I would love to say I'm so happy to be part of the Unicorn Keep Blog Tour. It's my second time being part of a blog tour and it's very exciting to have been able to read this book! Now onto the more important stuff hehe!!!
Unicorn Keep Author: Angelia Almos
Release Date: April 30th 2012
Format: ebook
Format: ebook
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Summery:
Jiline of Ainsley is dismayed when her best friend is selected by the mages to become a unicorn keeper at the Keep, an isolated mountain fortress. Especially since Madelen is in love and engaged to the richest boy in the village. Jiline on the other hand has no prospects of marriage or a trade in their small village. So, she comes up with a plan to take Madelen’s place at the Keep and hopefully flunk out of unicorn keeper training before the mages can discover the deception. Unfortunately, the unicorns have their own plans for her.
Mage Herrick, son of the Keep Mage, returns home to the Keep as the trainee keepers arrive. A chance encounter with Jiline, who he believes is Madelen, on the trail sparks a magical connection between the two. Knowing he can’t feel a magical draw to someone who has no magic, he tries to prove Madelen (Jiline) has magic within her. His attention brings unforeseen complications for both of them.
Jiline of Ainsley is dismayed when her best friend is selected by the mages to become a unicorn keeper at the Keep, an isolated mountain fortress. Especially since Madelen is in love and engaged to the richest boy in the village. Jiline on the other hand has no prospects of marriage or a trade in their small village. So, she comes up with a plan to take Madelen’s place at the Keep and hopefully flunk out of unicorn keeper training before the mages can discover the deception. Unfortunately, the unicorns have their own plans for her.
Mage Herrick, son of the Keep Mage, returns home to the Keep as the trainee keepers arrive. A chance encounter with Jiline, who he believes is Madelen, on the trail sparks a magical connection between the two. Knowing he can’t feel a magical draw to someone who has no magic, he tries to prove Madelen (Jiline) has magic within her. His attention brings unforeseen complications for both of them.
My Thoughts on Book
It's the first time I read a book that had Unicorns in it. I also don't usually read books with magic in it, so this was all so new to me. That being said, I loved every moment of this book.
Jiline is brave and a kind person who wanted to help her friend who was chosen to go to the keep. Many people had always confused her and Madelen for being sisters or even twins, that's how much they look alive. So with that knowledge she and Madelen change places while on the road. Even with the risk of getting caught and repermended she still wanted to help her friend. The reason she took her friends place was because for one Madelen was in love with a boy name Will. Will is the mayor's son Wilm and was going to marry Madelen. In addition., Jiline's family didn't want her around anymore because they couldn't afford a full house of children. Her sisters are still stuck at home because no one has married them or taken them on as an apprentice. This has left the family too poor to be able to take them all. The book takes place in an era where the horse and buggy is still the main way to travel. This also means they have old fashion clothing and work areas. Jiline is 15, old enough to get married or find a job or apprenticeship. Since she can't find work or marriage, she decided it would be easier for her family if she left them. She goes to the Keep where she pretends to be her friend Madelen. Everyone believes it true, except for Herrick. Herrick is a full fledge young mage. He's only a couple years older then Madelen (Juline) when he meets her on the trail to the keep. He feels drawn to her and the need to protect her and be around her over takes him. He's not the only one who feels the drawn, though a bit slower Jiline also feels a drawn to the young mage. Your going to have to read to find out the real reason.
The romance in this book is small, with most of the plot line focus on the unicorns and Jilian helping them. There isn't a time to focus on the relationship between Herrick and Jilian. There is a few romantic moments, and the ending that is lovely and sweet. You will have to read it to learn what becomes of the two of them.
The plotline is lovely and it will draw you in from start to finish. It all centers around Jilian and the Unicorns who tell her she is the only one who can free them from them being captives near the mages keep. Jilian didn't think they were captives, based on how the mages act, but soon realizes she trusted the wrong people and she started to help the unicorns. In the story there is two different sets of people at the keep. Mages are people with magic and can cast spells, while keepers are just normal humans with no magic at all. The Unicorns need to be protected from the mages and from the ordinary humans who are unaware of magic.
Overall
I highly suggest you pick this book up and read it because you will love it as much as I do. I recommend it for people who love magic and unicorns. Not to mention some romance and adventure!
Rating
4 out of 5 Howling Wolves
AuthorIt's the first time I read a book that had Unicorns in it. I also don't usually read books with magic in it, so this was all so new to me. That being said, I loved every moment of this book.
Jiline is brave and a kind person who wanted to help her friend who was chosen to go to the keep. Many people had always confused her and Madelen for being sisters or even twins, that's how much they look alive. So with that knowledge she and Madelen change places while on the road. Even with the risk of getting caught and repermended she still wanted to help her friend. The reason she took her friends place was because for one Madelen was in love with a boy name Will. Will is the mayor's son Wilm and was going to marry Madelen. In addition., Jiline's family didn't want her around anymore because they couldn't afford a full house of children. Her sisters are still stuck at home because no one has married them or taken them on as an apprentice. This has left the family too poor to be able to take them all. The book takes place in an era where the horse and buggy is still the main way to travel. This also means they have old fashion clothing and work areas. Jiline is 15, old enough to get married or find a job or apprenticeship. Since she can't find work or marriage, she decided it would be easier for her family if she left them. She goes to the Keep where she pretends to be her friend Madelen. Everyone believes it true, except for Herrick. Herrick is a full fledge young mage. He's only a couple years older then Madelen (Juline) when he meets her on the trail to the keep. He feels drawn to her and the need to protect her and be around her over takes him. He's not the only one who feels the drawn, though a bit slower Jiline also feels a drawn to the young mage. Your going to have to read to find out the real reason.
The romance in this book is small, with most of the plot line focus on the unicorns and Jilian helping them. There isn't a time to focus on the relationship between Herrick and Jilian. There is a few romantic moments, and the ending that is lovely and sweet. You will have to read it to learn what becomes of the two of them.
The plotline is lovely and it will draw you in from start to finish. It all centers around Jilian and the Unicorns who tell her she is the only one who can free them from them being captives near the mages keep. Jilian didn't think they were captives, based on how the mages act, but soon realizes she trusted the wrong people and she started to help the unicorns. In the story there is two different sets of people at the keep. Mages are people with magic and can cast spells, while keepers are just normal humans with no magic at all. The Unicorns need to be protected from the mages and from the ordinary humans who are unaware of magic.
Overall
I highly suggest you pick this book up and read it because you will love it as much as I do. I recommend it for people who love magic and unicorns. Not to mention some romance and adventure!
Rating
4 out of 5 Howling Wolves
Angelia Almos formed a lifelong passion for horses at the age of five when she talked her parents into riding lessons. Horses often play a prominent role in her young adult fantasy books. She also write horsey nonfiction and space opera. She lives in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, two cats, and one pony (she often thinks of bumping that number up to two).
Visit her website: http://www.angeliaalmos.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/angeliaalmos
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AngeliaAlmosAuthor
Book ExcerptTwitter: www.twitter.com/angeliaalmos
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AngeliaAlmosAuthor
Excerpt 1 - Beginning of Book:
The mages would judge all children between the ages of ten and fifteen at full light. Jiline hesitated outside the village square. Her stomach fluttered as she stayed in the dark corner of the livery stable. The village of Ainsley was not quiet. Voices wrapped around her. Some of the voices belonged to her friends. Any of them could be selected by the mages.
Rain clouds covered the sky. There would be no pretty dawn for the selection.
“Jiline,” a voice whispered behind her.
She jumped, so focused on the square, she missed her best friend coming up behind her. “You scared me.”
“Sorry,” Madelen whispered. “What are you doing?”
“Watching,” she whispered back.
Their fingers intertwined as they held hands. Jiline checked her friend over closely. Those in the village joked that the two girls looked more like sisters to each other than to their own siblings which was true. They were both fifteen years, same height, brown hair, green eyes, even the same mouth, but Madelen was the pretty one.
Madelen had been scared when word came out about the arrival of the mages coming into the village last night. So scared she had cried. She didn’t want to be chosen for a life of servitude. Not when the mayor’s son was in love with her. The mayor had made an offer for her a few months ago and her parents had accepted. In a little over a year, Madelen and Wilm, the mayor’s son, would be wed. Even without the prospects Madelen had Jiline wasn’t any more thrilled about the prospect of being drafted by the mages.
Excerpt 2:
“No, you’ll go with Wilm.” She spoke fast before she could talk herself out of her sudden scheme. “You’ll leave for the Keep just as expected. Wilm can head off for his apprenticeship. You two will meet up and go together.”
“But they’ll know I didn’t come.”
“No, they won’t.” She took a deep breath. The plan would not only help her friends, but benefit her family as well. “I’ll go in your place.”
“The crystal didn’t glow for you.”
“We’ll just have to hope they don’t have a giant crystal at the entrance or if they do they’ll just assume that I, Madelen, did something between today and then that ruined my soul.”
Madelen turned her head to stare directly at her. “You’ll go as me?”
“Of course, I can’t go as me. My name isn’t written on that parchment.” She brushed Madelen’s hair out of her face with her fingertips. “You know how everyone always jokes we look more alike than different. How we could almost be twins?”
“You’re my best friend, if they discovered our deceit...”
“They won’t. They won’t remember me from today. I’ll be you and you’ll be me.” The plan solidified in her head and became more possible with each passing second. “I’ll tell my parents I learned of an apprenticeship for myself. They’ll be happy to see me go. Wilm will go to the apprenticeship he’s been waiting on. I’ll travel with him for safety. You’ll go to the Keep. We’ll meet on the trail. You become me and go with Wilm.”
The mages would judge all children between the ages of ten and fifteen at full light. Jiline hesitated outside the village square. Her stomach fluttered as she stayed in the dark corner of the livery stable. The village of Ainsley was not quiet. Voices wrapped around her. Some of the voices belonged to her friends. Any of them could be selected by the mages.
Rain clouds covered the sky. There would be no pretty dawn for the selection.
“Jiline,” a voice whispered behind her.
She jumped, so focused on the square, she missed her best friend coming up behind her. “You scared me.”
“Sorry,” Madelen whispered. “What are you doing?”
“Watching,” she whispered back.
Their fingers intertwined as they held hands. Jiline checked her friend over closely. Those in the village joked that the two girls looked more like sisters to each other than to their own siblings which was true. They were both fifteen years, same height, brown hair, green eyes, even the same mouth, but Madelen was the pretty one.
Madelen had been scared when word came out about the arrival of the mages coming into the village last night. So scared she had cried. She didn’t want to be chosen for a life of servitude. Not when the mayor’s son was in love with her. The mayor had made an offer for her a few months ago and her parents had accepted. In a little over a year, Madelen and Wilm, the mayor’s son, would be wed. Even without the prospects Madelen had Jiline wasn’t any more thrilled about the prospect of being drafted by the mages.
Excerpt 2:
“No, you’ll go with Wilm.” She spoke fast before she could talk herself out of her sudden scheme. “You’ll leave for the Keep just as expected. Wilm can head off for his apprenticeship. You two will meet up and go together.”
“But they’ll know I didn’t come.”
“No, they won’t.” She took a deep breath. The plan would not only help her friends, but benefit her family as well. “I’ll go in your place.”
“The crystal didn’t glow for you.”
“We’ll just have to hope they don’t have a giant crystal at the entrance or if they do they’ll just assume that I, Madelen, did something between today and then that ruined my soul.”
Madelen turned her head to stare directly at her. “You’ll go as me?”
“Of course, I can’t go as me. My name isn’t written on that parchment.” She brushed Madelen’s hair out of her face with her fingertips. “You know how everyone always jokes we look more alike than different. How we could almost be twins?”
“You’re my best friend, if they discovered our deceit...”
“They won’t. They won’t remember me from today. I’ll be you and you’ll be me.” The plan solidified in her head and became more possible with each passing second. “I’ll tell my parents I learned of an apprenticeship for myself. They’ll be happy to see me go. Wilm will go to the apprenticeship he’s been waiting on. I’ll travel with him for safety. You’ll go to the Keep. We’ll meet on the trail. You become me and go with Wilm.”
Thanks for hosting one of the stops on the blog tour and for the excellent review.
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