Mundie Moms

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Rebel Spring (Falling Kingdoms #2) by Morgan Rhodes, Book Review


By: Morgan Rhodes
Published by: Razborbill
Released on: December 3rd, 2013
Series: Falling Kingdoms #2
Source: ARC from BEA / Publisher
5 Stars: I LOVED IT!
Purchase it From: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

Love, power, and magic collide with war in the second book of the Falling Kingdoms series

Auranos has fallen and the three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now united as one country called Mytica. But still, magic beckons, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the world...

When the evil King Gaius announces that a road is to be built into the Forbidden Mountains, formally linking all of Mytica together, he sets off a chain of events that will forever change the face of this land, forcing Cleo the dethroned princess, Magnus the reluctant heir, Lucia the haunted sorceress, and Jonas the desperate rebel to take steps they never could have imagined.


One of the best fantasy books of 2013! I LOVED it. This book surpassed all my acceptations! What doesn't this book have? There's plenty of romance, power struggles, twists, secrets, betrayals, magic, fighting, death, gut wrenching moments, action, fights, and a shocking arranged marriage. Most importantly, there are many characters who make this story so enticing, most importantly our main four characters.

Just as I thought King Gaius couldn't be any more of a cruel man, I was proven wrong. Everyone is a pawn in his game and quest for magic and power. The person who's not afraid of him, Princess Cleo. I really admired Cleo's secret determination to bring down the King. I loved that she figured out how to get under the King's skin, and how she'd do things to defy him in her own way, and does so with a smile on her face. Prince Magnus is the one I feel like I'm at war with myself trying to figure out how I want to feel about him. I felt bad for him in the first book, but this time around I'm starting to like him against my better judgement. I think there's still more to him then we've seen so far. The biggest shocker is the King's announcement of Magnus and Cleo's engagement. That was a surprise to everyone, including the two of them. Okay and myself.

One of my favorite characters in this book was someone I hadn't excepted to like as much, Jonas. Jonas and his band of rebels were one of my favorite things about this story. With his best friend Brion, and their new addition, Lysandra, this group knows how to defy the King. Lysandra's edition to the story has a purpose, and I'm dying to find out if my hunch about her role is right. I really liked her. She's a fiery, independent character who's on a quest for vengeance and justice against a King who's killed scores of innocent people in his quest to rule all the kingdoms as one, just as Jonas is. I love that this band of rebels stands for truth and justice, and wants people to see through the King's lies. They want to protect their people, and their home lands that have already suffered so much. While these rebels have hope, and a just cause, they are forced to rethink their strategy as many of their people die fighting for their cause.

Cleo and Magnus. These two have a hatred towards each other unlike any other. Neither of them wants to be married to the other, but no one says no to the King. There's something between the two of them, that I feel they could be beneficial to out smarting the King. I'm curious to see if my prediction might be right. I think their hatred is the perfect ploy into something that could happen. Both Cleo and Magnus are pawns in the King's plans. Cleo will do whatever it takes to take back her kingdom. This poor girl has lost her family, and the love of her life, so she clearly has nothing to lose now. Marrying Magnus is the last thing she wants, but she's not allowed to say no. Magnus, well he's the Prince who wants to be the good son, but I think there's something changing in Magnus that will play a crucial role in book three. If I wasn't already starting to like him, I loved him after the outcome of the fight he and Anon have. When you read that scene you'll know why. I have despised Anon since Falling Kingdoms, and he finally gets what he deserves.

Magnus at times comes across as spineless, and weak, but sometimes those are the characters who become the strongest, and through out the book I felt like Rhodes was given readers a look into the person Magnus may become. He and Cleo were the two that grew the most for me. Cleo does have some issues she needs to work out. That deals with the romance. I LOVED the bickering between her and Jonas. It was comical. While Cleo closely guards her heart, there's twists in the story that have her kissing one swoon worthy rebel, and one cold, yet handsome Prince. Thankfully there's no love triangles going on, but there are some twists in who Cleo needs to trust, and who she should give her heart to, if she does. One thing is for certain, there's a rebel that needs Cleo on his side, and Prince who might be able to help Cleo's secret plot.  Cleo and Magnus have started to figure a lot of things out about the King, and it will be interesting to see who trusts who, and who confides in who.

While Magnus has figured out what he has to keep away from his father, Cleo has figured out the key to the King's success. Lucia's part in this story keeps getting more interesting. I didn't see her being drugged coming, and whom was drugging her, neither did I see the twist in how Cleo can help her coming. One thing is certain, the twist with what's happening with The Kindred and the role their play in this entire series has just gotten a lot more complex. Now I'm left with all these theories on what I think will happen next. I need the next book like now.

Morgan Rhodes does a stellar job at intertwining the complex, and enticing story line with the four different character point of views. Like Falling Kingdoms, it's incredibly easy to follow each character, and the all that happens in the story. Each character is not only crucial in telling this story, but each point of view fuels the story's growth. I've not read a more perfectly written story with multiple points of views. Rhodes definitely set the bar for multiple points of views, and I've not yet read another book that could surpass what Rhodes has done.

I LOVE this series! I'm addicted to this series and Rhodes's writing. I NEED the next book already. I need to know what happens next. That cliff hanger of an ending was almost as evil as King Gaius..... lol If you love Fantasy, go pick up this book! It's one of my favorite reads of 2013!

Happy Winter Solstice

*(Picture source, Google)

Happy Winter Solstice!
It's finally winter! I love winter. Here's to cozy warm fires, and lots of reading today. 
If you're in the path of those crazy winter storms today I hope you stay safe. 
Happy Christmas & Holiday season. 

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