The Pendant & The Prophecy

The Forbidden Tears Series

Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
357 Pages
Reviewed on 11/01/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

The Pendant & The Prophecy is the second book in The Forbidden Tears Series by Sam Withrow and Amelia Pinkis. The trials and tribulations of Brianna Weldon and her guardian angel, Cameron, continue as they face yet more challenges. After barely surviving a deadly attack, Brie and Cameron were shocked to get a surprise visit from Ephriam that further complicated things for them. Being summoned to the Elysium was the least of their worries. The mystery of Brie’s pendant, the powers it gave her, and Cameron’s past endeavors were all causes of worry for Brie, Cameron, and their friends. The Elysium was powerful, and Brie had no reason to believe they would let her keep the pendant. Humans weren’t supposed to know about Elysium or see angels. Was there a way out of trouble for them? Or was this the end of the road?

A perfect epic fantasy, The Pendant & The Prophecy was a delight to read. I took my time reading this novel, and I’m glad I did. The story was gripping, the characters were incredible, and the narrative was simply great. The humor, the action, and the overall feel of the story were fantastic. Authors Sam Withrow and Amelia Pinkis made sure the characters were memorable, and the pace was right. A multiple-POV narrative style brought the story to life, and the vivid imagery ensured that readers were fully invested. I loved Cameron and his hard exterior. He created a strong front, but he wasn’t afraid to share his vulnerabilities with Brie. Brie, on the other hand, was strong and reliable. The two created a great pair, and I enjoyed their interactions a lot. However, it was Ephraim whom I loved the most. He matched the characters' wit with wit and was a fierce ally. I was lost in the story and the growth of the characters. I loved it, to say the least!

Jamie Michele

The Pendant and The Prophecy by Sam Withrow and Amelia Pinkis begins with Brie in a chaotic hospital following the time freeze incident and warned of the looming threat of Mammon. The angel Cameron, Brie's love, expresses concern about a retreat to Elysium and potential obstacles from his family, especially regarding their relationship. During their journey, Brie experiences a flashback and she strains her pendant, causing chaos. They arrive in a marble hall where King Enoch confronts them about the consequences of Brie’s actions. Later, Brie is provided with a book about the Time Seas and her pendant, learning that Elysians have died trying to maintain the barrier between Heaven and Hell, and the significance of Brie’s pendant, its link, and the memories she holds. Brie must undergo a process called the Revelation to reveal her memories to the court. The outcome of the Revelation will determine whether she is a danger to Cameron's world, and the extreme outcome if they believe she is.

The Pendant and The Prophecy by Sam Withrow and Amelia Pinkis is a brilliantly written mix of romance, adventure, and the secrets that bind them all. I found the writing to be crisp, clean, and well done, and the hybrid fantasy-supernatural elements to be creative and organically cohesive. The world-building is exceptional, and I'd do some really questionable things to get into the library structured like a spiraling city of books in Elysium, a realm that also has unicorns. These, along with some delightful pop culture references, like My Little Pony, balance out the heavy crux of the plot. Brie is seen as a tornado of trouble for King Enoch, and between prophecies and the Revelation, impending threats from wraiths, the burden of prophecy, and fainting spells, we worry for our girl. I felt less concerned with Cameron's issues because Brie, as a character, is far more relatable to me. I too lost a mother at a young age and I suppose that's where I fundamentally connect with Brie. Overall, this second book in The Forbidden Tears series adeptly employs action, magic, friendship, loyalty, and sacrificial remains, and I am excited to see where it leads.

Essien Asian

After the mother of all battles with a demon called Mammon, Brianna Weldon and her guardian angel, Cameron, return to Elysium, Cameron’s home and the one place they can get answers to all their questions. The fallen ones who make up The Seven have set an insidious plan into motion with devastating consequences. The endgame is near as Brianna becomes aware of her pivotal role in this titanic battle between good and evil in The Pendant and The Prophecy by Sam Withrow and Amelia Pinkis. Being part of The Forbidden Tears series, the well-worked character development gives a brief origin story for Brianna, which ties into the larger narrative while allowing this installment to flow smoothly as a standalone.

Love trumps all else in The Pendant and The Prophecy. Sam Withrow and Amelia Pinkis collaborate to create the perfect realm where modern-day devices go hand in hand with mystic biblical beings. The dialogue is easy to follow, moving from modern-day banter to something ancient and deliciously dark. This creates an aura of suspense where readers get the feeling that whatever lies ahead of them, despite Brianna and Cameron’s somewhat optimistic outlook, is not easy. The moderate pace allows readers to appreciate the attention to detail that goes into Elysium’s inhabitants and the Seven’s plotting. The icing on the cake is the dynamics between Brianna and Cameron, whose conversations imply they can make something out of a situation. These elements combine to create an adventure that romance and fantasy purists will enjoy. Withrow and Pinkis are on to something special with this series.

K.C. Finn

The Pendant & The Prophecy by Sam Withrow and Amelia Pinkis is an epic fantasy and the second book in The Forbidden Tears series. The story follows Brie, a young girl under the protection of her guardian angel, Cameron, as they narrowly escape an attack by one of the seven deadly fallen angels. Summoned to the mystical realm of Elysium, they must unravel the secrets of Brie's mysterious pendant while facing accusations against Cameron. As dark forces gather, Brie’s friendships and memories are at risk, and a new supernatural threat looms over Virginia, complicating their quest.

Author team Sam Withrow and Amelia Pinkis offer readers an intricately detailed universe where divine and human realms collide, seamlessly blending mythological elements with modern settings in a way that shows the scale of development and preparation for a totally immersive new fantasy series. This same level of intricate detail is put into the lead characters, and the evolving bond between Brie and Cameron is compellingly portrayed, delivering relatable and well-rounded heroes whom readers understand in terms of the motivations and dilemmas they face. The plot is packed with tricky moments for them to navigate, and the authors weave suspense into every unexpected revelation, from the origins of Brie's pendant to the way the tension continually builds in the looming threat of fallen angels and celestial courts. Whilst this atmosphere hangs over the plot and keeps it teeming with action and excitement, the novel’s quieter moments explore complex questions about loyalty, morality, and justice that elevate the fantasy narrative into a thought-provoking reflection on the consequences of power and protection. Overall, The Pendant & The Prophecy is a brilliant start to what promises to be a captivating fantasy series, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Miche Arendse

The Pendant and The Prophecy by Sam Withrow and Amelia Pinkis follows the misadventures of Brianna Weldon and her angelic companion Cameron as they face what seems to be a cataclysmic event. When Brie inherits an ancient pendant, she accidentally unlocks its power. Now she and Cameron must discover the pendant's true purpose while fending off dark forces and also overcoming the hardships of their forbidden love. This masterfully crafted fantasy world feels both vibrant and alive with supernatural elements that draw the reader into a realm where anything is possible. The world-building and use of descriptive language are particularly well done, as this brings each scene to life, allowing the reader to become immersed in the narrative.

In The Pendant and The Prophecy by Sam Withrow and Amelia Pinkis, whether it’s the clashing of swords in a fierce battle or the raw emotion in the characters' heartfelt exchanges, you can almost feel the weight of these moments. I thoroughly enjoyed the character development and progression of Brie and Cameron’s relationship. I found the contrast of their personalities to be a good match as the two complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Overall, I think the authors did a fantastic job with this story and even though this is the second book in the series, I found it easy enough to pick up on where this story began. Prior events were referenced enough that the reader doesn’t find themselves completely lost. The Pendant and The Prophecy is well worth the time spent reading and I plan to read this series from start to finish.