The Illusions of Eventide (House of Crimson and Clover #1) in Dauntless Indies Read and Review Squad

Sep 29, 2013 Brandy Rivers rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Sarah M Cradit has done it again. I received an ARC for an honest review, but it's one of those I'll be buying on release day even though I've read it.

She has a way of bringing you into her world that keeps expanding and may just be getting a bit darker as new elements present themselves.

This story starts out with Nic down and out, contemplating offing himself. That is until a stunning woman so rudely interrupts by showing up on his island.

After Mercy tells him some crazy ass story about her hus ...more

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Jul 13, 2013 Echo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: unique, things-that-go-bump-in-the-night, favorite-author, fantasy

So, I just finished The Illusions of Eventide and all I can think is - wow. Not only is it a beautiful title, it's beautifully written. Sarah M. Cradit has a way of writing that elevates her above the crowd. It's so well done, so well thought out that I found myself pausing multiple times and just relishing her words. She also has a way of writing fantasy that can come off as contemporary, which is interesting, it starts out normal and slowly slides you into the fantasy.

With the previous books, So, I just finished The Illusions of Eventide and all I can think is - wow. Not only is it a beautiful title, it's beautifully written. Sarah M. Cradit has a way of writing that elevates her above the crowd. It's so well done, so well thought out that I found myself pausing multiple times and just relishing her words. She also has a way of writing fantasy that can come off as contemporary, which is interesting, it starts out normal and slowly slides you into the fantasy.

With the previous books, I thought that I had a slight idea of where she was taking this series and then I get to this book and crap, I didn't have a clue. I love what she is doing with the characters, the mythology and the relationships. She answered some questions, while opening up tons of more. It should be interesting to see where she takes this utterly spellbinding series.

After the previous book, The Storm and the Darkness, Nikolas is dealing with some deep depression and has planned to go away to his families secluded island so that he can end it all. Upon arrival, he finds himself not alone like he planned, instead he meets the incredibly mysterious and intriguing Mercy, who is not at all what she appears. When he offers help and she accepts, it takes them to Deschanel's ancestral home, Ophelie. There we get to see a whole bunch of characters from the previous novels and a new character too. What follows is an interesting story that had me glued to my Kindle wanting to know what was going to happen next.

I am not going to say much about the overall storyline for fear of dropping major spoilers, but it's pretty awesome. The mythology that Sarah M. Cradit is weaving is incredible. I am very curious to see where she will take everyone in the books to come.

Nikolas, Mercy, Ana, and Aidrik narrate the story and each voice is fun to read. I loved how things were resolved and other things were left hanging for the next book.

Overall, another strong addition to a series that is proving to be uniquely interesting. Not to be missed by anyone that loves a good story. I would say though, that if you haven't read the previous books in the series to go back and start at the beginning, everything will make way more sense and its more fun if you know whats happened up to this point.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Originally posted on Me, Myself & Books Blog
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Dec 05, 2013 Carrie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

In a word... beautiful.

This is the third installment to the Crimson and Clover series and, in my opinion, the best yet. The depth of the emotion, the history, the introduction of new characters and the reappearence of old, the witty sarcastic dialogue that is so uniquely Nic; it all adds up to a novel that will have you laughing, crying and begging for more.

Nicolas Deschanel is a handsome, spoiled, self absorbed, sarcastic millionare playboy who, after finding out the two people he loved most i ...more

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Sep 02, 2013 Felicia Tatum rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Every book I read by Sarah is amazing...until I read her next. This one...so much Nicolas...I love that boy. And Finn...and Ana. And now Mercy! I consumed this book as quickly as I could (stupid adult responsibilities and such kept me away) and I cannot wait for the next installment!

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Sep 28, 2013 Shawn Verdin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Where do I even start with this book? I鈥檝e been struggling with this review for days feeling as if there is no way for me to do it justice. The House of Crimson and Clover quickly became one of my favorite series and Cradit one of my favorite authors this year. Being from South Louisiana, I first became interested in the series because of its setting, New Orleans. Cradit鈥檚 love for NOLA, as we affectionately refer to it, is apparent in her writi I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Where do I even start with this book? I鈥檝e been struggling with this review for days feeling as if there is no way for me to do it justice. The House of Crimson and Clover quickly became one of my favorite series and Cradit one of my favorite authors this year. Being from South Louisiana, I first became interested in the series because of its setting, New Orleans. Cradit鈥檚 love for NOLA, as we affectionately refer to it, is apparent in her writing as she can make that city come alive like nobody鈥檚 business. I could go on and on here, but to really understand her gift in this area, you should refer to book 1 in the series, St. Charles at Dusk.

The locale may have been what got me interested in reading the series in the first place, but I was quickly sucked in by so much more. By the time I reached this book, I was so heavily involved I was shamelessly begging Cradit for whatever crumbs in the forms of teasers, snippets, hints she could spare. Shameless I tell ya. Cradit has successfully deepened and further complicated the beloved (and not so beloved) characters of The House of Crimson and Clover series. We are introduced to new characters as well who give new meaning to the word 鈥榠nteresting.鈥� I said it before, and I鈥檒l say it again, this author develops characters better than anyone else I鈥檝e had the pleasure of reading. People are not always what they seem on the surface, and isn鈥檛 that true to life? Cradit鈥檚 characters are multi-dimensional, have real flaws and insist the reader have an open mind to absorb every deep, dark facet.

And the storyline. Oh, the storyline! We get our first real peek at the paranormal element of the series when we read Beyond Dusk: Anne, a novelette that will remain a favorite of mine. But if you love paranormal and fantasy, prepare to be wowed when you read The Illusions of Eventide. Cradit has the ability to weave paranormal abilities, ancient curses and even an entire inhuman race into the lives of seemingly normal (for lack of a better word) NOLA inhabitants. While we were introduced to some of these abilities earlier on, they become much more apparent and much more a part of the story in Eventide. How she writes in such fantastical people and events while still keeping it believable is beyond me. All I know is that she does it and does it well. Do get ready for some jaw-dropping moments though. The kind that make you sit up, take notice and want more, more, more!

I simply cannot recommend this book enough. While it鈥檚 not necessary to read all previous books in the series before reading Eventide, I do recommend reading at least St. Charles at Dusk first. Cradit鈥檚 books are not quick reads; they are designed to take time and to make the reader really think about what he or she is reading. I really suggest reading Beyond Dusk: Anne, too. I wouldn鈥檛 say it鈥檚 necessary to understand Eventide, but it鈥檚 just so darn good! And while you鈥檙e at it, you may as well move on to The Storm and the Darkness. You see where I鈥檓 going here, people? Read the series! It鈥檚 phenomenal. Cradit鈥檚 writing improves with each new book, and I am ever ready to read the next installment!
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Jun 03, 2014 Megan Benjamin-Evans rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Let me preface this by saying I don't usually start reading a book within an on going series, unless it's book one. So when I started with book 2, I wasn't sure where I would even end up. That definitely isn't the case with The Illusions of Eventide: The House of Crimson and Clover Book 2.

This book has such an intriguing story line. You can pick up reading it as a stand alone and feel completely comfortable in what is going on, which I absolutely loved. Sarah M. Cradit has sneaked enough of a ba ...more

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Mar 30, 2014 Danyca rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This story is amazing. If you鈥檙e looking for something new and different in the paranormal romance department, you have to read this book. The author did an incredible job of bringing the characters to life. The detail is incredible I can actually imagine that Empyrean's are real. I can鈥檛 wait to get my hands on the next book. I want to know more about what happens and hope there are a lot more books to come. My thanks to author Sarah M. Cradit for opening up a whole new world for me to escape t ...more

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Apr 17, 2015 Anna rated it liked it

Shelves: for-review-from-authors

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the author.***

I'm a little confused about how I feel for this book. I liked most of it, especially the end when it all started to come together.

I just had a little trouble connecting with the characters. I just didn't connect with Nicolas or Mercy or even Finn or Ana, they were all great individually but I just had trouble with the character connections.

It was weird. I kind of liked the world building but then I struggled with the cha ...more

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Jun 03, 2015 Buffie Peterson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sarah-s-books

Most of the reviews will tell you about the content. And while the content is unbelievably incredible, the experience is just as amazing.

Sarah Cradit has a special ability to draw you into her story. Not just your mind, but your heart falls in love with the character and your soul aches when they feel pain.

The best part is when you feel that one slice of hope through all the darkness. While reading, you find yourself on a whirlwind of emotions. From page one, your heart begins to fall in love. ...more

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May 01, 2015 Doris rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

So you are moping around and enjoying your misery when someone else shows up with a sad story. You are instantly shocked to find yourself caring...and making changes... taking risks for someone else for a change. What a turn around! That is what happened to Nic when Mercy showed up on his island.
Nick has to work to realize that there are bigger things going on than he ever even thought or dreamed of! Besides.... Mercy has been keeping secrets!
I was given this book for free for a review, and I a ...more

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Feb 09, 2015 Amanda Jane Williams rated it it was amazing

First off let me start by saying this is not like my normal read. It took me a bit to get into it but once I did I really didn't wanna put it down. The men characters are men that in one point in our lives we have been attracted to, the bad boy, the sensitive one, etc. The women are all someone we could relate to, as someone that we have been at one point. The woman that faces the world head on or the woman that thinks she isn't worthy of anything. This is not your normal supernatural read as it ...more

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Feb 27, 2015 Anna-marie rated it really liked it

Sarah M Cradit has once again given us a thought provoking story in The Illusions Of Eventide.
Nicolas Deschanel is in a dark place and goes off to his family鈥檚 holiday home with just one intention, to kill himself. Then he finds a beautiful woman sitting on the beach, looking totally lost. He slowly finds himself being drawn into a situation that he could never imagine.
Sarah creates such great characters & her descriptions of places & other people are so strong that you can actually see what she ...more

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Aug 19, 2013 Brian & Tara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Key Plot Elements: flawed humans, and perhaps even more flawed not-so-humans; New Orleans culture and scenery; fantasy in creation of a new race; paranormal powers; humor; brief historical references.

For a reader new to the series, this is a story about forgiveness and redemption, thickly seasoned with fantasy and paranormal. For Crimson & Clover series readers? Cradit has mastered connecting the dots. What were seemingly separate threads have now been smoothly bundled together. Interesting stre ...more

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Feb 27, 2015 Gladys Garcia rated it it was amazing

I received an ARC for an honest review, I have to say that this is the firs book
I read from Sarah, and I have to say that it was great.
She creates such great characters,the way she make descriptions of places, and people are so strong that you can actually see what the author is trying to convey.Thumbs up.I really enjoyed reading this book,

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Feb 16, 2015 Monique rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I was gifted a copy of this book for an honest review. I loved this story. After a few pages I was hooked. This book kept my interest throughout the whole ordeal. I will be liking for mire from this author. Very well done in my opinion.

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Jan 25, 2015 Nimia Bradford rated it really liked it

I'm not going to tell you what this story is about because if I do then what's the point of reading it. But I will tell you that you must read it. It's interesting to see how Nicolas falls apart and pick himself back up, and all the family dinamics that goes around this family. ...more

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