Review: The First Balance Bringer by Debra Kristi

★★★★☆

Review:

Today is pub day! (12.10.19) 

Just look at this gorgeous cover! 

I have never read any of this author's previous books. I was pleased to find that this book works as a standalone. In the series, it is listed as Book 3.5, but it is an origin story, taking place many generations before the other books. The epilogue provides information that explains why this book follows the first three rather than preceding them. It is also important to know that this is a full-length novel and not a novella. 

I was immediately captivated by the prologue. The author's writing is vivid, beautiful, and even a bit quirky. I knew from the beginning that this book would be bursting with imaginative world-building and characters full of depth. I accepted this ARC several weeks ago and did not begin reading it until the other day. I did not read the synopsis again prior to reading, and I suggest that you do not either. So many beautiful surprises are in store, and it is so much better of an experience if you let the book reveal them to you! 

My only issue with the book, besides some spelling and grammar errors (which may have been corrected in the final release) was the first chapter. I felt that 6 year old Deona was speaking far too formally for a child of that age, while the narrative in that chapter was overly simplistic. The dichotomy was jarring. Thankfully, there was only one chapter written this way. 

Based on this novel, I will definitely be reading the other books in The Balance Bringer Chronicles. After the epilogue, the author announced her upcoming book Igniting: The Balance Bringer (Book 4), so I hope to get caught up on the series before it is released! 

I would like to thank Booksprout and the author for providing me with a free Kindle ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Update: This book has been moved to a new origins series. It is now listed as The Balance Bringer Origins, Book 2.

Audience: young adult

Trigger warnings: mild violence, death

Recommended for fans of: young adult, fantasy

Publisher's Synopsis:

Before there was Ana and Jaden, there was Deona and Jove... the first incarnation of the Balance Bringer and her Tracer. 

In a time of great imbalance, three elves plead for a Balance Bringer. Their prayers are answered, but not in the way they expect... 

Deona has power beyond imagination...and beyond her control. To keep her power in check, her soul is divided into three parts: Deona, Estala, and Fianna. The three sisters each take the gift of one element - water, earth, and air. 

"From one, we became three. And from three, we are one. Always one." 

In their seventeenth year, their fourth element - fire - is awakened. And so is the darkness, which comes to wreak havoc on the world. Only Deona and her sisters have the power to balance the elements and set the world right once more. 

But to balance the world, Deona must first find balance within herself. The path to realizing her destiny is filled with trial, sacrifice, and world-changing adventure.

Source:

Booksprout

©Ghost Girl Publishing: December 10, 2019

Edition: Kindle ARC

368 pages

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