This sounded so unique and I've always tended to like stories with dragons, so I was curious about this new series from this author. Read my full review and enter the tour giveaway below...
The Alchemists of Loom
(Loom Saga #1)
by Elise Kova
YA Fantasy
January 10th 2017
by Elise Kova
YA Fantasy
January 10th 2017
Summary
Her vengeance. His vision.
Ari lost everything she once loved when the Five Guilds’ resistance fell to the Dragon King. Now, she uses her unparalleled gift for clockwork machinery in tandem with notoriously unscrupulous morals to contribute to a thriving underground organ market. There isn’t a place on Loom that is secure from the engineer turned thief, and her magical talents are sold to the highest bidder as long as the job defies their Dragon oppressors.
Cvareh would do anything to see his sister usurp the Dragon King and sit on the throne. His family’s house has endured the shame of being the lowest rung in the Dragons’ society for far too long. The Alchemist Guild, down on Loom, may just hold the key to putting his kin in power, if Cvareh can get to them before the Dragon King’s assassins.
When Ari stumbles upon a wounded Cvareh, she sees an opportunity to slaughter an enemy and make a profit off his corpse. But the Dragon sees an opportunity to navigate Loom with the best person to get him where he wants to go.
He offers her the one thing Ari can’t refuse: A wish of her greatest desire, if she brings him to the Alchemists of Loom.
Ari lost everything she once loved when the Five Guilds’ resistance fell to the Dragon King. Now, she uses her unparalleled gift for clockwork machinery in tandem with notoriously unscrupulous morals to contribute to a thriving underground organ market. There isn’t a place on Loom that is secure from the engineer turned thief, and her magical talents are sold to the highest bidder as long as the job defies their Dragon oppressors.
Cvareh would do anything to see his sister usurp the Dragon King and sit on the throne. His family’s house has endured the shame of being the lowest rung in the Dragons’ society for far too long. The Alchemist Guild, down on Loom, may just hold the key to putting his kin in power, if Cvareh can get to them before the Dragon King’s assassins.
When Ari stumbles upon a wounded Cvareh, she sees an opportunity to slaughter an enemy and make a profit off his corpse. But the Dragon sees an opportunity to navigate Loom with the best person to get him where he wants to go.
He offers her the one thing Ari can’t refuse: A wish of her greatest desire, if she brings him to the Alchemists of Loom.
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My Review
THE ALCHEMISTS OF LOOM was an interesting mix of two different cultures: that of the dragons who live in the sky on Nova, and that of the Fenthri who live on the land below, or Loom. The story was engaging from beginning to end with characters who endear the reader and a plot that is exciting with a perfect lead-off to the second book. Recommended to those who enjoy reading fantasy.
I really liked how unique the mix of dragons, chimera, and those that are neither, those who possess magic versus those who do not. I loved how the characters were described although I would have liked an even stronger picture of them. The cover was fabulously done to depict Ari. It took a minute for me to be able to throw out what I normally assume about dragons and picture them as they are in this series. I found them and the way the magic works quite interesting. Then there is the engaging plot that starts off with the reader getting to know Ari as the White Wraith and how she meets Cvareh. I really liked these characters and how they are revealed piece by piece as they travel together.
This read to me like an adult fantasy more than a young adult one. The characters are fairly established in their trade and also seem to be older than the usual YA age. There was some mature content referenced, but kept clean by not going into any specific details. If you enjoy series such as Maria V. Snyder's Study series then you'd probably enjoy this one even though their plots are different.
Overall, was it what I wished for? I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I really enjoyed this one. The setting, characters, and writing were all well done and I'm curious what will happen next.
Content: Innuendo, references to an affair and gay relationships, drinking another's blood for magical healing, and violence.
Source: Received a complimentary ARC through Xpresso Book Tours, which did not require a review nor affect it in any way.
I really liked how unique the mix of dragons, chimera, and those that are neither, those who possess magic versus those who do not. I loved how the characters were described although I would have liked an even stronger picture of them. The cover was fabulously done to depict Ari. It took a minute for me to be able to throw out what I normally assume about dragons and picture them as they are in this series. I found them and the way the magic works quite interesting. Then there is the engaging plot that starts off with the reader getting to know Ari as the White Wraith and how she meets Cvareh. I really liked these characters and how they are revealed piece by piece as they travel together.
This read to me like an adult fantasy more than a young adult one. The characters are fairly established in their trade and also seem to be older than the usual YA age. There was some mature content referenced, but kept clean by not going into any specific details. If you enjoy series such as Maria V. Snyder's Study series then you'd probably enjoy this one even though their plots are different.
Overall, was it what I wished for? I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I really enjoyed this one. The setting, characters, and writing were all well done and I'm curious what will happen next.
Content: Innuendo, references to an affair and gay relationships, drinking another's blood for magical healing, and violence.
Source: Received a complimentary ARC through Xpresso Book Tours, which did not require a review nor affect it in any way.
Preorder Special
Preorder The Alchemists of Loom by January 9th, 2017, to receive a special envelope of swag unlocked in the Guild Games from the Dragon Queen herself. Find out more here.
About the Author
Elise Kova has always had a profound love of fantastical worlds. Somehow, she managed to focus on the real world long enough to graduate with a Master’s in Business Administration before crawling back under her favorite writing blanket to conceptualize her next magic system. She currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, and when she is not writing can be found playing video games, watching anime, or talking with readers on social media. She is the USA Today bestselling author of the Air Awakens Series as well as the upcoming Loom Saga (Keymaster, 2017).
Tour-Wide Giveaway
This is the first book I've read from this author. Have you read any of her other books? Do you have any books with dragons that you love?
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