Falling Kingdoms Review

412 pages
Release date: December 11th, 2012

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power--brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:
Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.
Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished--and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.
Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past--and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.
Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...
The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

Review (ARC):

Wow this was an amazingly written fantasy tale that left me completely breathless and longing for more at the end. This story is told from the point of view of four different characters from different kingdoms. Cleo isn't a very strong person when it comes to her character at the beginning but that isn't necessarily her fault. Cleo is willing to put herself in any danger to help someone she loves and as she grows as a person she also develops into a worthy princess. The one thing I did not like about Jonas was that his thirst for revenge seemed to outweigh all. However, Jonas does have his moments of compassion which seems to show that all may not be lost for him. Lucia doesn't know about her past and the power she has at her disposal. I didn't like that Lucia seemed to be an extremely gullible character despite her potential for greatness. Magnus is Lucia's brother but he doesn't have "brotherly" feelings towards her. This makes Magnus a bit creepy at times but he does have a good side despite the brutality of his father. There is a lot of action and plenty of adventure that of course all boils down to a huge battle. I can't wait to see what happens to all of the characters in the next novel and whether their characteristics change for the better or the worst. I definitely recommend this novel if you love epic fantasy with magic, battles, and mystery.