Sworn to Raise
Courtlight Series #1
By Terah Edun
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age
Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the empire. But beneath her empire’s seemingly idyllic surface lies a hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder—intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.
Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companion’s Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she’d never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.
But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.
This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with remarkable characters and unforgettable magic. Sworn To Raise is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Michelle Sagara, and Maria Snyder.
Links-
Read my REVIEW of Sworn to Raise
Sworn to Transfer
Courtlight Series # 2
By Terah Edun
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age
Eighteen-year-old companion trainee Ciardis Weathervane has won the friendship of the royal heir and saved his claim to the throne. Yet her interference in the inheritance rights leaves more harm done than good. The Ameles Forest lies unprotected and its inhabitants are dying.
As humans begin to die in gruesome deaths, the Emperor dispatches the royal heir to the forests with the solution to the kith concerns.
With enemies closing ranks in Sandrin, Ciardis can little afford to leave the city’s nest of vipers to take on a new task. But she’s given no choice when her loyalty to the crown and courts are called into question.
To keep the Companions’ Guild happy and the favor of the Imperial Court, Ciardis will be tested in frightening new ways, especially when she’s faced with an obstacle that could risk the lives of her friends and the family she never thought she had.
This second novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Raise.
Links-
REVIEW
I was super excited to continue with this series, and it did not disappoint one bit. It was even more exciting and action-packed than the first book.
I really loved seeing the changes in the characters. Sebastian seemed to have transformed in the blink of an eye. He was no longer the young Prince Heir first introduced in Sworn to Raise. His confidence had grown and he matured into a fair and noble prince who I could finally see as the hero of this story. Of course, Ciardis was still constantly getting into trouble or finding mischief. She was still battling with the control of her powers and it caused more harm than good.
There was quite a bit of intrigue thrown into this story with the Duke of Cinnis out for blood, and the threat of war between humans and kith due to a strange being who controlled the shadows and so much more. The Shadowwalker was wicked and felt no mercy for those he slay. Even more intriguing was the sudden appearance of another Weathervane. Who was he? Why was he with the Shadowwalker? And then there was The Shadow Council. What was their purpose? And what did they want from Ciardis?
It was really strange that Maree Amber suddenly took over Ciardis' training and then for her to send her off to the Ameles Forest, I had to wonder if it was just a way to get rid of her for a while, or if she really believed she served a purpose and could be of great help. The trip to and through the forest was a fantastic fantasy adventure that introduced a variety of strange and fascinating creatures. Some wild and vicious, and others a little more subdued.
This was a wonderful story filled with mythical beings and plenty of mysticism. I enjoyed watching as Ciardis learned to wield her mage powers; how to manipulate them and use them for good, rather than causing the chaos she had in the Courts. The ending left me enthralled and I am eager to dive right into the next book.
Sworn to Conflict
Courtlight Series # 3
By Terah Edun
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age
Ciardis Weathervane fought for the living dead and won. But worse than taking on a mass murderer, was her discovery that she had been deceived by her friends. Now she needs to not only fight a war in the North and survive, but also decide where she stands in the midst of competing sides.
A threat to all she holds dear lies in the North and her heart is not the only thing she might lose. A massive army awaits in the mountain pass, surging closer to the gates of the southern lands. Nothing the Algardis army has done so far has dissuaded their march forward and Ciardis finds out that her powers to enhance are needed now more than ever.
As she faces her greatest fears on the battlefields and her heart is torn between her love of Sebastian and loyalty to her family, Ciardis must choose her fate carefully. For in her path, lies the destiny of the empire.
This third novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Transfer.
Links-
REVIEW
This story left off right where the last book ended, with Ciardis in the middle of the battlefields of the North, and once again I was whisked away on a magical adventure that saw her fighting her own battle with love and trust.
This story was shrouded in mystery, and many questions came into play. Was the empire as noble as it made out to be or was there a sinister plot to bring down the kith of the North, using them for a darker purpose. As Ciardis slowly unraveled the truth behind the war, so many questions surrounding her mother's death were answered. There were quite a few twists and turns within the story and a few major surprises which kept the tension and excitement of this book at the max.
The choices Ciardis had to make were not easy. She had to choose between her loyalty to her family or to the boy she shared a deep bond with, the boy she loved. I'm not sure how things will pan out for her and Sebastian after all is said and done, but he also had a duty to his people, to his empire, and I can only hope that Ciardis has learned enough about him to trust in his kindness.
The end of this book can only mean more action and adventure lies in store for Ciardis. Will her family's appearance in the Court result in more chaos, or will the past finally be laid to rest? I look forward to reading more from this series.
About the Author
Terah Edun is a young adult fantasy writer born and raised in the Atlanta metropolitan area, who transplanted to the Northeast region for college, and has spent years living abroad in South Sudan and Morocco. She writes the stories that she always loved to read as a young girl.
Links-
.jpg){kind=spacer}
