Rita Stradling

Hazel

Sheila Goicea

View this entire review on my blog along with others at: shesgoingbookcrazy.com

As of now a copy of Hazel is only available by subscribing to the author's website. Once subscribed, the ebook is available for download for free.

  
    I had never committed a crime---not in my entire fifteen anni of life---not so much as pinching a candy from a shop. But to survive, they would force me to lie before the magicians themselves, a crime punishable by death.
  

Hazel Hampton is turning 15. The daughter and heiress to her large family estate, she has only known a life of opulence. Suitors have traveled from all directions, eager to meet the newest eligible bachelorette to enter society.

When things start going awry, Hazel is ushered away from the festivities and into a scene of horror. Her once beloved uncle changes the course of her life in a mere moment. Now, hiding from a man she once loved, Hazel discovers there is more to her than meets the eye. These realizations only make things worse, when she finds herself standing in front of the eight magicians, on trial for sorcery and murder. 

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    In the parables and teachings of the Congregation, sorcery had been proclaimed the vilest of evils.
  

This was an interesting, yet only meagerly satisfying novella to Colorless. Focusing around the character Hazel, we quickly realize that Hazel is rather one-dimensional as a character. Easily excitable, easily persuaded, and easily manipulated, Hazel becomes a victim without much inquiry done on her end.

A lot of what happens in this story isn't explained clearly. Prone to redundancy and dwelling on matters of lesser importance, it takes some work to string the events together. Odd terminology at times drew my attention away from the proceedings. However, once I was used to the writing style, it was less of a distraction. 

A major part of this book that requires more explanation is the religious system. The opening pages includes this quote:

  
    Nirsha, Sun, Ester, Weire, it is them that we must fear. 
In the morning it is Ester to rise, the gift of life to cherish and prize.
Your life Sun will fill with toil, your roots he'll plan in life's soil.
Weire, he will take all from you, in his fires he will judge us true.
Forevermore in Nirsha's care you'll remain, because the spirit of all is her domain.
Hymn to the four immortal gods of Domengrad.
  
 
The gods are references several times, yet little information is divulged regarding them, and their connection to Domengrad. Because of this, their inclusion into the story only left more answers. Not to mention the magicians themselves.

I'm looking forward to Colorless, and hope that some of the questions that arose will be answered.

Vulgarity: Minimal
Sexual content: None!
Violence: Minimal. 

2.5 stars.

Hazel

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