If I had to pick, epic fantasy is my favorite genre, so I
started DAUGHTERS OF THE STORM with excitement. The synopsis
of the first book in author Kim Wilkins' Blood and
Gold series hinted at intrigue, magic, conflict and
tragedy. And it delivered in many ways. Wilkins introduces
readers to the five girls and one stepbrother early on, and
we get to know them better as we learn their father, King
Athelric, is dying. How the sisters relate to their
father's magically-induced illness and to each other gives
us great insight. There is Bluebell, a warrior and heir to
the crown; Ash, a mage with growing powers; Rose, the most
passionate of them all; Willow, a religious zealot; and Ivy,
the selfish, envious one.
Bluebell blames her father's second wife, Gudrun, for their
father's disease, but the other sisters aren't so sure.
And, none of the other sisters or their stepbrother, Wylm,
share her commitment to crown and family. Rose wants her
love; Ash fears her growing powers; Willow spends her time
in prayer; and Ivy seems to resent the world. Wylm wants the
throne and his mother's innocence.
I had two main issues with the book: I didn't like any of
the characters. Liking the characters isn't a prerequisite
for enjoying a book, but it helps if one can rally behind at
least one of them. These characters did things without
heeding the consequences, and it got frustrating. Ash, with
her self-awareness and some consideration of what's to
come, has the most potential. My second issue had more to do
with world building. First books in series normally spend a
great deal of time on character development and laying out
the world in which the story takes place, but this book
didn't have the twists, turns and surprises that normally
can give balance.
That said, much of Wilkins' writing is strong, and a
curiosity to know how things play out will likely have me
reading the second book, SISTERS OF
FIRE. A lot can happen from here on out, and I hope to
find more twists and surprises in the next book.
Five very different sisters team up against their
stepbrother to save their kingdom in this Norse-flavored
fantasy epic—the start of a new series in the tradition of
Naomi Novik, Peter V. Brett, and Robin Hobb.
FIVE ROYAL SISTERS. ONE CROWN.
They are the
daughters of a king. Though they share the same royal blood,
they could not be more different. Bluebell is a proud
warrior, stronger than any man and with an ironclad heart to
match. Rose’s heart is all too passionate: She is the queen
of a neighboring kingdom who is risking everything for a
forbidden love. Ash is discovering a dangerous talent for
magic that might be a gift—or a curse. And then there are
the twins—vain Ivy, who lives for admiration, and zealous
Willow, who lives for the gods.
But when their
father is stricken by a mysterious ailment, these five
sisters must embark on a desperate journey to save him and
prevent their treacherous stepbrother from seizing the
throne. Their mission: find the powerful witch who can cure
the king. But to succeed on their quest, they must overcome
their differences and hope that the secrets they hide from
one another and the world are never brought to light.
Because if this royal family breaks, it could destroy the
kingdom.
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