Book: Finding Balance by Steph Manser
Reviewed by Allison
Rating: 4/5
The first couple chapters I wasn’t sure if I was going to get into this story. I don’t really enjoy reading dialog where one character doesn’t speak the language well and uses simple/incorrect grammar. Like, I get it, it makes sense, but I don’t generally enjoy it. I’m so glad I stuck with it though! Time passes, the language is learned, and I loved the characters.
Sort of Tortall/Tamora Pierce vibes throughout (a young, powerful mage hiding something? reminded me of Alanna, but with a more mischievous streak like Aly. And there were a few other characters that had similar vibes to old friends in Tortall), but somewhat less focused on the characters’ personal growth. Think mostly the action bits of Tortall without so much of the being bullied in school/how hard they work to grow up bits. There’s magic and power and goddess temples and an assassin…and I actually can’t wait to see what happens next. I have so many questions that I hope to see answered, but also the book ends in a nice little place (good thing it’s a prequel! I want to know more!)