Christy's Review:
I love when authors go out of their normal writing genre and publish something else. I think it shows true talent to be diverse like that. It’s been a long while since I’ve read a YA Fantasy book, but I used to read them when I was younger. Reading The Affiliate, I remembered why I loved reading this genre. KA Linde did a fantastic job with the first book in this series. Her writing was descriptive, engaging and pulled me right into the story.
“From this day forth, you shall be known as the Queen’s Affiliate.”
Cyrene’s life changes when she hears those words the day of her presenting. Cyrene has been chosen for this esteemed position of the Queen’s Affiliate and she couldn’t be happier. Until she realizes that things may not be as she thought in the kingdom. Not only is there tension with the Prince (and not the good kind) the Queen doesn't like her and the King may like her too much. She’s dealing with this, plus new revelations about herself. Cyrene has to decide what to do. Taking a risk and going on an adventure is maybe her only option…
Cyrene is intuitive and has an adventurous spirit. She’s on a mission to find out why things are different for her… Not only was the main character fantastic (lets face it, I’m not a fan of all of Linde’s heroines so I’m more than happy to report that this MC is great) but there were so many wonderful secondary characters that brought so much to the story. I loved the ones that were willing to go on Cyrene’s journey with her.
“What are you going to do? You have something in mind. I can see it.”
“Yes, I have a plan.”
“Could we get in trouble?”
“Yes.”
“Is it worth it?”
“Yes.”
And lets not forget King Edric. Even though there wasn’t a ton of romance in this story, you definitely want him as the love interest and feel the chemistry and tension these two have. I’m rooting for him.
I am very impressed with this first book. It set up the start to a potentially great series. I loved how the story developed and the characters we’ve got to know so far. I’m sure book 2 will have even more action, more development and more romance (one can hope ;)) I think it’s important to point out that even though this story is YA, it didn’t feel young. Cyrene and the characters her age are mature for their age due to the time period/situation.
After finishing this story, the main thing that kept running through my head was MORE. I need more of these characters and I need to see where this is going to go! I really hope there isn’t a long wait on the sequel because I’m dying to know what happens next.
Synopsis:
On the day of her Presenting, in front of the entire Byern Court, seventeen-year-old Cyrene Strohm's lifelong plans come to fruition when she's chosen as an Affiliate to the Queen.
Or so she thinks. When Cyrene receives a mysterious letter and an unreadable book, she finds nothing is as it seems. Thrust into a world of dangerous political intrigue and deadly magic, Cyrene's position only grows more treacherous when she finds herself drawn to the one man she can never have...
King Edric himself.
Cyrene must decide if love is truly worth the price of freedom. Find out in this first book in USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s new Ascension series.
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About K.A. Linde:
USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde is the author of The Affiliate, the first book in the Ascension Series. As a military brat, she traveled the world with her family, imaginary friends, and ever-increasing supply of books. She has spent much of her life dreaming up new worlds and characters and forcing them into uncomfortable, usually life-threatening scenarios. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a masters degree in political science, she began spending every waking hour putting those characters onto paper.
When not writing, she spends her time dancing, collecting paperbacks in the hopes of filling a Beauty and the Beast style library one day, traveling to visit her friends who live all over the country, and still reading anything she can get her hands on. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and two puppies, Lucy and Riker, where she is hard at work on her next novel.
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