Jennifer Monroe is an average eighteen-year-old girl, and she knows it. Which is precisely why no one—least of all herself—would suspect anything extraordinary from the quiet, boring girl who only has a few good friends to call her own.
But that all got flipped on its head about a year ago, when two imposing men, a complete goofball, a werewolf, and two large four-legged creatures barged into her life. Now over a year later, Jen leads a double life. Mild mannered, quiet, high schooler by day; dragon slayer and raw-energy-wielding-warrior (in training) by night. Juggling SAT scores, papers, and mastering the art of flying, she’s managed to keep her friends and family oblivious of her hybrid abilities. Everything was going swimmingly.
Until one normal, foggy, November morning, when a dragon crashed through the clouds, heralding a small army to descend on her high school. All for little, forgettable her. Making her realize that maybe there’s a whole lot more going on than she originally thought.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: The Rise of the Raidin is an exceptional science fiction/high fantasy novel that will appeal to fans of those genres, as well as readers who enjoy high school drama. It may verge on gruesome for some readers, especially the battle scenes which often include a lot of viscera and blood.
Prose: For those who love fantasy books, this work will greatly appeal. The prose is highly specific regarding battle maneuvers, injuries, and attacks that include magical beasts. Overall, the work is well written, clear, and enjoyable, and Markloff's references to pop culture and slang will make readers laugh.
Originality: Markloff has put together a mixture of high school slice-of-life storytelling and intense dragon battles with fantasy armies. This unusual combination harkens to animes and mangas, as well as other beloved fantasy series, such as Lord of the Rings. Markloff has managed to make her book completely her own while incorporating well-worn tropes.
Character Development/Execution: Although the characters are clearly developed, it can be difficult sometimes to tell them apart, as there are many players here and they are introduced rapidly. That said, Markloff does a good job of representing and developing their distinct personalities.
Date Submitted: April 09, 2022
"Susan L Markloff has pulled off a fantastic story here, with depth of plot and characters that leave you wanting to read more. Young Adult Fantasy readers will find a whole world to love in The Rise of Raidin, and the premise fits nicely within the genre. Superbly written, with great humor and attention paid to each character that makes the whole read thoroughly enjoyable."
A must-read, action-packed adventure that combines the real-life challenges of high school with that of an epic, otherworldly armageddon. This is a thrilling debut novel by author Susan Markloff.
"A highly original YA urban fantasy, The Rise of the Raidin is an engaging mixture of everyday high school pressures, and the pressure of confronting mythical beasts. The well-choreographed action scenes and snappy dialogue result in a work of YA fantasy that will satisfy traditional YA readers and fantasy readers alike."
The Rise of the Raidin has been awarded the silver medal in the 2022 Readers' Favorite Awards in the Young Adult Urban Fantasy category! Read the full review at the link below.
