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bookwormbunny's review against another edition
5.0
Heart of Destiny by Susan Faw is book one in her Heart of the Citadel series. Right from the beginning, we are introduced to several characters in the middle of a fight. We are immediately introduced to Marion. She is a witch bonded with a dragon and Djinn who is a dragon shifter. They are fighting to save not just Gaia but the entire world that they live in. The Emperor is out to destroy all magic or enslave it. Marion and her triad fail in this fight but live to fight another day. The story jumps ahead two hundred years to a new generation. The time has come for those who wear the crystal hearts to be collected. A new Emperor is hunting them with his wizards, and it is no longer safe. The dragons and their Djinn come to collect the children, but are only able to acquire the girls. The boys are soon collected by the Emperor and sent to the Citadel to be trained. The girls and boys will each be trained and danger to all will once again run rampant across the land.
Heart of Destiny is an engaging start to a new series by Susan Faw. In this story we are introduced to a variety of characters, each one unique in their own way. The land has lived in sustainable peace until the disappearances of the girls who bear the crystal hearts. The Emperor sees his opportunity and takes it. This is an engaging story that pulls you in right from the beginning. There is story telling that tells us of things that has transpired before. We read about destruction, betrayal and danger. The author does a good job weaving a story that brings so much together. As we read we see how the girls learn the truth both from their education, but from the dragons as well. The Emperor is working hard to build the empire and the power that he craves and will do whatever he must to secure the future he dreams of.
I have read several books by Susan Faw before and I have to say that this book is my new favorite. I really like how the story immediately starts off with bang. Immediately there is drama and danger. We start off seeing a struggle for power and a fight that ends with the enemy winning. Then the author takes the time to let us know that time has passed, which I really like. Some authors just jump forward and expect you to recognize the change. But I tend to find that off-putting, and prefer it when an author takes the time to let me know. I like the story shifts to follow different characters. Despite the fact that it isn’t identified each time it happens I like that it is easily recognizable.
Heart of Destiny is an engaging fantasy novel. This book appears to be professionally edited. If I had to say that there is something I didn’t like it would have to be a couple of the chapter titles. For me, there were a couple chapter titles that had me a bit confused. The chapter would have me believe that the story is going in one direction, but then it would be different. Other than that I would have just liked it if there had been someone in the Citadel who was not totally on the Emperor’s side.
All in all I really enjoyed reading this book. This is one book that I found very hard to put down. I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. If you are a fan of a good fantasy novel then this is one that I recommend. Now, if you are not a fan of cliffhanger novels then I say avoid this one. This book ends abruptly which is a bit jarring, but it leaves you wanting more. Since there will be twelve more books in this series I am eagerly awaiting reading the next installment in this series.
Heart of Destiny is an engaging start to a new series by Susan Faw. In this story we are introduced to a variety of characters, each one unique in their own way. The land has lived in sustainable peace until the disappearances of the girls who bear the crystal hearts. The Emperor sees his opportunity and takes it. This is an engaging story that pulls you in right from the beginning. There is story telling that tells us of things that has transpired before. We read about destruction, betrayal and danger. The author does a good job weaving a story that brings so much together. As we read we see how the girls learn the truth both from their education, but from the dragons as well. The Emperor is working hard to build the empire and the power that he craves and will do whatever he must to secure the future he dreams of.
I have read several books by Susan Faw before and I have to say that this book is my new favorite. I really like how the story immediately starts off with bang. Immediately there is drama and danger. We start off seeing a struggle for power and a fight that ends with the enemy winning. Then the author takes the time to let us know that time has passed, which I really like. Some authors just jump forward and expect you to recognize the change. But I tend to find that off-putting, and prefer it when an author takes the time to let me know. I like the story shifts to follow different characters. Despite the fact that it isn’t identified each time it happens I like that it is easily recognizable.
Heart of Destiny is an engaging fantasy novel. This book appears to be professionally edited. If I had to say that there is something I didn’t like it would have to be a couple of the chapter titles. For me, there were a couple chapter titles that had me a bit confused. The chapter would have me believe that the story is going in one direction, but then it would be different. Other than that I would have just liked it if there had been someone in the Citadel who was not totally on the Emperor’s side.
All in all I really enjoyed reading this book. This is one book that I found very hard to put down. I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. If you are a fan of a good fantasy novel then this is one that I recommend. Now, if you are not a fan of cliffhanger novels then I say avoid this one. This book ends abruptly which is a bit jarring, but it leaves you wanting more. Since there will be twelve more books in this series I am eagerly awaiting reading the next installment in this series.
neilsef's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This had the potential to be an engaging and interesting story, but unfortunately, it came across as lacking clarity and development. This is due to the fact the book is only 150ish pages long, which is just too short to do the plot justice.
The ideas are interesting but only the bullet points are really conveyed.
The ideas are interesting but only the bullet points are really conveyed.
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