Graven Idols (Order and Chaos #2)

Once Palmer Tash and Brier Chastain found out they were the incarnations of Order and Chaos, their lives were turned upside down. Living in a battle-scarred area, they begin to feel that their blessings are more like curses.

Reports of cults taking over the countryside begin to filter into their starving city. But Brier is slowly losing her mind, and Palmer’s abilities are becoming increasingly erratic. The pair must work together to maintain harmony, or their out-of-balance powers could destroy the world.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Graven Idols, by Jessica Dall, takes the foundation created in the first book and threatens it with destruction. Just as Brier and Palmer were beginning to sort of understand their powers, something happened, and now they're more unpredictable than ever. That something was that Orris Adessi tried to kill Brier... well, succeeded if we're getting technical, but Palmer brought her back and everything is supposed to be better now. It's not. 

The strange qualities of Brier's and Palmer's powers have them worried about Brier losing control. This unfortunate instability, while building on the plot, also works to reveal more about these main characters. Brier doesn't handle her instability very well and it shows. She's constantly afraid that one angry word at the wrong time will push her to powers to destroy what's left of the Auguarian. Readers get to see a new side to Brier, one that isn't always tough. Her fear of what could happen is understandable and makes the embodiment of "Chaos" a little more relatable. Her growing feels for Palmer and her caring nature of Rosette, a small child who also has powers, help the audience connect with her more. 

Palmer, who is the embodiment of "Kosmos," is also having problems with his omniscient power. Like a radio going in and out of tune, sometimes knowledge seeps into Palmer and sometimes he struggles to hear anything. Palmer remains the protector in this book, constantly worried about Brier, Rosette, and the worsening of their predicaments. Though readers also get to see a new side of Palmer depicting him as a young man who can look past differences to help and understand fellow characters. 

The plot is a kind of echo of the first book, with a few more caveats. While trying to survive in a destroyed city and figure out why their powers are going out of control, Brier and Palmer face an old enemy through a new character. After an unfortunate loss of control, Brier is kidnapped and struggles within the world her mind creates as Palmer, Nico, and Rosette try to find her. The journey takes them to Venchia, a city in ruins, where a doomsday cult awaits the end of the world. All of the various pieces of the plot work both for and against the success of Brier and Palmer, as they try to stop their enemy's plan. Graven Idols is an entertaining fantasy adventure novel that entwines legend and myth, creating a new history for the concepts like Chaos and Kosmos, nothing and everything. I'd definitely recommend this book for readers who enjoy fantasy and young adult fiction. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Read the review of Book One: Raining Embers

WWW Wednesday (190)

To play along just answer these three questions:

[x] What are you currently reading?

[x] What have you recently finished?

[x] What are you reading next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
Wind and Fire (Fourborn #1) by Megan Futcher. A world with four lands, each land called home by a different race of people. A war is going on between the Wind and Fire worlds, but two citizens are both tasked to find the first Fourborn, a stranger who is part of all four races.

02. Recently Finished:
Raining Embers by Jessica Dall. Chaos and Kosmos are embodied in this fantasy adventure as Brier and Palmer, two young adults who have no idea who they are. Until they're kidnapped. Then they're training as weapons begin.

03. Reading Next:
Easy by Tammara Webber. Jacqueline follows her boyfriend to college only to be dumped and then attacked. She's saved by a stranger but that doesn't deter her attacker for long.

Raining Embers (Order and Chaos #1)

Palmer Tash always follows the path of least resistance. He has an unusual disability involving his hearing. But in theocratic Latysia, being different isn’t a good thing, so he conceals his problem.

Brier Chastain’s malady is even more debilitating, and she often must take to her bed for long periods. Her days are spent in meaningless pursuits as she awaits an arranged marriage.

When Palmer and Brier are kidnapped on the same night, they meet and discover that their so-called disabilities are actually budding powers. They are the incarnations of Order and Chaos. With their country on the brink of war, the two must step into their predestined roles and learn to take control of their own destinies.

*May Contain Spoilers*

 

Jessica Dall incarnates concepts, or gods, in her novel, Raining Embers, a fantasy adventure of self-discovery. Palmer and Brier are young adults who each have no idea who they really are. With odd quirks and abilities, the two are certainly misfits, but when they are brought together and trained... the two become whole.

 

Brier is the embodiment of "Chaos," nothingness. The real Brier died at the age of five in a horrible fire and Chaos took over her body, continuing her life as if nothing happened. She's incredibly powerful and with proper focus and training, she can destroy anything. She's kidnapped by the Goebel family to be used as a weapon. Brier is a character who survives. She's tough, caring, and beyond understanding. Readers will watch as Brier learns of her power to destroy and instead of letting it consume her, she fights to stay level and try to do what's right. Though when  once-trusted people are trying to control and contain Chaos, it can't possibly end well.

 

Palmer is the embodiment of "Kosmos," everything. He has the power to become omniscient, to hear and know everything. The real Palmer died at the age of six, when he drowned in the river escaping the fire that killed Brier. It doesn't seem to be a coincidence that Brier is fire and Palmer is water, as water puts out flames, Palmer learns that he can help Brier control her destructive abilities. He balances out Brier. Palmer is an intelligent character who doesn't often think of the world around him. He came to ignore his powers once he realized that they weren't normal. When he embraces them, Palmer can see visions, hear anything, and communicate with Brier telepathically. Readers will like Palmer as he is the protector.

 

The plot of Raining Embers is journey-esque. Palmer and Brier are forced to acknowledge their powers after they are kidnapped and trained by the Goebel's. Along this journey they meet Rosette, a very little girl who has the power to make anyone sick in anyway she wants. The three characters join together and escape the Goebel's. As they make their way back home, Palmer has a vision that they're headed for war and darkness. The adventure of these three is entertaining, heart warming, and intriguing. Readers will enjoy the detailed account of Chaos and Kosmos, and hope that the characters don't lose themselves to their abilities.

 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

WWW Wednesday (189)

To play along just answer these three questions:

[x] What are you currently reading?

[x] What have you recently finished?

[x] What are you reading next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
Raining Embers by Jessica Dall. Chaos and Kosmos, nothing and everything, are incarnated into a world full of premonitions that predict the end.

02. Recently Finished:
Mercer Street by John Heldt. Second novel in the American Journey series in which three women leave 2016 for 1938 in hopes of seeing their family again.

03. Reading Next:
Wind and Fire by Megan Futcher. Guided by a prophecy, two guardians must find the 'Fourborn' to protect the world from the darkness that threatens it. This book is the first in the series.

Teaser Tuesday (198)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers

 

 

 

Raining Embers (Kindle 8%)

   - Jessica Dall

 

An odd sense of recognition hit him. He knew her -- knew her in some concrete but fleeting way he couldn't place.