Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, 1)

4.5 ⭐️ The second time reading this book I fell for it (something I didn't exactly feel the first time). But reading it a second time made me notice some details that I didn't before (even if were explicitly put), such as: Cleo being the one that can lead the Watchers to the Kindred (and she has that ring from Eva), Lucia kind of being the opposite of Cleo (at least in my way seeing it, although I think she is too good hearted to be bad - so maybe they'll help each other), Cleo and Theon's love that I personally found to be too forced and fast (and her grieving lacked a little because of that), and last but not least Magnus's kind and pure and sweet heart (even after all that debacle with Lucia and everything he has suffered at the hands of his King). Moving on to characters. Cleo, in her interactions with the King and in some discriminations of her friends and herself, comes out as spoiled in some parts. She always has to have what she wants (granted that she wants it badly enough) and so she goes on her merry way to Paelsia after what happened there had terrible consequences and started to brew a war . Okay her sister was dying but think things through! and listen to what the others (that know more and are more experienced than you have to say!). I don't hate Cleo, on the contrary, but she makes this whole mess and then makes it worse! When she comes back it's better, although her grieving still doesn't feel like it should be compared to her sister's or even be so numbing, and she becomes strong in the end, or at least that's how it feels. Jonas's arc is quite good. It feels real! The readers can perfectly replete even if they have no siblings. And he used that to try and make things better, not for himself (like he almost did) but for his country. It backfires but that is because stupid people involved themselves with cunning people. But over all it's amazing; his thoughts and actions. His evolution in just one book..! And I want to read what he will be up to next. And then there is Magnus and Lucia.. I love Magnus a lot and Lucia is described mostly through the biased eyes of her brother but still comes across as a good and sweet character that has a will (and sometimes, when needed, heart) of still. Reading Magnus's conflicts with his father shows the reader that it's all just a mask, he's not trying to be bad and hurt his sister in purpose, but he has been hurt and now he will hide all he feels. He didn't say a thing when Amia was arrested and his father showed him that she had been tortured; no, he willed her to confess she had been spying for him. And when she didn't he saved her by taking her out of the castle. . And we can see that he feels bad for Cleo, for all that's happened to her, so maybe not all is lost for them. For Jonas and Cleo and Lucia and Magnus. And last but not least, I have to include in this review that the most amazing part of this book for me was the story of Eva, the hunter, Cleiona and Valoria 😍

Wow. Just WOW. This was fantastic! What a great way to start of this new reading year! Detailed reviee soon to come! I need to sort out my feels first. -- I had high expectations for this book because everyone I know loves it, and I wasn't disappointed. It was amazing. Love, War, Faith, Magic, you'll get everything your heart desires in this first installments of this new series. The writing was perfect. I read the first chapter and said to myself: "Yes, this is the writing I usually fall in love with." The world was described perfectly, and the setting was very interesting too. The book started off with a BANG and the action did not cease until the last page. It was incredible, and I can't wait for the next book! Let's talk about the main characters individually: Magnus : He is EXACTLY the type of character I like. The guy with daddy-issues, who got his heart broken and turned into ice. Perfect. These are exactly the characters I love. But what I loved more about Magnus's story was that we actually got to SEE this development. Usually when you have such characters you find out their "back-story" in book 5 or so in the series, but in this book we were THERE when it happened, and I loved that! I feel bad for him in so many ways, but still I can't wait to read more about him! I need more Magnus in my life. Lucia : I really enjoyed her character a lot. I understood her actions, also towards Magnus, and I knew what she was feeling. I think we got to see a bit too little of her feelings in this book, and I would've loved to see more of her, but it was fine. Maybe in the next book she gets her own chapters? That would be amazing! Also: Her powers are super cool. I wat to be the Avatar too and controll all elements! But wait ... wrong book. Cleo : I have to be honest with you: I didn't like her character. She was too rude at some points, and I thought her actions were not thought out at all. She could've prevented so mny bad things that happened in this book, by just staying where she was, but I think by the end of this book she knows it, which makes me like her again. I know that a lot of focus will be put on her and Magnus (& their relationship?) in the next books, and I don't think that I like that. I just hope for the best. Aron : I feel like I just need to mention Aron here just to tell yu how much I despise this guy. He is kind of a coward and always drunk, and somebody who basically thinks he is the best, isn't he? Nevertheless, I am excited to see what happends to him in the next books. Which kind of contradicts my arguement before, but still ... Jonas : I loved him and his brother Tomas the second they showed up. They are exactly the rebels I love in stories. The way his character was written was fantastic, and I just can't wait to read more about him in the second book. Hopefully it focuses a lot on him!

3,5 Sterne