The Harbinger (Book #1)
by: Candace Wondrak
Genre: Reverse Harem/Fantasy
Expected Publication Date: November 5, 2018
Synopsis
The rules of the Second, a list by Faith Blackwell.
One: technology doesn’t work. The Second doesn’t need electricity when it has magic. Two: don’t trust anyone. The Second’s races—the Elven, the Malus, the Ulen and the Dracon—are way too pretty to trust. Three: when someone tells you you’re the new Harbinger, believe them. Bad things happen if you don’t.
Back in the sixties, the last Harbinger permanently opened the gateways between Earth and the Second. Humanity grew accordingly. Faith is in her fifth year at the Academy, with her sight set on joining the Division, the branch of government that enforces what most law enforcement can’t, like smuggling goods between worlds. Following her mother’s footsteps has always been the plan.
Of course, she doesn’t want to follow them to a T. Her mother had awful luck with men, as did her grandma. Faith wouldn’t mind finding out what’s so special about a man that it has her quirky grandma swearing at them constantly. A field trip to the Second is just what she needs.
Being the first female Harbinger in the Second’s history and having to face down the realm’s most dangerous Dracon, also known as the ridiculously-named Dread King? Not what she needs.
Faith isn’t a hero. That sort of responsibility is not what she wants. The perks that come with it—like a sexy but infuriating Elf, a flirty Malus, and a quiet and pensive Ulen—well, maybe for them she’ll make an exception to her grandma’s no-man rule.
Maybe she’ll have them all.
The Harbinger is the first in a slow-burn, reverse harem fantasy series. Expect eventual hot and steamy scenes, coupled with the Chosen One trope, and a heroine who will reluctantly try to save a world that isn’t hers.
Review
The Harbinger takes on a fairly familiar setting in a fantasy novel. There are familiar elements that was noticed from something like The Mortal Instruments and other similar stories however, that isn’t saying that there isn’t something unique here. The Harbinger has its own set of story with its own heroine and back story. Being the first book, there is a lot of setup for both bringing in the characters and setting the stage for everything we need to know. As slow-burn as it claims to be, there is still a decent amount of fantasy to create a good bit of intrigue especially with all the different fantasy races to discover and a good contrast of characters that were introduced. It sets up a lot of potential for the following books, while still being a competent first book.
My main deal here is that the dialogue here sometimes didn’t really work as well for me. I’m fairly selective about fantasy and writing style so its something I’m a little more nitpicky about. Most of the writing style is pretty good, but its mostly the actual dialogue. However, I did like how the chapters would, albeit in third person, still change the angle of which character’s point of view we are reading from. Aside from that, putting the romance aside, which I’m not sure that I’m completely on board with, my favorite parts are the mysterious bits that are written exceptionally well when we start getting introduced to the Dread King. We’re keeping this spoiler free so nothing more than that.
Overall, The Harbinger is a really good fantasy book with a lot of creativity and its first book sets up a lot of intrigue especially in bringing in this new world and their clans while giving the characters, especially the heroine’s quest and her depth to make me look forward to what else this series has to offer.
Goodreads score: 4/5
About the Author
Hey guys! I’m a writer, an office worker, a wife, a mother to two dogs and two cats, and half of a strange pair of young adults who flip the houses they’re living in with the goal of having no mortgage (so that I can eventually focus on my writing career!). Needless to say, I’m busy.
Still, I somehow find time to write, to read, and to enjoy life. Wish there were more hours in the day, really!
Giveaway
Giveaway details: $10 Amazon E-gift card and a digital copy of book two, The Fellowship
Blog organized by:
Tranquil Dreams 
Great review Kim! Thanks for hosting today 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: What’s Up #10 The Final Catch-Up | Tranquil Dreams