ARC Unknown

Unknown by Melissa Pearl

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Rating 5/5

Blurb:

Darkness is covering the land. As the city of Mezrah grows with power and greed, the rest of the world can only stand by and wait for their inevitable destruction. The only hope against this growing power is an ancient prophecy that people have stopped believing in.

Then a star begins to fall.

Princess Kyla of Taramon stopped believing in the power of light the day her father died. Trapped in a city she does not care for, under the watchful glare of her mother, the queen, she struggles to accept her fate.

Then a star begins to fall.

Jethro has loved Kyla for as long as he can remember. Learning that she was to marry his cousin drove a wedge between him and the feisty princess. Watching her from a distance is a torture he is unable to free himself from.

Then a star begins to fall, sparking an ember of hope and sending two seekers on a treacherous journey into the unknown.

Review:

Okay, I’m going to start out this review by saying this:  I am not a fantasy reader.  For some reason, although the idea behind a fantasy book seems so fascinating and interesting, I just have not ever truly read enough good ones to really consider myself a person that enjoys fantasy.  I saw the author looking for folks to review this ARC, and part of me was just wanting to scroll past it.  I’m curious by nature, so I clicked the link, checked out the blurb, and decided, what the hell?  I read a book a day (at least), so it’s not like it’s really going to take much of my time if it disappoints me as much as most of the other fantasy books I’ve read.

I have to say.  Wow.  I wasn’t even completely done with the book before I emailed the author with about six OMGs.  This book is absolutely amazing.  It’s made me second guess my ideals that fantasy books are normally terrible for me.  The author created such a realistic and believable world, that I was unable to put the book down.  I felt like I was right there with the characters, going on the journey of a lifetime. 

My main beef with fantasy has always been that although I understand that the keyword is “fantasy,” the characters are just beyond unrealistic.  This was definitely not the case here.  Completely realistic characters living in a completely fantasy world with mystical creatures and magic.  I was completely blown away.  The Queen?  I couldn’t help but want to hug her and hit her at the same time.  As a mother myself, she was a completely realistic mother, with completely realistic issues with her daughter going on a dangerous quest.

I couldn’t help but love (or hate, in some circumstances) the characters portrayed.  They leapt off the page and dragged me with them while they were working their way through the dangerous deserts and forests.  I don’t want to give much away, but I honestly can say that I feel sorry for EVERYONE in the fact that this book isn’t out yet, so y’all can’t read it yet.

This is a new author for me, and I’m thrilled that I found her.  I hope she’s a fast writer, because I want book two NOW!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”