The Middle Kingdom of Talheim has enjoyed peace for decades. But with the threat of war rising from the ruthless South, the dream of a quiet life is fading. And for the noble but naïve Princess Cistine, that means embarking on a dangerous quest to the Northern Kingdom, where she hopes to forge an alliance against their southern foes and save her people.But when Cistine is captured by an outlaw … and his band of cutthroat warriors, she finds a more deadly adventure than she bargained for – and a greater power within herself than she ever knew.Swept up in the unpredictable tide of a tenuous and shadowy political climate, a ruthless land governed by the stars, and the unexpected revelations that come from her mysterious new companions, Cistine must learn how to fight, how to lead…and above all, how to trust herself. If the young princess can’t be forged into a fighter, then her kingdom will fall.
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This book…this series!! I’ll be honest, I read A. Lot. of books, and there are so many stories that just don’t linger in my mind for very long…but that is NOT the case with, “The Starchaser Saga,” by Renee Dugan. This story has me hook, line and sinker. I’m in love with all the characters and I feel so invested in what happens to each and every one of them. The world Renee has built is also unforgettable and completely immersive. The relationships that develop in this book alone are so real and relatable. The character development isn’t forced and fast, but gradual and human.
This series has all of my favorites, romance, magic, adventure, strong female leads, strong male leads, incredible friendships, mystery, and a healthy dose, but not over the top love triangle (I can’t help it I love these! Especially when they’re tastefully done).
I usually hate waiting for the next book in a series to come out, but this series is worth every moment of anticipation.
Renee Dugan is by far one of my all-time favorite authors to read, I will read anything she writes and I’m grateful to have discovered her stories.
*I won this title in a giveaway. This does not affect my review.*
So, since I first learned about this book, I had a good feeling. Then after reading the author’s other title TCC in February, I couldn’t wait to start! So when I finally got to Darkwind…I can’t even do it justice in a review, or even summary, but I’ll try. From the first pages, I loved the complexity and detail of both the characters and the story overall. The characters are unique and diverse, with brilliantly written personalities, and interesting character development as the story goes on. There are those books where the characters almost feel real, like old friends who spring to live while reading, but who can never be forgotten once introduced…These characters are much like that, and I loved it! I found my self laughing out loud while reading, and even smiled or rolled my eyes in a couple places!
I also really liked the political and cultural differences in the Three Kingdoms, and can’t wait to learn more! I enjoyed that Cistine learned along with the reader, realizing truths and uncovering new pieces to a puzzle much bigger than anyone first realized (or likely even realizes by the end of Darkwind). I’m so excited to see more of her/their journey and to see where some of the lesser mentioned characters fit into the things the princess has already learned.
As for characters, a large part of Cistine’s time is with a band of outlaws, the cabal, and two of her closest friends from their home kingdom. And…I can’t choose a favorite! I really liked Ashe, her friend, and Cistine has crown into a very interesting character in her own right, but then the cabal, they are all so mysterious and irresistible at the same time! I’ll think one is my favorite, then the next page, it will be another! Rare that this happens, but I could get used to it!
This is a must read for fantasy readers, while it does have darker themes, it brought to mind a hint of both ACOMAF and LotR, both of which I loved, and can see fans of similar enjoying this one as well!