Sophie Reads YA: Anna Banks

#RockMyTBR 2017 Challenge

Review: Ally (Nemesis #2) by Anna Banks

10:00

#RockMyTBR 2017 Challenge

Review: Nemesis (Nemesis #1) by Anna Banks

10:00

Nemesis
Series: Nemesis #1
Author: Anna Banks
Published October 4th 2016 by Feiwel & Friends

Goodreads Synopsis
The princess didn't expect to fall in love--with her nemesis.

Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee from his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king's servitude.

Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.

Sepora's gift could save Tarik's kingdom from the Quiet Plague. But should she trust her growing feelings for her nemesis, or should she hide her gifts at all costs?
Goodreads

Review
This book just completely blew me by surprise the first time I read it. Princess Sepora is being used by her father to mine the valuable spectorium, of which she is the last person capable of moulding the ore in the kingdoms, and her father has weaponised. He aims to one day rule all five kingdoms, and will use his daughter to achieve that, no matter the cost. Sepora, in one of the only moments of freedom she is allowed, manages to flee from Serubel, and take refuge in the neighbouring kingdom of Theoria. The new Falcon King of Theoria is young, and Tarik unwittingly takes his enemy's daughter into his harem, but she won't be ignored. She helps him to work to destroy the Quiet Plague that is slowly sweeping across the land, but still can't find herself to fully trust him. After all, he's her biggest enemy, and if he knew the truth about her skills, especially when it is revealed that spectorium could be the cure they need, or about her burgeoning feelings, anything could happen.

In this world, the people of different kingdoms paint themselves in different colours when at special occasions, which I found really interesting. Serubel are known for their silver paint - like in the cover - whereas in Theoria, the Theorians use gold. In this, the two main characters are juxtaposed in both the way they dress, and their attitudes and personas. Even so, I loved both Tarik and Sepora, and their chemistry was unreal. Yes, Sepora was added to the Theorian court as a courtesan in the harem, but Tarik never visited the harem, and found the whole practice abhorrent. They were a melding of equals, even when Tarik didn't know her true identity, and for once in her life, Sepora was appreciated for who she was, not what she could do.

The world building and premise of the material needed to save everyone, also being the most dangerous weapon in the world, was fantastic. The kingdoms were so well rounded, and I loved how even though they were in the same world, they were very distinct, which you don't always find in fantasy books these days. The ending of this book was exactly what I wanted, once I realised that it was a duology and not standalone book. I was lucky I didn't have to wait long for book 2, Ally, because if I had had to, I don't know if I would have coped.

Dates Read:
July 2-3, 2017

Rating
5 Stars