Description:
Clio can see the future, but what she doesn’t know about her past could destroy her.
It’s been a year since Clio made her sacrifice to the Deities and embraced her destiny as the Oracle to save her people. The only family she has left is a brother who wants her dead. The prince, her oldest friend, is a king with his own agenda. And the man who once loved her, now hates her.
All she can do is try to forget about Riece, the enemy commander whose heart she broke to save his life, as she serves the Deities. Her days are filled with Visions and bloodshed in a never-ending war against the Untouched. To add to her problems, she must pose as King Derik’s mistress to conceal her forbidden powers from the Emperor’s spies.
When Riece unexpectedly returns to Sheehan with a new and beautiful ally, Clio knows she must put him out of her mind once and for all, but first, they are thrust together into battle against a mysterious Untouched warrior with otherworldly power. To reclaim her city, she must team up with the man she hurt, the man she still loves but can never be with, and finally confront the questions about her origin—questions with answers that Clio may not be prepared to face.
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Review:
Recently, I was able to read an advanced copy of Forsworn, the sequel to Emily Wibberley’s book, Sacrificed. Often times, the second book in a series doesn’t live up to the first. But I would say in the case of Forsworn, it far exceeds the original.
The story takes place a year later from the end of Sacrificed. The main character, Clio, has fought in many battles and is now a seasoned warrior. She is also (secretly) the Oracle. Using visions of the future provided by the Deities, Clio fights to keep her city safe from the Untouched. Does fulfilling her role as Oracle mean she has no free-will of her own?
The villains of the book start out as straight-up baddies but as the story unfolds we learn that nothing is black and white. When listening to Mannix, Daizon, and Vazuil, all are convincing in their reasoning that they are in the right. Their methods and goals may be questionable, but they truly believe in their cause. I enjoyed the ambiguity and complexity of these characters.
This book also brings in several additional female characters: Ashira, Ixie, Lireen, (Clio’s Vessels) and Princess Zarae. The relationships between all these women bring added texture to the story. Clio starts out thinking that, in order to survive, all women must be warriors like her. Some of the women do become accomplished fighters, but Clio also learns that people can possess other gifts that are just as valuable. She learns from these women. One of my favorite quotes from the book is when Clio tells what she learned from Ashira, “Bravery is looking at the world around you, and seeing each moment for what it is-a choice.”
The action is fast-paced with romance and intriguing plot twists. It will make you pine for the release of Book 3 (Soon Please!!!).
Rating:
Source: Sent for review by the Author (Thank you)
Format: Kindle ARC
Recommendation: Fantasy/adventure fans will enjoy it.
Will I read sequel/continue with the series: Yes, Yes, Yes!!!