Rachel Enriquez’s A PROMISE OF POWER introduces readers to three characters. Neith is an Etherborn wielder and the daughter of a king who is bent on seeking revenge for being forced to hide for years. Nara is a former member of her country’s consul who now works with her mother, seeking out Etherborn children to recruit to their cause. Calithea is the illegitimate daughter of a king who is being forced to watch the love of her life marry another. These three women find their lives thrown into chaos as they are forced to protect those they love from a coming war that threatens to destroy the world as they know it.

A PROMISE OF POWER is told using three perspectives, and these characters are wonderfully written. Aside from their vastly different cultural backgrounds, they have unique personalities and perspectives evident in their actions and interactions. They each have a main personal struggle that they attempt to overcome over the course of the book, which also adds to their depth; one particular quote is relevant to how all three of them attempt to conquer certain personal inhibitions: “We are not what we are born to.” Despite this, one of the main characters is difficult to like and undergoes minimal growth, continuing to make the same mistakes and impulsive decisions. Her perspective is still valuable to the overall story, though.

The varied points of view provide a unique cultural look at the world and the plot. Two of the three perspectives work well together, complimenting each other from the beginning of the book. However, the third one falls out of place for much of the first half; it has a different tone, lacks the urgency of the other two, and feels as if it doesn’t have the same ability to propel the plot forward as the others. The perspectives felt much more aligned in the second half of the novel, elevating each other through to the ending.

Another major strength of this work is the worldbuilding. From small details like one country’s infamously bad wine to the cultural differences in relation to magic-wielders and the use of force, the author’s attention to detail shines throughout the exposition and dialogue—creating a well-rounded and mesmerizing backdrop for the plot. A quote from historical texts is included at the beginning of each chapter, which adds depth to the worldbuilding while providing relevant context for the plot. Meanwhile, the many skirmishes, battles, and action scenes throughout this novel excel at keeping the story thrilling—at which points many fans of the fantasy genre will find it impossible to put A PROMISE OF POWER down.

In A PROMISE OF POWER, Rachel Enriquez has created a rich world that provides an immersive backdrop for characters caught in a struggle for power and the freedom to be true to themselves.

~ Abigail McCoy for IndieReader