The quick cut: A female outcast is selected to join the Knights and enter a cursed mist threatening their Kingdom. The journey reveals more than anticipated about her life.
A real review:
Bring cursed is a concept never seen in real life, but often in the fictional one. However, can you imagine if that curse hurt an entire Kingdom and put it on the edge of collapse? This is the reality with Kiara.
Kiara has always been an outcast among her people, even if she is a fierce warrior. When she's shockingly accepted as the latest one to join the Knights of the Eternal Star, her life is immediately put at risk. None of the Knights who enter the mist survive the process. Her commander, Jude, is a constant dark and mysterious presence that she can't help but feel pulled towards. Can these two survive the mist and save the kingdom?
I did for the most part enjoy this story, but it did end with me frustrated. While it's understood that what's happening to the kingdom is mysterious and not understood, there was so much about the government and people itself that deserved more building out. It felt like a cop out to avoid better world building being done.
Kiara is a fierce warrior in a way rarely seen in young adult fiction. She's the type of warrior who beats the men of her own age. To see someone like her get a spotlight is an amazing thing, especially since that type of pure warrior doesn't happen often.
Jude is a great commander with a very dark history. He's a wonderful companion to Kiara because they share so much in common. Seeing how they interact together and play off each other was my favorite part of the story.
A fun fantasy character pairing that's missing a well built world.
My rating: 3.5 out of 5