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Tales of Morcah #1
Almost Night
Fourteen-year-old Lilly Grey exists in two worlds at the same time. She just doesn't know it.
As the only albino in a million mile radius, Lilly is used to being different. Pink eyes and white hair aren't exactly the best camouflage in the harrowing jungles formally known as high school. And yeah, she's used to being an outcast and seeing the world in a slightly different way, but she never guessed how literally "different" applied to her.
Not until a clan of shape-shifting dragons tell her she's not just albino. She's a unicorn and the only mortal alive who can live on both Earth and its antithesis, Morcah. Now all those times she thought she saw a floating brown blotch in the sky or eyes peering out at her from the bark of trees make sense. She's been seeing Morcah, a land that exists in the exact same spot as Earth, just in a different phase.
But it's not all sunshine and rainbows for this unicorn. As the only one who can live in both phases, she's also the only one who can bring Morcah--and all its inhabitants--to Earth. And creatures who've been trapped on Earth since the Dark Ages are willing to do worse things than kill to make that happen.
Again.
As the only albino in a million mile radius, Lilly is used to being different. Pink eyes and white hair aren't exactly the best camouflage in the harrowing jungles formally known as high school. And yeah, she's used to being an outcast and seeing the world in a slightly different way, but she never guessed how literally "different" applied to her.
Not until a clan of shape-shifting dragons tell her she's not just albino. She's a unicorn and the only mortal alive who can live on both Earth and its antithesis, Morcah. Now all those times she thought she saw a floating brown blotch in the sky or eyes peering out at her from the bark of trees make sense. She's been seeing Morcah, a land that exists in the exact same spot as Earth, just in a different phase.
But it's not all sunshine and rainbows for this unicorn. As the only one who can live in both phases, she's also the only one who can bring Morcah--and all its inhabitants--to Earth. And creatures who've been trapped on Earth since the Dark Ages are willing to do worse things than kill to make that happen.
Again.
303 pages, Paperback
First published August 21, 2013
4 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Emily White
6 books399 followersEmily White is a nerd.
She prefers her men fully clothed and donning bowties, her commas British, her books cheesy with big, overly-dramatic explosions, her characters awkward and endearingly real,* and watching her movies in authentic turn-of-the-century theaters. When not exposing her nerdy self to the world, she's creating her own friends and putting them in horrible, yet sometimes humorous situations.
Check out her YA Space Opera series starting with Elemental (Spencer Hill Press, 2012), continuing with Fae (February 2014), and ending in 2015 with DESTRUCTOR. She's also authored a collection of Steampunk (zombie, werebot romance) flash fiction, if you're into those kinds of things, titled "To Love or Die in a Steamy-Reamy World." Her YA Contemporary Fantasy, ALMOST NIGHT, will be out May 2014.
She prefers her men fully clothed and donning bowties, her commas British, her books cheesy with big, overly-dramatic explosions, her characters awkward and endearingly real,* and watching her movies in authentic turn-of-the-century theaters. When not exposing her nerdy self to the world, she's creating her own friends and putting them in horrible, yet sometimes humorous situations.
Check out her YA Space Opera series starting with Elemental (Spencer Hill Press, 2012), continuing with Fae (February 2014), and ending in 2015 with DESTRUCTOR. She's also authored a collection of Steampunk (zombie, werebot romance) flash fiction, if you're into those kinds of things, titled "To Love or Die in a Steamy-Reamy World." Her YA Contemporary Fantasy, ALMOST NIGHT, will be out May 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 8, 2014
Almost Night is the marvelous first book in the Tales of Morcah series. I loved this book to pieces! It’s such an imaginative book about shape-shifting dragons and a girl who doesn’t know she’s a unicorn until these dragons start to hunt her down for it.
At first, we get to meet Lilly Grey as she’s struggling once again at fitting in at her new school. Due to her being albino and having pink eyes, most from her school were set on making fun at her. Seriously, bullying at its finest. It was tough to read about how cruel people were to her just because she was different. Lilly is a great, sweet person and those who truly come to know her certainly appreciate it. Except her best friend.
Gah, Lilly has the worst best friend ever. Maggie was supposed to be there for her when everyone was being plain mean like always, but no, she went for the ride as well. Popularity meant more to her than her friend, so I guess it was a good riddance. Good thing Lilly has more important things to worry about than her.
It was so much fun when the fantasy started to kick in into the story. I loved finding out about that secret world the dragons were trying to get back to after being exiled for so long, and how important Lilly is to the cause. She’s the key to everything.
I can’t finish off without saying how much I adored Ian. My heart might have skipped a beat or two every time he came into the scene. Can’t wait to read more about him! Same thing applies to the other fantastic characters from this book (except Maggie!).
Overall, Almost Night was a great read. The ending could have been better in my opinion, but it isn’t a big deal in comparison to everything else. Very much looking forward to the sequel!
*This book review first appeared at Kate Tilton's blog!*
At first, we get to meet Lilly Grey as she’s struggling once again at fitting in at her new school. Due to her being albino and having pink eyes, most from her school were set on making fun at her. Seriously, bullying at its finest. It was tough to read about how cruel people were to her just because she was different. Lilly is a great, sweet person and those who truly come to know her certainly appreciate it. Except her best friend.
Gah, Lilly has the worst best friend ever. Maggie was supposed to be there for her when everyone was being plain mean like always, but no, she went for the ride as well. Popularity meant more to her than her friend, so I guess it was a good riddance. Good thing Lilly has more important things to worry about than her.
It was so much fun when the fantasy started to kick in into the story. I loved finding out about that secret world the dragons were trying to get back to after being exiled for so long, and how important Lilly is to the cause. She’s the key to everything.
I can’t finish off without saying how much I adored Ian. My heart might have skipped a beat or two every time he came into the scene. Can’t wait to read more about him! Same thing applies to the other fantastic characters from this book (except Maggie!).
Overall, Almost Night was a great read. The ending could have been better in my opinion, but it isn’t a big deal in comparison to everything else. Very much looking forward to the sequel!
*This book review first appeared at Kate Tilton's blog!*
February 16, 2014
It is so good... soooooooooooooo good. Want! the rest!
May 22, 2014
There was a certain expectation that I had when I started this book, and I feared that maybe I had built myself up too much. I love the idea of unicorns and dragons... I mean how awesome is that idea? What ended up blowing me away, was how well Emily White pulled these two beings together. Between the covers, my expectations were not only met but exceeded.
Something special lays within the pages of this book. White created something that I personally have never seen before. She created a story in which the Unicorn is not only dangerous but it is a teenage girl, and unaware of the power she holds. I found that it was hard to not hold me breath at times and hope that what I thought was coming wasn't coming. The world that Lily herself lived in was something that you could expect, but the alternate world that she wove into it was not. The world beyond the one we know was not walked in but through Lily we got to catch glimpses of it. There were times that even with the wonderful crafted world I wished the pace would move a little faster, but honestly this did not happen often. For the most part the pacing was fantastic and the lulls were shadowed, and swallowed by the creative and unique story.
When I first met Lily, I was really having a hard time connecting with her. I could get that she was isolated being an albino but she didn't seem to have any fight, any backbone. To start it seemed that her relationship with her best friend Maggie was the only thing that kept her going. Once that ended and the storm within Lily's life started to gain momentum that she truly shined. It took losing everything for Lily to gain what she always had inside of her, for her to reach the potential that was deep inside of her. Once she found some new friends and the something special that was within her, she changed...everything changed. There is no denying that by the end of the book I found myself thinking that Lily has strength, and it's going to take a lot more than a shitty best friend and some evil looks to stop her.
There is something fun about the romance in this book. Some parts are hot and some parts frustrating but it all rolled into something I liked. I think what I really liked was Ian. He was not quite a knight in shining armer but he was the dragon fighting for the princess. Okay... So he wasn't fighting for her but there was something between the two that is undeniable. I am still to this moment not quite sure where Lily and Ian stand, but in my defence I am not sure they do either. Not because they are a terrible love roller coaster, but because at this point there is no real way to define what is between them. I have hopes of where White will go with the romance but I also feel that with what she has created, almost anything will go.
Though I have wanted to pick up Emily White's other books, I have not yet had the chance and Almost Night makes me regret that. I really look forward to the next book in this series and seeing where everything goes...well that and another stunning cover. There are so many unique elements working together in this novel, and I believe that White did this in a way that no one else could. If you are a fan of fantasy I suggest that you give this one a try, you might just find your next favourite read!
Something special lays within the pages of this book. White created something that I personally have never seen before. She created a story in which the Unicorn is not only dangerous but it is a teenage girl, and unaware of the power she holds. I found that it was hard to not hold me breath at times and hope that what I thought was coming wasn't coming. The world that Lily herself lived in was something that you could expect, but the alternate world that she wove into it was not. The world beyond the one we know was not walked in but through Lily we got to catch glimpses of it. There were times that even with the wonderful crafted world I wished the pace would move a little faster, but honestly this did not happen often. For the most part the pacing was fantastic and the lulls were shadowed, and swallowed by the creative and unique story.
When I first met Lily, I was really having a hard time connecting with her. I could get that she was isolated being an albino but she didn't seem to have any fight, any backbone. To start it seemed that her relationship with her best friend Maggie was the only thing that kept her going. Once that ended and the storm within Lily's life started to gain momentum that she truly shined. It took losing everything for Lily to gain what she always had inside of her, for her to reach the potential that was deep inside of her. Once she found some new friends and the something special that was within her, she changed...everything changed. There is no denying that by the end of the book I found myself thinking that Lily has strength, and it's going to take a lot more than a shitty best friend and some evil looks to stop her.
There is something fun about the romance in this book. Some parts are hot and some parts frustrating but it all rolled into something I liked. I think what I really liked was Ian. He was not quite a knight in shining armer but he was the dragon fighting for the princess. Okay... So he wasn't fighting for her but there was something between the two that is undeniable. I am still to this moment not quite sure where Lily and Ian stand, but in my defence I am not sure they do either. Not because they are a terrible love roller coaster, but because at this point there is no real way to define what is between them. I have hopes of where White will go with the romance but I also feel that with what she has created, almost anything will go.
Though I have wanted to pick up Emily White's other books, I have not yet had the chance and Almost Night makes me regret that. I really look forward to the next book in this series and seeing where everything goes...well that and another stunning cover. There are so many unique elements working together in this novel, and I believe that White did this in a way that no one else could. If you are a fan of fantasy I suggest that you give this one a try, you might just find your next favourite read!
June 2, 2014
I received an e-copy of this from Emily White and Lady Readers BookStuff Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review. This however did not influence my opinion of the book or of the author in any way.
I thought I was reading a contemporary novel wherein bullying was the main subject. The first half of the novel was all about Lilly whining about how she did not belong. I get that she really felt isolated since she literally was different from the others. I can't even imagine being the only albino around your place. But please, that was all there was to it for almost half of the novel. I almost wanted to stop reading but I remembered that there'd be a unicorn in here. I can't also blame Lilly for being that whiny and for always throwing pity parties for herself since her best friend was practically bailing on her just to get her own dreams. Really, I hated how her best friend was all that bitch. She even believed other people's words than her own best friend.
It was cliche how Lilly didn't know her true identity then some creatures interested in her barge in her life and force her to question her Mom. I guess I've read a couple of stories like that already that it became quite the formula for me. It wasn't hard to guess which characters were on her side and not. Since the first half felt like contemporary, I was waiting for some mind-blowing action at the latter part but nada. Though I was glad that the history between the dragons being at the living world was explained briefly.
Oh and there went the romantic partner being all mysterious at first. Honestly, I didn't get their connection at all. It felt nothing for me so I cannot really understand how they were able to go from absolute strangers to absolute lovers. But hey, Ian was quite the catch.
It seemed like I didn't like this but what gave away? What else? Unicorn and dragons and rainbows and innocence. Sorry, but those four present were my redeeming points. Of course, the world-building was visionary. Can two worlds actually exist at the same time at the same place? It was all magic and I must say that it was impressive. The writing made it possible to imagine those two phases. I enjoyed how Lilly gave that kind of vision to the dragons. She was such a tease. I do hope she'll be able to control her powers. She will definitely give some of the creatures heart attack in the future if she keep being like that.
I know there's gonna be a sequel and I am seriously waiting for that. I hope to the gods of the unicorns and dragons that there will be more explanation as to what happened before and what the Book really entails for them.
Almost Night is a fast read about how a unicorn saved the lives of dragons in the living world. But not entirely yet. Watch out for the next book. Though you may want to read this first.
Originally posted at The Bookish Confections
I thought I was reading a contemporary novel wherein bullying was the main subject. The first half of the novel was all about Lilly whining about how she did not belong. I get that she really felt isolated since she literally was different from the others. I can't even imagine being the only albino around your place. But please, that was all there was to it for almost half of the novel. I almost wanted to stop reading but I remembered that there'd be a unicorn in here. I can't also blame Lilly for being that whiny and for always throwing pity parties for herself since her best friend was practically bailing on her just to get her own dreams. Really, I hated how her best friend was all that bitch. She even believed other people's words than her own best friend.
It was cliche how Lilly didn't know her true identity then some creatures interested in her barge in her life and force her to question her Mom. I guess I've read a couple of stories like that already that it became quite the formula for me. It wasn't hard to guess which characters were on her side and not. Since the first half felt like contemporary, I was waiting for some mind-blowing action at the latter part but nada. Though I was glad that the history between the dragons being at the living world was explained briefly.
Oh and there went the romantic partner being all mysterious at first. Honestly, I didn't get their connection at all. It felt nothing for me so I cannot really understand how they were able to go from absolute strangers to absolute lovers. But hey, Ian was quite the catch.
It seemed like I didn't like this but what gave away? What else? Unicorn and dragons and rainbows and innocence. Sorry, but those four present were my redeeming points. Of course, the world-building was visionary. Can two worlds actually exist at the same time at the same place? It was all magic and I must say that it was impressive. The writing made it possible to imagine those two phases. I enjoyed how Lilly gave that kind of vision to the dragons. She was such a tease. I do hope she'll be able to control her powers. She will definitely give some of the creatures heart attack in the future if she keep being like that.
I know there's gonna be a sequel and I am seriously waiting for that. I hope to the gods of the unicorns and dragons that there will be more explanation as to what happened before and what the Book really entails for them.
Almost Night is a fast read about how a unicorn saved the lives of dragons in the living world. But not entirely yet. Watch out for the next book. Though you may want to read this first.
Originally posted at The Bookish Confections
June 8, 2014
Emily has a way of taking the "real world" and the fantasy one and mixing them together in a way that makes it seem almost normal for there to be creatures and things that go bump in the night. This is a great tale with wonderful character's and an awesome story-line. Lilly is getting ready to start her first year of high school and if that isn't hard enough on it's own, she also has to be different. And she is just getting ready to find out just how different she is when things really start to go awry. Meeting some new people she is not sure who to trust and what to believe anymore.I did find it well written and it moved at a great pace. I was confused about the quotes at the start of each chapter and I was hoping to hear more about the Tales of Morcah as it only goes into a little bit about what is in the book. I was left wanting more at the ending and hope to see more of Morcah in the next book. If you like something a little different then this is definitely for you..
May 7, 2014
Emily White does it again! I enjoyed Almost Night in one sitting, and I absolutely love her storytelling and wicked imagination. I love fantasy which includes dragons, the possibility of budding romances between mythical creatures and people, and ample character conflict. Almost Night encompasses these elements and then some. There were a few grammatical and spelling errors and need for more description of Morcah and why the unicorn is the key between Earth and this world, but otherwise, the writing style flowed nicely. There is a distinct plot, but a not-so-interesting climax, and the conclusion which left me a bit unfulfilled. If Emily White chooses to make revisions to the novel, I'd definitely give it four stars. For now, three stars, and a recommended read.
May 8, 2014
Almost Night was a very interesting book I read for a blog tour. I have to say that at first I was thinking lord this sounds like a weird book and I wasn't sure I wanted to read it. I have to say as I started reading it I really got into it and was really surprised to find myself liking it.
Lilly Grey is a young girl who is different. She is fair skinned to pale with white hair and pink eyes. She is called an Albino because of her weird looks and she is a loner. That is until a family of shape shifting dragons. They tell her that she is unique indeed because she is a Unicorn. She can live in both worlds and she will soon find out that the dreams she thought she was having are not dreams.
This is an amazing read!
Lilly Grey is a young girl who is different. She is fair skinned to pale with white hair and pink eyes. She is called an Albino because of her weird looks and she is a loner. That is until a family of shape shifting dragons. They tell her that she is unique indeed because she is a Unicorn. She can live in both worlds and she will soon find out that the dreams she thought she was having are not dreams.
This is an amazing read!
Want to read
August 6, 2016I can't wait to see if I won this giveaway. I love the summary and I need a new series to read so this would be perfect. Even if I don't win I'll still do a review after I find the book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews