War by Jennifer Anne Davis Review

WAR

WAR

Jennifer Anne Davis
 (True Reign #3)
Published: May 6th, 2014

Genres: YA, Historical, Fantasy

When Rema chose to be crowned queen and join the rebel forces, she knew she'd face the fight of her life. What she didn't expect was to be kidnapped by an Emperion assassin and taken to the mainland to be executed in front of the emperor. How can she save Greenwood Island if she can't even save herself?

Darmik knows he doesn't have much time to rescue Rema. He’s denounced his position as Commander and Prince in order to join the rebels. But now he must rely on his family name in order to go before the Emperor—his uncle—and beg for Rema’s life.

If Rema and Darmik have any hope of being together and saving their kingdom, they must survive the greatest threat of all—Emperion.

This is the heart-pounding conclusion to The True Reign Series.

{AMAZON} {BARNES & NOBLE}



DON'T MISS OUT ON THE COMPLETE SERIES HERE:

CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF BOOK ONE, THE KEY HERE & BOOK TWO, RED HERE!!

WAR by Jennifer Anne Davis was a thrilling conclusion that I absolutely adored. I loved this series since the first book, and was so pleased with the way it all ended. Some things didn't play out like I hoped they would, but that's to be expected with any good conclusion. But either way, I am so glad I read this series and got to know these wonderful characters.

The world-building was phenomenal, this book setting has quickly become one of my favorite genres to read. There's something about historical novels, set with evil kings and a civil war threatening to rise up and devour the evil ensnaring them, that always peaks my curiosity and gets my blood pumping. And this book was no exception too my new favorite genre, that satisfied in more ways then I hoped.

THE PLOT:

REMA:

Rema thought she finally had it all figured out. She thought by standing with her people as their new queen, she would be giving a fresh beginning for them all. She thought she had more time before her life flashed before her eyes, before she was on her way to the gallows, again.... But she was wrong, and now she will never know what would of been, because she is a prisoner on her way to Emperion to be executed only because of the Royal blood that runs through her veins. And their is nothing she can do about it, or is there....?

Rema will have to battle the unthinkable to defeat all the evil threatening to tearing her world apart. She has no idea how or even if she will be able to get out of her impending execution in Emperion. And if she walks on that, how she'll ever find the forces and power to defeat them all. But one thing is for certain, Rema is not the same girl who naively and unknowingly walked into this life. She's stronger, faster, and more determined then ever to bring them all down
once and for all.

DARMIK:

Darmik has lost the woman he loves in more ways then one. She was not only his savior, but also the savior of the rebels that he now calls his own people. She was Greenwood Island's last hope of ever defeating his father, the King, and his evil brother, the crown Prince, and restoring the Kingdom to it's once glory before his father slaughtered the royal family, missing only the infant baby that is the true heir to the throne, and is also miles away on a ship to Emperion to wait out her execution. Darmik almost lost Rema once to the gallows, he won't lose her again, no matter the circumstance...

Darmik's only way of saving Rema is to venture beyond his borders to the Emperion kingdom, where Rema is on her way too. He will have to use his royal name to gain entry with his uncle, the Emperor, and beg for Rema to be returned too him. He will have to become the person he now despises, if he wants to save not only the women he madly loves, but also the strong queen that will save them all..

But Emperion proves to be more difficult then Darmik ever anticipated, and his Royal blood will not be enough to get him out of this ruse he's concocted. But even if he manages to save Rema from the Emperor, he still has to find a way to defeat his father, brother, and thousands of solders that they're sure to have manipulated into turning on him....

Their journey will be long and tedious, but they will all have to endure much if their going to save their queen under duress, and breathe fresh air back into their kingdom.

This book was EPIC, truly amazing!! I loved it so much for so many reasons! This heart-pounding adventure was just the conclusion my heart needed!! I'm just sad this series is over, but thrilled that their is a spin-off series about Rema and Darmik's daughter, which I already have a review copy of, WHOP!!

Overall, WAR was a great conclusion that I'm highly satisfied with. I'm excited to continue this series in the fresh eyes of the main characters daughter, and see what other struggles will arise in Emperion and Greenwood Island. I know whatever Davis creates is going to be anything but short of amazing! If you enjoy thrilling historical's, heart-pounding action and adventure, with war and rebellion, and an utterly beautiful romance that will stay with with you for a long time, then definitely check out this series, I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

NOTE: I received an eBook for reviewing purposes. All opinions express are my own and are not influenced in any way!

4.5 BONE HEARTS 

Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she married her best friend and high school sweetheart. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids' creativity.

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Red by Jennifer Anne Davis Review

Red

RED
Jennifer Anne Davis
 (True Reign #2)
Genres: YA, Historical, Fantasy
Published: February 14th, 2014

Sentenced to be executed.
Betrayed. Alone.
Hung on the gallows.
Rema thought her life was over, but she was wrong.

Saved by a rebel force she’d only ever heard rumors about, Rema finds herself in a forbidden place. She is finally safe—free from the king and Prince Lennek. But not everything is as it seems at the rebel fortress. Secrets are whispered, and loyalties are tested. Once Rema uncovers the truth of her heritage, will she flee? Or will she ascend to the throne, taking on the responsibility of an entire kingdom?

Now that Darmik knows Rema’s true identity, he’s on a quest to save her. But when an Emperion assassin arrives on Greenwood Island, Darmik knows he doesn’t have very long to find her. In a deadly game with high stakes, will Darmik remain loyal to his family? Or will he break away and join the rebels?

Kingdoms rise and fall.
Heroes are born and made.
But one thing remains the same—love conquers all.

{AMAZON} {BARNES & NOBLE} {AUDIBLE}



DON'T MISS OUT ON THE COMPLETE SERIES HERE:

CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF BOOK ONE, THE KEY HERE!!

What another amazing book by Davis!! I love this series to pieces and am so glad I decided to pick up the first book. It captivated me and took my breath away. Davis's writing and even pacing was spectacular and such a thrilling ride of ups and downs!

The characters were so awesome, I instantly connected with Rema from the first book. And I really don't know why because in she wasn't my normal protagonist. In the first book she wasn't a bad-ass chick on a mission, she was a big sweet softy. Naive and unaware of the reality of the world around her, but yet still a feisty, determined, strong willed, and all around good person. So I guess all those qualities allowed me see the fierce fighter inside Rema.

But in this book, Rema was the opposite of her soft demeanor from book one. She was a girl who went through something that changed her. Unwilling to be the trusting, sweet, naive girl she once was, but still unsure of what her role is and where her life was heading, and if she ultimately had it within her to fight back. But by the end of this book she built herself up to the understanding of what she needed to be: A girl on a mission, with a vendetta to seek justice for her family and all the ones in her kingdom who have been wronged and suffered at the hands of the king and is evil son Prince Lennek. And I loved watching her tremendous character growth from book one. And how she took the injustice done on herself, and turned it into a beacon of will and determination to see all the wrongs done to those on the island righted, and as a path to reclaiming the kingdom and ending all the suffering!

And Darmik was another great character that I just loved! Like Rema, I instantly connected with him also. And though he was the son of the evil king, and also the commander ruling the kings army, and leader of the ones causing the people suffering, I still seen that he was a good person underneath his preside. But was just mislead by his desires of wanting to be apart of his family that he's always been neglected from. And I think that blindsided him to the actual wrongs he was inflicting on his people by doing the kings bidding. But in this book Darmik was battling with what was right and what was wrong, and Rema was the turning point for him. An eye opener for all the wrongs that he's been causing on the Island for a long time. And he ultimately turned his allegiances to the rebels to fight against his father. And that just further proved I was right for putting my faith into his character. ;)

THE PLOT

REMA:

Barely escaped her public execution, Rema is now coping and trying to understand who saved her and why. She was rescued by rebel forces, the same rebel forces that king Barjon and the man she's come to care for, Prince Darmik are hunting down and eliminating one by one. Unsure of what's going on and who can be trusted, Rema has no choice but to remain at the rebels fortress, because she's now a wanted woman all over the Kingdom, and their out for blood—her blood.

Crown Prince Lennek and the evil king want the noose around Rema's neck so badly she can taste it. But thanks to the rebels who rescued her, she was able to escape with her life, at least for the time being. But the question still remains why did these rebels help her, and what do they ultimately want from her?

Allied with the rebels, Rema trains daily, building her strength and learning the skill to protect herself when the kings army closes-in. But within the rebel fortress, Rema finds answers she didn't even know their were questions too. She was saved for a reason, a very good reason at that. And the rebels want her to commit to their cause not because she's another able body, but because she is The Key to the corrupt kingdoms undoing. She's the only one able to bring the kingdom to it's knees, and then rebuild it beyond it's once glory...

DARMIK:

Shunned by his father, the King of Greenwood Island, tortured by his brother, the Crown Prince, and betrayed by the girl he's fallen in love with. All that and Darmik is barley holding onto his sanity. But one thing that he does have above all else is his army. Commander and loyal leader to his solders, Darmik must find the rebels responsible for inciting the spark of rebellion in the hearts of his people. He must find the ones he secretly appreciates for saving Rema from her demise that fateful day of her failed execution. But most important, he must find the truth of Rema's true heritage, and if she knows who she really is, and how much power she holds, if she chooses to wield it...

But one things for certain, Darmik knows his people have been mistreated. He knows his father is turning him into a monster—making him do evil things to his kingdom. He knows when his brother Lennek becomes ruler of Greenwood Island, he will become even more vindictive and evil then his father, and he will make everyone under his rule pay, simply because he can. And Darmik knows he cannot let that happen, but is uncertain what he should do about it...

But finding Rema will come at the

ultimate price...

His father and brother want Rema's head on a stick, but even worse, the Emperor has gotten news of Rema's heritage, and has sent in his own reinforcements, and their hunting for the kill. He knows Rema betrayed him by not telling him who she really was, but is that betrayal really worth standing by and watching her be murdered? But the more he digs deeper, the more he starts to think that maybe she hasn't betrayed him, maybe she's unaware of who's blood pulses through her veins. And then the realization that he may of just lost everything he loves, for nothing.

So now the question remains...

Is Darmik willing to fight for Rema, and by fighting for her, is he willing to take on her cause—a cause that just may bring the end of the king's tyranny, and the kingdom to it's rightful place?

Yes, YES, YESSSSS!!!! The RED was a fantastic sequel that I just loved! With action and adventure, twist and turns, allegiances and betrayals, obedience and rebellion, evil and benevolent, and a romance so bitter sweet, that it will literally be the last hope of saving a kingdom...

Overall, RED was so awesome, with just the right amount of everything I love! This series has quickly become one of my all time favorites, and these characters will always hold a dear place in my heart! And the author is writing a spin-off series with Rema and Darmik's daughter, the future empress as the main protagonist. And I CAN'T WAIT to jump back into this EPIC world. If you enjoy this type of genre with an awesome cast of charters, and plenty of action and adventure, with betrayals and defiance, and a romance so sweet, then you should definitely check out this series!

NOTE: I received an eBook for reviewing purposes. All opinions express are my own and are not influenced in any way!

4 BONE HEARTS

Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she married her best friend and high school sweetheart. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids' creativity.

{WEBSITE} {GOODREADS} {TWITTER} {FACEBOOK} {INSTAGRAM}

The Key by Jennifer Anne Davis Audiobook Review

The Key

THE KEY
Jennifer Anne Davis
 (True Reign #1)
Genres: YA, Historical, Fantasy
Published: November 16th, 2013

Within these pages lie kingdoms with castles and princes who fall in love with fair maidens, but make no mistake−this is no fairytale.

His father’s kingdom is on the brink of upheaval and at the center of it all is an ordinary girl who could be the key to its undoing. When faced with the ultimate choice, will he choose the girl he’s falling in love with or the kingdom he has sworn to protect?

An ordinary girl with an extraordinary past. All she wants is to be free. What she doesn’t realize is that freedom comes with a price she can’t afford to pay. She’s forced to accept the proposal of a prince she despises, even though her heart belongs to someone else . . . his brother.

Seventeen-year-old Rema lives in a brutal kingdom where travel between regions is forbidden, people are starving, and looking at someone the wrong way can mean death. Nineteen-year-old Darmik is the king’s son and Commander of the King’s Army. He spends his days roving the island, doing his father’s bidding and trying to maintain control over the people.

When a chance encounter throws Rema and Darmik together, they share an instantaneous connection, but any sort of relationship between them is strictly forbidden. Darmik’s brother, the Crown Prince, notices Darmik’s interest in Rema and, in a calculated, political move, blackmails her. Faced with an impossible choice, Rema is forced to sacrifice her heart in order to save her family.

As Rema is taken to the palace with the Crown Prince, Darmik confronts the growing rumor that a legitimate blood heir to the throne exists and is trying to overthrow Darmik’s family. In Darmik’s quest to hunt down and kill the threat, he discovers that nothing is as it seems. Locked in the king’s castle, Rema finds herself a key player in a massive power struggle. When Darmik shows up, she’s not sure if she can trust him. The line between friends, enemies, and loyalty becomes blurred. As truths are unlocked, Rema understands that she just might be the key to finding the rightful heir and restoring peace to the kingdom… if she can manage to stay alive long enough.

THE KEY IS NOW FREE ON AMAZON:
{AMAZON} {BARNES & NOBLE} {AUDIBLE}



CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE SERIES HERE:

I loved THE KEY so much! I was actually very surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Not because it didn't sound fantastic, because it did, but I kept putting it off for years, thinking it was one of those books that sounded fantastic, but turn out to be a load of junk. But I am so happy to say that was NOT the case here with THE KEY! Not at all, the complete opposite to be exact!

The world-building is what captivated me from the very beginning. I love a thick-plotted world with evil kings and a kingdom of the verge of self destruction. And then you throw in conspiracies and political intrigue, with a forbidden romance and a hot love interest, and a determined heroine, and you have one hell of a book. And that's exactly what I found here! So I was instantly drawn into this world and the outcome of their situation. Davis created a thrilling plot to go along with her epic world building! BRAVO Jennifer Davis, BRAVO!!

The characters were just as amazing as the world-building. The story was told in dual POV's, with Rema and her love interest Prince Darmik as the main characters. And they were both developed and fun characters for their own reasons. Rema was the mystery of the novel, and though we knew her true identity, she didn't, and that made for a thrilling ride to watch her discover all the little hints along the way to revealing the truth behind it all. She was spunky, and I really liked that about Rema's character. She wasn't quickly knocked down, and I don't mean physically I mean mentally. She could take whatever was thrown at her and turn it into not as bad of a situation as it really was. She was also smart and tough, even though she really didn't know how to physically fight, she still wouldn't let that defer her from standing up for herself. She was just a well-rounded, awesome protagonist that I just loved.

And Darmik, the other main POV was so dam hot!!! He drove me crazy when it was his POV! I loved him to pieces for many reasons. And though he was doing the evil kings bidding's, he knew it was wrong and did not take pleasure like his brother, the Crown Prince did. He was strong, skilled, loyal, determined, and viciously lethal when he need to be. Yet he was gentle, sweet, compassionate, and just wanted the best thing for his people. And he was slowly starting to see that it was not his father and brother that the people needed. I thought Rema and Darmik were awesome protagonist, and together they would be unstoppable...

THE PLOT

SEVENTEEN YEARS IN THE PAST:

Greenwood Island is ruled by a just king and queen, with two sons and one daughter. All is well in the land, citizens are feed and treated fairly, and though their not the riches kingdom, their content and happy with their Monarch and the lives they provide.

But all that changes when Emperor Hamen, ruler of Emperion on the mainlands wants to open up trade with Greenwood Island. But the king and queen of Greenwood refuse the Emperor for their own good reasons, and thus sentenced Greenwood to their deaths at the hands of the Emperion army. An army vastly larger and highly more skilled then Greenwood's soldiers. And on one eerie, blood-filled night, the Emperion army invades Greenwood Island, and slaughtered the Royal family, killing anyone who gets in their way. Royals, civilians, guards, woman, children-babies, anyone who posed a threat was executed on site. But the Commander of Greenwood Island manged to slip the castle undetected, taking with him the only remaining heir to the Greenwood throne.

So hiding within Greenwood Island, the legitimate heir grows strong and healthy everyday, and is unknowingly the only hope Greenwood has of ridding itself of the false royal family, taking them from power and saving the people from a horrifying life, or death.

And this is how their story begins...

SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER:

Rema is just a commoner in a kingdom ruled by brutality at the hands of a viscus king and his two sons. She has been shielded from the harsh reality of what really lies in the kingdom. She's content with raising horses and thrillingly riding them with her best friend Bren. Until one day all that changes, and Rema is quickly pulled into a viscus game she knows nothing about, and becomes the pawn in her ultimate downfall.

While out on one of her runs through the forest, Rema meets Darmik, one of the kings sons and commander of the kings lethal army. And what she sees in him is not a brutal, arrogant, blood thirsty prince like she thought him to be, but as a sweet, caring, and very handsome man, who seems to want the best for his people, but is forced by the king to do his evil bidding's. But the other prince, Crown Prince Lennek is the one she has to worry about. He is the opposite of Prince Darmik. He's evil, conning, vindictive, and is very quick to shed blood if it pleases him. And Rema has just unknowingly caught his eye and sealed her fate...

Rema is forced to marry the vile Prince Lennek, becoming the princess and future queen of Greenwood Island. Something Rema would rather die then become. But with no other option if she wants to save her family from a torturous death at the hands of Prince Lennek, she has to obey, and look pleased about it.

The kingdom of Greenwood Island is on the brink of civil war.

With the king rapidly increasing taxes, and quick to kill anyone he pleases, and the people quickly starving from the increase, and not having the means to support themselves, death has become a for sure thing on Greenwood Island. But their are some people who are fighting for peace and freedom, fighting for a new way of life, fighting to overthrow the king and his sons, and they claim the have just the key to do it...

The Key is coming...

That's the whispers in the streets, the hope that swells in peoples hearts, that's the words the rebels spread. The rebels are fiercely rousing the people to stand up for themselves and fight for their freedom. But with little hope of defeating the kings army, the people are quickly knocked down. But what if The Key to their salvation has been right in front of them all along? And what if their really is a rebel force that may just be strong enough to stand up to the kings army? What then?

Doesn't that sound fantastic? It was, it truly was!! I've never read anything by Davis, but she's quickly climbing the ladder into my favorite authors! THE KEY was an amazing start to an absolutely wonderful series that I'm actually almost finished reading, and loving! While writing this review I'm already reading the third and final book in this series! THE KEY was just that good that I instantly had to pick up it's sequel and see what happened after that terrifyingly wonderful cliffhanger Davis threw at us with full force! And book two and three is just as good, if not better then THE KEY!

Overall, I am highly satisfied with this book and the way it all played out. Davis has a way to grab the reader from the very beginning and keep hold until the very end. If you enjoy a spunky, quick-witted main character, with a hot love interest, and a kingdom on the brink of civil war, with evil kings and princes, and a great drama with plenty of action and adventure, then THE KEY is definitely one book you should check out!!

4.5 BONE HEARTS

Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she married her best friend and high school sweetheart. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids' creativity.

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