Received From: 1 ARC Tours
Other Info: 2010 Debut Author Challenge
IBSN: 9781606840382
Blurb:
Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.
In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.
Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.
My Thoughts:
Sydelle has settled for a life in the middle of nowhere. One day she will marry her childhood friend they will have children. Her children will have children and then she will die. That is what Sydelle expects of her life. What any person from Cliffton would expect of their life but with the rain everything changes.
Alexandra Bracken has created a magical and adventurous love story like no other. I was hooked from the first page. The world was very visual and easy for me to imagine.
The story is told in a very different way then most young adult novels right now. There is romance but it is almost nonexistent. It takes a backseat to the adventure but still somehow stays a main focus. Did that make any sense...I loved the way it was done. It almost made you love North more. And crave the romance more!
Speaking of North. What an unlikely male lead! I get so tired of these perfect male characters with there perfect powers and perfect hair. Finally a character with flaws and funny ones to boot! I might have fallen in love a little bit! Just a little.
All in all I loved this book. Alexandra has written an excellent debut and I'm so happy she shared it with the rest of us. I do have one little complaint....I need a sequel! Like now!
4 Stars!
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