Welcome to the Candidacy. Where dreams go to die.
Twenty-year-old Ryiah is a black mage of Combat, but she is not the Black Mage. Yet. She’s had her eyes on the legendary robe for as long as she can remember, and in just one year she will have a chance at her country’s prestigious – and only – tourney for mages… Too bad she is going up against a certain non-heir. The one person she has yet to beat.
Meanwhile Ry has a year to prove herself in her new role as a war mage and the prince’s betrothed. Neither is quite what she expected and complications arise on both fronts. War is on the horizon, and with so many enemies the kingdom of Jerar’s fate is more than ever at risk.
The Candidacy finally arrives, but it’s only the beginning. Nothing can prepare her for what comes next. (Goodreads)
Again, this book I bought as soon as I had finished the last because I just had to know what would happen! Boy am I glad that I did buy it! I LOVED it! I pretty much spent all of my time reading and snarling when someone tried to take me away from my kindle! I warn you, there are spoilers ahead.
Ryiah is finally a mage! She is also engaged to Darren – so all of the school girl mooning and moping can finally come to a stop! She seems to get stronger and more determined in this book than she was in the first two – especially after she is faced with a few impossible situations. I think that is my favourite characteristic – sure, she has her flaws, but she is, in general, a very strong female lead and some that women could look up to and aspire to (apart from the whole magic thing!).
The Candidacy!! Who knew it was going to be so cruel and violent and just so damned epic! I was expecting something big, especially since it is the most talked about thing in the book and considering who the king is – but somehow, I wasn’t quite expecting that! The Candidacy had me feeling feels for certain characters (*ahem* Alex) and I was shocked to my core. I was also not expecting the outcome of the combat candidacy!! I mean, c’mon! I knew it was going to boil down to Darren and Ryiah, that much was clear, but seriously!! You couldn’t let Ryiah win even once, Rachel! even if it is the most important role – you couldn’t humour your readers just this once! The outrage I felt was just… Let’s not go there.
Blayne is a sneaky little snake! I was starting to believe that he was/has changed. I wanted to give him a second chance, I wanted him to be the character that he was pretending to be – but it turned out that he wasn’t! How could you to this to me, Carter?!? Do you not have any sympathy for your readers whatsoever! I just … I am lost for words. I think I need a 5 minutes sit down… even though I am sat! This book just isn’t what I was expecting and I just loved it!
How could Derrick be so danged stupid?? Did he really think he could get away with what he was doing?? Seriously? You’re in the heart of the capital, in the same place as the king and the three most talented mages there are plus the kings guard etc, Did you really think you could get away with spying and live to tell the tale? Plus, how unfair was it to put his sister in the position that he did?!? If my brother had done that to me, I am pretty sure I would have gone mental… and then probably refused to talk to him again!! What kind of a jerk is he – I thought he was better than that!
This book was amazing and has had me feeling so many different things throughout! I gave this book 5/5 stars. Rant over.
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