2020 New Release challenge
Blog Tour & ARC Review: Bright Raven Skies (Sweet Black Waves #3) by Kristina Pérez (+US/UK giveaway)
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Series: Sweet Black Waves #3
Author: Kristina Pérez
Published August 25th 2020 by Imprint
Goodreads Synopsis
Bright Raven Skies is the thrilling conclusion to the lush and heart-wrenching romantic fantasy trilogy about ancient magic, warring families, and star-crossed lovers by Kristina Pérez.
To save the kingdom, Branwen embraced the darkest aspects of her magic. But she may have lost herself––and the two people she loves most.
Tristan and Eseult are missing. As Branwen searches for them, she must hide the truth surrounding their disappearance from both the king and her lover. Above all, she must find the Queen and her Champion first.
New and old enemies circle Branwen, clamoring for power and revenge, and threatening to destroy the fragile peace that she has sacrificed everything to secure.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Following the ambush of the Kernyv Castle by the Amorican's, Branwen is struggling to come to terms with her new found magic, and her looming deadline to kill before a year is out, or forfeit the souls of those she loves. Also, her cousin, True Queen Eseult, and Prince Tristan, are missing, presumed abducted, but both she and her lover, Prince Ruan, know the truth. Branwen has so many different trials and tribulations to overcome, and there are powers looming - both mortal and godly - out to stop her.
From the moment I started this book, I was hooked, but so much happened. I was expecting to have it finished in a day or so, but because of how much Kristina packed into the story, it took a little longer. Bright Raven Skies is split into 3 different parts, and each one felt like their own book. Finding and recovering both Eseult and Tristan, and protecting them from the calls of treason and adultery, took a large role in part one, with Branwen being torn over protecting her cousin - who she thought had planned to kill her - or letting her be torn apart by the powers that be in court. Everything Branwen did or was about, in all three books, was to protect the peace that had appeared between Iveriu and Kernyv, and later with the Amoricans, so she couldn't let Eseult be labelled an adulterer, even if it was true. Then we get to an even greater plot within the Kernyv royal court, with politics and intrigue being the name of the game, and I loved part 2 the most. This part was so engaging, and though it was about half of the book, it felt like it was over in a flash. A lot happened, though, some of which I wasn't too pleased about, but I simply loved it. The final part of the book was so heartbreaking, with Branwen breaking herself apart to fight the dark magic, and all the various plot lines and twists finally drawing together to a nice, neat ending, with everything tied up, and nothing left to chance.
Branwen will always be my favourite character, and this book cemented this even more. I felt for her so much with how she suffered throughout the book, in numerous different ways, but she showed how strong and brave she was, again and again. Also, I loved Ruan still, and though I wasn't overly keen with how his character arc turned out, it wasn't out of character, not really, and him and Branwen had happy moments together. Eseult, even, redeemed herself somewhat in this book, especially by the end, but her actions in previous books mean I can't completely forgive her. Same with Tristan, but again, his character arc came full circle. Like I said, this book completely tied up everything, and it was the perfect ending to the series anyone could've asked for. A fantastic retelling of the Tristan and Isolde myth!
Dates Read:
August 24-27, 2020
Rating
4 Stars
Dates Read:
August 24-27, 2020
Rating
4 Stars
Kristina Pérez is the author of THE MYTH OF MORGAN LA FEY (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014). She holds a PhD in Medieval Literature from the University of Cambridge.
Her debut YA Fantasy, SWEET BLACK WAVES––a Tristan and Iseult retelling––was published by Imprint/Macmillan on June 5th, 2018. The sequel, WILD SAVAGE STARS was published on August 27th, 2019. The conclusion to the trilogy, BRIGHT RAVEN SKIES will be released on August 25th, 2020.
Writing as K.K. Pérez, her first YA Sci-Fi, THE TESLA LEGACY was published by Tor Teen on March 12, 2019.
She is a literary agent at the Zeno Agency in London, UK representing adult, YA/MG, fiction and non-fiction.
LINKS: Twitter | Website | Goodreads
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