Release Date: October 4, 2016
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Series: Nemesis, Book 1
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository ● B&N ● iBooks
Goodreads ● Website
The princess didn't expect to fall in love–with her nemesis.
Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee from his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king's servitude.
Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.
Sepora's gift could save Tarik's kingdom from the Quiet Plague. But should she trust her growing feelings for her nemesis, or should she hide her gifts at all costs?
Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee from his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king's servitude.
Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.
Sepora's gift could save Tarik's kingdom from the Quiet Plague. But should she trust her growing feelings for her nemesis, or should she hide her gifts at all costs?
Major plus point for the world building–I loved the setting. You have multiple kingdoms, but two are featured prominently: Theoria and Serubel. Talk about extreme opposites! Theoria is definitely based on Ancient Egypt, and then you have Serubel, which reminded me of Scandinavia or the Norse region. They have dragon-esque creatures (serpens) too...How to Train Your Dragon, anyone? Anyway, I loved the interactions with other kingdoms too, and I'm interested to see how it all plays out in the sequel.
First off, I can't help but think of Sephora whenever I see Sepora's name, and I know I'm definitely not the only one. Anyway, I enjoyed Sepora (it's seriously difficult to spell it without the 'h'!) and Tarik's characters. There were some awesome animals and creatures in this book–Patra, Nuna and Dody–that totally deserve a shout-out, too! Sepora was really headstrong, and while I think she has various flaws like being too irrational, I enjoyed her story. Tarik was super attractive (not just in looks!) to the point where I was basically drooling over my kindle, but I felt like I couldn't get to know his character too well, and that's probably because of the novel's narrative.
I don't know how to feel about the switch in narrative perspectives. The two points of view wasn't a problem–heck, you could throw in a few more and it still wouldn't be a problem. Nemesis, however, switches from first-person (Sepora) to third-person (Tarik). While I like that it's a pretty unique way to tell a story, it was just so strange. I ended up preferring Sepora's chapters over Tarik's, just because I felt I could connect to her more.
I also was a little disappointed with the romance. While, yes there were some swoon-worthy scenes here and there, there was a general lack of sparks flying that I oh so desperately wanted. The build-up was great though. I liked the resistance and the hesitance between the two of them to begin with, but just wanted more in the after. The end throws things off-balance though, and has me very curious as to how things will continue on in the second book.
Leaving me thirsty for more, Nemesis was phenomenal. A gorgeous start to the duology, I'm saddened by the fact that the sequel won't be out for a while. Anna Banks's latest novel is magical and captivating–the world-building is beautiful, the characters are unforgettable, and the story is entrancing from beginning to end.
If you like this, try...
- Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge ● Goodreads
- An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir ● Goodreads
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ANNA BANKS
NYT Bestselling YA author of The Syrena Legacy series: OF POSEIDON (2012), OF TRITON (2013), OF NEPTUNE (2014).
Repped by rockstar Lucy Carson of the Friedrich Agency.
I live with my husband and daughter in the Florida Panhandle. I have a southern accent compared to New Yorkers, and I enjoy food cooked with real fat. I can’t walk in high heels, but I’m very good at holding still in them. If you put chocolate in front of me, you must not have wanted it in the first place.
Favorite Books:
Shatter Me, Cinder, Linger, Shiver, Forever, Pushing the Limits, Unravel Me, Shadow and Bone, Enclave, Divergent, Candor, Graceling, Fire, The Hunger Games Trilogy, The Host, Most of James Patterson, and Janet Evanovich makes me laugh through my nose in an unfeminine sort of way.
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Dream Cast
I had a tough time picturing who could play Sepora potentially, because I was just basically picturing the girl on the cover the entire time, and I finally decided that Britt Robertson might actually be pretty good for the role. She's super pretty, got the blonde hair, she's done pretty well in films (Tomorrowland!), and could pull off the action-y role. I'm just wondering if she can play regal though.
As for Tarik, I can't help but picture Rami Malek, especially since the character is a pharaoh and based out of Ancient Egypt. I know he's a bit old for the part, but LOOK AT THAT GORGEOUS FACE! Magic of Hollywood: please make him look younger than his actual age so he can play this role, thank you.
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Time for a giveaway!
Enter to win...
A finished copy of Nemesis!
US only.
Enter via the Rafflecopter below.
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That's not all! Check out this sweet pre-order deal:
If you pre-order Nemesis from Books of Wonder, you will receive...
An exclusive Nemesis print and a Nemesis bath bomb!
Check that out HERE
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Check out the rest of the tour:
September 28:
A Reading Nurse & The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club - Welcome Post
September 29:
Adventures of a Book Junkie - Interview
Wishful Endings - Review
BookHounds YA - Review
Ink of Blood - Review
Take Me Away To A Great Read - Review
September 30:
FLYLēF - Review
A Backwards Story - Review + Favorite Quotes
With Love for Books - Review
Library of a Book Witch - Review + Playlist
October 1:
Such a Novel Idea - Review
The Broke Book Bank - Review
BookCrushin - Review + Favorite Quotes
Confessions of a Readaholic - Review + Dream Cast
October 2:
Literary Meanderings - Guest Post
A Thousand Words A Million Books - Review
A Dream Within A Dream - Review
October 3:
Chapter by Chapter - Guest Post
The Reader's Antidote - Review
The Book Cellar - Review
Pretty Deadly Reviews - Review
October 4:
Fierce Reads - Celebrating the release of Nemesis
Two Chicks on Books - Interview
Kindle and Me - Review + Playlist
Curling Up With A Good Book - Review + Favorite Quotes
The Eater of Books! - Favorite Quotes from Nemesis
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Thank you so much to FFBC Blog Tours and Kelsey at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group!
