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Falling Kingdoms
(Falling Kingdoms #1)
by
In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten. And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest now simmers below the surface.
As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and ...more
As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and ...more
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Hardcover, 412 pages
Published
December 11th 2012
by Razorbill
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Lauren
In the first book 6.5 ,but in the others, 10
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, #1)

I can already tell that this is going to end up being one of my favorite series! Excellent cast of characters with a shocking and unexpected plot full of twists and turns. I can't wait to pick up the next book!
...more

This book is being hailed as "A Game of Thrones for young adults." I have only read the first twenty pages of A Game of Thrones & I can already tell you that is like comparing a stick figure drawing to a professional painting.
Perhaps the barest framework of the two series can be compared, but anything more than that is a stretch.
Falling Kingdoms follows a handful of young main characters spread out across three neighboring territories. Nearly all of them are prominent political figures: princes ...more
Perhaps the barest framework of the two series can be compared, but anything more than that is a stretch.
Falling Kingdoms follows a handful of young main characters spread out across three neighboring territories. Nearly all of them are prominent political figures: princes ...more

Perfect. I-read-it-in-one-sitting perfect.

That is the most fascinating thing about Falling Kingdoms.The characters aren't pure good or pure evil (except Gaius,that hideous bastard),they make choices that lead them to one path or another,they fight hard their inner demons,they justify their actions ...more

Even in the darkest and most cruel person, there is still a kernel of good. And within the most perfect champion,there is darkness.The question is,will one give in to the dark or the light?
That is the most fascinating thing about Falling Kingdoms.The characters aren't pure good or pure evil (except Gaius,that hideous bastard),they make choices that lead them to one path or another,they fight hard their inner demons,they justify their actions ...more

I should have known there’d be trouble in paradise when I found out that Morgan Rhodes was a non de plume for Michelle Rowen, who wrote that terrible Dark Kiss novel that I couldn’t even finish.
I buddy read Falling Kingdom with ItsJaneLindsey who was my beloved BookBuddyAthon Buddy. And I think both of us suffered greatly as we read it together.
Falling Kingdoms is really Fantasy Lite with scarcely enough world building and concepts to skate by. If it asked me to witness it I’d be all like:

Becaus ...more
I buddy read Falling Kingdom with ItsJaneLindsey who was my beloved BookBuddyAthon Buddy. And I think both of us suffered greatly as we read it together.
Falling Kingdoms is really Fantasy Lite with scarcely enough world building and concepts to skate by. If it asked me to witness it I’d be all like:

Becaus ...more

Re reading series so I can finish up w/ the last book.
I have to mention first that I love the cover of this book! :)

I'm just going to go ahead and get this out of the way, there are some characters in the book that I really liked that were killed. I have a feeling I probably shouldn't like too many characters that have made it to the next book, or they might die as well!
The main characters are Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus. They are all from different kingdoms. And they probably all could be ...more
I have to mention first that I love the cover of this book! :)

I'm just going to go ahead and get this out of the way, there are some characters in the book that I really liked that were killed. I have a feeling I probably shouldn't like too many characters that have made it to the next book, or they might die as well!
The main characters are Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus. They are all from different kingdoms. And they probably all could be ...more

See this review and more like it on my blog: www.bookbastion.net
____________________________________

This was not good.
You know how sometimes the media latches onto trends - hint, they do this all the time - and suddenly when one specific type of story starts getting popular a whole bunch of knock offs with similar stories start appearing? I truly believe that this story would not have been published had Game of Thrones not become a smash hit the year before its initial publication. Or at the ver ...more
____________________________________

This was not good.
You know how sometimes the media latches onto trends - hint, they do this all the time - and suddenly when one specific type of story starts getting popular a whole bunch of knock offs with similar stories start appearing? I truly believe that this story would not have been published had Game of Thrones not become a smash hit the year before its initial publication. Or at the ver ...more

I only love my bed and Magnus, I'm sorry.
My kink is being so thoroughly satisfied by a book I was so sure to hate. You guys don't even know the amount of hate/negative reviews I read for this book and then personally being told by many of my friends that I WAS GOING TO HATE THIS, BITCH HA. OKAY.
Anyways, Falling Kingdoms is such a cliched, tropey filled fantasy book with so much insta love, incest, a predictable storyline and a whole entire love-fucking-PENTAGON, BUT I STILL LIKED THIS SO MUCH, ...more
My kink is being so thoroughly satisfied by a book I was so sure to hate. You guys don't even know the amount of hate/negative reviews I read for this book and then personally being told by many of my friends that I WAS GOING TO HATE THIS, BITCH HA. OKAY.
Anyways, Falling Kingdoms is such a cliched, tropey filled fantasy book with so much insta love, incest, a predictable storyline and a whole entire love-fucking-PENTAGON, BUT I STILL LIKED THIS SO MUCH, ...more

Dec 11, 2012
Anne
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Anne by:
Danielle Long
2021
Just did a re-read of this one because I suddenly realized I've somehow never finished this series, and I can't remember enough of the details to just jump back in after all these years. I snagged the audio this time, and Fred Berman was an excellent narrator. My original feelings on the book stand and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!
2015
3.5 stars
I had no idea this book even existed until my librarian gently pointed me toward this series. And by gently, I mean she flapped in fro ...more
Just did a re-read of this one because I suddenly realized I've somehow never finished this series, and I can't remember enough of the details to just jump back in after all these years. I snagged the audio this time, and Fred Berman was an excellent narrator. My original feelings on the book stand and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!
2015
3.5 stars
I had no idea this book even existed until my librarian gently pointed me toward this series. And by gently, I mean she flapped in fro ...more

Jan 25, 2013
Ferdy
rated it
did not like it
Shelves:
abusive-love-interest,
boring,
blah,
magic,
blah-romance,
boring-crap-hero,
die-book-die,
cringey,
cheesy,
fucked-up-romance
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

I heard that Magnus Damora might or might not be my future husband. *lol*
Well, at least that's what reliable sources tell me. *raises eyebrow*
So yeah, I think 2018 is the perfect year to find out! ;-P
Let's see if I can get my fingers on him .... erm... this book real quick! XD ...more
Well, at least that's what reliable sources tell me. *raises eyebrow*
So yeah, I think 2018 is the perfect year to find out! ;-P
Let's see if I can get my fingers on him .... erm... this book real quick! XD ...more


After a beginning I wasn't too sure about, Falling Kingdoms surprisingly became an extremely enjoyable - if somewhat unoriginal - story. Rhodes' world was a fascinating and exciting place that I am eager to explore more of in the sequel, her characters were complex individuals often torn between political and moral duty, and the tensions between the lands of this world (Limeros, Paelsia and Auranos) were highly convincing. My final opinion of this novel is such a turnaround from my first imp ...more

Many people are raving about this series, but I couldn't get passionate about it. While reading Falling Kingdoms, I often got a gut feeling that something was off about the book but I had difficulty pinpointing the origin of that feeling. It was an instinctive reaction. I've mulled it over and will try to put the reason into words without sounding too harsh. I can't name specifics because it's been a few months since I finished this and I've been suppressing the memories.
There are two kinds of a ...more
There are two kinds of a ...more

5/5 stars. I forgot how tragically beautiful this book is. Review to come.

Oct 09, 2019
Tina ➹ the girl who lives in Fandoms
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
cover,
reviews,
5-stars,
ebooks,
favorite,
2019,
fav-of-fav,
fav-hero,
want-this-edition,
all-time-fav
4.5 Golden Stars!
I repeat!
FREAKING Golden!
*scribbling it down into my TOP fav series*
one of my most anticipated books
(thank you for not disappointing me!)
10th best of 2019
This...
Thiiiis!
This,
is the story I expected all my life from an Epic fantasy about game of thrones!
this is the story I wanted to read about medieval world & palaces!
something I can relate easily, sensible with easy & cool world building, young characters that I can relate (bonus point for them being from different places & goin ...more
I repeat!
FREAKING Golden!
*scribbling it down into my TOP fav series*
one of my most anticipated books
(thank you for not disappointing me!)
10th best of 2019
This...
Thiiiis!
This,
is the story I expected all my life from an Epic fantasy about game of thrones!
this is the story I wanted to read about medieval world & palaces!
something I can relate easily, sensible with easy & cool world building, young characters that I can relate (bonus point for them being from different places & goin ...more

Dec 30, 2015
Kainat 《HUFFLEPUFF & PROUD》
rated it
really liked it
Recommended to Kainat by:
Erin Wolak
Shelves:
love-hate
“Magic will find those with pure hearts,
even when all seems lost.”

Let me start by saying it's really hard for me to review books i love, there is so much i want to say.
I know a lot people dislike these books so i decided to read a few bad reviews before i started this. Turned out most people had similar issues; too many characters, confusing plot line, too many POVs.
I read first few chapters like a textbook, paid attention to every little detail, tried to remember their names, and who belo ...more
even when all seems lost.”

Let me start by saying it's really hard for me to review books i love, there is so much i want to say.
I know a lot people dislike these books so i decided to read a few bad reviews before i started this. Turned out most people had similar issues; too many characters, confusing plot line, too many POVs.
I read first few chapters like a textbook, paid attention to every little detail, tried to remember their names, and who belo ...more


Do you like Game of Thrones and wish for a YA-version? Well, my friends, look no further:
• Unexpected killings of significant characters?
• Multiple POV’s (including possible villains) taking place in different kingdoms with royalty, assassins, and other worldly creatures/shifters
• Heavy world-building
• Feuding kingdoms
• Even a brother-sister romance though that is a bit less Cersei-Jamie, a bit more Clary-Jace if you know what I mean=)
Is this book perfect? Well, honestly, I wasn’t a huge fan of ...more

first of all:
cause this shit was GOOOOOOOOD.
i think if you've been awake for more than a couple of days, and been on this site for more than a few seconds you've probably seen the mixed reviews for this book. divisive, divisive, she is.
i can totally understand why people don't like this book. it's not exactly ground breaking in terms of unique characterizations or world building. and the use of language is... odd. i mean it's set in like a pseudo-medieval fantasy world but we're using words li ...more

cause this shit was GOOOOOOOOD.
i think if you've been awake for more than a couple of days, and been on this site for more than a few seconds you've probably seen the mixed reviews for this book. divisive, divisive, she is.
i can totally understand why people don't like this book. it's not exactly ground breaking in terms of unique characterizations or world building. and the use of language is... odd. i mean it's set in like a pseudo-medieval fantasy world but we're using words li ...more

RE-READ: SEP 2015
Note - old review below but my thoughts have not changed....still loved it!
****************************************************
“Even paradise could become a prison if one had enough time to take notice of the walls.”
After seeing quite a few negative things about Falling Kingdoms on goodreads i was hesitant to buy it. But eventually i did, because, like, what the hell? Just cause some people disliked it doesn't mean that i will too! And i am so glad i did.

Why?
Because it w ...more

Yay, now i'm only 18 books behind on my goodreads challenge, not 19.... :)
This book fell exactly where I expected it to, so 3 stars isn't a horrible rating! The main thing I loved about this is that it's different from any YA fantasy that i've ever read. The plot itself isn't really anything too special, but the scope of it all (following several characters/kingdoms instead of one main one) and the risks that the author is willing to take with characters (MANY deaths) kept me on my toes. The mai ...more
This book fell exactly where I expected it to, so 3 stars isn't a horrible rating! The main thing I loved about this is that it's different from any YA fantasy that i've ever read. The plot itself isn't really anything too special, but the scope of it all (following several characters/kingdoms instead of one main one) and the risks that the author is willing to take with characters (MANY deaths) kept me on my toes. The mai ...more

What a great start to a series that promises so much more! I loved pretty much all the characters and the plot was pretty well set up. Do I love it or do i love it? I can't wait to read the next. 4.25/5 ⭐
...more

Aug 01, 2012
Andreea Pop
rated it
it was ok
Shelves:
annoying-heroine,
never-again,
young-adult,
royalty,
witches,
read-in-2015,
high-fantasy,
wth-god-no

I am truly sorry, I am. I wanted this book to be spectacular, to amaze me with its epicness. I was ready to love it heart and soul! Alas, sadly -- and very much obviously thanks to those two ugly stars -- that did not happen. I'm going to rant now, so please excuse my shouty capitals whenever they appear.
You see, my average rating is somewhere around 4.4/5 and seeing that I've read almost 500 titles that means I pretty much drop them 4 and 5 star ratings like they're hot. It doesn't bother ...more

2 Stars
Overview:

This series is often hailed the ‘Game of Thrones for YA' and because I haven’t read/watched GOT, I can’t comment on the comparison.
I can tell you the similarities. They're both fantasy series involving a large cast of characters, murder, magic, and backstabbing.Also incest! Here, however, the overarching story focuses on the intersecting lives of Cleo, Jonas, and Magnus as war blossoms between their nations.
Pros:
There were several deaths I didn’t expect! Most didn't feel ...more
Overview:

This series is often hailed the ‘Game of Thrones for YA' and because I haven’t read/watched GOT, I can’t comment on the comparison.
I can tell you the similarities. They're both fantasy series involving a large cast of characters, murder, magic, and backstabbing.
Pros:
There were several deaths I didn’t expect! Most didn't feel ...more

This was one of those books that didn't seem to want to go forward. It dragged especially the first half and then dragged some more.
There was potential, sure but all shattered when it was clear that everything and i mean EVERYTHING needs to be discussed to death. I only wish it was literally to their deaths so I didn't have to continue with them anymore.
Really. So fucking tedious.
Give me the story.
Do something.
Anything!
Cleo, you wanna go (view spoiler) Go the ...more

There was potential, sure but all shattered when it was clear that everything and i mean EVERYTHING needs to be discussed to death. I only wish it was literally to their deaths so I didn't have to continue with them anymore.
Really. So fucking tedious.
Give me the story.
Do something.
Anything!
Cleo, you wanna go (view spoiler) Go the ...more

Ouuu, I liked this book....despite a few things.
RTC...When I'm not:
1) Lazy as fuck
2) SCHOOL
3) SCHOOL
4) LIFE
5) Yup, lazy as fuck again ;P
Anyway, gimme the next book pls!
**************************
I went to the library to ACTUALLY study and do my school work. Okay, I'm trying make it to places GUYS !! *cough* I should've thought about becoming a Doctor like holyyyyyyyy shit. The work load ISN'T A JOKEEEE.
Please tell me how I walk inside and the first thing I see is a big ass book sale. E ...more
RTC...When I'm not:
1) Lazy as fuck
2) SCHOOL
3) SCHOOL
4) LIFE
5) Yup, lazy as fuck again ;P
Anyway, gimme the next book pls!
**************************
I went to the library to ACTUALLY study and do my school work. Okay, I'm trying make it to places GUYS !! *cough* I should've thought about becoming a Doctor like holyyyyyyyy shit. The work load ISN'T A JOKEEEE.
Please tell me how I walk inside and the first thing I see is a big ass book sale. E ...more

4 Princess. Rebel. Sorceress. Hire. ★'s
“You must continue to believe with all your heart. Sometimes belief is all it takes to make something real.”

'Falling Kingdoms' was so good! I was hooked from the first page and I finished it in one sitting. I couldn't put this book down, it drew me right in and it was also a fast passed read. I enjoyed the plot, the writing style was captivating, the world was enchanting and well thought out. As were the characters, the character building was done nicely a ...more
“You must continue to believe with all your heart. Sometimes belief is all it takes to make something real.”

'Falling Kingdoms' was so good! I was hooked from the first page and I finished it in one sitting. I couldn't put this book down, it drew me right in and it was also a fast passed read. I enjoyed the plot, the writing style was captivating, the world was enchanting and well thought out. As were the characters, the character building was done nicely a ...more

*unmarked spoilers ahead, read at your own risk. *
buddy read with Jessica, fellow Theon lover. 🍦

Oh, wow. I did not expect this to become a 5 star read for me, but it really did. I got so emotionally invested in every single character, which I never expected!
Firstly, I need to put it out there that this was like And I Darken/Now I Rise+fantasy+magic= amazing. I was getting so many feels for the Conqueror's Saga, my utmost favorite series. I LOVED IT 😻😻
The world building, the magic, the charac ...more
buddy read with Jessica, fellow Theon lover. 🍦

Oh, wow. I did not expect this to become a 5 star read for me, but it really did. I got so emotionally invested in every single character, which I never expected!
Firstly, I need to put it out there that this was like And I Darken/Now I Rise+fantasy+magic= amazing. I was getting so many feels for the Conqueror's Saga, my utmost favorite series. I LOVED IT 😻😻
The world building, the magic, the charac ...more

Feb 22, 2017
Rusty's Ghost Engine (also known as.......... Jinky Spring)
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
this-is-fucking-awesome,
high-fantasy
Blog review @Scaredy Engines End of Line Library
There is a lot of drama and plot twists in this book. A lot. Which is what made it so enjoyable for me! :D
First of all the characters and world were so richly developed I could not guess what was around the next corner. Like I've said in other reviews one of the most enjoyable aspects of a high fantasy novel is the world building and Myticas history was full of intrigue not to mention how I loved the stories from the past catching up and intertwin ...more
There is a lot of drama and plot twists in this book. A lot. Which is what made it so enjoyable for me! :D
First of all the characters and world were so richly developed I could not guess what was around the next corner. Like I've said in other reviews one of the most enjoyable aspects of a high fantasy novel is the world building and Myticas history was full of intrigue not to mention how I loved the stories from the past catching up and intertwin ...more

I couldn't bring myself to give this higher than 3 stars because it's just not as good as some of my favourite fantasies, but it was still really good! The instalove was super cringeworthy and the writing was very simple and I dunno it's just not the best thing I've ever read.
...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Challenge Corner: Falling Kingdoms series by Morgan Rhodes -> Restarting May 4th 2020 | 97 | 35 | Aug 02, 2020 09:57AM | |
The Procrastinato...:
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27 | 15 | Dec 24, 2019 09:52PM | |
YA Buddy Readers'...: Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms #1) by Morgan Rhodes - Restarting December 16th 2019 | 200 | 359 | Dec 24, 2019 09:50PM | |
Forgotten YA Gems: Falling Kingdoms: General Discussion | 7 | 51 | May 11, 2018 08:17PM |
Morgan Rhodes lives in Ontario, Canada. As a child, she always wanted to be a princess -- the kind that knows how to wield a sharp sword to help save both kingdoms and princes from fire-breathing dragons and dark wizards. Instead, she became a writer, which is just as good and much less dangerous. Along with writing, Morgan enjoys photography, travel, reality TV, and is an extremely picky, yet vor
...more
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Falling Kingdoms
(6 books)
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Biding your time for the next book in a series can be a true test of patience, especially when the release date could fall...
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“Even paradise could become a prison if one had enough time to take notice of the walls.”
—
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“Even in the darkest and most cruel person, there is still a kernel of good. And within the most perfect champion, there is darkness. The question is, will one give in to the dark or the light? It's something we decide with every choice we make, every day that we exist. What might not be evil to you could be evil to someone else. Knowing this makes us powerful even without magic.”
—
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