publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: January 2, 2013
format: digital review copy
pages: 320
source: Edelweiss
series: The Dragon King Chronicles
From Goodreads:
The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms... is a girl with yellow eyes.
Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope...
Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.
Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.
Prophecy came as a somewhat unexpected surprise due to the varied opinions I had been hearing prior to reading it for myself. Some complaints gave me cause for concern, so I started the book with trepidation, only to find that I was a reader who would likely be one of those to enjoy it. Ellen Oh's tale of good vs. evil set in a land full of Korean-inspired traits and headed by an extraordinary girl is one that I found to be more than enjoyable. A book that piques even my firmly non-YA-reading husband's interest and keeps me reading until I finish it within 12 hours is definitely a book to be noted.
Kira is truly a fascinating main character to read about from the very beginning. Oh doesn't hold anything back and immediately shows you what it is that Kira is faced with from chapter one. As the story progresses, it becomes readily apparent that Kira isn't just a kick-ass warrior, however. An especially startling thing is that she isn't respected for her skills, nor is she particularly self-assured. Instead, shades of a typical 16 year old girl can easily be seen as she struggles with self identity, self esteem, and the need for friends. It all makes for a fascinating character with plenty of room to grow into her own. I must say, though, that I dearly hope the same can be said for her young cousin and charge, the crown prince. His high level of neediness, impulsiveness, and penchant for hero worship combined to make for a secondary character that was a bit too much to take at times.
I really came to enjoy the world in which Prophecy is set. From its cities to its countryside, Prophecy is made up of a fantastic array of environments and political situations. The addition to mysterious legends of saviors, prophecies, magic, and demons round everything out nicely into the arresting story it has become. As the true nature of the world in which Kira lives comes to light, readers are sure to sit up and take notice.
The temptation to read Prophecy from cover to cover is definitely there, so potential readers, make note. Keep the refreshments handy and prepare for a long night if you start reading late, for chances are you will get swept away in Prophecy's spell. Those looking for an action-packed fantasy with a female protagonist would do well to take a look at Prophecy. The series overall shows a lot of promise with this thrilling and engaging opener. Give it a try and see what I mean. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Buy Prophecy at the Following Locations:
Obligatory legal
statement: This digital review copy was provided to me free of
charge by the publisher via Edelweiss. No monetary compensation was received in
exchange for
this fair and unbiased review.
Great review, Marla! I am so glad to see that you enjoyed this book. I have been eying it for a while now. :)
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