Tag: gods

Posted in Reviews

Review: The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes

Posted on by Jennifer

The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes – ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommended: Yes!
For a fantastic Mayan-esque fantasy, for a ripe and unique world of belief and gods, for anyone who wants to imagine more about the world in the movie The Road to El Dorado

AND THE COVER IS GORGEOUS.

Summary:
The emperor is dead, and before the crown Prince Ahkin can take his father’s place, he must choose an empress. While bearing the burden of raising the sun every day and attempting to prevent another apocalypse, he must now find a wife amongst the noble houses that each wield their own kind of magic. Mayana, meanwhile, is sure she won’t be picked by the emperor, dooming her to be sacrificed in a blessing to the marriage. She can’t stand the sacrifices, but in a world where that belief is embedded in every daily action, she struggles to hide her thoughts on the matter. That’s easier said than done when she’s in a selection for future empress, however…

Thoughts:
I have noticed that I don’t read much with Central or South American styles or themes to it. However, The Road to El Dorado is one of my favorite movies, and I couldn’t help but be reminded of that fact as I was reading descriptions of huge towering golden temples with countless steps, of lush jungles where panthers stalk, and of blood sacrifices that allow the demigods to wield incredible magic. And so, perhaps it’s not that surprising that I somewhat fell in love with this world. 😍

Continue reading “Review: The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes” →

“Ahkin didn’t know what could possibly be more troubling than the pressure to live up to his father’s legacy, all while marrying a complete stranger and sentencing five others to die, providing descendants as soon as possible, protecting his people from the Miquitz Empire, and making sure the sun itself rose each morning.”

– Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes

Summary of Seventh Sun

Quote• Posted on by Jennifer
Posted in Reviews

Master of Sorrows by Justin Travis Call

Posted on by Jennifer

Master of Sorrows by Justin Travis Call – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
PHEW. That was a lot packed into what equaled three days in the book!

Recommended: Sure
For a super fast-paced story with lots of high intensity fighting, for an interesting world of gods and magic, be ready for some “lore” moments where you read sections from the gospel to understand everything

Summary:
Among the Academy’s warrior-thieves, Annev de Breth is an outlier. Unlike his classmates who were stolen as infants from the capital city, Annev was born in the small village of Chaenbalu, was believed to be executed, and then unknowingly raised by his parents’ killers. Seventeen years later, Annev struggles with the burdens of a forbidden magic, a forgotten heritage, and a secret deformity. When he is subsequently caught between the warring ideologies of his priestly mentor and the Academy’s masters, he must choose between forfeiting his promising future at the Academy or betraying his closest friends. Each decision leads to a deeper dilemma, until Annev finds himself pressed into a quest he does not wish to fulfill. Will he finally embrace the doctrine of his tutors, murder a stranger, and abandon his mentor? Or will he accept the more difficult truth of who he is . . . and the darker truth of what he may become . . . 

Thoughts:
I have a lot to say about this one so here are the bullet points:

  • Annev is an idiot
  • The relationship between Annev and Myjun is confusingly weak
  • The end leaves a lot of questions open; like so many that I wish there were a few more answers to give a strong reason to read the next book
  • The lore-building around the gods is amazing and fascinating
  • There is non-stop action and important moments in this; you won’t be bored
  • I want more magic!!!
Continue reading “Master of Sorrows by Justin Travis Call” →