O P E N I N G L I N E:
“Why are you willing to help me?” she asked.
The old woman’s lips curled into a smile. “My kind is fading away. By giving you my magic, I am creating something far more powerful than me to save all Heks.”
“Isn’t that what Skog Heks is trying to do in the mines?”
“If she finds the power source, there’s no guarantee new Heks will be born. Now that the balance of power is off, I know what to do. By using you, I can guarantee Heks don’t become extinct.”
The old woman clasped her hands together. When she pulled them apart, a blue light appeared. The small ball of magic glowed, waiting to be molded and used. “Our land is divided into twelve kingdoms,” she murmured. “I will create twelve warriors who will not only save Nelebek, but all our land.” She drew her hands farther apart, and the blue orb grew larger. “They shall be bound to my magic and will have no choice but to do my will.”
(pg. 8, US e-ARC edition)
~Like e-books? RISE is currently on sale for $4.49!~
I'd been hearing about Jennifer Anne Davis for a long time, and recently read my first novel by her, CAGE OF DECEIT. It made me want to read more from this rising fantasy author. While I didn't feel The Order of the Krigers had as strong a start as Reign of Secrets, it was still enjoyable and read fast.
The series centers around a girl named Kaia who discovers that she's the twelfth and final Kriger. An evil king, Morlet, has been searching for the Twelfth, but never knew to search for a girl because the other eleven Krigers he has in captivity are male. When he discovers Kaia, an assassin named Anders helps her escape and takes her to his best friend Vidar. The two hide Kaia and train her to embrace her destiny. But Morlet is hunting for her because he must kill all twelve Krigers before they can link their power and kill him...
The Order of the Krigers is the first book in a new fantasy series, one with no black and white answers. Kaia's heart is too kind for her own good, and she can only see the best in everyone, even Morlet. Yes, he's evil, but he also has good in him. Kaia also hates the idea of killing anyone...especially once she gets to know the person. How will she be able to fulfill her destiny if Morlet is redeemable? She also must come to terms with the fact that Anders and Vidar are keeping dangerous secrets, as well as the fact that Anders is a trained killer and does many things she doesn't approve of. What is good and what's evil? There are two sides to this story.
Much of the first book in the series is a coming-of-age story as Kaia discovers and begins to train for her destiny. Each of the Krigers has a weapon bespelled to work only for them and must be worthy enough to pass a trial and claim them. Kaia also has power that warns her when danger is coming (Which may appeal to fans of Rae Carson's THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS, where the main character's magic also allows her to sense danger, a technique in YA that's still newer, but becoming more popular). There are a lot of elements to keep readers interested and on the edge of their toes, with twists and surprises that only the most astute readers will see coming and the rest will be pleasantly surprised by.
If you're a fan of fantasy and coming into your destiny with kingdom politics to boot, check out RISE by Jennifer Anne Davis, which comes out today!
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C O N T E N T R A T I N G S
Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Romance: PG ( A few "almosts" and a scene where the MC is fleeing and has her neck kissed )
Language: --
Violence: PG13 ( A few bloody moments and non-graphic torture scenes involving drowning and being stretched )
Violence: PG13 ( A few bloody moments and non-graphic torture scenes involving drowning and being stretched )
Other: PG ( When the MC is fleeing, she flees through a brothel and has to pretend to be a prostitute, but she doesn't know how prostitutes act and nothing happens except sitting on her helper's lap as he kisses her neck )
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C O V E R D E S I G N:
I also like the spark of magic in the R of Rise.
The image itself is a little too "pretty girl" for a fantasy, though if you peep into the background, you see a little bit more that adds to the atmosphere!
O F F I C I A L I N F O:
Title: RISE
Author: Jennifer Anne Davis
Author: Jennifer Anne Davis
Release Date: May 17, 2016
Publisher: Month9Books
Received: For Review
Received: For Review
The people of Nelebek live in fear of persecution from the evil Morlet, who reigns with a dark and destructive magic. The kingdom’s only hope lies with the Order of the Krigers—twelve warriors with mysterious powers linked to magical weapons.
For over a century, Morlet has been annihilating the Order, picking them off one by one. Eleven Krigers have been hunted down, tortured, and imprisoned in his dungeon. Now, only one remains.
Sixteen-year-old Kaia survives by keeping her head down and minding her own business. But when she finds herself in the middle of a public execution where the mysterious Morlet is in attendance, an odd compulsion she can’t resist comes over her.
Kaia looks into Morlet’s eyes.
Soon, an ancient power awakens and Kaia can no more blend into the scenery. Will she heed the call of the Krigers or will Morlet’s dark magic destroy the last of the Order?
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About the Author
Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she finally married her high school sweetheart. She is currently a full-time writer and mother of three highly energetic children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids’ creativity.
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****Giveaway*****
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• Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of Rise by Jennifer Anne Davis
(INT)
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(US ONLY)
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