Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, #1)

by Morgan Rhodes

[mary]

In Morgan Rhodes’ Falling Kingdoms, three neighboring lands hold a tenuous peace that threatens to unravel. To the south is Auranos, a kingdom of wealth and prosperity, ruled by the even-handed King Bellos and his two beautiful daughters, the responsible, elder Emilia and impetuous younger sister Cleo. To the far north is the kingdom of Limeros, ruled by the cruel, power-hungry King Damora who schemes to seize Auranos through any means possible - even if it means manipulation of his powerful young daughter Lucia and her besotted brother, Magnus. Torn between Auranos and Limeros is Paelsia, an impoverished nation renown for its wineries but without resources or power and exploited routinely by Auranos to the south. When King Damora comes with his plans to invade Auranos, the Paelsians are more than happy to join their meager forces to the cause.

Caught in the middle of this political turmoil are four characters - Jonas of Paelsia, who vows revenge on the Auranos royals who swindled his winemaking father and murdered his brother; Princess Cleo of Auranos, who will do anything to save her older sister, even travel to Paelsia even though her life is at risk; Prince Magnus of Limeros, who harbors a forbidden love for his younger sister Lucia; and Princess Lucia, who is the heir to powerful magic, the likes of which could mean the end of everything in all the kingdoms.

I did enjoy reading this book, but when it comes to comparing this book to other fantasy novels it just doesn't come close. Falling Kingdoms may have the basic scaffolding upon which many winsome classic fantasy novels are built (yes, yes, including the obvious A Song of Ice and Fire similarities), but this particular book stumbles repeatedly in its execution. In other words, it is not even close to Game of Thrones.

Despite a few obvious downfalls with this book: the inherent simplicity of the three kingdoms and the flat simplistic characters for the most part I still gave this book a high rating. I'm trying to separate YA fiction from adult fiction when I review novels. Yes this was an entertaining, quick fantasy read. Does it compare with Games of Thrones? I don't think so. I still read it rather quickly and enjoyed the story for the most part. And I always love novels with different character perspectives. I just wish the characters were more developed and not as flat. Oh well, I plan on reading the next book in this series.