[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via Diverse Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.]

I do think it's rare right now to find a young adult fantasy that stands out as unique, with an original story and perspective. Which is why I was excited the entire time I was reading Coal. The world that Constance Burris has created has some originality to it (though we don't get a heavy dose of backstory, there's enough to point a picture, and it drew me in), and the characters here are compelling, especially for a young adult novel. Spoiler: Romance doesn't save the day. Spoiler: Coal isn't just automatically superior to everything and everyone because he's the protagonist. Spoiler: Tough choices must be made, and the consequences for those decisions are real. We can't have everything, and sometimes we just have to understand what we value, do what's right, and make the right decisions.

Recommended for fans of fantasy and young adult, especially those who are looking for something different than what's out there... ( )

Do you ever casually walk along when all of a sudden *BAM* a theme jumps out of the bushes and wallops you on the head? That's pretty much what happens 3/4 through this book.

Somehow, a free version of the ebook found its way onto my tablet. Not to make blanket assumptions, but "free ebook" doesn't usually inspire confidence in the quality of its material. This presumptuous attitude of mine definitely colored my reading of the first part of Coal, until said themes burst from the shrubbery to enact their sneak attack. Thoroughly bamboozled, I wandered through the conclusion and decided it wasn't really for me.

So yes. If the synopsis intrigues you, go for it. Beware of lurking themes. Perhaps don't read at 6 am on the airplane. ( )

Coal is a very good YA fantasy with an excellent plot. The characters are well developed and the reader will have deep feelings for Elizabeth, Chalcedony, and Coal. There are fantasy creatures, lots of magic, sword play, and battles with a modest amount of violence. There are unexpected twists and an ending that leaves you wanting more. Highly recommended book and author. Bring on the next Coal adventure ( )

Coal is an interesting book of two realms that exist next to each other.
One our normal world with all our problems and no magic and two the realm of the Fay.
Princess Chalcedony is a princess preparing to take over her kingdom after the death of her mother.
She is a perfect princess that follow all the rules as set by her status and realm except for the closeness she has to Coal her childhood friend and confidant that was brought for her from the human realm when she and he was still children. Now they are in their teens and the fey are getting worries about their princess and her involvement with a human. Madoc, the royal advisor, know that Chalcedony has to get rid of Coal and chose a fay companion to rule with her.
Madoc insists that the princess take Coal back to the human real where he came from years ago. Chalcedony take Coal over to the human realm but there the problems started.
Chalcedony and Coal meet a little girl that want to come with them to the fay realm
This is where all the adventures, conflict and excitement started. ( )

Why, oh why, did this book have to end and then have a sneak peek of the second one? This is where you have that nice book hangover and don't want to read anything else while shaking your hands up at the heavens since it is so unfair if you actually really, really, like this book. So when can we have the next one please?

Alright drama off the first thing is that I am just happy to see that literature has been diversified due to Constance Burris (there may be others but I haven't seen them). I don't usually pay attention to skin color but in this particular case I am going to touch up on it so skip this if you want to rant at me for being racist.

First of all I am glad to see that literature with black characters is actually diversifying instead of the majority staying as awful romances that makes famous Harlequin and Silhouette blush. Yes there are some chick lit type books and a few autobiography/biographies or mythoi type but fantasy has a noticeable abyss for the most part. And as if that wasn't enough to work with we see a male protagonist in a fantasy story, which is also rare so a double rarity is presented to the reader but it definitely doesn't take away from the whole storyline but is in a sense refreshing.

The plot of the story at the beginning was a bit on the slow side but once the adventure began, especially with good old Haline, it was hard to put it down. At one point I was ripped about leaving the book at home then just threw my hands up while taking it with me so I could read as I waited for my ride.

The characters are well-formed while instead of being either for good or for bad there seems to be a lot more neutrality with no show of which side they may lean forward. At the same time each character has their own fight they are dealing with whether you are given clues to that fight or whether you are sensing it as you read so it will be most definitely to follow this series to the end to see where it may go.

I was leaning on giving this book 4 stars but gave it 5 since there is a lot of emotional depth in the book. And I love when a book stirs you enough that it makes talking to yourself not seem so bad since you are directing that conversation against the mute book although the stranger on the street or your neighbor may look at you that you have lost your marbles (not quite truly a new look).

Again I most definitely can't wait for the rest of the series to be published since so far this is truly a keeper for me.

I do have some theories but I am going to bide my time then see if I am right when the other books come out.

**Received this book as part of the Giveaway at Goodreads.com for free in exchange for a review** ( )