Review: The Beauty of Darkness (Remnant Chronicles 3) -

 The Beauty of Darkness
 The Remnant Chronicles - Book 3
 Mary E. Pearson


In the final segment of The Remnant Chronicles, we continue to follow Lia, Kaden and Rafe (with a little bit of Pauline) on their mission to stop the Komizar.

I do not want to get too much into story description because no one likes spoilers so bear with me.

While Rafe intends to bring Lia back to Dalbrek, Lia's plans have always been to travel back to Morrighan. She knows she must follow the destiny set out by her name, and protect her home from the Komizar.

When Rafe becomes King, he can no longer be at Lia's side every moment of the day, and they must part for a while in order to follow in their respectful duties. (Well, as much as both of them can).

This action packed and stunning tale comes to gripping blows as all the players come to learn who's side they are on, and who they are willing to lay down their life for.

Pearson's writing never fails for a second in this breathtaking finale. This love triangle nonsense didn't go my way for a while, which annoyed me, but she wraps up the story in a perfect way so no complaints. The multi-POV adds so much to the story, even if Pauline's was a waste in my opinion. I'd rather have gotten one of the other boys, or the Komizar, or Lia's mother...  but the ending was so beautifully tragic that it had me craving more which is always the sign of a good book.


Overall, I liked this series but I didn't love it. I only picked it up because I am looking for an older work of Pearson and this one kept popping up as a "recommended for you" instead. Which in turn, I recommend it, if you like mid-fantasy and strong female leads, but it hit and missed for me in all the wrong spots.

Regardless, I am still #TeamRafe !

   

Review: The Heart of Betrayal (Remnant Chronicles 2)

 The Heart of Betrayal
 The Remnant Chronicles
 Mary E. Pearson


Continuing on our journey with Lia and boys, we have now reached Vendan.
The home of the Komizar.
The home of vagrants and miscreants.
The home of the Assassin.

Lia knows she must do what she is told, but she cannot help her stubborn ways and strong will in following her heart (no matter what it tells her) even though the secrets she has learned thus far have slowly started eating away at her.

And time.
Time is a tricky thing. It can be your friend, and it can be your enemy. Those in play will learn which side Time is on for them.

but Lia knows her destiny, and she will fight for it no matter the cost.


Pearson's writing dragged for me in this one - for some reason I could not focus - which I found strange because it was just as powerful (but less action packed) than The Kiss of Deception. This part of Lia's story only had one setting

unless you count the few itty-bitty chapters about Pauline.
which I am not.

but there were a lot of sweet moments between many of the characters which I loved. We learn a lot about childhoods and how they have come to be where they are, and some other gems which I always appreciate. And so should any book lover. why would you not want to know more about the cinnamon rolls we are following along on these mythical adventures? 
Throughout both books we get verses of old texts that Lia is translating along the way, but tbh, I don't think I've read a single one.
Hmm, maybe the first one?
I hope they don't come into play later because I have not been paying attention to them.
oops. 

On the other hand,
I am 100% #TeamRafe!

(Is it just me or could they have done better with these covers?) 

Review: The Kiss of Deception

 The Kiss of Deception
 The Remnant Chronicles
 Mary E. Pearson


When her father, the King, agrees to align a marriage for her with the Prince of another Kingdom, Lia is taken aback. How can one marry someone else who they've never met, never mind do not love? She had asked to be able to meet her betrothed, and was denied.

To take back her life, moments before she is to married off, she runs.

With her best friend Pauline in tow they make off into the woods to Pauline's birth-town. The two blend in and find jobs with an old friend of the family who promises to keep their secret.

Little does anyone know, there are two men after Lia: An Assassin and the Prince.

The two men happen to meet and become civil to each other, but unaware of what the other's true purpose is. Both are taken with Lia when the meet her at first, and as the story continues, the secrets holding everyone to their new life will slowly unravel.


An intriguing opening to this trilogy.
Pearson writes it so that we do not know which man is the Prince or the Assassin until later on in the story and has you guessing the whole time (there are hints if you pick them up, but it's fun to let your mind just enjoy the story). Lia's predicament is both sad and funny at the same time. There are times when you root for one scenario and boy, but then the next chapter will have you changing your mind. The beginning is a bit slow, but bear with it; it is worth it.
What I love most about this is that there is a map on the inside cover (what booklover doesn't love maps?!) so you can track the route that these characters travel throughout the story.
Only time will tell where they end up.