Chronicles of the Forbidden Jewels

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Victorious in the war against the Ruivenfiere Empire, Thyra Edevane seeks vengeance for her murdered father, the king of Eurhyia. But her triumph is short-lived. Unveiled as the king's illegitimate child, she's branded a threat, an Alexandrite Izavene with destructive powers. Forced to flee the palace, Thyra heads to the Izavene heartland: the Ruivenfiere Empire. Can she find her father's killer, or will her quest entrap her in a web of lies?

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: yahnree

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.3/ 5.0
Followers: 15
Views: 25,913

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(3)

summer1701Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I finished book 1 and I'm following the story 'til the latest chapters. CFJ has a good world-building, and even if the chapters lack "cliffhangers," I ended up liking it (but I think cliffhangers would make the story better). (Btw thanks yahnree for inserting art commissions in selected chapters, I like seeing the characters to life, not to mention the quality of art is also beautiful.)
Thyra is a character with a strong personality and at some point had a hard time in life that made her become stronger. Her journey to the Ruivenfiere Empire was filled with twist and turns. Imagine entering a world where people have different powers depending on the ring they're born with. A librarian with a head of a fox and body of a man? A mad father who exhumed her daughter from the grave? A journal written in ancient language and the dead owner appears upon decoding it? Dang. That's crazy.
It's hard to call Azriel and Thyra as a couple, because even if there are sweet moments, I always thought that it's impossible for them to be together and it feels forced(?). Azriel is the beloved heir of the empire, which makes him Thyra's enemy due to the fact that he killed her father in the war.
Azriel, who was manipulative, made Thyra love him and hid the fact that he's at fault. She was indeed trapped in a web of his lies, but he did it for his survival, knowing that she's someone he shouldn't underestimate due to her powers. So I understand him on that part. I believe his love is true though, because he made the ultimate sacrifice in the end of book 1. But I really question if Thyra truly loves Azriel,
or maybe it's because she's manipulated by him without her knowing? That's a guess but it might be a spoiler so I'll mark it as one. I think her falling in love that fast is quite questionable that can be considered as a novel's flaw, or the author will probably reveal something big. I hope that's the case!
I also want to acknowledge the side characters, Raleigh and Louvienne. Those two
DaveyverseRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
I've made it to Chapter 4, and so far, I’m enjoying the story. The brother-sister dynamic, along with their mother’s reactions, feels relatable, especially in scenes like Evrart’s inner conflict with his mother. Evrart was just appointed king, but the way the king’s mother treated his sister/her step kid/the princess, she was a bit out of line and his reaction was justified, but it adds an interesting layer to the family tensions.
Critique I would offer for the sake of improving general story telling, however doesn't take away from the story, is Clarify and Show, don’t Tell.
Few areas where an additional line could have simply shown who's trail of thought or dialogue I was following,
One specific example stood out to me: “One of those is an unread letter I received this morning, and I heated the paper with a flame from the fireplace, revealing a hidden message—a text written with invisible ink.” This could be more vivid if written like, “One of those is an unread letter I received this morning. I reach for a candle, light it in the fireplace, and pass it under the letter, revealing a hidden message—a text written in invisible ink.”
I like the map in Chapter 4 was a nice touch, I wondering if this map will be updated as the story goes on.
Veronica d'LucaRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
This debut novel is like stumbling upon a hidden treasure chest. It's packed with originality. We follow Thyra, a king's bastard daughter who tragically witnesses her father's death while in battle that triggers a latent power within her – a rare and devastating lightning magic that single-handedly wipes out their enemy. So powerful the populace begin to call her a monster. Afterthe coronation of her brother and an intrigue with the Dowager Queen, who hated her for being the bastard daughter of her husband, Thyra escapes the castle and searches for her father's killer.
The author has crafted a truly unique magic system and a world that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. Thyra's journey is captivating as she flees persecution and embarks on a quest for vengeance.
While the prose can be a little challenging at times, it adds to the book's overall charm and gives it a distinct voice. And despite not having a strong clencher, it leaves you intrigued and wanting more, which is always a good sign. Overall, the Forbidden Jewels is a fantastic debut novel with a compelling plot, memorable characters, and creative magic system. I can't wait to see what this author writes next! Four out of five stars!