Thursday 14 July 2011

Review: Sword of Fire and Sea - Erin Hoffman

Series: The Chaos Knight 1
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 277
Published: June 21st 2011 PYR

Three generations ago Captain Vidarian Rulorat's great-grandfather married a fire priestess. For love, he unwittingly doomed his family to generations of a rare genetic disease that follows families who cross elemental boundaries. Now Vidarian, the last surviving member of the Rulorat family, struggles to uphold his family legacy, and finds himself chained to a task as a result of the bride price his great-grandfather paid. The priestess Endera has called upon Vidarian to fulfill his family's obligation by transporting a young fire priestess named Ariadel through dangerous pirate-controlled territory. A dangerous journey is made more so by their pursuers: rogue telepathic magic-users called the Vkortha who will stop at nothing to recover Ariadel. Together, Vidarian and Ariadel will navigate more than treacherous waters: A world that has been slowly losing its magic for generations, the indifference of their elemental goddesses, gryphons returning to the world, and their own labyrinthine family legacies. Vidarian finds himself at the intersection not only of the world's most volatile elements, but of colliding universes, and the ancient and alien powers that lurk between them.

My thoughts:
There is a lot going on in this book and it was different than other fantasy books in a way. Because a lot happened, sure at times I felt like things happened to quickly, but then that might just be because I am used to it taken 4 books just to start a journey.

To break things done. Vidarian is a ship captain who escorts Ariadel to her destination but things go wrong at once. So many will fight against them at the end, or by their side. The imperial forces, pirates, the Priestesses, gryphons and Goddesses. This is a world that is slowly loosing its magic and Vidarian and Ariadel stands in the middle of that. There is a prophecy and decisions to be made.

Sure at times I did not know how I felt about the book. Things did move forward fast so the fights were not long, but why should this be bad? New is good. Though it also felt a bit hard to get to know the characters, still at the end I liked the book and it had me curious about the next one.

The world was interesting. The elements  are used in magic and 2000 years ago something big happened and that shaped the world today. Other things are that people can't seem to marry those who are of another element because then they will get a disease. Viridian is fire and water because of that and, oh I can't say.

The end, well there actually was an ending to their journey and the goal accomplished. I was surprised since this is a series but then because of the ending in question so much more will happen. It was an ending that gave birth to more.

And I shall not forget the romance, yes something is building between the main characters.

Conclusion:
The book got better and better and ended with a finale that sure shook things up. I am very intrigued to where she will take the story next. There are so many possibilities. And I liked it.

Rating:
Surprised me in the end, in a good way :)

Cover.
I like it

28 comments:

  1. Another fantasy book to add to my TBR!
    Pirates, Goddesses, a prophecy - all of it sounds so intriguing! Things happening too fast can be a hindrance to getting to know the characters, still I think the premise is interesting.
    I really like the cover too.

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  2. Glad to see that it got better as it went on, but that's disappointing that the characters were difficult to get to know...Nice honest review! :)

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  3. Probably way to much fantasy for me, but I like the idea of elements, only it's sad that they can't marry from other elements without getting a disease. That's not fun.

    LOL

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  4. Can't beat a book that just keeps getting better and better.

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  5. I love authors who do something different with their fantasy, especially with the magic and the mythology. This definitely goes on my TBR list.

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  6. Oh man... between you and Melissa (My World) I'm going to have to get this book! Sounds like a good fantasy. Oh and I like the cover too. Really enjoy the colors in this one.

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  7. Hmmm...this one actually sounds pretty darn good! I need to try some Fantasy out because I do like to be open to new things and such...maybe I'll add this one to my TBR list right now. Oh and I like the cover too! :-)

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  8. There is a whole cast of characters in this one. Glad you enjoyed it!

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  9. I'm curious about book two. I was just not sure about this one. I liked the world, but shy of everything else. I like the opening in the end about the change that happens.

    I'm glad you did like it though. :) Thanks!

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  10. You've read too many great fantasy books lately. My growing wishlist isn't happy :P

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  11. I like it and I like your review. The cover is great - so colourful!

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  12. @Misha
    It was good and bad but the end of the book made up for it. And I do like that things actually happened fast for once ;)


    @YA Book Queen
    Then again I was really tired when I started the book. Still I liked them at the end


    @Missie
    Some seemed to have made it without dying but it does not seem like a lot did

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  13. I'm so glad to see you liked this one in the end! I just received it for review, so this gives me a little hope. Great review :)

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  14. Is this one being targeted to the YA audience?? I thought I saw this title on NetGalley...sounds like a great read and one I might have to download!!

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  15. That cover is kind of busy...

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  16. Glad you enjoyed this one.

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  17. Re the romance part - it's just building between the characters? Ah, the author's way of getting you to read the next book, I'm sure.

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  18. It sounds like it might be too slow for me, but I'm glad to hear that it got better and better :)

    I love the cover!

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  19. @Vivienne
    Lol, exactly, since it sure sucks when they get worse and worse ;)


    @Sally
    I like that too. Sure I love the same old same old too (a lot actually) but I also like to explore new wondrous worlds with lots to offer


    @Melissa
    The colours are very...oh I don't know. I just know that I really like them and the style


    @Deanna
    Yes you must! Fantasy is a crucial part of a book lovers intake.
    And you know I will suggest books

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  20. @Jenny
    Hm, not really, quite few in the end :)


    @Melissa
    I think the end was what really saved it for me. Sure the whole book was ok but I had this problem of feeling connected but the end turned me around


    @Elysium
    I know :D I am so happy. I have missed fantasy so much!!!


    @Ana
    So pretty, awww all the pretty colors, lol

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  21. @Melissa
    I hope you will like it then too. Things will move forward fast, so be warned. But just stay with it


    @carrie
    ;D


    @Staci
    Oh it is? Did not know that. On Netgalley...have not seen it there either. Must see if they are there.

    @Chris
    Well, I guess the book is too

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  22. Thanks Yvonne :)


    @Steph
    Lol, yes it is only building. There is a kiss, but mostly they are so busy with finding each other, surviving and saving the world.


    @Ladybug
    I would say the opposite, too busy since it is a fast book

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  23. It looked like this book has too many things going on... so I was wondering if the story has a cohesive structure?

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  24. Cherry
    It does, and I would not say too many things. The things just get fixed very fast

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  25. I'm not sure if I'm for it or not. I'm not really into fighting so it's good that the story moved along. But I have to know my characters.

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  26. Liz
    Moving along is good, and I guess that cos they always hurried along it was hard but in the end we knew them

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  27. I think I would really enjoy this one. Thanks for the review.

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