The Reviled: The Power of Hope

Dark Fey, Book 1

De: Cynthia A. Morgan

Narrado por: Jessica Lynn Gober

Duración: 6 h y 20 m

Resumen del Editor

From a young age, Ayla has known her gift. Dedicated to become a Guardian of Childfey, she has spent her young years in the Temple, studying magic and ancient rites. There, she also learns about the mortal enemy of all Fey of the Light: the Reviled.

Gairynzvl is a Fey of the Light, abducted by the Reviled when he was young. Now, he is a Dark One, lurking in the shadows, lingering near Ayla.

After Gairynzvl commits treason against his own kind, Ayla listens to him when no others will - and the conflict that unfolds will change their world.

©2015 Cynthia A. Morgan (P)2020 Cynthia A. Morgan

Great Fae and Action

This book was great. I really liked the fact that the author took the time to go over important details at the beginning before starting the book, this was the reader knew things to look for and things to understand. It helped greatly with the storyline which made everything run smoothly. Following A's life went quick but it gave you an understanding of why she was the way she was and who she was at the same time. It was nice to see she had at least one friend but even better to see she could still find love. Her powers were amazing. I'm not sure if I would have been able to be as calm as she was when she started hearing voices, but the history of how people treated her was the cause for keeping it to herself to see why it was happening. Turns out, it's a good thing she did.

That was an amazing fight scene, especially with all the elements involved, including the potions and magic. I'm surprised the guard Fae didn't come sooner and was sad her house was destroyed. Now, looking for book 2 to see what happens next, with Marrtin, the man in the hall, everything.

I have to say, the narrator did an excellent job. Each character had a life of their own, their own feelings and personality. Beautifully done.

Has a permanent home on my bookshelves

Cynthia A. Morgan’s Dark Fey Trilogy has found a permanent home on my bookshelves. That says a lot about my feelings toward this first book, The Reviled. Because stories have so many elements to them, I feel it’s only fair to break down my review into four categories: Plot, Prose, Character Development, and Originality. Overall, The Reviled has earned a solid 4 out of 5 stars.

• Plot 4/5
First off, this plot is fast moving. It starts out very mysteriously, with Ayla having the sense that someone is watching her. He is an unfamiliar, dark presence. Almost like a shadow, for she can never make out his shape in the treeline of the forest. She’s guardian to the childfey. It’s her job to protect them, but she often finds herself distracted by this recently detected “dark presence.”

As Ayla discovers the awkwardness and joys of “first love,” with Mardan, the dark presence continues to press in, getting braver and braver. He eventually reveals himself to Ayla. And he’s nothing like what she had imagined. Just when he discloses what he wants from Ayla, the Reviled find their way to Ayla’s home. They mean to frighten her into giving over what they came for.

I was on the edge of my seat, for the last half of this book. Truly, it was a joy to both listen to and read. Yes! I listened to the audiobook and read the paperback. It was that good. :)

• Prose/Style & Grammar 4/5
Morgan did such a great job with the names she used, such as the character names, cities, and clips of their spoken language. There is a distinct difference between Celebrae and Dlalth. It really helped me feel immersed in the world of the Fey.

Her style reminds me of classical writing. Very reminiscent to Jane Austen, but in the genre of Fantasy. She wonderfully describes characters’ emotions in the classical way, where it gets to the point, but is written with the intent to stream together effortlessly like music.

Though there are typos in the paperback (that were hardly distracting), these typos do not exist in the audiobook version. Yay! Oh, and to warn you, it might take some time for the narrator’s voice to grow on you, but it should after a few chapters or so. I began to love how crisp and controlled the narrator’s voice is. I was able to take in more of the book than I had anticipated, because her voice isn’t as fast as others I’ve heard.

• Character Development 4/5
The main character, Ayla, is perhaps a favorite of mine, out of the many books I’ve read over the years. She comes off as shy, at first, but then guarded. Once her abilities are shown later on in the story, it becomes clearer why she behaves the way she does. Though the character cast is short, in this first book of the trilogy, I didn’t mind. Morgan did very well, fleshing her characters out. Each one acted in a realistic way. I never got the feeling that the characters were rushing ahead of the story, acting in ways that were stinted or forced. Their progression was satisfactory.

• Originality 5/5
I love the originality of The Reviled. There are enough familiar themes to be reminded of mainstream stories, but it is certainly different enough to stand on its own merit. It’s apparent that Cynthia A. Morgan has worked hard to build the world Ayla lives in. And what a beautiful, mysterious, and, at times, dark world it is. I’m left with a craving to hear the continuation on audiobook.


Thanks for reading my review all the way to the end. I urge you, if you don’t have the time to read these days, try out the audiobook version of The Reviled.