Fantasy YA is just my thing - always has been and always will be! Needless to say that when I first heard about Falling Kingdoms I knew this was one I would NEED to read it because I was fairly confident that this book was pretty much written for me. I was right. Told from four POVs, with PLENTY of action, fight scenes, and bravery with just enough romance and intrigue. And for what it's worth, I think the Game of Thrones comparison is a fairly good one. Reasons to Read: 1. A rich, vibrant world: The best part about Falling Kingdoms is the setting, hands down. It's a requirement of mine that the fantasy books I read and love have devastatingly beautiful worlds created - this one was no exception. Each of the three countries stood out on their own, with their own beliefs, culture, and rules. And the interactions between them are vital to the story's progression. Seriously, I was swooning over the culture clash and political relations. (Can you tell I'm a huge nerd?) 2. Interlacing story lines: I'm typically hesitant when it comes to multiple storylines, but the characters here worked really well together and everything just blended so perfectly. It's a fantastic way to see the story from different perspectives, to really flesh out the problems and ideas without much bias. This means that the story is intricate and exciting, with something for every reader to appreciate! 3. A raw, gutsy sort of book: Falling Kingdoms definitely doesn't shy away from the uglier parts of life. Everything is so messed up and crazy, and it doesn't all work out perfectly. But it features strong characters who don't shy away from what they're afraid of or their losses. They stick it out and they're STRONGER because of that. I love reading about brave characters, ones who are able to find ways to survive and move on. Because that's something we all have to go through at some point. Fair warning: Falling Kingdoms is remarkable, in a devastating sort of way. The one thing I didn't love about the book stemmed from it's multiple story lines and 4 main characters. I thought it worked really well, for the most part, but there were definitely a few instances where it seemed like they could have benefited from a bit more personal development and time. A few things, including relationships with others, felt too rushed for my taste and I had a hard time being as impacted as I should by some of the events later on as a result of this. But this is definitely a series to watch out for and I'm really looking forward to Rebel Spring! ARC received from Penguin Canada for my honest review; no other compensation was received.

Falling Kingdoms was easily one of my most anticipated reads of the year, so I was absolutely thrilled that it completely lived up to my high expectations! I was completely captivated by Morgan Rhodes's words on every single page. In a land where the powerful are all too eager to betray and manipulate their enemies, who can be trusted? Kingdoms will fall and no one is safe from death. Morgan Rhodes has put great effort into envisioning three very different kingdoms which have their own histories and deities their people believe in. While the novel is mainly told through the perspectives of the four main characters Cleo, Jonas, Magnus, and Lucia, I never felt confused by the style of narration. Cleo, Jonas, Magnus, and Lucia each have distinctive personalities, and it was interesting to discover how their lives were so intertwined. Cleo is a princess of the wealthy kingdom Auranos who doesn't understand the hardships that many others face. Her life of luxury is taken for granted, and she's used to getting away with whatever she wants. Jonas is completely unlike Cleo. He's is a poor wine seller's son, and when his brother is brutally murdered in unfair justification, his anger and thirst for revenge lead him on a path which will change Paelsia, his impoverished kingdom. Magnus is heir to the throne of Limeros, and while many may fear him, the only person in the world he truly cares about is his younger sister Lucia. He was raised to be a cold-hearted conquerer like his father, King Gaius, who uses strict laws and a strong military presence to rule. Lucia was secretly adopted into the royal family with no idea that her awakening magical abilities, which have just begun to come into power since she's turned sixteen, are connected to a destiny she will soon need to face. I grew immensely attached to these characters as I read along, but I also worried about what fate had in store for them, a feeling which left me anxiously turning the pages. I loved every moment of Falling Kingdoms and cannot wait to see what will happen next in the second novel, Rebel Spring! The tenuous peace and building political turmoil among the neighbouring kingdoms made Falling Kingdoms such a compelling read. Morgan Rhodes's debut is a fantastic, action-filled start to the Falling Kingdoms series and I would recommend the book to any fan of the high fantasy genre in a heartbeat. You can also read this review at: http://midnightbloomreads.blogspot.ca/2012/12/falling-kingdoms-blog-tour-review.html

The dazzling cover of this book is reason enough to dive into the world of Falling Kingdoms This new YA high fantasy series is definitely a good start. It wasn't epic, but I still enjoyed it, and I have the feeling that the second installment will consolidate what Falling Kingdoms is building. Yay! - Three Kingdoms: Auranos, Paelsia and Limeros. All fantasy novels have a lot of kingdoms, but in this one, we get to know the three kingdoms from the inside thanks to the characters who represent them. Readers learn about the social, economic and political situation of the kingdoms and I really enjoyed having the three different perspectives. - Tones of action. Like a good fantasy novel, sword fighting is a must-element and there is nothing I enjoy most than the sound of clashing steel! (even if it's in my mind) This novel satisfied my sharp craving! But there is more than that! so get ready to some shocking and cruel scenes (even within the first 100 pages of the book)! - The Watchers. I am so intrigued by them and the Sanctuary. We only get glimpses here and there and a short chapter dedicated to them but I think it was enough to give an idea of what their role is in the story and I'm eager to discover more about them! - The story. All the characters' stories overlap each other in a way or another and what's going on underneath the surface is much bigger. But since this is just the first book of the series, we still don't get too deep into it. I can't wait to learn more about the prophecy, magic, watchers, etc. But @_@ - The Romance. I'm nuts for romance and I'm glad this novel has plenty of it. But truth be told, I don't need romance to like a fantasy novel. It is not romance what pulls me to them. I rather have had less romance and more knowledge and details about the characters, or more background history, than romance in every kingdom. But this is 100% personal opinion. Some readers may think that the romance in Falling Kingdom is actually a strong point. It all depends on the readers taste. - Good but it lacked something. I think Falling Kingdoms is a good read ,but fantasy lovers may be slightly disappointed. Don't take me wrong, the book is good and very enjoyable, but in my opinion, it lacked something. However, I am sure that readers who are not very familiar with the genre (or who have nothing to compare it with) will enjoy it much more than I. Overall, I wish Falling Kingdoms would have been longer. Having three different perspective (four if you take into consideration The Watchers from the Sanctuary) and a massive cast of characters, there is no way you can add all of those details that enrich the three kingdoms, the characters and their stories. Regardless this, I think the story is good and it's building-up towards epicness! So yes, I want the sequel!

Whenever a high fantasy novel makes its way onto my radar, I immediately have to read it. Falling Kingdoms was no exception. A detailed, weaving story of three kingdoms – Auranos, Paelsia and Limeros – this was definitely a novel that was worth my time. Though this has the action, intrigue and madness of any good high fantasy novel, Falling Kingdoms is all about the characters. I saw real, concrete growth (both good and bad) in all of them, and their motivations and desires were what really kept the story moving. Though I love good world-building and a plot I can lose myself in, it is always the characters that really sell me on a novel. Falling Kingdoms centres around four main point-of-view characters. Cleo, Jonas, Magnus and Lucia. Though Lucia wasn’t my favourite the other three were all interesting and complex. Jonas was the one I found the most passionate, and as a result exciting. Enraged by the murder of his brother, he dreams of revolution. Who doesn’t love a revolutionary Someone with fire for their spirit. Magnus was also incredibly passionate, but for much different reasons. He experiences some very complicated feelings of love and inadequacy, and some interesting issues were explored by his storyline. If I have to choose a favourite though it’s Cleo. I found there was great range to her character; love, betrayal, fear, loss, strong headed-ness, courage. It was fascinating to watch her grow as a character. I was also really intrigued by the magic system in Falling Kingdoms. It wasn’t anything too unique, but it was still really interesting. It revolves around the elements but there also some creatures known as ‘Watchers.’ These hints at a greater magic system let you know there are some deeper things at play then simply a battle between three kingdoms. If I had any comment/desire for this book, it’s that I want to know more about this magic system and the players within it. Hopefully that will come in later books. Recommendation: An exciting, character driven fantasy adventure, that I highly recommend for fans of George R R Martin. There aren’t quite as many characters, and not nearly as many deaths, but the backstabbing, fighting and adventure will keep you turning the pages. This and other reviews at More Than Just Magic (http://morethanjustmagic.org)