You’ll enjoy A Realm of Rebels if you like fantasy with political tension, solid world building, and strong emphasis on family. It was a great read, and I really loved the characters and complex dynamics, but I did hit a snag in the worldview. Here’s the blurb from Goodreads for more information:
A rebellion is shaking the realm. Cities are ablaze, kingdoms are feuding, and an ancient foe is knocking on Rokava’s door.
It has been five centuries since the fall of Rahjuul at the sword of the first-ever Flame Keeper. The Henchman of the darkness’ terror lives on as nothing more than a myth in the minds of the people now. But with the insurgency of rebels in Rokava, it seems as if the events of the past are being replayed. As rebellion again gives rise to the darkness, the Flame too ignites a new hero.
Haunted by past traumas and confounded by a childhood gift from her father, Qilan Princess, Kylexa Navos, has struggled to discover her own purpose in life. She yearns for an escape to uncover her true destiny and is prepared to leave behind everything she’s ever known to do so. But when her calling has other plans, Kylexa finds herself on a journey that embraces the very things she desires to avoid.
With the security of her kingdom and the neighboring Kingdom of Vlance hanging in the balance, the princess embarks on an entrusted mission that could alter her life forever. Will she be able to push past her fears and do what must be done, or will rebellion reign?
If you love the themes of hope and friendship in The Lord of the Rings and the political intrigue and plot twists of the Red Queen, then you’ll enjoy the story of A Realm of Rebels. Join Kylexa and her friends as they uncover the rebellion that’s threatening to destroy their land.
Ratings for A Realm of Rebels
Story: 4/5
Worldview: 3/5
Story-wise, A Realm of Rebels is rich with worldbuilding and politics. I usually steer away from political fantasy but I enjoyed the action and higher stakes. The world really felt like it had centuries of history, especially with Qila having a religiously complex past. Qila worshipped pagan gods, but in recent generations the royals have turned to the Eternal King (God). This causes a lot of tension in Qila, since the royals allowed the people to choose which god they would worship. My favorite characters really have to do with those who are siblings, Kylexa, Mia, and Nistiri (the Qilan royals) and Castian, Marcus, and Regina (the Vlancian royals). The author does a great job weaving complex family dynamics, especially with grief and loss. My favorite character was Prince Marcus, mainly because even though he had his flaws, I could see him being redeemed.
Worldview
This is not a Christian book, nor does it claim to be, but because of its overt messaging (Eternal King = God), I did read it as such. The main character, Kylexa, does not believe in God, and I really liked her perspective and how she grew in that regard to embrace hope and a purpose. I loved how the characters prayed to God for help and guidance. There was also a mention of a pilgrimage, of going by foot to the holy city to worship God. A few characters had dreams/visions, but they emphasized praying and seeking guidance for clarity.
There is a clear emphasis in the book on the spiritual world beneath the physical world. For example, the atrophs (unseen angel-type characters, winged figures with animal heads, were rumored to protect a nation) and Rajuul, a demonic character that speaks in people’s minds. There was also mention of a character visiting a pagan witch, who performed a ritual to a fertility goddess (described across 2-3 pages), but it was painted as demonic. Another God-fearing character made a good point of how wooden idols have no power, bringing some biblical truth in. And, minor spoiler, the Rajuul-possessed character uses some kind of power to resuscitate the dead and make them her minions (also presented as evil).
However, there were a few unbiblical elements that were not condoned, such as soulmates (mentioned jokingly) and a female authority/pastor figure. Also, a high priestess was said to serve God (and this was tied into the angel-figures somehow so I’m not sure how that would develop moving forward). And even though the ritual was condemned, I am never a fan of showing any kind of pagan rituals on page, especially those involving blood.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I enjoyed the plot, characters, and tension. I understood why there was a mix of pagan traditions and serving God (given the history of Qila), but it’s my conviction to make a clear distinction between what’s godly and what’s not. To that end, I think the author draws the line clearly in some places but then other places are not so clear. I did enjoy the story but I’m not certain I’ll pick up the second book.
I got a free ebook of this novel from the author, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Book Information
Title: A Realm of Rebels (Daughters of Qila #1)
Author: Tiana Ibrahim
Release date: December 13, 2024
Genres: Fantasy, Adventure
Age range: 14+
Content warnings/notes: Violence (swordfights, holding a knife to someone’s throat), grief (death of a family member),
