Rebel Flight by Mindy Klasky (Darkbeast Chronicles #1)
Release date: February 28th 2017
Publisher: Book View Cafe
Pages: 188
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Summary
From goodreads:
Sometimes, rebellion is the only option.
In the sheltered village of Silver Hollow, Keara knows exactly what is expected of her: Worship the twelve gods, pay the Primate his head tax, and follow her mother’s unreasonably strict rules. But Keara’s twelfth birthday is looming, along with an obligation she dares not meet. Keara must sacrifice her darkbeast on a holy altar or be branded a heretic forever.
Other children despise their bonded scapegoat animals. But Keara loves her raven, Caw. He’s the only creature in Silver Hollow who truly understands her headstrong ways.
When a traveling theater troupe passes through the village, Keara glimpses a way to escape. But the Great Road comes with its own dangers, including dread Inquisitor priests who hunt down infidels.
Will Keara find the strength to flee the only home she’s ever known? Or will she be forced to slay her closest friend on the altar of the gods?
Review
I'm not usually drawn towards books in which the main character is under 14-15 but, boy am I happy I picked it up.
This is one of those "what would you do when everything you thought was true, wasn't" type of stories but done the right way. Filled with so many relatable moments (despite it being in the fantasy genre), it will take you right back to your childhood and all those moments when you thought your mom was being so unfair.
Keara is one of the most realistic characters I've read in a long while. She's a girl who likes to think is a woman but is still struck with fits of jealousy, rebellion and those "nobody understands me" phases. Yet, she's still mature in ways I wish I had been when I was her age. I couldn't admit I was wrong even if my life depended on it. Well...I still can't, but that's not the point here. I really got to connect with her, which is weird since she is younger than me.
I want to highlight the writing here. Mindy: I don't know how you do it, but I felt every single thing Keara was feeling. I felt mad when her mom wouldn't let her see the Travelers, I felt scared every time the inquisitors showed up, and I felt jealous and angry whenever she didn't get properly acknowledged. Whatever it is, your secret, keep doing it.
Caw was probably my favorite part out of the whole book, he reminds me a lot of Salem (from Sabrina the Teenage Witch.) They are both chill and sassy characters and exactly what I look for in a pet. Unfortunately, mine are not as smart.
Caw in a nutshell
Lastly, I loved how we get to see and know the world at the same time as Keara, and how both the character and the reader marvel in unison.
I'm sorry this is so all-over the place but I just finished this book and I'm too excited to form a coherent text. Luckily for me, I already have book 2 in my hands. *insert evil laugh*
Rating
4.5 out of 5 stars
About the Author
Mindy Klasky learned to read when her parents shoved a book in her hands and told her that she could travel anywhere in the world through stories. She never forgot that advice.
Mindy's travels took her through multiple careers, including copyright lawyer and law librarian. Mindy now writes full time. Her books fall in a number of genres -- including traditional fantasy, urban fantasy, and category romance.
In her spare time, Mindy knits, quilts, and tries to tame the endless to-be-read shelf in her home library. Her husband and two cats do their best to fill the left-over minutes in her days.
Do me a favor and check this book if you're a fan-tasy (fan of fantasy, I'm so clever.) Do you think animals can talk with humans but decide not to because we're stupid? Hmm, let me know.
