Kelley Armstrong

Review of Forest of Ruin by Kelley Armstrong

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Synopsis:
The world is in chaos. Twin sisters Moira and Ashyn have been torn apart, forced on their own secret missions.

Moira—strong-willed and brave—must confront sorcerer Alvar Kitsune, father of her once-friend Gavril. Meanwhile, soulful, compassionate Ashyn faces an even more terrifying task. She must bring to life a dragon.

The sisters have been forced down separate paths. But the time is coming when they must face the greatest battle of their lives—together.

Review:
Both sisters have very different adventures in this book, and while Ashyn seems content to let Moria be front and center, it seems odd that she can just fade into the background. It was nice seeing the two sisters try to channel the other when they needed to act in a way that is more innate to the other. “Moria’s thoughts seemed to run in a linear path, clear and decisive and leading straight to action. Ashyn’s were more like a spiderweb, with infinite possibilities, and she could get lost in them.” (page 68) There was some violence in this novel that could be upsetting. This book definitely wasn’t quite as good as the previous two, and it had a decent, if not somewhat expected ending. I do wish there had been some sort of several years later epilogue, but I suppose what happens next is up to the imagination.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong

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Synopsis:
Sisters Moria and Ashyn are the Keeper and Seeker of Edgewood. Or at least they were.

Their village is gone. Their friends have betrayed them. And now they are all but prisoners in court, forced to watch and wait whilst the emperor decides whether to help the children of Edgewood, who remain hostages of the treacherous Alvar Kitsune.

But when the emperor finally sends the girls on a mission to rescue the children—accompanied by Prince Tyrus and a small band of men—the journey proves more perilous than any of them could have imagined. With lies and unrest mounting in the empire, Moira and Ashyn will have to draw on every bit of influence and power they possess to unite their people and avert an all-out war.

Review:
This book had me wondering, who, exactly we are supposed to consider good and why. There always seems to be some sort of ulterior motive for people’s actions, and while intrigue can be good in books, it became somewhat exhausting in this one. The relationships were a large part of what this book was about, though often you would wish the characters would just share their feelings with each other already! Despite the various backgrounds, I really enjoyed how much everyone found someone who wanted to protect them and keep with them regardless of whether or not they were a “proper escort”. I found the scholar, and his lack of social graces quite amusing. “That seemed to be the honest excuse in every facet of the young scholar’s life. A basic ignorance of acceptable behavior. When he thought a thing, he did it. Not an uncommon failing with scholars. Brilliant at their work; lost when it came to social graces.” (page 68)

*Unfortunate/unsettling social situations and graphic violence. AND A HORRIBLE CLIFFHANGER ENDING that will certainly leave you needing to continue on the next book immediately.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong

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Synopsis:
In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire’s worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned. Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls make their way to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court—one that will alter the balance of their world forever.

Review:
I absolutely loved this book, and while it didn’t answer the oh so many questions raised along the way, it was a great story about a journey and the growth of two young adult girls who didn’t realize how sheltered they were. This book was very much the slow trudge and yet I felt that there was enough action and back and forth from our two main protagonists that I wondered exactly where they might end up. I quite like the world this is set in; I feel like it was well developed and had a great proper fairy tale/Grimm/gothic atmosphere for the tale.

I did very much enjoy this book, and would recommend it based on that, however, the complexity of story/trigger warnings increase throughout the other two books, so bare that in mind if you decide to read this YA novel.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯