Reign Returned

Reign Returned is an enchanting mix of influences from Garth Nix’s Sabriel series, Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass, and a quick nod to Throne of Glass with the Aelian archives in the city of Celenia that combine to make an intriguing first book of The Felserpent Chronicles trilogy. Our main characters are Kyra who lives in the realm of Aeles with gold blood and Sebastian who lives in Nocen with silver blood. What we know from the prologue and what we excitedly wait to unfold is for them to realize that they loved each other in a past life. Their shades are bound together for eternity until they can meet again and reclaim the kingdom that was stolen through treachery.
To help along the way are the magical and mysterious cyphers, animals bound to them and can communicate telepathically. Batty is a bit of comic relief and holds more secrets than he is given credit for. Readers are sure to learn that cyphers have even more abilities than revealed, especially with the hint that cyphers didn’t always use to bind themselves with humans. Sebastian and Kyra have incredible magic making them fun to read about as they navigate the trials in their journey to remembering each other. Their growing closeness makes the book intriguing while remaining wholesome.
Kyra has grown up sure of the rightness of her realm and her government. There are hints that they are not the only ones reborn, so you have to question all the nice people she meets and whether they truly are what they seem. This first book sets up the characters and their journey to reunite the realms and their reign for the sequel and it was fast-paced and mysterious enough to make me want to immediately move on to the next books which are now officially in stores.

Soul mates throughout time? Animal sidekicks? Necromancy? COUNT ME IN! This book has so much that I thoroughly enjoy in a fantasy and it all works. The beginning sets the tone of what is to come and the whole time I was waiting for it. I loved the magic in this world but also how they are separated. For some reason, Necromancy always interests me in books and how each author approaches the subject. In this book, they are Recovrancers and I loved it. I thought it was so well done. This isn’t just some magic but a whole other world that they get drawn into. The history that slips through the pages was so well done also. The beginning does take a little bit to get off, but once it gets going – good luck putting this book down!

I adored Sebastian and Kyra. I thought they were really well done and so glad we got both points of view. This was definitely needed in a book like this. Not only Sebastian and Kyra but their Cyphers, Batty and Auerlius. And I’m a sucker when it comes to books that you communicate to an animal that is pretty much your soul. I think because I always wished I could talk to my animals so I’m always jealous when it happens in books. But beyond that, the relationship between Sebastian and Kyra is amazing. From their first encounter to the end of the book… I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Overall, Reign Returned by Katie Keridan was a good book! While the beginning was a little slower for me to get into, I flew through it once the main story happened. I really enjoyed all the aspects of this world. Necromancy always interests me when presented in books and Keridan did exceptionally well making it unique in this book. I really enjoyed both Sebastian and Kyra (and of course Batty and Auerlius) and cannot wait to continue their adventure. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy magic, animal sidekicks, and soulmates throughout time.