Emma Right

For sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze - the oldest in a family of five - life has been tough. His father Jon, is a General who is away fighting to protect the Kingdom of Reign from invasion by an aggressive neighboring tribe called the Handoverans. Jules cares for his mother and four younger siblings, and hopes that his father will return home safely.

As a child, Jules had listened with rapt attention to his Grandpa Leroy's many tales and legends of the Keepers of Reign. His stories were about show more their people - an ancient and regal race known as Elfies - a blend between elves and fairies. Leroy told of tomes written in blood; many of them lost throughout time, their Keepers with them. Eons ago, a curse befell the Elfies and the Kingdom of Reign became a realm without a king.

Life couldn't get more harrowing for the Elfies; or could it? Danger is brewing throughout Reign - the evil King Gehzurolle of Euruliaf, and his army of Scorpents are intent on invading the Kingdom of Reign and ultimately Gehzurolle wants to destroy the Elfies. Already, Gehzurolle's minions Whisperer and Rage, are secreted in Reign, ready to do their master's bidding.

But for Jules his nightmares have only just begun. First off, he has no idea where his father is, as his mother hasn't received any communication from him in months; then his grandparents, Leroy and Bonnie mysteriously disappear, and Jules' Keeper mother soon follows suit. Now Jules has to make sure his four siblings stay safe. And alive. Especially since Jules and his family have inadvertently inspired the scrutiny of Gehzurolle. But why?

In Jules' quest to find answers, to locate his missing family members, and the Ancient Books of the Keepers as well, he loses control of his situations, faces multiple dilemmas while trying to save his family, and his kingdom, and uncovers a family secret that could either save them, or kill them all.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I do like any type of fantasy that features harrowing danger, but that also teaches perseverance through life's challenges and difficulties. I give this book an A+! and will certainly be looking for more books by Emma Right in the future. show less

The ancient books were written in blood. Most are lost, their Keepers with them. A curse that befell a people; a Kingdom with no King. Life couldn’t get more harrowing for the Elfies, a blend of Elves and Fairies. Or for sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze. Or could it? For Jules, the heir of a Keeper, no less, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It was bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. show more All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King’s Ancient Books, did not help ward off that anathema. Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? When Jules’ family home is ransacked to find his mother’s Ancient Book and his mother is kidnapped, he realizes the threat is real. Gehzurolle’s agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules realizes who is a friend and who is a foe, and doesn’t get himself killed first.

Although the book is listed as YA, this is a wonderful read for kids 10 and upward. Central to the plot and the family is Jules Blaze. There is a nice feel to his relationships with his four younger siblings, each of whom has a clearly defined character. Jules is responsible, a little over-anxious at times, but eminently likeable, with a noble heart. His strength and courage mark him as a strong leader in this quest. He faces dangers, disappointments, and betrayal with maturity. An important aspect of fantasy and sci-fi is world-building: it must be real and credible. Author Emma Right does a great job here, incorporating the magical with the mundane, and blending the mysterious with the dangerous in expert fashion. The Elfies are extremely small, hence their hazards are myriad: from aggressive birds, insects, and animals, to falling acorns, to natural elements, to the evil Lord Gehzurolle’s agents. The author weaves back history and Elfie information deftly into the plot enabling the action to race onward. There is a helpful cast list for younger readers, as well as a map (always a bonus) to help adventurers share this epic quest. I found the ending a little abrupt, but it hints of more action to come. Highly recommended.
First reviewed for Readers Favorite. show less

Keeper of Reign has a very unique premise that includes curses, elfies (the half elf, half fairy inhabitants of Reign who are only an inch tall due to said curse), a traitor, an evil foe, and a quest to break the curse and return the elfies to regular size. It was very interesting, to say the least. I thought the world building was well written, and the plot was good, but I did feel that the characters could have used some depth. The story moved along at a quick pace and was an easy read. I show more think the book would appeal to middle grade readers more than high schoolers, and I definitely picked up the Christian vibe, so this is a clean book that you don't have to worry about your child reading.

All in all, I feel like the pros outweigh the cons here, so I'm giving Keeper of Reign 3.5/5 stars, rounded up to 4/5 stars.

3.5/5 stars. show less

I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. Brie O’Mara is your typical eighteen year-old. She wants to prove to her independence to her family. In order to do so, Brianna has two jobs and now must find a roommate. She interviews a few people until she meets Sarah. She thinks she’s hit the jackpot with Sarah and is willing to overlook her quirky paranoid ways…that is, until things begin not making sense. Then there are the nightmares that plague her. Are they show more her subconscious trying to warn her?

This was one of the most exceptional psychological thrillers I’ve read in quite some time. It left me on the edge of my seat and unable to put it down until the very end. I screamed in frustration when I was done because I had no idea this was a series, and now, I have to wait for book two to come out! If you’re like me and enjoy a good YA mystery once in awhile, this is a must read! show less