Reign of the Fallen - ARC Kindle Edition

I missed out on reviewing several books as my November and December at work were absolutely insane. I really only had time to "read" by listening to audio books to and from work, and maybe getting a chapter or two before I fell asleep. Luckily, work has slowed down for a bit and I can actually enjoy life again :) So, jumping into 2018 - this is actually the third book I've completed for the year. I will give reviews on the other two, but I just couldn't contain my excitement over this book. First of all, LOOK AT THAT COVER. It is absolutely gorgeous and what initially drew me in automatically adding it to my 'must reads of 2018' regardless of what the synopsis said. A good cover can automatically set the bar high for me, which is a recipe for disaster in many cases. Not in the case of Reign of the Fallen. This book has a little bit of everything. Danger, Romance, Revenge, Sorrow, Friendship, Frenemies. LGBTQ. My favorite thing about this that no one is invincible. I feel like most fantasy novels have one or two characters who are just unbreakable and that is unrealistic and boring to me. Give me adversity! Reign of the Fallen definitely has adversity. The magic in this world is incredible - I hope to learn more about the sights in the next book. The world building is incredible. I can't imagine a time I would've ever said, "there's a place called the Deadlands and it sounds amazing!" but...there's a place called the Deadlands and it sounds amazing! Sarah Glenn Marsh created such an interesting world, and I can only see it getting better as they branch out of Karthia.

Substance abuse is an issue that is tackled in the book, which is not the norm for fantasy novels. I mean, Haymitch was a drunk, but it was never *really* addressed just noted that District 13 was dry. RotF tackles a full on addiction and I'd call it one of the centerpieces of the book. The relationship aspect has a little of everything for everyone. There are hetero relationships, same sex relationships, friends becoming more ships, enemies becoming more ships. There are zombies, there are monsters, there is a woman who's magic involves being able to control animals and that is AWESOME. Gender equality is a thing in this book!

Odessa was extremely well-written. I want Valoria to be my best friend. I want to drink beers with Jax. I wish Master Cymbre would've been my teacher. Kasmira seems like the kind of girl I'd find myself wanting to kiss because she seems so damn cool.

All in all, I have nothing bad to say about this book. The only thing I can say that slightly took me down a notch is that I figured out the "bad seed" early-ish on, which I rarely do. So I'm not sure if that's a sign that it's easy to figure out or if I really do belong in Karthia fighting alongside the necromancers ;)

Five Stars.