AUGUST 2019 - AudioFile
Narrators Lisa Flanagan, Bahni Turpin, and Soneela Nankani’s voices are a force to be reckoned with as they ring with steeliness and resolve in the sequel to RISE. Sisters Akeylah, Ren, and Zofi—all contenders for their dying father’s throne—harbor terrible secrets that threaten to destroy their family and the kingdom they love. Flanagan, Turpin, and Nankani’s voices weave together, conveying the sisters’ struggles to conquer their fears and trust in themselves and each other. Each narrator delivers a superb performance in her own right, and together they create a taut and unified whole that thrums with simmering intrigue and desire. The result is a compelling and exhilarating audio, sure to leave listeners wishing for more stories about these remarkable heroines. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
Praise for Rise:
"In this action-packed sequel...Goodlett does not disappoint — unexpected twists and turns keep the plot fresh and readers wanting more.... A female-centric narrative that puts empathy, trust, and familial love before romance." —Kirkus Reviews
"This thrilling sequel to Rule (2018) will be hotly anticipated by readers due to the first book's exciting ending. Goodlett has built a fully realized world that begs to be explored.Purchase this duology as set for any library."—Booklist
Praise for Rule:
"Rule delivers dazzling magic, suspenseful court intrigue, and pulse-pounding surprises. A treat for fans of richly layered fantasy!"—Elly Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Frostblood Saga
"Goodlett treats readers to juicy gossip, court intrigue, and danger. [Her] worldbuilding is detailed and politically astute...providing a satisfying build toward a cliffhanger ending."—Publishers Weekly
"An epic fantasy adventure...[with] death threats, political intrigue, and just the right amount of romance. A great purchase for libraries with strong readers and fantasy lovers."—SLJ
"Goodlett weaves an absorbing narrative of political intrigue, friendship and romance."—BCCB
"Rule is an exhilarating, fresh fantasy full of complicated and authentic female characters navigating court politics, blackmail, forbidden romance, and their own dark pasts. With breakneck pacing and a toe-curlingly good queer romance, Rule is sure to satisfy."—Lindsay Smith, author of Sekret and Web of Frost
"Rule is a such a propulsive, richly imagined, and sexy debut that you'll be reading 'just one more page' way past your bedtime."—Corrie Wang, author of The Takedown
"The fast-paced plot makes for an engaging read.... Refreshing."—Kirkus Reviews
School Library Journal
07/12/2019
Gr 9 Up-This dark fantasy comes to a conclusion in this sequel to Rule. Sisters Akeylah, Ren, and Zofi are forced to share their secrets with one another, trusting that they will be able to work together to survive the threats made by the blackmailer calling themselves the "true heir." As their father nears death, exiled Zofi searches for a way to reverse the curse that is killing him, and Akeylah learns that Queen Rozalind, now her lover, has a secret that not only could change the succession but also makes Rozalind a prime suspect as the blackmailer. While all three sisters are forced to take a hard look at themselves and take responsibility for their actions, Akeylah's character development truly shines in this story as she feeds the strength that has always been there, even when she was abused and neglected before the sisters were revealed as heirs to the crown. The explicit violence and sexual implications in this compelling series make it a better fit for more mature teens. VERDICT Fans of Kendare Blake's "Three Dark Crowns" books and Morgan Rhodes's "Falling Kingdoms" series will enjoy this duology, as will readers who are looking for dark fantasy without lengthy and ongoing installments.-Kerry Sutherland, Akron-Summit County Public Library, OH
AUGUST 2019 - AudioFile
Narrators Lisa Flanagan, Bahni Turpin, and Soneela Nankani’s voices are a force to be reckoned with as they ring with steeliness and resolve in the sequel to RISE. Sisters Akeylah, Ren, and Zofi—all contenders for their dying father’s throne—harbor terrible secrets that threaten to destroy their family and the kingdom they love. Flanagan, Turpin, and Nankani’s voices weave together, conveying the sisters’ struggles to conquer their fears and trust in themselves and each other. Each narrator delivers a superb performance in her own right, and together they create a taut and unified whole that thrums with simmering intrigue and desire. The result is a compelling and exhilarating audio, sure to leave listeners wishing for more stories about these remarkable heroines. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2019-01-23
In this action-packed sequel to Rule (2018), Zofi, Ren, and Akeylah once again find themselves in a precarious position in the palace they now call home.
Not only are they hiding terrible acts of treason, but they are also no closer to finding their blackmailer—the true heir—who threatens to expose them. Since the sisters refuse to give up their claims to the throne, the blackmailer begins to target them and their loved ones instead: Following the murder of their aunt, Yasmin, an attempt is made on Ren's life (although she is rescued in the nick of time). To make matters worse, everyone now knows that Zofi murdered her half brother, the Silver Prince, and that Ren's misplaced trust resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives. Only Akeylah's secret—accidentally cursing King Andros to his death—is still safe, but that is only because the true heir thinks she is easy to manipulate. With Zofi banished from the kingdom and Ren under lock and key, will the sisters stop the true heir before anyone else is killed? Goodlett does not disappoint—unexpected twists and turns keep the plot fresh and readers wanting more, and character development is stronger than in the previous volume. Ethnicity remains difficult to determine, but the treatment of Travelers and mistrust of foreigners reflect issues in our world.
A female-centric narrative that puts empathy, trust, and familial love before romance. (Fantasy. 14-18)
