If one episode of The Originals every week is just not enough to quench that Mikaelson thirst, then you should check out the new novel series by Julie Plec! Book One, The Rise is out today!
When we first heard about The Originals becoming a book series, our first concern was for the show. If Julie Plec is using her ideas to write these novels, will that detract from some truly great stories that could have been told on screen? Well, we got a chance to give the first novel in the series a read, and it gave us an intriguing look at the Original siblings’ first occupation of New Orleans.
The Story
“The Rise” begins in 1713, and shows the exact moment that the Mikaelson trio landed on New Orleans’ shore. It then moves forward nine years, to 1922 to show how they have settled into their role in the Quarter and how they have been relating to the witch and werewolf factions that are currently in power.
The story is solid, as it weaves the goals and manipulations of each of the three Mikaelson siblings together, but the focus is pulled from the family dynamic that we have come to crave in order to show us what Klaus and Rebekah will do to secure their own happy ending. Elijah remains the only sibling not distracted by whatever pretty face bats her eyelashes at him, but we were hardly surprised, as Elijah is usually the only Mikaelson to see reason through the fog of passion.
The Characters
Reading Klaus’ view of the events of 1922 puts you into a mindset of Klaus’ that we haven’t really seen before. He is more enamored with this young vixen, Vivian Lescheres, than we have ever seen him before. His infatuation puts him right in the middle of a werewolf/witch treaty negotiation that has been in the works for a long time. While he is always concerned about what is best for him and his family, he is perhaps the most selfish we’ve ever seen him in this novel. That said, he is also incredibly relatable and infinitely more understandable. Being able to read what is going on in his head lends us a magnifying glass to facets of his character we have yet to uncover before.
Elijah’s part of the tale tells of how he secured the Mikaelson homestead on the outskirts of the city. You know the one that blew up before The Originals season 1 was complete? Yeah, that one. We think. Anyway, Elijah’s inner workings are perhaps the most interesting of the three, as he is always working a step ahead of whichever adversary is trying to goad him into trouble. While Elijah’s perspective was hardly unexpected from a character as noble and honorable as he has always been portrayed, it was refreshing to know that he is tempted by the same things as Klaus, he just has a stronger will to keep from imbibing.
Rebekah, in this novel, acts much like you would expect a younger Rebekah Mikaelson to act. We are well aware of her many loves throughout the decades, and the man she meets here, a French army captain named Eric, is an interesting example. She plays her part in helping the story along, but for the most part, it was just nice to see Rebekah as the lover we have always known her to be.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, if you are an Originals fan, these books can provide a little more backstory for characters that we already know and love. It may be harder for non-viewers to fully understand the dynamics and motivations at play throughout the story, but anyone who has seen these characters in action on TV will find something to like in this book.
We are interested to see where the story will go in the next book. Those that get their hands on a copy of The Rise will find the first three chapters of the second novel, The Loss included as a little added bonus!
The Originals The Untold Story: The Rise is available today wherever books are sold.
Win a copy of ‘The Originals – The Untold Story: The Rise’ by Julie Plec from Harlequin!
Enter below by midnight on Thursday, January 29 and we will contact the winners via email Friday morning for shipping information! Good luck to all! (Open to U.S./Canada only)
“Family is power. The Original vampire family swore it to each other a thousand years ago. They pledged to remain together always and forever. But even when you’re immortal, promises are hard to keep. Arriving in New Orleans in 1722, Original vampire siblings Klaus, Elijah and Rebekah Mikaelson believe they’ve escaped their dangerous past. But the city is lawless, a haven for witches and werewolves unwilling to share territory. The siblings are at their mercy, especially after Klaus meets the beautiful and mysterious Vivianne. Her impending marriage is key to ending the war between the supernatural factions—and Klaus’s attraction to her could destroy the uneasy alliance. As Elijah works toward securing a piece of the city for his family, and Rebekah fights her unexpected feelings for a French captain, will Klaus’s volatile desires bring their world crashing down—and tear them apart for good?”