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Monday, January 11, 2016

Book Review: Henge (Le Fay, Book #1) by Realm Lovejoy

My Rating: 
Book: Henge (Le Fay, Book #1)

Author: Realm Lovejoy
Release date: November 11th 2014
Synopsis:
Modern-day Camelot. Where knights no longer carry swords. Magic is dangerous. And those who seek control are not to be trusted.

Sixteen-year-old Morgan le Fay is a fire user. An ordinary girl with an extraordinary skill, she has the ability to create and command fire at will. Her dream is to become the Maven—the right hand of the future King Arthur. In the chance of a lifetime, Morgan is selected to join Arthur’s Round, an elite group of young magic users from which the new Maven will be chosen.

Along with the other fire, water, and wind users in Arthur’s Round, Morgan is rigorously trained and tested. The handsome Merlin, a brilliant water user, takes a particular interest in her. Is his friendship to be trusted, or is Merlin simply trying to win the position of Maven for himself? Among the many rivals Morgan faces is the current Maven, Mordred, who seems determined to see her fail.

But Morgan has a secret—years ago, her mother was executed for using fire magic, and Morgan’s desire for justice makes her more than ready to take on the challenge before her. Can she prevail in Camelot’s tests of survival and magic? Only time—and Morgan’s powerful fire—will tell.

My Review:

I received a copy through the YA Bound Book Tour to read and review in return.

Wow, words can't express how much I have fallen in love with this book! I have not read the second book yet but my I'm literately aching to pick it up right now and read on... but since I just finished Henge, I feel the compelling need to write my review straight away. This book was simply put, AMAZING!! There was nothing wrong with this book, nothing... yet EVERYTHING was there. Everything which a Young Adult reader loves and looks forward to in their favorite book... it's there!! This book gives me the same powerful and emotional feelings which I also had towards Harry Potter! The book was filled with suspense scenes, loads of mystery and amazing kick-ass characters! Let's start from the begininning.

Henge is basically a modern retelling of the Camelot story, but before the ruling of King Arthur. The book starts off where we get to know our main character, Morgan Le Fay as a very driven and ambitious 16-year old girl. She is very hard headed (but in a good way) extremely brave and very selfless, I found her overall to be very likeable! I loved how the book jumped straight to the excitement, where Morgan is readying herself to show off her skills for the audition to join Arthur's round in Camelot. Why? Because Morgan is a Fire user! Not some ordinary fire user, but a very spectacular and powerful one indeed. She is extremely talented and determined to make her wish come true: to become Prince Arthur's Maven, his guide and protector. After Morgan hears that she has passed the auditions, she travels to Camelot to start her nine month training and testing. After these nine months, Camelot will decide who will become Maven... who will be the protector and guardian of the future King Arthur.

The book basically swallowed me up, I truly could not put it down. It whirled me into one thrilling moment to the other. We follow Morgan on special journey where she meets unbelievably intriguing characters. She primarily meets the mysterious and charming Merlin at the auditions, and then the rest of her fellow peers of the Arthur's round. Each member has a special elemental ability: fire, water, or wind. Among the members an extreme sense of rivalry flourishes between Morgan and Merlin and already very quickly, Morgan realizes something is out of place. Something or someone is trying to jeopardize her chances of becoming Maven and she better find out quick before it will become the death of her.

The book switches from present to past, where Ream Lovejoy feeds the reader with crucial information on Morgan's past which eventually links to the decisions she ends up making in the present. Not one moment in this book, whether it was the present or the past, was tedious. Each chapter is brimming with suspense and thrilling excitement. At the end of every chapter my heart was either furiously beating like a heart attack due to the unforgiven suspense, or laughing and adoring each and every clever hilarious depictions and narrations throughout the book.

Realm Lovejoy (awesome name, right?!) is such a talented writer! She has such an ease in her writing, but yet her way of describing a scene, an item, a character's mood or you name it, is simply impeccable and so lusciously detailed. I've read books where the characters posses magical powers, but the way magic is used in this book is so beautifully and orginially  portrayed, as if Ms. Realm is an expert and practices magic herself.

There's so much to tell about this book, but I'm going to spare you the details and tell you right now that if you are a die hard Young adult reader and love (or are curious about) the story of King Arthur and the world of Camelot, then please give this book your devotion and attention. I know hundred percent sure you will not regret it!