What a book. This story is a wild ride and I loved every minute of it. If you love high fantasy and super complex characters, pick this up!

To express first and foremost a thank you to Netgalley whose advanced reader copy I completed yesterday on kindle. In Furyborn written by Claire Legrand, introduces its reader to the world of Celdaria, and in this world, are there angels, beings of magic and those who have the capacity to save or destroy the world they know and love. A prophecy is decreed throughout the land that two queens will rise: the Sun Queen, who will save the world, and the Blood Queen, who will destroy it. The story is told around two young women named Rielle Dardenne, and Eliana Ferracora. As we follow Rielle we see her journey in forging towards her destiny and accept her role as Queen of Celdaria. When Eliana is introduced a thousand years has passed and Rielles’ experience has been turned into a fairy tale. Unexpected events occur where Elliana’s mother is taken, and Elliana is on a quest to find her. The story then progresses to include their journey in this land, and the choices made to become the Queen they were meant to be. The novels first 80 pages for me were hard to get through as I felt there was not a lot of mythology and world-building as I would have liked. Something I enjoyed was its characterization of its lead characters. As the chapters progressed so did these characters. Slowly the story was brought together and the characters full and embodied individuals. I enjoyed this book and gave it three out of five stars. I am looking forward to its sequel.

DNF @38%

I’m throwing in the towel on FURYBORN after trying to read for over two weeks and not getting very far. Sometimes I don’t rate a DNF but I feel strongly about this one, so I’m giving myself licence for rating.

My difficulties with the book were two-fold. Firstly, the differing POVs that were centuries apart and seemingly tenuously connected for too long. That impeded my connection with the story, giving it a fractured feel. Secondly, there was far too much keeping the reader in the dark. Examples are: names and powers for beings not explained; I felt permanently in the dark. I’m a fan of show not tell, but some telling really was warranted here. The writing style was difficult to assimilate.

I tried to push on but I was just not invested and this book/series isn’t for me.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

When I saw this book on Netgalley, I knew I had to read it. The description grabbed me & it sounded like a book that I would fall in love with. Once I finally found time to read the book it grabbed my attention. Unfortunately, I wound out of time to physically read the book so I ended up buying the audiobook. When I first listened to the narrator's voice I was hesitant but by the end I loved it. Fiona Hardingham (Narrator)just added a little bit more to the story. I was so glad that I switched to audiobook that I think it added a half star to my rating.

My rating would be a 4.5 but since I cannot do a half star I'm going to round up to 5. The plot was fascinating and I loved all of the characters that I read. This book was jam packed with action, swoon worthy heroes, and some really powerful women. I loved that Rielle & Eliana had their flaws and I loved that we got to know them on a fundemental level. It was fun to see the growth in them.

All in all, I really liked this story. I probably wouldn't consider it young adult though. I think it belongs in the adult fantasy section.

Furyborn is a beautifully crafted story of two women fighting for the ones they love in two very different times. Rielle must prove to her people that she is the Sun Queen And has complete control over her powers, even if that's not entirely true. Over a thousand years later Eliana joins the rebels to save her mother and other women and children who have disappeared without a trace. As the story delves further into these two stories, the connection between the two women grows stronger.


I struggled a bit in the beginning of this book, as the two stories switched every other chapter. There was a bit of a disconnect but I am so glad I kept reading. It got to that point where I found myself glancing at the clock and saying I can finish this book tonight! And before I knew it, I was well into the early hours of the morning. As I piecing together the puzzle of Furyborn, I also found myself in a thought provoking dilemma. What circumstances can change a person's character?


I really enjoy a book, especially a young adult fantasy book, that makes me question my own sense of self. How far would I go for the ones I love? How would those experiences change who I am and what I stand for? All of these things kept racing through my mind as I neared the finish line of this story. And at the end I couldn't help but sigh, knowing I have to wait for the next book to come out to have ALL the answers I want.

Furyborn has everything from a completely well built world, to characters you can't help but invest in. I highly recommend this book with only one warning of one somewhat explicit sex scene that I could have done without in a YA fantasy novel.

I was provided a copy of this book from Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for my honest review.

Assassins, ghouls, magical trials, and suspense all packed in to one book. If you want a book that will have you cringing and clinging to the pages all at the same time, Furyborn is for you. Time hopping, thousands of years apart, Claire Legrand connects her two leading heroines through an ancient prophecy, the Sun and Blood Queens. Two Queens with inexplicable power, fighting in a cosmic war between humans and angels, that will determine the remains of the world in which they reside.

Rielle Dardenne has always lived amongst royalty. Her childhood best friend is now the crown Prince and her father, the right-hand man to the king, Rielle has always been sheltered from the looming dangers beyond the castle walls. The threat of the rebellion, the Red Crown and the dreadful powers of the infamous Emperor. When Rielle saves Prince Audric, she exposes her suppressed magical powers and she is put on trial by her own extended family. Forced into magical trials, built for an inevitable death, Rielle must prevail throughout all tests and claim her rightful title as the Sun Queen.

However, Rielle’s story is not as one-dimensional as it seems. In love with Audric who is betrothed to her childhood best friend, Rielle is thrown into a world of danger, love and consequences. With that not being enough for poor Rielle, she also has a voice in her head, a man speaking to her, coaxing her through her life-threatening trials. She and the reader question together, who is this man and what does he want?

During the time of Eliana Ferracora, Queen Rielle is only a mere fairy-tale repeated to her by her naive brother, Remy. Eliana is a ruthless assassin, notorious across the lands and works for the Invictus, a powerful company of killers controlled by the Emperor where she is forced to carry out the most brutal and bloody jobs. When Eliana’s mother disappears in the middle of the night, she and the adorable Remy, set out on a journey to discover why women are being stolen away in the night without a trace. Is her mother connected to the other disappearances across the land? Can Eliana locate her? Or did she want to disappear and leave her children behind?

To find her mother, Eliana betrays the Invictus and joins a rebel gang on a mission to expose the evil powers that lurk within the empire, and the kingdoms it controls. The darkness she believed to have witnessed when working with the Invicuts is nowhere near what is about to unfold.

The world building in this novel is unlike any mainstream fantasy novel. The world is unique, well-orchestrated and multi-dimensional, engaging and teaching the reader as the story progresses. Further explanation of the world and its workings are hopefully coming in the second instalment of the series, which is already in the works!

Furyborn is a novel that has created a lot of buzz in the book community recently, quickly finding itself on the most-anticipated reads of many book lovers around the world. The Nerd Daily is here to conclude that Legrand’s latest novel is worth all of the hype. Legrand’s writing is lyrical and leaves the reader constantly lusting for more. Her world is unique and unparalleled; the characters are kick ass heroines that are constantly forced to find the balance between saving themselves or the ones they love.

Furyborn is a novel for every YA fantasy lover that is tired of the same tropes being repeated throughout every series within the genre. Legrand has created a breath of fresh air in the fantasy world, allowing her new YA novel to transcend genres and create a delightful read for all ages.

Legrand's Furyborn is one of the best YA books I have read in the last five years. I couldn't put it down and felt a sense of loss when I finished because I was missing Rielle and Eliana so much. I can't wait for the next book!

I am guessing that newly released FURYBORN by Claire Legrand is going to be a popular summer choice particularly for fans of authors like Sarah J. Maas and for those readers who like a mix of fantasy world building, cliff-hanger adventures and fast pacing. The lengthy novel (500+ pages) delivers on those attributes by focusing on two young female protagonists (separated by a thousand years), telling their stories in alternating chapters. However, as the author’s website says, "Their stories are raw, filled with raging desire–for power, for sex, for safety." Like School Library Journal did, recommend this title for more mature teens. FURYBORN is the first in a planned trilogy and was selected as the featured LibraryReads choice for May.

Rerlated links
http://www.claire-legrand.com/home/books/furyborn/
http://libraryreads.org/may-2018-libraryreads/

Many thanks go to Claire LeGrand, Sourcebooks, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. I CANNOT PRAISE THIS BOOK ENOUGH!!!! This has to be the BEST fantasy novel I have read in ages! What a great beginning to a series! I'm looking at my copy of the book, and I have so many passages highlighted, but I don't want to reference a thing. No way I want to chance giving anything away. I went in completely blind. I read no reviews. I read one synopsis. I was completely blown away! Love love love did I say I love this book? Because I do I suppose I should say what I loved...the elementals. I'm always a fan of elements and their powers. Angels-they're not your best friends people. Fight scenes-soooo much action it's intense. Genetic mutation-barely touched on this'll blow up in book two I just know it
I cannot wait for book two!

The World will fall. Two queens will rise. One with the power to destroy and the other with the power to save us all.

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Now if that isn’t a powerful hook I don’t know one! due out in 8 days, Furyborn is a fantastic book ( that is quite evident from the hook) and I was not disappointed at all, even though it is th gee first I a series that is just getting started which I tell myself I’m going to avoid but i mean really who could resist that hook! You know how I hate to start an incomplete series, right?!? I signed up for this ARC hook(see what I did there 😉 ), line and sinker!1526349593643.jpg

In the realm of Calderia centuries ago the angels fell and were sequestered to an empty dark world beyond a magical gate. But it is prophesied that they will rise again and that two queens will rise as well with the power to save the world from said angels. These aren’t your holy sweet cherub angels, these angels are monsters.fallen-angel3.jpg

In Calderia we met our first heroine, Rielle. From the prologue you might want to hate her but in the main story up until it’s last chapter you might just feel sorry for her. Though we don’t get to the end of her story just yet ( this is part of a series after all). She is forced to endure a series of trials to prove she is the Sun Queen, one of the prophesied queens, and to prove she can control her power over the seven elements. All while dealing with her own losses and complicated heart.1526349633249.jpg

Several centuries after the fall of Calderia our second heroine Elaina , a ruthless killer out of necessity to survive with her family, is on a mission to save her mother and get her brother to the Last free realm. All while a war is brewing. 1526349670470.jpg

She had to betray her employers to take the job that would lead her back to her mother in turn letting loose a dangerous enemy to hunt her down. In the end the battle was won but the war is just beginning.

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Yes this book was fantastic! I suppose that’s my new go to word for freaking awesome! Yes fantasy readers I recommend it, go get it on the 22nd, better yet, pre order it! 😉 Even if fantasy isn’t your thing then books with a strong female lead is another reason to take this book up, and this one’s for 2! Yes my little booklings go forth and read!

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I give Claire Legrand an enthusiastic double high five for this fantastic thome. I have no doubt we will be seeing even more great things from this author soon!

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I give Furyborn a very impressive 4 stars out of 5! The reason I knocked it down a star was the alternating. Every other chapter was Rielle’s point of view and the chapters in between were Elaina’s. That said I don’t think the book would have worked any other way because at some point the past and present collide and it starts making sense why it was written this way.

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I was given a copy of Furyborn by NetGally for a fair and honest review.

Furyborn is an enjoyable read for fans of Throne of Glass (Maas) and the Grisha Trilogy (Bardugo) wrought with trials, tribulations, adventure, action and a fair amount of steamy, sexual tension and romance realized.

The alternating POV between Rielle and Eliana some thousand years apart adds a lovely balance to the narrative. Each must face their own hardships toward realizing their destiny and there is a fantastic build of story, character development and excitment for the readers as the journey into the series begins. Many questions have been asked, some answered with even more anticipation with what is in store for the future.

I do recommend the audiobook as narrated by Fiona Hardingham.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Much thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Fire and to Claire Legrand for FURYBORN. An enchanted ride! After an unimaginable childhood tragedy, Rielle Dardenne is forced to keep her abilities a secret. When danger threatens her best friend, the crown prince, Rielle’s magic erupts in a cataclysmic reveal, altering the course of her life forever. Eliana Ferracora, ruthless bounty hunter for the Empire, hides her ability to self-heal. When her mother disappears, Eliana strikes a bargain with the rebel Wolf that unwittingly propels her down a perilous path to discovering her connection to a prophecy. Legrand gorgeously interlaces the lives of these fiery heroines with captivating mythology, page-turning action and thrilling plot curves. The edge-of-your-seat ending makes your mouth water for book two. FURYBORN is a for sure GOTS!

5★★★★★Stars

Genre:  Fantasy/Magic/Angels
Type:  Book 1 of Empirium Series
POV: First Person – Multiple

“Two Queens will rise.
One of blood. One of light.”

Rielle Dardenne the promised Sun Queen was held capture by her father for protection until she reveal herself and now he couldn't do anything to protect her.  Her forbidden love for Audric was so emotional and amazing at the same time.

I'll be honest I hated Rielle's father in the beginning, I hurt so much for her but the more I read; the more I understood why he did what he did.

“This is what I was made for. The thought arose as naturally as breathing.  She flexed her fingers, felt power gathering hot in her palms.  No, not hot - vital. Her power was not an intangible thing, a trick of the mind. It was the power of the world itself, and all that lived inside it.  And only I, she thought, can tell it what to do.”

Eliana Ferracora was a bounty hunter;  surviving the best as she can. She was thought by her mother how to become the best assassin there could be.   And the best she was; she had to do whatever it took to survive and to keep her family safe even if that meant losing her soul.

“And I have a warrior's strength, she thought, but the heart of a coward.”

I loved Eliana and her inner thoughts to do the right thing but at the same time turn around and don't look back at things she had no control over.  Her brother Remy was so darn cute I loved him so hard.  The love between these two was so beautiful she would do anything to keep him safe.

“Grief crashed upon her in waves. Dry-eyed, she let them pull her under.  Remy said quietly, “I don't hate you,” and allowed her to hold on to him. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on only him.”

Told from dual point of views between Rielle and Eliana hundreds of years apart. One is the Sun Queen while the other is the Blood Queen but which is which is the question. Their stories are sad,  intense and suspenseful, I absolutely was drowned to both of them; by both of their pain and struggles.  I can clearly, honestly say I  ugly cried on a scene from both of their worlds #whatever lol which made this book so much memorable and precious to me.

“We survived the end of the world, you and I, we’ll survive this too.”

Furyborn is a unique story; a world filled with magic and mystery and I loved everything about it.  I honestly can't hardly wait for more.  The ending wasn't so bad of a cliffhanger that I must say I'm okay waiting but not for too long because I loved all these characters specially Simon; Remy; Audric; Navi; and Ludivine...Ok I loved them all haha and I need to know what's going to happen to everyone.  The story and plot itself was intriguing; there was so much action that had me invested on every single page.  Readers who enjoy young adult fantasy with a fast past story will find this story appealing.

I've read and enjoyed a few of this author's previous novels. When I read the premise for this book, I was really excited to read the story. There are two perspectives told 1000 years apart. I honestly think I would have preferred to read each on it's own. The back and forth pov was jarring at times. I would get invested into one story, and then the next chapter would change pov, and by the time I got back to the first, I had lost interest. Overall I did enjoy both povs, but struggled to maintain focus while reading. It took quite a bit of the book for the plot to take off. I considered setting it aside multiple times. By the end, I did begin to enjoy the book more, so I am eager to see where the sequel goes.

This was a great YA fantasy, and definitely one of the best I've read so far this year. At times it was a bit confusing but I think with time these things will be revealed with the next couple of books. Overall it was a great read. Link to my full review is attached below.

was provided an ARC of this title through Netgalley with the expectation I would give an honest review...
I'd actually give it more like 2.5 stars. There were points where it kept my interest and others where it really dragged. At the start I really enjoyed it, the story was engaging and I wanted to see what would happen next. But then it just got to be long and kind of monotonous to put it mildly. With the dual storylines, I found it difficult to get invested in either of them. The characters are still a bit of a mystery to me, I didn't care much for any of them--nor did I feel like I even knew what made them tick.
Having been provided the ARC, I felt like I had an obligation to finish it. That and I hate to not finish books. I more than likely will not pick up the sequel. Kind of disappointing because this was one of the books I was looking forward to this year.

I wanted to give this all the starts on just the premise alone, but the book itself fell so flat.
I didn't hate it, but it's so chock full of tropes that it's like it was Frankenstein'd using other YA series we've already read and turned into this 500 page book (lookin' right at you, Valentine). In other words, I felt like it was already done before.

Ugh, and it had so much potential.

It took a lot to get into this book, which was the opposite of what I thought it would be considering the fantastic start. The beginning was so strong and really gripped me, but that steam vanished really quickly. The time jumps, while cool in theory, ended up being a bit jarring.

The characters were the biggest nail in this book's coffin though. They're uber talented and strong and beautiful and boring. Overall this felt less original and more like I was reading a TMI and ToG lovechild, which can be positive/negative depending on your take.

**Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review**

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Wicked angels, magic, and mystery. Furyborn builds a world full of elemental magic and mystery with compelling characters. It is the story of two young women and is told alternating between their points of view. There is a prophecy of a Sun Queen and a Blood Queen. One queen will save the world from the angels and the other will destroy it on the angel’s behalf. But, who is which queen?

I loved the premise of this book. I am always a fan of books told during multiple time periods that connect. The characters were well developed and Rielle and Eliana seem so different on the surface but both young women are strong and determined.

The one thing that I did not like about this book is that the chapters are relatively short and almost always end in a cliff-hanger. The chapters also always alternate between Rielle and Eliana. This made the book difficult to get invested in as I often felt frustrated with the constant switching. I felt as though as soon as I was getting invested into one the chapter would end and I would be back to the other. I would have liked to see either longer chapters or not a switch from Rielle to Eliana every chapter.

Overall, an excellent read and I cannot wait to read the next book.

I started and stopped so many lengthy reviews on this book but I really just want to get to the point:

Buy. This. Book. NOW!

Seriously, I found it a bit slow to get into but ended up staying up until 2am to finish it. I just couldn't stop reading. I'm not sure at what point I became completely immersed in the story and characters but it happened and I don't regret it! That is what separates a good story from an amazing one.

I am looking forward to more form this author and can not wait until the next book in the Empirium trilogy! I'm in a complete book hangover right now. Love it!!

And before I forget....Team Simon!!!

I have to admit that I am mystified that this book has attracted as much attention as it has. I did not think that anything about the characters, plot, magic system, or fantasy world was unique or even interesting, and calling it a "feminist fantasy" seems like a serious stretch. The only people I would recommend this book to would be people who are desperate for something along the lines of the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.