Welcome to the blog tour of Journey to the Rift by Cathi Shaw. I am hosting it on my blog today with my review.
Journey to the Rift
by Cathi Shaw
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: November 3rd 2016
Ink Smith Publishing
Blurb :
A dangerous quest into a forbidden land wasn’t exactly what Brijit Carnesîr was planning after her graduation from the Academy. For years she has looked forward starting her life as a member of the Coimirceoirí and she is thrilled to discover that she has been chosen as the Academy Apprentice of her year. But despite the fact that she has been longing to go to Séreméla and work with the Elders, it soon becomes apparent that her fate isn’t as rosy as it appears to be. First, she is paired up with a grumpy male apprentice from Stone Mountain, Weylon Forborrow. Second, it doesn’t take her long to discover that the Elders are not taking her to Séreméla, as tradition dictates. Instead, Weylon and her are sent to The Rift, a dead land tainted with evil. Even before they join the Elder royalty at Tèarmann, an ancient fortress on the cusp of the Rift, Brijit discovers that the Elders are hiding too many things. She is given the task of helping the Princess in birthing the long awaited Queen of the Elders but nothing is as it seems. There is talk of an old and forgotten Prophecy, Weylon is attacked by a creature from the Rift and her grandmother is killed, after revealing a secret that rocks everything Brijit knows about her past. Soon Brijit questions everything she had been led to believe and, worse, she realizes that the future of Séreméla and all of Five Corners is in jeopardy, unless she can find a way to save it!
Buy Links:
My Musings :
Another new author to me and I am thankful that I found her. This itself should convey to you that I loved the book! Anyway read on to know what my thoughts are on it.
There are certain themes which instantly appeal to me. One such is the protagonists present in a school atmosphere in a fantasy setting. Maybe it's an aftereffect of Harry Potter, I don't know. But I love reading that type of books. So the beginning was based in a school of sorts and the situation also captivated me with its mysterious undertones. Actually the vein of mystery kept me going till the end. For that, I have to compliment the author. She knows how to keep a reader's interest which might be difficult at times. We, the readers, can be flighty at times!
The progression of the story was natural and smooth. The scenes are interwoven expertly without much information leaking out unnecessarily and I was parched with interest to know more.
The protagonists, Brijit and Weylon are both strong in their own right. Brijit, though feels tough, is actually a soft person but with the inner strength to get her through the toughest situations. She is an admirable meld of strength and vulnerability. As for Weylon, he had my attention from the start because of his attitude! Oh my, I couldn't get more of him! He is the perfect foil for Brijit. He is tough inside and out but with a touch of soft feelings for Brijit which kind of appealed to me. The only part which I didn't like about him was his reaction to her actions which is understandable but meh.. he should be above it!!! Oh well! But he is still my favourite.
After reading so many fantasy books, after a while, the setting of a book seems familiar and it's hard to be motivated to be interested in it so much that the time flies. Though this book has few familiar themes like the discrimination of magic users, etc., there is so much information which still isn't revealed that I have been eager to read the sequel. Actually right now, I have so many questions like Who are the Elders? What is the Rift? What will happen to Weylon? etc., And the book doesn't help at all with the ending, which again leads to a question. The author loves to keep the reader guessing, I think!
I felt that the book was a very short read but long enough to whet my appetite. The pace was steady with no dips at all and the writing had me going with the flow of the tale. There was always something to question or wonder about while reading. I like this style of writing and I hope the author continues with it in her other books. Actually I have been peeking into her other books and I have found another series based in the same world. So I will be checking them out next. Maybe I should have read them before this book even though it reads as a standalone!
All in all, I can say that my fantasy craving has been satisfied splendidly! I can recommend this book to all those out there who have my likes.
I received the book free of charge for an honest review. This doesn't impact my impression and thoughts about the story. What I have written is my own opinion.
My rating : 5/5
My one line review : A fantasy of age old themes with their own spark
My reread factor : 3.5/5
Amazon print US | Amazon kindle US | Amazon print CA | Amazon kindle CA | Barnes & Noble | Chapters Indigo
My Musings :
Another new author to me and I am thankful that I found her. This itself should convey to you that I loved the book! Anyway read on to know what my thoughts are on it.
There are certain themes which instantly appeal to me. One such is the protagonists present in a school atmosphere in a fantasy setting. Maybe it's an aftereffect of Harry Potter, I don't know. But I love reading that type of books. So the beginning was based in a school of sorts and the situation also captivated me with its mysterious undertones. Actually the vein of mystery kept me going till the end. For that, I have to compliment the author. She knows how to keep a reader's interest which might be difficult at times. We, the readers, can be flighty at times!
The progression of the story was natural and smooth. The scenes are interwoven expertly without much information leaking out unnecessarily and I was parched with interest to know more.
The protagonists, Brijit and Weylon are both strong in their own right. Brijit, though feels tough, is actually a soft person but with the inner strength to get her through the toughest situations. She is an admirable meld of strength and vulnerability. As for Weylon, he had my attention from the start because of his attitude! Oh my, I couldn't get more of him! He is the perfect foil for Brijit. He is tough inside and out but with a touch of soft feelings for Brijit which kind of appealed to me. The only part which I didn't like about him was his reaction to her actions which is understandable but meh.. he should be above it!!! Oh well! But he is still my favourite.
After reading so many fantasy books, after a while, the setting of a book seems familiar and it's hard to be motivated to be interested in it so much that the time flies. Though this book has few familiar themes like the discrimination of magic users, etc., there is so much information which still isn't revealed that I have been eager to read the sequel. Actually right now, I have so many questions like Who are the Elders? What is the Rift? What will happen to Weylon? etc., And the book doesn't help at all with the ending, which again leads to a question. The author loves to keep the reader guessing, I think!
I felt that the book was a very short read but long enough to whet my appetite. The pace was steady with no dips at all and the writing had me going with the flow of the tale. There was always something to question or wonder about while reading. I like this style of writing and I hope the author continues with it in her other books. Actually I have been peeking into her other books and I have found another series based in the same world. So I will be checking them out next. Maybe I should have read them before this book even though it reads as a standalone!
All in all, I can say that my fantasy craving has been satisfied splendidly! I can recommend this book to all those out there who have my likes.
I received the book free of charge for an honest review. This doesn't impact my impression and thoughts about the story. What I have written is my own opinion.
My rating : 5/5
My one line review : A fantasy of age old themes with their own spark
My reread factor : 3.5/5
Meet the Author
Cathi Shaw lives in Summerland, BC with her husband and three children. She is often found wandering around her home, muttering in a seemingly incoherent manner, particularly when her characters have embarked on new adventure. In addition to writing fiction, she is the co-author of the textbook Writing Today and the true story, Surviving Logan.
Author Links:
Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook
Don't forget to enter the giveaway generously hosted by Cathi Shaw!
Blog Tour Organized by:
Wow, thanks for your review, Floryie! I'm so happy you liked the book. You mention the other books in the series and I thought I'd add a touch of explanation since a few readers of Journey to the Rift are a bit confused. Journey is actually the prequel to The Marked Ones. So chronologically, the events happen BEFORE the ones in the other books. In fact, you will meet the grown up version of Weylon and Brijit in Five Corners (the first book of the next series).
ReplyDeleteInk Smith plans to release the second book in the prequel later in 2017 (there are only the two book in the prequel series) and the final book in the trilogy at the end of 2017 or beginning of 2018.
Thanks again for hosting! :)
Oh I thought the Marked Ones series is before this one. Anyway I am going to start reading it :) One of my concerns have been answered though. Weylon survives!!!!!! *dances around* I was so concerned about it. Oh that's great. I will be waiting for the other 2 books :D.... Thank you so much for a wonderful book!
DeleteUm, you might not be so happy with me when you finish Five Corners ... :/
DeleteNow I don't want to read it! lol..... Hope it isn't too tragic!!
Delete