Book Review: Rhodi Rising by Megan Linski

Rhodi Rising – Megan Linski

*Warning – may contain spoilers*

Author: Megan Linski

Publisher: Gryfyn Publishing

First published: 2016

Edition: eBook

Pages: 203

Blurb:    (Taken from Goodreads)

Forced into hiding.

               Desperate to find their masters.

In the past few months since the attack on their home, twin assassins Dylan and Devin have grown restless. With the Rhodi facing extinction, they search for their masters Talidin and Tavana, only to discover they’ve gone missing. With nowhere to turn, the twins seek help from a pair of mysterious spies, only to find the trail gone cold, marked by hints of torture and destruction.

Dylan and Devin piece together the eventers that led to the disappearance of their fellow Rhodi. As their enemies close in for the kill, Dylan discovers that some things are impossible for a Rhodi… but not for a tigress.

History of my copy: I received a free copy of Rhodi Rising from the author in exchange for an honest review.

After reading Rhodi’s Light, I was looking forward to reading the sequel. Although the story still feels a little disjointed, the plot certainly developed, thus resulting in a book on par with its predecessor.

Plot: In the second instalment of the Rhodi Saga, we follow the twins and their cousin as they leave their hiding place and return to find their Rhodi masters. On the way, they befriend two Searchers who help them too. Once they return to Aeros, they find the house in pieces and discover that their masters are gone.

         Together, the children work to find their masters and to return them home. Amongst this, they find the secret Rhodi weapons with the help of Dylan’s arch-enemy Saffron.

         One bit that I found was downplayed was the death of two of the masters (not naming anyone). It was sort of ‘oh yeah they’re dead’ and that was it, which was a shame.

Setting: Setting was one of the areas that Rhodi Rising advanced in. There were a lot more places that the story takes place in. Particularly strong settings were the destruction that the Hunter’s Guild caused at the Rhodi house and the lavish luxury of Desmiondre’s palace.

Characters: Unfortunately, Dylan becomes rather annoying and whining in Rhodi Rising and, on top of her becoming a tigress, I find I quite dislike her as a protagonist. As for her and Talidin, the whole ‘daddy’ thing is getting a little weird.

               However, Tito improved! Plus, the Searchers were really interesting characters and I look forward to hearing more about them in the future.

               Again, Rachel seemed underdeveloped, as well as Saffron. Can I hope for some depth to them in the final instalment? Let’s hope so! Plus, the whole Tavana/Desmiondre needs some fixing up.

To read or not to read: Read. Besides the many negative points in this review, Rhodi Rising was still a pleasurable book. Perhaps not quite as good as the previous Rhodi’s Light, it keeps the series at a steady rating of being good, but not a ‘must read’ series. If anything, the first 2 books could be merged into one.

Find the review for Rhodi's Light here

Book Review: Rhodi's Light by Megan Linski

Rhodi’s Light – Megan Linski

*Warning – may contain spoilers*

Author: Megan Linski

Publisher: Gryfyn Publishing

First published: 2016

Edition: eBook

Pages: 204

Blurb:    (Taken from Goodreads)

               Flight. Hyperspeed. Clairvoyance.

These are some of the powers gifted to the Rhodi, an ancient sect of assassins who defend Crescentia, a dystopian world with a dying hope.

Dyliana Fairsson is one of them. After losing her parents to a suspicious accident, she and her twin brother, Devin, join the Rhodi to avoid starvation. Under the direction of her master, Dylan struggles to learn the strength of her magic …as well as hide the growing scars on her wrists. Can Dylan become the warrior, the hero, she’s destined to be? Or is she fated to fall form the light into the darkness?

History of my copy: I received a free copy of Rhodi’s Light from the author in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, it needs to be mentioned that this book contains self-harm so don’t read if you’re sensitive about that. Both the cover and the synopsis of Rhodi’s Light instantly drew me in. Dystopian assassins, a character clearly suffering, and special powers? Definitely my kind of book!

Plot: For the most part, the plot flowed well. At first, the story was a little confusing as we were thrown straight into Dylan and Devin’s world but the world building was good, making up for the initial confusion.

         We follow Dylan and Devin as they lose their parents and are rescued by the Rhodi, who train them and care for them. With mini-battles dispersed throughout, and then a larger one at the end, most of Rhodi’s Light is spent training the twins and learning about Dylan’s inner demons.

         A few times the plot felt as if Linski had just thought of something and suddenly ‘surprised’ the twins with this backstory rather than tying it in a little better, which did ruin the story a little. It felt a little too superficial for the Rhodi masters to ‘forget’ to mention this or that. Another negative is that, at times, the plot was predictable.

         Another disappointment was the end battle. It seemed to happen and then all be over rather quickly and, whilst I was glad it was drawn out, I feel like it could have been a little more eventful.

Setting: The vast majority of Rhodi’s Light takes place in the Rhodi home in Aeros. Whilst the setting is never described in great detail, it is covered sufficiently.

Characters: I’m always apprehensive when an author tries to tackle a character with a mental health issue, especially something as hard as depression and self-harming. It often seems to come across as superficial and cliché. However, Linski portrays Dylan wonderfully, crafting a very relatable character.

               Talidin is another of my favourite characters as he has also been created so realistically. I can’t be the only one that, ignoring the age gap, kinda wants him to end up with Dylan rather than seeing her as a daughter… right?

               However, it seems that Dylan’s love interest is going to end up as Tito, a rather annoying, flat character. Perhaps he will become a little more developed in future books.

               The main enemy, Rachel, could do with more back story, especially where Tavana is involved, but I’m hoping that will be delved into in the sequel.

To read or not to read: Read. Overall, Rhodi’s Light is all I was expecting – a good YA dystopia with strong characters. Whilst the plot itself felt a little lacking, the characters made up for it and I am excited to read the sequel.