Book Review: Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes

Rebel Spring

Morgan Rhodes

416 Pages

Published December 3rd, 2013

Love, power, and magic collide with war in the second book of the Falling Kingdoms series
Auranos has fallen and the three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now united as one country called Mytica. But still, magic beckons, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the world...
When the evil King Gaius announces that a road is to be built into the Forbidden Mountains, formally linking all of Mytica together, he sets off a chain of events that will forever change the face of this land, forcing Cleo the dethroned princess, Magnus the reluctant heir, Lucia the haunted sorceress, and Jonas the desperate rebel to take steps they never could have imagined.

Rhodes proves herself yet again by delving deeper into her wonderful crafted world, the area of Mytica. War between the kingdoms continues to rage on, with the evil and conceited King Gaius reigning over all and spilling blood throughout the land. Boundaries are pushed and relationships are tested as battle rages around every corner. Rebel forces continue to gain strength, dreaming of annihilating the king and restoring peace to the kingdoms. Rebel Spring was a wild ride that I dug into as soon as I finished Falling Kingdoms, and now I find myself feeling empty inside without the next installment in my hands.

Before my glowing review truly begins, I'd like to get the one thing that bugged me about this book off my chest and out in the open: the amount of romance swirling around in the forefront of the story. Now, I'm one that likes a good deal of romance in my stories, as long as it doesn't take over and push the other elements into the background. It wasn't that this happens in Rebel Spring, it's that there are wayyy to many couples. Everyone seems to be falling for each other, no one can just be alone. About a billion people had a thing for Cleo, for unknown reasons. I felt like there was a love triangle starting with her, Magnus and Jonas. Personally I'm team Jonas all the way!

Aside from that one flaw, the story unfolded perfectly, taking place right after the end of the first installment. Lucia sleeps on, not waking from her slumber.. for unexplainable reasons that are later revealed. Once awakened, her personality really begins to transform into something quite ugly. Her lust for power is quite strong and her magic seemed to be controlling her every action. Quick to anger with a thirst for blood, she was quite like her father.. only much more dangerous.

Cleo continued to be a bit reckless and foolish, getting into more dangerous situations. If I were her I would have stayed with the rebels, with the boy I was clearly falling for.. but for some reasons she is drawn to the palace and the people who treat her so cruelly. She seems to have a thing for men who treat her pretty shitty at first... not sure how I feel about that?

Magnus continued to struggle with his feelings, though he tries putting Lucia in the past by avoiding her. He struggles with trying to be like his father, when he really isn't nearly as blood'thirsty and crazy as his elder. Though he wants to be badass and heartless, it just doesn't work for his character.

Throughout the story we get to see a lot more of the watchers, mythical beings trapped in their own world. Alexius and Melenia are two we really get to know, both of which seem quite evil in the beginning. Melenia wants nothing more than to rule over the entire world, going to extreme measure to make sure this will be her eventual fate. She shows no compassion or feelings, and has a coldness that surrounds her like a thick blanket of fog. Alexius on the other hand has good in his heart, even finding himself falling for a mortal girl that he has no business even communicating with.

Rhodes manages to keep tension high, always leaving me antsy and waiting for the next big battle scene. A lot of bled is shed in these books, so be fair-warned before you pick up the series. With the concept of blood magic, powerful elementia that is strength-ed when blood is spilled, it's no wonder so much mass murder happens at the hands of the king. Rebel Spring was a wonderful conclusion with only one minor flaw, and I eagerly await the end of the year so I can greedily gobble up the third book!