Hello! Today we have Ashley's review of The Emissary by Kristal Shaff as a part of the blog tour! There's also a giveaway at the end of this post, so be sure to enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
Also check out the rest of the tour posts by clicking the banner above!
About the Book
Publication date: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Kristal Shaff
For hundreds of years, dark clouds covered the skies of Adamah, and an ageless king ruled. Those who emerged with one of six extraordinary Shay powers were forced into the king’s army, an unmatched force with inhuman Strength, Speed, Accuracy, Perception, Empathy, and Healing. With the army behind him, the king—a man who wields all six abilities—was invincible and unquestioned in his rule. To most, serving the king was an honor. But for others, it was a fate worse than death.
When seventeen-year-old Nolan Trividar witnesses the transformation of his brother from kind to cruel after entering the king’s army, he vows never to follow the same path.
So when his own power—the Shay of Accuracy—comes upon him at the Tournament of Awakening, Nolan conceals his emergence instead of joining the king’s ranks. For years, he traitorously hides his power, pretending to be only a gifted scribe. But when Nolan comes face -to-face with a deserter, the man discovers his secret.
To evade detection and a death sentence, Nolan escapes with the deserter and flees into a night filled with dark creatures who steal both powers and souls. He joins a resistance, a village hidden deep in the forest, filled with others who secretly wield a Shay. But his peace is short-lived when they discover that the dark clouds, undead creatures, their own decreasing powers, and even the king, are all connected.
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About the Author
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Ashley's Review
I love a good YA fantasy. I think that fantasy might be my favorite genre, actually. And a good YA high fantasy? Yes please! I look for the high fantasy books and I always want to read them whenever I find them. And The Emissary is one of those books that totally lived up to what I hoped it would! It's a great YA fantasy book with all the things that make for a memorable high fantasy.
Nolan is actually kind of awesome. He's this nerdy, scrawny little kid who is trying to hide his Shay of Accuracy so that he doesn't have to join the army and lose his humanity like his brother did. He just wants to live his life and hide as a scribe. Until he meets the traitor that will change his entire life and everything he thought he knew.
I really enjoyed watching his journey from timid little kid to a confidant young man to... well, I don't want to spoil the book, so you'll just have to read it to find what Nolan eventually becomes! Trust me, it's worth it and definitely something you want to read about for yourself. I also really enjoyed the new friendships he made along the way. All of the secondary characters are well developed and dynamic. They have such a broad range of personalities and I really felt like Nolan's friends were my friends and almost threw my Kindle across the room when bad things happen to them.
Kristal's writing and world building are fantastic, and I enjoyed getting to know Nolan's world and his people and their magic. The creatures that live in the night are terrifying and yet their stories are incredibly sad. I even felt for the king, who is probably one of the worst kings ever. Especially with how he gained his powers and what he was before he turned evil.
I really hope there's a sequel to this book, because I would love to find out more about what's next for Nolan and the rest of his friends and the kingdom. I thoroughly enjoyed The Emissary, and would totally recommend it to anyone looking for a YA fantasy that's different and exciting. A 4/5, and I can't wait to see what Kristal has up her sleeve next!
The Giveaway!
Winner will be drawn October 25, 2014
Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of The Emissary by Kristal Shaff (INT)
Wow! Thanks Ashley. What a really wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I was following your progress on goodreads, and when you updated with a WTF! I laughed, because I knew exactly where you were in the book. **Insert evil laughter**
And yes, there is a sequel.
Thanks for ending my blog tour with such a nice review. :)
You're welcome!
DeleteI was SO MAD when I got to that part, I literally almost threw my Kindle! I couldn't believe you would do that to me!! I'm glad things worked out like they did, although I was still sad about the whole situation. Not Kindle-throwing angry though lol.
But I'm definitely excited that there will be a sequel! :D
haha! You're funny! Glad you didn't break your kindle because of me.
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