REVIEW Family Ties (Crossroad Chronicles Book 1) by BR Kingsolver

Family Ties (Crossroad Chronicles Book 1) 

by BR Kingsolver
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: February 27, 2022
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited) 

Family Ties, the first book in the Crossroad Chronicles series by BR Kingsolver, is a new entertaining and engaging urban fantasy release. If you like the author’s other series The Rift Chronicles or Rosie O’Grady’s Paranormal Bar and Grill, then I think you’ll enjoy this book. 

The main characters in this book are all very headstrong; I love how BR Kingsolver’s books feature badass fierce heroines. Diana reminded me a lot of the main characters from other series, like Danica James (The Rift Chronicles) and Libby Nelson (Chameleon Assassin). I was quite amused by the dynamic between Diana and her siblings in this book. I would love to see more of a spotlight on Karina (Diana’s sister)  in future installments of the series; I would also love to see some action scenes featuring the triplets' mom (from all accounts in the book, it seems like she’s a superpowered badass elf). 

Worldbuilding has always been one of my favorite parts of any of BR Kingsolver’s books. The author took that to another level with Family Ties, given that the main character and her family are Walkers (magical beings who can literally walk between worlds). It was fun to get to explore different worlds on Diana’s travels - I hope future books explore even more worlds. I was also very intrigued by the magic system and how the inheritance of power works (especially for half breeds). This book is all about political intrigue, and as the name suggests it's even more complicated with the family aspect. 

Overall, another amazing urban fantasy read from BR Kingsolver (though I don’t think there’s been a book she’s written that I haven't enjoyed). I would recommend this book to fans of Patricia Briggs or Lisa Shearin. I look forward to reading future installments in the Crossroad Chronicles series (though it was unclear in the book as to when they may be coming out, given that the author is also working on the Wicklow College of Arcane Arts series).

About the Author

I made silver and turquoise jewelry for almost a decade, ended up in nursing school, then took a master’s in business. Along the way I worked in construction, as a newspaper editor, a teacher, and somehow found a career working with computers.

As to my other interests, I love the outdoors, especially the Rocky Mountains. I’ve skied since high school, with one broken leg and one torn ACL to show for it. I’ve hiked and camped all my life. I love to travel, though I haven’t done enough of it. I’ve seen a lot of Russia and Mexico, not enough of England. Amsterdam is amazing, and the Romanian Alps are breathtaking. Lake Tahoe is a favorite, and someday I’d like to see Banff.

Interested in other books by BR Kingsolver? Check out my reviews here!