{Review} Breaking Measures by Emma Raveling

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: September 24th, 2015
Finished Date: October 2nd, 2015

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: Unknown
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

 

On the fast track to international success, acclaimed concert pianist Leila Cates is close to achieving her dreams. But her path to certain stardom comes to a crashing halt when the body of her boyfriend, a world-renowned conductor, is discovered on the eve of her New York debut. When rumors about their relationship surface, Leila quickly becomes the primary suspect.

Desperate to clear her name, Leila sets out to uncover the truth. Enlisting the reluctant help of Orion Frazier, the lead detective on the case, their investigation soon entangles her in a world of secrets and lies.

With everything on the line, can Leila find the strength to face what she finds?  

A taut suspense thriller of dark secrets and even darker ambitions, Breaking Measures is a stand-alone prequel novella to A Woven Silence.

The Review: Who doesn’t love a good murder mystery filled with suspense? Well that’s exactly what you are getting with Breaking Measures…. And it’s soooo good!
We have an extremely talented pianist in our heroine – Leila Cates – and she is on the verge of huge success. Unfortunately she stumbles across her boyfriend in the act of the ultimate betrayal and it sends her into a tail spin. What should be the most important week of her life turns out to be the worst when after a very public spat with her boyfriend….. hours later, she finds him dead! Murdered in fact and Leila immediately becomes the prime suspect. Determined to find out the truth about Carlos and why someone would want him dead, she sets about looking for clues but ends up in danger herself when the murderer sets their sights on her.
This is a little different from what I’m used to from this author but her writing skills are evident as she captivates us with an edge of the seat thriller this time. I can’t say that I am totally in the know about all of the dealings of classical music, concerts, recitals and the business of running those things but I appreciated how it was used in the story. I thought Leila’s character was very likable and she seemed very genuine in a world where people’s egos are on show everyday. She was very dedicated to her art and had a very driven nature. She had an innocence about her and came across as a tad naïve for her age – possibly to do with her overbearing parents.
The story was very intriguing and as I mentioned – who doesn’t love a good whodunit? The story was set up really well before the murder when the public spat showed that more than one person could have motive for what was to happen. As Leila starts looking for clues, she uncovers more than she bargained for and her world is turned upside down and even though she finds one ally, she has to keep it together because as the saying goes – the show must go on. Obviously we aren’t going to find the culprit until the very end and the final showdown but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a line of suspects throughout the story, I was constantly trying to work out who it was an accused everyone she came into contact with. When Leila finds herself on the killers radar, there became a danger and urgency to solve the case that came across very well to the reader and really kept me on my toes. She did seem to share a connection to one of the policemen investigating Carlos’s murder, so I wonder if that would evolve into something – but there wasn’t any romance to be had.
When we finally have the reveal, there are a few twists and turns in Leila’s life too, bringing out many a skeleton from her closet and making her doubt everyone and this definitely gave the ending a bigger impact.
The story definitely had me intrigued all of the way through, trying to work out what was going on, who did it, what was the motive etc. I really didn’t see any of the reveals coming and thought it was a great mystery set against an interesting background of the professional classical music/musician/business. I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it all in one go, I couldn’t put it down until I knew who did it and why. It would also make a very cool movie. 

Thank you to Emma Raveling for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

 

{Review} Breaker (Ondine Quartet #4) by Emma Raveling

Posted by Melanie 
Release Date: January 28th, 2015
Finished Date: January 27th, 2015

Publishers: Self Published 
Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: EBook

Pages: 552

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

War. Prophecy. Freedom.
She fought for herself.
She fought for friendship and love.
Now, Kendra Irisavie fights for the survival of her world.

War rages on, leaving no one untouched. Destruction rips through elemental communities and terror flourishes in its wake. Suspicion soars, order fractures, and loyalties crumble despite Kendra’s desperate attempts to protect everyone she holds dear.

When an organized Aquidae army launches a series of merciless assaults, Kendra and her friends set out to end the bloodshed once and for all. With the fate of elementals hanging in balance, the Shadow and sondaleur hunt each other down in a brutal match of cunning and will.

Kendra has trained for this her entire life. But in a ravaged world where trust is scarce and no life is sacred, she soon realizes her battle may be against an invincible enemy and that her darkest days lie ahead.

Twists and turns shape her harrowing odyssey, leading to a stunning climax that challenges everything she believes in.
Torn between destiny and autonomy, Kendra must finally decide whether the cost of freedom is too high.

Heartbreaking decisions, turbulent alliances, and shattering revelations collide in Breaker, the explosive conclusion to the Ondine Quartet.

The Review: I honestly don’t know what to write because I have a whole mess of emotions going on right now but one thing I know for sure is that this book was epic!

Through each book I felt that Kendra had to find something in herself, some lesson that she needed to learn to grow and become who she needed to be but non-more so here. What she must go through here would break anyone, but Kendra has always been special and she faces her ultimate challenge in Breaker - because it’s time to unravel herself. Clarity makes her realise that her harsh upbringing served a purpose, that she must put trust in those who trust her, allow herself to feel love and understand that sometimes… a sacrifice needs to be made for the greater good. She has been a remarkable character, the epitome of strength, loyalty, power and determination, someone who can be the deadliest person but also the most vulnerable, someone afraid to love for fear of that love being a weakness or simply because trouble follows her and those closest to her inevitably end up hurt – she was trained to be a weapon, the hope of a community and now she must face her fears and become the Sondaleur.

My heart literally broke for her throughout this, I don’t want to say too much but if you thought she had it bad in previous books – that is nothing to what she must face now. Her world is so filled with duty and death that it’s easy to forget that she is just an 18 yr old girl who only found out about her true heritage a year ago and in that year she has had to master her power, her skills, learn of their history and the prophecy. I was so grateful for the people in her life but for Tristan most of all, she needed him so much, she needed his love and his unfaltering belief in her, he offset the violent world they lived in and loved her for her and not who she was prophesised to be.

The story was split into three parts; War – The Shadow leaves devastation in his wake, no one is safe and fear runs rampant as communities are decimated leaving most everyone hopeless. Everyone looks to Kendra but she is torn between duties, she doesn’t know how to beat ‘The Shadow’ and although they are sometimes one step ahead, they never gain the advantage and the losses are huge. Prophecy is the second part and here we see Kendra make some decisions and sacrifices so that she can be true to herself and accept her part in the prophecy. The Shadow taunts her with riddles and battles and there’s no stopping the inevitable showdown that is to come in the third and final part; Freedom. Freedom sees all of the players placed, the lull before the storm, it’s like a goodbye in itself. Preparations are made, loose ends tied up and now Kendra is ready, she will be the Sonaleur – but at what cost?

Action, devastation and heartbreak riddled the story from beginning to end but hope, faith and love offset the tragedy that Kendra and those she chose as her family had to deal with, it was simply breath-taking and I spent most of the book in some form of anxious state hoping that Kendra would make it – that they ALL would make it – because this series has spanned 4 yrs and every single one of the characters mattered to me. The story started with a huge reveal and those answers kept on coming right along with the action, it truly felt like a chess game between Kendra and the Shadow and I had no clue how she could prevail. It all leads to a final showdown that will leave you stunned but satisfied after going through a rollercoaster of emotions.

 I have loved every second of every book in this series, the characters, the world, the diverse population that in habited Haverleau, the action, the story, the magic, the prophecy…. And of course the romance. I will never forget this series or its characters and I thank the author for sharing her beautiful writing and storytelling skills that captivated me from the start. I’m so sad to be at the end….but what a way to go!

Thank you to Emma Raveling for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

{Giveaway} Books That Need More Attention Giveaway Hop

We decided to take part in Stuck in Books Books That Need More Attention Giveaway Hope because we believe that there are so many books that definitely need more attention and today, we're going to feature one of our favourite series and that is The Ondine Quartet Series by Emma Raveling, so check out the details below for a bit more information. 

Ondine (Ondine Quartet #0.5) by Emma Raveling
Grab Ondine for FREE on Kindle; 
Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

“I shouldn’t get involved.” 

Rebellious and headstrong, sixteen-year-old Kendra Irisavie doesn’t have much respect for authority. An ondine with the powerful gift of Virtue, she uses her tough attitude and Empath magic to navigate through high school and keep others away.

Because being an ondine also means keeping secrets.

Kendra and her mother are Rogue water elementals in the middle of an ancient war. They hide among humans, their survival constantly threatened by monstrous Aquidae demons.

Along with a rigorous training regimen to mold Kendra into a lethal fighter, her mother has instituted four rules to keep her safe.

Trust no one. Relationships are weaknesses. Emotional attachments are dangerous. Be responsible only for yourself.

But when Kendra witnesses a classmate in trouble, she intervenes and her decision to break the rules comes at a price.

Sometimes, humans could be more dangerous than demons.

Ondine is a short prequel novella for the young adult urban / paranormal fantasy series, the Ondine QuartetWhirl, book one in the Ondine Quartet series.

Whirl (Ondine Quartet #1) by Emma Raveling

Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo
Outspoken and independent, Kendra Irisavie has always played by her own rules.

She's an ondine, a water elemental gifted with the powerful magic of Empath Virtue and trained to be a fighter. Pursued by Aquidae demons, she and her mother remain Rogue, hiding among humans to avoid becoming casualties in an ancient war.

Everything changes when violence erupts on Kendra's seventeenth birthday. A dark stranger appears, promising answers to her mysterious past and stirring unexpected feelings in her fiercely guarded heart.

But as Kendra uncovers the truth about her heritage and future, she realizes just how deep the lies and deception run.

Now, in the face of unthinkable odds, she will need all her wits, skills, and magic to fulfill an extraordinary prophecy.

The first in a sweeping urban fantasy series, Whirl is the beginning of a young woman's exhilarating journey for survival, love, and hope as she fights for her place in a world where she doesn't belong.

Interview with Emma Raveling.

How did you come up with the idea of Ondines. Personally I've never heard of them so i'm curious as to where you had heard of them from etc....

As someone who reads a great deal of European mythology, I’d seen ondines mentioned several times as a type of water elemental/water nymph, especially in the works of alchemy. But the inspiration for Whirl and the entire series was actually a piece of classical music. The French composer Maurice Ravel composed a work for solo piano called Gaspard de la Nuit. This music was based upon a series of poems by Aloysius Bertrand.

The first movement of Ravel’s work, entitled Ondine, is based upon the poem of the same name by Bertrand. I included this poem as the epigraph in Whirl. Based upon an old French myth, the poem tells the story of Ondine, a water nymph who sings to a mortal man, attempting to lure him to her. He rejects her love and pleas to join her in ruling the water world. Rejected, Ondine fades away, disappearing beneath the waves.

I heard a live performance of Ravel’s Ondine and a haunting image flashed into my mind of a teenage girl standing in the ocean. There was something so lonely about her. But her eyes were powerful - the eyes of a fighter or warrior. Intrigued, I started exploring that idea in my mind and the Ondine Quartet was born.

I do recommend readers of Whirl to listen to Ravel’s Ondine if they get a chance. It beautifully captures the dark, atmospheric, and romantic essence of Bertrand’s poem, and the intricate music immediately calls to mind the tragic image of Ondine. 

Did you do a lot of research into the Ondines?

No. Other than studying the basic mythology behind selkies, I didn’t delve much into water elemental/ondine myths because I very much wanted to create my own original mythology for this series. Before I started writing Whirl, I spent a great deal of time creating the Ondine Quartet world, which included everything from the history of the society, magic and special powers, politics and government, the different races of water elementals, and societal and moral values.

I also researched French etymology and the Anglo-Norman historical connection. This was the basis behind many of the terms and names used in the book (race names, location names, character names, etc.), all of which were constructed out of specific meanings and particular word roots.

What was the most challenging thing for you when writing this book ?

There were two things that were quite challenging - writing requires a tremendous amount of time (writers never really stop working) and demands total concentration. I was often surprised at how physically and mentally exhausted I’d get, especially at the end of an intense writing session. Most people don’t realize that writing is not just about the time you spend in front of the computer getting the words out. Part of constructing a novel involves a great deal of thinking time away from the desk.

When I’m in the middle of writing a new work, I’m thinking about the stories and the characters all the time. Even when I’m not writing. Whatever I do during the day (cleaning the house, going out with my husband, cooking, watching a movie, etc.) the story is constantly on my mind. It does make me rather absent-minded. : )

Writing a novel takes everything out of me. Absolute concentration while writing, and full absorption in the story 24 hours a day as you try to work out what you need to write.

Who is your favourite character and why ?

Although I love all my characters, the main character, Kendra, has a special place in my heart. From the beginning, I knew the series was going to be told in first person through the eyes of my heroine as she embarked on this extraordinary adventure. Therefore, I knew that the voice of my protagonist was one of the most important elements of the narrative.

Kendra has never failed to surprise me, and she continues to do so even as I write the next step in her journey. She’s complex, difficult, and possesses both a fierceness and vulnerability that make her a challenge to write. Her exterior toughness and confidence mask a tremendous loneliness that is fascinating for me to explore.

Who is your favourite love interest and why ?

Aah! This is a difficult question to answer. I love Julian and Tristan equally for very different reasons. Both connect with Kendra in unique ways and both men appeal to very different sides of her. The one thing I can say is this - in my own humble opinion, I think the choice a YA heroine makes in love interests is essentially a choice of what kind of adult she wants to be.

Kendra is seventeen. Her journey is not just one of magic and danger, but also one of difficult choices. She must come to terms with responsibilities, life, emotions, and beliefs as she makes the transition to adulthood. Love, in all its forms, is an important part of that journey. It is infinitely complex and not an idea or word I toss around easily in my writing.

Have you put any traits of yourself or people you may know into any of the characters ?

No, not consciously. But I do think writers tend to take bits and pieces of things they’ve perceived or experienced with people and these little pieces unconsciously filters into their work. So certain aspects of my characters were probably influenced by things I’ve seen in my life.

Kendra’s personality is very, very different from mine. But I do relate to her rebelliousness and I definitely went through a defiant, difficult stage as a teenager. At the same time, I don’t think that feeling is unique to me. Teenagers, in some form or another, push rules and boundaries as they begin to question things about their lives. It’s just part of what it means to grow up.

What do you want people to take from the series (eg any message or feeling)?
Books have a wonderful way of revealing something about ourselves. Our reactions to a story - whether we’re moved, excited, saddened, thrilled, discomfited, saddened - are all part of that magical interaction between our experiences, perceptions, and subconscious and what we find and understand in the text.

Whatever message or feelings readers take away from the story is unique to that reader and I wouldn’t want to weaken the impact of that with my own personal reactions.

But I do hope people feel as though reading this series was an experience. Books have a unique way of nestling inside your heart and skin and becoming a part of who you are. I hope their journey alongside Kendra and her friends stays with them in some way.

And if they decide to return to the world of Haverleau and elementals in a future re-read, I hope they’ll feel as if they’re revisiting old friends. Maybe they’ll also rediscover something new about themselves again.

That would be my dream. :)

How do you feel now the series is coming to an end? 
It’s an odd combination of excitement and bittersweetness. I’m thrilled to finally share the end of Kendra’s story and bringing my first series to a close is a big deal. There’s a real sense of pride and accomplishment. 

But at the same time, there’s a bittersweet quality to it. I’ve lived with Kendra, these characters, and this world for four years now. Ending her story also means ending my journey with her story. There’s a part of me that doesn’t quite want to let go. :)

What have you learnt as an author throughout the process? 
What a fantastic question! Trusting my instincts and the way my mind and creative process works is probably the most valuable lesson I learned.

Writing, as a profession, is by its nature very odd. It’s such an isolated act because so much of it is about thinking. It’s about being locked inside of your own head, weaving together arcs and backstories and thematic ideas for all the imaginary people running around in your mind.

And then writers further isolate themselves by locking ourselves up in our little caves and focusing long hours in front of a screen, trying to get all that “thinking” out onto a blank page. Sometimes the story flows easily; other times it feels as though you’re clawing each word out of your brain and every sentence is a fight you have to win.

Finding and listening to my instinctual voice and trusting it to guide me through the development of a story is a challenge and continues to be a journey that requires the flexibility to change and grow. Just when I think I understand something, a new awareness will shock me into the realization that I know nothing. With each book, I discover something new about myself and about my writing process. 

What's next from you?
Next up is Lost Blood, the first book in my new mature young adult urban fantasy series, Chancer. Set in a dark world of monsters and magic, it’s an urban fantasy / supernatural series with romantic elements featuring two very different protagonists.

I’m also working on Hidden Current, the prequel novella to Steel Magic, my new urban fantasy series for adults.

I hope to have both out in 2015 once the Ondine Quartet is complete.

Want to purchase one or more of the books in this series? They are currently on sale!
Then click this link right ->
 http://emmaraveling.com/about/press-kit/

Want to enter Emma Raveling's Kindle Fire HD giveaway?
Then click on the super sale picture to your left to enter.  Good luck and don't forget to show Emma Raveling your support of this awesome series. 

And don't forget to pre-order Breaker; 
Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Apple iBooks  | Kobo  | Amazon: Paperback

AUTHOR BIO

Emma Raveling writes a wide variety of fiction for teens and adults. She is the author of the young adult urban / contemporary fantasy series, the Ondine Quartet, and Lost Blood, the first installment of the forthcoming young adult urban fantasy series, Chancer. She’s also working on the first book in her new Steel Magic series for adults.

An avid traveler hopelessly addicted to diet coke and coffee, she currently resides in Honolulu, Hawaii with her husband and German shepherd.

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Book Blitz for Ondine (Ondine Quartet 0.5) by Emma Raveling; Review, Excerpt + INT Giveaway

Ondine (Ondine Quartet 0.5)
by Emma Raveling
Publication date: December 19th, 2013
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Purchase: Amazon / Amazon UK

“I shouldn’t get involved.”

Rebellious and headstrong, sixteen-year-old Kendra Irisavie doesn’t have much respect for authority. An ondine with the powerful gift of Virtue, she uses her tough attitude and Empath magic to navigate through high school and keep others away.

Because being an ondine also means keeping secrets.

Kendra and her mother are Rogue water elementals in the middle of an ancient war. They hide among humans, their survival constantly threatened by monstrous Aquidae demons.

Along with a rigorous training regimen to mold Kendra into a lethal fighter, her mother has instituted four rules to keep her safe.

Trust no one. Relationships are weaknesses. Emotional attachments are dangerous. Be responsible only for yourself.

But when Kendra witnesses a classmate in trouble, she intervenes and her decision to break the rules comes at a price.

Sometimes, humans could be more dangerous than demons.

Ondine is a short prequel novella for the young adult urban / paranormal fantasy series, the Ondine Quartet.

Melanie's Review: Ondine is an excellent insight into a younger Kendra, who is now future governor of Haverleau. In this we see her as a sixteen year old, trying to stay below the radar by following her mother’s rules -

‘Trust no one. Relationships are weaknesses. Emotional attachments are dangerous. Be responsible only for yourself.’

And she has….until now.. because she is forced to step in when she sees one of her classmates being held responsible for something that is out of his control which attracts the attention of the bully – Rui- who has a lot going on beneath the surface and Kendra recognises that in him. Along with the bullied boy, Kendra decides to make a difference in this town and sort of leave a legacy for the better but will everything go according to plan?

As I mentioned, this is an excellent insight into Kendra’s younger self, I can see her emerging into the Ondine warrior we know her to be, ‘the sondaleur’. I like her strong sense of right from wrong, I like how she wants to make a difference and can see how these traits have manifested into her new role. Even though this was a short story, I liked the connection she had to Rui, it’s a shame there was never any time to delve into that further because he was like a kindred spirit and both victims of their parents visions. For all we know much about Naida Irisivie, I find myself wondering wth she was doing to her daughter, I’m surprised Kendra had any confidence left by the time Tristan took her away, she is cruel in my opinion and whilst I do know why she was that way with Kendra, it’s harsh. I really liked the story, it fit well to her character and definitely something I could see her doing plus it shows us she was just as fearless then as now and we get a very symbolic scene at the end which I thought was a great way to end this. As with each & every story we get in this series, it always leaves me wanting more!

Donna's Review: Emma Raveling never disappoints. She's back but this time with Ondine a prequel novella based around Kendra when she's younger and in the human world where she's trying to figure out the difference between right and wrong. There's something going on at school and Kendra knows she's the only one who can help right the situation, even despite all her mother's warnings. Her mother is a harsh women. At times I could see why Nadia is the way she is, after all, if you've read the series, you know her it all plays out for her and why she pushes Kendra so much. But there's a way to do that at I honestly believe Nadia did most things wrong. She puts Kendra down and doesn't really show her the affection a mother should, it was slightly hard to read because Kendra takes as much as possible in stride but deep down, I think she just wanted her mother to be proud of her, so does what she can. I enjoyed the overall story for Ondine too. It was good to see Kendra interacting with people, you can see the feisty person starting to bubble under the surface and even though she's in the human world, she's far from normal...and you do start to see glimmers of that. In all, even though this is only a novella, Emma Raveling manages to capture everything we love about Kendra and makes us wish that much more that she can get the happy ever after ending we all want her to have.

Excerpt from ONDINE by Emma Raveling

Afternoon sunlight drenched the wood, heat seeping through my jeans and warming the back of my legs.

Rui’s icy voice sliced through the delicate spring air. “I need you to get the money from him.”

Potheads occupied the narrow recess beside the stairs while the cheerleaders and athletes took the table farthest from the building door.

They weren’t getting involved.

Neither was the Student Council group gathered along the west side.

I’d managed to follow her rules for the four months we’d been in L.A. The championship tournament was in two hours and she’d be seriously pissed if my performance wasn’t better than the last one.

I needed to concentrate on my own shit, not get involved in anyone else’s.

Troy’s fear ratcheted up another notch and the hot spike of emotion raked against my insides.

“I—I don’t know him that w-well…”

“That’s a problem.” Rui adopted an expression of mock concern and pulled out a cigarette. “‘Cause your dad owes mine a lot of money.”

Empath magic reached inside him, sensing clumps of frustration and rage, hardened over the years.

“It’s just me and my mom,” Troy said in a desperate voice. “I don’t see him that often —“

 Mistake one.

“Often?” Rui’s voice rumbled with the dark glee of a predator who’d spotted its prey. “So you do see him.”

“N..no.” Troy’s eyes darted around the courtyard.

Don’t, don’t…

Wide eyes locked on to me. Great.

“What do you mean, no?”

“I m-m-mean…” He stumbled over the words. “S-sometimes I do, but…”

Mistake two.

“Then you can get the money from him, right?” Rui lit his cigarette. Troy flinched at the click of the lighter. “I don’t think your old man would like it if my father got his hands on you.”

Troy swallowed, his gaze flickering toward me again.

Sasha followed his line of sight. “You thinkin’ a chick’s gonna help you?”

Rui slowly turned. Black hair, dark eyes set against olive skin. Cold, grim awareness etched into his face, creating an impression of severe superiority.

The things he’d seen and experienced exceeded your worst nightmares and he wanted you to know it.

Rui flicked his cigarette, ash landing a foot away from me.

“She’s not bad, Troy. Don’t think she’s your type, though.”

I suppressed a sigh and stood. Might as well get this over with.

“You don’t know my type, Vergara.”

A flicker of surprise in those dead eyes. “You know my name. I’m flattered.”

“Don’t be.” I strode over and leaned against the metal railing of the stairs. “You just have a rep of being an asshole.”

Kane stepped forward, body tense. Rui’s arm shot out and stopped him.

“You’re that junior.” A ring of smoke gently swirled around his face. “Transferred here a few months ago. Kendra, right?”

Empath detected a quick shift. Irritation and anger smoothly transformed to calculating curiosity. The unusual degree of control set off my internal alarms.

I shouldn’t underestimate him.

AUTHOR BIO

I’m a fantasy writer who lives a slightly eccentric life with my accommodating husband and our charming, neurotic dog. I'm currently working on the Ondine Quartet, a young adult urban fantasy/paranormal series featuring a kick-ass heroine, powerful magic, and the complex world of water elementals.

I have a weird love of spreadsheets and organizational tools because they give me the illusion that I am somehow in control of the chaos that is my life. I adore beautiful art such as painting and sculpture, classical music, lyrical writing, and great graphic design. My all-time favorite books (as of this writing) are Immortality by Milan Kundera, 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Beloved by Toni Morrison, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka.

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A Review for Crest (Ondine Quartet #3) by Emma Raveling

Posted by Donna & Melanie
Release Date: September 17th, 2013
Finished Date: September 25th, 2013

Publishers: Self - Published
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal
Source: For Review

Format: eARC
Pages: Unknown

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

Illusion. Power. Identity.

Tensions are reaching a fever pitch everywhere Kendra Irisavie turns.

Darkness settles over elementals as a new threat stirs suspicions of a betrayal from within. Details of recent events spread through Haverleau, prompting doubts over Irisavie leadership. The mysterious Selkie Kingdom finally opens its doors, but the gesture only fans the flames of division. And despite the perils involved, Kendra finds it difficult to ignore the demands of her heart.

As the body count rises, pressure also grows to shift the tides of war. The sondaleur is on the hunt, but tracking the Aquidae leader is the greatest challenge she’s ever faced. With the Shadow playing a deadly game of obsession and horror, Kendra’s best chance to win is to unravel a tangled web of deception spanning back to the origins of the elemental world.

Nothing is what it seems and the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous her pursuit for answers becomes.

When the unthinkable happens, Kendra must decide if survival is worth the sacrifice.

Conflicting loyalties, fierce passions, and irrevocable choices ignite in the electrifying third instalment of the Ondine Quartet.

Melanie's Review: Crest is yet another amazing read in the Ondine Quartet and sh*t just got real! Gone is the carefree, act now, think later Kendra and in her place is the more mature, duty bound Governor in training who is now well aware that each and every one of her decisions bears consequences & she must always look to the greater good for the Ondine people. You can really feel how much Kendra has matured as a person in this book, not only in a political sense or her Sondaleur duties but in affairs of the heart too and I feel that now, we begin to see her as someone who could be looked up to and we can definitely see the emerging leader in her. I loved what she went through in this because it gave even greater insight into the Kendra she keeps for herself, the one only Tristan seems able to see. It is particularly emotional when she goes through her magic test and we see how her life has been shaped, how her childhood was savaged by her mother in the attempt to mould her into the person she needs to be. I was with her through everything, totally immersed in her feelings & decisions. I loved the progression of the relationship between Kendra & Tristan, throughout this we get to see that they have very similar stories and are both as deep as each other. Something finally gives between them and it was lovely, it gives them both a piece of happiness in the harsh reality of what’s happening around them and you can feel that they so need each other for support in any way possible, they complement each other in a great way. 
The storyline had a lot going on as we go from New York to Haverleau to the Selkie Kingdom of Nome and I loved it all. The change of scenery was great and I love that we finally get to visit the Selkie Kingdom, it’s description is great, the palace, the training grounds, the location… all sound just beautiful and it also showed a different side to Tristan which is always welcome. Crest definitely felt more solemn than the books before but as I said ‘sh*t just got real’ we are in the penultimate book and everything is amped up, there was a sort of desperation on all sides as Kendra and the gang try to uncover a traitor & close in on the Shadow, the Shadow ups his game too – and we all know how evil he is! So expect casualties, expect violence and expect people to get hurt but also expect the good guys to take risks, to protect, to fight selflessly to protect their people & their way of life. Let’s also not forget that Kendra isn’t just fighting the war with the Shadow but also with the Ondine community, in this she becomes the ‘governor in training’ and people are not happy, she has an opposition, every decision or move she makes is scrutinised and dissected and she is judged constantly and the results of that opposition will definitely be felt in this. The trials come at Kendra from all angles throughout this book and it shows her strength of character with how she deals with problem after problem, she gets so many knocks that sometimes I was wondering how she always gets back up again but you can bet your life that she will be just as determined to face everything head on. The ending was both perfect & also shocking but I’ll let you discover why for yourself…. I discovered that I will definitely be counting down the days for Breaker and what promises to be the EPIC final instalment of the Ondine Quartet.

Donna's Review: Emma Raveling is back with the third instalment to the Ondine Quartet series, where we see teenager Kendra Irisavie risks her life battling the evil Aquidae by trying to put an end to their leader - the shadow. However, when Kendra's journey takes her to the home of the Selkie Kingdom, it's not long before she realises there is a traitor amongst them and Kendra's determined to find out who it is.

I adore Emma Raveling's work and Crest is nothing short of fantastic! I went into Crest with so many expectations and hopes but Emma really just took my breath away with some of the events that happened. There's so many key elements to this book and the fact that the story is so well written, just makes me love it all the more. While I enjoy some mystery to any story I read, trying to unravel this series is just impossible. Like I said before, the series is written so well that you honestly have no idea which way the author will go. She keeps you on your toes, she keeps it's very entertaining and one thing I love, is how much time and love Emma has puts into her stories. It really reflects in her books and Crest certainly didn't disappoint.

I've always been a fan of Kendra's from the start, I love how she can be so serious but then be fun at the same time. She works hard and although she makes mistakes, she always tries to learn from them and makes things better. This time around Kendra is just full of dedication - dedication to try and take the Shadow down and you can really see and feel how much she's grown since the last book. I think she needed a few knocks to make her see that she needs to work that much harder, because in the end, I do believe all her hard work will pay off and she will become a fantastic leader.

One thing I hoped for before going into Crest was that we would see some more time with Tristan and Kendra together - their forbidden love really is one that plays with your heart, because you can't help rooting for them...and Emma Raveling...completely rocked my world with it this time around. Talk about swooning? I don't think I've swooned so much in a long time. The tension between Kendra and Tristan is sizzling hot, it was nice to see them interact more and actually be honest with one another. There's a few scenes that have fast become favourites of mine, especially the cave scene, but more importantly, that ending! I can not wait - seriously! I've been trying to figure out some possible endings for them but I can't, I'm just hoping they get their HEA in the end.

So in all, Crest is an important and thrilling third instalment - one that proves this series is still going strong, and I'm so glad to be apart of it!

Crest by Emma Raveling; Character Interview with Tristan Belicoux.

Over here at Book Passion for Life, we're huge fans of Emma Raveling's. Now if you're not aware of this great self published author, then you should definitely check out her work. She's the author of Whirl, Billow, Chevalier, Warrior Prince and the soon to be released Crest, and today we're here with a interview from one of our favourite characters, Tristan and the author. 

Illusion. Power. Identity.

Tensions are reaching a fever pitch everywhere Kendra Irisavie turns.

Darkness settles over elementals as a new threat stirs suspicions of a betrayal from within. Details of recent events spread through Haverleau, prompting doubts over Irisavie leadership. The mysterious Selkie Kingdom finally opens its doors, but the gesture only fans the flames of division. And despite the perils involved, Kendra finds it difficult to ignore the demands of her heart.

As the body count rises, pressure also grows to shift the tides of war. The sondaleur is on the hunt, but tracking the Aquidae leader is the greatest challenge she’s ever faced. With the Shadow playing a deadly game of obsession and horror, Kendra’s best chance to win is to unravel a tangled web of deception spanning back to the origins of the elemental world.

Nothing is what it seems and the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous her pursuit for answers becomes.

When the unthinkable happens, Kendra must decide if survival is worth the sacrifice.

Conflicting loyalties, fierce passions, and irrevocable choices ignite in the electrifying third installment of the Ondine Quartet.

 

Hi, everyone! First, I’d like to thank Donna, Jess, and Melanie for having me on today. I’m interviewing one of the heroes from the Ondine Quartet series, Tristan Belicoux, the Crown Prince of the Selkie Kingdom and a fighter renowned for his skills in battle. Besides taking questions from Donna and Mel, I also gave readers an opportunity to ask their favorite Warrior Prince a few questions.

Before we start, a quick warning: These questions are spoilery for previous books (Whirl, Billow).

Tristan is an intensely private person and I knew getting answers would be challenging. 

Here’s what happened when I sat down with him for a conversation.Recording starts.

 

Emma: Prince Belicoux. Thank you for meeting me in the middle of your busy schedule.

Tristan: Gracious nod. Of course.

Emma: I know I’ve made your life rather difficult recently…

Tristan: Raises brow. An understatement.

Emma: Shifts. Yes, well. Clears throat. I’ll resolve all of that by the end of the series —

Tristan: Exactly how much longer is that?

Emma: Well, the third book, Crest, is coming out soon and the next book, Breaker, will be the conclusion. Aims for a charming smile. You don’t have much to go!

Tristan: Stares.

Emma: Right, moving on. You have supportive and enthusiastic readers who’ve been following your story and wanted to ask you a few questions. I’d like to discuss them with you. Would that be okay?

Tristan: Amusement flickers across his face. I’ll do my best.

Emma: When we first met you, you were balancing the strenuous demands of Haverleau’s Chief Gardinel position with the duties of Crown Prince. Recently, you’ve devoted yourself completely to the throne. Can you talk to us about that?

Tristan: Leans back with a thoughtful expression. Since I was a child, my one dream in life was to be the kind of person who could protect another from being hurt, injured, killed. There was no greater calling for me than to become a gardinel. My older brother, Eric, was a giant in almost every way and was meant to be king.

Emma: You sound proud of him.

Tristan: Of course. He was amazing. Brilliant leader, ferocious warrior. The star every selkie looked up to.

Emma: Including your father?

Tristan: Especially my father. Eric could do no wrong in his eyes.

Emma: But your father disapproved of you being gardinel.

Tristan: Chuckles. My father disapproves of many of my choices.

Emma: Including your continued return to Haverleau?

Tristan: Yes.

Emma: He recently came to your birthday party. Caused rather an interesting scene.

Tristan: Exhales. My father came to that party to make a point.

Emma: Which was?

Tristan: That I should be celebrating my birthday with my real family. Not those in Haverleau.

Emma: And this would be your…I’m sorry what birthday was it again?

Tristan: Smiles. Clever, but I’m not answering.

Emma: You didn’t like that party.

Tristan: Shrugs. I am not fond of the idea of people going out of their way for me. It’s unnecessary.

Emma: Why does your father not like your presence in Haverleau? You serve on the Governing Council and your kingdom must maintain political alliances with the other elemental races.

Tristan: He believes I can be more effective back home than at Haverleau. And if I am to be completely honest, there are things within my kingdom - details, people’s concerns -  that I don’t know as well as I should because I’m away for so long. There are other reasons he’s upset but I believe that’s the primary reason.

Emma: I don’t suppose you want to discuss those other reasons…

Tristan: Blank expression.

Emma: All right. Then why do you remain in Haverleau?

Tristan: Silent for a few moments. As a child, I enjoyed visiting Haverleau with my mother. I liked the way people simply accepted me without the weight of the throne. I respected the wonderful friendship between my mother and the Governor. However, no matter how comfortable Haverleau, Rhian, and others made me feel, my kingdom remained my home. But…

Emma: But?

Tristan: But recently it has changed. Haverleau has grown to feel more like home.

Emma: I don’t suppose that has anything to do with a certain ondine.

Tristan: Politely inclines head. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Emma: Shifts a few papers. The mother of the sondaleur, Kendra Irisavie, personally asked you to protect and bring her to Haverleau.

 Tristan: Yes. Pauses. The loss of her and her mate, Ansel, was a great tragedy to our world.

Emma: Did you believe her when she said her daughter was the prophesied sondaleur?

Tristan: Yes and no. I believed Naida. She was not the kind of person prone to exaggerations. She was a brilliant Clairvoyant possessing a razor-sharp intellect, much like her mother. But it was difficult to believe that the person our people had waited so long for was a seventeen-year-old ondine who’d never lived among us.

Emma: When did you start to believe? Or do you still doubt who she is?

Tristan: Shakes head. It started the moment I saw her against that alley wall in San Aurelio. She didn’t back down before a pack of Aquidae. She held a silver dagger and…there was such absolute power in her defiance. It was a courage I’d never seen before.

Emma: You sound as if you admire her.

Tristan: Looks surprised. Yes, I do. Not only because she’ll be the one to finally bring this war to a close; but because she has already begun to change our world. Her ideas, the way she challenges what we have long blindly accepted, is part of her strength.

Emma: Speaking of leadership… last summer, you returned to your Kingdom for the first time in a long while. You spoke with your younger brother, Dax. Can you tell me about him?

Tristan: Smiles. He’s bright, enthusiastic. A leader among his friends and currently training to be inducted into the gardinels. Dax…cares deeply for those he trusts.

Emma: And what did you two discuss?

Extended silence.

Tristan: Shifts. I believe that is between me and my brother.

Emma: Was it something that required you to be away from Haverleau for six months?

Tristan: I was away for six months because I needed to prepare for the future.

Emma: Pause. Would you like to expand on that?

Tristan: Lets out a deep breath. I believe things will become clear soon enough.

Emma: While you were home, you spent time with many people from your past, including a selkie named…. consults notes… Sian Ardaineau. Tell us about her.

Tristan: I’ve known Sian my entire life. She’s as close to being a part of my family as anyone.

Emma: And what kind of relationship do you have her?

Tristan: We are friends.

Emma: Anything more?

Tristan: You’ll have to ask her directly about that.

Emma: You won’t give us something?

Tristan: It would be inappropriate.

Long silence.

Emma: Sighs. All right, Your Highness. Let’s move on. It must’ve been very difficult when Kendra left for New York for a month.

Tristan: This war is difficult. Our lives are difficult. She must assume a role she doesn’t want. She has done this twice now, both in accepting the prophecy and her Irisavie inheritance for the Governorship.

Emma: A feeling you know well.

Tristan: Gazes at the window. New York is not… a pleasant place. I worry about her safety. There’s nothing I can do for her while in Haverleau.

Emma: And the fact that she’s with Julian LeVeq?

Tristan: Chevalier LeVeq is an excellent fighter. He trained her well.

Emma: I believe his feelings toward the sondaleur are more than that of a trainer.

Tristan: He has every right to feel whatever he wants.

Emma: Does his relationship with her bother you?

Tristan: What bothers me is that he sees her solely in terms of how she fits into his life. Not because he understands her, but because he needs her.

Emma: And what about you? Do you understand her?

Tristan: The question is irrelevant. It’s not about whether I understand her better than him. The point is she deserves someone who can give her everything she wants.

Emma: And you’re not the person who can do that?

Tristan: Stares.

Emma: shakes head. You’ve been busy preparing for a big event.

Tristan: Yes.The Elemental conference is happening in our Kingdom this year.

Emma: Isn’t that very unusual? In elemental history, there’ve only been a few recorded incidents of ondines or demillirs visiting your people.

Tristan: Nods. Shapeshifting is a very private act for our people. When we shift, it is a moment of tremendous vulnerability. We are at one with our surroundings, immersing in the other half of ourselves that come from the deep. Sharing both forms with another being is an act of deep trust.

Emma: How are your people reacting to the conference?

Tristan: Like most change, much of the resistance comes from the older generation. The younger selkies seem to be open to shapeshifting in front of ondines and demillirs. Small smile.

Emma: You escorted Kendra to her meeting with Jourdain in your selkie form.

Tristan: Jaw tightens. I was concerned. Jourdain’s magic is very strong and Kendra was not….fully herself at the time.

Emma: Does that mean you trust her?

Tristan: Voice quiets. Of course.

Emma: Kendra once stated you had the ability to see something in her others could not. That you have stood by her, trusted her even when she could not trust herself. Do you feel the same way about her?

Tristan: Fingers tighten. She is different.

Emma: Special?

Tristan: Eyes meet mine. Of course. She is the sondaleur.

Emma: Evasiveness does not suit you, Your Highness.

Tristan: And these questions are rather invasive, don’t you think?

Emma: Fine. Why host the conference now?

Tristan: Our kingdom has remained closed to the elemental world for a long time. It is one of the policies I wished to change the most.

Emma: Why?

Tristan: A number of reasons. With Kendra’s arrival, the end of the war is imminent. There is no possible way we can provide her with the right support unless we are united as a whole.

Emma: So you did this for Kendra. Raises brow. To protect her.

Tristan: Stiffens. There are other reasons as well. It’s important for my people, for the children who will become the future of our kingdom, to be exposed to other ways of thinking. War will eventually come to a close and they must be prepared for a different world. Only a God would claim to know absolutely everything. I believe there is much we can learn from each other.

Emma: Final question, Your Highness. If there was no war….pauses….if there was no Aquidae or death, if your brother Eric was still here….if it had been an ideal world, what would you have wanted for yourself?

Tristan: Eyes soften. I’d travel. See what the rest of the world had to offer. Listen to music in every great concert hall, spend hours reading. Learn new skills, new ideas. Work with people, help those who suffer. Voice quiets.  Live freely for myself.

Emma: With someone by your side?

Tristan: Yes. Pauses. With the right person.

Emma: Would you rather be alone otherwise?

Tristan: If it’s not the right person are we not alone anyway?

Recording clicks off.

AUTHOR BIO

 

Emma Raveling writes urban fantasy and fantasy books for teens and adults. Hopelessly addicted to coffee and diet coke, she is currently working on completing her young adult series, Ondine Quartet.