Blog Tour: Red Madrassa - Algardis #1 - Terah Edun

Release Date: November 8th, 2012
Age Group: Young-Adult
Pages: 274
Format: e-book
Source: Received for review (blog tour)












A magical accident threw them together. But when Fate holds all the cards, it can be impossible to tell the difference between pure chance and Destiny... 

The Madrassa, a magical school for mage practitioners, is the stuff of legend. With selective entrance exams and quotas for only the most advanced of mage children, it's almost impossible to attend. 

When Allorna, a guardian trainee for the royal family, ends up on the doorstep of the citadel on the eve of the final day of a recruitment ceremony, she decides it must be fate.

She was sure she knew the path her life would take before she enrolled. But sometimes life has a way of throwing in magical curveballs and strange friends, just to see if you’ll trip up. 

Oh, and one of those friends is a mage accused of murder, another is a slightly psychotic dragon, the third a healer facing an existential crisis, and the last is a female storm-caller with more hidden secrets than a thief lord.

Do they all belong at the new school they call home?

This book is suitable for ages 12 and over. It is free of nudity, sexuality and only light cursing. The book is inclusive of LBGT and racial diversity.

Review:

Red Madrassa is not your typical YA Fantasy story. There are a lot of different facets to this story and it’s a welcome break from all the paranormal romance that’s been out there the last year or so. Red Madrassa tells the story of 5 very different teenagers who accidentally (or not?) find themselves at “The Madrassa”, a school to practice all different kinds of magic. Each begin their courses at a different part of the school (Air, Fire, Research, the Unknown, Healing) and get to know more about their abilities and their strengths.

I really enjoyed “Red Madrassa”. All the characters are briefly introduced in the beginning of the book and I have to admit it was a bit tricky to get to know them all and keep them apart, getting the “who’s who” right in the beginning, but this gets better as the story gets along. It’s quite easy to get immersed in the story, which makes it a quick and light read. You’ll reach the last page before you even know it!

There are a few hiccups in the writing style, but nothing that slowed my reading. I think those little bumps in the road can be easily fixed in the next books.

I was also very glad to see the author included people with another sexuality in her story, especially the way it’s accepted so well by the community in this imaginative world. It’s inspirational and a good example for the real world, especially for teens.

Another facet I really loved in this book were the multitude of different people and cultures, all with different skin, different kinds of magic and appearances. I loved it!

All in all, this is a light and breezy read, one where you can just sit back and relax and withdraw from the real world for a few hours. It’s uncomplicated, enjoyable and a fun read. A decent Young-Adult book, with some appeal as a light read to the more adult audience.

I'd like to see where this goes, there is a lot of potential here. I have a feeling this can reach a higher level in the books to come, so I’ll give it 3,5 dragons and hopefully the sequel can prove me right and get an even higher score from me!

Author Terah Edun

Terah Edun is a young adult  fantasy writer born and raised in the Atlanta metropolitan area, who transplanted to the Northeast region for college, and now lives in South Sudan. She writes the stories that she always loved to read as a young girl.

She prefers tales of adventure, magic, fellowship and courtship – in other words high fantasy. But she’s not adverse to the occasional contemporary fantasy coming her way. Sometimes you’ll see cloaks, daggers, independent and strong girls, independent and strong guys, sweet and soft spoken girls, sweet and soft spoken guys, markets, cute guys, sparkly magic and irritatingly know-it-all boys. The book she’s currently working on is SWORN TO RAISE,  the first in the Courtlight series.

Outside of writing, she’s a international development professional with a penchant for Starbucks.

Website * Goodreads * Facebook

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card & Red Madrassa Ebook
5 Ebooks of Red Madrassa

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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