Tess of the Road
By: Rachel Hartman
Synopsis From Goodreads:
In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons get to be whomever they want. Tess, stubbornly, is a troublemaker. You can't make a scene at your sister's wedding and break a relative's nose with one punch (no matter how pompous he is) and not suffer the consequences. As her family plans to send her to a nunnery, Tess yanks on her boots and sets out on a journey across the Southlands, alone and pretending to be a boy.
Where Tess is headed is a mystery, even to her. So when she runs into an old friend, it's a stroke of luck. This friend is a quigutl--a subspecies of dragon--who gives her both a purpose and protection on the road. But Tess is guarding a troubling secret. Her tumultuous past is a heavy burden to carry, and the memories she's tried to forget threaten to expose her to the world in more ways than one.
Where Tess is headed is a mystery, even to her. So when she runs into an old friend, it's a stroke of luck. This friend is a quigutl--a subspecies of dragon--who gives her both a purpose and protection on the road. But Tess is guarding a troubling secret. Her tumultuous past is a heavy burden to carry, and the memories she's tried to forget threaten to expose her to the world in more ways than one.
My Review:
Rating:
***I received an ARC copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review.***
LOVED THIS BOOK!!
I have to be honest I had some trepidation in reading this book, while the synopsis sounded interesting it was a book that was out of my usual genres. Just recently have I found my love of medieval books; set in a time of kings and queens, knights and dragons. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I fell in love with this book and the characters.
This is my first Rachel Hartman book and after reading Tess of the Road I plan on picking up Seraphina, to see where it all started. She is an out-standing author and truly has a way with words. Through this entire book I felt transported to another time and was walking that road with Tess. The girl that sacrificed everything for her family, simply because she made mistakes in her past as a child.
This was a beautifully written book, capturing the detail of Tess's journey from being this angry, heartbroken young girl who was suffocated by her mothers disapproval to this strong capable young women ready to conquer her next adventure.
I feel Tess is one of those characters that everyone can compare too; there is little bit of her in everyone. A girl that wants to be someone other than the dutiful daughter. Someone that defies the rules, steps out into the world defiant and stubborn. Ready to do things the way she sees fit, even if she hits a few bumps in the road. That is one of the reasons I was so hooked on this book and Tess, I could see a part of her in myself.
I enjoyed her relationships with all the usual characters she met along her journey. Griss the old helpless man that she rescued. Dulsia the prostitute that helped her conquer her fears of the past. And last but not least Pathka, the quigutl that traveled the road with Tess, an old friend that help her forget her troubles. Each chance encounter with a new stranger gave us a glimpse into Tess's past and showed her that she was more than her past life.
Tess was destined for adventure and in the end she got to travel the road with friends and discover who she is truly meant to be.
This book is definitely worth the read and I do hope their is a sequel in the works. I would love to see where Tess ends up and what new adventures await her. Will she ever return home to Jeanne? Will she ever see Josquin again? Does she find the next World Serpent? Will she encounter Will along her journey?
Tess was destined for adventure and in the end she got to travel the road with friends and discover who she is truly meant to be.
This book is definitely worth the read and I do hope their is a sequel in the works. I would love to see where Tess ends up and what new adventures await her. Will she ever return home to Jeanne? Will she ever see Josquin again? Does she find the next World Serpent? Will she encounter Will along her journey?
I highly recommend this book, I feel we can all learn a little something from Tess's character. Sometimes traveling the road is the best way to find one's self.
Published by: K
