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Amaranthine Interludes #2
Suuzu and the Nine Nippets of Legend
He’s more accustomed to speaking for others than speaking up for himself.
Stranded at Stately House, Suuzu Farroost is restless and fretful and lonesome for Akira. Waiting is a misery, and all he has to hold onto is the memory of a fleeting kiss, a circlet of nippet eggs, and one very stubborn, very outspoken valet. To keep him from wallowing, Suuzu’s friends find ways to distract him, and as one story leads to another, the phoenix learns about the special place nippets hold in avian lore, especially where courtship is concerned.
*A short story set immediately after the events of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate.
Stranded at Stately House, Suuzu Farroost is restless and fretful and lonesome for Akira. Waiting is a misery, and all he has to hold onto is the memory of a fleeting kiss, a circlet of nippet eggs, and one very stubborn, very outspoken valet. To keep him from wallowing, Suuzu’s friends find ways to distract him, and as one story leads to another, the phoenix learns about the special place nippets hold in avian lore, especially where courtship is concerned.
*A short story set immediately after the events of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2023
17 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Forthright .
39Ìýbooks536Ìýfollowersa teller of tales with a fondness for unlikely friendships, wary alliances, unexpected upshots, hard-won trust, diverse cultures, found family, local legends, and folksome things. Author of the Immortal Holmes series, paranormal mysteries with a steampunk aesthetic set in an alternate history & the romantically-inclined Amaranthine Saga, with all of its attendant short stories & serials.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 5, 2023
Familiar faces
Followers of the Amaranthine and Songs of the Amaranthine series will recognize and celebrate the many inhabitants of Stately House in its new form of enclave. As always, I enjoyed the dive into Amaranthine lore, and seeing the positive effects acceptance and kindness have in bringing disparate people together.
Followers of the Amaranthine and Songs of the Amaranthine series will recognize and celebrate the many inhabitants of Stately House in its new form of enclave. As always, I enjoyed the dive into Amaranthine lore, and seeing the positive effects acceptance and kindness have in bringing disparate people together.
May 5, 2023
Of Lore and Love and Liking
Boniface, or Bon-Bon as Jacques insists on calling him, wasn't very endearing in Tsumiko's book. Neither was Jacques, exactly. They weren't villains, but they were ...rivals. Not quite antagonists, in a book meant to give Tsumiko her place in the world.
We've watched Jacques grow across countless books, his own serial and through the stories of others, but Boniface was...not a part of things. Mentioned, discussed, but not close enough to Jacques to be a part of the world Jacques had built for himself.
While I looked forward to this story because of Suuzu (easily a favoritr from the very first moment), I found myself fascinated by Boniface trying to fit. He knew Argent, and Tsumiko, he knew of Stately House from his youth when Aunt Eimi was alive, but this was not the House of his youth and he was not beholden to approach it the same way.
Meanwhile my heart broke for Suuzu, trying his best to not fret, but without Akira and with no news...I wanted to nestle him. Nonny tried his best, but he was a blunt edge. Boniface was just the distraction he needed.
And now... who's ready for the last Amaranthine Saga book? So much must and will happen. So many will find their lives changed. I can't wait.
Boniface, or Bon-Bon as Jacques insists on calling him, wasn't very endearing in Tsumiko's book. Neither was Jacques, exactly. They weren't villains, but they were ...rivals. Not quite antagonists, in a book meant to give Tsumiko her place in the world.
We've watched Jacques grow across countless books, his own serial and through the stories of others, but Boniface was...not a part of things. Mentioned, discussed, but not close enough to Jacques to be a part of the world Jacques had built for himself.
While I looked forward to this story because of Suuzu (easily a favoritr from the very first moment), I found myself fascinated by Boniface trying to fit. He knew Argent, and Tsumiko, he knew of Stately House from his youth when Aunt Eimi was alive, but this was not the House of his youth and he was not beholden to approach it the same way.
Meanwhile my heart broke for Suuzu, trying his best to not fret, but without Akira and with no news...I wanted to nestle him. Nonny tried his best, but he was a blunt edge. Boniface was just the distraction he needed.
And now... who's ready for the last Amaranthine Saga book? So much must and will happen. So many will find their lives changed. I can't wait.
October 12, 2023
5 stars, great story but unfortunately some of the slang doesn't translate for me :) (can't do pants for children?) This is a refreshing appetizer while we wait for the main event- the next book!
-
Warning: total cliff hanger at the end! Right before Akira and Jacky come home.
Bon-Bon, Boniface, is Jacques older brother, come to Stately House to spy for their mother. Argent is suspicious, rightly so.
We start off with a YES! Sonnet returns! But no Jacky...
"Which was only confusing. Big-boned women weren’t Jackie’s type. “Who are you to him?� he ventured.
“I’m Sonnet.�
---------
Boniface made another strangled sound. The brown wolf angled its head and peered at him out of the corner of its eye, blinking almost � shyly. The thing wagged its tail and offered a low wuff.
“Bloody hell!�
“That’s Gram,� Linnea announced. “Truest form.�
Golden-brown eyes narrowed, and Boniface swiftly faced forward. His voice came out embarrassingly high. “Why is she growling?�
“You used a bad word. That’s not allowed, Uncle Boniface. It’s a rule.�
Knuckles white on the steering wheel, he managed. “Too right. Bad form. Very sorry.�
So Boniface arrives, has a dubious welcome but Suuzu takes to him.
"So when they finished at the tailor’s, Boniface kept close to Suuzu, despite that Nonny fellow’s broad hints that he could shove off at any time.
But the spokesperson made bird noises, and goat boy raised his hands in surrender. And Boniface was relieved."
And they all would do anything for Suuzu right now, given his grief, special condition as well as heartbreak while Akira is away.
This story is a sweet telling of the Nippet eggs and meanings:
“So what’s Suuzu’s pin saying now? Traditionally?�
Randolla said, “Yellow represents sweetness of soul. At least, that’s most common meaning. But it can say, ‘this bond is sweet,� ‘my need is met,� ‘you are my help,� and � ‘irresistible connection.’�
Suuzu wanted nothing more than for all of them to be true.
Nonny was the comedy relief:
Nonny trotted after them, grumbling, “You can’t get out of eating forever, you moody chicken.�
Boniface is surrounded by those who love Jacky, so it is really hard for him. I totally get it.
“Jackie has done his fair share of pining. Maybe he’s finally at that age when he realizes that not everything is about sex.�
Suuzu must have looked doubtful, because Boniface laughed again.
And this Universal truth:
"Because no matter how much you plan, sometimes, you need a miracle.�
Tsumiko was in this story which I enjoyed and seeing a glimpse of her and Argent is wonderful.
Forthright has a poetic way of writing:
The vivid red of Zeriel’s nippet, confessing a patient and persistent love that no longer wished to remain at a distance.
The bright coral nippet, who was grateful for a love that showed itself in small ways.
The soft gold of honey nippets, the ones who told one’s beloved, my need is met in you.
The shy brown of dun nippets, with their challenge to find me.
And yes, there was the blush of a dawn nippet, whose sweetly begged, choose me.
Azure nippets for true love, and dusk nippets who promised a lover’s attentions.
Rich green vert nippets, who asked one’s suitor, help me bloom, and the stalwart gray of a seal nippet, declaring, I can wait no longer.
So looking forward to seeing Akira and Suuzu but most of all I can't wait to see the reunion between Jacky and Sonnet. PLEASE HEA! PLEASE
-
Warning: total cliff hanger at the end! Right before Akira and Jacky come home.
Bon-Bon, Boniface, is Jacques older brother, come to Stately House to spy for their mother. Argent is suspicious, rightly so.
We start off with a YES! Sonnet returns! But no Jacky...
"Which was only confusing. Big-boned women weren’t Jackie’s type. “Who are you to him?� he ventured.
“I’m Sonnet.�
---------
Boniface made another strangled sound. The brown wolf angled its head and peered at him out of the corner of its eye, blinking almost � shyly. The thing wagged its tail and offered a low wuff.
“Bloody hell!�
“That’s Gram,� Linnea announced. “Truest form.�
Golden-brown eyes narrowed, and Boniface swiftly faced forward. His voice came out embarrassingly high. “Why is she growling?�
“You used a bad word. That’s not allowed, Uncle Boniface. It’s a rule.�
Knuckles white on the steering wheel, he managed. “Too right. Bad form. Very sorry.�
So Boniface arrives, has a dubious welcome but Suuzu takes to him.
"So when they finished at the tailor’s, Boniface kept close to Suuzu, despite that Nonny fellow’s broad hints that he could shove off at any time.
But the spokesperson made bird noises, and goat boy raised his hands in surrender. And Boniface was relieved."
And they all would do anything for Suuzu right now, given his grief, special condition as well as heartbreak while Akira is away.
This story is a sweet telling of the Nippet eggs and meanings:
“So what’s Suuzu’s pin saying now? Traditionally?�
Randolla said, “Yellow represents sweetness of soul. At least, that’s most common meaning. But it can say, ‘this bond is sweet,� ‘my need is met,� ‘you are my help,� and � ‘irresistible connection.’�
Suuzu wanted nothing more than for all of them to be true.
Nonny was the comedy relief:
Nonny trotted after them, grumbling, “You can’t get out of eating forever, you moody chicken.�
Boniface is surrounded by those who love Jacky, so it is really hard for him. I totally get it.
“Jackie has done his fair share of pining. Maybe he’s finally at that age when he realizes that not everything is about sex.�
Suuzu must have looked doubtful, because Boniface laughed again.
And this Universal truth:
"Because no matter how much you plan, sometimes, you need a miracle.�
Tsumiko was in this story which I enjoyed and seeing a glimpse of her and Argent is wonderful.
Forthright has a poetic way of writing:
The vivid red of Zeriel’s nippet, confessing a patient and persistent love that no longer wished to remain at a distance.
The bright coral nippet, who was grateful for a love that showed itself in small ways.
The soft gold of honey nippets, the ones who told one’s beloved, my need is met in you.
The shy brown of dun nippets, with their challenge to find me.
And yes, there was the blush of a dawn nippet, whose sweetly begged, choose me.
Azure nippets for true love, and dusk nippets who promised a lover’s attentions.
Rich green vert nippets, who asked one’s suitor, help me bloom, and the stalwart gray of a seal nippet, declaring, I can wait no longer.
So looking forward to seeing Akira and Suuzu but most of all I can't wait to see the reunion between Jacky and Sonnet. PLEASE HEA! PLEASE
May 12, 2023
Waiting is never any fun. Especially if your loved one has gone off on a dangerous mission and you have no idea when (or if) your loved one will be returning.
On the other hand, Suuzu and the Nine Nippets of Legend is a delight to read. Lonesome, anxious Suuzu had been given a special gift by Akira before the latter's departure. A pin depicting nippet eggs.
Nippets are Ephemera, tiny shy creatures that humans normally cannot even see.
Everyone has heard about "the love language of flowers". Turns out that there is a "love language of nippets", as well. Nippets come in many colors and each color has its own special message.
I really enjoyed hearing about the special meanings of the nine nippets. I especially liked the way the various nippet tales were woven into this story.
I also appreciated getting to see how Suuzu coped while Akira was away. You see stories all the time about soldiers departing for the front, but it seems rare to me that you see how their loved ones cope in their absence.
This book, in fact, is tucked in between Book 5 Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate and Book 6 Pimiko and the Uncharted Island in the main Amaranthine Saga series. (In fact, this book is the first Amaranthine Interludes series book.)
Suuzu IS a major character in the Amaranthine Saga series so this may be why we got this book just about what happened with Suuzu while most of the crew went off to save the day.
Highly recommended for urban fantasy fans, Amaranthine Saga fans, and, no, I would not try to read this particular book if you had not read the earlier books in this series (Suuzu and Akira meet in Book 1.)
On the other hand, Suuzu and the Nine Nippets of Legend is a delight to read. Lonesome, anxious Suuzu had been given a special gift by Akira before the latter's departure. A pin depicting nippet eggs.
Nippets are Ephemera, tiny shy creatures that humans normally cannot even see.
Everyone has heard about "the love language of flowers". Turns out that there is a "love language of nippets", as well. Nippets come in many colors and each color has its own special message.
I really enjoyed hearing about the special meanings of the nine nippets. I especially liked the way the various nippet tales were woven into this story.
I also appreciated getting to see how Suuzu coped while Akira was away. You see stories all the time about soldiers departing for the front, but it seems rare to me that you see how their loved ones cope in their absence.
This book, in fact, is tucked in between Book 5 Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate and Book 6 Pimiko and the Uncharted Island in the main Amaranthine Saga series. (In fact, this book is the first Amaranthine Interludes series book.)
Suuzu IS a major character in the Amaranthine Saga series so this may be why we got this book just about what happened with Suuzu while most of the crew went off to save the day.
Highly recommended for urban fantasy fans, Amaranthine Saga fans, and, no, I would not try to read this particular book if you had not read the earlier books in this series (Suuzu and Akira meet in Book 1.)
May 11, 2023
Wonderful as always
The coziest of cozies, even while we're on tender hooks waiting for all the reunions: Jackie to Sonnet, Akira to Suuzu, Tsumiko's long lost father to his bonded tree and his children. Any of the Amaranthine books are pure catnip for me.
The coziest of cozies, even while we're on tender hooks waiting for all the reunions: Jackie to Sonnet, Akira to Suuzu, Tsumiko's long lost father to his bonded tree and his children. Any of the Amaranthine books are pure catnip for me.
May 25, 2023
Wonderful interlude
This tale runs parallel to the ending of Pimiko and the uncharted island. Nice reintroduction to a character from the first book. We learn more about Boniface Smythe and nippets of course. Lots of fun surprises. I loved it.
This tale runs parallel to the ending of Pimiko and the uncharted island. Nice reintroduction to a character from the first book. We learn more about Boniface Smythe and nippets of course. Lots of fun surprises. I loved it.
August 14, 2023
A great addition to the Amaranthine stories.
It was so fun to get to know Boniface, while also getting to learn the history of the different colored Nippets and there significance. A delightful read.
It was so fun to get to know Boniface, while also getting to learn the history of the different colored Nippets and there significance. A delightful read.
May 5, 2023
Perfection.
Simply the best interlude of waiting while finding family. Forthright writes the coziest cozy stories—you just want to start over as soon as she finishes.
Simply the best interlude of waiting while finding family. Forthright writes the coziest cozy stories—you just want to start over as soon as she finishes.
May 17, 2023
a sweet story
The family is always building and it’s cute that boniface managed to become part of one that loves him for him not just his bloodline.
The family is always building and it’s cute that boniface managed to become part of one that loves him for him not just his bloodline.
May 26, 2023
Great book! This book is heartwarming.
I love Forthright's work. This book delivered all the feels. As reader's, we have watched several characters grow up. This one delivered.
I love Forthright's work. This book delivered all the feels. As reader's, we have watched several characters grow up. This one delivered.
May 9, 2023
Suuzu's story of his time while Akiro is off in .
September 29, 2024
Loved reading this book again, Suuzu has been a part of the series since the beginning, and I loved reading his story again!
*First Read June 26th, 2023*
This was so great, I loved being in his head, being here, I've missed this crew, and it was so cute to read!
*First Read June 26th, 2023*
This was so great, I loved being in his head, being here, I've missed this crew, and it was so cute to read!
June 30, 2024
I always enjoy Forthright's nested stories within stories and this one is a treat.
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