Madame Chalamet is fantastic! She is an intelligent, savvy, witty, unapologetic, strong woman, and I want 5 stars for this absolutely delightful read!
Madame Chalamet is fantastic! She is an intelligent, savvy, witty, unapologetic, strong woman, and I want to inhabit her world with her. Not just because being a Ghost Talker is one of the most fascinating professions for any fictional character. Seeing the truly unique world she inhabits, through her eyes, is absolutely engaging!
It seems that Nash has created her own genre with Ghost Talker. Part alternate history, supernatural, gaslight fantasy, and mystery, there are so many unique aspects to Madame Chalamet's story that make it hard to relegate it to just one category. That makes it trailblazing fiction.
I loved that this uniquely crafted blend of era and place feels like circa 1900 France, a time when spiritualism was fashionable. And the fashionable society in Ghost Talker are just as intriguing as the spirits they seek to summon. Their dialogue and mannerisms, like the clothes they wear and the places they inhabit, have a wonderfully historical feel, and are so superbly described. I enjoyed absorbing those descriptive details as much as I did reading the narrative itself.
And then there is the Duke, Tristan Fontaine. Sure, he is dashing in physical description. But it's the dynamic between Tristan and Elinor that really make him a character I'm drawn to. It was fun and thrilling, and now I'm craving the next instalment in what promises to be a wonderful series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
Ophelia Monroe and High Fae Prince Corrin are two of the sweetest main characters you'll ever meet in this fant4 Solid Stars for this very sweet tale!
Ophelia Monroe and High Fae Prince Corrin are two of the sweetest main characters you'll ever meet in this fantasy story that reads very much like an elaborate and elegantly written fairy tale.
The intricate details of Charassi's landscape and the characters who inhabit Prince Corrin's realm, as well as the centuries old relationship between Fae and dragons, combine to create a delightfully unique backdrop for the narrative. This makes the author's approach to the fantasy genre wonderfully refreshing.
Ophelia is a compassionate and tough teen known for standing up to bullies who pick on other students. Throwing a punch at school leads to detention. But putting her weight behind punches at deadly adversaries from another realm can save lives.
I loved reading Ophelia's bond with her dragon, Sunny. Their banter, at times witty, is overall fun to read.
High Fae Prince Corrin is honorable and genuinely charming. And while there is a hint of light romance between Ophelia and Corrin, The Bone Crown focuses on their shared journey through their home realms, where they must outrun enemies, forge allies, race against the clock to solve a great mystery, and defeat a looming threat that could destroy entire species.
The Bone Crown is a captivating odyssey and magical adventure, with a very fast paced, suspenseful, and exciting turn of events in the last few chapters. I love that element of unpredictable surprise.
The Bone Crown ends on a cliffhanger, with strong and endearing bonds formed between many characters. How these characters face the future together as friends/allies is what I look forward to reading in the next chapters of their odyssey.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Full disclosure - The author sent me a copy of Restless Slumber for an honest review. We are in no way acquainted, so th5 Naughty Faerie Stars! Again!
Full disclosure - The author sent me a copy of Restless Slumber for an honest review. We are in no way acquainted, so this is unbiased. Here goes...
I'm a VERY picky reader when it comes to Faerie stories. I was raised on the kinds of fairy tales where both Seelie and Unseelie have alluring smiles with sharp teeth and can never truly be trusted.
K.J. Sutton writes engaging Faerie stories true to the creatures' centuries old reputations. And what's more is that the loving care with which she has crafted Fortuna's universe is evident in this second instalment in the series.
Restless Slumber moves Furtuna's story above ground, from the darkness of the Unseelie Court and into new territory that is a blend of supernatural and urban fantasy. K.J. Sutton unexpectedly drops all kinds of delightful surprises with the introduction of a variety of new and exciting supernatural species!
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Here is what I loved most: K.J. Sutton isn't just crafting good story for Fortuna's character. She's building an entirely new and unique universe surrounding Fortuna, with a mythology all it's own. At times it felt like a condensed intro to that mythology while still keeping the focus on the overall narrative of Restless Slumber.
I have friends who are writers and I've beta read enough stories to appreciate when I can hear the author's voice in their work. It's evident that K.J. Sutton invested a lot of time and put a lot of love into shaping Fortuna's world. And for that I give her a huge applause.
In all honesty, for the first half of the book I wondered how all of the little detours and new characters would neatly fit into a novel with its limited number of pages. But then it all falls into place. Not only was there a PHENOMENAL ending which has me DYING FOR THE NEXT BOOK!!! I'm also seeing how there can so easily be awesome spin-offs for any number of newly introduced characters!
We see more of Finn's werewolf brethren. However, the author in no way romanticizes them. They are not pretty in how they exist, and I wouldn't want to cuddle up to one. Believe it or not, what made them their ugliest is what I found most refreshing and intriguing about them as a species unlike others I've read in other novels. Welll, I'd make that cuddling exception for Finn... (Dear author, please, please, PLEEASSSE tell me you're going to expand on Finn's story!)
And then there was that one vampire. That was unexpected. And zombies!!! THEY were REALLY unexpected. And so well tied to the witch... (Naughty me for being such a Fae tease... ;-D)
Right smack dab in the middle was a HUGE reveal that I did NOT see coming and has the power to alter the course of Damon's character. Will he come back from the darkness that has consumed him since the death of his Faerie lover? Good question. Bravo K.J. Sutton for throwing that curve ball directly in his path. I can't wait to see if it changes Damon's direction.
There is less of Oliver in the novel. But, when he does appear it raises all kinds of tantalizing questions.
I think one of the biggest things I love about this series is Oliver's existence and the burning question "WHO IS HE???". Maybe other readers find that frustrating. Myself, I'm EXCITED! It feels like when all is revealed about him it's going to shift the story drastically. And I LOVE drastic shifts.
K.J. Sutton shows a brilliant and deviant creative talent by creating Oliver. He's the carrot she's dangling in front of me. The glass of water that is just out of reach in my thirst to know MORE about him. Well played, Author. Well played.
And that ENDING!!! K.J. Sutton you really know how to leave us with a shocking cliffhanger. What led up to it - the personal choice Fortuna made - was NOT where I expected her to go. It was brutal and cringeworthy. But I loved the unexpectedness of it at the same time as I was repulsed.
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Nicely done, indeed!!!! I can't wait to read the next instalment in Fortuna's story....more
I'm going to jump right in with the top 4 reasons why I think Fortuna Sworn is A DELIGHT TO READ!!!
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1. Thank you K.J. Sutt5 Naughty Faerie Stars
I'm going to jump right in with the top 4 reasons why I think Fortuna Sworn is A DELIGHT TO READ!!!
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1. Thank you K.J. Sutton for creating a unique setting for the world of Faerie. Beautiful, dark and deadly are the creatures who prey on humans. And they're closer than you think.
In Fortuna Sworn the entrance to the Unseelie Court isn't through a mystical journey beyond an enchanted glittering veil between worlds. Unbeknownst to humans in the Fortuna Sworn universe, the most alluring and most foul of Fae literally dwell deep in tunnels and caverns underground.
They are in the dark places where our deepest fears exist. A few steps into the light and onto your back lawn is as close as they could be.
Now isn't that a lovely thought when you sleep with your window open at night?
Sutton brilliantly writes Fae as characters with a flare I haven't seen elsewhere in Paranormal or Urban Fantasy. For the most part not one is like another. Living so close to our world they have evolved, blending human fashion and culture with their ancient ways to create a fascinating and macabre mix of terrible beauty.
And it ISterrifyingly cruel in the Unseelie Court. It's a VERY brutal and unforgiving underground world, and the author doesn't sugar coat how raw it can be. Fae are descended from fallen angels. But despite their noble origins they are still powerful creatures that enslave humans, and revel in pain and deception.
"I glared at Collith and wondered if God had created his angels beautiful for practical reasons, rather than aesthetic ones. A beautiful thing was much harder to destroy than an ugly thing."
I find the author's depiction of the nature of the Fae wonderfully authentic to the myth of a truly Unseelie Court.
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2. Fortuna herself is a Nightmare. Like the Fae, Nightmares are supernatural creatures. She can manipulate the fears of anyone she touches. (Almost everyone, that is). But she and her brother are the last of their kind.
I LOVE that Fortuna is of a species I've never heard of before. And that, for the most part, the author allows us to assign our own impression of what she physically looks like. I get so tired of stories where the MC's physical beauty is described in detail from the start. Instead we're told that Fortuna has a glamour that makes her appear beautiful to humans, but that's a passing observation. And it has a purpose.
Physical beauty doesn't define Fortuna. It's her fierce spirit and drive to achieve her goal that creates a satisfying 3 dimensional picture of her. The Fae's features are written as physically beautiful. But, like Fortuna, it's their actions and intentions that create the true depictions of their character.
3. The mystery and intrigue HOOKED me! Damn you author! You've done what the Fae do! I need and WANT to stay in those underground labyrinths until ALL IS REVEALED!
I DO NOT want to give away spoilers because there are burning questions surrounding key parts of the story that have me addicted to this series. And if I say anything about the characters or scenes that thrilled me with the mystery of them, then I'm giving away story. And I don't want to do that.
I will simply say...the intrigue is AGONIZINGLY delicious!!!
(K.J. Sutton, are you sure you aren't a changeling who writes from your experience of being at Faerie Court?)
4. Ah... the romance! I've saved the best for last. Because nothing is as it seems in the court of the Unseelie King.
While there is the set up for a love triangle(ish), I would say that Fortuna knows where her heart is right from the start. If there is the lure to have sex with a Faerie, and one in particular who has deceptively ensnared her (that is only a hint of a spoiler), it's made clear by her own admission that Faeries by nature are creatures that lure humans by manipulating desires.
And Fortuna isn't driven or easily swayed by their manipulation of her desires.
K.J. Sutton you've definitely channeled Fae magic and enchanted me with this story.
On to the 2nd book in the series - Restless Slumber.
There is a reason this is on my Refreshing-Read shelf...
A 'Refreshing Read' is one that starts out with the impression that it will follow a formula wThere is a reason this is on my Refreshing-Read shelf...
A 'Refreshing Read' is one that starts out with the impression that it will follow a formula within a specific genre or category of writing. But then, a twist or turn (or two) takes me completely by surprise, OR the author introduces an element that changes the tone of the story.
I find that sudden shift in my perception of any story very refreshing. That's the moment I become hooked on the book. And I'm thinking:
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The Hunt was that kind of read for me. It started off as a 3 star read for an interesting take on a familiar story.
But when the MC found herself outside of her familiar territory, and meeting new characters in a dangerous world, I was instantly intrigued. That's the moment this novel went from a 3 star...to a 5 star read.
I like Frost Kay's stories BECAUSE she has a way of adding elements that are grittier than the initial impression I had while reading the first few chapters.
The Hunt is a great title for a book that became a fun read when the hunt for the MC by the swoon worthy hero made these human ears perk up!
I don't like to give spoilers when giving reviews, but I will say this:
The chemistry between the MC and the character who captures her in his hunt is off the charts delicious! I'm excited to see how this romance plays out in the next book.
So if you feel like it's another book for your DNF shelf, I'd suggest a...
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...and sticking around for what happens after she is hunted and captured.
The first few chapters of The Hunt had a bland flavour to them when I first started reading. I'm not a fan of how Frost Kay starts her novels. It can feel like the horse is loping out of the starting gate, and I want to yawn at how all too familiar the story feels when compared to others in its genre.
But knowing Frost Kay's style of writing after reading more of her works, I push on until I'm truly hooked about 1/4 of the way in.
And then I really enjoy the read.
I'm looking forward to what comes next in the second installment of this intriguing series.
5 tickle your funny bone stars! The New Twenty is a MUST READ!
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Alert! You WILL LOVE this book!
Tony's writing is so unique and refreshing! Unlike s5 tickle your funny bone stars! The New Twenty is a MUST READ!
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Alert! You WILL LOVE this book!
Tony's writing is so unique and refreshing! Unlike so many other genres that are saturated with competing stories, this one tops the list for genre bending fiction and HUMOUR!
(What do I mean by 'genre bending'? I mean any story that is trail blazing, rising star quality).
As avid readers, don't we all wonder "WHERE the hell do I start with my TBR list for 2020????"
Well - start with this one! It's refreshingly different from anything you'll read on your TBR list if your looking for a story about the bonds between friends, romance, humour, and characters that you can relate to.
His characters are wonderful, and they will keep you laughing with every page you turn. So strap yourself to that chair so you don't fall off it laughing!! Because you just might.
I know for sure you'll be like.... [image]
I can't remember the last time I read something THIS funny and engaging.
The New Twenty is a gem.
And it all started on Wattpad! Go Wattpad writers! THE best forum to share stories and support a writer's dream of becoming a published author.
And, with The New Twenty, Tony did just that. It's a dream realized for an aspiring writer.
I've added it to my favorites list. It was originally at the top of my 2018 reads. And, now that I'm rereading it, it's at the top of my 2020 list!
I double chocolate fudge cake dare you to take on this amazing read. You won't regret it...
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