Book Review: The Knights of Rilch by Rachel O'Laughlin

Today I get to review another book. I can't promise I'll be coherent or not provide anything spoilery. However, I will take a few minutes of your time and babble at your about this awesome book. Also, there's a giveaway.

But first some pictures.

Rachel O'Laughlin, Writer Extrodinaire

Rachel O’Laughlin grew up writing adventure stories in which heroines tend to get their hands dirty, bad guys sometimes win, and someone always gets kidnapped. Her passion for history morphed into a love for fantasy in her mid-teens, when she took a brief pause from reality for immersion in the arts and a hands-on education in sustainable living. She lives in New England with her husband and two boys, listens to The Fray, and drinks too many lattes. Two novels in her SERENGARD fantasy series have been released, and a third is scheduled for October 2014.

Author Website: http://rachelolaughlin.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rachelolaughlin
Facebook: www.facebook.com/r.k.olaughlin

When Serengard rebelled and the Orion monarchy fell, former crown princess Kierstaz Orion’s love for her people became a burning desire to set things right. With a price on their heads, Kierstaz and her brother Mikel led a handful of men against the new army, fighting skirmishes all along the border of Dreibourge. But months of heavy bloodshed forced her small band of knights to abandon the border—and all of Serengard—to the rebels.

Nine years and a thousand betrayals later, Kierstaz and Mikel again find themselves on the run—only this time, they’ve a boy in tow: Malcom, the son of two of the Seren rebellion’s strongest leaders. The new regime wants him dead, Mikel wants him alive, and it’s all Kierstaz can do to keep their tracks covered. Desperate to preserve the innocent life she swore to protect and the brother who has always stood by her, Kierstaz must gamble the last thing in the world she owns: her identity. Secrets are a staple of the Orion family, and those Kierstaz keeps are as dangerous as the ones kept from her.

KNIGHTS OF RILCH is the sequel to COLDNESS OF MAREK, and the second book in the SERENGARD Series.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18372007-knights-of-rilch
Buy on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Knights-Rilch-Serengard-Volume-2/dp/0984919430/
Buy on Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/knights-of-rilch-rachel-olaughlin/1118202692

And now for my review:
This book is action packed and full of beautifully flawed characters who all think what they are doing is right. Even when it isn't. Everyone's motives are suspect. Rachel continues the political intrigue/drama of the first as well as adding the sword and sorcery that everyone loves.

The story of Mikel and Trzl continue and we get more of Mikel's sister, Keirstaz. I loved Keirstaz. She's strong, fierce, but still human. Despite being female, and a princess, she's not above kicking some ass and leaving bleeding bodies behind. Mikel and Trzl's relationship is still seriously messy and it is hard to tell whether one of them will end up dead (but that's what makes it fun!).

Her world continues to grow and the various factions, etc. are clear and well defined.

The story is well paced and she continues the technique of present day followed by flashback and then finishing up in present day. It's not easy to make this work, but I think she executes it flawlessly.

And now for a little secret. I told Rachel I had something I was going to reveal here that I didn't anywhere else.

And here it is...

It is entirely possible to read Knights before Coldness without any confusion. Not only that, but you could, theoretically, not read Coldness and still understand Knights. I don't see this as a bad thing, but quite the opposite. Too often in this world of sequels, the stories are so dependent on each other that they could almost be one book. In this case, each one of Rachel's novels has a clear story line that can easily be separated from the other. This doesn't mean that the stories aren't interwoven, but at the same time, they can stand on their own as a singular novels.

So, I give it a random number of bloody swords and decapitated bodies for being awesome. And we'll call it a day.

Oh and here's the giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trading Card Reveal : Colstadt from the Serengard Series by Rachel O'Laughlin

I'm a little late posting this. I have been busy and that's no excuse. Anyway, my dear friend, Rachel O'Laughlin asked me to help promote her novels, and I couldn't resist. I loved both The Coldness of Marek and it's sequel The Knights of Rilch. Both are beautifully written stories with fascinating (and sometimes frustrating...you know who I'm talking about, Rachel!) characters. I'll be posting a hopefully coherent review of the Knights later this month. I make no guarantees that it will make sense or not contain spoilers.

Anyway, she commissioned a talented artist to draw up some trading cards and they are awesome. The card I get to spotlight is of the character Colstadt. I actually like this character. And like everyone in this series has his own divided loyalties and secrets.

According to Rachel, there are 100 limited edition cards of each character printed. Each card has artwork front, stats on the back (stats contain spoilers!). Currently they are only available now to street team or with proof of book purchase. Cards will be also given away throughout the blog tour.

I'm posting both covers here so you can see them side by side. I really like how the author captured the mood of the book.

Coldness of Marek (Serengard, Book 1)

Knights of Rilch (Serengard, book 2)

on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18372007-knights-of-rilch

for Pre-order: http://rachelolaughlin.com/novels/knights-of-rilch/

Releases February 25, 2014

Nearly a decade ago…
When Serengard rebelled and the Orion monarchy fell, former crown princess Kierstaz Orion’s love for her people became a burning desire to set things right. With a price on their heads, Kierstaz and her brother Mikel led a handful of men against the new army, fighting skirmishes all along the border of Dreibourge. But months of heavy bloodshed forced her small band of knights to abandon the border—and all of Serengard—to the rebels.

Nine years and a thousand betrayals later…
Kierstaz and Mikel again find themselves on the run—only this time, they’ve a boy in tow: Malcom, the son of two of the Seren rebellion’s strongest leaders. The new regime wants him dead, Mikel wants him alive, and it’s all Kierstaz can do to keep their tracks covered. Desperate to preserve the innocent life she swore to protect and the brother who has always stood by her, Kierstaz must gamble the last thing in the world she owns: her identity. Secrets are a staple of the Orion family, and those Kierstaz keeps are as dangerous as the ones kept from her.

Ok. That's the low down. Now how about we take a look at the trading card. Shall we?

Character: Colstadt
From: Coldness of Marek (Serengard: Book One)
Upcoming Release: Knights of Rilch (Serengard: Book Two)

And if you want to see the rest of the cards, go here: http://rachelolaughlin.com/2014/01/30/trading-cards-reveal/

And now for the giveaway! Because who doesn't want free stuff?
a Rafflecopter giveaway