Thursday, January 24, 2019

Review: Warrior of the World by Jeffe Kennedy (@jeffekennedy, #RebelBaseBooks @KensingtonBooks)

Warrior of the World
Release Date: January 8, 2019
Publisher: Rebel Base Books
ISBN:   1635730457
ISBN13: 9781635730456
Genre: Fantasy
Review Copy Source: NetGalley

Just beyond the reach of the Twelve Kingdoms, avarice, violence, strategy, and revenge clash around a survivor who could upset the balance of power all across the map . . .
 
Once Ivariel thought elephants were fairy tales to amuse children. But her ice-encased childhood in Dasnaria’s imperial seraglio was lacking in freedom and justice.. With a new name and an assumed identity as a warrior priestess of Danu, the woman once called Princess Jenna is now a fraud and a fugitive. But as she learns the ways of the beasts and hones new uses for her dancer’s strength, she moves one day further from the memory of her brutal husband. Safe in hot, healing Nyambura, Ivariel holds a good man at arm’s length and trains for the day she’ll be hunted again.

She knows it’s coming. She’s not truly safe, not when her mind clouds with killing rage at unpredictable moments. Not when patient Ochieng’s dreams of a family frighten her to her bones. But it still comes as a shock to Ivariel when long-peaceful Nyambura comes under attack. Until her new people look to their warrior priestess and her elephants to lead them . . .

Jenna/Ivariel has been through quite the journey and seeing her heal and evolve from the sheltered and abused princess she started out as was both heartbreaking and uplifting.

I don't have a whole lot to say about WARRIOR OF THE WORLD. I really enjoyed the story and the growth of the characters. Again, I LOVED the relationship between Ivariel and the elephants. In fact, I love the relationship everyone had with the elephants. They are such magical creatures and they really shine in Kennedy's world.

I have mixed feelings about the ending. I loved the fast forward look, but I would have really enjoyed seeing the years leading up to it. I loved their story and wanted more. I still felt like their story isn't over and I hope I'm right.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.