Sixteen-year-old Ziva doesn’t have a filter. What she thinks is what she says. After traveling to Arnac with her mother, circumstances separate her from the rest of the Uthal women. Traveling back toward her home, life takes an unexpected turn leaving her by herself with an infant lost in the forest. She’s determined to keep the child and herself alive. She presses forward until she stumbles upon some astronomy students camping. Can she trust them? The little band grows as Lib, one of the astronomy students, joins Ziva in caring for the child. Ziva doesn’t like the arrangement, but she’s stuck with him. How can Lib convince her that the only way to survive is to trust one another and work together? Will the assassin that’s following her finally succeed?
A second Lamanite adventure you won't want to miss!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
I highly recommend taking a roller coaster of an adventure to travel with feisty, outspoken Ziva as she takes you on a journey back to ancient Lamanite times. Immediately, you are drawn into her inner war and the wars that rage around her. Her family relationships are full of love and remind her that she truly is a “pearl of great price”. This love carries over to all that she will dare let into her heart. Yet, every time you feel like things are settling into place, the story takes a new twist and you are left hanging on for the next quest. Flores doesn’t disappoint in her second Lamanite coming of age story!
Highly Anticipated Sequel
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 2, 2022
After reading her first novel ever, I was highly excited to follow up on the sequel of Emara's Challenge. This one did not disappoint! Flores effectively grows her writing techniques and storytelling with each book! These unique settings, with teen-friendly characters and modest romance create a fresh perspective in the world of publishing! I am so happy to not be reading the same thing as every other young adult romance with poor parenting, and emotionally exhausting main characters. Flores exudes the strength and confidence of her female protagonists and it does not go overlooked! This next installment has so many twists and turns, it kept me guessing where the story would go next! I hope in the next one we expand more on this world, and perhaps get into the religious history, mysticism, and societal construct of such an engrossing and unique setting! 5/5 stars! Look forward to the next one! Keep 'em coming!
Entertaining and Informative
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 16, 2022
I was delighted with Flores’s dual plot twist that happened in the prologue (so do read it). Would the surprises continue throughout the rest of the book? To answer that, read the book and decide for yourself.
Between the covers, you’ll find a delightful tale of a young woman (Ziva) struggling to find her way through a delicate and traumatic time in her life. Flores creates a well-rounded character whose personality and intelligence gets her into trouble . . . and out of it. The planting of clues is a delight as well (the missing knife, for example) or when Ziva whispers to her enemy, “One of your men will try to kill you.” Ziva is not clairvoyant and there’s no magic involved. Read the story and figure it out.
This story is based on historical research that can be time consuming and error prone for the author when building a story like this, and yet Flores delivers. Whether you’re young or old, you’ll enjoy this book. It’s entertaining and informative. What more can a reader ask?
I look forward to reading more of Flores’s work.
