Tag: Sarah Beth Durst

Book Reviews, Fiction

Race the Sands by Sarah Beth Durst

by IdaLeave a Comment on Race the Sands by Sarah Beth Durst

Processed with VSCO with hb1 preset“Call it what it is: monster racing.
Forget that, and you die.”

In Becar, who you are in this life determines your fate in the next. The purest souls, known as the augurs, can read auras and see your path; who you are and who you will become. For the darkest of souls there is only one outcome: to be reborn as a kehok, a monster, and that is all you will ever be, with no hope of redemption. The only way to ever be reborn as anything other than a kehok is to win the Races. Tamra was a top rider before being sidelined by an injury and becoming a professional trainer. After a miscalculation led to tragedy on the track and damaged her reputation, she is in desperate need of funds to prevent her daughter from being taken away. In a search for a new kehok and rider, she comes across Raia, who is running away from domineering parents and a cruel fiancé. The prize money from winning the Races would mean freedom for Raia and a secure future for Tamra and her daughter. With plenty of obstacles in their path, they embark on achieving the impossible and changing their future, with a new kehok that can lead them to victory. Continue reading “Race the Sands by Sarah Beth Durst” →

Book Reviews, Fiction

The Queen of Sorrow by Sarah Beth Durst

by IdaLeave a Comment on The Queen of Sorrow by Sarah Beth Durst

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“I suppose I’ll need Jastra’s plan after all. Pity.
It would have been nice to avoid murdering anyone.”

The Queen of Sorrow concludes The Queens of Renthia Trilogy; a wonderful fantasy series and one I have enjoyed immensely. In this final instalment, the focus is on the political landscape of Renthia, and the dynamics between three very powerful women. Daleina is a queen who has settled well into her role, although she lacks the power of her predecessor. Naelin holds great power but lacks training, and her role as queen is one she never sought or wanted. The most important thing in her life is her children whose safety and well-being she puts above everything. And then we have Queen Merecot, the key antagonist in the story and who fast became one of my favourite characters. She is incredibly ambitious, humorous, and borderline sociopathic. Her intentions are slowly revealed as the story progresses and she kept me guessing more than anyone else.  Continue reading “The Queen of Sorrow by Sarah Beth Durst” →

Book Reviews, Fiction

The Reluctant Queen by Sarah Beth Durst

by IdaLeave a Comment on The Reluctant Queen by Sarah Beth Durst

IMG_4978“Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .
And those spirits want to kill you.
It’s the first lesson that every Renthian learns.”

The Reluctant Queen is the second book in the Queens of Renthia trilogy, with the first being The Queen of Blood. I read the first novel earlier this year and it quickly became one of my favourite fantasy books, with its beautiful writing and memorable characters. The Reluctant Queen picks up about six months after the events of the first novel as the newly crowned queen has settled into her role, keeping the peace and protecting her people from the spirits that seek to harm them. However, she is hiding a secret that jeopardizes her position and affects the safety of those she is committed to protect; she is dying. Without anyone in line to take her place, the search begins for a new heir, but finding someone gifted and strong enough to take on such a responsibility is no easy task. The search leads to Naelin, who has spent her life denying her power, and who wishes to stay far removed from the business of the palace. The only problem is, she may be the queen’s only hope.

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As with its predecessor, The Reluctant Queen is wonderfully imaginative and inventive. It completely captured my attention from the beginning right to the very last page, leaving me wanting more and eagerly anticipating the next adventure. There is action and a bit of mystery, all of which is fun and enjoyable, but what really propels it all forward is the cast of compelling characters. There are returning favourites from the first novel, as well as new ones that add to the dynamic of the story with amusing dialogue and humorous moments. This is a great second instalment in the Queens of Renthia trilogy, and one I cannot recommend highly enough.

*Book provided by author for an unbiased review. Publication date: July 4, 2017.

Book Reviews, Fiction

The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst

by Ida1 Comment on The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst

img_3887Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .

The spirits that inhabit the land of Renthia and bring it to life, are a danger to humans. Only one woman has the power to control the spirits and protect the land and its people; the chosen queen. However, the danger always looms. In order to ensure there is always a suitable candidate to take the position of queen should anything happen to the one that reigns, young women who choose to be candidates are trained to become heirs. Young Daleina, whose childhood brush with these malevolent spirits sets her on a path towards becoming heir, has the goal of doing right by the land and helping people. Along with Ven, a disgraced champion, she embarks on a quest to right the wrongs that have befallen Renthia and those she cares most about.

Don’t trust the fire, for it will burn you.
Don’t trust the ice, for it will freeze you.
Don’t trust the water, for it will drown you.
Don’t trust the air, for it will choke you.
Don’t trust the earth, for it will bury you.
Don’t trust the trees, for they will rip you,
rend you, tear you, kill you dead.

The premise intrigued me, the writing drew me in, the story captured my attention, and the characters made me care. The Queen of Blood is one of my favourite fantasy novels that I have read in quite some time. It works on so many different levels with charismatic, compelling characters, and a plot that kept me eagerly turning the pages. It strays away from the typical fantasy storyline which usually consist of one hero that is special in skill and talent, that rises above the rest to save/conquer. Instead, we have a protagonist that is a regular girl with a desire to help people, in a way she was unable to as a child when she experienced first-hand the power of the spirits. It’s about determination, strength, and wanting to do the right thing. A wonderfully written and captivating novel.

The Queen of Blood is the first in what is set to be a trilogy, with the second novel, The Reluctant Queen expected to be released in July of 2017. I very much look forward to this next instalment. 🙂