[Review] Falling Kingdoms - Morgan Rhodes

Titel: Falling Kingdoms

Series: Falling Kingdoms #1

Author: Morgan Rhodes

Publisher: Razorbill

First Published: 11.12.2012
Format: Kindle, 400, english

Synopsis: GoodReads

Review: 4*, GoodReads, LovelyBooks, Amazon



In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten. And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest now simmers below the surface.

As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love.

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

It's the eve of war.... Choose your side.

Princess: Raised in pampered luxury, Cleo must now embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of magic long thought extinct.

Rebel: Jonas, enraged at injustice, lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished. To his shock, he finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Sorceress: Lucia, adopted at birth into the royal family, discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Heir: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, firstborn son Magnus begins to realise that the heart can be more lethal than the sword....
-->GoodReads

 

I finished this book quite some time ago, but I just didn’t get around to writing this review. Not because of the book, but because I was lazy. I really did enjoy this book thought, so it deserves a review.

It’s the first book in a series and it’s set, as so often with books I read, in a fictional kingdom.

It was interesting to see the differences between the kingdoms in this continent, especially with the way they each treat magic. As we followed people from all three kingdoms we got a good look at the different societies. What bothered me though was, that we only saw one side of each society or culture shown. We either followed a princess/prince or a ‘peasant’, but we didn’t see how ‘the other half’ lives. Because of this we compared the princess of the ‘rich kingdom’ to the ‘peasant’ of the ‘poor kingdom’, which of course made the divide seem even bigger. To be honest all those claims about how Palaesia is so rich and wonderful could be total tripe. Yes nobles are rich and frivolous but I have no Idea how the regular people live.

The world, as well as the characters are nothing new, magical kingdoms at war with one another, a princess, a rebel, a lot of aggression, an unwanted marriage… But how often can we find stories with completely new idea? Not very often, so this doesn’t bother me at all.

As I said before I would have liked to get to know the different kingdoms a bit better, but I’m sure there will be plenty of that in the following books.

This book follows four different characters, each with their own different challenges and personalities. I honestly can’t say whether or not I like any of the characters. We see all of them from various perspectives and in very different situations, which allows us the witness various personality traits. While this stops me from truly picking a side right now it shows great and very engaging writing.

The plot is also very engaging and interesting, it keeps you reading and coming back to the book even when you don’t really have the time to read. I really enjoy rebellions and I loved to see one forming here. The story takes many turns and has many plotlines that keep the reader guessing.

I can’t wait to read the second book, and despite minor misgivings I rated this book 4 stars.