Stormrise

by Jillian Boehme

[tweetybugshouse]

At the heart of this story is a family and a daughter who is plagued by the guilt that she has stolen honor from her twin brother storm. She feel this even more acutely when the king demands that all sons or, husbands if there is no son, report for war. Rain twin brother Storm was left damage mentally from a high fever in childhood. He is physically able to go to war but probably won’t survive. So Rain sneaks off to take his place.

I read a few stories lately that have this theme of women dressing as boy and heading off to war or competitions to save the honor of their family. It makes for a very interesting read cause in doing so there are a few complications that have to be dealt with. How to use the bathroom without being noticed, binding your breasts to look more like a boy, and then of course bathing without being caught and what about if your old enough to have your monthly.

The monthly seems to be Rains main fear as she goes to an out of the way shop to get a powder that she been told is infused with dragons blood. As a result she has placed herself on a path to dragons. I was totally enthralled by the whole encounter with the dragon and how Rain/Storm wakes them to save her land and hopefully her family. She of course will probably be caught and found out about her deception of taking her brother place. Whoever discovers this will have a choice to make turn her in, let her run or keep her secret.

Rain is a unique character and finds a unique partner in her journey to war and awakening the dragons. A must read for all dragon lovers.