’t have to be good to be the flavor that you’re looking for.
That can definitely be said of Sworn to Raise by Terah Edun, which I got as a free Kindle download. Skipping jerkily from well worn trope to well worn trope – orphaned protagonist discovered to have a rare and unique magical power, courtier training, riddle maze graduation ceremony, and a disguised prince – Sworn to Raise is NOT good literature. But it was a light read that I enjoyed far more than a 2-star rating might imply.
That can definitely be said of Sworn to Raise by Terah Edun, which I got as a free Kindle download. Skipping jerkily from well worn trope to well worn trope – orphaned protagonist discovered to have a rare and unique magical power, courtier training, riddle maze graduation ceremony, and a disguised prince – Sworn to Raise is NOT good literature. But it was a light read that I enjoyed far more than a 2-star rating might imply.
October 23, 2018
i'M SEEING A LOT OF NEGATIVE REVIEWS ON THIS BOOK. AGAIN, I MUST BE EASIER TO PLEASE THAN MOST. IT'S A CUTE STORY. I ENJOYED THE MAGIC INVOLVED. I'M THINKING CIARDIS WILL BE ASKING THE PRINCE HEIR TO BE HER PATRON.
Read
August 11, 2019DNF. Unlike many who give books bad ratings when they don't finish them, I don't...
Read
June 25, 2013I can't remember if I was fooling around on my nook looking for books to read or saw someone talking about this one online and picked up my nook, but somehow I stumbled across SWORN TO RAISE by Terah Edun. The book is blurbed as being "ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Michelle Sagara, and Maria Snyder." I always take a closer look at books when they're recommended for fans of authors or titles I enjoy, and I decided to give SWORN TO RAISE a chance.
The book centers around Ciardis, an orphan struggling to survive. When she's taken under the wing of Serena and brought to train as a prospective member of the Companion’s Guild, she realizes there's more to her--and her family history--than she ever realized. She is one of the last surviving Weathervanes, her power highly coveted as it can amplify other types of magic. When a fallen prince is interested in the way her power can save his kingdom, Ciardis finds herself involved in a deadly power for struggle that will change the outcome of her entire life.
High fantasy is my favorite. I love books with kingdoms and royalty, with knights and adventure. I'm constantly fascinated by the nuances of political intrigue. I don't even need magic to be a happy camper, but in this instance, the addition of unusual magic works. There's even a little mythology thrown in for good measure late in the book when Ciardis must prove her abilities as she works her way through a dangerous maze. Whether the series is YA or Adult is still to be determined. The fact that Ciardis is training to be a Companion has me wondering, but I'm not convinced that Edun is using the more modern-day interpretation of the word. Instead, in this world, Companions felt more like the talented geisha to me than then do anything seedy, and there aren't any overly mature scenes in the novel, so it's very border-line. The rags to riches plot may have been done before, but who doesn't love a good Cinderella-esque tale? Edun's twists and world are unique and make SWORN TO RAISE an entertaining, fun fantasy to devour.
At first, I didn't love Ciardis as a character, but once she left home to train, she really blossomed and grew. I'm looking forward to seeing where life takes her next month when SWORN TO TRANSFER releases. Other characters have varying levels of development, but enough unique history to keep me intrigued. Some started out strong and grew weaker as their importance to Ciardis diminished, while others became more developed as the story progressed. It will be exciting to see their development continue in the next book. I'm eager to know more about the prophecy and see the way Ciardis and the people in her life will fall into whatever plan Destiny has for her. While there were a few grammatical errors, this never became an issue for me because the story was captivating and I'd come to care for Ciardis and her plight. If you're a fan of fantasy involving court politics and/or teens coming into their previously unknown magical abilities, check out SWORN TO RAISE and look forward to its sequel in July.
The book centers around Ciardis, an orphan struggling to survive. When she's taken under the wing of Serena and brought to train as a prospective member of the Companion’s Guild, she realizes there's more to her--and her family history--than she ever realized. She is one of the last surviving Weathervanes, her power highly coveted as it can amplify other types of magic. When a fallen prince is interested in the way her power can save his kingdom, Ciardis finds herself involved in a deadly power for struggle that will change the outcome of her entire life.
High fantasy is my favorite. I love books with kingdoms and royalty, with knights and adventure. I'm constantly fascinated by the nuances of political intrigue. I don't even need magic to be a happy camper, but in this instance, the addition of unusual magic works. There's even a little mythology thrown in for good measure late in the book when Ciardis must prove her abilities as she works her way through a dangerous maze. Whether the series is YA or Adult is still to be determined. The fact that Ciardis is training to be a Companion has me wondering, but I'm not convinced that Edun is using the more modern-day interpretation of the word. Instead, in this world, Companions felt more like the talented geisha to me than then do anything seedy, and there aren't any overly mature scenes in the novel, so it's very border-line. The rags to riches plot may have been done before, but who doesn't love a good Cinderella-esque tale? Edun's twists and world are unique and make SWORN TO RAISE an entertaining, fun fantasy to devour.
At first, I didn't love Ciardis as a character, but once she left home to train, she really blossomed and grew. I'm looking forward to seeing where life takes her next month when SWORN TO TRANSFER releases. Other characters have varying levels of development, but enough unique history to keep me intrigued. Some started out strong and grew weaker as their importance to Ciardis diminished, while others became more developed as the story progressed. It will be exciting to see their development continue in the next book. I'm eager to know more about the prophecy and see the way Ciardis and the people in her life will fall into whatever plan Destiny has for her. While there were a few grammatical errors, this never became an issue for me because the story was captivating and I'd come to care for Ciardis and her plight. If you're a fan of fantasy involving court politics and/or teens coming into their previously unknown magical abilities, check out SWORN TO RAISE and look forward to its sequel in July.
July 25, 2013
This book had a lot of potential, but it needed a lot more spit and polish to make it shine. The plot and general idea of the book appealed to me a lot; I love fantasy stories like this. New worlds, high magic, poor farmboys girls finding out they have awesome powers, princesses, political machinations, intrigue, AWESOME! It's the kind of story that has very familiar bones, but you don't care because the rest of the dressing can be made interesting in a million different ways. The dressing in Sworn to Raise, however, was a bit sloppy.
The setting felt cobbled together, with a lot of things sticking out of place. There were modern amenities (like keypad locks and video phones) that were handwaved away as being powered by magic, which is fine, but they still looked and functioned as normal keypads and phones. In a pseudo-Medieval world, so many of these things just felt lazy and awkward. They didn't fit in the world, and there was very little attempt made to disguise them. Other things were too-clearly "inspired" by other iconic fantasy books, or borrowed from real-world cultures that were different enough to seem awkward when thrown together.
A lot of things weren't explained well enough to avoid confusion and plot holes. The basic gist is good -- Ciardis gets picked to go to magic companion school and learn how to be, basically, a courtier -- but when that process was described, I became very confused about the order of events that was supposed to go on. She has to...train, and then get a patron, and then train more? Maybe? The exposition was stretched out over many short conversations and contradicted itself a few times, which made things really hard to follow.
The characters were alright, but glanced over and summarized with far too much telling. An entire rivalry between two characters was shortened so much that, when they were in the same room together, we didn't get a single line of dialogue between them. Just "they bickered until forced to stop." Bickered how? What did they say?
The book had a king in charge of an empire. Just straight-up fail there. A few more weird mistakes like that should have been caught early on by an editor and weren't.
On the whole, it had potential, but it just didn't hold my interest enough to make me forget about the problems it had.
The setting felt cobbled together, with a lot of things sticking out of place. There were modern amenities (like keypad locks and video phones) that were handwaved away as being powered by magic, which is fine, but they still looked and functioned as normal keypads and phones. In a pseudo-Medieval world, so many of these things just felt lazy and awkward. They didn't fit in the world, and there was very little attempt made to disguise them. Other things were too-clearly "inspired" by other iconic fantasy books, or borrowed from real-world cultures that were different enough to seem awkward when thrown together.
A lot of things weren't explained well enough to avoid confusion and plot holes. The basic gist is good -- Ciardis gets picked to go to magic companion school and learn how to be, basically, a courtier -- but when that process was described, I became very confused about the order of events that was supposed to go on. She has to...train, and then get a patron, and then train more? Maybe? The exposition was stretched out over many short conversations and contradicted itself a few times, which made things really hard to follow.
The characters were alright, but glanced over and summarized with far too much telling. An entire rivalry between two characters was shortened so much that, when they were in the same room together, we didn't get a single line of dialogue between them. Just "they bickered until forced to stop." Bickered how? What did they say?
The book had a king in charge of an empire. Just straight-up fail there. A few more weird mistakes like that should have been caught early on by an editor and weren't.
On the whole, it had potential, but it just didn't hold my interest enough to make me forget about the problems it had.
August 2, 2013
Sworn to Raise is a fantasy book set in the kingdom of Algardis where mages exist along with the mundane, with them being trained in a Guild to become Companions to nobles and other high ranking people. This Companion thing is some sort of employee/spouse/bodyguard sort of thing, and consists mostly of female mages. Ciardis is an orphan Gypsy living in the village of Vale as a washermaid when she is selected and sponsored by Lady Serena (a Companion) to become a trainee at the Guild. Training usually includes grooming and extending magical abilities to attract Patrons - who enter into a contract with the mages in exchange for their services. While in the Guild, Ciardis discovers that she hails from a nearly extinct family of mages with great powers. The Prince of the land comes seeking her help - to revive an ancient pact. While helping the Prince in secret and going along with her mage activities to secure a Patron in the Hunt, Ciardis becomes a major piece into play at the Court.
While I loved the fantasy elements and the whole mage thing, I was a bit dissatisfied with the overload of information in the first 5 or 6 chapters. While it was good to know about her heritage, it wasn't explained how she came to be in the village alone - apparently the memory ball showed the memories of all of her ancestors but she still doesn't see what happened to her parents? The chemistry between the Prince and Ciardis is non-existent - he is younger than her, admires her beauty and power, while all she does is scream at him (in her defense, he is kind of useless). Oh, and Lady Serena reminded me of Effie from the Hunger Games a bit. The only character I liked was Ciardis - even the Prince doesn't seem that charming but maybe in the next book? I really hope any love interest for her be better than him.
So while the characters really didn't endear me, the plot and story development did. The writing was articulate, and developments went smoothly. At times I was lost with a few sentences, but considering it's a review galley, I suppose some editing was remaining. As far as the book is concerned, it is a to-read. I await the next book in series, for this one has a promising start.
3.5 stars rating.
Received a galley from All Night Reads via NetGalley for an honest review
While I loved the fantasy elements and the whole mage thing, I was a bit dissatisfied with the overload of information in the first 5 or 6 chapters. While it was good to know about her heritage, it wasn't explained how she came to be in the village alone - apparently the memory ball showed the memories of all of her ancestors but she still doesn't see what happened to her parents? The chemistry between the Prince and Ciardis is non-existent - he is younger than her, admires her beauty and power, while all she does is scream at him (in her defense, he is kind of useless). Oh, and Lady Serena reminded me of Effie from the Hunger Games a bit. The only character I liked was Ciardis - even the Prince doesn't seem that charming but maybe in the next book? I really hope any love interest for her be better than him.
So while the characters really didn't endear me, the plot and story development did. The writing was articulate, and developments went smoothly. At times I was lost with a few sentences, but considering it's a review galley, I suppose some editing was remaining. As far as the book is concerned, it is a to-read. I await the next book in series, for this one has a promising start.
3.5 stars rating.
Received a galley from All Night Reads via NetGalley for an honest review
February 17, 2017
I gave Twilight 2*s. That's my feelings on this book.
In Twilight, Bella has 0 superpowers and 0 personality. Somehow our main character (I've actually forgotten her name already. I only know her second name, Weathervane, because it was the most interesting part of the book) has 0 personality but an apparently 100% superpower but was less likeable than even Bella.
Not that likability is the point of storytelling- but you're supposed to like this girl. I think you're supposed to pity her because people think she's oh so low. But I ended up not having sympathy because any difficulty she had was quickly plot explained away (can't read? Here, have a magic ability character that can give gifts like reading away! Wow!) and any growth shoved under a long stream of text.
Also the Patron/Companion idea was confusing. They're wives/consorts/mistresses/concubines but not. Most require magic powers. But not always. But instead of their powers they learn how to dance and speak and manage their patron's affairs like a housekeeper. They're bought and kept. They're HAPPY about this.
Why would a woman with super cool magic abilities (other than our main character whose ability was dull as) want to shackle herself for life to someone she didn't love/need?!? Why do none of them think this is f****d up? And there was a strange competition going on (sending them all into a maze taken straight out of Harry Potter and TGOF) which pitted them against one another when they all had different vying patrons so were not competing?
All in all I forced myself to finish it in case there was an excellent plot twist like the White Walkers coming down from the north and destroying everyone in their wake... but, spoiler alert, none did.
In Twilight, Bella has 0 superpowers and 0 personality. Somehow our main character (I've actually forgotten her name already. I only know her second name, Weathervane, because it was the most interesting part of the book) has 0 personality but an apparently 100% superpower but was less likeable than even Bella.
Not that likability is the point of storytelling- but you're supposed to like this girl. I think you're supposed to pity her because people think she's oh so low. But I ended up not having sympathy because any difficulty she had was quickly plot explained away (can't read? Here, have a magic ability character that can give gifts like reading away! Wow!) and any growth shoved under a long stream of text.
Also the Patron/Companion idea was confusing. They're wives/consorts/mistresses/concubines but not. Most require magic powers. But not always. But instead of their powers they learn how to dance and speak and manage their patron's affairs like a housekeeper. They're bought and kept. They're HAPPY about this.
Why would a woman with super cool magic abilities (other than our main character whose ability was dull as) want to shackle herself for life to someone she didn't love/need?!? Why do none of them think this is f****d up? And there was a strange competition going on (sending them all into a maze taken straight out of Harry Potter and TGOF) which pitted them against one another when they all had different vying patrons so were not competing?
All in all I forced myself to finish it in case there was an excellent plot twist like the White Walkers coming down from the north and destroying everyone in their wake... but, spoiler alert, none did.
September 17, 2014
Why did I wait to long to read this? Short answer: it got buried under a tonne of books on my ereader. Long answer: I kept overlooking it because I'm a dumbass and judgemental of self published books, regardless of being a self pubbed author myself. I mentioned I was a dumbass, right?
Sworn To Raise is about a girl, Ciardis, who is taken from her ordinary life as a poor washerwoman, and elevated to life as a Companion, a life partner to a rich and powerful suitor. Along the way she discovers a conspiracy to unseat the Prince of her land from his position, a powerful magic that she is due to inherit, and unexpected friendships.
It doesn't sound like much when I say it like that, but this book is wonderful, truly. Ciardis is a very authentic character - she's emotional, she's strong, she's caring and kind and willing to help just about anyone. And more than anything else, I think, she wants what is best for herself and isn't afraid to make her own future. I like her a lot, and I never expected to.
My favourite thing about Sworn to Raise is how the magic and abilities are all tied up in the politics of the realm. I love the subterfuge and the building dissent, and I look forward to seeing how Ciardis and the Prince will deal with this in future books.
This book is a delight, and I recommend it to all fans of high fantasy, strong characters, original stories, and sparkling magic.
Sworn To Raise is about a girl, Ciardis, who is taken from her ordinary life as a poor washerwoman, and elevated to life as a Companion, a life partner to a rich and powerful suitor. Along the way she discovers a conspiracy to unseat the Prince of her land from his position, a powerful magic that she is due to inherit, and unexpected friendships.
It doesn't sound like much when I say it like that, but this book is wonderful, truly. Ciardis is a very authentic character - she's emotional, she's strong, she's caring and kind and willing to help just about anyone. And more than anything else, I think, she wants what is best for herself and isn't afraid to make her own future. I like her a lot, and I never expected to.
My favourite thing about Sworn to Raise is how the magic and abilities are all tied up in the politics of the realm. I love the subterfuge and the building dissent, and I look forward to seeing how Ciardis and the Prince will deal with this in future books.
This book is a delight, and I recommend it to all fans of high fantasy, strong characters, original stories, and sparkling magic.
July 5, 2013
I got this book from NetGalley as a ARC book to review. I loved the cover so much, that I didn't even read a summary about it before I started it. Man oh man was I surprised. I didn't know what I was getting into and now I'm glad I did. This book is about Ciardis who grew up as an orphan. She always knew she was gypsy but didn't remember who here parents, or where she came from. After working as a laundress for many years, she meets a Companion who offers her a place at the Companions Guild to train as a Court Companion. Ciardis agrees to go. At the training school, she realizes who her family is. As a last survivor of her family Ciardis is a big hit for the Lords, Vice counts, and royalty looking for companions. However, fate has something else in store for her. A few trips to the Ather-world, some mishaps, and few cruel school mates Ciardis grows into a beautiful woman. This book surprised me at the way the Court Companions where highly regarded. I will definitely be reading the next book.
March 6, 2017
Such a great book! I enjoyed rereading this book, so fantastic! Now to read more of this series!
*First read April 10th 2013*
Great book, a bit short for my tastes, but a compelling story, very interesting, can't wait for book 2!
*First read April 10th 2013*
Great book, a bit short for my tastes, but a compelling story, very interesting, can't wait for book 2!
March 10, 2014
DNF
I don't rate & review books I DNF. I only review them if I have a lot to say, which I don't so.
I don't rate & review books I DNF. I only review them if I have a lot to say, which I don't so.
Want to read
June 12, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/12/2019)! 🎁
April 22, 2013
A rags to riches, Cinderella sort of story with a bit of magic, action, adventure and mid-evil thrown in. For those that like Castles, Kings, Prince and Magic then you will enjoy this story. Not much on romance even though the girls are trained to be someone’s companion/partner for their lifetime. She struggled while growing up but still has a soft heart . The story was well written, the characters for the most part were likable and the prince likes older woman!
Ciardis, (I have no idea how I would say that) was orphaned at an early age, how she survived on her own, I don’t know, I can’t seem to remember if it was mentioned in the story. The town wasn’t very nice to her and her boss was taking advantage of her, that is until the day she met her future sponsor, then her world changed. Instead of being a- nobody she was going to be a-somebody.
Prince Sebastian, had problems of his own, the land that had been in his families hands for generations was falling to pieces. He had to figure out why and a way to save it without getting killed in the process.
I liked that the main female character was not the typical blond heroine, but a strong gypsy female with “heavy brown curls” and “sun-bronzed skin”. Although, I began to question how strong of a character she really was on a couple of occasions. I would have thought that she would have grown some skin having had grown up alone and mistreated in her old town.
Sworn to Raise is paced well suited for all ages a little frustrating at times but still a good read. I recommend this story for Teens and the younger YA. I will read the second book to see how it continues. Not a bad cliffhanger (I dislike those) but still would like to see where the relationship will head as well as the kingdoms future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
Title: Sworn to Raise
Author: Terah Edun
Format: ebook 255 pgs
Genre: YA Supernatural Novel
Cover: 5 stars
Main Characters: Ciardis & Sebastion
Rating: 4 stars
Series: Yes
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sworn...
http://www.amazon.com/review/R33OHLMH...
Ciardis, (I have no idea how I would say that) was orphaned at an early age, how she survived on her own, I don’t know, I can’t seem to remember if it was mentioned in the story. The town wasn’t very nice to her and her boss was taking advantage of her, that is until the day she met her future sponsor, then her world changed. Instead of being a- nobody she was going to be a-somebody.
Prince Sebastian, had problems of his own, the land that had been in his families hands for generations was falling to pieces. He had to figure out why and a way to save it without getting killed in the process.
I liked that the main female character was not the typical blond heroine, but a strong gypsy female with “heavy brown curls” and “sun-bronzed skin”. Although, I began to question how strong of a character she really was on a couple of occasions. I would have thought that she would have grown some skin having had grown up alone and mistreated in her old town.
Sworn to Raise is paced well suited for all ages a little frustrating at times but still a good read. I recommend this story for Teens and the younger YA. I will read the second book to see how it continues. Not a bad cliffhanger (I dislike those) but still would like to see where the relationship will head as well as the kingdoms future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
Title: Sworn to Raise
Author: Terah Edun
Format: ebook 255 pgs
Genre: YA Supernatural Novel
Cover: 5 stars
Main Characters: Ciardis & Sebastion
Rating: 4 stars
Series: Yes
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sworn...
http://www.amazon.com/review/R33OHLMH...
December 27, 2013
My star mint : 3.5
MY REVIEW
Hello! Today I have the opportunity to Review of the 3 books of The courtlight series by Terah Edun .
Overall the plot is good, has a well-defined protagonist . The author knows very good and leads you down the path you want to develop . And likewise each book takes shape . The level is improving between each book, the effort that is taking the risk and the author will be undertaking notes. Landscapes and the secondary characters are taking shape and just hope that in the last book of the saga delight us with a surprise ending .
In the first book , like all series, we meet the protagonist, Ciardis Weathervane , a girl of seventeen, who has a difficult start but along the path of history , you begin to take charge of your life and that of her depend more people. Also we meet Sebastian , an heir to the throne is not surprising as any Prince .
In the second book after leaving gaining instead Ciardis will have new adventures and battles, know a little more depth to the characters, and the world around her . This is where the character develops further and the beginning of a path of intrigue . Will be connecting more characters which gives a significant variety .
In the third book , we have another story going around taking more adentrada way when the last of Ciardis Weathervane and how this might affect your current life. I think this is my favorite, the story surprised me, is a more mature and better management author in writing
Undoubtedly, it was a rollercoaster of emotions reading these books , it was amazing to grow with the
story and in the end you leave a great taste . I congratulate the author for it.
REVIEW OF BLOG: All things in the Cloud Sweet
MY REVIEW
Hello! Today I have the opportunity to Review of the 3 books of The courtlight series by Terah Edun .
Overall the plot is good, has a well-defined protagonist . The author knows very good and leads you down the path you want to develop . And likewise each book takes shape . The level is improving between each book, the effort that is taking the risk and the author will be undertaking notes. Landscapes and the secondary characters are taking shape and just hope that in the last book of the saga delight us with a surprise ending .
In the first book , like all series, we meet the protagonist, Ciardis Weathervane , a girl of seventeen, who has a difficult start but along the path of history , you begin to take charge of your life and that of her depend more people. Also we meet Sebastian , an heir to the throne is not surprising as any Prince .
In the second book after leaving gaining instead Ciardis will have new adventures and battles, know a little more depth to the characters, and the world around her . This is where the character develops further and the beginning of a path of intrigue . Will be connecting more characters which gives a significant variety .
In the third book , we have another story going around taking more adentrada way when the last of Ciardis Weathervane and how this might affect your current life. I think this is my favorite, the story surprised me, is a more mature and better management author in writing
Undoubtedly, it was a rollercoaster of emotions reading these books , it was amazing to grow with the
story and in the end you leave a great taste . I congratulate the author for it.
REVIEW OF BLOG: All things in the Cloud Sweet
September 2, 2014
More of a 2.5 rating. Aside from some missing words here and there, the grammar and editing were competent enough not to bother me. And the story certainly wasn't hard to continue reading--the ideas behind the story were actually pretty engaging. But the plotline was depressingly lacking in tension until very near the end. Everything always turns out right for Ciardis. Not in a painfully Mary-Sue way (thank goodness!), but definitely in a way that leaves the reader with no doubt whatsoever that Ciardis will ultimately succeed at whatever she does. And although Ciardis doesn't strike me as a Mary-Sue, the long, dull series of things she experiences feel more like a list of wish-fulfilling daydreams recorded by the author than a well-constructed plot. At various points, the resemblance to similar events and characters in The Hunger Games and Harry Potter really jumped out. I'm still debating whether to go on with the series. I'm intrigued by where this story might go, but I don't want to spend money on another book to discover that it's just more of the same.
Oh, and what is Ciardis (or is it Sebastian?) sworn to "raise"? "Raise" is a transitive verb--it requires an object (something that is being raised). I have a terrible suspicion that the author may really have meant "rise" (that is, rise in position from where the character started, which Ciardis does). In which case I can only facepalm and shake my head.
Oh, and what is Ciardis (or is it Sebastian?) sworn to "raise"? "Raise" is a transitive verb--it requires an object (something that is being raised). I have a terrible suspicion that the author may really have meant "rise" (that is, rise in position from where the character started, which Ciardis does). In which case I can only facepalm and shake my head.
February 3, 2014
Despite the fact that I am not a big reader of high fantasy books I have always been attracted to the covers of The Courtlight Series and once I started reading Sworn To Raise I was immediately enthralled. Terah Edun's world-building is powerful and vivid, transporting the reader into Ciardis' Empire.
I enjoyed the fact that from the moment we meet Ciardis she is not meek, or even perfect; she has many flaws and is constantly in trouble, but she is witty, loyal and caring; attributes all readers can identify with. Throughout this story the reader watches as the Companion's Guild attempts to mould Ciardis into their idea of 'perfection,' whilst she develops into a young woman, but retains her own identity.
Her friendship with Sebastian is central to this first book, not only is he one of her Patrons but also one of the reasons she finds herself in trouble. When they first meet she dismisses him as a young boy and he requires her help, but quickly they progress to enjoying each other's company.
Sworn to Raise is a book with magic, fantasy, mystery, murder, betrayal and perhaps a little hint at romance. What more could any reader ask for??
I enjoyed the fact that from the moment we meet Ciardis she is not meek, or even perfect; she has many flaws and is constantly in trouble, but she is witty, loyal and caring; attributes all readers can identify with. Throughout this story the reader watches as the Companion's Guild attempts to mould Ciardis into their idea of 'perfection,' whilst she develops into a young woman, but retains her own identity.
Her friendship with Sebastian is central to this first book, not only is he one of her Patrons but also one of the reasons she finds herself in trouble. When they first meet she dismisses him as a young boy and he requires her help, but quickly they progress to enjoying each other's company.
Sworn to Raise is a book with magic, fantasy, mystery, murder, betrayal and perhaps a little hint at romance. What more could any reader ask for??
December 7, 2013
I devoured this in one day. I have two papers to write, but this book sucked me in. And, of course, now I have to read the second and third one. It wasn't a perfect book. There were a few typos and grammar problems, but this book has heart. It has the spark that makes a good book, and the imagination to fuel it. I would have liked to see the book expanded. The relationships felt rushed, and since the book wasn't that long, it wouldn't have hurt to add in a little more depth. Also, the curse words seemed forced rather than necessary. I loved the character of Sebastian - a worthless heir to the throne who is younger than the heroine - really well done. He carried off the right amount of presumption because he is the heir with a dose of humility since he is seemingly powerless. I am very much looking forward to reading the next one. I think I will just read a couple of chapters and then go work on my papers...
December 11, 2019
Reread December 10th, 2019
I think this is my third or fourth time reading this book, but it's been roughly three years since I last read any of the books in the series. At this time, it's pretty much completed, so I figured I might as well start from the beginning and see if I can finish all 12 books.
This was a decent start - I've read the first nine books in the series, so there's a lot more coming, but it was fun to see the series begin again. I grew to like both Ciardis and Sebastian more throughout the book, as at first I was a bit taken aback by how young and untested they were. Obviously, they grow a lot during the series, and even just in book one, which is nice. I liked the land wight. Serena isn't my favorite character. Sad about Damias. I look forward to rereading book two in the series. This was a fairly short read, at 240 pages, and is a nice teaser on various threads that continue in the series, such as romance, imperial court intrigue, and magic. 4 stars.
I think this is my third or fourth time reading this book, but it's been roughly three years since I last read any of the books in the series. At this time, it's pretty much completed, so I figured I might as well start from the beginning and see if I can finish all 12 books.
This was a decent start - I've read the first nine books in the series, so there's a lot more coming, but it was fun to see the series begin again. I grew to like both Ciardis and Sebastian more throughout the book, as at first I was a bit taken aback by how young and untested they were. Obviously, they grow a lot during the series, and even just in book one, which is nice. I liked the land wight. Serena isn't my favorite character. Sad about Damias. I look forward to rereading book two in the series. This was a fairly short read, at 240 pages, and is a nice teaser on various threads that continue in the series, such as romance, imperial court intrigue, and magic. 4 stars.
September 14, 2015
'Juramento de Crianza' es la primera parte de una saga, que es introductoria, pero que no te deja con mal sabor de boca. A pesar de quedarte con ganas de seguir, la trama central de esta parte queda cerrada, lo que hace que no sientas esa necesidad imperiosa de seguir con el siguiente, aunque tengas ganas de saber como continua la historia de Ciardis y el príncipe Sebastian. Con algunos errores de edición, la pluma de la autora es sencilla, de esas que te invita a leer una página tras otra. Una historia de magia, en un mundo con mucho estilo y glamour. Sin romance, pero atisbando el comienzo de algo que puede desembocar en él. Te mantendrá en vilo por saber que está sucediendo y quienes son los traidores.
Reseña completa: http://amor-y-palabras.blogspot.com.e...
Reseña completa: http://amor-y-palabras.blogspot.com.e...
May 2, 2022
Another one from the ancient freebie pile. Decent premise, shoddy execution. The plot lacks cohesiveness, and all of it, from worldbuilding to characters, is underdeveloped. The protagonist's inconsistent personality and lack of growth didn't serve to make her likable, nor did the jumbled plot ever really draw me in. The whole thing just felt like the author didn't really think things through. I have books two and three lying around, so I might try the next part at some point, but I'm not overly optimistic about it.
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