Having seven sons is a honor above no other. Which is why she is a disappointment. The only girl of seven children, she brought shame to her family.
I’m here today to squeal loudly about one of the most incredible books I’ve read this year. Read on for more information about the author, the book, and even an excerpt from the book!
{about the book}
In a world where seventh born sons are valued for their strength and power, she is born a daughter.
Zezilia Ilar is the disappointment. Born after six brothers, she was supposed to be the son to restore her family’s prestige. She intends to remedy her shortcomings by being a dutiful daughter, marrying well and producing children, preferably a set of seven sons. But when someone offers her an alternative, she begins to dream of more.
In a society that worships a goddess, he follows the Almighty.
Hadrian Aleron, as a seventh son of a seventh son, stands to take up the second highest position in government, Sept Son. His main qualification for office is his birth. Despite preparing for this role from childhood, he does not desire what is to come. As a follower of the Almighty, he knows he will be the target of many, and his faith might eventually lead to death.
{about the author}
Rachel is giving away an eBook of her book. You can enter here. Your odds of winning increase with every person you refer so spread the word!
{my review}
Oooooooookay so now for the fun stuff.
This was stunning. BUT I ALMOST THREW MY TABLET WHEN I GOT TO THE END. I NEED THE SEQUEL, PLEASE. The ending was fantastic and I’m somewhat cross because I’m not ready to leave the characters yet and there will be a sequel but that doesn’t help at the moment.
I loved the characters. I knew them from the first few pages. They’re old friends that some part of me seemed to know from a long time ago, though that’s logically impossible. Zezilia and I would be great friends, I think, though I’m terrible at climbing trees. Hadrian… oh, he’s beautiful. And stressed. I think he needs a dog that requires daily walks. That would help him a lot.
As I was reading, I kept wanting to pull one or another of the characters aside and ask them a question. Or point out something. Or just hold their hand. Cuz life’s hard and I get it and so do they.
This is fantasy, my dears. This is perfection. And just LOOK at the cover. And the blurb. And the premise. And everything.
I promise I don’t just love it because I’m the only girl in five boys.
Characters: they’re incredible. I love them to pieces and it was love at first paragraph. They’re unapologetically people.
Setting: Ms. Rossano knows words. She knows how to make them do the thing where they line up and make pretty pictures. It’s like Dominoes but with less things falling over in the process. I felt as if I lived there. I belonged to the place, because the place was alive and living things belong to living places.
Pacing: Um. I read it. I just sat and read and read and read and read and read. And I may have cried when I had to stop reading and go make supper. The pacing was engaging and active but not so fast you got lost.
Theme: Again, Ms. Rossano knows words. She knows what she’s doing and what she wants to say, and she says it, and it’s as simple and as complicated as that.
5/5, highly recommend for 14+.
Will be anxiously waiting for the sequel. Will probably have to get a paperback because it’s so absolutely delicious and amazing.
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{excerpt}