Chasing the Valley. by Skye Melki-Wegner!

Chasing the Valley 
by  Skye Melki-Wegner.


Escape is impossible. Escape is their only hope.

Danika is used to struggling for survival. But when the tyrannous king launches an attack to punish her city – echoing the alchemy bombs that killed Danika’s family – she risks her life in a daring escape over the city’s walls.

Danika joins a crew of desperate refugees who seek Magnetic Valley, a legendary safe haven. But when she accidentally destroys a palace biplane, suddenly Danika Glynn becomes the most wanted fugitive in Taladia.

Pursued by the king’s vicious hunters and betrayed by false allies, Danika also grapples with her burgeoning magical abilities. And when she meets the mysterious Lukas, she must balance her feelings against her crew’s safety.

Chasing the Valley is the first book in an epic trilogy of magic, treachery and survival.

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Characters-

Danika Glynn- Main Character.  Sixteen year old orphan, parents and brother killed in bombing. Be living as a scruffer (street kid). 

Teddy- scruffer, and pickpocket, with the proclivity of Beast! (totally love him)

Clementine and Maisy- Twins, richies.

Radnor- kinda the leader of the group.

Lukas- is a mystery, ( as least to you, i read the book)

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Chasing the Valley by Skye Melki-Wegner surprised me. The cover led me to assume it would be a fairly stock-standard and and unoriginal read.  

But I was wrong, and it was evident from the first few pages. Danika became a street kid after losing her parents at the age of eleven. For reasons that we only begin to understand in this first book, the King enjoys bombing some of his subjects to keep them in their place. They're not ordinary bombs, however, they're alchemy bombs which can cause all sorts of weird and unpleasant things to happen on impact (as well as killing people). After hearing about a group of teenagers planning to escape the city for the fabled and safe Magnetic Valley, Danika falls in with them and the bulk of the story is about their dangerous journey south to the Valley.

Danika joins the crew of desperate refugees who seek Magnetic Valley, a legendary safe haven. But when she accidentally destroys a palace biplane, suddenly Danika Glynn becomes the most wanted fugitive in Taladia.

What I loved was that there were  Foxaries- these were basically massive giant foxes that people ride around on.  were possibly one of my favourite bits in the book — (I so want one!)  
Another thing I loved, was proclivities, this is the Magic abilities that develop as you mature, (and is showed in the appearance of a tattoo on the back of the neck to the back).  It can include the control of, birds, rocks, darkness, shadow, fire, water, ect.. for example, one proclivity is Beast. This means that you can understand and command animals. 
But what i didn't get was why it was such Taboo to show the Proclivities (Tattoo) before you were eighteen! 

This book reminds me of "Tomorrow when the War Began" and 'The Hunger Games" and a bit of "Percy Jackson".
I can't wait for the next installment 



I'd rate this 5 out of 5 stars! 

And recommend to anyone who loves dystopian,  fantasy and adventure, more for ages  12 and up! (but again, depends on the reader)





 Enjoy the Read! 

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder.

Touch of Power
by
Maria V. Snyder.

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life....

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Summary:

The story picks up in the aftermath of a devastating plague, which the healers guild were unable to cure without dying themselves. As a result, healers are not revered by society, but rather they are hunted drifters. Avry finds herself incarcerated, awaiting death, but then is rescued by a motley crew who want her to heal their leader, Prince Ryne, who lies in suspended animation in a magical coma in a distant land. He has a bad reputation, and he has the plague; healing him would kill Avry. 

In this Book there are some strong Characters!  

Avry; She is definitely no damsel in distress, Avry steps into leadership positions when she needs to, kicks ass when she needs to, and comforts and mothers when she needs to.  She is like one of the Best Heroines Ever.

Kerrick;  Not an easy character to love. Kind of an jerk, I know he had his reasons, But it was hard to like him for over half the book, then he becamea bit more gentle and understanding.

Belan; Poppa Bear. Big, kind, lovable protector. I loved him right from the start.

 Quain, Vinn, and Flea;  Loved them, these guys brought some fun to the book!

There is Magic!

The plot is so intriguing. If you like high fantasy and also read paranormal or urban fantasy you should like this. It's high fantasy but over done, and the language used is fresh and modern.  It's not stuffy and boring like other high fantasy masters who shall not be named. It's very political, with heaps of plot twists, some i didn't even see coming!

The magic system was simply wonderful. I wasn't entirely sure about the other types of mages, but I absolutely love healers that accept the sicknesses and injuries of others.  It meant that Avry had a weakness, an Achilles heel, that she wasn't some unstoppable force. It was awesome!


My ratings;  4.5 out of 5.

Age Range;  I'd say 12 up.  but again depends on the person!




Hope you Enjoy!   ;)