Book Review: The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #3) by Jeff Wheeler

The Void of Muirwood 

(Covenant of Muirwood #3) 

by 

Jeff Wheeler

Expected pub: October 27th 2015 

by 47North 

ARC for Review 

Summary
When banished Princess Maia is captured by her father and threatened with execution, it appears that all is lost…until the people rise in rebellion against their king. Suddenly, the cast-aside royal finds herself crowned the first Queen of Comoros. But enemies appear on all sides as her father’s conniving supporters assemble a new army against the fledgling ruler. While Maia struggles to keep the peace within her own walls, she rushes to form historical alliances with her neighboring kingdoms against an impending invasion of the ruthless Naestors—led by the cruel Corriveaux—who will destroy anyone Maia loves in order to ruin her kingdom and prevent the mastons from regaining power.

Realizing that Muirwood Abbey is once again her only hope for survival, Maia gathers her people there for protection. When she discovers an adversary greater than she’s ever known, she must use all the magic, strength, and wisdom gained from her life’s trials to prevent the Void that would bring destruction to herself, her true love, and the entire kingdom.

Although Life is Full of Despair The Key Moments Are What Make Those Struggles Worth While

It is always bittersweet when a beloved trilogy comes to a close. I must say this is one that will stay with me for some time to come. This series has a pretty clear religious undertone, I’m a fan so I loved every bit of it. It was a little apparent in the first two but pretty undeniable in this last installment. No worries though because it isn’t overbearing or preachy but it does add a wonderful element to the book. This is the third and final installment and it was absolutely wonderful. If you have read this series I’m sure your a fan because the writing and world building is just too great for you not to be a fan. This time we find ourselves in the armpit of it all and Maia has to figure out how to bring everyone together. Quickly.

The Story, okay so wow the way the last one ended had me rushing to pick up this installment. Maia is facing the gallows and she has come to accept that as the mediums will. All of a sudden by a twist of fate Maia is thrown into complete chaos where the kingdom is its weakest. Finally admitting that she loves Collier and he loves her was one of my favorite aspects of this book. Unfortunately they are separated once again. Maia fears for her kingdom all she wants is to keep everyone safe and stop an invasion. No big deal right? Lol on the first day of the job nonetheless Maia accepts this as her duty and will come up with a way to see that it happens. There are killers at every corner and Maia will come face to face with each one. The Aldermaston’s and Maston’s are an integral part of this story and we get a good look at the evil that lays within the ruined shores.

The Characters, as you well very know Maia is my favorite then Collier but I also want to mention Maia’s guides. Mainly the Aldermaston of Muirwood turned Chancellor he was a key element in who Maia was to become as a leader. The medium is spoken of quite frequently and it is this medium that has lead Maia to the throne. The High Seer aka grams was selfless and did everything in her power to see to Maia’s happiness. Maia’s hunter who made me smile every time he spoke I loved his personality and dedication to do the right thing. Oh boy now for the hard one…This guy made my heart bleed…The assassin he was also one of my favorites because this guy does some ruthless things and hurts Maia but for some reason my heart broke for him. There are quite a few more but just know that the interactions of all of the characters made this story rich with depth and emotion.

The End, as I mentioned before this is that “make it or break it but regardless i’m going to miss the heck out of these guys because we’ve come so far” moment that always gets me. I’m pretty ecstatic to report Wheeler does a wonderful job. Through cunning and forethought Collier sets everything up perfectly in order to see that he and Maia have the type of ending their characters deserve. The reader gets their HEA, not without some struggle but everything comes together remarkably. All of the kingdoms show up to the end and the medium’s power is accepted by all. Maia has grown so much and she accepts all of life’s challenges with grace and power. The only thing that could have made this ending better is an epilogue that went out farther than the one we got. All and all I’m very glad I took a chance on this series and I highly recommend others do the same.

My Rating

4.5 Trusting your heart and acting on emotions of love rather than fear. A promise long ago made coming together to bring peace to the nations.

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About the Author

BE IT KNOWN THAT: We have locked Jeff Wheeler away in Muirwood Abbey for a couple of years and have commanded him to write many more adventuresome books. He is permitted free time to roam the grounds under heavy guard. After he has written enough books that we can scarcely read them all in a lifetime, we may finally become, in our old age, sated in our quest for new characters and lands. Perhaps then, all would be well in the kingdom.

TRANSLATION: Jeff took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to become a full-time author. He is, most importantly, a husband and father, a devout member of his church, and is occasionally spotted roaming hills with oak trees and granite boulders in California or in any number of the state's majestic redwood groves.

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Book Review: The Ciphers of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #2) By Jeff Wheeler

The Ciphers of Muirwood 

(Covenant of Muirwood #2) 

By 

Jeff Wheeler 

Published September 15th 2015 

by 47North 

ARC for Review 

Summary
From the moment she was banished by her father, the king, Princess Maia journeyed to seek sanctuary at Muirwood Abbey, the epicenter of magic and good in the land. Now safe for the first time since her cruel abandonment, Maia must foster uneasy friendships with other girls training to be Ciphers: women who learn to read and engrave tomes of ancient power, despite the laws forbidding them to do so.

As Maia tries to judge whom to trust, she makes a shocking discovery: her destiny is to open the Apse Veil and release trapped spirits from her world. Then she learns that her father is coming to Muirwood Abbey to celebrate the Whitsunday festival—and Maia’s estranged husband, whom she was forced to abandon, will join him. Torn between deadly political machinations and unstoppable spiritual forces, Maia must channel unknown powers within herself to save her friends, the abbey, and the entire kingdom of Muirwood.

Everything Begins With a Thought…But The Greatest Deeds are Accomplished By Action

Not going to lie folks I’m really pumped I decided to keep reading this series! Lots and lots of dialogue! Action! and DARE.I.SAY!!!! LOVE?! What?! Yep! Its there!! I physically did not want to put this one down! When I was away from the book(stupid life) all I could do was think about what would happen next. Wheeler doesn’t hold back I hearted this installment pretty hard. The world building was great just enough detail to keep me in the right scene with the right surroundings but not too much to where we are told about a tree and its branches for 5 pages. The cover still not my fave but eh it could be worse. OMG I can’t wait to hop into the next book!

The Story, Maia is at Muirwood and everyone knows what she must do. After the type of ordeal she has gone through she is unsure of herself. She faced evil and with the help of the high seer was able to overcome it. Very strategically Maia and her order are all about to face their greatest enemies and they come from every side. Maia longs for Collier because he is the one she gave her heart to. She can never kiss anyone she loves and she doesn’t understand why but her main focus is saving her people and everyone in the realm. Reunited with her father is only the beginning of the troubles Maia has to face. She will be challenged at ever corner but she knows how she must react and she does a magnificent job of it.

The Characters, Maia is splendid!! I love her personality and I admire her example there are so many times I would not have had the same restraint! We got to see more of Maia with Collier and my puppy tail wagged with glee at every word. Still not a a lot of romance. Okay okay, there was but it was all proper and such but still there. We are introduced to another dashing fellow so immediately I thought there would be a love triangle because those are totally the rave right now but…for those of you that hate them rest assured there is not. Not even a blip of a blip. The fellow introduced has given his heart to the girl that is Maia’s companion. It is hard to tell where everyones loyalties lie but near the end everything seems pretty clear. OH MAN…Don’t get me started on her father! That guy is BAD NEWS!! UGH!!!

The End, OH HECK NO…Sorry y'all i’m going to have to cut this one short….

I 

Must 

Read 

The Next 

Its not like crazy cliffhanger but its enough that you'll want to hop right into the third. Maia finds herself but I just want her to have more confidence. Though I will say she is pretty stinking amazing! More Collier I want MORE COLLIER!! Oh and that thing? Can’t she burn it off?

My Rating

4.5 From ships to shores Maia’s willingness to do what is right will be her saving grace…Don’t forget we need more Collier Lovin filled stars!

Purchase Through

Amazon | B&N

About the Author

BE IT KNOWN THAT: We have locked Jeff Wheeler away in Muirwood Abbey for a couple of years and have commanded him to write many more adventuresome books. He is permitted free time to roam the grounds under heavy guard. After he has written enough books that we can scarcely read them all in a lifetime, we may finally become, in our old age, sated in our quest for new characters and lands. Perhaps then, all would be well in the kingdom.

TRANSLATION: Jeff took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to become a full-time author. He is, most importantly, a husband and father, a devout member of his church, and is occasionally spotted roaming hills with oak trees and granite boulders in California or in any number of the state's majestic redwood groves.

Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Book Review: The Banished of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #1) by Jeff Wheeler

The Banished of Muirwood 

(Covenant of Muirwood #1) 

by Jeff Wheeler 

Published August 18th 2015 

by 47North 

ARC for Review 

Summary
In a stand-alone series set in the world of Muirwood, eighteen-year-old Maia is the exiled princess of Comoros and heir to the throne. As a result of her father’s ceaseless need for authority, she was left disinherited and forced to live as a servant in her enemy’s home. When the king invites chaos into the land by expelling the magical order known as the Dochte Mandar, Maia finds herself on a perilous quest to save her people. To survive, she must use magic she has learned in secret—despite the fact that women are forbidden to control it. Hunted by enemies at every turn, Maia realizes that danger lurks within her, too. Her powers threaten to steal not only her consciousness but also her sense of right and wrong. Can she set herself free and save the realm she loves—even if that realm has forgotten her?

The Destination is Always Decided What Varies is the Way We Get There

Well The Banished of Muirwood was a very interesting read that I enjoyed quite well. I have to be honest when I say that I prefer heavy dialogue books so the beginning was a little dry for me. The romance was nearly non existent and I do love me a good love story even in the midst of clanging swords. LOL actually those are usually my favorites. I haven't given up on the romance though hopefully we get a dose of more. The world building was excellent and the author does an great job of putting the reader in the scene, the story and characters were great, the cover leaves a bit to be desired but what are ya gonna do? Ya just cant’ make everyone happy when it comes to creative presentation. I was on the fence about whether I would continue this series or not but with the ending and what happens to the main character I just have to find out. Though the beginning was a bit slow for me and some of the terminology was foreign, by mid way I was really committed and didn’t want to stop. I am officially a Muirwood fan and will continue this series to see where we find Maia next.

The Story, so we are told about a princess and she is banished but this is much more than that. Maia our main character faces fears she never imagined and there is deception at every turn. Amidst everything going on Maia must discover who she is and who she can trust. Everything she has ever held dear has a role in the political pawn she feels she has become. Finding the truth does not solve her problems it creates more. The only thing Maia can count on is the power of the medium and it lives within her. Trusting it she will have to make a very difficult decision but it is one for her people. This story is full of lavish forests mountains villages duels horses and wonderful companions.

The Characters, Maia wow talk about faithful to the core she has sworn her allegiance to her father the king and noting will dissuade her actions of loyalty. Maia had a wonderful childhood where she learned so much. People along with languages were just a portion of her hearts desire. Soon something goes awry and her father is no longer the man she thought him to be. This is a testament to her unwavering loyalty there are so many times she is faced with choosing herself her people her father or just people and every time her choices are selfless. Maia’s betrothed wow I won’t go into him too much but I will say he is the one for her. Regardless of what everyone totes around about who Maia should be with I say it is him! Although there are like zero references of love I really want these two to end up together.

The End, was wonderful Maia learns so much about who she is and what is expected of her. As always she takes everything in stride. As I mentioned before there were a lot of difficult decisions that were made. Unfortunately this poor girl is forever doomed to not have what she thinks she wants. Her whole life has been about what others want for her. She is strong in her own way so I like her character very much. We are introduced to a very important person in Maia’s life towards the end and it is very exciting to say the least. As I mentioned before although this wasn’t a perfect read for me I very much look forward to whats next.

4.0 Adventure in search of ones true self while saving the land from destruction, lonely princess filled stars.

Purchase Through  Amazon | B&N

About the Author

BE IT KNOWN THAT: We have locked Jeff Wheeler away in Muirwood Abbey for a couple of years and have commanded him to write many more adventuresome books. He is permitted free time to roam the grounds under heavy guard. After he has written enough books that we can scarcely read them all in a lifetime, we may finally become, in our old age, sated in our quest for new characters and lands. Perhaps then, all would be well in the kingdom.

TRANSLATION: Jeff took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to become a full-time author. He is, most importantly, a husband and father, a devout member of his church, and is occasionally spotted roaming hills with oak trees and granite boulders in California or in any number of the state's majestic redwood groves.

Twitter | Website | Goodreads