Daughters of the Storm: Volume 1

Kim Wilkins' "Daughters of the Storm" tells the story of the five daughters of King Athelrick, King of the powerful Almissia. Almissia is one of several kingdoms in this magical setting of semi-warring kingdoms and conflicting religions. The five women gather to care for their father when he suddenly becomes ill. Just as worrisome, their step-mother acts guilty by calling her grown son to her side instead of Athelrick's daughters and Almissia's heir, Bluebell. Bluebell, the most kick-butt female ever, is determined to find the cause of her father's illness and kill the person responsible. She trusts her closest sisters, Rose and Ash, to help her but they are often stuck in their own thoughts. Rose is the unfaithful wife to the King of a neighboring kingdom, of which her marriage bought an uneasy peace. Ash is a healer but fighting her true magic. Bluebell allows her younger twin sisters to offer help but Ivy is a self-absorbed teenage brat and Willow (unbeknownst to her family) converted to a new faith and constantly hears voices of persecution & grandeur (although I'm unsure whether it is truly a result of her new faith or actual insanity). As these sisters gather and care for their father, their destinies emerge. "Daughters of the Storm" is a very exciting, five star book. The sisters each have their own past and destiny to fulfill while simultaneously coping with each other and the fate of their father and kingdom. I like Bluebell's strength and Ash's intuition and desire to care for those around her, but I would honestly hate to be related to the other three whiny, manipulative brats. That being said, I do like the nickname the twins have for Bluebell, and I imagine she would as well. The political intrigue and storyline are truly amazing and intricately interwoven like a master! I can't wait until the next book comes out in 2019! Based on "Daughters of the Storm", I will certainly buy it if my library doesn't get a copy. My opinion is solely my own, but I do want to thank Goodreads, Del Rey Books, and Kim Wilkins for an advanced copy of this awesome book.

Daughters of the Storm by Kim Wilkins is the first book in her Blood and Gold series. A well-crafted epic-fantasy tale of five sisters, princesses, and their trials and tribulations during a daring rescue and battle against a betrayer from within. Each daughter is so completely different from the other. Bluebell is the warrior princess that strikes fear into the hearts of all. Her skills in battle are legendary and her love for her family is only second to her loyalty to the crown. Ash is the sister with magic in her veins and visions in her nightmares. Her skills help Bluebell but the more she uses them the further away it pushes her from her family. Rose is the married princess with a beautiful daughter and a controlling husband, oh, and a broken heart thanks to a soldier back home. The twins Ivy and Willow are more opposite than you would ever expect twins to be. One with childish aspirations and another worshipping a religion other than what her royal family supports. Each sister tries to help but ultimately they mostly end up working, partly unknowingly, against each other. This story is told in multiple POV's and is somewhat contained within this book as a full-story but the breath of a cliffhanger is there egging you on to see what happens next for Bluebell and her siblings. Enjoy!