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Release Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Hydra Publications
Author Information: Website / Twitter
Genre: Fantasy (Epic), Romance
Available Formats: Paperback and eBook
Buy the Book: Amazon
Filled
to the brim with forbidden love, an ancient evil, and a nation in disrepair,
Empyreal Fate is a tale of riveting bravery and mortal corruption.
The
land of Llathala lingers on the brink of war between men and elves, a dark
history surrounding each race. Stirred by tensions of the land, a shadow of the
past reemerges, taking precedence in reality and consuming the very soul of
mans’ mortal weakness. Darrion, the son of a poor laborer, is ensnared in a
hostile world, forced to choose between loyalty to his king or the counsel of
the elves. Yet Fate has other plans in store, tying his course to Amarya, an
elven royalblood of mysterious quality and unsurpassable beauty. But this
forbidden connection incites betrayal from members of their own kin, marking
them as traitors to the crown. In a land torn asunder, only Fate’s decree can
allow such love to coexist with an ancient enmity.
Behold:
A Llathalan Annal: Empyreal Fate – Part One.
Review:
Empyreal
Fate is a magical tale woven by Rachel Hunter, a teenager whose imagination
knows no bounds. (Published teenager? Color me impressed!) She far surpasses
others of her age by producing this beautiful and lyrical read, and this fantastical
story grabbed my attention immediately and continued to hold it until the very
last page.
Please
pardon the following (and brief) fangirl moments! Moment #1: YAY for YA Epic
Fantasy reads! There are not nearly enough out there, in my opinion. Moment #2:
YAY for elves! I am ashamed hesitate to admit that whenever there is an
elf in a book, they always look like Legolas in my head, regardless of
character description. Seeing as to how Empyreal Fate is partially about elves,
I kind of conjured up a world of Legolases! (I would totally live there!) Also,
elves are also somewhat scarce in current YA literature, so that was just
another thing I ended up appreciated about this book.
*ahem*
Back to the topic at hand. There are so
many things happening in this book, and I was very impressed by the tone and
pacing of the story. The point of view changes multiple times, but each
character’s voice is distinct. I felt like I got to understand all the
characters, even the ones in the background. The world building was also
fantastic, and I was thoroughly captivated by this elven/human land (Legolas
land! :D) Packed full of political corruption and turmoil, epic battle scenes,
a whirlwind romance, and elves, Empyreal Fate is a book you shouldn’t miss out
on! I cannot wait to see what Ms. Hunter will have for us next!
A Great Escape
Excerpt:
Darrion stared, dazed, into Amarya's face as she
loomed above him, concern defining her frame. Lifting himself, he sat,
uncertain how he had come to lie upon the ground. He did not remember falling;
he had no recollection.
"You did well,” the elf congratulated,
extending a slender hand.
Darrion rubbed his head, feeling
a tenderness that had not been there before. "What happened?" he
asked, taking her hand and rising.
"I saw not of your mind, but
from what I could figure, you gained entrance to the thoughts of a rambling
oak. I know this to be true, for I could see your eyes swimming beneath the
lids. Such does not occur unless a connection is made.” Amarya beamed, eyes
sparkling with pride despite her pupil’s faint. With eager strides, she began smoothing
the creases of his tunic. "You drifted too far, however – missing the
mark. Your focus broke upon more than a single entity; your mind roamed in
places it was not meant. As a result, your consciousness receded, and your
celestial bond forged hollow spaces to compensate. Once that barrier snapped,
the voices of many within the Illex, not merely the trees, poured through you.
It was an overload of understanding – most mortals cannot handle such. But no
need to fret; you’ve far surpassed the most capable of beginners. I am simply
surprised you made contact at all."
Darrion stepped back, feeling the
lightness of his chest. With clouded thoughts, he speculated the feat he had
barely attained. Few words could describe his awe - the confusion - that enveloped
him. Dizziness clothed him as a tumbled reed.
Resting one palm against the bark
of an oak, he listened - intent - as though searching for a beating heart
against the trunk. Despite his wavering state, he was glad for Amarya’s
tutelage. This feeling… it was almost surreal.
"To my knowledge, never has a
human discerned as much as you.” Amarya’s pale hand sought Darrion's shoulder,
and he melted at her touch. "I'm uncertain what it means - for indeed,
your ability comes as no coincidence… But the mortal mind proves oft unable to
comprehend the spiritual realm. Not that it's impossible, but man forgets his
possession. He knows not of the awareness beyond material senses. You, Darrion,
are not like other men. You – you’re different."
She shifted her jaw, examining him as if for answers.
"It’s true… I never knew the
depths to which magic strayed," Darrion murmured, almost trembling from
his ethereal venture. "I used to think it all frivolous tricks of the
tongue."
"Not quite,” Amarya offered.
"Those who perform incantations,
as you suggest, are sorcerers - mere magicians who rely on handholds and false
words to create masked illusions. In
some cases – nigh, but rare - such illusions become reality. Regardless, the
art lacks in form. Words are the derivation of mortals - a human contrivance,
unnecessary for understanding. They are not real, as nature is real.
Nay, words are but crude concepts – trivial in the matter of divine
understanding. What is meant in one tongue may be opposite in another. How can
a concept so unsure create something so pure? The answer is simple: it cannot.”
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