Series: The Aeriel Chronicles #1 | Rating: 3.75/5 |
Date of Publishing: August 26th 2018 | Genre: fantasy, urban fantasy |
Publisher: Self-published | Available: Amazon |
Number of pages: 434 | Author’s website: http://nupurink.blogspot.com/ |
Quote of the Book
“Are you out of your mind?” Ruban demanded, glaring at his uncle. They were alone in Subhas’s office, Simani having lured Ashwin off to the library to introduce him to her husband and ‘show him the treasure of one of the most important monuments in Ragah’. The young nobleman had followed her eagerly enough. “I can’t afford. to babysit that spoilt little pipsqueak while working this case. He’s only going to get in the way and slow us down.
“What will you have me do, Ruban?” his uncle asked, spreading his palms out before him. “We can’t allow him to wander around the city unsupervised. You think Washi is done with him? She’ll try to lure him back to that damned studio first chance she gets; and if not her, then someone else. The media is practically salivating after him right now. And he knows even more about this mess now than he did an hour ago. We can’t possibly risk him talking to anybody else. That boy has the self-control of an impulsive rabbit.”
“Well then, why don’t you just deport him back to Zaini and get this whole mess over with?”
Blurb
Supernatural meets White Collar.
Action, mystery, and bromance!
Saving the world has never been so much fun!!
Six hundred years ago, humanity rose up in revolt against the Aeriels, who were driven from earth and back into their homeland of Vaan after a bloody and glorious war.
Eight years ago, Ruban’s home was destroyed and his family murdered by an Aeriel.
When a new Aeriel threat looms over Ragah, the capital city of Vandram, Ruban Kinoh must do everything in his power to avenge his family’s past and protect the future of his country.
Which is hard enough without being saddled with a pretty and pompous aristocrat, who seems as useless as he is vain. Faced with a conspiracy that might cost humanity its hard-won freedom, and accompanied by the bejeweled and glitter-clad Ashwin Kwan, Ruban begins his journey into a land where the past and the future intertwine.
Personal notes
Thank you to the author Nupur Chowdhury, for the offer of a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Song of the Book
I almost feel like I am cheating with this song, it has very few lyrics and it suited one of the other characters and not even Ruban or Ashwin. But I’m running with it because I have been stuck trying to find one that did suit our MC’s, and it’s a great song anyway. Way Down We Go by Kaleo
Review
When the IAW creates a new formula that could revolutionize their Aeriel killing sifblade weapons possibly turning the tide in the war between Aeriel’s and humans, depending on which side it falls to; everyone has a stake in finding it after the formula is stolen.
Characters
I don’t know what it is about these mismatched partners working together theme that I like so much, but it’s pretty much an instant sell for me.
Ruban
Harbouring some deeply buried anger and grief after the loss of his family and girlfriend to an Aeriel attack, Ruban has focused that energy into a goal of ridding the world of them by becoming one of the best hunters.
I always fall for these reserved type characters, with the dry humor and no-nonsense kind of approach. Despite his sometimes close-mindedness (which is understandable to his past) and broody nature – the love of his remaining family, makes him character that you can’t not like.
His more subdued personality offsets Ashwin’s sunnier side quite well and I thought his fears were shown realistically (particularly in one scene where because of that deep buried fear and hatred, he lashed out almost blindly) and we do get to see some growth from him in that department as the story unfolds.
Ashwin
Is pretty adorable actually. Sent to investigate rumours of the new formula he is teamed up with Ruban (mostly to keep Ashwin from causing trouble with his penchant of talking to the press) he is an unlikely partner, with his rather vain appearance, and at first glance spoiled aristocrat persona. But there is more to Ashwin than meets the eye, and he is quite astute under all that lovely long hair and meticulous clothing.
You can’t not like this guy, he is endearing with a capital E. I love that he was everything he didn’t seem to be on the surface or maybe that’s everything plus what you see on the surface. Ashwin won my heart with his smart, sunny, and easy-going disposition.
My only stumble with his character had to do with one scene, and how accepting he was of it and that there was very little reproach over it towards the other character involved. But someone had to be the bigger person and I was offended enough on his behalf.
Wonderful characters and lots of little moments sprinkled through-out the story that just made them extra charming. I also liked how the side cast, Hiya in particular, were used to show us the ‘human’ sides of characters who at the beginning, we only get to know through reputation as hunters and indiscriminate killers. Nicely contrasted.
The world building
Felt like our world with Aeriels. Every now and again when a city or country was mentioned, I would be reminded that it wasn’t our world because outside of the Aeriels and their history, everything else – pop references, cell phones etc. all made it feel that way. Depending on your preferences this may be a sticking point, but for me, I liked the ease of immersion so I could just sit back and enjoy.
The story
Could have used tightening in places especially during the fights where sometimes the characters thoughts get in the way of the action – making the fight scenes not really action-paced thriller fast but they were still solid and there is a consistent tempo all through the book.
The one plot line was a little predictable to someone who has been reading for as long as I have, it’s a minor point and the characters more than made up for it.
In other words
The characters were awesome, a neat and easy to digest world, and I will be looking for the next in this series because it was an enjoyable story all around.
Notes
This reads like a standalone but I see it’s book one in the series, I’m quite curious to know if we get more Ruban and Ashwin in the next edition or if it’s focused on another character.
This review was written by Jen (BunnyReads)
Thank you so much for this lovely and thoughtful review!! 😀
You are welcome! 🙂 Seems like Jen really liked your book 🙂