I couldn't bring myself to give this higher than 3 stars because it's just not as good as some of my favourite fantasies, but it was still really good! The instalove was super cringeworthy and the writing was very simple and I dunno it's just not the best thing I've ever read.

Yay, now i'm only 18 books behind on my goodreads challenge, not 19.... :)This book fell exactly where I expected it to, so 3 stars isn't a horrible rating! The main thing I loved about this is that it's different from any YA fantasy that i've ever read. The plot itself isn't really anything too special, but the scope of it all (following several characters/kingdoms instead of one main one) and the risks that the author is willing to take with characters (MANY deaths) kept me on my toes. The main downfall here was just how stupidly plain the writing was. I don't want to say that the author is talentless, but there were just some sentences I read that I could only go, "REALLY? That's the ONLY description you could come up with?" The descriptions are just so PLAIN I really couldn't put myself in any of the characters' shoes or get engrossed in the world. Literally, describing a character's hair color, the best she could come up with was "brownish." I know this may improve over the course of the next few books, but honestly I'm hesitating to continue them. My favorite character has a weird character arc going for him, and i'm not sure if it's worth it to get invested in these books if the only person I like dies. I own the next three, though, should I go for it? I feel very lukewarm about this and probably wouldn't regret it if I got rid of them, even though this one was entertaining for what it was worth.

4 Princess. Rebel. Sorceress. Hire. 's You must continue to believe with all your heart. Sometimes belief is all it takes to make something real.'Falling Kingdoms' was so good! I was hooked from the first page and I finished it in one sitting. I couldn't put this book down, it drew me right in and it was also a fast passed read. I enjoyed the plot, the writing style was captivating, the world was enchanting and well thought out. As were the characters, the character building was done nicely and they were all very enjoyable. I loved getting to know each and everyone of them and learning about the different kingdoms. I really enjoyed all the back stories too. The best part though was all the different characters and the different lives that they lead. They were all enticing, had depth and lots of room for growth. Truly it's so hard to choose a favorite. But... I do really love Princess Cleo, then again I really love all four of the main characters. I also love how none of the character are all good or all bad. The choices they make determines the paths in-witch they travel and some of those choices are leading them down some pretty dark alleys :( But every story needs a good villain or two in this case. The Kingdoms are fighting for POWER and in its wake, is so much blood, destruction, betrayal, and chaos. Sadly, so many die in this first book and one in particular completely shocked me!!! I was so NOT expecting that character to die so soon. But war is war, and I have a feeling that many, many, more will die before it's all said and done! There are so many twists and turns, and surprises at every corner. I love reading books with multiple POVs and this book has many :D Falling Kingdoms is sure to draw you in and break your heart. It broke mine, and it also had me tearing up in a few places. It gave me all kinds of feels! Everything felt really planned out and it was addicting. I believe, I have found my new addiction and I can't wait to see what adventures await me in Rebel Spring book #2. *I love this cover a lot!* Hate is such a strong emotion. Much more powerful than indifference. But those who burn with hate can also love just as intensely. Can't they? When you hate--or love--do you do so with all your heart? So much that it feels as if you might die from it?Even in the darkest and most cruel person, there is still a kernel of good. And within the most perfect champion, there is darkness. The question is, will one give in to the dark or the light? It's something we decide with every choice we make, every day that we exist. What might not be evil to you could be evil to someone else. Knowing this makes us powerful even without magic.Ill be strong, she whispered. Ill be strong for you. For Emilia. For Theon. For Auranos. I swear Ill make them pay for what theyve done.In any case, her fight was not over yetnot nearly over. It had only begun. And yes, Cleo would be strong. Just as her father and Emilia had asked her to be. She would be strong. She would reclaim her rightful throne. She would be queen.