Thank you The Write Reads for inviting me to be a part of this blog tour. Specially when I agreed reluctantly but you insisted I participate.
Goodreads synopsis
Magic. Sailing. A murderer among heroes.
Gravedigger Volke Savan wants nothing more than to be like his hero, the legendary magical swashbuckler, Gregory Ruma. First he needs to become an arcanist, someone capable of wielding magic, which requires bonding with a mythical creature. And he’ll take anything—a pegasus, a griffin, a ravenous hydra—maybe even a leviathan, like Ruma.
So when Volke stumbles across a knightmare, a creature made of shadow and terror, he has no reservations. But the knightmare knows a terrible secret: Ruma is a murderer out to spread corrupted magic throughout their island nation. He’s already killed a population of phoenixes and he intends to kill even more.
In order to protect his home, his adopted sister, and the girl he admires from afar, Volke will need to confront his hero, the Master Arcanist Gregory Ruma.
Review
As I mentioned earlier, I was reluctant to join the blog tour because I was taking a break from Young Adult altogether but Dave insisted that I will like it. I am not sure if he had read the book already or what.
So I picked up the book and decided to got on with what it may bring.
And, I was in for a pleasant surprise!
The story was engrossing from the beginning as it plunged into the desire for magic right from the start. While it showed how people strive for their dreams, it also showed there will be people out there who will stop you from achieving your potential success just because of the prejudices they hold against you. It showed that it was a little bravery that was needed to put you on the way to your dreams.
That message in the fantasy novel was my take out of it.
As for the story itself, it takes us on a journey where there is magic but there are some very specific rules here and not all and sundry can do every type of magic that they please. This was one thing I really liked because it brought in strengths and weaknesses to the characters despite the strength bestowed by their magic. Kind of humanising the characters somewhat.
At the start of the story, all the main characters are young adults (really just kids mentally, I’d say) but during the novel we see how they mature and their personalities start to form as they learn about responsibilities that come with the magics they have been gifted.
In all this, their courage shines as they accomplish what no one could have fathomed.
I don’t want to say more lest I give in any spoilers but honestly, just read the book because it is not every day that I give a book 4 stars.
About the Author
Shami Stovall is a multi-award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction, with several best-selling novels under her belt. Before that, she taught history and criminal law at the college level, and loved every second. When she’s not reading fascinating articles and books about ancient China or the Byzantine Empire, Stovall can be found playing way too many video games, especially RPGs and tactics simulators.
Hina Loves To Read 