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Starfane
When Lauren Drake takes a job redecorating a house, she never dreamed her life was going to change so drastically. She is given a room with a large mural on the wall depicting a world much different from her own. One day she steps through the mural into Starfane. In this strange and beautiful world she finds herself having to choose between two men – one very good, and one very bad. In the meantime, she is working desperately to help a man in her own world find out why he has lost the ability to feel. Lauren finds love, desire, anguish, and danger in Starfane…but she never could have imagined the real truth behind the mural and the three men in her life.
226 pages, Paperback
First published May 29, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 28, 2010
Meh.
While the premise was interesting, I found myself skimming a lot.. The characters all felt very flat, and the "love" that our heroine kept insisting she felt seemed so shallow and possibly even forced... I never really felt her falling in love; she hung out with this guy for a short time them *bam* she's in love with him. Not falling in love, no, In Love. *shakes head*
I also figured out the twist only a few chapters in, even though it wasn't "revealed" until the very end. I don't know if that's a commentary on the author's skill, or merely the fact I read too bloody much lol I probably read too much :P
It felt very YA even with all the (fade to black) smexin that was so prevalent..
Now, don't get me wrong, it wasn't awful by any means. I think it was just a case of NMS
What worked for me:
Loved the concept behind Starfane (er, the world, not just the novel lol).. I also enjoyed (to a point) the love triangle/quadrilateral that Lauren was rocking there.. The snippets of werewolves, vampires, shape shifters, fairies, unicorns, and dragons was fun as well :)
What didn't work for me:
Shallow characterizations, promiscuity of the heroine, and the ease of which she (and the male characters, actually) Fell In Love all annoyed me, and really detracted from the story IMO.
Also, there was way too much talking and not enough action. There were several instances (and I admit, this is where I ended up skimming), where we read along as something happens to the heroine, then we have to read a full accounting of the action as she tells someone else about what just happened.. A simple "she filled him in on her experience with such and such" followed by a transitional sentence or two to give the reader an anchor point as to exactly where they are in the conversation would've flowed much better as we read it.
Also along those same lines: I may be an immature person, I don't know, but reading a bunch of characters handling strong emotions like love, passion, jealousy, hurt, anger, and rejection, all by very calmly and maturely talking everything out is very very (very) boring. There were very few times in the entire story that a character acted out their anger rather than just kind of... explain it away. I'm not saying everyone needed to be melodramatic or soap-operaish, but still, stiff courtesy in the face of strong emotions doesn't keep my attention as a reader. Add to that the unbelievable swiftness of all the ILY's in the story, and I'm going to have to say 2 1/2 Stars
While the premise was interesting, I found myself skimming a lot.. The characters all felt very flat, and the "love" that our heroine kept insisting she felt seemed so shallow and possibly even forced... I never really felt her falling in love; she hung out with this guy for a short time them *bam* she's in love with him. Not falling in love, no, In Love. *shakes head*
I also figured out the twist only a few chapters in, even though it wasn't "revealed" until the very end. I don't know if that's a commentary on the author's skill, or merely the fact I read too bloody much lol I probably read too much :P
It felt very YA even with all the (fade to black) smexin that was so prevalent..
Now, don't get me wrong, it wasn't awful by any means. I think it was just a case of NMS
What worked for me:
Loved the concept behind Starfane (er, the world, not just the novel lol).. I also enjoyed (to a point) the love triangle/quadrilateral that Lauren was rocking there.. The snippets of werewolves, vampires, shape shifters, fairies, unicorns, and dragons was fun as well :)
What didn't work for me:
Shallow characterizations, promiscuity of the heroine, and the ease of which she (and the male characters, actually) Fell In Love all annoyed me, and really detracted from the story IMO.
Also, there was way too much talking and not enough action. There were several instances (and I admit, this is where I ended up skimming), where we read along as something happens to the heroine, then we have to read a full accounting of the action as she tells someone else about what just happened.. A simple "she filled him in on her experience with such and such" followed by a transitional sentence or two to give the reader an anchor point as to exactly where they are in the conversation would've flowed much better as we read it.
Also along those same lines: I may be an immature person, I don't know, but reading a bunch of characters handling strong emotions like love, passion, jealousy, hurt, anger, and rejection, all by very calmly and maturely talking everything out is very very (very) boring. There were very few times in the entire story that a character acted out their anger rather than just kind of... explain it away. I'm not saying everyone needed to be melodramatic or soap-operaish, but still, stiff courtesy in the face of strong emotions doesn't keep my attention as a reader. Add to that the unbelievable swiftness of all the ILY's in the story, and I'm going to have to say 2 1/2 Stars
August 21, 2011
I loved this book! Lauralynn combines reality and fantasy so wonderfully. Lauren's journey back and forth between the fantasy and reality never left me wishing she would get back to one or the other. I enjoyed the time in both. The characters were written as vividly as any painting could be. The ethereal beauty of Jin and the savage beauty of Marque were like looking from a Monet to a Van Gogh - both incredibly beautiful but almost opposite except for the beauty. The ending was expected but absolutely satisfying. I expect to be reading all of Lauralynn's books because the stories are so lovely! Brava Lauralynn!
March 14, 2013
Romance fans will get their fill of fantasy along with some steamy scenes in this novel. Will you route for Lauren to end up with the irresistible bad boy or the charming one with the wounded heart? This story indulges many a woman's desire to escape into another world where everything is beautiful and magic, and handsome men vie for their attention. Although, there are serious dangers that make things complicated, who wouldn't like to have Lauren's "problems"! I also dig the gorgeous, mystical cover design by Anya Kelleye.
June 16, 2010
Ok, so I thought Ms. Elliott's vampire novella Club Blood was good but I absolutely loved Starfane! Although I really like the vampire genre this fantasy novel about elves, wizards, cats that change into people, oh and an interior decorator who develops a passion for a mural, was wonderful. The author takes us on a interesting adventure with this one. Talk about confusing emotions that the heroine has to untangle but the revelation at the end is well worth waiting for. Three men to choose from so who do you choose? Wow I would take any of them and all of them! haha
I was waiting anxiously for a new story from this new author and I was not disappointed. Great addition to my library.
I was waiting anxiously for a new story from this new author and I was not disappointed. Great addition to my library.
July 9, 2010
I was looking forward to this book, I had known it was coming for a while, and it was worth the wait. A different subject than Lauralynn's last novels but an interesting take on it. You travel through a fantasy world while the main character tries to figure out what is going to become of her and the people around her; and just how long, and who else has been effected by this mystery. A surprise ending to a great read. Again, Lauralynn keeps going into new subjects and using new ways of keeping you glued to the page. What's next?
August 21, 2013
Though the story was really good and really entertaining I felt like the middle really sagged a little. It seemed like she wasn't sure how she wanted to connect the beginning to the end so just threw some stuff in and called it done. I wish she had taken more time with it before publishing and really iron out the wrinkles. There were times when she would spend an entire chapter describing something just to state it in the next. It was a little insulting as a reader, makes you feel like she didn't think you would figure it out on your own so she had to tell you.
May 4, 2015
This is the second time I have read this book and I loved it just as much as the first time. It is so unique and the twist is just perfect. I love, love this story! Can't wait to read more from this author.
May 19, 2012
Different.......and slightly entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews