Rise of Fire (Reign of Shadows #2)

                Hello happy readers!  I made it a whole week without purchasing any books, hence why no Stacking the Shelves this weekend.  Color me surprised myself I sat down to do my post and realized I didn’t have any.  I did go to a mini Harry Potter event in St. Augustine and got to road trip with my BFF so that worked out!  I also hope everyone enjoyed Mother’s Day be it as a child or a mother (including pet moms) I spent the day with mine and made her some cookies.  I also had the chance to listen to some of my new audiobooks on the drive to and from which worked out nicely.  Today I’d like to discuss the book/series I finished; Rise of Fire (Reign of Fire #2) by Sophie Jordan.

Rating: 3.5 - 4 Stars

                I reviewed the first book Reign of Shadows (here) last month having finished the audiobook in one sitting.  I dove into the second audiobook knowing I couldn’t finish in one sitting, despite how appealing it was and the story might have wanted me to do so.  I started it at work and work comes first there but I did manage to get a good chuck finished and then listened in a couple more chucks to finish it up.  Stopping each time was hard as the story kept you listening.  I highly enjoyed the two narrators for Luna and Fowlers POV’s the same ones that did the first book so cheers for continuity. 

                We left off Reign of Shadows in a huge cliffhanger.  Dwellers had just taken Fowler down into the earth and Luna dove in after to save him even though she was confused and made at him for having not told her h was the son of the man who killed her parents sooner.  She had left him and took off on her own but he had found her and saved her but she isn’t a damsel in distress.  She may be blind but she sees more than most and I love how this could be a handicapped and really limit Luna but it only makes her stronger in a world of darkness.  Fowler knows how strong she is and respects that about her knowing she is capable but still he wants to protect her when he can because that is who he is, and that is what she means to him.  I just adore their dynamic.  They save one another.  They don’t leave the other behind to danger but stand together or go after one another. 

                Both Luna and Fowler have a claim to Relhok in their own way and that makes them wanted. When Fowler is injured and Lagonia soldiers offer them to help they have to risk someone knowing them or risk Fowler’s life.  Outside of Relhok they discover that every kingdom has its darkness.  I liked getting to see another kingdom and see the people.  While the first story took place in Relhok we didn’t see much of the inner city it was mostly the outskirts in the wild/open so seeing more from the inner safety of a city was a contrast.  It makes you wonder which dangers are worse dwellers or the evil of man. 

                This book is also the end of the series as far as I can tell.  I didn’t know if that was going to be the case or not and it leaves you thinking it couldn’t possibly end (or was going to end in another horrible cliff hanger like ending) as you get closer to the end with so few minutes/pages left.  It seems impossible to end but then as it happens it just clicks.  Part of me thinks it was a bit anti-climactic but the other part of me thinks it was an awesome twist that just made me laugh so I’m conflicted a bit here.  Would I have liked more?  Yes.  Can I still enjoy the duology as is with the ending?  Also yes.    Would I recommend the series?  Yes.  I enjoyed the overall story and while I think I did enjoy Reign of Fire more than the conclusion I did enjoy the series and they were such quick listens I think anyone can fly through them for easy enjoyment. 

                Until next time…

Reign of Shadows (Reign of Shadows #1)

                Hello happy readers!  Don’t forget to check out my giveaway open until 4/22 for a SIGNED copy of A Crown of Wishes here.  Now for today I am correcting an oversight on my part.  I swear I wrote a review for this book already, like I honestly remember typing up all my thoughts about it but I can’t find it on any computer of flash drive so maybe I just had a very vivid dream.  Anywho I wanted to share my thoughts in the real world on a book I just adored and listened to in one sitting, Reign of Shadows (Reign of Shadows #1) by Sophie Jordan. 

Rating:  4 Stars

                In a world cloaked in darkness for the last seventeen years the world is not a nice place.  Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding since she was born and darkness fell, that’s how she stays alive by others thinking her dead.  However when a mysterious Fowler is out in the dark woods braving things Luna is drawn to him.  When her safe home for all these years is attacked they must work together to escape.  Luna realizes things are much more treacherous than she imagined as threats keep stacking up against them.  Falling in love with so many secrets between them may be more dangerous yet. 

                Reign of Shadows is my first Sophie Jordan book and one that I listened to on Audible.  I got it on sale and waiting for my new credit to kick in so I could get another more expensive title but was loving listening to many of my books.  So when I was home from work and not interested in watching any TV to relax and didn’t want to turn the lights on to read I started this one.  I figured an hour or two in I’d go to sleep.  Well that didn’t happen.  I was listening completely entranced in the world and story and then next thing you know when I do start to get tired because well it had been a long day I see how long I have left in the chapter and find I only have about two hours left in the book and it is WAY past my bed time.  I then decide to finish it because I’m already going to be tired the next day I should just finish it or I’d be thinking about it.  So I got less than two hours of sleep that night and it was totally worth it.  Though thinking back about this now I see where I might have “typed” my review and just done it in my head. 

                I really liked the pace of the story it just kept moving forward and did so quickly.  The story was easy to follow and kept you invested throughout.  I liked seeing both Luna and Fowler and what was happening within themselves and how being together really changed them and their plans.  I also loved the whole idea of Luna having the handicap/disability that she does.  I can't think of a better way to say it without spoilers though we learn about it so early I don't worry about it being spoilery just that it was so much better to learn as they reveal it.  She is so strong and determined and doesn't let anything slow her down.  Fowler though, I love how he develops.  He is so closed off and separate from everyone and everything in the start but he starts to see the value in having someone with you and caring about someone else.  And the romance that develops between them is so nice I loved how it progressed. 

                There was so much to love about this story.  Everything from the character development to the journey and action and more.  We are on a mission after all.  Darkness has fallen and we have evil rulers and so so much goodness to work with.  I am looking forward to continuing on in the series but I have to admit I will probably wait to listen just because I liked the first audiobook experience so much.  Maybe I'll listen to book two in one sitting as well?  Though I probably won't start it if I have to work the next day just to be safe.  I highly recommend giving this one a read/listen. 

                Until next time…