M.K. Lobb

Fantastic debut for a new young adult fantasy series!

Seven Faceless Saints is the first book in author M.K. Lobb’s new YA fantasy series of the same name, grabbing me from the start and never letting go until its tease of an ending! Ombrazia has been embroiled in the Second War of Saints for decades, and the downtrodden populace has had enough of being fodder for the prolonged fight with Brechaat. The book is an intriguing high fantasy with a compelling backstory starting with the First War of Saints and leading up to the simmering civil unrest within the country’s main city.

I enjoyed the premise of the seven saints of old and that only some of the members of their bloodlines inherited their ancestor’s magical traits. Those so gifted are known as disciples and lead lives of privilege. However, there are apparently some drawbacks to their lifestyle, such as working in the temple, which are only explored briefly through the eyes of the main heroine, Rossana “Roz” Lacertosa. Those individuals skipped in the genetic lottery are referred to as the unfavored. Their existence is much more difficult, and they seem to disappear into the unwashed masses, forgotten and disenfranchised.

The story unfolds in alternating chapters through the viewpoints of Roz, a disciple, and her former childhood friend, Damien Venturi, unfavored but the son of the leading general in Ombrazia. Their budding romance as teenagers was interrupted when Damien was sent north to fight in the war with Brechaat. The fallout from the war results in tearing the couple apart, setting them on opposing paths in the future, and creating huge conflicts for them to overcome when they must work together to solve a series of murders. They are both damaged people, and I rooted the entire story for them to have a second chance and to heal with each other at their side.

The author has a wonderful writing style: descriptive yet easy to read. The dialogue flows well throughout the novel and is one of the author’s strong suits. Exchanges between characters felt natural, even under tense or unnatural circumstances. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

With its wonderfully imaginative fantasy world, compelling plot, and endearing main characters, I recommend SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS to readers who enjoy high fantasy, magic, and stories with a second chance romance.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.… (plus d'informations)

DISCIPLES OF CHAOS concludes M. K. Lobb's Seven Faceless Saints duology. As with the first book, it is a book that is difficult to describe and even more difficult to analyze. It remains an action-packed, emotion-fueled story in which all characters are morally gray and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Before I discuss what I liked, I had a few issues with DISCIPLES OF CHAOS. First, I am not a fan of the "will they or won't they" trope, something Ms. Lobb adapts for Damian's behavioral changes. Roz and Damian spend so much time wringing their hands about Damian's increasing anger and what it might mean for him. Unfortunately, there are only so many times I can see the same plot point repeated, and the number of times Damian yells at Roz and then apologizes to her pushes me over that edge.

Also, Ms. Lobb introduces not one but two new baddies in DISCIPLES OF CHAOS. These baddies are so stereotypical and one-dimensional, that I don't know what value they bring to the story. Part of me wonders if the story would have been stronger if Ms. Lobb had kept one or two baddies from the previous book. At least then we wouldn't have had the introduction of two new characters who are nothing more than plot devices.

Lastly, Ms. Lobb chose to end her series with a resolution in which all parties achieve some form of satisfaction. However, for a while at least, it looked like she was going to end DISCIPLES OF CHAOS with a less traditional ending. Given the anger and bitterness that embodies both books, the non-traditional ending felt right in that it honored what each person was trying to accomplish. While I don't mind the ending, here is another area in which I wonder if a different choice would have improved the story even more.

Despite all of my nitpicks, I did enjoy DISCIPLES OF CHAOS. Roz is still so angry, and now we have even angrier Damian. Reading about their anger helped ease my anger towards the general state of the world right now. I could direct my anger towards Roz's and Damian's foes. Having something concrete like that eased some of my anxiety, which is always a goal of reading. Plus, the action is fast and furious, with plenty of twists that I did not anticipate. For its cathartic nature alone, DISCIPLES OF CHAOS is one to enjoy.… (plus d'informations)

Damian Venturi isn't aware of it yet. But as small shifts start to crack the foundations of the Ombrazian power structure after the Rebellion's attack, cracks are beginning to show in Damian's own facade. Uncontrollable anger is bubbling to the surface and can't always be pushed down. Can he keep everyone safe, even from himself?

Rossana Lacertosa should feel victorious. She accomplished everything she set out to do, and more. The Rebellion's attack set countless prisoners free and brought attention to the unfairness in the Palazzo's structure. And Damian is back by her side where he belongs. Yet the war with Brechaat rages on and government officials are hellbent on keeping the status quo.

Then an Ombrazian general arrives from the front lines, and orders dozens of arrests, shipping Roz and Damian's friends up north. Determined to free those who matter most, Roz and Damian set their sights on Brechaat. But their journey is dogged by strange magic, and Damian shifts further from the boy he used to be.… (plus d'informations)

Borrowed the audiobook and book from the library. I saw the cover and I was immediately intrigued. This was something new for me, in terms of dark fantasy. Death and chaos play a key role in the story. The main protagonist, Damian, (a soldier turned detective), is tasked to investigate a murder. And Rossana, childhood friend and love interest, thinks there’s more to it, and it’s actually a series of murders. The plot twists and turns, and there are elements of psychological thriller. I thought the story was going to go in one direction, but completely went 180. There were some elements that I predicted, and some I didn’t; and so that was good. A lot of the book was world building, which is important; especially if there are potential sequels. I kind of want to see where the MC goes on his journey, and I really hope it’s what I think it will be.… (plus d'informations)