This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic 
 When Prophecy first hit my radar, my initial impression was that it was just another Graceling. I think this had a lot to with the back cover copy and how it was marketed. It's pretty flattering to be compared to Graceling - it's an amazing book. But no one wants to read a copy-cat of it. If it was up to me, I would do more to highlight what makes this book unique, because though there are some similar elements, Prophecy definitely stands out all on its own. 
 The first thing that really sets Prophecy apart is its Asian setting. It was a refreshing change from the many high fantasy novels based in Western traditions and ideologies. I'm glad we're beginning to see a more diverse selection of protagonists and settings in young adult literature. It is long overdue. And as an added bonus, because this was one of the first fantasy novels I've read in an Asian setting, it made me really curious about legends and mythos from other cultures. I sense some fun research in my future (that's right I said fun research). 
 If you're a fan of strong female characters I can almost guarantee you're going to love Kira. She was strong and brave, despite the way her own society shunned her. But she wasn't a perfect character, held up on a pedestal. She was lonely, stubborn and often let her emotions cloud her judgement. I found these imperfections made her a believable character, and they made me like her. She is also unabashedly loyal - probably the best quality of them all. Her love for her friends and family is unwavering and you have to respect her for that. 
 Probably my favourite thing about Prophecy though, isn't the setting or Kira, but the relationships. Prophecy has a heavy emphasis on familial relationships. For example Kira's relationship with her brother, cousin, parents etc. Too often I find YA novels put all the focus on the romantic relationships, and either neglect or completely leave out the family aspect. Kira's closeness with her family warmed my heart (and broke it at times) and it made me think of my family and how close I am with them. I think this focus was what really sold Prophecy for me and ensured that it will remain on my shelf for a long time to come. 
 My own complaint is that I would have liked a little more world building. I had a lot of questions about the Seven Kingdoms, their political system and religious traditions, and the answers given in the book fell a little short. But I have my fingers crossed for more detail in book #2. 
 Recommendation: A fast paced, action packed high fantasy adventure, that I highly recommend to fantasy fans or those who like strong female characters that can kick ass.