Rebellion (Chronicles of Charanthe #1)

Oct 16, 2012 Pear rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, gender, speculative-fiction, western-literature

The short review: This is a decent bit of fantasy. It would certainly be remiss not to openly acknowledge that fact for various reasons. I think it's essentially a fast-paced action movie in novel form; the way it's written seems almost script-like. Exhausting at times. YMMV on that - it's not my bag, really, but I understood that it was put together in a way which works, and it so happened that I read it with brio, bought the next one, and am awaiting the final installment. However, there are t...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Zoe rated it 3 of 5 stars

In "Rebellion", Rachel Cotterill creates a world where children are raised in schools, ignorant of their parentage, and assessors assign professions to students upon graduation. So, what does a girl do when she believes she deserves more than the assignment she was given? "Rebellion" follows the Eleanor's story as she rebels against her assigned fate and searches for the elusive Assassin's guild. The first half of the story covers ~ a year and focuses on Eleanor's search for the guild. The secon...more In "Rebellion", Rachel Cotterill creates a world where children are raised in schools, ignorant of their parentage, and assessors assign professions to students upon graduation. So, what does a girl do when she believes she deserves more than the assignment she was given? "Rebellion" follows the Eleanor's story as she rebels against her assigned fate and searches for the elusive Assassin's guild. The first half of the story covers ~ a year and focuses on Eleanor's search for the guild. The second half echoes Harry Potter and focuses on her two years at the school for assassins.

The first half of the book was great. Eleanor is gutsy and curious, a fantastic heroine. She tumbles in and out of scrapes, surviving on her wits, her desire to find the guild, and some measure of luck. When she finds the guild, however, the action slows down significantly. We see her in potions class, projectile class, getting outfitted for clothes and daggers, reluctantly hanging out in bars with her classmates. There is a competition at the end of the book--a series of three trials that she must go through in order to compete for a seat on the council. (Does it sound like Harry Potter yet?) The tension leaked out of the second half of the book and it just didn't end with the same bang as which it started.

The descriptions in the book are detailed. For the most part, it works because it paints a detailed picture of Eleanor's surroundings. After awhile, however, it felt repetitive. I started skipping over sections where she describes the tiles on the pavement and the mosaic patterns on the floor. There are also many scenes that focus just on what Eleanor is doing, i.e., moving through the environment with little interaction with other characters. (Admittedly, it could be a function of the story, i.e., a woman's solitary search for a mysterious organization.) It's a shame because the dialogue in the book is tight and snappy. I found myself skipping through Eleanor-only scenes to find the next scene where others are brought in to interact with her.

Still, this book was definitely worth reading and I will be picking up the sequel. (less)

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Jul 01, 2012 Hock Tjoa rated it 3 of 5 stars

The writing is good, the characters are well drawn, and the scenes are amazing. Much of the book has to do with the training of assassins and the fight scenes of their (individual and small group) exercises and competitions are as well drawn as any I have read.

But I don't know that "Rebellion" is the right title even if this is the first in a series. There is a minor scene with some "rebels" mentioned, but mostly we learn that Charanthe, the Empire, is threatened by Tarasanka. The Empire has a...more

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May 09, 2012 Janet McNulty rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

This is a very engaging story. The story focuses on Eleanor who is a recent school graduate and does not like her job assignment. So she chucks it away and runs away from her school deciding to go it alone. Soon she finds herself being swept up in a wild adventure of pirates, ships, torture, and intrigue. She learns about there being a special class of assassins and decides to try and find them. They live at a secret school that only the most determined can locate. After finding the school, she...more

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Feb 03, 2011 Nicholas Reardon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have just finished reading Rachel Cotterill first book in the series: Chronicles of Charanthe and the First Book is REBELLION .

I have been waiting to read this book for several years after I knew Rachel was writing it, and it was everything I had hoped for and far more!

The author was able to build up a real working world that you feel there. Fully in her world, it is not just the descriptions of the world around her character Eleanor but details as types of food and cultures that she has creat...more

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Jan 03, 2011 Amacater rated it 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book enormously. I've read the print edition and also have it on my Kindle. The principal character (Eleanor) is interesting to follow: she's on a journey - and you're right there with her. Getting the "wrong" job assigned to her as she leaves school, she's out to get to where she feels she should be ...

This is set in a fictional world which seems broadly equivalent to 16th century Europe or so in terms of technology and is very self-consistent. There's no huge made up language /...more

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Apr 30, 2012 Thomas Cotterill rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, indie, reviewed

In spite of the shared surname, Rachel Cotterill is not a relative. I was attracted to her work by the novelty of seeing my own (rare here in Canada) name on a published fantasy. My curiosity overcame my aversion to the book’s horrible cover. Yes, I know it looks like some dreary leftist literary novel about Hispanic poverty in the American South-West, but the book is actually a lively fantasy adventure with a mythical setting, an interesting female main character (named simply Eleanor), and a s...more In spite of the shared surname, Rachel Cotterill is not a relative. I was attracted to her work by the novelty of seeing my own (rare here in Canada) name on a published fantasy. My curiosity overcame my aversion to the book’s horrible cover. Yes, I know it looks like some dreary leftist literary novel about Hispanic poverty in the American South-West, but the book is actually a lively fantasy adventure with a mythical setting, an interesting female main character (named simply Eleanor), and a strong martial-arts theme.

Much of the novel’s abundant action takes place at a kind of Hogwarts for assassins. These assassins resemble medieval knife-wielding poison-toting secret agents who venture out on dangerous missions in defence of a shadowy Empire that straddles a forested archipelago. Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice comes to mind. If you liked Hobb’s book you will probably enjoy Rebellion as well. The story moves along quickly and fight scenes are abundant. The knife fights are especially good, as are the tense climbing episodes where Eleanor – never short on courage and endurance - scales prison towers or castle walls with only the scantiest of toe and finger holds. Weaponry includes throwing stars and these add a pleasing ninja touch to the young assassins. There are imaginative puzzles to be solved, unusual competitions to be won, occasional glances at Eleanor’s ambiguous feelings towards a certain young man, and for good measure, some deep-seated grudges among the students, which mean scores to be settled. These elements provide more than enough variety to ensure a good read.

The novel does have some shortcomings. The plot is so vaguely presented that, at times, I had trouble understanding what was going on – or why it was going on. In the early chapters Cotterill seems too focussed on showing us how her main characters try to avoid offending one another - the result of long exposure to political correctness, no doubt – but she does get over this. Then it’s on to flogging the tired old feminist horse. This may be a plus for some, but personally, I think we’re past all that. At one point, the story dwells somewhat morbidly, but not unrealistically, on torture and being cut. This seems needlessly extended at the time, but turns out to be important in shaping Eleanor’s character and affecting her responses to critical situations later on. There are exceptions, but Cotterill’s depiction of minor characters exhibits an odd juxtaposing of those who are wantonly cruel and those who are ridiculously obliging. What seaside innkeeper, to choose one incident, would loan his boat to a total stranger, for an indefinite period, without asking for a deposit or some surety? The book needs more characters with the typically human – and far more interesting - mix of virtue and vice. Motivation should arise from the realities of basic self-interest (money, sex, prestige) rather than the desire to be unspeakably cruel or super nice.

Some might question the novel’s implied morality. Eleanor’s values range from astonishingly shallow to dubious in the extreme. The young woman unswervingly assumes that personal need justifies stealing so long as you keep the thefts small and spread them around (with the occasional grand theft when things get dire). It seldom occurs to her that she might barter or offer to work for what she wants. I was amused when Eleanor conscientiously pays the bill at an inn – with money that she has just stolen by the fistful from a jewellery merchant in the marketplace. Why not simply stiff the innkeeper? Presumably, in Eleanor’s eyes, said innkeeper was a nice obliging fellow of modest means while the prosperous merchant was – well – a nasty grasping greedy capitalist oinker, a veritable corporatist in the bud. Perhaps; but on the other hand he just might be an honest lover of beautiful, and beautifully-crafted, things who, through hard work and ingenuity, has found a way to earn his living from the very objects he so admires.

Other problems include poor handling of time and distance. I was startled to discover that Eleanor’s attempts to find her way to the assassin’s school had taken up an entire year, and at one point, she seems to consider recovering some stored possessions in a quick visit to a cave, which is actually many days travel away. These minor quibbles and the plot difficulties alluded to earlier could have been avoided with a bit more authorial narrative aimed at clarifying situations and knitting together story elements into a more cohesive whole.

No work of fiction is perfect. This novel’s flaws impede neither the story’s strong forward momentum nor its ability to sustain the reader’s interest. As they should in a good adventure novel, things start happening right away and they keep on happening. Whether on land or at sea, in foreign parts or at home in the Empire, the story laid out in this engrossing novel is often exciting and never boring. The writing is sound with none of the dreadful spelling, grammar, and English usage gaffs so prevalent in indie novels. Cotterill has real talent. Reading Rebellion will get you in on the ground floor with a writer who has the potential to become a major player in the fantasy genre.
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Nov 05, 2011 Lynna Merrill rated it 5 of 5 stars

"Rebellion" is a well-written adventure book with a strong female lead. It is classified as fantasy, since the story takes place in an alternative world with quasi-medieval weaponry, houses, ships, and other aspects of people's livelihood. On the other hand, the empire of Charanthe is more orderly than a typical fantasy empire. For example, all children are taken from their parents as babies and raised in schools, where their skills and attitudes are constantly observed in order to determine the...more "Rebellion" is a well-written adventure book with a strong female lead. It is classified as fantasy, since the story takes place in an alternative world with quasi-medieval weaponry, houses, ships, and other aspects of people's livelihood. On the other hand, the empire of Charanthe is more orderly than a typical fantasy empire. For example, all children are taken from their parents as babies and raised in schools, where their skills and attitudes are constantly observed in order to determine the best future job for everyone. Initially I was under the impression that "Rebellion" was a science fiction story, since such surveillance is more common in fictional societies with the technological means to secure it -- but that was before the sailing ships and other fantasy elements appeared.

Eleanor is a strong character and many of her adventures are fun to read. The story is not always what it seems to be, and does not always go where the reader would expect it to go. The author has a few surprises up her sleeve, so the story is never boring. Besides, Rachel is a very good word-crafter. She has a knack for creating scenes that make her reader feel as if he or she is inside the story instead of reading it.

A word of warning, though (and a minor spoiler alert): not all of Eleanor's adventures are fun. There is a detailed torture sequence in this book. Also, the heroine, while likable because of her resourcefulness and strong character, is not likable in other aspects. Sometimes she is too headstrong and egoistical. She can also kill, steal, and cheat without giving it too much thought. This is a fantasy book about assassins, and characters who are neither "good" nor "bad" can be interesting, but still I would have preferred Eleanor to question her own deeds, together with their rightness, wrongness, or worthiness more often and more closely. Eleanor has potential, so I am expecting her to grow out of the "it is all right to do anything because I want something" attitude in later books.

I very much appreciated the way the author approached gender in this book. Except where she hinted of romance, she treated both women and men (or rather, girls and boys, since most of the important characters are young) as just people. She did not focus on their gender. The characters had personalities, dreams, skills, flaws, redeeming qualities -- all of this as people, rather than women or men. This is a breath of fresh air compared to some fantasy books where the authors present their characters as led predominantly by their biology.

I am looking forward to reading "Revolution," which is the next in the series.(less)

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Apr 26, 2011 Lyn M (readinghearts) rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Lynne

Recommended to Lyn M (readinghearts) by: Sisterhood of the Traveling Book

Shelves: 2011, adventure, borrowed, fantasy, series, traveling-books, ya, read-for-review

Although fantasy is not my usual genre of choice, I enjoyed this book a lot. For one thing, unlike most fantasy books, this book contained no magic or magical and mythical beings. Just a lot of humans who had to rely on solely on their wits and intelligence to survive. Other than the lack of magic, though, it followed the classical fantasy set up. For one thing, the story takes place in an alternate world where swords and knives are the weapons of choice, and horses, carts and ships are the meth...more

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Mar 08, 2011 Christine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Rebellion is the first in a new fantasy triliogy set on Charanthe.

Eleanor is raised in a boarding school, as is every other child on Charanthe. Her fellow boarders are her only family.

The Imperial system assesses each child as he/she matures, and allocates them a role in society when it is time to leave school. Unbeknownst to her schoolfellows, Eleanor has received some training in unarmed combat from a strange man called Laban in a nearby cave which she escapes to whenever she can.

Rumours of a...more

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Feb 03, 2011 Nicholas Reardon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have just finished reading Rachel Cotterill first book in the series: Chronicles of Charanthe and the First Book is REBELLION .

I have been waiting to read this book for several years after I knew Rachel was writing it, and it was everything I had hoped for and far more!

The author was able to build up a real working world that you feel there. Fully in her world, it is not just the descriptions of the world around her character Eleanor but details as types of food and cultures that she has creat...more

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Jul 09, 2011 Billie Hinton rated it 5 of 5 stars

While this is not one of my frequently read genres, I was drawn in immediately by the story as well as the well-crafted sentences. I found myself re-reading entire paragraphs periodically simply to enjoy the cadence and clarity of the writing.

A few pages in, I was very much engaged with the main character Eleanor, and by the end of the novel I was engaged with all the characters, who ended up seeming like people I met and know.

The clean and clear writing style, the story of Eleanor's journey t...more

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May 10, 2011 Jackie Lane rated it 5 of 5 stars

If not for a reading group that I am in, I never would have picked up this book and it would have been a big mistake. This is definitely not the type of book I would normally read, however, I loved every second of the book.

In a world where children do not live with parents, but are schooled and then assigned a position within the "Empire", Eleanor, a strong-willed, spirited young girl goes in search of her destiny after being assigned a position in the Empire for which she feels is beneath her....more

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Nov 30, 2011 Katherine Gilraine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Easily one of the most addictive coming-of-age fantasy books I've taken a look at in a while. Well-written, set in a realm that has more order than your typical fantasy world, the story talks of an environment where children are raised from babyhood and have their career paths chosen for them at an early age. Eleanor, a sharp-witted redhead, wants nothing to do with her assignment, and has to leave the school and decode the legend of a completely different sort of education.

And there it begins....more

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Nov 11, 2011 LindyLouMac rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle

Although Fantasy is not a genre I am fond of I was impressed with the writing and the way that Rachel has created a whole fantasy world in this first novel in the trilogy the Chronicles of Charanthe. It is a strange world but through the protagonist Eleanor you will be able to step into this world where children are taken away from their parents at birth to be educated. Upon graduation the students are awarded lifetime job assignments, but Eleanor’s posting is not the dream job she had always ho...more

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Feb 03, 2011 Nicholas Reardon rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have just finished reading Rachel Cotterill first book in the series: Chronicles of Charanthe and the First Book is REBELLION .

I have been waiting to read this book for several years after I knew Rachel was writing it, and it was everything I had hoped for and far more!

The author was able to build up a real working world that you feel there. Fully in her world, it is not just the descriptions of the world around her character Eleanor but details as types of food and cultures that she has creat...more

like · see review

Feb 18, 2011 Naomi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am shocked by how much I enjoyed this book. I normally steer clear of Sci-Fi books but there was something that made me want to give this book a try and I am so happy I did. It really doesn't come off as Sci-Fi, but a great adventure story with a young, strong heroine in a very fast paced story that really kept my interest from the beginning to the end. I will definitely be looking for the rest of the series!

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May 28, 2011 Melissa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-lendables

I didn't love it...I really wanted to, but I didn't. I felt like halfway through the book, so much had already happened and gone on that I was completely exhausted. I was thinking "how much more can go on?" Oh but let me tell you, LOTS of stuff went on, some scenes were good, I didn't love the main character and I don't think I'll be picking up the next installment. Maybe it was just me, I found myself almost skimming through the last 20% of the book just to get to the point...and then I didn't...more

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Feb 19, 2011 Cathy Dean rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book - well written, an intriguing premise, believable characters - I romped through it and am really looking forward to the next 2 in the series.

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Feb 10, 2011 Todd Newton rated it 4 of 5 stars

I almost wish I could have only read the second half of Rebellion. It's Harry Potter meets Assassin's Creed, but things stall a bit in the earlier chapters and it's hard to get a sense of who Eleanor is or what her goal is. The second half more than makes up for it, but I also wanted to see a bit more happen to wrap up the story. I suppose the questions of who we can and can't trust will get addressed in the later volumes! A great effort and worth a read.

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Feb 05, 2011 Miranda Lynn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review to be posted after it appears on my blog :) But let me tell you, it is definitely worth your time to read.

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Feb 10, 2012 SciYourFi Team rated it 4 of 5 stars

Read the full review at http://sciyourfi.blogspot.com.au/2012...

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Jan 29, 2011 Heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Read my review at http://heidiashworth.blogspot.com/201...

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Nov 17, 2011 Louiz rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-book, fantasy

This is a really interesting book. It reads like fantasy genre, but with a unique social setup. I was drawn in by Eleanor's situation and found this very difficult to put down. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be looking for the next book.

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Oct 20, 2011 Pamela rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: sisterhood, 2011-reads

This book was ok. A fantasy story of an imaginary-type place. It was well written, however, just not a storyline that I enjoy reading.

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Jul 21, 2012 R.oloughlin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good book! Elements of Harry Potter (no magic, though) and The Hunger Games.

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May 16, 2013 Laura Sanchez marked it as to-read

May 10, 2013 Beth marked it as to-read

May 02, 2013 Darragh Keller marked it as to-read

May 01, 2013 Legato Darksummers added it

Shelves: daddy-dark-s-baby-warrior-list

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Rebellion (Chronicles of Charanthe #1)

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