Read for: Received in the Unicorn Crate & Dragons!
Synopsis: "In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be darkness—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death-bringer.
These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.
Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her."
My Review: The cover of this book and the synopsis instantly drew me in and I had to have it, and I was thrilled when it came in a Unicorn Crate book subscription box. I did try listening to it first on an audio book from the library but I was very confused as there are old stories mixed into the book and there wasn't any clear definition in the audio book. So I read it in print instead. It was a very slow to start book but once all the pieces fell into place it really picked up speed. I love the play on the enemies to friends/lover theme that is in this book on multiple levels. I did find it odd that the 'old stories' really aren't that old and some of them even happen in Asha's life time, it was rather confusing, and honestly still puzzles me bit. I did really enjoy the side characters and the way that all the characters developed as the story moved along, often the line between good and evil blurred and then re-aligned, sometimes a few times. It was really an interesting story. It is a first book in a series but honestly I am pretty satisfied with the conclusion of this book.
These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.
Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her."
My Review: The cover of this book and the synopsis instantly drew me in and I had to have it, and I was thrilled when it came in a Unicorn Crate book subscription box. I did try listening to it first on an audio book from the library but I was very confused as there are old stories mixed into the book and there wasn't any clear definition in the audio book. So I read it in print instead. It was a very slow to start book but once all the pieces fell into place it really picked up speed. I love the play on the enemies to friends/lover theme that is in this book on multiple levels. I did find it odd that the 'old stories' really aren't that old and some of them even happen in Asha's life time, it was rather confusing, and honestly still puzzles me bit. I did really enjoy the side characters and the way that all the characters developed as the story moved along, often the line between good and evil blurred and then re-aligned, sometimes a few times. It was really an interesting story. It is a first book in a series but honestly I am pretty satisfied with the conclusion of this book.
My Rating: Once I figured out the format issue with the audio book and switched over to print, I was really drawn into the story. I enjoyed the characters and the story and the play with friends and enemies is my favorite trope type. I give it a rating of Four Paws!
Yeah, that cover would draw me in too. I’m glad you switched to print so you could enjoy it. I love audiobooks but some of them just don’t work right and need to be experienced in print.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how some books are fantastic as audio books and others aren't, it is usually when there is a bit outside of the normal format. I am glad that I had the chance to pick it up in print instead of just giving up on it.
Delete