[A quick note: I own all of Rebecca Rossโs books and had yet to read a single ONE. They all come highly recommended and I realized it was high time I get to reading them. I decided to start with this one because itโs a stand alone. Naturally, I loved it so much that Iโm already gearing up to read the next stand alone from her, which is Dreams Lie Beneath. After that, I plan to dive into her other books.]
โ๐ป๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐. ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐.โ โRebecca Ross
Two sisters, one a warrior, the other a scribe, must unravel the plot to overthrow a kingdom. In doing so, they will face sacrifice, loss, and even love. Being sisters ties them together, but their fight to save the kingdom might tear them apart.
I LOVE stand alone fantasy!!! Itโs so satisfying. I couldnโt stop thinking about this story after I started it! It was WONDERFUL!! Itโs got excellent tropes like sister bonds, plot to overthrow a queen, artifacts, forced proximity, self discovery, and more. There was so much I loved, but especially the sister bond.
Rebecca Ross did an excellent job building intrigue and creating moments that pulled at my emotions, all while giving me a perfectly crafted story within a single book. Yes, I teared up and almost cried twice. TWICE!! Also, I loved the structure of the plot, the splashes of unpredictability, and the sacrifices that added realism.
While SOSAS started a smidge slow, which worried me, that quickly changed. Silly me! There was no need to fret.
The writing was beautiful. I absolutely loved the Greek fantasy setting with its own mythology, artifacts, and customs. I was sucked out of reality in a fantastic way. Itโs impressive when an author can create excellent world building within a single book, while still getting you through the plot with solid characters. There was never too much, or not enough. It was all perfectly balanced.
Our story follows Evadne and Halcyon, who have have been separated for eight years. On the eve of Halcyonโs glorious return to her family, she sneaks back through Evaโs window rather than announcing herself at the front door. Something isnโt right. She hasnโt come back a honored soldier. Instead, sheโs returned a murder. And when sheโs tried for her crimes, sheโs given a harsh punishment.
Eva canโt bear to lose her sister for another fifteen years, so she makes the ultimate sacrifice, offering to take a portion of Halcyonโs sentence. As both girls begin their sentences, we get hints about a deeper problem. Something is happening to the kingdom. Those with magic are working to overthrow the queen. Both girls become wrapped up in the plot to save her before itโs too late.
Thereโs mystery, intrigue, and adventure. There are artifacts passed down from the gods that must be found. Thereโs heartbreak and sacrifice. But there are also soft, happy moments, too.
I loved that Eva has a disability. After an ankle injury, she walks with a permanent limp. Sheโs imperfect. All her life she wanted magic and never got blessed with it. So instead, she becomes a scribe for a mage. After seeing her older sister as the strong warrior, she realizes that she has her own strength, too.
Overall, I just adored this book. Itโs perfect for fantasy fans looking for a stand alone story. Itโs going to be my new go-to rec! While it is YA, it will please fantasy fans of all ages, simply for the beauty of the story.
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