In the mythical city of N’de lives thirteen-year-old Hadlay and her people, the Ramash. Scorned and abused by the unloving and absent Emperor, the Ramash are poor people, placed second to the ruling class of the Oresed. Young but bold, Hadlay rages against the injustice in her city. When she is chosen for the honor of serving the Prince in the Tower, she hopes to find a way to right the wrong... but soon discovers that things are worse than she believed.
While Hadlay works to better her people’s condition, she struggles to abide with the abusive Oresed and understand the meaning of her dreams in which a fantastical white horse appears to her and speaks in riddles. When Hadlay stumbles into one of the Tower’s secret rooms, she discovers a hidden mirror that doesn’t just show her reflection, but reveals much more: the horse’s name is Sirach and he has a plan to save the children of N’de, if only Hadlay can bring them to the mirror. Hiding her knowledge of Sirach from the Prince, Hadlay sets out to do Sirach’s bidding. But when Sirach’s presence is revealed, Hadley’s life is in danger and the only way to save her is for Sirach to give up his own.
Crafting powerful narrative and creative characters, author L. K. Malone spins a compelling tale that combines exciting entertainment and the Christian story. In The Mirror of N’de, readers will empathize with the desires of an oppressed people, will anger at the affliction of a cruel adversary, and ultimately rejoice with the revelation of a Savior.
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About L.K. Malone:
L. K. Malone is an insatiable reader who devours nearly a book a day when she isn’t writing. Favorite genres include political thrillers, historical fiction, romance, and fantasy. Some of her favorite reads include the Hunger Games series and the Harry Potter books, which inspired her to try her hand at fantasy with a Judeo-Christian twist. Malone is a Colorado native with a large extended family, which includes two lovely young women who graciously let her mentor them through the Denver Kids program, and a handsome menagerie of pets.
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My Review: Well written and mysterious, The Mirror of N'de draws one into its spell, weaving a haunting, yet quirky enchantment.
Reading this book, the pages turned steadily, though at times certain things struck me as wrong. But as I read, things began to be clearer and clearer. This is certainly a book that causes one to think!
The Mirror of N'de is one of those books where things get a bit strange, and things don't seem right at first, but if you keep reading a hidden jewel awaits. I know that as I read certain aspects of the story and what was being hinted at really bothered me, but by the end I was content and very pleased with how the story was told, to express certain spiritual truths.
I believe that this is a book that children should read with an adult, so that some of the deeper meanings can be fully appreciated, and also because there are some scenes that are particularly violent and sickening, that are not meant for children younger than 11 or 12 without a parent's discretion.
Overall, I believe that this book will surprise and engage with its well drawn out allegorical world and themes. At times I found the pace slower than I would have liked, but it's definitely a good one to hang in there for!
Final Rating: 4.6 out of 5
The publisher is sponsoring a $50 Amazon.com giveaway open to both you and your blog readers. If you post for the blog tour you’re already entered into the contest.
About the Giveaway!
To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using @litfuse) about The Mirror of N'de or share about it on Facebook!
If you tweet we'll capture your entry when you use @litfuse. If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email us and let us know (ckrumm@litfusegroup.com). Easy.
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TWEET THIS: New YA fantasy - The Mirror of N'de - compelling narrative and creative characters! @litfuse RT for $50 to @amazon http://ow.ly/7AWGT
FACEBOOK THIS: Don’t miss this debut YA fantasy story: Crafting powerful narrative and creative characters, author L. K. Malone spins a compelling tale that combines exciting entertainment and the Christian story. In The Mirror of N’de, readers will empathize with the desires of an oppressed people, will anger at the affliction of a cruel adversary, and ultimately rejoice with the revelation of a Savior. Share this for a chance at $50 to Amazon.com http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13440685
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Thanks to Litfuse Publicity and Kregel Publishing for providing this book to me free of charge, so that I might express my honest opinion of it, which I have done my best to do here. Thanks :)
I've never been much of a fantasy fan. This one sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteYes, Sheri, it is most certainly interesting :)Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteHi, Faye,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your keen insights and thoughts! I'm glad you liked the book. See you on Goodreads. Oh, and you're way right about By Darkness Hid. Once I got into it, I couldn't go to bed until I finished.
L.K., You are so welcome :) It was a pleasure to read your book. And I look forward to a sequel :D
ReplyDeleteYes, By Darkness Hid is so good! I'm afraid to re-read it because I might lose an exorbitant amount of sleep. ;)
Thanks for stopping by!