Review: Unknown

Title - Unknown

Author - Melissa Pearl

Series - The Elements Trilogy

Genre - YA Fantasy

Expected Publication - June 2013

Format - EArc 

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Synopsis

Darkness is covering the land. As the city of Mezrah grows with power and greed, the rest of the world can only stand by and wait for their inevitable destruction. The only hope against this growing power is an ancient prophecy that people have stopped believing in.

Then a star begins to fall.

Princess Kyla of Taramon stopped believing in the power of light the day her father died. Trapped in a city she does not care for, under the watchful glare of her mother, the queen, she struggles to accept her fate.

Then a star begins to fall.

Jethro has loved Kyla for as long as he can remember. Learning that she was to marry his cousin drove a wedge between him and the feisty princess. Watching her from a distance is a torture he is unable to free himself from.

Then a star begins to fall, sparking an ember of hope and sending two seekers on a treacherous journey into the unknown.

Teaser 

It was once said that a light could shine in the darkness and the darkness could not overcome it, but then the light died and a darkness born of doubt and fear began to fester throughout the land, breeding an evil that no one invited. Years ago a prophecy was discovered that spoke of an end to this darkness...that the light would one day shine again, but no one believed it...except for Mordekai.

Review

I received Unknown in return for an honest review from the author Melissa Pearl. Mordekai know one day he would see the diamond glowing in the northern sky. He springs into action by picking up Nikara the injured girl he had found on his doorstep and took her in. Mordekai believing that the prophecy is coming to pass takes the pair out of Mezrah following the star to Tamamon. Where he believes the two seekers will find the elementals that will lead to Oron.  

The seekers in the story are Princess Kyla and Jethro they grew up together, born on the same day. Kyla is unlike most princesses she detests everything her mother expects out of her, instead putting on her brothers clothes to sneak out of the castle. Her city has protection from Mezrah but the guards are taking liberties with the farmers and she doesn’t feel that the treaty is working. Kyla life hasn’t been easy her father as well as her four brothers didn't come home from the battle against Mezrah. When the diamond fell from the sky both Jethro and Kyla touch the stone each experiencing a strong reaction while others were just fine.

Mordekai inspects both Jethro and Kyla finding they each have two symbols etched in their arms for the elementals. It’s decided that the only way to bring the light back and banish the darkness is for the seekers to find Oron so Kyla and Jethro set out on their quest. Kyla is betrothed to Jethro’s cousin causing a rift between the pair but the quest will give them a chance to work on it. They are joined on their quest by a little boy named Adamar who is the earth elemental. Along the way they encounter all kinds of dangers from dragonflies that lead them to the door of the water elemental Mya. However darkness is hovering over Tamamon because as they seek the elementals there are those hoping to capture them and stop the rise of Oron.

I’ve not read a lot of fantasy in the past but it’s quickly becoming my new favorite genre. Unknown reminds me of Lord of the Rings or maybe Dungeons and Dragons which I really enjoyed. I found the story captivating it’s an action packed adventure from start to finish that kept me on the edge of my seat filled with mystery and intrigue. I also found Unknown to be well written it’s the kind of story that draws you is that you can visualize what the characters are seeing. I love Kyla she’s not your typical princess which is why I found her so exciting. I love a kick-ass-girl and she fits the bill well. I’m not sure how I feel about her future husband because I really also liked Jethro because he’s been in love with her forever. I look forward to the next chapter I want more. 

5 out of 5 stars