Top 3 Series That Just Keep Getting Better! (Laurie)

Do any of you get a little nervous when you fall in love with the first book in a series? There's always the excitement and anticipation of getting to dive back into that story world, revisit those characters, and see what happens next. But also a hint of anxiety...what if the next book isn't as good? What if the plot starts to fall apart, or the later books just don't have the same magical pull as that first one? I've experienced that disappointment enough times to know the worry is justified, but on the flip side, there are so many series out there that just keep getting better in each book! So today, I wanted to celebrate some of those series, in the form of a Top 3s, of course :)


3. The Chronicle of the Three by Tabitha Caplinger

This series had a lot going for it right from the start. Relatable main characters with a fun group of friends and lots of banter. Action, demon fighting, mystery, a prophecy. But there was also a lot of world-building and backstory to establish in the first book, and the writing style was more omniscient than what I typically read. But by books two and three, the tension just kept getting higher! Characters made sacrifices for each other, loyalties were called into question, and I got so emotionally involved with these characters! Add in more pie, lollipops, and hilariousness from Maggie, and I was hooked :)


2. The Green Princess series by H.L. Burke

I enjoyed the first book in this series - cool world-building, interesting characters, Burke's signature heart and snark. But the romance tended a bit too much toward insta-love for my taste, and the main characters had a few frustratingly naive moments. But I'm so glad I kept reading! In books 2 and 3, several years had passed, during which the main characters developed and matured. After spending some time apart, their romance was stronger and more meaningful. And the world-building just kept getting better, creating high stakes and an epic conclusion. By the end, I was loving every moment with these characters and couldn't put it down!


1. The Sentinel Trilogy by Jamie Foley

This series started out with a bit of a Harry Potter feel as the main character found himself at a new school, discovering a world of supernatural powers and training to use his own unknown abilities. So, of course, I was in love! And it just kept getting better! The writing was so good, the characters so complex, the world-building so fascinating. The story expanded from a boy trying to adjust to a new environment and worldview to an entire cast of characters making difficult choices and fighting for survival. And it all came together so brilliantly, with just the right ending for each beloved character and so many laughs and tears for the reader! Just what a series conclusion should be, in my humble opinion :)



I have so many potential runners up that I'm not going to even try to list them, but let's just say I've read a lot of great series! Plus, I didn't include any ongoing series that I have a feeling will come to epic and satisfying conclusions once they're complete (hmm, there might be the potential for another Top 3s post in here somewhere...). But now I want to hear from YOU! Have you read any of these series? Which series would you recommend that just keeps getting better as you read?


See you next time!
Laurie

Top 3 Characters in the Sentinel Trilogy (Laurie - Sage blog tour)

Today we're excited to be part of the blog tour celebrating Jamie Foley's latest release, Sage! Jamie has visited Lands Uncharted several times, sharing an author interview and her Top 3 Favorite Aether Gifts. See below for more information about the author, Sage, and the rest of the blog tour.

I knew this series conclusion would be epic based on the earlier books (remember when I included it in my Top 3 Series Conclusions Coming in 2018?) It did not disappoint! So much action, humor, amazing world-building, and romantic moments that made me grin :) But what has struck me the most throughout this series is the way the characters leap off the page. They all have quirks, flaws, growth, and distinctive personalities that make them feel like I could meet them in real life. So while it was hard to choose, in honor of the series conclusion I decided to share my Top 3 Characters in the Sentinel Trilogy!

3) Ellie

I just adore Ellie because she's so full of surprises! She begins as a grandmotherly figure - a wise leader with a calming presence not only because her aether gift allows her to influence others' emotions, but also due to her soothing personality. But as the series goes on, this amazing lady turns out to have some real spunk (she gave me at least one laugh-out-loud moment in Sage!) and an incredible amount of power. I love characters who have this kind of depth and move so far beyond first impressions.


2) Aleah

Aleah is definitely the character I related to most throughout this series. She's sweet, caring, and conflict-avoidant, but sneaks in a few wonderfully witty remarks, too :) It broke my heart when she was manipulated and led astray in Arbiter (Book 2), and the author did a beautiful job bringing her redemption and self-forgiveness in the series finale. I enjoyed seeing Aleah step up to take responsibility for her full power, and her relationship with a certain crush was just so cute!!


1) Jet

Ah, Jet. By the end of Sentinel (Book 1), he'd earned a place as one of my top character crushes, and the later books in the series have only solidified that position. Jet is cagey, tough, and often sarcastic, but his vulnerability shows through just often enough to illustrate his heart of gold. For all the barriers he puts up, he proves time and again that he cares deeply and will do anything to protect the people he loves. I must admit I was ready to throw something at Ms. Foley during a few scenes in Sage due to her treatment of my beloved Jet, but luckily I kept reading and had more than forgiven her by the end :)


Are you intrigued?? I hope so! Here's a little more about the book:

Ancient elementals awaken, fracturing a dying world to its core.

Teravyn Aetherswift returns to the land of the living, but everything seems unfamiliar… including her little brother. Zekk offers help, but can an alluring Lynx be trusted?

Sorvashti finally has everything she ever wanted, so the last thing she wants to do is run after traitors. But she won’t leave Jet’s side—unless the horrifying truth about his mother tears them apart.

Darien is sick of being used and lied to. But if he stands up for what’s right, he’ll pay the price with his life… or the lives of those he loves.







It's so good, you guys!! You can find Sage on Amazon, Jamie's website, and Goodreads. Here's a little bit about the amazing author:

Jamie Foley loves strategy games, home-grown berries, and Texas winters. She’s terrified of plot holes and red wasps.

Her husband is her manly cowboy astronaut muse. They live between Austin, TX and their family cattle ranch, where their hyperactive spawnling and wolfpack can run free.

You can connect with Jamie on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.











Jamie is having a giveaway as part of her blog tour! Enter here for a chance to win a digital $10 Amazon gift card (3 winners) by signing up for Jamie's newsletter. And stop here to see a full list of blog tour posts! Congratulations on your new release, Jamie!!


What makes a character stand out to you? Have you read this series yet, and if so, who are your favorite characters?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie

Top 3 Favorite Aether Gifts (by special guest Jamie Foley!)

We're thrilled to welcome Jamie Foley back to Lands Uncharted today as part of the blog tour celebrating the release of Arbiter, the second book in her Sentinel series! Jamie did a fun interview with us back in February (which you can find here), and I reviewed the first two books in her series, Viper and Sentinel, here.

Today, Jamie is stopping by to share her top 3 favorite aether gifts. What are aether gifts, you may wonder? A super cool concept from her series! I realize that's still not very helpful, so luckily she took the time to provide some definitions and a lovely graphic :)


AETHER The energy source for spiritual gifts. It is generated by one’s soul and is invisible, but can be sensed by aethryn. Depending on one’s gift, it might be detected in the form of a color, a scent, a taste, or otherwise.

ARBITER A common spiritual gift that can transfer thoughts and memories from one mind to another.

EXORCIST A rare spiritual gift that can siphon another’s aether. A slang term for an exorcist is ‘vampire.’

HEALER A somewhat rare spiritual gift that can detect injury and fuse torn flesh together. Master healers can learn to cure certain illnesses.

SAGE A very rare spiritual gift that allows the user to see possible futures.

SENTINEL A common spiritual gift that can release aether in powerful waves or compact strikes.

SIFTER A rare spiritual gift that can sense aether from great distances and conceal its own aether signature.

VALNAH A common spiritual gift that can influence the feelings and emotions of others. Means ‘song of courage’ in the Ancient language.

VANGUARD A common spiritual gift that can create walls of aether, varying in strength depending on the user’s skill.

WEAVER A rare spiritual gift that can bind aether into physical objects. Bound aether diminishes very slowly over time.

Awesome, right? So now that you know about the different aether gifts, here are Jamie's top 3!


Humans in The Sentinel Trilogy can't choose their own gift--they're born with one that they have a natural affinity for. But anyone can learn the four most common gifts--sentinel, vanguard, arbiter, and valnah--with enough time and dedication. Just like I could learn to paint and play the piano, but really, I'm only going to be best with the skills God gave me from birth.

But if I could choose my own aether gift... well... I'd be an exorcist. Maybe the idea of having tons of aether goes along with me being an adrenaline junkie or a pyro. What? I'm a totally normal, sane person. >:3

Exorcists have to be really skilled, though, to get in a close-combat situation to be able to drain their opponent. So my second choice would have to be sentinel. Blasting things with waves of energy that I can fling around with my mind? Yes, please.

And third... hmm... that's a hard choice. If I were a sifter, I'd always know where my kids were. If I were an arbiter, I'd always know when they were lying. And if I were a valnah, I could always make them feel better.

But I'll have to go with vanguard. Maybe I could prevent a car wreck with the soft side of a vanguard wall, or have a magical extra counter space in my kitchen. The possibilities are endless!


Now I'm wondering which ones I would pick...so many good choices! Want to know more? Here's the blurb for Arbiter, Jamie's latest release:

Archangels return to Alani, creating a new generation of Serrans… for a price.

Jet Valinor can’t keep his secrets from Darien any longer. Sorvashti seeks revenge against her husband’s killer—a debt that can only be paid in blood.

The Lynx want their base back. The Serrans will fetch a good price for Zekk Sorrowsong, or make excellent slaves… if he can capture them before they’re betrayed from within.


I got to read an advance copy of Arbiter and it's SO good! The action starts right on the first page, and all the new information and plot twists kept me guessing throughout. If you like fantasy with phenomenal world-building and complex characters, definitely check out this series! You can find out more about the trilogy and purchase links here.


And here's a little more about the author:

YA fantasy author Jamie Foley loves strategy games, home-grown berries, and Texas winters. She’s terrified of plot holes and red wasps.

Her husband is her manly cowboy astronaut muse. They live between Austin, TX and their family cattle ranch, where their hyperactive spawnling and wolfpack can run free.

You can learn more about Jamie at her website, jamiesfoley.com, or by connecting with her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

 


 Thank you so much for visiting today, Jamie!! Today is the last day of the Arbiter blog tour giveaway! Here's the link for the entry form: https://goo.gl/forms/t92uVgb7qSKAz6Ud2