The Unchosen by Laura Huie

Fia has been rebuilding a life for herself after being found wandering around with amnesia. For the past two years, she has not found anyone looking for her, nor has she regained any memories as to who she is or where she came from. All she can remember is her name. That changes when she encounters a man from an alternate realm he calls Thedra. He has been searching for her over there since she first went missing.

From him, she learns that she is a wielder of light magic, and the leader of a city. But she still has no memory of it, nor can she remember how to use her magic or how she came to be living in a city in the non-magical realm of Earth. Between this mystery and those who either want her to return and lead her people again or who want her gone for good, Fia has a lot to uncover and remember if she wants to keep both herself and both realms safe.

This was an interesting fantasy novel that takes place in both our world (where there are no magic wielders) and in a magical one where powers are gifted by the Fates. I read a review copy of this book and found it to be an interesting start to a new series. While the idea of someone who can travel between worlds but who has lost the knowledge of how to do so is fascinating, as this is the first book in the series, we don’t yet get to learn the how and why of Fia’s memory loss and relocation. Yes, there are hints, but we will likely only learn more by reading  the next book in the series.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It was a unique idea with interesting characters. I am interested in seeing where the author takes this story next. Between needing to learn how to use her magical abilities again, figuring out what happened to her to cause her to wind up on Earth rather than in Thedra, and discovering that some want her back while others would prefer her dead, there is a great deal for this Fia and those around her to find out before she can choose a path forward, either in Thedra or on Earth.

I think that anyone who enjoys fantasy novels with a touch of both our non-magical world and a magical world's lifestyles, will enjoy reading this book. I’m looking forward to learning more about Fia and the other characters in this story in book two of this series.

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Red by Izzy Barry

Red has hidden both herself and a secret that could get her killed since she was young. Now, the last family and confidant she had is gone and she can no longer hide from the pack. Per her brother’s last wish, Red is now under the protection of the Alpha and has relocated to his home. She must now juggle keeping her secret safe, learn how pack politics work, grieve for her brother, and—worst of all—fight off the physical attraction she has toward the man in charge.

Hello everyone,

My name is Jem and I was lucky to read this book before the official release. I loved it!

This is not just a romance book. There is romance and of course two stubborn people who don’t know how to express their feelings to themselves or others. There is, of course, sexual tension, confusion, and lots of jealousy on both sides.

There is also a theme of grief and learning to let people in after tragedy. Red proves she is not useless to herself and the pack she comes to love through heroic, and sometimes reckless, acts to protect them all from the same fate as her brother.  

As this author’s first book, this had me hooked as it likely will any paranormal romance fan. Readers will not want to put this book down. I cannot wait to see what other stories she has for his pack and in this universe.

Full stars and worth the sleep loss!!!

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Sunset Sovereign: A Dragon’s Memoirby Laura Huie

For a thousand years, the Dragon Vakandi has watched over and protected the people of Vakefored, watching them grow from a nomadic tribe to a large city. That entire time he has sought to protect them, though he has made some mistakes along the way. When the day arrives that an assassin sneaks her way into his cave seeking to kill him in order to free her people from his tyranny, he knows that his time is at an end. He makes a bargain with the would-be assassin to leave forever if she will listen to his side of the story before he goes elsewhere to die.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it. Though, I will admit that I was doubtful in the beginning, as for a short time it seemed to sound as if this was someone simply writing what had happened in their home RPG campaign. (It was the mention of needing a critical hit that had me concerned, though I was pleased to see that after the opening, it felt less like a blow-by-blow RPG event and much more like a story I wanted to read.)

I enjoyed watching the would-be assassin start off determined to kill the dragon in order to free her people, to growing interested in his story, though still determined to see him either killed or gone from the area, to realizing that the story she had grown up hearing during her lifetime, was only from the perspective of those who felt oppressed by Vakandi’s presence. They often weren’t aware of the ways he had continued to help and to protect them over his long lifetime. And by the end of his story, many of her opinions had changed. I always enjoy reading books where you can see and feel the characters grow during the story. If there is no change or growth in some way, to me that story feels stale or boring. This book was not one of those. And because of that, I did enjoy reading it.

It is interesting seeing how looking at something from another perspective can often change how that event is perceived. And thus, it is never a bad thing to pause to listen to what someone else has to say. It might change how a person feels about something, so long as they are truly willing to listen and absorb what the other is saying.

This was the first book in a trilogy, and I am curious as to what will happen in book two. I can imagine multiple possibilities as to what the focus of book two might be, and I am curious as to what direction the author will decide to take this series next.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Kingdom of Faewood Written by Krista Street Narrated by Kasi Hallowell

Ellowen is a fae with a unique power, she can travel through the veil and ask the shadowy creatures that live there to locate others that cannot seem to be found, or for other knowledge and information that the seeker does not have any other way to discover. These beings can let her know if those sought are alive or dead. And if she is powerful enough, with full control over her abilities she might even be able to control these creatures. It is a dangerous power, one that has caused her to be bound to a guardian until she reaches adulthood. This guardian has control of the collar which controls her ability to use her birthright powers. The promise being that once she has achieved a certain age, the supernatural courts will determine if she remains a danger to others. If not, she will then be freed, returning full control over the use of her abilities to her.

But after being kidnapped by a dangerous criminal known as the Dark Raider, Ellowen learns a number of truths that her guardian had neglected to tell her. The Dark Raider promises that if she will perform a calling for him, that he will find a way to help her gain true freedom from her guardian. It seems a simple enough task, and a reasonable trade, But there is much that neither of them know, and they have a long way to travel.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story and enjoyed it. I often listen to audiobooks when working in my garden or exercising. This one was listed in the description as a spicy romance story, and though there were a few spots that could be considered mildly spicy, compared to other stories I have reviewed, the spiciness was what I would consider rather mild. I did enjoy the story, though. And have even begun listening to book two in this series, (and so far I am  enjoying that one as well). The narration in this audiobook was well done. The different character voices were distinct and it was easy to determine which character was speaking at any given time in the story.

I enjoyed the plot of this tale. Ellowen is not a shrinking violet, even when she has been kidnapped. I enjoyed the range of emotions that she and the others around her experienced. We get to see her grow as she learns more about not only her own life and powers, as well as the truth that has been deliberately kept from her over the years.

I think that anyone who enjoys books about various types of fae, magic, unique abilities, mysterious secrets, and fantasy novels in general would likely enjoy this book, whether you are listening to the audiobook version (as I did) or are reading the novel itself.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.