Vanguard Legacy: Foretold

Foretold by Joanne Kershaw is the first book in the series, the Vanguard Legacy. My first instinct was to categorize this tale of good versus evil and immediately, Harry Potter and The Vampire Academy came to mind.Yes, there are similarities in structure and plot with the two BUT Foretold holds its own in a world of stories about the war between the dark and light.I was immediately drawn to the character of Elora. Raised by her Vanguard mother who is overbearing in her protectiveness yet distant, even cold, Elora has always tried to live up to the high expectations of Nina and feels she never quite hits the mark. But she's also fortunate to have her best friend Aaron, who is her pillar of support and helps her shoulder the burden of being Nina's daughter.A Vanguard is a protector of the Ignari, fighting to protect the innocent against the evil Dark Seekers. Like her mother before her, Elora will be pinned a Vanguard and live the rest of her life serving selflessly in her duty. But there is a twist, Elora is also a twin and a Reflected, her destiny foretold centuries before as part of a prophecy that proclaims Elora will be the on the side of light who will fight her sister, the bearer of darkness in a battle that will either save or destroy humanity.Foretold charts Elora's attempts to understand who she is and what her end goal is as a Vanguard and ultimately, as a Reflected. She begins to understand not only the true meaning of her destiny but what the outcome of her choices and actions could mean for others. It is a real possibility that not only could her life have a tragic ending but her destiny can mean insurmountable suffering for everyone she loves and those she protects. Heavy stuff for a girl of sixteen.What I like about Elora's personality is her determination. She has her moments of self-doubt and panic but Elora always comes through and it's her ability to do the right thing despite the mounting pressures she faces that makes her not only a great heroine but also a true friend. She garners loyalty and love in equal measure because she never backs down from a challenge, only serving the best interest of others around her.There is a romantic angle that I enjoyed not only because it added dimension and drama but because it was more about the emotion of loving someone and the feelings that come with the bond being formed and broken. Elora and Zak's love story flourishes quickly but faces test after test until it seems no amount of love can save these two from heartbreak.Kershaw is a talented writer who has created a storyline that is both imaginative and sustaining. Her best writing happens when she is world building. Elora's world is filled with a rich history of Vanguard laws and traditions and Kershaw is adept at revealing background and weaving it with Elora's destiny in a way that is interesting as it is telling.I also enjoyed the cast of characters that made up Elora's world including her circle of friends (Aaron, Teya and Mathew) as well as the quirky Sisters and Ava, her Magicae teacher.Let me go back to the world Kershaw has created. This world is filled with Vampires, the Magicae, the Vanguard and Spirit Readers but let me not forget the Dark Seekers, evil entities that are rather remarkable as far as bad guys go. Each being has unique characteristics creating a more vivid, well-rounded storyline.I swept through Foretold within a day, enjoying every peak and valley of Elora's story. Full of action and adventure against a backdrop of mystery and prophecy with a touch of romance that is amplified in Reflected, I thoroughly enjoyed Joanne Kershaw's Foretold.My rating? A 5-star must read for YA enthusiasts but also for readers who enjoy a well-written story full of creativity and imagination!

I was totally drawn in by the cover for this book. I mean, look at it, it's gorgeous! And yes, I do judge a book by it's cover, so writers, don't get skimpy when it comes to the very first impression anyone will ever have of your story.I'm glad that I chose to review this one though, as a very much so enjoyed it.The story is told from first person perspective engaging the reader straight away with the main character, Elora, telling the story as a letter to her child. Early on we know that Elora is special and her life will take many dark turns before the story is over.I'm not really a big fan of first person perspective. In this case, however, with the story being told as something that's already happened, it works.Since I'm not big on rambly reviews, I'll skip to the bullet points.The story is engaging and well paced.The characters are likable and Elora is a character that a reader can care about.The bad guys were a bit campy, but that's also because I really don't care for vampires or exhibitional speaking. I realize that in first person perspective it's necessary for the bad guys to spill the beans about what their big end game is, but it's still not my favorite way to have the antagonist approached.All in all, if you're a fan of fantasy and/or strong female characters, I highly recommend this book.

I finished this YA Paranormal series and can't stop thinking about the story. It's similar to Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and The Mortal Instrument series. It's like them but very original in its own world crisis and endearing characters. With a perfect balance of familiar and unfamiliar you are inducted into a world focused on training their children to fight against evil. Elora is in Vanguard training with fellow classmates Aaron, who is her best friend; Matthew a Magicae who is learning to be a spirit reader; and Teya a vampire who is training as a forensic. All of them are learning how to defeat the Dark Seekers. Elora's mother is one the best Vanguard's and has returned to the training compound. Elora thinks her mom only came to keep an eye on her. The relationship between them has always been bad but the secrets and lies start to come out and Elora doesn't know who she can trust. Thankful for her friends and new boyfriend Zak, who's a senior trainee, they try to figure out what Elora's visions mean. With Elora's special talent her group is placed in an accelerated training class. When all "hell" breaks loose Elora has to face her family secret. Don't miss out on this exciting new book.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved how the supernatural races intertwined and plot was excellent. The main characters kept me intrigued the entire time I will be interested to see how the fathers turn has actually inputted her life further as I think there is still a lot of unanswered questions. Her constant conflict of not living up to her parents expectations and how that has effected her thought patterns is brilliantly done. I love how well she works within the group dymaics of Tia and Matthew and cant wait for more. I read a lot of books but never review however this is the exception because it is a genious story. I love how the Vanguards are trained and with books like hunger Games and Divergent there is most definitely a market for this type of combat skill but to have the ability to create new dimensions of old creature like vampires and mages and make them your own is defiantly special.

This book is totally amazing, the journey that the author Joanne, takes you on with the characters left me wanting to know more. I am looking forward to the sequel to this. I think it may one of the best YA books I have read and maybe better than some other popular books that are out there.

This is quite a weighty tome for a paperback. 324 pages packed full of action, mystery and magic.Born to be a Vanguard and defender of the Ignari from the Dark Seekers, Elora is no normal teenager. Told from the first-person perspective you are soon drawn into Elora's world and begin to unravel the mysteries surrounding her Mother, Nina's, attitude toward her. You'll encounter Magicae and Vampires and discover what it takes to become a Vanguard. There is love and loss along the journey but not in ways you might expect.'Foretold' is the first in the trilogy of Vanguard Legacy novels and I can't wait for the second instalment!

I have never read a book like this before but I found myself completely hooked, I couldn't put it down. It is a story of love, betrayal, and discovery. I cannot wait to find out the rest of Eloras story and the aftermath from the last chapter. I would definitely recommend this to others.

I recently was recommended this book & decided to buy a paperback version for under a tenner.All I can say is awesome, can't wait for the sequel :)