Furyborn is a dual perspective novel about Eliana and Rielle; two young women set 1000 years apart that are the focus of an ancient prophecy
Rielle I am a bit ambivalent towards to be completely honest. I wasn’t all that invested in her character even though she was one of the main protagonists. She just came across a little too arrogant and conceited. Yes she has had to overcome a lot of obstacle hiding her powers for so many years and having to deal with the guilt of her mother’s death, but there was just something about her that rubbed me the wrong way. I think it has to do with letting Corien into her mind so easily, especially after finding out what he was and still perpetuating his attachment to her.
Eliana was frustrating at times as well. Again I can understand why she chose to be the assassin of the empire for so many years but when she tried to betray the resistance and almost murder those 300ish people for her own selfish reasons it really soured her for me. She does redeem herself though and sees the error of her ways, but I just wish she was a little more open to those around her and wasn’t so closed off and snappish all the time.
Simon definitely intrigues me the most! What happened when he let go of the thread at the start and how did he come to be under the employ of the emperor? Broody, secretive, sullen male protagonists are a crutch for me, I guess I give them a bit more leeway than female protagonists who have the same characteristics but that’s just me…
Even though our two female protagonists got on my nerves it didn’t take away from the story at all. Every character really has that morally grey, ambiguous nature where you don’t really know what side they are truly on. It raises the stakes consistently and maintains a level of unpredictability throughout the course of the story line.
I loved the dual timeline and seeing how the world differs between the two. I am very much invested in the story and want to find out more about what happened during that two year window between Rielle, Audric and Corien. The world building was wonderful, the juxtaposition between the two countries and how the perception of magic has changed over time.
⭐️4/5 stars I was invested from the start!
