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A review by riniya
Nirel by Sarah Emmer, Sarah Emmer
medium-paced
5.0
Nirel was prepared to live an inconspicuous life. She was studying under her mother to be an apothecary. This changed when the king's army raided her village, looking to conscript. One guard in a fit of anger attacked her brother, which would have led to his death. She revealed her healing magic and saved his life. This caused her to be kidnapped and taken in service of the king, to become his personal healer. This is a death sentence as most don't survive the ten year contract.
Jase was the captain of the guards that discovered Nirel's abilities. He was attracted to her from the start but thought of her as forbidden. He felt like he knew her but couldn't place where. Over the 600 miles from her out of the way village to the capital, the two started to grow closer. Close enough for Jase to petition the king for the opportunity to court her.
Corvin is the King's seer. He works for the king to keep him safe and ensure the King's power to be absolute over the kingdom. He has seen a future in which Nirel becomes his wife and two grow a family together. He feels threatened by Jases' presence and entitled to the future he desires, which Jase puts at risk.
This book is honestly a really great story and debut novel. The series is going to be a trilogy and I ended this book desperate for the next.
The characters are interesting and even the small twists that occurred throughout were captivating. I enjoyed Nirel's development, especially considering that the "Saint" that she followed was against any form of pre-marital anything. The saint pushed for modesty in women, never showing skin, not holding hands or kissing outside of dating. When she transitioned to the capital she changed Saints and the way she struggled with her new beliefs and her old was enlightening. It was also refreshing to not have the change happen instantly.
As Nirel discovers there is more to her abilities than meets the eye, she navigates court politics, Two men who are vying for her heart, a priestess who has a secret job for her, and her own misgivings.
Overall, A great debut for an author I'm excited to read more from!
Jase was the captain of the guards that discovered Nirel's abilities. He was attracted to her from the start but thought of her as forbidden. He felt like he knew her but couldn't place where. Over the 600 miles from her out of the way village to the capital, the two started to grow closer. Close enough for Jase to petition the king for the opportunity to court her.
Corvin is the King's seer. He works for the king to keep him safe and ensure the King's power to be absolute over the kingdom. He has seen a future in which Nirel becomes his wife and two grow a family together. He feels threatened by Jases' presence and entitled to the future he desires, which Jase puts at risk.
This book is honestly a really great story and debut novel. The series is going to be a trilogy and I ended this book desperate for the next.
The characters are interesting and even the small twists that occurred throughout were captivating. I enjoyed Nirel's development, especially considering that the "Saint" that she followed was against any form of pre-marital anything. The saint pushed for modesty in women, never showing skin, not holding hands or kissing outside of dating. When she transitioned to the capital she changed Saints and the way she struggled with her new beliefs and her old was enlightening. It was also refreshing to not have the change happen instantly.
As Nirel discovers there is more to her abilities than meets the eye, she navigates court politics, Two men who are vying for her heart, a priestess who has a secret job for her, and her own misgivings.
Overall, A great debut for an author I'm excited to read more from!