Review for Rising Book 1: Resistance

Blurb:
All Alphonse wants is a quiet summer at home before his final months at university. What he gets is a half-dead stranger on his doorstep and the task of delivering a package to the leader of his home country. Not long after he boards a train toward the capital, he's attacked by knights, elite soldiers of the neighboring king.

Alphonse is temporarily rescued by Mairwyn, a mechanic with a haunted past and a deep hatred of knights. Together, they attempt to carry out Alphonse's urgent errand, only to learn that if they fail, countless people will die.

And even if they succeed, they may not be able to prevent the war that lurks on the horizon.

My review:

Alphonse Redding's relaxing summer vacation is stolen away when he's sent on an urgent errand and suddenly becomes a fugitive. He's nearly captured by two men with strange weapons just after leaving home, but is rescued by a wily young woman who seems to know more of what's going on than he does. Mairwyn's a mechanic with a dark past that's slowly closing in on her. They must deliver vital information to prevent another war from ravaging the land and save a people who only want to be left in peace.

Resistance nabbed me right from the beginning. Alphonse has a funny incident in a field and a warm homecoming, but it quickly turns into something darker and much bigger than a summer spent in a little farming town. Strangers, knights, frightening mecha, and mysteries. I wasn't sure who to trust or what was going to happen next. Alphonse is immediately likable with his awkward and academic ways. He's not your typical hero, but that makes this book stand out all the more. Mairwyn stands in wonderful contrast to him. She's feisty, clever, and out-spoken. Their relationship grows slowly and naturally. The organic nature of it lends to fantastic characterization which doesn't overshadow the plot.

Larua Josephsen's writing is on par with novels printed by the big publishers. It reads with a clean and harmonic flow. This is a fantasy world with technology powered by crystals. It's light on the steampunk aspect, but it's still present for fans of the genre. What's more important is the complex and fascinating plot that Laura has created. She takes you on twists and turns, drawing the reader on to greater heights of awe. It's hard to surprise me, but she managed to do so. I love the political intrigue, the demented king, and the little girl who can sneak better than the most skilled of thieves!

If you're a fan of The Hunger Games, you'll love Resistance. Hold on, it will take you for the ride of your life.

Rising Book 1: Resistance is now available on Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords.

Author's bio: Laura Josephsen is a wife, mother, author, geek. Beginner student of Taekwondo. Freelance editor. Homeschooler. Likes coffee, chocolate, socks, fantasy stories, rainy days, and sci-fi shows. Lives in Tennessee with her family, two cats, and a black lab.

Please visit Laura's site and follow her on Twitter.