Book Description:
“Tell me about this place. This…Arcania.”
What if your life as you knew it ceased to exist?
That is the question Naeve Brannigan and her three sisters are faced with on the eve of their 25th birthday.
Continuing a tradition they’ve hidden from their mother for years, the four women arrive at a tarot shop to have their futures told.
Only this time their futures aren’t predicted—they’re forever changed.
They’ve awoken in a strange time and place with no knowledge of how they got there. All they have to go by is the word of a man who claims to be family—a family they’ve never heard of.
He tells them of a world they could never have imagined. One that has been cursed by an Empress fueled by old revenge—revenge their mother appears to be at the center of.
As they fight to survive the people and dangers of an unknown land, they slowly begin to unravel its mysteries to find that they hold the key to saving this world…this Arcania.
The question that remains for each of them is: Who do you become when the you that you always were is no longer?
Find it on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23423370-temperance
“Don’t. Make. A. Sound.”
The low, gravelly voice reverberated through her as she felt a tear escape the corner of her eye. The arm that was banded across her chest was full-on muscle as it easily held her in place against a body that was as impenetrable as a brick wall.
Naeve didn’t move a muscle, but she lowered her eyes the best she could and saw a black leather glove that went halfway up that thick forearm. As the hand on her right shoulder tightened, she grimaced and felt the tip of the knife press against her throat.
“Where is your other sister?”
Naeve remained silent, not sure she could even remember how to speak, and then she felt those fingers grip her shoulder harder as they spun her around and pulled her up close.
The sight that greeted her was like something from her worst nightmare.
She couldn’t have imagined ever feeling the terror she felt right then. For that reason alone, she’d never known that her response would be to become one hundred percent paralyzed.
As she stared up at the towering figure before her, she had to wonder if maybe she was already dead and he’d been sent to collect her. Cloaked from head to toe in nothing but black, he almost blended into the shadows except for the shiny blade he had pointed at her throat. She couldn’t make out a face behind the hood and mask, but all she continued to hope was that, if he planned to kill her, he’d do it fast.
Our Review:
**ARC Received for honest review**
Reviewed by Donna ~ 4.5 Stars
“…Why don’t you tell me about this place? This…Arcania…”
“Come closer, and I will show you.”
Is there anything that Ella Frank cannot write? I have to admit, I am not a fantasy reader, yet I am an Ella Frank reader. I had signed up for this book just because of the author, I had not read the blurb or anything and did not realise that this was another change in genre, so with great trepidation and anticipation I went into the world of Arcania.
This is another one of those books that I could easily see made into a movie. Ella has proven her way with words many times and in this book she creates a visual masterpiece. It is one of those books that are so descriptive and so vivid and theatrical that you cannot help but imagine the characters on the big screen. I was whisked away to Arcania and was totally submerged into the plot, the characters and the story.
The story begins with four sisters that are quadruplets, yet they are all vastly different. Naeve is a blonde, Siobhan is a red head, Fiona a brunette and Audra has jet black hair. Celebrating their twenty fifth birthdays they decide to go and get their tarots read even though it has been forbidden by their mother, but what happens is entirely unexpected. Apparently twenty five is a major milestone for these girls, unbeknown to them, and when they “wake up” they find themselves in Arcania. Suddenly deposited into a place that is totally strange and alien to them, the girls begin their journey.
“Your parents as they once were, Naeve, and the world they left behind.”
Arcania is a realm of Sensualeers, Guardians, Imperial Guards, a Commander and an Empress, a realm of magic where life has been on the decline and all women had been banished to protect them, that is until the arrival of the quadruplets. The quadruplets have apparently been brought to Arcania because of their mother and their father who was a mortal guardian.
“Find the keys. Find the four keys…It’s not just the four keys…it’s the four children, and her. It’s always been her.”
So we have four women, now for the man candy!! We have two brothers, Ry’Ker and Mala’kai, Ry is the Commander’s right hand man and Kai is a law all unto himself. Both men, as you would expect are extremely good looking but sometimes their attitudes leave a lot to be desired. However, we have to remember that their life and ours are totally different. Li’Am and Si’Bastian are Commander and Sensualeer respectively and they are also father and son.
“He was like everything else in this strange, new world – a beautiful nightmare. Dark, dangerous and lethal. One she knew she should wake from but felt herself sliding deeper inside of.”
Empress Seraphine is Li’Am’s deranged sister and she is the evil force. With kleptors for eyes she is extremely powerful and has abilities that enable her to talk through the mind. She has one focus and will stop at nothing to get it, even if it is detrimental to Arcania.
“…had been crowned Empress and was known as ‘the ruler without mercy.’ She governed with brute intimidation to get what she wanted, solidifying the fears of the people when it came to their kind. Tyrannical and unloving, she had made sure that the people of Arcania shared her desolate fate – nothing was sacred.”
All the characters seem to be related in one way or another and I have to admit, it could get a bit confusing at times. However, this intricately weaved story is just the beginning of what I am sure is going to turn out to be a fantastic series. I really cannot delve any further into the story because this is one those books that needs to be read blind so that you can experience and understand it for yourself. But if you are a fan of fantasy then I am sure that this will tick all the boxes. Also, for people like me, who have hardly or never dabbled with this genre, pick it up, it is a great read, still with the romance that we love but with the added bonus of an entirely different setting. Amazing story and one that I will be eagerly awaiting the next instalment!
“Why?”
“Because, Maeve…I can.”
Buy Links:
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1DPBzId
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1C7YfT1
Ella’s Links:
Website: www.ellafrank.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ella.frank.31 (Pages)
https://www.facebook.com/ella.frank.author (Personal)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EllaFrank2012
Instagram: @Ellafrank1
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ellafrank/
Email: ellafrank2012@gmail.com
Giveaway:
Your change to win:
Fallow Key
Those Who Wander Key Necklace
$30.00 Amazon GC
$20.00 B&N GC
Signed copy of Temperance & Bookmark/Postcard
