My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The relationships and world of Seven Realms is so intricate and complex. I am blown away by Chima's writing. I don't even know where to start this review so it may just jump around to wherever my mind flits. Keep up now.
Hans Alister A man of many names. 1) Cuffs Alister, The ex-street lord of the Raggers. Once notorious for murder, swindling, and being devilishly handsome, he's wanted by anyone and everyone. There is more to Hans than meets the eye though, and you shouldn't believe Everything you hear. Hans is trying to make a fresh start and earn an honest living in order to keep his sister Mary safe. He doesn't want for her initiated into any gangs, and thus cut ties with his own. Gangs are like Kingdom come though, you're allowed in, but there's never a way out, at least not completely.
Hans as Hunts Alone , his clan name where he summers every year. Some of his best times are in the clans, with his best friend Hayden FireDancer and Bird. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Hans and FireDancer run into trouble and Hans is forced to confront his past with the gangs once more, while being pulled into court politics and the schemes of Mica Bayar.
Princess-Heir Raisa Ana-Marianna of the Fells: Our other main character. Raisa is the head strong Princess Heir. She believes in justice and equality. Her aim is to be a fair queen who looks after all her people, not just those with money. This is a constant point of tension between she and her mother the Queen Marianna Ana'Lissa who is willing to overlook the poverty in her kingdom. What's worse, her mother has the palace jinx slinger (magician) in her ear at all times, whispering his avaricious agendas. He wants his son, Mica to marry Raisa.
Raisa convinces her best friend Amon Burns, her royal guard, to sneak her into the towns so she can start helping her people in ways only the crown can, but won't. Of course, nothing goes as planned and she is kidnapped by Hans. She develops the persona of Rebekah A well-off tutor to the Bayars to protect her identity.
Despite their vastly different backgrounds, Raisa and Hans have more in common than they can imagine.
It is so hard to give any one summary about this book because there are SO many little plots going on here and there. And they all eventually intertwine at the end to reveal...big things. So I'll leave it at that.
Any fan of fantasy and sensational world building, young or old, will enjoy this series. I'm currently on book 3 and let me tell you, the series gets better and better. The plot carries itself with utter aplomb you will be taken with how well the story and plots flow together.
I don't know why I put this series off for so long, don't make the same mistake. Pick this up the next time that itch for a great fantasy comes a-calling.
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