Furyborn by Claire Legrand

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Figure 1. Furyborn book cover (2019).

Evaluation of Book

Furyborn (The Emporium Trilogy, Book One) by Claire Legrand, an action-packed book that constantly keeps moving, tells the stories of two strong women that live in the world of Avitas about 1000 years apart. Rielle, born with control over the seven elemental powers of the emporium, must prove herself worthy of protecting the kingdom after she outs herself by protecting Prince Audric from would be assassins. On the flipside, Eliana, living in the far future, hunts traitors of the Undying Empire to help ensure her family’s survival. However, after her mother gets kidnapped, she joins with the rebels in hopes of finding her mother while keeping her brother Remy safe. And during this time, Eliana starts to learn that people outside of her bubble matter too. Both of these lives are intertwined because of Rielle’s choices in life, which Eliana must learn to live with during her own time period.

For both stories, Legrand created detailed Middle Ages like settings in the world of Avitas. Rielle’s world includes magic and the control over elements. And the people pray in temples to patron saints and fear angles and other mythical people. And while chaos touches their lives, people believe the King will protect them all. However, when Rielle dies, she takes magic with her. Due to this, the mystical past ends. In Eliana’s time, the stories from 1000 years ago are myths that only belong in stories. The destroyed temples litter the outer areas of cities, no longer existing within the cities. And people live in constant fear because of the Emperor that conquered all but Astavar, the one free country that still exists. Therefore, people use swords, knives, and guns to fight each other when opposing sides meet. Also, underground and remote safe houses exist with multiple entries and exits. In this time period, the feeling of despair hangs in the air, with stories of death touching everyone.

Claire Legrand also did wonderful with the plot. She allowed two stories to run parallel throughout the whole book, trading off for each chapter. She also provides a quote to start off each chapter, giving clues about key events to come. First, Rielle’s story focuses on the prophecy that states two queens will come into the world after the angels return and ruin it: Blood Queen and Sun Queen. Both queens will control the seven elements which is how people will know them. This fantastical story molds her life because of her powers. These powers dictate her relationship with everyone, including her father, her teacher, and her childhood friends. The stress of it all shapes her into the person she becomes. Then Eliana’s story provides more room for personal development and growth. While being a bounty hunter for the Undying Empire pays the bills and keeps her safe, her family and friends can see that it gets to her from time to time. And while she tries to not feel anything, people keep challenging her to care about more than just her immediate family. Then during her travels to save her mother, she begins to let go and find her humanity. She also starts thinking about her own abilities to heal and what that might mean. This opening up pushes Eliana to learn more about herself and her past. In the end, both women’s relationships and feelings of acceptance dictate their lives.

Unexpected insight developing the main characters also plays a huge role in Furyborn. For Rielle’s story, each trial the kingdom forces her to endure allows her powers to grow. This alone provides insight for Rielle. She never realized how amazing and powerful she really could be when given free reign to push herself. This new power also gives her insight into her true self, and it is found wanting. Rielle realizes she fears being alone, loves to show off, and enjoys putting others in their place. And the need for love and claiming the center of attention feeds her fears that one day others will not want her if they know her true thoughts. This realization eats away at her throughout the book. However, the story of Eliana comes off totally different. Though she puts on airs that life revolves around her, true stories of others horror touch her. This realization terrifies her at first. However, as the forced bravado erodes, she opens up to sharing more about herself and begins to make friends. Because of her new vulnerability and ability to love others, when Simon plus Zahra reviel her true identity, she finds the inner courage to move on despite internal fears.

Response

Fantasy allows for escapism typically, but with Furyborn, the humanistic and religious aspects of this novel touched me and forced me to see where I am in life right now. First, the cruelty shown to Rielle by her father and her past mistakes constantly thrown into her face did not sit well with me. Rielle feels starved for love and fears people knowing her true thoughts stems back to her childhood and how her father treated her. Unlike Rielle world, my parents believed in showing support and love which helped mold me into the person I am today. Then my views of the world and how things should be clashed with how the text dealt with religion. The idea of temples, saints, and controlling the elements did not faze me. However, angels wanting to control humans and commit horrendous acts goes against what I believe. This constant cruelty against Rielle and ways of the Undying Empire ultimately got to me to the point I started having nightmares. But it also opened my eyes and helped strengthen my views of nature verses nurture. The idea that people are born a certain way and with gifts does exist, but how people are treated and what they experience matters too when trying to raise a child that understands kindness and courage.

Conclusion

Furyborn by Claire Legrand tells two tales that piggyback off of each other through the book. The writing style and the worlds she creates are vivid and enchanting. And for people that love strong women characters and like science fiction mixed with fantasy, this book might be just right for you. I give this book three out of four stars.

Citation

Legrand, C. (2018). Furyborn (the emporium trilogy, book one). Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks, Inc.

Willis, C. (2019). Furyborn (the emporium trilogy, book one) book cover (photo). Retrieved March 15, 2019 from https://drive.google.com/file/d/123MA9Sbs0Qk3mwJHR4jVIqsTLUTFgDHc/view?usp=sharing