Broken Forest
Hopeless he'll never be more than the boy who didn't save his brother, 17-year-old Avikar accepts his life as the family stable boy, trying to forget the past. But when his sister, Jeslyn, is kidnapped, the thought of losing another sibling catapults him on a desperate quest. With his best friend by his side, and using the tracking skills he learned from his father, he discovers Jeslyn has been taken, kidnapped by one Lucino, the young lord of Daath, a mystical place thought only to exist in fables.
And Lucino has plans for Jeslyn.
His shape-shifting brethren feed off the auras of humans, and Jeslyn's golden hue is exactly what Lucino needs to increase his power. The longer it takes Avikar to reach her, the more entranced she becomes with Lucino's world, and the harder it will be for Avikar to set her free.
He failed his family once. He won't fail again.
BUY LINKS:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / KOBO
Wicked Path: Book Two of The Daath Chronicles releases Oct 6th, 2014, add to your Goodreads TBR HERE
My Review
I still wonder about the title because there isn't much forest in the plot - The book itself is fast paced action adventure. There are hidden meanings that are poignant and worth looking into deeper. I also enjoyed the changing of the narration between the characters (Avikar's, Jeslyn's and Lucino) to get a better overall perspective of the story. The dialogue seemed natural and conveyed emotion. Suspenseful foreshadowing and ending.(it start with an unsurpassed loss, an authoritarian father with a warrior past (possessor of some special weapons), the premise of a banal future will be just the beginning. Then Jeslyn is kidnapped and her brother Avikar and his friend Derrick set out to rescue her. )
I think that the most interesting character for me is - Lucino - which is very well constructed. at 1st we know is that he isn't not human (has human "doll house" out of curiosity) and than small other details like the ability to shape-shift, the need to ascend (the kind and the reason isn't clear), the arrival to this planet being as key to survival because his world is dying, the scales, and reptilian origin. The ability to use magic and as the on the same time that usage of magic is forbidden on this planet (beside a mysterious organization) He displays a complete lack of compassion or love, and a calculated indifference to the intended murder of his "beloved Jeslyn.", but something is happening as long their acquaintance keep going.
I felt discomfort most of the time for the women characters which seams evil or stupid (Jeslyn) most of the time. Jeslyn figure started good and somewhere we lost her. Lucy is evil but too dependent on Luciano and when she try to rebel he quickly put her in place. Soo... Raven is somehow saving the day. (and also there is Lucy. She is the plain EVIL )
But I like Daath and the idea of Daath as a 13rd country that is hidden and lost from the memory of the other 12 countries and remembered only as a myth. Lucian people control it and don't let any intervention with the outside world. Daath is more prosperous, lush, green and magical and its people seam very content in comparison to the other countries. But in this paradise there are undercurrents that will lead to rebellion.
Eliza Tilton ignite my interest and I am waiting for the next book to see how the plot will carry on.
Blog Tour Teasers:
Avikar:
1) The wagons surrounded the site in a semi-circle. Sweat pooled in my palms. I had to take out the guards closest to that entrance. If I failed, so did the mission.
Get a grip.
I clenched the arrow in my right hand. Brushfire shifted nervously, sensing my fear. I rubbed her neck. I felt safer with her. She’d been with me since Jimri’s death. At night when the nightmares taunted me, I’d sneak out, riding until dawn forced us home. I’d rescued her from the burning woods, she’d rescued me from despair — today, I prayed both of us would make it out alive.
2) For what seemed like hours, I held her in my arms. The fire had died to barely a flicker. She’d fallen asleep, and I was content to hold her until morning, but I told her I’d leave and I needed her to trust me.
Sliding out from underneath her, I moved the blanket to create a pillow, and then tucked the rest around her. Her damp hair hung around her face. I bent down and swept it back behind her ear.
You are so beautiful. I grazed her cheek with my finger. I wish you could understand how sorry I am. I never meant to hurt you.
I kissed the top of her forehead and left.Jeslyn
1) He glided towards me like a swan on water. I combed my fingers through my hair, smoothing out the wild strands. He sat down on the cot. I was surrounded by the scent of cold winter air.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
I should have replied, but fear closed my throat.
He smiled and held out his hand. “My name is Lucino.”
“Jeslyn.” I placed my hand in his, anxious and uncertain.
He gently kissed my hand. I shivered. No man had ever looked at me with such desire—not even Derrick—and it frightened me.
2) I puffed out my cheeks and crossed my eyes. She giggled, and I jumped to my feet and ran, taunting her to chase me. I could hear her high-pitched laughter catching up to me, and I turned around. There, creeping towards her, were three unfamiliar men.
Three men that should not have been this deep in the forest, so far from the local routes.
“Calli, come here, now,” I said in a stern voice, trying to hide my fear. A worried lookcrossed her face, and she hurried to me. I grabbed her as soon as she was close and wrappedmy arms around her. No one was touching my sister.Lucino
1) Outside, the sky bled, looking vicious and deathly, streaks of grey and indigo amongst the clouds. A hovercraft sat nearby, waiting. One of the royal guard stood watch. I did not need a babysitter. I was more than capable of handling any threat, but Father took precautions. Times were dangerous and our people frightened.
From here, I could see the triangular structure. “Take me to the gate,” I said as the guard opened the door.
“Yes, my prince.”
The hovercraft sped across the dry and barren ground. The Council was right, we had little time left.
2) “Martha, nothing is―” Susie turned around, her mouth hung open at my sudden appearance. “Lord Lucino.” She immediately bowed. “I didn’t realize you were out here.”
“I like to stroll the gardens this time of night.”
She lifted her head, daring to look at me. Her eyes wandered. I assumed she was searching for her friend.
“I told your companion to return to the party. We’ve had a bit of trouble with wolves out here. I didn’t want anything to happen to one my guests.”
“Oh, I had no idea.” Her lip quivered, and I noticed her hands fidgeting.
“I’ll escort you back.”
She hesitated at first, and then when I stepped into the moonlight, her eyes widened.
“I know the way back. I wouldn’t want to trouble you,” she said, frantically looking behind her.
I grinned, enjoying her fear. “It is no trouble at all.” I sensed her desire to flee. I did enjoy a good chase. “If you’re thinking of running, I’d start now.”
Author Bio:
Eliza graduated from Dowling College with a BS in Visual Communications. When she’s not arguing with excel at her day job, or playing Dragon Age 2, again, she’s writing. Her stories hold a bit of the fantastical and there’s always a romance. She resides on Long Island with her husband, two kids and one very snuggly pit bull.
Author links:
No comments :
Post a Comment