Review: Foresworn

FORESWORN
Sisters of Fate #3
Rinda Elliott
Paranormal Young Adult
HarlequinTEEN
Available December 2nd
Source: eARC from author for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
It is written that three Sisters of Fate have the power to change the world’s destiny.

But only if they survive…

Kat Lockwood grew up listening to her unhinged mother’s stories about the Norse goddess souls she and her triplet sisters carry, about fiery deaths and a prophecy foretelling the world’s end. Now, to save that world, Kat must find a guy who hosts the soul of a Norse god–a warrior with the lightest blond hair and the darkest brown eyes.

But at a truck stop on her road trip, Kat freezes time while she writes out a cryptic message in runes. The only other person able to see this happen? A gorgeous guy with the lightest blond hair and the darkest brown eyes.

Kat’s not convinced peaceful Arun is the future warrior who will turn the tide in the final battle. Yet, Arun turns out to be a lot tougher than he seems. As soul-carrying teens and underworld creatures gather over the world’s deadliest volcano, Kat finds that no one, including her sisters and mother, is exactly who she thought they were….

Sisters of Fate

The prophecy doesn’t lie: one is doomed to die.

MY THOUGHTS
Foresworn is the final installment in the Sisters of Fate trilogy, Kat's story overlapping that of her sisters' for a few chapters before moving everything we've learned over the course of the series forward and closer to the final showdown with Loki. It takes just a touch longer to settle in with Kat than it did either Raven or Coral, her quiet intensity (love interest Arun calls her “prickly”, an apt description) coupled with the introduction of a large number of new characters creating a distance it takes a bit of time to bridge. Once more and more kids bearing the souls of Norse gods and goddesses begin making their way to Kat's location in preparation for whatever Loki has planned though, the action picks up and Kat shows us what she's made of, her mettle weighed, measured and not found the least bit wanting.

Though all three Lockwood girls have grown up with the prophecy of an early death hanging over their heads, Kat is perhaps the one who bears the brunt of its weight, her nights haunted by dreams in which flames take her to her excruciatingly painful end. Knowing she is the one meant to die is a burden she carries alone, keeping her dreams to herself and putting a little extra distance between herself and the rest of the world. As mentioned previously, its this distance that keeps us from warming to her as immediately as we did her sisters, but once she starts to let Arun in and lower her guard just a touch, it's as though some of the weight she's been carrying shifts to us and we can suddenly feel not only her fear, but her strength as well.

Just as Vanir and Taran before him, Arun is perfectly suited to Kat, his sweet and caring nature as well as the openness in the way he communicates–speaking plainly and truthfully without hidden meaning or agenda–slipping through the chinks in her armor and bringing with them a bit of happiness in the middle of the literal end of the world. He's quick with a compliment (sometimes a super cheesy one that Kat simply can't let slide without comment) and a smile, but there's never artifice in his words or gestures, and he easily wins us over as he does Kat.

The final showdown with Loki himself is over surprisingly quickly and with relatively little fanfare given the way he's orchestrated all the events leading up to this last battle, but the battle itself is suitably epic, lives lost and others irreparably changed as valkyries, giants, dark elves, and those carrying the souls of some of the mightiest in Norse mythology go head to head. Overall this series consists of three quick and captivating reads, prophecy, romance and family–both born to and made–combining to delight and entertain on every possible level.

Rating: 4/5
 

Find Rinda:

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads • Amazon

This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review. 

I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

Review: Forecast

FORECAST
Sisters of Fate #2
Rinda Elliott
Paranormal Young Adult
ebook
HarlequinTEEN
Available now
Source: from author for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
The Lockwood triplets are charged with helping to save the world—but at a high cost.

Coral is always in the middle, always the family peacemaker. She’s the sister with the most to prove. When a freak snowstorm halts her Florida summer, signaling the Norse end of the world, she tracks down Taran Breen—a would-be warrior carrying Thor’s soul. A boy who’s fought his temper all his life and is now a suspect for murder.

One who looks at her as no other has before.

As roaring seas surge and terrifying underworld creatures emerge for battle, can Coral control her goddess magic and protect Taran? Because now she has a chance for more than her crazy life—as long as she and Taran win….

It is written that three Sisters of Fate have the power to change the world’s destiny.

But only if they survive…

MY THOUGHTS
Forecast is the best kind of second installment, playing perfectly off the prophecy of the three sisters introduced to us in Foretold and expanding upon it while still providing us with a complete story arc all its own. The events of Coral's story unfold simultaneously with those of her sister Raven's (whom we met in Foretold), but though we know some very important truths about the girls' mother thanks to our time with Raven, everything else Coral and Taran face is completely new. This story could easily be picked up out of order thanks to Ms. Elliott's ability to subtly recap events, getting any potentially new readers up to speed without being heavy handed with repetition those familiar with what the girls are facing don't need.

Coral is adorably colorful, both in personality and fashion, tossing herself right into the middle of Taran's not-insignificant problems with flair and gusto. She's incredibly knowledgeable with various spells and remedies thanks to some of her mother's magical ability, and she keeps an impressively cool head when faced with a crisis that requires her knowledge. She's not as reluctant to share information with Taran as Raven was with Vanir, approaching the soul of Thor issue fairly quickly so they can better focus on what's expected of all of them with regard to Ragnarok. Her banter with Taran is of the smile-inducing variety, the two of them dancing around one another with no shortage of innuendo (unintentional on her part, more than intentional on his) flowing between them, and we can't help but be grateful for their humorous moments in the middle of mythological chaos.

Taran, as expected based on the soul of the god he houses, has what one might describe as a few anger management issues–his fuse short and easily lit–but even with a tendency to lead with his fists, he's easy to fall for. It's clear he's fairly in the dark with regard to his temper, aware it's a problem but not entirely sure why there are times he can't get a handle on it, but never once does that temper extend to those who aren't deserving of it. He engages in frequent battles of wit with best friends Josh and Grim (who are absolutely hilarious highlights of this story) and flirts shamelessly with Coral, though the way in which he does so comes off as irritatingly charming for its effectiveness rather than insincere, traits that when combined with the visual of Chris Hemsworth in our heads rockets him to the top of our book boyfriend lists.

Overall, Forecast is as action-packed as its predecessor, giving us new pieces of the girls' prophecy to put in place while reminding us here and there of what we learned with Raven to make sure we have as complete a picture as possible before we enter into the final showdown with third and final sister Kat.

Rating: 4/5
 

Find Rinda

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Amazon • Goodreads

This book was sent to me by the author free of charge for the purpose of a review. 

I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

Interview: Rinda Elliott + Forecast

I'm so pleased today to welcome author Rinda Elliott back to the blog to answer a few questions about the second installment of her Sisters of Fate trilogy, Forecast. I read the first book, Foretold, a little while back and thoroughly the characters and the Norse mythology, and then I picked this one up and promptly fell even deeper in love. If you're a fan of paranormal stories with not only strong protagonists but also wildly entertaining secondary characters, then this series is one to add to your lists. I hope you all enjoy the interview!

The Sisters of Fate series features Norse mythology at the forefront of the overall plot arc. If Coral and Taran could leave the current chaos of Ragnarok behind and transport themselves to any other myth (Greek, Native American, etc.), which one might they choose?

You would not believe how much time I spent thinking about this question. Or you probably would by the length of my answer. I’m a huge lover of mythologies and interesting cultural and religious beliefs. There are SO MANY fun myths from the well-known to the crazy obscure. At first, I thought about a myth featuring goddesses connected to water—because that would have come in handy in Coral and Taran’s story. Like Leukothea or Oshun or even more fun, Amathaunta because I could just make up any kind of story about her since not much is known. Then I thought about some Arapaho legends because Coral would probably love to know more about that part of her family. (Luckily, we get more of that history in FORESWORN.) Though not in these books, a fun fact is the Arapaho creature of myth called the Hiintcabiit, which is a massive water serpent. When you think about Thor and the Midgard serpent…

But, if I were to pick something to celebrate a part of Taran’s combined cultures, oh man, so much to choose from! Celtic mythology is rich in wonderful stories and Coral would do well there because the Celts were so in tune with nature. And better yet, women played some wonderful parts in their myths. Taran is named for Taranis, a Celtic god of thunder similar to Thor, who was ironically, good natured.

Can you tell I’m having trouble picking one myth?

Can you tell I could write one book after another based on them?

Okay, okay, I’ll pick one…or two.  They could redo the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Taran is stubborn. He would NOT have looked back. Or The Children of Lir (Irish legend) about siblings spelled into swans who lived hundreds of years before the spell was broken. When free, they were old and frail. Maybe Coral could find a counter spell to free them while they were still teens. And if Josh and Grim came along to help, maybe one of the sisters…or brother…could end up being a fun love interest.

Taran’s short fuse is perfectly tempered by Coral’s calm under pressure. If you were to write yourself into the Sisters of Fate series with your own warrior to track down, what trait might he possess that would create a nice balance for your character?

I would need someone easy going with a great sense of humor because I’m high on the emotion at times. And I need to laugh more. I’d be better suited to Vanir or possibly even Arun from FORESWORN, but knowing me, I’d be highly attracted to Taran and his prickly mood swings. Story of my life. ;)

Josh and Grim are a pair of absolutely hilarious brothers and true friends to Taran. If they were each to pen a story in which they cast themselves as the heroes, what would the title of their books be?

Grim would probably do a comedy or better yet, a horror flick and maybe find a way to tie in his candy habit. They would, of course, give them Norse titles. Grim? Blatqnn Slefja or Black Tooth Dribbler. And for Josh? Some sort of historical epic romance where he saves a girl. Or possibly several girls. Austrvegr Vaskr Drengr or The Gallant Warrior.

Loki is a fascinating villain; extremely capable and intelligent with an intimidating amount of power. What villain from another piece of fiction, if pitted against Loki in battle, would give him a run for his money in skill, strength and cunning?

I went through all kinds of strong and skilled villains and came up with a bunch, but my absolute first thought made me crack up. Honestly, I don’t think Loki would know how to handle Hannibal Lecter.

If Coral, Raven, and Kat, as triplets, were standing side by side in front of Taran in matching outfits, what’s one small or subtle quirk of Coral’s that would tip him off as to her identity?

She’d be squinting at her feet, trying to identify some obscure weed, to see if it could be harvested for a spell. And honestly, she’d have some sort of extra color hidden somewhere on her matching outfit. Probably a purple clip-on feather she didn’t hide too well in her long hair.

Let’s say Forecast is made into a movie and, for the sake of fantasy, assume Chris Hemsworth (*dreamy sigh*) would be cast as Taran given the fact that he carries Thor’s soul. If you came face to face with him on set, what would your first reaction be?

I suppose climbing him like a spider monkey isn’t an appropriate answer, right? (I told this answer to my critique partner, Rachel Vincent, who said that would be interesting to watch since I’m so tall. I could manage. Promise.) Okay seriously, I’d hope I’d be able to talk to him while looking at his face and not his arms. Those are such wonderful, wonderful arms. (I actually plotted this book—but didn’t write most of it—before the Hemsworth movies and my visual inspiration for teen Thor is quite a bit different. Still, very hot. If I were still a teen, of course. ;) )

*Jenny dies. And then dreams of climbing Chris Hemsworth like a spider monkey too.*

If Raven and Coral were to provide one-word teasers as to what we can expect from Kat’s story, what word would each of them choose?

Raven-sarcasm. Coral-ANSWERS.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions Rinda!

• • • • • • • • • • •

FORECAST

The Lockwood triplets are charged with helping to save the world—but at a high cost.

Coral is always in the middle, always the family peacemaker. She’s the sister with the most to prove. When a freak snowstorm halts her Florida summer, signaling the Norse end of the world, she tracks down Taran Breen—a would-be warrior carrying Thor’s soul. A boy who’s fought his temper all his life and is now a suspect for murder.

One who looks at her as no other has before.

As roaring seas surge and terrifying underworld creatures emerge for battle, can Coral control her goddess magic and protect Taran? Because now she has a chance for more than her crazy life—as long as she and Taran win….

It is written that three Sisters of Fate have the power to change the world’s destiny.

But only if they survive…

Amazon • Goodreads

• • • • • • • • • •

RINDA ELLIOTT

Photo: Kathryn Moad Photography

I love unusual stories and credit growing up in a family of curious life-lovers who moved all over the country. Books and movies full of fantasy, science fiction and romance kept us amused, especially in some of the stranger places. For years, I tried to separate my darker side with my humorous and romantic one. I published short fiction, but things really started happening when I gave in and mixed it up. When not lost in fiction, I love making wine, collecting music, gaming and spending time with my husband and two children. 

Website • Facebook • Twitter

Interview: Rinda Elliott + Foretold

I'm so pleased today to welcome author Rinda Elliott to the blog to answer a few questions about her new paranormal young adult release, Foretold. I read this one recently and absolutely adored it, the combination of romance and Norse mythology a winning one for me. I'm already counting down the days until the second installment featuring Raven's sister Coral releases in August, so I hope you guys give Foretold a try if you get the chance!

Vanir has two wolf companions that have been with him since the accident that took his parents from him and his brothers. If you could choose any animal, real or mythological, to have as a companion/spirit guide, what animal would top your list?

This question kind of stumped me—really made me think. So I was with a big group at a birthday party and asked them all to try and figure out my spirit animal. They all answered wolf, except for one who said lion—which was cool. I mean everyone wants to seem like a lion, right? The wolf is a pretty powerful, too. Strong and intelligent. It’s also supposed to be wild. I like to think I’m intelligent…but I’m really not all that wild. I like my safe, quiet spaces. I thought about all the years I collected giant panda stuffed animals and posters as a kid. So, I looked up that one. Like a bear–soft on the outside, but strong underneath. Feels the need for personal space and physical comfort. Kind of emotional yet very goal oriented and determined. Oh yeah, this one fits. Isn’t that interesting that I’d picked that one as a kid? 

Vanir and Raven not only have to battle magic and myth in this story, but they also have the fight the elements when Ragnarok brings an epic snowstorm in the middle of summer. If Ragnarok were to hit our world right this moment, how prepared for survival would you say you are?

LOL. I was just going to answer, “I’m gonna die.” But that was my weird sense of humor rearing its head. I’m not stocked up on things and I don’t have a lot of personal skills in combat when things get scary. So, I’d have to learn those things. But, once the snow disappeared—and I’m assuming the Lockwood triplets will hopefully succeed—I do know how to garden. I grow a lot of my own fruits and vegetables. So, it’s possible I’d be a little more useful than I thought.

Since Foretold is written from Raven’s first person point of view, we don’t get to know what’s running through the fascinatingly complex mind of Vanir unless he gives his thoughts voice. If we happened to be in his head the moment he got his first good look at Raven, what are a few of the words we might see floating around in there?

First good look, eh? After thinking she was a boy who’d stolen his parents’ car—or so she thought. Nah, Vanir, who knows his own mind and knows what he likes, would have first been thinking “I’ve got to help this person fast.” He has such a very strong instinct to use his size, strength, and extra gifts where and when they’re needed. But, Vanir is also days before his eighteenth birthday and future leader as Odin or not, he’s also a boy who sees a girl he instantly finds intriguing. So, I imagine the words would be beautiful, interesting, different and unique, each one threaded with a strong dose of hope that she likes him just as much back.   

Raven feels as though, of the three sisters, her ability is the least important given she’s too late to change any of the things her runes reference. If she could choose any other paranormal ability to have for a day, which one might she jump at the chance to try out?

I think with her working two jobs and feeling such a need to make sure everyone is taken care of, she might want the ability to clone herself. As the oldest of my siblings, I’ve wished for that one a time or two myself. ;)

What’s one interesting fact or tidbit you learned about Norse mythology during your research for Foretold that you didn’t know before?

Oh, I learned a lot. I’ve always been fascinated with Norse mythology—even before I finally found the meaning of my odd first name and learned it meant giant and comes from Norse mythology. One difficult thing—but like most other mythologies really--is that the stories change from one writing to another. Spellings change and I worried a lot about getting things just right. I’d think I had, then I would find yet another spelling or yet another thought behind who a god or goddess really was. At one point, I finally decided to go with what worked for the story. Also, this book was originally called Wyrd, The Turning because the norns were considered the wyrd sisters and “wyrd” actually means that which has turned or has become. It’s the very idea of someone or something turning into something new. These girls have grown up knowing their lives aren’t entirely their own and each approaches that knowledge differently. With Raven, she has this terrific sense of responsibility when it comes to her family, yet inside, she’s always been terrified her norn would someday erase her own personality. Anyone with control issues would understand how scary that would be. And before I take this too far off tangent, I suppose learning the true meaning of wyrd when I’d already decided on norns was pretty cool. It was sort of serendipitous. 

Though Raven takes center stage in this first installment, her sisters obviously play an important role. What’s something about each of them Raven admires, and something about each of them that drives her crazy in the way only sisters can?

Raven, Coral and Kat are very much typical sisters despite all the bigger-than-life things they deal with. Raven loves that Coral can be forgiving, can be the peacemaker in the family, but she worries that Coral isn’t strong enough for what’s coming. Raven doesn’t worry about whether Kat is strong enough. Kat comes off tough. But Kat also drives Raven and for that matter, Coral, both kind of crazy because she’s not as accepting of how they’ve lived and how their mother has dealt with things. She’s got a mouth on her. But, Raven’s favorite thing about Kat is her fierce loyalty.

You suddenly find yourself experiencing a rune tempus as Raven does when the Norse goddess within her makes her presence known. When it’s over and you take a look at the runes, it’s clear they carry a message about Coral’s upcoming story, Forecast. What do the runes say? 

Slightly off the top of my head here, but I think they’d say something like:



What was once myth
Nightmares brought into light
Forces that gather
Know their true birthright

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today Rinda!

• • • • • • • • • • • 

FORETOLD

It is written that three Sisters of Fate have the power
to change the world's destiny.
But only if they survive…

The Lockwood triplets have had the prophecy drummed into their heads since birth. Still, Raven, the eldest of the sisters, can't believe it's really happening. She's the reincarnation of a Norse goddess? One of the sisters is destined to die? When it starts snowing in summer in Florida, the sisters fear the worst has come to pass. Ragnarok, the Norse end of the world, has begun.

Raven finds herself the secret protector of Vanir, a boy with two wolves, a knowledge of Norse magic and a sense of destiny he can't quite explain. He's intense, sexy and equally determined to save her when it becomes clear someone is endangering them. Raven doesn't know if getting closer to him will make a difference in the coming battle, but her heart isn't giving her a choice.

Ahead of the sisters is the possibility of death at the hand of a warrior, death by snow, death by water or death by fire.

Or even from something else…

Sisters of Fate
The prophecy doesn't lie: one is doomed to die.

Goodreads • Amazon • B&N

• • • • • • • • • • 

RINDA ELLIOTT

Photo: Kathryn Moad Photography

I love unusual stories and credit growing up in a family of curious life-lovers who moved all over the country. Books and movies full of fantasy, science fiction and romance kept us amused, especially in some of the stranger places. For years, I tried to separate my darker side with my humorous and romantic one. I published short fiction, but things really started happening when I gave in and mixed it up. When not lost in fiction, I love making wine, collecting music, gaming and spending time with my husband and two children. 

Website • Facebook • Twitter

Review: Foretold

FORETOLD
Sisters of Fate #1
Rinda Elliott
Paranormal Young Adult
310 pages
HarlequinTEEN Digital
Available Now
Source: e-ARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
It is written that three Sisters of Fate have the power
to change the world's destiny.
But only if they survive…

The Lockwood triplets have had the prophecy drummed into their heads since birth. Still, Raven, the eldest of the sisters, can't believe it's really happening. She's the reincarnation of a Norse goddess? One of the sisters is destined to die? When it starts snowing in summer in Florida, the sisters fear the worst has come to pass. Ragnarok, the Norse end of the world, has begun.

Raven finds herself the secret protector of Vanir, a boy with two wolves, a knowledge of Norse magic and a sense of destiny he can't quite explain. He's intense, sexy and equally determined to save her when it becomes clear someone is endangering them. Raven doesn't know if getting closer to him will make a difference in the coming battle, but her heart isn't giving her a choice.

Ahead of the sisters is the possibility of death at the hand of a warrior, death by snow, death by water or death by fire.

Or even from something else…

Sisters of Fate
The prophecy doesn't lie: one is doomed to die.

MY THOUGHTS
Foretold drops us into a world on the brink of destruction and keeps us on the run from beginning to end, engaging our minds with prophetic puzzles while warming our cheeks with a romance helped along by the heavy hitters of Norse mythology. Because we hit the ground running in this tale–or rather flat out sprinting–confusion and unease are what dominate in the opening chapters (as they're clearly meant to), our timeline with Raven jumping from present day to a few days prior when a massive snowstorm and the suspicious disappearance of the girls’ mother throws their world into chaos. Pieces of a prophecy are spoken of casually, and because we haven’t grown up with it as the girls’ have, it takes us a little while to mentally organize all the information that’s so quickly distributed. Before too long though we’re right there with Raven, ready to save the world and get swept off our feet as we do so.

Raven is the eldest of the three girls (by minutes given they’re triplets, but still), sent to track down one of the three warriors she believes is capable of fulfilling the prophecy that’s dictated how she and her sisters have lived their entire lives. She’s easy to like from the moment we meet her, slightly adrift and somewhat unsure of what her next moves should be even though she’s known Ragnarok has been coming for years; feelings that help form a connection to her given they're mirrored in us as we read. She has a surprising desire to tell the truth to Vanir and his brothers, something that’s not always the case in supernatural situations, and while for most of the book various events prevent that truth from coming out in full, it’s still a relief simply to have a desire for honesty present. She does keep the most important tidbit to herself until the very end, which, while a touch frustrating, thankfully doesn’t result in a colossal blowup that derails everything she and Vanir have worked toward up to that point.

The romance could be described as the one of the instant attraction variety, but the paranormal element of the story acts as a balm to soothe whatever irritation tries to flare up at their quick connection, granting us a bit more patience when it comes to the two of them than we might have otherwise. Their relationship, though important and prominent, doesn’t take over the entire story and turn a deeply interesting mythological mystery into a superficial teenage drama, rather the two elements nicely combine to keep things moving forward while at the same time ensuring our hearts are one hundred percent in the game. We’re left in a good place, no cliffhanger waiting to emotionally eviscerate us on the last page and with enough of our questions answered that we feel content to wait for the next installment, geared up to follow Raven’s sister Coral as she tracks down the next of the prophesied warriors.

Rating: 4/5
 

Find Rinda:

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads • Amazon

This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review. 

I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.