J. D. Vaughn

This was a very enjoyable read, with a good plot and likable characters. I liked the idea of this peaceful queendom (which sounded to me like it could easily have been in Latin America, so YAY for diversity) where all families are required to contribute to the keeping of the peace by sending their second-born sons and daughters to train as soldiers and serve in the renowned Second Guard, or spend some years as servants should they fail their training. I found that the author did a pretty good job of building up this fantastical world, which resembles ours so much, and yet is so different at the same time. I had a bit of trouble keeping up with all the names and the system of Guilds at the beginning, but I quickly got my head around that. I loved the idea of putting extracts from a book on the history and culture of the queendom between the various chapters: it made things much easier to understand, without slowing down the story with a lot of explanations and history lessons.

I also really liked all the characters, particularly the MC, Tali. She was so determined to get where she wanted to, and to do what she thought was the right thing! I loved the fact that she had to fight to get to where she wanted, and she made lots of mistakes throughout due to major flaws in her personality. To me, she felt a lot more like a real teenager than kids in fantasy novels usually do. And I really liked the fact that even the secondary characters had a big role to play, and I did like to read about them just as much as I liked reading about Tali. The only thing I wasn't too keen on character-wise was the fact that, sometimes, Tali and her friends didn't actually feel like 15-year-olds to me. At times, they just talked and behaved as if they were a lot older, and then went right back to behaving like normal kids. Luckily, that didn't happen too often, so it didn't really affect my enjoyment of the book.

Of course, I was waaaay out of the suggested age-range for this one, so I wasn't actually all that surprised by some of the twists in the plot, but I ended up really liking the book regardless. My major issue with this title was the fact that I found the middle section to be really slow compared to the rest of the book, since a lot of time is devoted to describing the training all the kids go through before they can become members of the Second Guard. Of course, that's just me and this was an important part of the novel, but still I wonder if maybe that section could have been made a little shorter than it was. Overall, this is a very pleasant MG novel, that will likely appeal to readers outside that age range too. I will definitely look out for the next books in the series!… (meer)

This is a fantasy novel that is very good although I cannot figure out the cover of the novel. I don’t think it fits at all. Therefore, don’t judge this one by its cover!

In Tequende, peace has ruled for several generations, possibly because a Queen rules, and it’s hinted that they are more willing to compromise and keep peace. Nonetheless, there are duties of the citizens. The first-born is to carry on the family business, marry, and be good citizens. The second born must serve the country either as a soldier or a servant, beginning at age 15. If one chooses to be a soldier, the obligation is met at age 19, at which age, you are free to do whatever with your life. If one chooses to be a servant, you are released at age 21. The elite become part of the Second Guard, who protect the Queen.

Tali knows that she is meant to be a member of the Second Guard, and gladly leaves her life on the boat with her twin and her father to train at Alcazar. Upon arrival, she meets Zarif and his roommate Chey. They become great friends and train and eat together even though they are all from different tribes. As they train, they discover that there are threats beneath the peace. Can the peace last? Will they be tested to defend their country for the first time in many lifetimes?

If you like fantasy, you will like this novel. I thought the cover looked too childish. It was only after finishing the novel that I realized that the cover is deceptive; it doesn’t represent the book. Tali, Zaris, Chey, and Tali’s original roommate, Brindl are a team. It’s not about one person, as the cover indicates. This is about a group of people who are smart, capable, physically fit, and willing to sacrifice their bodies for something they believe in--their country and peace. You will like the characters and miss them upon completion of the novel. It appears that there could be future books. I will definitely read any of the future. If you like Demon King, and/or Fire, you will definitely want to read this novel.… (meer)