This months fairyloot book was signed by the author, and sprayed with green pages. Im not sure why green. It isnt related to the story in any way, and Im just not sure if I like it. I know that given the choice in a shop I would have chosen unsprayed pages. Maybe thats just me.
Anyway. These Rebel Waves. This is a story about Lu, she used to be a soldier and now shes in politics, wanting her country, Grace Loray to be a better place.
The story flicks between Lu and Ben. Ben is the Son of Agrids King. Magic is forbidden, and potions from flowers and plants are considered to be magic. Somehow people have shaking sickness – and Bens job is to find a permanent cure – from the plants.
Theres a supporting character in Vex ( Devereux Bell) a Stream Raider – or Pirate. Although hes described as a young character I envisioned jack sparrow throughout the book.
So, the short version of the book is countries are on the brink of war, based on politically motivated arguments, but as Lu only wants peace she learns what she will do to get it, Vex realises who he wants to be and Ben is constantly let down and surprised. ( see below for the official blurb about it)
Sara Raasch is a popular author in the YA fantasy work, and the story is an obvious draw for a new series for that audience. The thing is that audience is usually me. I have her other books sitting in my TBR pile because the web is awash with rave reviews. I just couldnt get into this. It felt slow. I struggled with the switching between characters and their stories, and really when I think about it, I just didnt care. Im a firm believer that while in the book, with your imagination ticking you have to care if a character makes it. I just didnt/dont. The detail felt like it was in the wrong places – and I feel like the author deliberately didnt share so as not to reveal information, but it just made the story feel flimsy.
These Rebel Waves reminded me a little of Leigh Bardugos Six of Crows books, which were okayish. Maybe its just me and pirate stories, lets hope third times a charm when I pick up the next swashbuckling adventure.
The book is number one in the new Stream Raiders series, but I wont be picking up any more in the series.
Official Description:
Devereux is a pirate. As one of the outlaws called stream raiders who run rampant on Grace Loray, he pirates the island’s magic plants and sells them on the black market. But after Argrid accuses raiders of the diplomat’s abduction, Vex becomes a target. An expert navigator, he agrees to help Lu find the Argridian—but the truth they uncover could be deadlier than any war.
Benat is a heretic. The crown prince of Argrid, he harbors a secret obsession with Grace Loray’s forbidden magic. When Ben’s father, the king, gives him the shocking task of reversing Argrid’s fear of magic, Ben has to decide if one prince can change a devout country—or if he’s building his own pyre.
As conspiracies arise, Lu, Vex, and Ben will have to decide who they really are . . . and what they are willing to become for peace.
One More Chapter 