Book Review: Imber by Tyffany Hackett

Imber (The Thanatos Trilogy #1) by Tyffany Hackett

Blurb:

The locks are failing.

The keys are calling.

The Titans are waking.

Crowned before her time, nineteen-year-old Natylia is thrust into an unpleasant reality—her people don’t want her, her family doesn’t need her and, despite her best efforts, she can’t seem to shake an incorrigible suitor. But when rumors begin to swirl throughout her kingdom the young queen shifts her focus and realizes that the world she loves could be destroyed in an instant.

An ancient enemy, long thought gone, is trying to return.

Forgotten legends have resurfaced, stories that tell of three scepters: the keys to unleashing these foul beings. Across Araenna the hunt rages for this trio of formidable power—to command the keys is to hold the power of mortal gods.

Aided by her snarky elven bodyguard, an unassuming blacksmith, and a clever nature witch, Natylia races to correct the mistakes of the past… before they can destroy her people’s future.

My Review:

I've been excited to read Imber since I first heard about it and it was well worth the wait! 

19-year-old Natylia is about to ascend the throne of Thrais after petitioning the Council to let her take over for her sick mother who may not live the five years until Natylia is supposed to take over. Unfortunately, the people of Thrais think Natylia is stealing the throne from her mother, their beloved Queen - and they're not happy about it. 

When Natylia overhears her mother and Kathryn, the Queen of Wydus talking about mysterious scepters that have the ability to awaken and control Titans long thought gone and her mother is murdered mere days later, Natylia knows she has to find the scepter hidden somewhere within Thrais to save her people - even as accusations and unrest from subjects intensify.

After her mother's funeral, Natylia leaves the palace aided by her elven guard, Jyn, the palace witch, Meryn, and a blacksmith/Natylia's sparring teacher, Camion to enter the dark and forbidding forest where they believe the scepter is hidden.

Natylia will have to be strong and rely on her friends as she faces the dangers ahead if they have any hope of surviving their adventure...

This book is a definite must-read. I loved the characters and as mentioned before, the plotting, world building, and pacing are well-developed keeping the reader hooked on the story. I liked the slow-burn romance between Natylia and Camion, even though in the beginning I was sure Jyn had feelings for Natylia himself. The romance didn't overwhelm the story, it was just enough and I hope it's delved into a little more in the next book now that we know how Natylia and Camion feel about each other. I do foresee Lucian causing grief in books to come however...

I liked how this book ended, giving you a reprieve while at the same time setting up nicely for the next book and making you want to see what's going to happen next. Will Natylia find the next scepter before someone else does? Who are the Cloaked Shadows working for and why? Are the King and Queen of Kalum involved or is someone just making it look like they are? What if Natylia's true enemy is disguising themselves as an ally? So many questions and I can't wait to find out more in the next book! 

Overall, I highly recommend Imber. It's a fantastic debut novel. You'll love the characters and quickly become addicted to the story. Natylia reminded me slightly of Aurora in Roar by Cora Carmack, (a girl who felt unprepared to take over her kingdom who goes on a grand adventure). Fantasy lovers will also fall in love with the world of Araenna!

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

4.75 of 5 Stars!