Monday, August 1, 2011

Review: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Paperback: Brightly Woven
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Pages: 368
Publisher: EgmontUSA  
Release Date: June 28st, 2011(reprint edition)
Genre: Young Adult/High Adventure/Fantasy
Rating:  
♥♥♥


Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him. 

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers. 

Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.
(Goodreads.com)

A fantastical story of magic, romance, adventure and weaving! I am truly smitten with this stunning cover art. The contrast of Sydelle’s alabaster skin and her vibrant red locks most definitely captures the visual I imagined while reading this book.
Sydelle lives with her family in an isolated mountain-esque village that has been experiencing a drought for ten years. With one rain storm her entire existence is transformed from drab village dweller to the assistant of a powerful and rogue wizard, Wayland North. North literally whisk’s Sydelle away from impending doom in her village. The good king is dead and war encroaches on the free lands. Together North and Sydelle must venture to the capital with hopes of presenting the truth behind the King’s assassination. Sydelle is aware that North is keeping something from her and when more than one wizard attempts to claim Syd as their own, North stops at nothing to protect her from danger. 

I enjoyed Brightly Woven. Bracken did a solid job of creating a lyrical narration and Wayland North is one hot mess of a wizard. Brightly Woven is a wonderful break out novel of traditional fantasy reads. Sydelle and North are wonderfully rendered characters; they’re honest, funny and charming. The magic was enchanting and I really loved the weaving element. 

I hope Bracken gets to writing; I am ready for another fantastical adventure.
♥♥♥


Possible Pairings:
Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore
Alana: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness)  by Tamora Pierce

5 comments:

Lex said...

Girl, I want to read this one!!

LacedwithLacey said...

Thanks Cory! Will do!

LacedwithLacey said...

Lex, we still need to do our Book Date. Once I am out of school things will be back to normal. <3

Lex said...

Book date is a must Lace...I need your tutelage immediately! haha

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