Lost Covenant by Ari Marmell | Young Adult Fantasy | Book Review

This third YA novel starring the young thief Widdershins combines the angst and vulnerability of any teenage girl with the high action of the best fantasy adventures. *source* Pyr

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It's been six months since Widdershins and her own "personal god" Olgun fled the city of Davillon. During their travels, Widdershins unwittingly discovers that a noble house is preparing to move against the last surviving bastion of the Delacroix family. Determined to help the distant relatives of her deceased adopted father, Alexandre Delacroix, she travels to a small town at the edge of the nation. There, she works at unraveling a plot involving this rival house and a local criminal organization, all while under intense suspicion from the very people she's trying to rescue. Along the way she'll have to deal with a traitor inside the Delacroix family, a mad alchemist, and an infatuated young nobleman who won't take no for an answer. *Source* Pyr

*Blurb source *Pyr

Book Source: Contest Winner

Young Adult Fantasy Book Review by Mulluane

In the midst of all of her angst and high adventure, Shins learns a valuable lesson. Geographic cures do not work; you always carry your problems with you... And then find new ones.

False Covenant by Ari Marmell | Young Adult Fantasy | Book Review

They claim, the oldest storytellers, that there is truth in legends. However, even they don't expect those legends to start creeping down walls and murdering innocents. But it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that Widdershins will find herself and her personal god Olgun caught up in a mystery straight out of nightmare. 

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It’s been over half a year, now, since the brutal murder of Archbishop William de Laurent during his pilgrimage to the Galicien city of Davillon. During that time, the Church of the Hallowed Pact has assigned a new bishop to the city—but it has also made its displeasure at the death of its clergyman quite clear. Davillon’s economy has suffered beneath the weight of the Church’s displeasure. Much of the populace—angry at the clergy— has turned away from the Church hierarchy, choosing private worship or small, independent shrines. And the bishop, concerned for his new position and angry at the people of Davillon, plans to do something about it.

But a supernatural threat is stalking the nighttime streets—a creature of the other world has come to infiltrate the seedier streets of Davillon, to intertwine its tendrils through the lower echelons of society. Faced with both political upheaval and a supernatural threat to its citizenry, the local representatives of the Church are paralyzed and the Guardsmen are in over their heads.

And then there’s Widdershins. Who’s tried, and failed, to stay out of trouble since taking over Genevieve’s tavern. Who’s known to the Church and the Guard both, and trusted by neither. Who may, with some of her Thieves’ Guild contacts, have unwittingly played a part in the bishop’s plans. And who, along with her personal god Olgun, may be the only real threat to the supernatural evil infesting Davillon.

*Blurb source *Pyr

Book Source: Contest Winner

Young Adult Fantasy Book Review by Mulluane

So much for Widdershins trying to live a normal life. Not that having a god riding around in your head could be considered normal....

Thief's Covenant by Ari Marmell | Young Adult Fantasy | Book Review

Olgun is a god who has lost all of his worshipers except one... a young lady turned thief. In desperation Olgun makes a deal. He will inhabit young Widdershins and help her in her nefarious endeavors and she in turn will keep him from fading away into nothingness... 

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Once she was Adrienne Satti. An orphan of Davillon, she had somehow escaped destitution and climbed to the ranks of the city ’s aristocracy in a rags-to-riches story straight from an ancient fairy tale. Until one horrid night, when a conspiracy of forces—human and other—stole it all away in a flurry of blood and murder.

Today she is Widdershins, a thief making her way through Davillon’s underbelly with a sharp blade, a sharper wit, and the mystical aid of Olgun, a foreign god with no other worshippers but Widdershins herself. It’s not a great life, certainly nothing compared to the one she once had, but it’s hers.

But now, in the midst of Davillon’s political turmoil, an array of hands are once again rising up against her, prepared to tear down all that she’s built. The City Guard wants her in prison. Members of her own Guild want her dead. And something horrid, something dark, something ancient is reaching out for her, a past that refuses to let her go. Widdershins and Olgun are going to find answers, and justice, for what happened to her—but only if those who almost destroyed her in those years gone by don’t finish the job first.

*Blurb source *Pyr

Book Source: Contest Winner

Young Adult Fantasy Book Review by Mulluane

But, is it a match made in heaven or a match made in hell?  Only time will tell...

Empire Trilogy by Raymond E. Feist, Janny Wurts | Epic Fantasy Series Summary

It was a life that she never wanted. But it was a responsibility that she couldn't ignore. Mara, newly made Lady of the Acoma, must navigate ruthless politics, crafty spies, deadly assassins and ruthless opponents in order to save her House from complete annihilation. 

Epic Fantasy Series Summary by Mulluane

This saga is set in a world that reminds me of feudal Japan. A world where honor is everything and the dishonored commit ritual suicide by falling on their swords. Internal politics provide the conflict, black magicians provide the magic and Mara fits the mold of reluctant heroine to a tee...

Daughter of the Empire (Riftwar Cycle: The Empire Trilogy 1) by Raymond E. Feist, Janny Wurts

Looking for a change from your typical European Medieval setting? How about a new world with a strong eastern style culture. A world where honor is everything and disgrace means falling on your sword. A world where the game of politics determines which Great Houses survive and which are destroyed forever.

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Magic and murder engulf the realm of Kelewan. Fierce warlords ignite a bitter blood feud to enslave the empire of Tsuranuanni. While in the opulent Imperial courts, assassins and spy-master plot cunning and devious intrigues against the rightful heir. Now Mara, a young, untested Ruling lady, is called upon to lead her people in a heroic struggle for survival. But first she must rally an army of rebel warriors, form a pact with the alien cho-ja, and marry the son of a hated enemy. Only then can Mara face her most dangerous foe of all--in his own impregnable stronghold. An epic tale of adventure and intrigue. Daughter of the Empire is fantasy of the highest order by two of the most talented writers in the field today.

*Blurb source *RandomHouse

Book Source: Personal Copy

Epic Fantasy Book Review by Mulluane

This story has always been one of my all time favorites; worthy of the occasional reread. When I saw it mentioned on a blog recently, I knew instantly it was time to visit with Mara again...

Servant of the Empire (Riftwar Cycle: The Empire Trilogy 2) by Raymond E. Feist, Janny Wurts

Love Fantasy with cut throat politics? A strong female lead? A touch of forbidden love? Alien races? All powerful magicians? Well this edition of the Empire Trilogy has all that and more!

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The brilliant, eagerly-awaited sequel to Daughter of the Empire.

Mara of Acoma, Ruling Lady of her house, has now established herself as a force within the Empire. As an expert player of the Game of the Council., she is a master of its bloody political maneuvering. Mara has made gains for her followers, including new lands, but the war effort on the world of Midkemia is draining off manpower, and slaves are difficult to find.. So against advice, Mara buys a group of Midkemian prisoners-of-war, only to discover that one of them is a noble: Kevin, third son of the Baron of Zun. Questioning soon reveals that he may be of great use to her in the next rounds of the Game of the Council.

*Blurb source *Crydee.com

Book Source: Personal Copy

Science Fantasy Book Review by Mulluane

Mara has proven herself to be much more than a young priestess wannabe. Much to everybody's surprise. she turns the game of council on its collective heads. But her success comes with a cost. Mara is now embroiled in a blood feud against a powerful house. One that could result in her death and the death of her family name...

But Mara is surrounded by not only her brave warriors and loyal advisors; she has mastered the art of thinking outside the box. And the entire realm is wondering what she is going to do next...