Quicksilver by Callie Hart

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes 

The ACW Book Review

 

Series: Quicksilver  

Book: Quicksilver (Book 1)

Author: Callie Hart

Number of pages: 944

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Adventure

Attended Audience Age: Mature young adult 

Type of medium (physical, digital, audio): Physical

Book rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Summary: 

Saeris Fane lives in a world that is extremely hot and dangerous as the royal queens guards roam the streets. Deprived of water, Saersis's village is controlled by an unrelenting queen who seeks power above all else. When an accidental event goes wrong, Saeris fights for her life, accidentally opening a portal of deadly quicksilver and the mysterious Kingfisher. After surviving the attack and learning of her whereabouts in another realm, Searis learns about her fate, the dangerous quicksilver, the people she’s forced to live amongst, and the glowing eyed Kingfisher. 

Qualities:

Prose: Though the book is written in a fair amount of detail, some tense moments are described in an odd manner than I have trouble picturing. Many words were italicized that they lost importance along the way. The language is “colorful” and can sometimes be overbearing. 

Characters Development: 

• The point of view is seen through Searis Fanes perspective through the entire book.

• The character dynamic between Searis and Kingfisher is attractive as they gradually learn about each other and their fates. They banter and are fairly similar but are likable characters with good chemistry.

• I think some characters needed to be flushed out more, especially Evangelin because her relationship with Searis lacked structure. She was needed to help Searis but it should have been implemented more.

• Renfis lacked character and acted more of a supporting character than someone with purpose.

• My favorite character is Lorreth because his character shows promise in the stories development. His background and reasons for his actions are justified. He improves himself and helps support the plot and the characters.

• Also, the fox could have been introduced as a supporting character for Searis but I feel like it lacked depth and didn’t support the story or the characters. 

World Building: The world building is fairly slow in the beginning of the novel but it kicks up. There is much to learn about the world building in Searis’s and Kingfishers realms. How they tie together is another puzzle piece the story crafts well.

Recommendation: 

Though this book is intriguing and the storyline is interesting, I think the plot is slightly splotchy and needs a revision. Being brutally honest, I think the highlight of the book is between Kingfisher and Saeris's banter and growing relationship.

Notable Quotes:

• “I don't want bright and happy,” he whispered roughly. “I want real.” 

• "I'll be grateful for every second that I can say that I belong to you, Saeris Fane. Eighty years or eighteen hours. It doesn't matter to me. It'll still be the highest honor of my life.” 

Inspired Music:

  -Wicked Game by Trevor Something

-Take My Breath Away by EZI