Amethyst Pledge (The Albatar Chronicles Book 1) by Leonie Rogers is set in Albatar and centers on a pre-industrial civilization geographically set apart from the outer world. Those living in the region make a choice when they turn 15: to leave home and serve the Lady within one of the septs, defer the decision, or declare that they have not been called to serve. Kazari is a strong female fifteen-year-old protagonist who answers the Lady’s call to serve without her parents’ approval. Their lack of support hurts, but she knows she is doing the right thing. As she makes this step, she figures she will be called to serve as a Grower or maybe an Advisor. She’s short, a little chunky and very much surprised when she is called to the Hunter sept to defend Albatar from demonic gorgones.
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Her training comes along physically, mentally, and her connection with the Lady grows strong, but circumstances thrust Kaz into war when the Abbey is attacked by gorgones. She is expected to do her part with the Lady’s help. I won’t say more because I do my best to avoid spoilers. I can’t say enough good things about this page-turner. It is my favorite read so far this year and I give it a solid 5 stars. If I could, I’d give it more.
Leonie Rogers creates a believable fantasy world with unique, entertaining characters. The plot is action-packed, original, and unpredictable. I think people who enjoyed Hunger Games, or the Percy Jackson series will find this book to their liking. One word of caution to parents of preteens, the gorgones are scary, so if your children are sensitive to monsters and related violence, you might want to wait until they are a little older. Other than that, this book comes highly recommended. I saw the second book in the series, Dark Days (The Albatar Chronicles Book 2), was released on May 20 and have finished it as well. It's another 5-star must read for epic fantasy fans.
As BookHookup, I am a long-time book reviewer and I received Amethyst Pledge as a free review copy and have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. This review is posted in collaboration with #Blackberry Book Tours. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.
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About Leonie Rogers
Originally from Western Australia, Leonie now lives in NSW in the Upper Hunter. She is the author of the highly rating Frontier Trilogy, published by Hague Publishing, and works part time as a physiotherapist. Amethyst Pledge, is the first in a new series – The Albatar Chronicles. Book 2, Dark Days, has just been released (May 20, 2020). In a past life, Leonie was a volunteer firefighter and SES member and once trekked almost six hundred kilometers with eight camels and several other human beings. She is married with two adult children, two dogs and three cats, one of whom frequently handicaps her ability to use a laptop computer.
Author’s social media
https://www.facebook.com/leonierogersauthor