Review: Akarnae (The Medora Chronicles book 1) by Lynette Noni

Rating: 5/5
Age recommendation: 13+

Hey guys,
So, for my first book review, I've decided to tell you about the amazingness that is Akarnae, book one of The Medora Chronicles by Lynette Noni.

First off, for those of you who haven't heard of this amazing series, Akarnae follows 16 year old Alex, as she begins her first day at school. However, instead of handing in her enrollment forms, Alex is shocked when she steps right into a fantasy world: Medora. Stuck in this new world, and desperate to return home, she finds out that the only person who can help her is a Professor, named Marselle, only no one knows where he is. Assured that he'll return soon, Alex begins her school year at Akarnae Academy, Medoras school for people with extraordinary gifts. As Alex meets new friends and starts to enjoy her strange new world, discovering secrets and quirks of the Academy and its library, she can't help but suspect something sinister is happening. Unwilling and unable to turn back, Alex finds herself drawn into a deadly situation, her shoulders carrying the heavy load of the survival of an entire race. Only Alex can save the Medorans, but what if this means she can never go home? Will she accept this challenge, putting her own life and world on the line?

Akarnae is beautifully written, and there's never a shortage of laughs through the whole series. Noni is an amazing writer, and once I picked this book up, I couldn't put it down, finishing it in two days! The characters are all filled with their own amusing traits, and there's never a dull moment with Bear and Jordan (you'll find out who they are). The plot is engaging and exiting, and filled me with anticipation and excitement for the next chapter.

I think that one of the reasons that I love these books so much, is because it is set in a different world with different rules which would normally seem impossible, but the way the story is written makes everything seem believable. I don't know about you guys, but in some fantasy novels, I notice that sometimes the magic really doesn't make sense, like one minute one thing is happening, the next something completely different with no explanation. I never felt like this while I was reading Akarnae, as everything had some kind of explanation and I always understood how or why something 'magical' was happening. There were no moments where I didn't know how or why something was happening (unless it was intentional for the plot). The book made sense the entire time.

While there was lots of magic and characters with powers in the book (which I love), I also liked how there were also futuristic and technological aspects to Medora. Overall, I couldn't find a fault through the whole series (because if you read Akarnae, you need to read the rest of the books), and it made me laugh, filled me with joy and buzzing anticipation. I could always really feel and understand the emotions that Alex was feeling, which is something every good book should do.

I loved the entire series so much that it is definitely my favorite YA series (I say YA because nothing could ever replace Harry Potter for me). I probably lost a couple hours of sleep to this book as well, unable to stop wondering what was going to happen next, as I waited for sleep to come. I read this book pretty quickly, and soon enough I'd finished all the books and was like: oh. It's over. What now? It can't be over. What am I supposed to read now?? Why did you have to end you amazing book??? (When you want to know what happens in the end, you get there, then realize it's over. Sadness...)

Please note that when I say I would recommend these books to people 13+ years, I don't mean it's for younger teens. There's a reason it's classified as young adult, and that's because any teen or adult should love it if they like books set in fantasy worlds, with friendship, adventure, laughter and excitement. I would definitely recommend Akarnae to anyone who likes Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.

I hope you plan on reading this book now, and if you have I hope you loved it as much as I did! Keep safe and well during this trying time known as the Corona Virus and remember to wash your hands! Have you got any thoughts on Akarnae? Post in the comments below!
Happy Reading,
Maddie xoxo