Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsA lot of interesting, imperfect people
Reviewed in Australia on 1 October 2017
I think it must be a difficult task to produce work that has emotion and depth, without being maudlin or depressing. The book was great - exciting, some humour, a lot of tension. Also, we know who is going to be romantically involved, but there is a loooong way to go to reach that goal.
The people in this book are amazing. Each one is unique, with no lazy cliches used. Each seems to have some mental challenge - PTSD, asperges, alzimers, bullying/peer pressure (also called court politics), grief, etc.
Our leading lady, Sage, is heroic, smart and deeply traumitized. Tehl, the Crown Prince, has trouble dealing with others, but adores math (as Gav puts it - “he is what I like to refer to as a very smart-dumb person”). His brother, Sam, plays so many characters that he is loosing sight of his own. Also, we have the ailing king, the cousin (I adore Gav), the rebel leader, and the healer - all of whom are a complex delight. Together, these men and women can heal or balance each other and save a nation on the brink of war.
The sequel continues to be equally as impressive.
