Kaldax

Whimsical work of art

Revisado: 01-03-18

This book was amazing! I had no idea what I was getting, I just knew I loved Mafi's other books, so I wanted to check this one out, too. Boy was I surprised! I didn't even realize it was Middle grade until I listened to it.

In this story, Alice, who is extremely different from anyone else in her world, get sucked into an adventure with the person she likes least: Oliver. Alice's father has been missing for three years and Oliver was supposed to have found him and bright him home. When he realizes Alice has specific talents that would help him in this task, he asks her to help him and they embark on a crazy adventure in Furthermore.

In time, they learn to trust one another, and eventually become great friends as they depend on each other to stay safe in this treacherous land.

This book was sort of reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, with a great adventure taking place in a whimsical, nonsensical land. I've been so excited about it, I've recommended it to anyone who'll listen. Excellent, excellent book!

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Excellent finish!

Revisado: 12-25-17

What a great series! I liked the last book best of all. The characters are so rich and complete by the Eve that this is one of those books that I know I'll think back on for a long time.

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Even better than the first

Revisado: 12-18-17

I liked this book even better than the first. The characters really come into their own! Matthew and Diana's relationship grows into a deeper, richer, more enduring kind of love, but evolves naturally. Excellent book, by itself, but it really cements the series into my heart.

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I love the universe the author created

Revisado: 12-10-17

Although this story had a slower start than I'm used to, once I was drawn in I couldn't put it down. I love the universe the author created with her creatures and their distinct characteristics. She created a cast of excellent characters, each with strengths and flaws, that I easily became invested in. I am so glad I don't have to wait for her to write book two!

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Excellent imagery!

Revisado: 07-26-16

What a gorgeous book! The imagery in it was perfect. I could see every rich detail in my head. Having read the next book a year or so ago, I really enjoyed learning Nelay's history.

Each member of her family was written incredibly well. Each had their own complicated personalities, with strengths and flaws. My heart aches for them all, in the desperate, desolate times they lived in.

Anxiously moving onto the next book now.

This audio book was gifted to me in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.

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Perfect for a nurse who loves high fantasy

Revisado: 07-24-16

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ilyena. I identify with her very much. She was the perfect iteration of a nurse, but set in a high fantasy world, which is my favorite setting. As a nurse myself, I know that not many authors can get this right.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Ilyena healed the woman and her baby. That woman had been her enemy. She was brutal to Ilyena and even made the decision to starve her for several days, working her to the bone in the meantime. She asked Ilyena why she would heal her after all that, and Ilyena's honest response was that she did it because she was a healer. This is the essence of what a nurse is. We care for all people. We don't care if they are nice or mean or even downright cruel to us. We will help them anyway. Ilyena gave up her only chance at healing herself in the future, putting the woman's health before her own. This is a trait of nurses. We skip meals, breaks, trips to the bathroom, and even the chance for a drink of water in order to help those who need us. Their health is placed above our own. Not many people who aren't nurses understand it so well. Amber Argyle nailed this.

Any additional comments?

The very first thing I have to say about this book is that Ilyena (the main character) is a healer, and since I am a nurse, I immediately identified with her. Argyle did an exquisite job relaying the motivations, emotions, heart, and mind of a nurse. I can't believe someone who is not in the medical field could get it so right. It is very rare to find a believable nurse in fiction.

Now, to the story: Ilyena and her clan are almost immediately drawn into war and none of it makes any sense. They should not be fighting with those they are fighting with, yet their neighboring clan was attacked brutally, and they must offer their support. When things don't go well, and important people die or are close to death, political intrigue begins. To protect those she loves, Ilyena offers herself as a servant in her father's stead. The exchange calls for a fair use of her work by the opposing clan, meant to teach her a lesson. But Darrien, the future clan leader, instead uses her (and many others he has captured) as a slave. He beats them brutally, and she often fears her virtue will be stolen, too. He continually tries to force her into marriage.

What nobody knows is that Ilyena killed Darrien's brother in the original scuffle, and when she was near death, she was saved by winter fairies. There was a bargain struck, and now she is their queen, but she could not go away with them even though winter was ending. This comes up a few times throughout the book, and is woven beautifully into the story. Ilyena is both human and other.

Once back in Darrien's village, she finds friends from the clan they tried to help. Among them is her brother's childhood best friend, Rone, who she has always loved. Their relationship blooms throughout the book, as he protects her fiercely and cares for her tenderly. What a perfect love interest for her!

Throughout most of the book, they are waiting for the clan council to make a ruling on the incidents that lead to Ilyena and the others' enslavement, along with the devastation wreaked on the villages. Circumstances finally lead Ilyena to run away, but she has such integrity that she shows up to the council meeting anyway, and she is prepared for whatever their decision might be. Even if it means she has to marry the evil Darrien to protect those she loves.

The council seems to be leaning her way until Darrien tells a terrible lie. It is a lie that ruins everything she has fought for and now Ilyena, Rone, and all the others she was trying so fiercely to protect are hopeless and helpless. But there is one final line of defense. In desperation, Ilyena finally takes a path she has been fighting to comprehend the whole time.

Fairy Queen is part of a seven book series, but stands perfectly well on its own. I found it to be completely satisfying in the end.

I was gifted this audio book in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.

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Addicting read.

Revisado: 07-17-16

What a great little book! I was sucked in immediately by the characters, who were rich with personality and absolutely lovable. Amber Argyle had such a way of taking unusual characters, like Otec and his sisters, and making them distinct, lovable, and flawed yet able to find their inner strengths. This makes them jump right out of the bin and into my heart.

Otec meets Matka early in the story. He's a clanchief's son, but overshadowed by his older brothers. She's a foreigner, from a race that he doesn't trust due to raiding and slavery. In spite of these major differences, Otec and Matka quickly develop feelings for one another. The arc of their relationship moves along beautifully, as they race against their enemies, in an attempt to save as many clanswomen as possible from the fate of slavery.

They keep running up against new opposition, each thing more difficult than the last, finally culminating in a very intense fight, and also true and sweet declarations of love between Otec and Matka.

One thing I've always loved about Argyle's writing is that there doesn't always have to be a clear winner or loser. Nobody leaves battle like that unscathed, and she doesn't tie it up in a neat bow just to give us a happy ending. It's always satisfying, but also unflinchingly realistic.

Another favorite book by one of my all time favorite writers. Bravo.

This audio book was gifted to me in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.

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