Heirs of Power
Those gifted with power don’t get to choose a normal life.
Kitty Fairlow’s hunting skills come from more than years of protecting her secluded village. She inherited an ancient spirit, a secret long kept, even from her. Until now.
Grey-skinned creatures out of portals to a barren land rip Kitty away from her idyllic life. Her quest is to gather a group of heroes capable of defending their world against a race that devours life energy. Though she hasn’t prepared for this duty, she was born for it. She is a Constellation.
And she’s not the only one.
Kitty, along with a high-born dancer and snarky juggler who can’t stand each other, must find the rest of their kind soon. Because otherwise they’ll be dead before they even realise they are the last hope to save the world.
My Take:
When Kitty Fairlaw discovers a group of men trying to activate what looks like a magic urn, it tosses her headlong into an adventure of discovery - about who she is, and where her incredible skills as an archer come from. On the way she discovers that a group of humans were empowered by a dying race with supernatural gifts and abilities, each different, to defend their world from an evil race bent on invasion and destruction..
PG - There are several instances of drinking, and one in which a girl's judgement is clouded by drinking, and she's almost taken advantage of..
PG-13 - There is about as much violence as you'd expect in Lord of the Rings. A few decapitations, a hand gets dismembered, there is some torture, and some creatures get stabbed in the eye. In this kind of war-level medieval adventure, these violent exchanges are expected, but enough of it gets described to earn this a PG-13.
PG - A few mild expletives salt the pages in only a few places.
PG-13 -
While there is no casual sex or unmarried sex, there are two scenes of attempted rape. Nothing happens, but a girl's outer garments are removed and she's tied to a tree. It's a fairly critical plot point, and it doesn't go further. Several times a male attacker is kneed in the groin. One time a joke is made with an innuendo attached
There's nothing specifically Christian about this novel. Yet there are some eternal truths that are exposed in its plot. This book is packed with examples of selflessness and self-sacrifice for the benefit of others, even for the benefit of others who have no idea there is a sacrifice being made, even for those who revile and persecute, and try to destroy. Loving your enemies. Giving or witholding quarter. Loyalty and a higher purpose are on display here, and trusting to the point of imminent death.
Families can find much to discuss here that would give them a chance to point so someone else who was willing to sacrifice himself. Just saying.
This was an outstanding, well-written adventure story filled with epic fantasy elements of magic and swashbuckling, the things I love to read about. The world-building here is phenomenal, epic backstories that are mostly merely hinted at, a multi-dimensional immersive rollercoaster ride. The characters are fully three-dimensional, with abilities, fatal flaws, and character arcs to identify with. Five Stars!
Authentic characters, innovative abilities, serious snark!
Kay MacLeod is a fantasy addict from Nottinghamshire in England. She loves magical worlds and spends much more time in them than that boring real one.
If Kay isn’t writing, or thinking about writing, she’ll be immersed in reading, gaming, playing bass at church, or painting miniatures. She grew up addicted to Terry Pratchett books, Magic: The Gathering, and lording it over her fellow nerds as the DM in Dungeons & Dragons games. Fortunately, this gave her plenty of storytelling practice and made her grateful that all the characters do as they’re told now other people aren’t controlling them.
Kay’s gaming experience shines through in her works, from the Pokemon-inspired Maiyamon books to her epic fantasy, which readers say has a hint of a Dragon Age tale.
With character development at the heart of each story, they’re backed up by distinctive magic systems and a dash of sarcastic humour that gives Kay MacLeod her unique voice.
You can reach her at her website at kaymacleodbooks.com or follow her on Twitter @KayMacLeodBooks
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