My Rating - 4 out of 5 stars
Publisher - Practicing Life LLCGenre - Fantasy
Publishing year - 2023
Language - English
ISBN - 978-1-960260-00-0
Pages - 423
The Birth Challenge by Ashley Pitzer is a young adult fantasy novel in the magical world of Silvedome, where people with supernatural abilities called Moowins reside peacefully.
The first part of the Life Force Saga follows Sabina, a young woman about to undergo her rite of passage, a ceremony determining if she has any rare Moowins. She has always felt invisible and hopes possessing a Moowin will change her fate and prove her worth.
However, Sabina's world is turned upside down when her father, Brom Rockdin, reveals that he has prearranged eight suitors for her to meet and choose one as a partner. Sabina is shocked and hurt by her father's actions and begins questioning everything she knows about herself and her lineage. As she navigates this new reality, Sabina discovers her potential and that what she yearns for most may have devastating consequences.
Outside the walls of Silvedome, the Selectors were gathering to capture the Agni, prophesied to have all the eight Moowins of rare status. If one can control the Agni, then that person can rule the world, and that's why Brom, with his acquaintances, tried their best to safeguard Sabina. But how long will they be able to guard her?
The plot is intriguing and fast-paced, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. The magical world of Silvedome is well-developed, and the Moowins' abilities are fascinating.
The book deals with parental neglect, prejudice, forced marriage, LGBTQ representation, violence, kidnapping, sexual assault, and other content warnings, which some readers find challenging. But Ashley Pitzer handled them with sensitivity and seamlessly woven them into the story, adding depth and richness to the world of Silvedome.
The characters in the book are well-crafted and complex, with their motivations and backstories. Sabina is a relatable protagonist, struggling to find her place in the world and dealing with the fallout of her father's actions. Brom is a complicated character; the supporting characters, such as Sabina's suitors, friends, and family, add depth to the story and keep the plot moving forward.
In my opinion, certain dialogues in the book were overly long and could have been shortened to improve the pacing and keep the reader more engaged. With a large cast of characters, an index at the beginning of the book would have been helpful.
Additionally, the names of some characters, such as Fawn, Flann, and Fabia, were confusing due to their similarity. While it became easier to differentiate between them as the story progresses, the author should consider using more distinct names in the future to avoid confusion.
Overall, it is an engaging read that will appeal to fans of young adult fantasy, and I can't wait to read the next part of the series. I recommend you read it.
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