From acclaimed fantasy author Mindee Arnett comes an epic, adventurous story of a young mercenary magic-user trying to escape the oppressive island of Riven—and a young noblewoman trying to change it forever.
Mars Darksvane wants out. Out from under the thumb of Una, the crime boss who pulled him off the streets as a child and trained him as an assassin; out from the island country of Riven, where magic, in the form of a dangerous material called Ice, allows the rich to live in luxury and keeps the poor in thrall. Mars is a secret adept—a person born with the ability to channel the magic that flows beneath Riven—and while his power gives him abilities useful to an assassin, it also makes him a target. And when his last mission ends in tragedy, Mars finally decides it’s time to escape to the mainland. No magic, no history, a new life on his own.
But Una has other ideas. If Mars wants his freedom, he’s going to have to perform a final job: protecting Fura Torvald—the heiress of the rich and powerful Torvald kith, and the daughter of the last man Mars was sent to kill—and stealing from her a mysterious object known only as the Primer.
Mars has no interest in Fura or whatever the Primer is, nor in Riven’s corrupt and oppressive politics; he just wants to do his job and get out. But as Mars comes to know more about Fura, the Primer, and the true nature of the power in Riven, he realizes that he will soon have to take a side in a fight he has avoided his entire life. Which side, however, he does not yet know.
Mindee Arnett, the acclaimed author of Onyx & Ivory, returns with a sweeping, pulse-pounding new fantasy adventure set in an unforgettable world in which the power you have can set you free, or bind you in chains forever.
Super enthralling, dangerous and full of twisted complex ideas. I adored following Mars, Fura, and crew through a twisted game of cat and mouse.
Our MC, Mars, I really enjoyed. He was fantastically written and developed. Regardless of what he was or has done I was constantly behind him with the good and the bad. Then on the other side we have Fura and Katrin each important for their own reasons. I adored how strong both these girls were despite their upbringing.
There is a slight romance aspect but it plays a very, very tiny role. The story is mostly weaved with mystery elements and gorgeous world-building. I really enjoyed this one and would definitely suggest picking it up! It’s fierce, harsh, and wonderfully crafted with so many elements weaving into one.
Jotted by Jena 