If you didn’t already know about Lemuria’s Intern program, it’s the best. I LOVE our interns! We pick 9-12 high schoolers every summer to work in the store, learn the ins and outs of the book business from our end, and of course, play with books. It’s such a nice change of pace to have these kids in here that are just as excited about Lemuria as we are. This year, Lizzie and Meg, two of last year’s interns turned amazing booksellers, hand picked our interns. They collected applications, interviewed 15 kids and picked the ones they felt would get the most out of this opportunity. One of those bright kids was Mary Brooks. Mary Brooks just finished her stint here at Lemuria, but before she left, she could not stop talking about Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes, so I asked her to write us a little review of it:

“Even in the darkest and most cruel person, there is still a kernel of good. And within the most perfect champion, there is darkness. The question is, will one give in to the dark or the light? It’s something we decide with every choice we make, every day that we exist.”

After first reading this quote from Falling Kingdoms, one has to admit that this book certainly seems at least worth a quick looking-over. This quick look-over for me lead to all-out curiosity, and an impulse to read the first chapter that I find completely understandable. Even in the first chapter, it is evident that this book has something for all types of readers. From romance and secrecy, to magic and swordplay, even the stingiest of readers can find something that prompts them to continue.

Set within three kingdoms, and told from numerous viewpoints, the plot of Falling Kingdoms weaves a story that connects all of these characters in critical ways. Jonas, a poor winemaker’s son, directly contrasts with Magnus, the son of the cruel king of Limeros. Cleo, the princess of Auranos, leads a life of privilege and comfort, while Lucia, the adopted sister of Magnus, discovers a powerful ability. Two of the kingdoms that make up the setting of this novel, Limeros and Paelsia, are becoming weaker as time goes by. The ever-increasing loss of resources has made these kingdoms more desperate, and the wealth and beauty of the third kingdom, Auranos, serves as an even bigger temptation.

However, there is another game being played behind the scenes. The Watchers, powerful beings who live in paradise and are forever young, continue to look for three objects that were stolen from them. Because if these objects are found by the wrong people, it could mean the destruction of all of Mytica.

“What might not be evil to you could be evil to someone else. Knowing this makes us powerful even without magic.”

Hold on tight, and enjoy the ride, because once you start this book, there is no stopping. I am really looking forward to finding out where this story goes in the next installment, Rebel Spring, out December 3rd!

This blog entry was written by Mary Brooks Thigpen.

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