Blog Tour: Samara’s Peril Review and Interview

Two blog tour posts in one day? YES! This is the blog tour post for Samara’s Peril by Jaye L. Knight, and if you’re looking for the Espionage blog tour post…find the link at the end of this one. BUT BEFORE YOU DO THAT, READ THIS REVIEW!

 

About the Book

 

When news arrives that Emperor Daican has been in contact with his chief war strategist, it signals potential doom for the country of Samara. Determined to intervene, the resistance in Landale, headed by Lady Anne, embark on a covert mission in hopes of unearthing further information. However, a shocking discovery leads to complications no one could have foreseen.

 

Armed with their newfound knowledge, they set out for Samara to warn the king. War is inevitable, and they must face two desperate battles—one on the walls of Samara’s great stronghold, and the other on the battlefield of Jace’s heart, where victory might only be achievable through great sacrifice.

 

Available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks!

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Haven’t discovered the world of Ilyon yet? Find out more at the official Ilyon Chronicles website!

 

My Review:

 

A big problem I have with Christian fiction today is lack of reason for faith.

 

In many worlds, God is just “there.” There is no reason to believe in Him, it is just assumed to be truth, with no proof. Additionally, problems seem to always tie up neatly, with a little bow for decoration.

 

As much as I like happy-go-lucky stories, they’re so often shallow. That’s what bothers me about Christian fiction, and I believe it’s a major turnoff to potential readers – non-believability.

 

Not so with Samara’s Peril.

 

I’m not sure how it’s possible, but these five-star books keep getting better with every installment.

 

We all love Jace and Kyrin, Kaden, Rayad, Trask, and all the many others. Because we’ve already had two novels and a novella so far, we’ve learned a lot about all of the characters – their passions, their strengths, their weaknesses, and their struggles. The combinations of all those things endears us to them, and I believe that’s one reason I love this series so incredibly much.

 

The Ilyon Chronicles are clearly Jace’s books. Although Kyrin Altair has a major role, Jace’s personal struggles are brought to light and must be faced.

I found myself connecting with him the most in this book out of all the others so far – and let me just say, this book was powerful.

 

For certain things to progress, we needed resolution to some major things, things I knew had to happen and probably would – but Samara’s Peril keeps us on the edge of our seats anticipating, anxious, and always guessing.

 

This is a story about love. Sacrifice. Faith. Truth. Healing. And above all, trust in God, but never in a preachy way. For that, I appreciated it.

 

Some moments had me tormented, and others, grinning – and perhaps even audibly squealing – like a fool. With the discussion on multiple aspects of the book, there has been some controversy about the execution of the story, but personally, I greatly enjoyed the way the book was done.

 

I enjoyed the plotline. I enjoyed the allegorical aspect of it. I enjoyed the events that occurred in character development of our main characters, even though with so many side characters, it’s difficult to flesh out every one. Though some of the lesser-role characters may have seemed flat at times, because of the sheer number of them, it was appropriate. I find a strong focus on the lead characters is more important than too many developed characters; sometimes too much development of too many characters detracts from the focus of the story.

 

I always appreciate how Jaye handles mature elements and gracefully, purely, and suitably. Nothing that’s wrong is ever portrayed as right, and immorality is never glorified, if mentioned.

 

It was honest. It was poignant. It was powerful. It was absolutely enthralling to this fangirl, and though no book can ever be perfect, I don’t think I would know how to make it any more incredible than it is now.

 

Although considered NA (New Adult – aimed at people ages 18-25+), I’d recommend it for anyone, probably fourteen or fifteen and up. There’s no inappropriate content, but mature themes are definitely addressed, more so in this book than the previous ones.

 

If you haven’t read this series, I can’t recommend the Ilyon Chronicles highly enough. Of course, start at the beginning and don’t skip around – it’ll be the most enjoyable that way!

 

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About the Author

Jaye L. Knight is an award-winning author, homeschool graduate, and shameless tea addict with a passion for Christian fantasy. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

 

You can connect with Jaye on her website, blog, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Etsy.

 

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Interview Time!

Thanks for joining me, Jaye! Throughout writing the Ilyon Chronicles, what have you learned from your characters?

 

One theme that seems to come through in all of my books is that God makes all things work together for good even when things are terrible and we don’t understand them. This is especially so in Ilyon Chronicles, and I think writing that out in my characters’ lives helps reinforce it in my own life.

That’s something that I’m always learning, too, and your books really encourage me, especially when reinforcing spiritual points such as this one. So, thank you!

If you could introduce one of our modern inventions into Ilyon, what would it be?

 

Well, if you were to ask my character Kaden, he’d probably demand guns or something to give them the upper hand against the emperor. I suppose I’d choose some form of transportation so my characters could get around faster, though dragons aren’t a bad way to go. 😉

 

Dragons are pretty amazing, though planes and cars might be a little more convenient, and guns miiiight be a little more powerful. But swords can do a lot of damage too, and dragons are fantastic. 🙂
What is one fact about you that most people would never guess?

 

I can’t drive. Well, I can drive. I have my license, and I pretty much have no trouble driving around my hometown, but I don’t drive anywhere unfamiliar. I just have no confidence in my driving skills. 😛

I have yet to get my learner’s permit, so let’s just say I’m not confident either…XD

If you could have a conversation with an author, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you say?

 

J.R.R. Tolkien. I’d tell him how much his work has inspired me. After all, if not for Lord of the Rings, I might never have started writing fantasy. And I’d love to talk to him about world building, especially his creation of the different languages.

That’s very cool. What is the most painstaking part of the writing process?

 

Most of the time, for me, it’s the writing itself! Editing can be frustrating, but I don’t think I ever get quite as frustrated as I do while I’m writing sometimes. Seriously, writing is hard work. Sometimes I wish my books would just write themselves.

Don’t we all? 😉 Thanks for answering my questions, Jaye!

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Giveaway

Share in the excitement of the release and enter to win a themed giveaway pack! Prizes include an autographed copy of Samara’s Peril, a John 3:16 necklace by FaithWearDesigns, and a green wire dragon bookmark by Wirelings! (Giveaway is open to US residents only. Cannot be shipped internationally.)

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

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See the list of other participating blogs HERE.

THE BLOG TOUR POST FOR ESPIONAGE BY MORGAN ELIZABETH HUNEKE CAN BE FOUND RIGHT HERE! CLICK ON THIS WHOLE GREEN-BLUE CAPITALIZED SENTENCE AND FIND ANOTHER REVIEW!