Furyborn (Empirium #1) by Claire Legrand
Publish Date: 5/22/2018
ARC received from Fairyloot box.
“The angels will return and bring ruin to the world. You will know this time by the rise of two human Queens – one of blood, and one of light.”*
*quote listed is from an ARC and may be different/removed from final print.
Lady Rielle has powers that have been prophesized to either safe or doom the world. A thousand years later, Lady Rielle is nothing but a story to Eliana, a bounty hunter/assassin working for the Empire. They fight for their own survival, and for that of the world, unbeknownst to them that their lives are woven together intricately.
The Story
I had ridiculously high expectations for this book. I don’t know how I am going to explain how much of a let down this was without using any specifics (spoilers) but I will do my best. One star for the idea, another for the fact that I made it through half before I really started getting bored.
This book started off so good. I’m talking about the epilogue. After that the book draws out unnecessarily. Where was the editor? Told from alternating POV between Rielle & Eliana we get a story that is overwritten but also left spaces where I was utterly confused. So there’s this history of some saints that entrapped some angels, and they prophesized that two girl able to control 7 elements would bring ruin to the world (blood queen) and save the world (sun queen).
Okay, so I say “overwritten” because the Rielle chapters were the same thing over and over again. I’ll get to the nitty gritty about why I do not like her later. But she essentially has to do these trials to prove that she is the sun queen. Which, I’m not sure how they really think they are going to decide that? The only thing she’s doing is really proving her powers and saving what she cares about. The thing is, each trial was the same. thing. over. and over: Pumped up before the trial. See’s the challenge in person, and falters. Decides she’s doing it for her friends/loved ones. Succeeds. Big freaking whoop.
Eliana has this Celena Sardothian thing about her. She’s this Dread of Orline, and is the BEST, but really there are other people better than her, named Valentine and The Wolf. Anyway, we see her do one job, and even then she’s super wishy washy and got distracted. WHHATTT. Okay, she is bad ass in reality, but still, can we get an assassin that actually just assassinates without remorse? Pick a different job.
The idea of the plot was pretty awesome, execution was poor. As slowly as the story moved the relationships moved faster. See more, under characters section.
Those of you looking for any “bi rep” get your magnify glasses out, because they only lgbtqa+ rep in the book comes in 2 passing comments and 1 gay couple who is insignificant to the story. It honestly feels like this was added to the story just to reach out to the specific audience and throw in some diversity.
For those of you thinking this is a YA book, like many YA books this is a little on the mature end. Include two poorly written, slightly erotic scenes including masturbation and sexual intercourse. I say poorly written because imagine a lot of: “oh yes”‘s and “name”‘s with some movements and, as my buddy read friend, “earth shattering penis”. If you’re going to put it in the book, at least make it good. Am I right?
The World Building
Legrand takes something that most people to take as good, angels, and turns them into the bad guy. Angels are at war with humans, why? Don’t know it’s not explained. But there are some with power that can fight back against the angels? The angels themselves? Not sure what their powers are, except they can use telepathy…and control humans. Not exactly sure how the humans originally trapped the angels, but I don’t even care anymore. Also, there are marque (which is a little commonly known as nephelim – part angle part human), some wraiths, AND good angels. Also, a flying horse just appears out of nowhere and can be whistle/summoned thereafter.
The emporium is some sort of power source? I think. It’s not explained. Also what’s not explained is where people get their powers. Are they genetic? Does everyone have at least one?
The Characters
Rielle- This little spoiled, whiny little girl. She’s got all this super power, high ranking, killed her mom without repercussion, but she can’t seem to just be happy for her friends who are betrothed, and aren’t unhappy about it. This girl is so thirsty that not only does she lust after her best friends wiener, but gets all hot and bothered from a voice in her head. No joke. This voice in her head can also make her feel horny.
Eliana- So this one, also thirsty. It is sort of implied that her and her lover have an open relationship…because of their jobs. But seriously, once he was out of the picture she was all but ready to jump on her enemies dick. Sure she’s sort of running for her life and on a mission, but she can’t stop herself from lusting after this guy. Also, this girl is obsessed with her knives names. Each of her chapters brought up the names of her knives repeatedly. I get introducing the fact that this girl is intoned with her weaponry that she names them all, but really? Edit that crap out. I don’t care which knife she stabbed the guy with, just that she stabbed him.
The Wolf- When we first meet The Wolf he is not very friendly to Eliana. Spin a character whiplash and he is all worshiping at her feet and would do anything for her. WHAT? Son, are you bipolar?
Corien- why is this guy so powerful? Also, did he chose his body because of how much sexiness he drips?
The Soundtrack
The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me
