Critic and reader reviews of Divergent Chill: Battle of Nesma.
“Divergent Chill: Battle of Nesma is a fantasy novel and the first in a series. It can be read as a standalone if necessary, but I would recommend reading further. So often the first book in a series just sets up the scene for the rest, but this was a full treat in itself.
Alden Amos is sent into the sacred forest to despatch Shank, a renegade Rageborne, whose reputation as a child-eater has proven to be true. Man is not meant to enter the sacred forest, so accompanied by a tracker, a knight, an assassin and a priest to bless the journey, the group set off through the poisonous plants, with the threat of being attacked by Divergents at the forefront of their minds. Divergents are female and rumoured to be god-born. They look like children but have superior speed and strength and will think nothing of tearing a human limb from limb and eating them. So when Alden finds a Divergent ensnared in a trap meant for Shank, he is faced with the choice of freeing her or leaving her to die. Some Divergents move passed their feral state due to a calling by the god Sitar, and leave the forest to work in the Empire. Alden decides to free her and take her to the Empire to see if she is one of the chosen ones. Alden is arrested and placed on death row for taking matters into his own hands and removing her from the forest, and the only way the Divergent can save him, is by agreeing to lead a battle and annexe an enemy mining town. So begins an epic tale of friendship, betrayal and brotherhood.
I was absolutely enthralled by this book. It became difficult to move from page to page as I wanted to hurry up and get to the climax, yet I longed to savour it for as long as possible. The idea behind the story ranging from meeting the Divergent to the inevitable climactic battle is gripping and fast-paced. Interspersed with journal entries from the only male-born Divergent, the story tells of elemental users, certain races being treated as lesser beings according to their traditions, and the binding thread through it all; enacting deeds for loyalty. Whether that loyalty is to the Empire, a loved one or even to oneself, sometimes it blinds us and the outcome of our deeds can haunt us for life. You are swept along with the characters as they make difficult choices, rejoice in their successes and mourn their losses. I believed in their characters and personalities-their flaws are shown to all and you feel their emotions just as much in your own heart. Touching on societal caste issues was done in a very clever way and left you thinking deeply about a number of your own ideas and possibly pre-conceived notions. The ending was satisfying-enough to leave you wanting more, but not an in-your-face cliff hanger.
A number of editing mistakes like spelling errors and misplaced words let the book down, but not enough to cause a major distraction.
Apart from the few mistakes I couldn’t fault the flow of the book, the plot and character development, and the way that the author brought you into the story and made you part of their world. I would recommend the book for mature young adults and up due to the level of violence. I give the book 4 out of 4 stars and will be eagerly reaching for the next one in the series.”
— Official OnlineBookClub.org review
Critic and reader reviews of Divergent Chill: Fall of Night.
“This is the second book in the Divergent Chill fantasy series and can be read as a standalone book, but I would advise that the first book be read just for the sheer spectacle of it!
Divergent Chill: Fall of Night begins not too long after the first book in the series, Battle of Nesma, ends. The Divergent Chilali, of a race almost exclusively female, found in the sacred forest and blessed with extreme speed and strength but also with excessive anger, has survived her betrayal and attempted murder. While bound in her mountain prison, she discovers in her attempts to escape that she possesses an ice elemental power and begins her quest for revenge with her new persona of Chill. Her journey back to the Empire to kill those who imprisoned her is fraught with danger. Danger in that not only must she face a terrifying new foe in the form of Nightspawn, but danger in that what was once civil about her is slipping away and a vengeful, angry monster taking its place. Meanwhile Alden Amos, who still believes Chill to be dead, has escaped from the Emperor’s clutches and is stationed at Rosewood when he receives word that the Ragebourne Shank is once again killing and eating children. As he sets out with a hunting party to confront Shank for the second time, he has no idea that this quest is part of a big political game which will pit friend against friend and force foes to work together. Will Chill succeed in her desire for justice for herself, and will Alden, when realising that he is a pawn in someone else’s game manage to keep those he swore to protect, safe?I was really impressed that even though over four years had elapsed between the two novels, that the author kept the continuity in style and flow of writing. Once again characters’ emotions and actions were so well described that I was right there in their world with them. Chill’s first encounter with the sea had me gasping for air as I experienced every breath that she took. The colours, shapes and textures of cities, clothing and landscapes were vividly and richly portrayed. As with the first book an epic battle creates the climax to this part of the story and the movements and actions of the characters were so intensely depicted that I could feel the blades rip into my skin; and when the inevitable deaths occurred, my heart felt shattered.
Unfortunately I was disappointed in the silly editing mistakes. There weren’t too many, but enough to make you stop and have to reread sentences. Looking at the series as a whole I understand where certain elements are necessary to create the storyline, but I felt that some of the explanations of the political moves became a bit stale and long-winded, causing me to lose concentration. There is a lot of violence in the book, but in its context it’s necessary for the story. Those with weak stomachs may be put off though.
I rate this book by Brian Fontenot 4 out of 4 stars and would recommend it for mature young adults and up. It is another impressive instalment in the series that takes you straight out of your current environment and smack into the grimy dust of a quest, the sumptuous smells of banquet food and the rough textures of a Ragebourne’s pelt. I am eagerly awaiting the next one in the series.”
— Official OnlineBookClub.org review
