Rule (Rule, 1)

*Rating 4.5*Okay, I'm just going to start off by saying that this book was freaking amazing, and epic and I cannot wait for the sequel! Especially after that last chapter, and the last page, like WHAT!!?? I don't know how I'll be able to wait when this book isn't technically out until September, haha! If you're looking for an amazing high fantasy with incredible world building, fantastic characters, and a stellar plot, look know further! If you love mystery and lots of political intrigue, you'll love Rule. Also can we talk about how almost all of these characters are described as people of color and we also have a queer main character!Okay, like I mentioned above, one of my favorite things about this book is the world building! As a writer myself and knowing how hard it is to create such a vastly different world from my own, I feel it's something I appreciate even more. This was such a refreshingly unique world and I loved learning about it. From the religion, to the politics, to how things are run, etc, etc. I do wish we could have seen a little more of it, more so then just hearing about it, but I completely understand that doing so wouldn't really serve the plot in this book. Nevertheless I do hope, maybe we can see more of it in book two.Of course the plot and story itself was amazing and truly kept me on the edge of my seat! I was hooked from chapter one and this constantly kept me wondering what was going to happen next. There were a lot of twist and turns that were revealed that just kept adding to my love for this book. I'm going to be honest, as the book kept creeping closer to the end, I thought it was going to disappoint me. I had thought I already guessed who was behind everything, and nothing too crazy was happening and nothing would shock me how I love to be in books. But, I was totally wrong! Those last few chapters completely turned my opinion around and like I said before I just loved that last chapter especially. I just have so many questions now!I also loved the characters in this book, especially, the three sisters of course! They are all so vastly different from each other which I just loved seeing. I think Ellen Goodlette did a pretty good job on weaving three very different stories together in a way that makes sense and just telling the story of three completely different girls, raised in completely different ways. If I had to pick a favorite character I think I would probably have to choose Akeylah! I think she was the one I related to the most, and the one I would be if I was thrust into this world and situation. I think Zofi is a close second though! I just adore how fierce and strong she is. I also loved Vidal and Rozalind, like a lot! I hope we get to see way more of both of them because both of their stories interest me so much.I think the only reason I'm knocking of half a star is because sometimes the narratives for each sister could sometimes feel a bit repetitive. This wasn't obviously a huge problem and didn't happen at all that often. I just felt like similar things happened to all three of the girls so it could feel that way in some parts of the book. Also I'm an impatient person sometimes and some chapters would be left on a cliff hanger from one girl's POV and then we would jump into another completely different POV and we would have to wait a few chapters to come back to the other POV. Which of course is important to the story but I just want to know what's happening like instantly, haha! Though these couple of things did bother me a little, it really wasn't like a super huge deal and obviously didn't effect my enjoyment of the book that much at all.Basically in short, this book was so, so good and I HIGHLY recommend picking it up when it's released in September! And of course I'm way too excited about the sequel because I must know what's going to happen!

The pacing just keeps you turning pages and before you know it, hours have flown by. It pulls you through the story, making you want to find out more about what's going on with the main characters and how everything's going to play out, throwing you twists and turns along the way. Relentlessly gripping and well written.It's well worth a read, just make sure you've got a free afternoon for it just in case.

What an ending...First I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eArc.Just to be clear, I had read Three Dark Crowns earlier this year and was not a fan of it at all. Pacing was slow. World was hard to comprehend. And I didn't like the sisters.Rule was nowhere near as boring as Three Dark Crowns. The world was amazing. I wish it was explained a bit more. Like they have three moons and I just want more elaboration with that. I also want to know more about the Reaches and how many large continents there are on this planet. Or if Koloyna is the only continent that owns all the Reaches. I really hope the book comes with a map on the inside. I really want to know what this world looks like from an aerial view.The pacing was prefect too. The book is told with alternating POV's from the three sisters. You find out off the bat what secrets they're hiding but that doesn't damage the story. It actually helps to know. And so many things happen between each 'even' that you're always invested in what is going on. Filler chapters seem to be few and far between. Everything that is written on the page seems to lead to a greater purpose. Read carefully guys because even the smallest things can be overlooked.The sisters didn't have much of a relationship with each other when they started off, but they grew a relationship and they didn't hate one another even though they were all playing for the throne. And each sister was so distinct. They each had their own quirks and phrases. You always know whose POV it is because of the phrases that were used. It was refreshing to read sister love and girl love. Their motives weren't driven over pointless envy over another female.There's also f/f in this story which is always refreshing. It's usually m/m or m/f. Lesbians aren't represented equally in YA. It was just nice to have a non-cliche and subtle lesbian relationship.The ending of the book was fantastic and after I'm writing this review I'm going to preorder the book in hopes the author will get a deal to write the second one. In any case, I HAVE to know how this story is going to end. And I want all the sisters to live. 5/5

I highly recommend this book, "The Rule," by Ellen Goodlett.Because of work obligations, I recently read "The Rule" while on vacation. The best news is the sequel is out and I have ordered it.I loved the book and found the characters fascinating, the writing exquisite and the entry into a magical world captivating. It is hard to believe this is the debut novel of this young writer. She is a literary artisan with an eloquent touch. (As an example, the scene where the three girls escort a coffin into a tomb was mesmerizing. Each offered a few words to send off the soul; I found myself reading those words several times because they were so beautifully written.Keep writing, Ellen! Your writing is a treasure.

The mysteries in this book kept me guessing the whole way through. I thought by the end that I had figured it out but no, I had not.Warning: Be prepared for a cliffhanger end. If you're usually a mystery or thriller reader, or if you're a Pretty Little Liars fan, I think you'll like Rule!This is Ellen Goodlett's debut novel, written while she traveled for a year to a different country every month, and it shows her great talent and promise for more great books to come.