I had a feeling I would like Prophecy, because I'm learning that fantasy is easily becoming a favorite genre of mine. What I didn't expect was how much I loved every minute of Prophecy and that I simply devoured it. Not only did Ellen create an intricate and interesting fantasy world of ancient Asian culture, she created one hell of a female protagonist that was definitely the highlight of the book. I also loved Ellen's writing style and how she made the story flow smoothly. 
 Kira is an outstanding female protagonist and is already one of my favorites this year. Having to deal with being the Demon Slayer is no easy task, especially when you're the only female warrior in a male-dominant world. That's one thing I always hated about ancient cultures so I love it when I see stories of women who break the "old ways" and prove that women are equal with men. Kira was born with special abilities like being able to recognize demons masked as humans, excellent fighting skills & strength, quick healing, and she happens to have yellow eyes; which makes her stand out no matter what. Because people fear what they don't understand, she's not exactly everyone's favorite person. The narrow-mindedness of the people and how even the king looks at her with disdain, even though he's tasked her with protecting the prince, really made me mad; but I understood that that was how things were back in the day and you could tell things would've been a lot easier for Kira if she was a boy. I love how strong Kira stays in the face of adversity and hate, and she stays true to her promises to protect the prince. I really liked Kira's father, too, who was never ashamed of what Kira was and treated her with respect and love, just like her brothers. I'm all for tough, strong, independent women who beat the odds, and Kira definitely defines that and more in this book. 
 The plot and overall story line was exceptional. I loved how seamlessly Ellen mixed in the threat of different kingdoms going to war with each other and fighting over land with the threat of demons taking over and destroying mankind. There's also an ancient prophecy that tells people that kingdoms will unite to face off against evil and there will be a "Dragon warrior" that will bring an end to evil. All of it was put together very nicely and I really enjoyed how the story unfolded. There is a lot of action in this book, which kept me glued to the pages with ease. The characters face a lot of dangerous situations and discover who their true friends and enemies really are. Everything was told in a straightforward way and I loved Ellen's take on the fantasy world of ancient Asia. There definitely isn't enough of these kinds of books. 
 Prophecy is a standout fantasy novel that I think all readers will enjoy. I was enthralled with her world and the characters and plot were amazing. Ellen did a fantastic job at telling just enough of a great story without adding too much frivolous detail, which is something I look for because that always bugs me. Once I started Prophecy, I couldn't put it down. I definitely can't wait for Warrior!