About Mardan’s Mark
Death is not their deepest fear.
Abducted by pirates and taken behind enemy lines across the Great Gulf, Princess Srilani is determined to save her sisters and younger brother, the crown prince, from captivity.
She convinces their caretaker, Aldan, and his brother slaves to share the perilous journey home. This ragtag group of unlikely heroes sets out on a quest — pursued by cutthroat pirates, merciless priests, and marauding soldiers — toreturn the heir to his kingdom before war breaks out.
In this epic adventure fantasy, Srilani and Aldan risk everything to save a prince and a nation, discovering along the way that death is not their deepest fear.
Category
Christian/Fiction/Young Adult
Genre
Fantasy/Romance
Rating
4 Stars
Review
After reading so many fantasy books, I’ve often wondered if I’ll ever be impressed by anything new, especially with books by J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Serena Chase, Jaye L. Knight etc. out there. One would think that their books would have spoiled you for good, so that amateur/debut authors almost never stand a chance in the fantasy market. Well, I’m delighted to say that I was pleasantly surprised by McKee’s debut books!
Mardan’s Mark turned out to be beautifully and intricately crafted in a manner that allows a reader to follow each scene and the overall story with such detail, making it an endearing and engaging read. Each character was thoroughly developed so that they each had their unique stages in this one story. Though the character count is more than the usual for a novel/epic, I was never confused and was thoroughly impressed by this–this is a skill worth applauding, especially when spotted in a debut author!
Mardan’s Mark is a nicely done story with the potential to become an amazing saga!
*A thank you to the author and her publicist for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
About Healer’s Curse
Lady Elilan heals people. Or does she?
The fever is back, and people in Northern Marst are dying. After Elilan’s husband dies under her care, she abandons her divine gift of healing. What good is the “gift” if she can’t save those she loves?
Her faith is put to the test when the king commands her to nurse a seriously wounded enemy soldier back to health. Will she rely on her knowledge of medicine or entrust her patient’s life—and her good name—to the One who gave her the gift she has neglected? Elilan must decide what she really believes when death threatens again.
Category
Christian/Fiction/Young Adult
Genre
Fantasy/Romance
Rating
4.5 Stars
Review
I especially love this book because it represents courage and uncommon boldness. The heroine, Elilan, is truly amazing, and I couldn’t help but admire her strength, even in the seasons where she seemed beaten and rejected.
And the hero? He couldn’t have been better! Clearly, they suit and compliment each other!
After reading this book, I wished it would go on a little longer, and was sorry it was just a novella–yes, it was that good! McKee’s brilliant writing is the stuff that makes good books that linger in the mind of a reader long after the last page has been closed. Since I’ve read book #1, Mardan’s Mark, I can’t wait to see how the rest of the story goes, and how the characters come together, down the series.
Kathrese McKee, with this series, has made it to my list of favorite authors, and debut authors to look out for! Overall, this is a truly excellent read that I highly recommend!
*A thank you to the author and her publicist for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
About the Author
In middle school, I ate lunch in the school library every day. With my nose stuck in a book, immersed in the epic adventures on the pages, I barely tasted my food. I’ll always be grateful my school was too crowded for everyone to sit in the cafeteria. Thank you, Ms. Librarian, for turning a blind eye to the kids who brought food and drink near your precious books.
In middle school, I ate lunch in the school library every day. With my nose stuck in a book, immersed in the epic adventures on the pages, I barely tasted my food. I’ll always be grateful my school was too crowded for everyone to sit in the cafeteria. Thank you, Ms. Librarian, for turning a blind eye to the kids who brought food and drink near your precious books.
I’m proof that teens and young adults should pay attention to what they like to do best and just do that when they grow up.
Lunch, band, and language arts were my favorite subjects, but I ignored my natural desire to write stories and make music and decided to be a computer programmer instead. At least the geeks and nerds I worked with knew all about Star Wars, Battlestar Gallactica, Princess Bride, Dr. Who, and The Lord of the Rings.
Years passed. I became a middle school reading teacher and had fun introducing my students to fantasy and science fiction at every opportunity. Much to my disgust, however, the days of eating lunch in the school library were over. I needed a new plan.
I decided to become an author and editor. Now I read lots of books, listen to music, write fantasy, blog, and edit stories. Most days, I eat lunch at my desk–in my library, of course.
Filed under: Author Feature, Book Feature, Book Review Tagged: Christian Fiction, Fantasy, Healer's Curse, Inspirational, Kathrese McKee, Mardan's Mark, Romance, YA