In the land where the seventh sun rises, there is the powerful beating of the gods' blood in their veins. Through their divine power, those descended from their line can utilize various powers such as: bending water, harnessing fire, healing abilities ...to even making the sun rise.
When Prince Ahkin's father suddenly passes, the duty over the fate of Chicome people, along with the responsibility to make the sun rise each day, are suddenly thrust into his hands. While still overcoming with his grief, he must also find a wife to rule by his side as the codex of their time states.
Six young women are summoned to the kingdom to compete for the new King Ahkin's hand. Each will have to perform at their best through various tasks and quests set before them, for only one can be his wife...the rest will be sacrifices to the gods to appease their dying sun to avoid the coming of the next apocalypse.
If there is something that absolutely captured my bookish heart in The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes was the amount of research and authenticity that was placed in the story. These elements were abundant within the first few chapters in the story through Forbes's colorful world-building and depiction of the traditions and rituals based upon the Mayans and Aztec history that have been recorded.
Ahkin and Mayana (a young woman descended from the water goddess competing for his hand) were phenomenal characters to voyage alongside with. Mayana in particular showed a great amount of character development as she went on a journey of the self to develop her power and question the supposed will of the gods who demand such a high price through blood rituals and sacrifices. On the other hand, Forbes began to build the foundations of Ahkin's leadership as the king to his people and I certainly look forward to this continued development in the next installment in The Age of the Seventh Sun. Additionally, this is one OPT that I'll root for to the very end...even if it means bringing forth the apocalypse.
For readers who are seeking an original story that will grasp your imagination even further with each passing chapter, this is the next read for you!
Favorite Quotes
"I only just met you, and yet I feel like our souls know each other already."
"...if you ignore your heart for too long, when it finally does grab your attention, it often screams and demands that you listen."
"I love the gods. I want to honor them as much as you do, I just have different ideas about how that can be done."
"Perhaps together, water and light could bring color into a world succumbing to darkness."
"The past was the past. He could do nothing with it but learn from it."
Playlist
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Seventh Sun (The Age of the Seventh Sun #1)
by Lani Forbes Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Release Date: 18th February 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Synopsis:
The sun of the Chicome people has been destroyed six times. First by water, then by storm, fire, famine, sickness, and beasts. After each apocalypse, the creator goddess allowed one of her divine children to sacrifice themselves to save civilization. The gods paid their blood as the price for the lives of the people, and the people owed them blood in return.
Mayana is a noble descendant of the water goddess and can control water whenever her blood is spilled. She has always despised the brutal rituals of her people — especially sacrifices. She can’t even make it through a routine animal sacrifice without embarrassing her family. Prince Ahkin has always known he would be emperor, but he didn’t expect his father to die so suddenly. Now he must raise the sun in the sky each day and read the signs in the stars. But the stars now hint at impending chaos and the sun has begun setting earlier each evening. Ahkin fears he might not be strong enough to save his people from another apocalypse. And to add to his list of worries, he can’t truly become emperor until he selects a wife.
Mayana and six other noble daughters are sent to the palace to compete for Ahkin’s hand. She must prove she is a true daughter of water and face the others who have their own magical gifts from wielding the elements to the control of animals, plants and healing. And in a society centered on rigid rituals, Mayana must conceal her traitorous beliefs because if she doesn’t make Ahkinlove her, she will become a ceremonial sacrifice to bless his marriage. But darker forces are at play and it won’t matter if Mayana loses if the world ends first…
Rich in imagination and romance, and based on the legends and history of the Aztec and Mayan people, The Seventh Sun brings to vivid life a world on the edge of apocalyptic disaster.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lani Forbes is the daughter of a librarian and an ex-drug smuggling surfer, which explains her passionate love of the ocean and books. A California native whose parents live in Mexico, she now resides in the Pacific Northwest where she stubbornly wears flip flops no matter how cold it gets. She teaches middle school math and science and proudly calls herself a nerd and Gryffindor. She is also an award-winning member of Romance Writers of America and the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
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TOUR SCHEDULE
GIVEAWAY
Prize
Win (1) of (2) signed hardcover of
THE SEVENTH SUN by Lani Forbes,
a Worry Doll, a button and a bookmark
(US/CAN Only)
Starts: 12th February 2020
Ends: 26th February 2020
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