Chancery is counting on her older sister Melina to help her find the right path. The fate of the world rests on the outcome of that guidance. But not everyone wants the entire world to survive. As usual, the key to the future lies in the mistakes of the past.
In a world where perfection is mandatory… to make her parents proud, to make them smile. But what brings joy to one causes the other to scowl. There’s only one thing they both agree upon—Melina must win in single combat at the Centennial Games.
A single flaw renders you useless.
Melodics requires complete understanding of your opponent. Melina has no trouble analyzing and comprehending the motivations of others, which makes her a force to be reckoned with. But as the end draws near, as success dangles just out of her grasp, she discovers she may not know herself as well as she thought. And the thing she has refused to accept might be the very cause of her downfall.
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Once again, we swap POV, now telling Melina’s story. I thoroughly enjoyed learning who she was and where her loyalties lay. The twist at the end made me gasp out loud! I can’t wait to read that character’s justification for their actions.
This book focuses mostly on Melina and her story. It really brings her life, her struggles, her sorrows, and her choices into focus. I really feel terrible for what she has endured and how her reputation plummeted following her departure from the Alamecha world. She was truly loved by some, and gave freely of love herself. I liked learning more about her and about the pre-Chancery life their mother had. And wow, plot twist!!
What an amazing book. I couldn’t put it down. Melina is telling you her story in the birthright series. If you have been following along I hope you were just as excited as me. The daughter that got exiled. The one that did not reform to what is the ‘norm’. I don’t know about you but I would have some pretty negative thoughts towards my mother if she were to ban me to live in a foreign country away from her with no way to visit and travel. Bridget Baker does an amazing job in writing down how Melina feels about all of this and how Melina is trying to cope with everything she has done in the past. Is she going to be for or against Chancery in claiming the throne and fulfilling the mission of getting all the stones and ruling over the entire world as the one true Evian ruler; the descendant of the First Family who should have been in charge all along.
The character development is again flawless, with this book you will be able to truly understand Melina as the big sister of Chancery and what her visions and dreams are. The fact that she has her own book tells you just how important she is to the entire story. I have heard people grumbling over the fact why would a side character have their own story but is Melina truly a side character. Yes she is not the daughter that is supposed to rule. She is not the rightful heir to the throne but she used to be before she got replaced. She has insights that come from being older than chancery and a world view that is eye opening.
I am always amazed in the detail that comes forward in these books that are set in a world that is so much like our own yet so far away from everything. Bridget Baker is a genius in her way of describing this dystopian world to make you see both sides. Her writing style keeps you entertained because there are so many twists and turns that you never know what is coming next but it is not just entertaining. She gets you involved in the story and makes you want to fight with or against the characters from the story. I was grateful that by the time I read this I didn’t have to wait for the next book in the series. So, I am off to see what Chancery got to tell me when it moves back to her in Book 5 called Disavowed
I enjoyed this story, but maybe not quite as much as the other books in the series. That’s mostly due to the fact that Melina isn’t one of my favorite characters. After reading this, I did end up liking her more than I had before, but more importantly, I understood her.
This book also revealed some important things pertaining to the other books in the series, and there were some things revealed that I had been wondering about for a while. I especially appreciated getting insight into her parent’s relationship. This was one thing that helped me understand Melina’s motivations. After reading this I had more sympathy for her father, and more disdain for her mother. I’m not gonna lie, I really dislike that women.
Overall this was a good read and I’m looking forward to reading the next books in the series.
Once again, I was not sure I wanted to read this s as I am so entranced in Chancy’s story but this did not disappoint! I love Melina and her story was sad and wonderful at the same time! I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!!
I love how each book in this series builds on one character while continuing the main story line. You get an opportunity to understand their motives and what makes them who they are. It’s an exciting read that’s difficult to set down. Each book has you looking forward to the next in the series.
Evians are like no other species. With superhuman strength, ability to learn and retain perfectly, and capability of healing within minutes from almost any injury, they are the leaders of the world. Among evians, the royalty—the closest descendants of Eve—are even more skilled and live in luxury as they run the world. Yet life as a royal is far from peaceful. The six royal families are filled with backbiting, treachery, and plotting, both between families and even in their own ranks.
Millennia ago, a prophecy foretold that one of Eve’s daughters would be the “queen of queens” who could bring harmony to the fractured evian society. From a young age, Melina, daughter and heir of the most powerful of the six empresses, has known that she is different. She does not crave power. Her mother doubts her ability to make the ruthless moves necessary to hold the kingdom together. Her father hopes that she can be the one to bring about a better world: one in which all have equal opportunities.
Although she seriously doubts her ability to do that, Melina accepts it as her life’s calling. She believes that “we must choose good, no matter the sacrifice.” Putting her own desires behind her, her yearning for a peaceful life and true love, she begins to push for changes, to let her voice be heard, and prepares for the day she will step into her mother’s shoes. And then…her mother gives birth to twin daughters and Melina is moved to third in line for the throne. Further, when she fulfills a promise she made to her mother to protect the throne, she is banished from the island. Far from her family and her kingdom, Melina wrestles with her destiny. What is her purpose? Why did she work so hard to fulfill it, only to have it taken away before she could effect any real change? Does she even know who she is anymore…and did she ever know?
As she ponders the meaning of everything, she remembers her father’s life. Always in her mother’s shadow, all but forgotten after his death. Yet because of him, Melina overcame her uncertainty and was ready to lead her people. She realizes that one’s purpose in life doesn’t have to be obvious greatness. Melina’s father believed that his was simply to prepare her for her purpose. Melina slowly comes to believe she may also have the role of preparer and protector. It’s not what she expected but it just might be her true calling. While she may never rule, her kingdom still needs her…every ounce of courage and wisdom that she has acquired through her royal training as well as her years of solitude. As her father told her, “You may be inspired to act by a feeling, by attraction, but love is something you do.” Can Melina show her love for her family and her people…and even herself?
This book added a new depth to Chancery’s saga. Melina is seen earlier as not only a villain, but mentally unstable. Now we can see how each move was a deliberate act, committed in the firm belief that she was doing what she believed was best, not only for her people but for the future of humanity. And how she may be instrumental to Chancery’s ability to fulfill her own destiny.
As always, Bridget Baker’s writing is both action-packed and beautiful. Her ability to capture emotion without long, boring descriptions, her realistic and varied characters, and her cleverness in weaving in real-life events (Pearl Harbor, 9-11, etc.) make this series a delight.
Bridget Baker’s fourth book in this series is fantastic! I really loved misUnderstood. Each different sister’s viewpoint has added so much to the overall story. Melina’s story is very good and I love the reassurance and understanding that she comes to that she is loved by God.
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.