Off The Shelf: Burning Glass

It's been a while since I've done one of these and I have to say it's not for lack of reading...just a lack of time to pen the thoughts! I stumbled across this book when Goodreads recommended it to me. The plot sounded interesting and I thought, what the heck, let's have another go at this dystopia/fantasy novel habit you've gotten yourself into and let's see where it leads you!

The premise of the novel is that a a young girl by the name of Sonya has a rare gift, that of being able to sense people's emotions both physically and mentally. Hidden from the Empire which uses those with her gift, Auraseers, to protect its Emperors, Sonya has little in the way of training in how to use this gift. Having traveled with the Gypsies, she finds life in the home for the the other Auraseers difficult and when an accident wipes out all the others like her, she is left as the only offering to the Emperor when the Royal Auraseer meets her demise.

This story was interesting for so many reasons. The unique, eastern European setting, the fantasy elements and of course, the romance. What is a dystopia/fantasy without a love triangle between two brothers, the passionate, almost larger than life Emperor, Valko and his emotionally withdrawn but kind brother Anton? It was such a great read with twist and turns and me sitting on the edge of my seat wondering, which side will Sonya choose? Will she remain loyal to her role as royal Auraseer and protect the Empire at all costs or will she choose the side of those who revolt against what they believe to be a life of servitude to a leader who cares only for his personal gain.

The setting was richly crafted, I felt like I was in Russia during this unnamed time and I really loved that. The fact that this is a debut novel has me eagerly awaiting the next offering from Kathryn Purdie. The series continues, with a new release anticipated in 2017 (I am not sure if I can wait that long! Miss Purdie if you read this, please throw an advanced ARC my way!)

I would recommend this book if you like a well crafted alternate reality, characters that make you feel something (even if it's why on earth would you do that?!) and romance...I gave the novel five stars on Goodreads and I fully stand by that even after all this time.

Have you read this gem yet?

Books in the series:

#1 Buring Glass

#2 Untitled (Expected in 2017)

Visit Kathryn's website here.

TK MAJ

Off The Shelf: The Selection Series

Ever gone through a phase that you have no interest in getting past? I'm currently enjoying the phase I'm calling "Dumb-for-Dystopia". I just love the various stories authors have been and are coming up with in a post-apocalyptic context. I think it takes such a vivid imagination to break apart the world as we know it and build your own from scratch. My obsession of the moment is the Selection series by Kiera Cass.

The series is kind of the Bachelor meets the how I would imagine the British Royal family lives. In a world where who you are is determined by your number and the only way to move up the social ladder is to marry up or enlist in the royal guard, we are introduced to America Singer, petite, raven haired and a Five, Mer as she is known is chosen for the Selection, the event where heir to the throne of Illea,  Prince Maxon Shreave is to choose between thirty-five girls for his queen. Mer is resistant, being in love with someone else, and begins her stay at the castle in a fit of belligerence that soon dissipates as she gets to know and care for the troubled Prince.

Throughout the novels we are introduced to the various girls vying for the Prince's attention including Celeste, a model of higher ranking than Mer who never loses an opportunity to lord it over her. We also get to know Kriss, a lady in all the ways that matter and a girl after Maxon's heart...as opposed to the crown like some of the girls are.

Mer enjoys life at the castle, having enough food to eat every day and making friends but while the Prince is clear as to where his affections lie, Mer isn't as sure. Tension persists between the characters against a backdrop of revolution from two groups, the Northerners who are of a less violent inclination and the Southerners who seek to rain terror on the elite of society.

I love this series so far, being two of the four books that are out, in. Kiera Cass is so talented. Her book is easy to read but never fails to take you there, to make you feel whatever tension the characters are experiencing. I saw on Pintrest a description of the book as one where the tension is the romance and truer words have never been spoken! These are my favorite kinds of stories and  I can't wait to try the next books in the series.

The glits, the glamour and the intrigue drew me in from the first chapter and I will be talking about this series to anyone who will listen for a while to come!

The order of the Selection series is:

#1 The Selection

#2 The Elite

#3 The One

#4 The Heir

#5 The Crown (to be released 3 May 2016)

The first three books focus on Mer and her story and the fourth and fifth books focus on Mer's daughter.

Visit Kiera's website here.

TK MAJ