The Chronicles of Secret Riven by Ronlyn Domingue

Title: The Chronicles of Secret Riven

Author: Ronlyn Domingue

Type: Novel
Genre: Fantasy

Series: Yes, book 2 of The Keeper of the Tales

Pages: 400
Copyright: 2014
Publisher: Atria Books
Rating: 4.5 out of 5


Summary: from good reads
An uncanny child born to brilliant parents, befriended by a prince, mentored by a wise woman, pursued by a powerful man, Secret Riven has no idea what destiny will demand of her or the courage she must have to confront it in the breathtakingly epic, genre-spanning sequel to The Mapmaker’s War.

One thousand years after a great conflict known as The Mapmaker’s War, a daughter is born to an ambitious historian and a gifted translator. Secret Riven doesn’t speak until her seventh year but can mysteriously communicate with plants and animals. Unsettled by visions and dreams since childhood, she tries to hide her strangeness, especially from her mercurial father and cold mother. Yet gentle, watchful Secret finds acceptance from Prince Nikolas, her best friend, and Old Woman, who lives in the distant woods.

When Secret is twelve, her mother receives an arcane manuscript to translate from an anonymous owner. Zavet suffers from nightmares and withdraws into herself. Secret sickens with a fever and awakens able to speak an ancient language, one her mother knows as well. Suddenly, Zavet dies. The manuscript is missing, but a cipher has been left for Secret to find.

Years later, Secret becomes a translator’s apprentice for Fewmany, an influential magnate, who has taken an interest in her for reasons she cannot discern. Before Secret learns why, Old Woman confronts Secret with the truth of her destiny—a choice she must make that is tied to an ancient past.

Overflowing with spellbinding storytelling, vivid characters, and set in a fascinating world, The Chronicle of Secret Riven explores the tension between love and hate, trust and betrayal, fate and free will.


Feelings: 
This book takes place many years after The Mapmaker's War finishes. The characters were very different and while The Mapmaker's War was in second person, very unique as not many books are written in second person, this story was told in third person. I stilled enjoyed the story immensely and was a little disappointed when it didn't have an ending that was an end for he character. I'm hoping that the third book stays with the same characters rather than having us start over with new characters. 

Secret and Nikolas were very enjoyable to spend time with as children. Secret doesn't speak for much of the story and she has a secret that she keeps from most. Nikolas the prince of the kingdom is the first to call Secret, Secret rather than Eve and she takes the name as her own. It is a fitting name for her.

I highly recommend this series. The elements of fantasy add nicely to the story but they are still believable. While the characters are children in the story they grow and mature while we get to know them. This is not a book for young adults or children even though the central characters are young. I am looking forward to the next in the series.