Book Review – Rebel Spring

Book: Rebel Spring (Falling Kingdoms 2) by Morgan Rhodes
Release Date: December 3rd 2013
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Format: Paperback
Rating: 3,5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads / Falling Kingdoms (book 1)

Synopsis

After a bloody siege, Auranos has been defeated, its young queen orphaned and dethroned. The three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now unwillingly united as one country called Mytica. But the allure of ancient, dangerous magic beckons still, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the whole world over…

At the heart of the fray are four brave young people grappling for that magic and the power it promises. For Cleo, the magic would enable her to reclaim her royal seat. In Jonas’s hands, it frees his nation, and in Lucia’s, it fulfills the ancient prophecy of her destiny. And if the magic were Magnus’s, he would finally prove his worth in the eyes of his cruel and scheming father, King Gaius, who rules Mytica with a punishing hand.

When Gaius begins to build a road into the Forbidden Mountains to physically link all of Mytica, he sparks a long-smoking fire in the hearts of the people that will forever change the face of this land. For Gaius’s road is paved with blood, and its construction will have cosmic consequences.

Review

This book is for the most part a step up from Falling Kingdoms. The plot advances well and the characters are developing throughout the book. However there are still some things that I have issues with.

The second half of this book I really liked and enjoyed. But the first part was so slow in pacing and it took a while to capture my attention. The plot is moving forward, and while there aren’t any huge surprises, I feel there is still much to come in the next few books. I really loved the ending with Lucia and Cleo. I feel that is something important and not necessarily what I was expecting. I am also wondering about how important this road is going to be.

There is also the addition of the overseas prince who clearly has his own agenda. It expands the world beyond Mythica which is good. I hope we learn more about his home country in the next few books.

As for the characters, like I said, they are developing throughout this book. Magnus especially is changing his views nearing the ending of this book and showing that he doesn’t have a heart of ice. Though he needs a good smack for how he is with Cleo to be honest. I hope in the next book that relationship will become more respectful at least.

Cleo is also showing that she can survive in the situation she is being thrown in. She is strong and growing to be cunning/manipulative. Not everything is working out the way she had planned initially but nearing the end of the book I feel she has maneuvered herself in a good position.

Lucia is also developing but not in a good way. She is struggling with her powers and what has been going on around her, and it is impacting her for the worst. I have to say that with each scene she is in I am liking her less. Her dark side is not appealing at all.

Jonas has yet to grow into his position as rebel leader. Quite frankly he isn’t being much of a leader or a hero for that matter. In this book I felt he was more of the typical damsel in distress you often see, with the amount of saving that he needed. I’m glad to see the saving is mostly being done by the ladies. But for his character I hope he grows into his leader role and learns to do what is best. He still has a lot to prove to the other rebels.

Then there is the romance. I hope the romance will take a turn in the next book because seeing every guy fall for Cleo and every girl falling for Jonas is getting a bit tiresome. .