Review: Avery (The Chronicles of Kaya #1) by Charlotte McConaghy

Title: Avery (The Chronicles of Kaya #1)
Author: Charlotte McConaghy
Release Date: 1st July 2013
Rating: 5 stars

Summary: 

The people of Kaya die in pairs. When one lover dies, the other does too. So it has been for thousands of years – until Ava.

For although her bondmate, Avery, has been murdered and Ava’s soul has been torn in two, she is the only one who has ever been strong enough to cling to life. Vowing revenge upon the barbarian queen of Pirenti, Ava's plan is interrupted when she is instead captured by the deadly prince of her enemies.

Prince Ambrose has been brought up to kill and hate. But when he takes charge of a strangely captivating Kayan prisoner and is forced to survive with her on a dangerous island, he must reconsider all he holds true . . .

In a violent country like Pirenti, where emotion is scorned as a weakness, can he find the strength to fight for the person he loves . . . even when she’s his vengeful enemy?

Avery is a sweeping, romantic fantasy novel about loss and identity, and finding the courage to love against all odds.  


Review:


**ARC courtesy of Random House Australia Pty via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**



Epigraph

The people of Kaya die in pairs. With the forging of the soul magic, so is forged an unbreakable bond between those in love. When one dies, so shall the other, and forever will it remain so …
– extract from the words of Agathon of Sancia

First Warder of Kaya
Forged in iron are men.
Bound for the earth are women.
– extract from The Song of Pirenti


Love. Passion. Revenge. Hate.

Avery is first installment in The Chronicles of Kaya by Charlotte McConaghy that will be fascinating, appealing and enchanting read for fans of high fantasy and unique romance stories. Every fan of Gracling Trilogy will swoon over this book. This exceptional novel will bring you to new world of passion and love that has no borders and start a journey you’ll never forget.

Ava is twenty year old Kayan who lost her bondmate Avery. she should die alongside with him, but something happened and she still lives without him. Now she has only half of her soul, doesn’t have a taste, can’t smile or laugh and feel pleasure. Her life is miserable, Kayan’s people look at her with disgust and hatred. Without Avery there’s nothing in this world for Ava. The only thing that makes her go on with her painful and lonely life is vengeance. She wants to kill Barbarian Queen – the one that murdered her mate.


Kayan’s people bond for life, love only one person and die in pairs, but Ava is an gruesome exception, abomination.

Dressed like a boy she’s captured by Prince of Pirenti and sentenced for prison. Little did she know that man she’ll hate will help her heal.

‘Don’t choose a memory over a flesh-and-blood man who loves you to oblivion and back,’


I can’t express in words how much I’ve enjoyed reading Avery, I don’t want to spoil you fun, so I can’t say more, and believe me, it hurts to keep my mouth shut about Ava’s journey. It is excruciating and at the same time hopeful. This captivating story got me hooked from the beginning. I have never read a high fantasy novel with so many feelings.