Title: These Rebel Waves Author: Sara Raasch
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publishing Date: August 07, 2018
Pages:
Length:
Genre: YA Fantasy
Length:
Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Stream Raiders #1
Source: Audio
Source: Audio
Adeluna is a soldier. Five years ago, she helped the magic-rich island of Grace Loray overthrow its oppressor, Argrid, a country ruled by religion. But adjusting to postwar life has not been easy. When an Argridian delegate vanishes during peace talks with Grace Loray’s new Council, Argrid demands brutal justice—but Lu suspects something more dangerous is at work.
Devereux is a pirate. As one of the outlaws called stream raiders who run rampant on Grace Loray, he pirates the island’s magic plants and sells them on the black market. But after Argrid accuses raiders of the diplomat’s abduction, Vex becomes a target. An expert navigator, he agrees to help Lu find the Argridian—but the truth they uncover could be deadlier than any war.
Benat is a heretic. The crown prince of Argrid, he harbors a secret obsession with Grace Loray’s forbidden magic. When Ben’s father, the king, gives him the shocking task of reversing Argrid’s fear of magic, Ben has to decide if one prince can change a devout country—or if he’s building his own pyre.
As conspiracies arise, Lu, Vex, and Ben will have to decide who they really are . . . and what they are willing to become for peace.
I was very excited about this book. Fantasy, Pirates, Magic, War, and all the other good stuff. This sounded like a book written for me. I was ready to dive in. I also loved the fact it was on audio. Even more, reasons to read it. The audio was good. The narrator is one of my favorites. The story was interesting. The characters were so easy to love. I did enjoy all the characters. The pacing was a little off for me and the beginning was a tad confusing in the world building. Overall I really enjoyed the book.
There is a war going on between those who fear magic and those who embrace magic and it's about to get a whole lot worse. An important man of Asgrid is kidnapped off of Grace Loray, a daughter of the council Grace Loray decides to team up with a raider to rescue this said man. This is after she breaks him out of the Grace Loray prison.
On the other sid of the world, well in Asgrid. The prince of Asgrid has been asked by his father, who prosecutes others for using magic, to find a way to make magic permanent. This includes finding help of those that are said to be the enemy of Asgrid.
Of course, all the characters meet up and hell breaks looks and the fights break out and it is all exciting and stuff like that.
On the other sid of the world, well in Asgrid. The prince of Asgrid has been asked by his father, who prosecutes others for using magic, to find a way to make magic permanent. This includes finding help of those that are said to be the enemy of Asgrid.
Of course, all the characters meet up and hell breaks looks and the fights break out and it is all exciting and stuff like that.
It's really hard to put my thoughts into words with this read. As I was reading this I had multiple thoughts of if I liked this book. In the first third of the book, I was enjoying what I could but I felt it was a little slow and bit confusing with the world building. There were many parts to this story and many worlds. There are lots of politics and people involved. Now I did catch most of it to follow enough and I kept reading the book. I did like the main characters and where they were headed. I thought the characters were very well developed and I was interested in their story.
The second third of the book I was invested. I could put things together more, even though there were still some confusing parts, for the most part, I got it. It was moving at a faster pace and I was into this book. I was really into the characters and their relationships and how everything was going to play out. Still wasn't in love but really enjoying the read.
The last third of the book. I was on the edge of my seat. I mean it just exploded. Everything was happening and I was in full wow mode. So exciting... except for the fact the books ends on a cliffhanger. BUMMER! It wasn't a small cliffhanger either... it was life or death, the world is ending, I am standing on the edge and just felt a push kind of cliffhanger. Yup real Bummer. Now I need the next book like now!
So let me break this down. The characters I give an A+. The characters were one of the best parts of this book. Such amazing, strong, loyal, independent characters. They were all from different backgrounds and started off with a different interest in the war and magic. In the end, they may just all be more intertwined than they thought imaginable. I loved them. Ben, Vex and Lou were so amazing and all the supporting characters had a strong voice too and made the story work.
The story. I give this an A. I mean it was good, full of intrigue and betrayals and secrets. A war was involved. Magic was involved. The story was good. Held my interest.
The world-building. I would give this a B. The world building was good and creative but I had a bit of an issue following along at first. It did come together. I got it and ended up thinking well done. It was just a tad confusing in the beginning.
The pacing I would give a C. It was very slow in the beginning. There was enough to keep me going but it was slow. The pace did pick up and when it did, it raced. So just issues for the first half of the book.
Overall. I would highly recommend this book to fantasy lovers. It was good. I can't wait for the next book. So yes I world recommend this book but with a few disclaimers. It's slow- push through it it's worth it. It's heaving on the world building but it takes a while to fall in to place. Stick with it, it's worth it. There is a massive cliffhanger at the end. Like I said the book is worth the read, just keep that massive cliffhanger in mind.
The second third of the book I was invested. I could put things together more, even though there were still some confusing parts, for the most part, I got it. It was moving at a faster pace and I was into this book. I was really into the characters and their relationships and how everything was going to play out. Still wasn't in love but really enjoying the read.
The last third of the book. I was on the edge of my seat. I mean it just exploded. Everything was happening and I was in full wow mode. So exciting... except for the fact the books ends on a cliffhanger. BUMMER! It wasn't a small cliffhanger either... it was life or death, the world is ending, I am standing on the edge and just felt a push kind of cliffhanger. Yup real Bummer. Now I need the next book like now!
So let me break this down. The characters I give an A+. The characters were one of the best parts of this book. Such amazing, strong, loyal, independent characters. They were all from different backgrounds and started off with a different interest in the war and magic. In the end, they may just all be more intertwined than they thought imaginable. I loved them. Ben, Vex and Lou were so amazing and all the supporting characters had a strong voice too and made the story work.
The story. I give this an A. I mean it was good, full of intrigue and betrayals and secrets. A war was involved. Magic was involved. The story was good. Held my interest.
The world-building. I would give this a B. The world building was good and creative but I had a bit of an issue following along at first. It did come together. I got it and ended up thinking well done. It was just a tad confusing in the beginning.
The pacing I would give a C. It was very slow in the beginning. There was enough to keep me going but it was slow. The pace did pick up and when it did, it raced. So just issues for the first half of the book.
Overall. I would highly recommend this book to fantasy lovers. It was good. I can't wait for the next book. So yes I world recommend this book but with a few disclaimers. It's slow- push through it it's worth it. It's heaving on the world building but it takes a while to fall in to place. Stick with it, it's worth it. There is a massive cliffhanger at the end. Like I said the book is worth the read, just keep that massive cliffhanger in mind.
A solid fantasy read. I really enjoyed it!
Sara Raasch has known she was destined for bookish things since the age of five, when her friends had a lemonade stand and she tagged along to sell her hand-drawn picture books too. Not much has changed since then — her friends still cock concerned eyebrows when she attempts to draw things and her enthusiasm for the written word still drives her to extreme measures. Her debut YA fantasy, SNOW LIKE ASHES, the first in a trilogy, came out October 14, 2014 from Balzer + Bray. It does not feature her hand-drawn pictures.
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I enjoy fantasy better when the world building is seamless but its probably not easy. Great characters are important too and this one sounds like it has very good characters.
ReplyDeleteit's difficult when the start is slow...
ReplyDeleteOh with cliffies like that I might wait for most or all to come out first. Eep! Glad you enjoyed the characters despite the pacing. Brilly review!
ReplyDelete