Bunny's Reviews: Speechless in Achten Tan Review Spotlight

Sometimes Magic leaves you…Speechless!

Welcome to the book tour for the beautiful fantasy novel, Speechless in Achten Tan by Debbie Iancu-Haddad. Read on for my reviews, details, and a chance to win a fantastic giveaway!

Speechless in Achten Tan is the first book in Debbie Iancu-Haddad's The Sands of Achten Tan series and if you are an avid reader of fantasy novels you will not want to miss out on this book!

At first glance, the cover is what captures my attention, but the blurb quickly lures me in and I had to know more about this book. The author introduces me right off to young Mila. Her voice was taken from her by magic at a young age, and she has worked to try and conquer her magic to regain it. However, it seems that things just aren't going her way. So many times she has failed to move past being an Onra, and frustration eats at her. It's expected to fail on the first attempt. But to continue to fail time and time again? That's when you get the looks of sympathy. There's more to Mila's story though and it begs the question - is this part of what keeps her from achieving the next level and regaining her voice?

From the first page, I was in love with this book. The characters are engaging and I love the main character isn't a tall human girl. Mila is such an engaging character and when I discovered that she's a gnome who glows I was enraptured. Mila has moments of self-pity, but I appreciate that she doesn't wallow in them like I feared she might. She's a flawed character, but she really drives the story along with the other characters who come to stand by her side.

There is so much to love in this book. I love the dangers that swirl in the desert sands. I love the small pictures at the beginning of each chapter. They are beautifully created and they fit the story so well. There is so much to enjoy and to be engaged by in this story from the very beginning. Mila has had tragedy strike her, there is romance trying to bud (Mila and other characters as well), and there is a task that seems too dangerous but must be accomplished. There is literally a little bit of something for all readers in this book. I couldn't put this book down, and the times when I did have to put the book down it never left my mind. I kept wondering - what happens next? Is Mila going to be okay?

I'm already eager for the next book! To the author...when does that one come out exactly? LOL! I love a good fantasy novel and this book more than checks all the boxes. You get a strong female main character, you get a friend from home who at one time disappeared, and then you get a nice rounding out of new friends made in a variety of ways. But! Beware of who you trust! Not everyone is who they seem, so where will this lead young Mila? Guess you'll have to read to find out!

This book earns its 5 out of 5 stars rating. I ate this book up. I love a good fantasy novel and the author more than delivers with this book. I look forward to book two and the continuation of Mila's story.

A huge thank you to the author and R&R Book Tour for the opportunity to read and review this book! Be sure to enter the giveaway below and visit my fellow bloggers for their thoughts on this book as well! Thank you for stopping by!

Speechless in Achten Tan (The Sands of Achten Tan #1)

Publication Date: February 22, 2022 (Skullgate Media)

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sometimes Magic leaves you…Speechless!

Eighteen-year-old Mila hasn’t spoken in the five years since she became an Onra, a first level Everfall witch. After failing the test to reclaim her voice and control her magic, her mentor sends Mila to Achten Tan – City of Dust – a dangerous desert town, built in the massive ribcage of an extinct leviathan.
To reclaim her power, Mila must steal a magical staff capable of releasing it, from the sky-high lair of the Bone Master, Chief Opu Haku.
Her only resources are the magical luminous elixirs of the cursed caverns where she grew up, and a band of unlikely allies; a quirky inventor, a giant-ant rider, a healer, a librarian’s assistant, a Tar-tule rider and the chief’s playboy son.
But in the City of Bones, enemies & friends are not who they seem and trusting the wrong person can be deadly.
If Mila fails she will never speak again and her bones may be added to the wasteland.

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt

This time, I have to succeed.

A glimmer of light parts the mist rising from the Everfall, the massive waterfall tumbling from the plateau above Achten Tan into the underground caverns where we live. The waterfall is steeped in magic. To pass my test, I must harness its power, and pause the mighty flow for one brief moment.

The cool spray wicks my skin with moisture as the sun's first rays creep across the falls. I raise my hands to focus my magic and breathe deep, concentrating on a stripe of rainbow-colored sunlight refracting through the vapor. The water on my skin evaporates as it warms, humming with power.

I gather the threads of ether to me, weaving them one by one into a spell. I cannot speak it out loud. Since the magic took my voice five years ago, it has reduced me to hand signals, gestures, and the words tattooed on my skin. But if the magic obeys me today, I will ascend to the next level, and be able to speak once more.

STOP. I command the water. The water swirls and writhes like a hissing serpent, escaping my hold. The mighty flow crests momentarily, building into a wave, shooting up above the falls when it should fall downward. Joy and hope flood my chest.

The gathered spectators gasp.

Even at this early hour, I have an audience: other hopefuls, their families, and friends. The other girls are taking their test for the first, or second, or at worst, the third time. This is my fourth try. A fourth failure might drive me to throw myself off the Everfall.

It's a truly spectacular way to die.

I should know, it’s how my brother died.

But I don't want to die. And if I had a choice, I definitely wouldn't jump. As it is, being this close to the edge of the falls makes my knees tremble. I just want to pass my trial and ascend from Onra, first-level cavern witch, to Misra, the second level, trusted to use her voice and powers.

Distracted by the crowd—or the wind, or my frail ability—the water breaks from my grasp, collapsing over the falls with a mighty slap, blowing wind and water back into my face like the insult it is.

I raise my dripping face to view the people gathered beyond the falls. I spot my parents' disappointed faces, my father clutching my mother's shoulder in support. My Nora's weathered visage rarely shows emotion, but I can tell her discontent by the tightening of her jaw, the whitening of her knuckles on her staff. And behind them, sweet Geb, standing a head taller than the rest. He wanted me to succeed so badly. His golden eyes find mine, holding nothing but sympathy. Still, looking at them all, I truly contemplate throwing myself over the edge, rather than having to face them as a failure once more.

I shake my head to dislodge such thoughts. I can't put them through that again.

Instead, I swallow my shame, hold back my tears, and flee.

Available on Amazon!

About the Author

Debbie Iancu-Haddad is a Jewish Israeli author living in Meitar in the Negev Desert.

She spends her time taking part in Anthologies (seven to date with two more on the way), writing VSS on Twitter, and buying way too much stuff online. Her goal is to promote body positive characters and include characters dealing with physical challenges. #ownvoices

For her day job, she gives lectures on humor, laughter yoga workshops and chocolate workshops, and sees how often she can make her two teenagers roll their eyes.

Debbie Iancu-Haddad | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Giveaway: Click the link below for a chance to win a copy of Speechless in Achten Tan and a $25 Amazon e-Gift Card! (US Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway