Kilenya Chronicles Books 1-3

I totally adored Andrea Pearson’s Kilenya Chronicles and read (actually gobbled up) each book as it became available for download. And now there’s a boxset of books 1-3. I wish I’d had that from the start as it sure is convenient. For those new to this wonderful literary world, here are my reviews of those three books.

Forsaken Prince (Kilenya Chronicles Book 1)

I actually read the original version of this book, The Key of Kilenya, way back when it came out. I loved that so I couldn’t resist getting this one when it came out. I’m glad I did. The original one (still available) was perfectly designed and appropriate for a middle school audience, even though adults could enjoy it, the same way as I totally enjoyed the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson books my son read at that age. This book is designed to be a grown up, matured version of that tale. It’s plot, while clearly based on the earlier version, is significantly changed. This is both in minor details and in more obvious plot details. The minor changes, such as its lead character, Jacob, starting out a few years older (16 instead of 14), can actually be pretty significant. The author is being subtle here as this enables that character to legitimately have more mature thoughts in general and to have have more mature romantic and other drivers behind his actions. The more obvious changes really do change major parts of the storyline, things like Jacob’s dad and sister getting kidnapped by the Lorkon, and Aloren being hired to bring Jacob to the Makalos. Despite these changes the basic fabric of the story, with its sense of wonder, excitement and adventure, is preserved. That’s a very good thing as this now very much revised tale is a very wonderful story. For those who read the original before I definitely recommend this new, if clearly related, story. For newcomers, you’re in for a treat. Personally I’m looking forward to seeing what’s been done to the other books. Highly recommended.

Ember Gods (Kilenya Chronicles Book 2)

I loved the original Ember Gods, book 2 of Andrea Pearson’s original Kilenya series (which can still be purchased on Kindle). This despite that fact that I was already several multiple times it’s targeted middle school aged audience. It was a magical tale with a gripping story that held me just as much as similarly targeted stories (Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, et al) managed to do. Now the author has done a remake of that story for her new Kilenya Chronicles, which is target at a young adult and mature adult audience. This is no simple editing of ages with minor tweaks. Instead it is a substantial rewrite, and yet it holds true to that original story and still gives the reader that same sense of wonder. The cast of (somewhat older) characters is wonderfully crafted (with matured emotions and approach to relationships, life crises, etc) and the plot works beautifully and is very (very) well written. I can’t tell which version I prefer, but I can say they are both superb and I’m happy to highly recommend this book (though it’s best to read book 1 in the series first).

August Fortress (Kilenya Chronicles Book 3)

This is book three of the Kilenya series, and I strongly recommend reading the first two books in the series before this one. Having said that, it’s a highly addictive series so I doubt anyone will have any problems doing that. As with the prior books, August Fortress is s great book of magical adventures with strong characters that continue to develop and a neat storyline. A really fun read no matter what your age is, and easy to recommend.

Realistic fantasy. Loved the whole family and the other creature people.