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Catastrophe Incoming #1
The Chase Begins
"She's escaped. Gods help us all."
The Theocracy of Izirm is losing a war against dragons. While the Bishops scramble for a solution, the holy city of Kequm faces a more immediate the murderous mage, Nightingale, has escaped prison and only one person can stop her.
Lark is a devoted follower of the Scholar god who searches for adventure around every corner. Ever since apprehending Nightingale three years ago, they've done whatever they can to forget the hole she ripped through their heart, and can think of nothing worse than facing her again. But when Nightingale's meddling leaves Kequm vulnerable, Lark has no choice but to act.
A whimsical New Adult fantasy adventure set in a queernormative, mysterious world begging to be explored.
The Theocracy of Izirm is losing a war against dragons. While the Bishops scramble for a solution, the holy city of Kequm faces a more immediate the murderous mage, Nightingale, has escaped prison and only one person can stop her.
Lark is a devoted follower of the Scholar god who searches for adventure around every corner. Ever since apprehending Nightingale three years ago, they've done whatever they can to forget the hole she ripped through their heart, and can think of nothing worse than facing her again. But when Nightingale's meddling leaves Kequm vulnerable, Lark has no choice but to act.
A whimsical New Adult fantasy adventure set in a queernormative, mysterious world begging to be explored.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2023
10 people are currently reading
568 people want to read
About the author
Aimee Donnellan
15 books117 followersAimee Donnellan is an author of fantasy adventures and romances centering queer women. She loves to write about bisexuals even more chaotic and disastrous than herself.
She lives in Wellington, New Zealand with her fiancè — who helps her write and worldbuild — and dreams of dog ownership when not playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons.
She lives in Wellington, New Zealand with her fiancè — who helps her write and worldbuild — and dreams of dog ownership when not playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 9, 2023
Really exciting fast paced read that sets up nicely for the rest of the series! The characters are so well described.I received an advance review copy for free from booksirens.com , and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 1, 2024
Review originally on
JamReads
The Chase Begins is the first novella in the epic fantasy series Catastrophe Incoming, written by the Kiwi author Aimee Donnellan. An intense plot which gives us hints of a bigger world, a love triangle and compelling characters are some of the elements that made me love reading it.
The Theocrazy of Izim is losing the war against the dragons; but in the holy city of Kequm there's a threat demands more of their attention: Nightshade, a murderous mage, has escaped. Only one person can stop her: Lark, a devoted scholar who helped capture her three years ago; a really difficult task, as Lark is still grieving from the hole Nightshade left in their heart. But when Nightshade shows her face and makes Kequm, their closest person, vulnerable, Lark acknowledges they are the only one that can stop Nightshade.
With this premise, Donnellan has created a really intense story, mixing together really well-written action scenes with more intimate moments that allow us to take a look at the heart of our pair: how Lark is still feeling vulnerable to Nightshade, but Kequm helping them to soothe that lost.
There are hints of a big world, with a history that is previous to our arrival as spectators, which I would hope to see more developed at some points. It's important to notice that the world is queer-normative, something that feels really natural, smoothly blended into the rest of the details, with a good amount of diversity that fits perfectly in the world.
The Chase Begins is a great starter novella, an introduction to a bigger world; if you are looking for queer fantasy and prefer your read in bite sizes, Catastrophe Incoming is a good recommendation.
The Chase Begins is the first novella in the epic fantasy series Catastrophe Incoming, written by the Kiwi author Aimee Donnellan. An intense plot which gives us hints of a bigger world, a love triangle and compelling characters are some of the elements that made me love reading it.
The Theocrazy of Izim is losing the war against the dragons; but in the holy city of Kequm there's a threat demands more of their attention: Nightshade, a murderous mage, has escaped. Only one person can stop her: Lark, a devoted scholar who helped capture her three years ago; a really difficult task, as Lark is still grieving from the hole Nightshade left in their heart. But when Nightshade shows her face and makes Kequm, their closest person, vulnerable, Lark acknowledges they are the only one that can stop Nightshade.
With this premise, Donnellan has created a really intense story, mixing together really well-written action scenes with more intimate moments that allow us to take a look at the heart of our pair: how Lark is still feeling vulnerable to Nightshade, but Kequm helping them to soothe that lost.
There are hints of a big world, with a history that is previous to our arrival as spectators, which I would hope to see more developed at some points. It's important to notice that the world is queer-normative, something that feels really natural, smoothly blended into the rest of the details, with a good amount of diversity that fits perfectly in the world.
The Chase Begins is a great starter novella, an introduction to a bigger world; if you are looking for queer fantasy and prefer your read in bite sizes, Catastrophe Incoming is a good recommendation.
August 18, 2023
The Chase Begins is such a fun and refreshing read. This fast-paced novella has a perfect blend of action, mystery, romance, and humour. I love the world Donnellan has created here and I'm champing at the bit to explore more of it.
September 8, 2023
The antogonist Nightingale has escaped her prison, Lark her ex girlfriend is trying to catch her with their friend Wren. More than that I won't reveal and you have to read it yourself.
I almost don't want to write this review because I can't put into words how much I like this book. I don't think I can do it any justice.
I liked so many things about this book. Aimee does a good job making this story fun, fast paced and easy to read. The writing really reminded me of fourth wing because like that book The Chase Begins is very fantasy beginner friendly. If you don't like fantasy or if you're still new to fantasy I will still definitely recommend!
Now let's talk about the characters. All the characters are so funny, diverse and lovable. (Yes even Nightingale, she might be my fave.) Their interactions are so funny and they are all brave people. Lark is a really good main character, they are brave, witty, funny and many more things. Not one person annoyed me which is really uncommon for me.
One small point what didn't work for me was the fact that you are kind of dropped into the story without much history or context. And because the book is pretty short I still miss some world building or backstory. But this is just the first book in the series and I feel like in future books I won't have a hard time with this. And the fact that this book is under 200 pages doesn't make this a big problem because it doesn't drag.
Would I recommend this book? Yes definitely, if you are looking to diversify your reading, or just want a short book to read, definitely give this a try and you won't regret it. I can't wait to read the rest of this series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I almost don't want to write this review because I can't put into words how much I like this book. I don't think I can do it any justice.
I liked so many things about this book. Aimee does a good job making this story fun, fast paced and easy to read. The writing really reminded me of fourth wing because like that book The Chase Begins is very fantasy beginner friendly. If you don't like fantasy or if you're still new to fantasy I will still definitely recommend!
Now let's talk about the characters. All the characters are so funny, diverse and lovable. (Yes even Nightingale, she might be my fave.) Their interactions are so funny and they are all brave people. Lark is a really good main character, they are brave, witty, funny and many more things. Not one person annoyed me which is really uncommon for me.
One small point what didn't work for me was the fact that you are kind of dropped into the story without much history or context. And because the book is pretty short I still miss some world building or backstory. But this is just the first book in the series and I feel like in future books I won't have a hard time with this. And the fact that this book is under 200 pages doesn't make this a big problem because it doesn't drag.
Would I recommend this book? Yes definitely, if you are looking to diversify your reading, or just want a short book to read, definitely give this a try and you won't regret it. I can't wait to read the rest of this series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 21, 2023
The Chase Begins is funny, fast-paced and full of action, and I really enjoyed reading it! I also *loved* how much diversity there is in the characters (Lark is non-binary and uses they/them, for example) but all of it feels natural and not shoehorned in. You know how you can kinda tell when a writer’s editor or whoever has gone “hey, you need someone in a book that’s not a straight white guy”? Aimee’s book has the opposite effect and I loved it haha.
I will say I am not a fan of present tense at ALL, and it is only because of this that I struggled to get into it at first. If you enjoy present tense reading you will probably love this even more than I did! My only other complaint is I wish it was longer!! Lucky I have the next one sitting in my inbox right now 😈
I will say I am not a fan of present tense at ALL, and it is only because of this that I struggled to get into it at first. If you enjoy present tense reading you will probably love this even more than I did! My only other complaint is I wish it was longer!! Lucky I have the next one sitting in my inbox right now 😈
April 24, 2023
I received an e-ARC of this book from the author and it definitely lived up to the hype!
If you like fast-paced dialogue and action-packed scenes with characters that jump off the page (and are almost all queer!), you'll love this novella. Lark is a Scholar with a dragon's eye that allows them to see the emotions of the people around them, and they've got a hidden past that comes to light during an ordinary day. When they're out with their friend and crush, gentle warrior Wren, they hear alarm bells ringing and are summoned to investigate, only to find that their ex, Nightingale, has escaped from the depths of prison and is on a killing spree. What follows is an absolutely riveting chase to hunt down Nightingale, who has absolutely stolen my heart (what can I say? I have a thing for deadly female characters).
I LOVED the queer-normative world that this is set in, the way Lark's demisexuality is framed in terms of their past with Nightingale (done SO WELL!!), and the magic system. There are dragons and old gods and a super cool artifact called a Wayfinder, and so much more. I loved the hints of "maybe something more" between Lark and Wren, as well as the still-smoldering past love between Nightingale and Lark.
The Chase Begins is an exciting start to a new series and I can't wait to see where Aimee takes Lark and crew next.
If you like fast-paced dialogue and action-packed scenes with characters that jump off the page (and are almost all queer!), you'll love this novella. Lark is a Scholar with a dragon's eye that allows them to see the emotions of the people around them, and they've got a hidden past that comes to light during an ordinary day. When they're out with their friend and crush, gentle warrior Wren, they hear alarm bells ringing and are summoned to investigate, only to find that their ex, Nightingale, has escaped from the depths of prison and is on a killing spree. What follows is an absolutely riveting chase to hunt down Nightingale, who has absolutely stolen my heart (what can I say? I have a thing for deadly female characters).
I LOVED the queer-normative world that this is set in, the way Lark's demisexuality is framed in terms of their past with Nightingale (done SO WELL!!), and the magic system. There are dragons and old gods and a super cool artifact called a Wayfinder, and so much more. I loved the hints of "maybe something more" between Lark and Wren, as well as the still-smoldering past love between Nightingale and Lark.
The Chase Begins is an exciting start to a new series and I can't wait to see where Aimee takes Lark and crew next.
May 27, 2023
I received an e-ARC of this novella from the author. If you’re in the mood for an action-packed romp through a queernormative world where magic meets mystery and maybe a dash of murder, this a great place to start.
It’s not a long story, but its pace and witty dialogue keeps you on your toes, and the diverse cast of characters keeps you entertained along the way. The characters themselves are complex and flawed and oh-so-relatable at times, and it’s hard not to get attached to them all in one way or another. Even the villain, who’s a baddie in more ways than one 👀 The world this story is set in is painted for the reader so well, and the magic system so interesting and intriguing. In amongst the action, Aimee still makes time for narrative depth, with some poetic and poignant lines that make you pause for a second just to enjoy them, before getting sucked back into the thrill of the Chase.
Aimee should be so proud of this debut and I’m I’m so excited to see what comes next. Thank you for the advance copy and all the best with publication!
It’s not a long story, but its pace and witty dialogue keeps you on your toes, and the diverse cast of characters keeps you entertained along the way. The characters themselves are complex and flawed and oh-so-relatable at times, and it’s hard not to get attached to them all in one way or another. Even the villain, who’s a baddie in more ways than one 👀 The world this story is set in is painted for the reader so well, and the magic system so interesting and intriguing. In amongst the action, Aimee still makes time for narrative depth, with some poetic and poignant lines that make you pause for a second just to enjoy them, before getting sucked back into the thrill of the Chase.
Aimee should be so proud of this debut and I’m I’m so excited to see what comes next. Thank you for the advance copy and all the best with publication!
April 10, 2023
Fast paced and action packed, this book is perfect for any fantasy lover that’s looking for a quick read (it took me just over an hour with a few pauses included). The Chase Begins is full of flawed characters, magic and secrets (plus a super hot and unhinged villain who I may be a little in love with). Oh, and there’s dragons. I LOVE dragons.
In all seriousness, this book is amazingly well written and manages to explore the depths of its characters and their relationships really well. I’m very much looking forward to what comes next.
Thank you so much, Aimee for the ARC. I am absolutely in awe of what your mind has created.
In all seriousness, this book is amazingly well written and manages to explore the depths of its characters and their relationships really well. I’m very much looking forward to what comes next.
Thank you so much, Aimee for the ARC. I am absolutely in awe of what your mind has created.
October 19, 2023
This was the fifth novella I read for the SFINCS competition (https://sfincscompetition.wordpress.com/).
My initial rating was about 3 stars. I thought it had solid writing and good charaters; it just felt like it ended too soon.
CAWPILE:
Characters: 7 - They were good characters but could have been a little better. The character development felt like it was only really hinted at, just touched on, but not really explored. There was great LGBTQ+ representation thought.
Atmosphere/Setting: 7 - The setting was great. I felt like I could imagine just about every place we travelled to. The atmosphere could have been developed a bit more - with the shifting thoughts and POVs, it was hard to feel the atmosphere clearly at any one point.
Writing Style: 7 - The writing style was easy to read and follow. It had clear language and prose. It felt like a lighter tone with a darker theme.
Plot: 6 - It seemed like, overall, the plotline was to track down (and recapture?) the "villian" of the story. However, due to the main characters history and feelings, it got a bit diluted and muddled.
Intrigue: 5 - The intrigue felt very mild in this novella. Would they follow through? What are these magical powers? There wasn't a lot of strong intrigue, though it was there.
Logic/Relationships: 7 - While what we did get was good, it felt like it was only the tip of the iceberg. We needed more. However their actions did make sense, logically.
Enjoyment: 7.5 - I did enjoy what I read, I just felt the ending was a bit abrupt and it didn't end where I expected it to.
CAWPILE Total - 46.5/7 = 6.6 = 3.5 stars rounded up to 4
My initial rating was about 3 stars. I thought it had solid writing and good charaters; it just felt like it ended too soon.
CAWPILE:
Characters: 7 - They were good characters but could have been a little better. The character development felt like it was only really hinted at, just touched on, but not really explored. There was great LGBTQ+ representation thought.
Atmosphere/Setting: 7 - The setting was great. I felt like I could imagine just about every place we travelled to. The atmosphere could have been developed a bit more - with the shifting thoughts and POVs, it was hard to feel the atmosphere clearly at any one point.
Writing Style: 7 - The writing style was easy to read and follow. It had clear language and prose. It felt like a lighter tone with a darker theme.
Plot: 6 - It seemed like, overall, the plotline was to track down (and recapture?) the "villian" of the story. However, due to the main characters history and feelings, it got a bit diluted and muddled.
Intrigue: 5 - The intrigue felt very mild in this novella. Would they follow through? What are these magical powers? There wasn't a lot of strong intrigue, though it was there.
Logic/Relationships: 7 - While what we did get was good, it felt like it was only the tip of the iceberg. We needed more. However their actions did make sense, logically.
Enjoyment: 7.5 - I did enjoy what I read, I just felt the ending was a bit abrupt and it didn't end where I expected it to.
CAWPILE Total - 46.5/7 = 6.6 = 3.5 stars rounded up to 4
June 9, 2024
so fun!!
July 8, 2023
3.5/5 ⭐️
The one big downfall with this book is that it kinda reads/feels like you’re missing a whole heap of backstory and essential world building/establishment. Sure, you have the amazing map and the Dramatis Personae and other such things at the beginning of the book, but it felt really lacking otherwise. I needed just that ounce of history to establish the story, and not just what was explored throughout the book.
Loved Lark’s character, and they’re the first non-binary character I’ve read, so while it was initially hard to get used to seeing their pronouns being used, it was also a breath of fresh air. Wren I feel has more to give us. And Nightingale. Now there’s a character I’d like to know more about.
Will I continue on? Absolutely. It was fast paced, action packed, intriguing characters, and a very interesting magical system.
The one big downfall with this book is that it kinda reads/feels like you’re missing a whole heap of backstory and essential world building/establishment. Sure, you have the amazing map and the Dramatis Personae and other such things at the beginning of the book, but it felt really lacking otherwise. I needed just that ounce of history to establish the story, and not just what was explored throughout the book.
Loved Lark’s character, and they’re the first non-binary character I’ve read, so while it was initially hard to get used to seeing their pronouns being used, it was also a breath of fresh air. Wren I feel has more to give us. And Nightingale. Now there’s a character I’d like to know more about.
Will I continue on? Absolutely. It was fast paced, action packed, intriguing characters, and a very interesting magical system.
July 2, 2023
This book was truly phenomenal, and such a strong debut and start to the CATASTROPHE INCOMING series!
Aimee has such a way with words, her writing is incredibly beautiful, almost lyrical at points, and her characters and world only reflect that. Lark is an amazing protagonist, I saw them as a real-life person, fully rounded and well-developed with both believable strengths and weaknesses. The dynamics between the characters were also one of my favourite things. The bond we saw between Lark and Wren was so strong and in-depth, each hug and conversation was so real and raw. Similarly, I felt the same with Lark and Nightingale. In each interaction, you could see the past reflected in their words and actions, and the complexity of their relationship. I honestly loved the little game of cat and mouse they had going on, and of course the shameless flirting and pinning.
As for the actual plot, it was fun and fast-paced. For me, it didn't feel like there was a single filler scene or chapter, and it just kept flowing and moving, which made for an entertaining read. The world it was in only made it more fascinating, I loved the different gods and magic that we explored, as well as the dragon we briefly saw. It was so well-detailed and I could really see the setting through my mind's eye. The side characters were also a great addition, each bringing something new with them, adding to such a well-rounded story.
I cannot wait to see what's next in store for this world, and what happens with Lark and Nightingale in the future. I really cannot recommend this novella enough.
Aimee has such a way with words, her writing is incredibly beautiful, almost lyrical at points, and her characters and world only reflect that. Lark is an amazing protagonist, I saw them as a real-life person, fully rounded and well-developed with both believable strengths and weaknesses. The dynamics between the characters were also one of my favourite things. The bond we saw between Lark and Wren was so strong and in-depth, each hug and conversation was so real and raw. Similarly, I felt the same with Lark and Nightingale. In each interaction, you could see the past reflected in their words and actions, and the complexity of their relationship. I honestly loved the little game of cat and mouse they had going on, and of course the shameless flirting and pinning.
As for the actual plot, it was fun and fast-paced. For me, it didn't feel like there was a single filler scene or chapter, and it just kept flowing and moving, which made for an entertaining read. The world it was in only made it more fascinating, I loved the different gods and magic that we explored, as well as the dragon we briefly saw. It was so well-detailed and I could really see the setting through my mind's eye. The side characters were also a great addition, each bringing something new with them, adding to such a well-rounded story.
I cannot wait to see what's next in store for this world, and what happens with Lark and Nightingale in the future. I really cannot recommend this novella enough.
July 6, 2023
Fast paced, action packed, beautiful writing, rounded characters, queer-normative setting—this book has a lot going for it. I was immediately pulled into the story and finished it in just a few hours as it's not a long book, but it is enjoyable and fun. There's magic, brief mentions of dragons, well-written fight scenes, heart-wrenching and emotional scenes between the main character Lark and the antagonist Nightingale, an adorable blooming relationship between Lark and their soft warrior partner Wren, and much more. Definitely a fun adventure that the average reader can knock out in less than a day.
We are introduced to the protagonist, Lark, a nonbinary Seeker of the Scholar, and Wren, a physically strong and emotionally soft female warrior, enjoying a moment of respite together in the holy city of Kequm after their travels. Immediately the action begins when a bright light flies over the city and alarms begin ringing, and the two are called to assist in the search and arrest of Nightingale, an escaped convict who Lark helped capture years ago—and boy, do these two have history. The pace doesn't slow for the rest of the story as Nightingale keeps Lark, Wren, and the city officials on their toes.
The bird names and possible (?) Mean Girls reference ("The flowers are full of secrets") were amusing, as well as the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Lark and Nightingale. I enjoyed their banter, although I felt Nightingale's use of the pet name "darling" to be overdone. In general, though, I loved her chaotic personality and how it clashed with Lark's more controlled demeanor. Their history was slowly and delicately revealed, and I would love to have some sort of prequel story that delves more into their earlier days, before everything changed for the worse.
The side characters were strong on their own, which was refreshing to read. Ser Palla was a badass and I would love to read more about her in the future. Wren, bless her, is so good for Lark, and I am excited to see their relationship develop and grow.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. There is some passive voice, but it's generally kept to a minimum. I am definitely excited to read more of this world, as well as other works by Aimee Donnellan!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We are introduced to the protagonist, Lark, a nonbinary Seeker of the Scholar, and Wren, a physically strong and emotionally soft female warrior, enjoying a moment of respite together in the holy city of Kequm after their travels. Immediately the action begins when a bright light flies over the city and alarms begin ringing, and the two are called to assist in the search and arrest of Nightingale, an escaped convict who Lark helped capture years ago—and boy, do these two have history. The pace doesn't slow for the rest of the story as Nightingale keeps Lark, Wren, and the city officials on their toes.
The bird names and possible (?) Mean Girls reference ("The flowers are full of secrets") were amusing, as well as the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Lark and Nightingale. I enjoyed their banter, although I felt Nightingale's use of the pet name "darling" to be overdone. In general, though, I loved her chaotic personality and how it clashed with Lark's more controlled demeanor. Their history was slowly and delicately revealed, and I would love to have some sort of prequel story that delves more into their earlier days, before everything changed for the worse.
The side characters were strong on their own, which was refreshing to read. Ser Palla was a badass and I would love to read more about her in the future. Wren, bless her, is so good for Lark, and I am excited to see their relationship develop and grow.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. There is some passive voice, but it's generally kept to a minimum. I am definitely excited to read more of this world, as well as other works by Aimee Donnellan!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 23, 2023
Once again I am sucked in by a pretty cover, this time with the promise of excellent LGBT representation. This is an ARC review, all thoughts are honest and my own.
The Chase Begins is the first in a planned series with numerous books rapid releasing in the next couple years. It is a novella, so don’t go into it expecting a long read, I finished it in just over an hour. Aimee Donnellan did an excellent job though telling the story in a manner that made it feel more like a full novel. It opened almost directly in the action, only sparing a little bit of well written dialogue to introduce Lark and Wren, before diving into the thick of it. Fast paced, but excellent worldbuilding and top tier characters, both in how they’re described and portrayed. It feels like the beginning of a fun little series. The set up is excellent and left me needing the next book asap!
The protagonist, Lark is nonbinary, there are dragons, magic and great banter all of which made The Chase Begins one of my favorite Pride Month reads. Lark’s friendship with Wren is absolutely adorable. Their relationship with Nightingale is also great, a source of that banter I was talking about. Honestly, I think Nightingale is my favorite character, I just love how chaotic and clever she is. I also love the way Lark pines after her. If you support morally grey women’s wrongs, she is the villain for you.
I just cannot get over the level of depth and complexity the characters were given in the short space of a novella. I really think Aimee Donnellan has made it to my list of instant read authors. I will definitely be recommending The Chase Begins to everyone who loves LGBT fantasy reads.
The Chase Begins is the first in a planned series with numerous books rapid releasing in the next couple years. It is a novella, so don’t go into it expecting a long read, I finished it in just over an hour. Aimee Donnellan did an excellent job though telling the story in a manner that made it feel more like a full novel. It opened almost directly in the action, only sparing a little bit of well written dialogue to introduce Lark and Wren, before diving into the thick of it. Fast paced, but excellent worldbuilding and top tier characters, both in how they’re described and portrayed. It feels like the beginning of a fun little series. The set up is excellent and left me needing the next book asap!
The protagonist, Lark is nonbinary, there are dragons, magic and great banter all of which made The Chase Begins one of my favorite Pride Month reads. Lark’s friendship with Wren is absolutely adorable. Their relationship with Nightingale is also great, a source of that banter I was talking about. Honestly, I think Nightingale is my favorite character, I just love how chaotic and clever she is. I also love the way Lark pines after her. If you support morally grey women’s wrongs, she is the villain for you.
I just cannot get over the level of depth and complexity the characters were given in the short space of a novella. I really think Aimee Donnellan has made it to my list of instant read authors. I will definitely be recommending The Chase Begins to everyone who loves LGBT fantasy reads.
June 28, 2023
4.25 stars
The Chase Begins is a lovely D&D-esque adventure with LGBTQIA+ romance thrown in.
Lark is a Seeker of the Scholar who has been travelling with their new sword-wielding friend Wren when they are called to help look for an escaped convict - who happens to be their ex.
This story very much reads like a D&D campaign, but from Lark's first person perspective. There are no real time skips or jumps in locations as each scene flows to the next. As a result, most worldbuilding is done either through context clues or by explaining things to out of the loop characters (mostly Wren at the beginning since she is new to the city). This was done pretty well and I didn't feel like I really had to struggle to understand the key points of the world and city.
I think my main struggle for reading this book was that it very much centers around the chase and trying to recapture Lark's ex Nightingale. It was done in a very exciting way, but it felt like the entire book was high stakes and there wasn't quite enough room to breathe and interact with the characters. Specifically, I feel like the scene between Wren and Lark where they were talking before taking a long rest was a really good pause for breath amidst all the action and high stakes - I just wish we got a little more of that to break up the action. From what I saw in the preview of the next book, it looked like it did allow a little more of that breathing time as the adventure continues, and I look forward to seeing how Aimee continues the adventure!
Overall, a very fun quick read with wonderful LGBTQIA+ representation!
I received an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
The Chase Begins is a lovely D&D-esque adventure with LGBTQIA+ romance thrown in.
Lark is a Seeker of the Scholar who has been travelling with their new sword-wielding friend Wren when they are called to help look for an escaped convict - who happens to be their ex.
This story very much reads like a D&D campaign, but from Lark's first person perspective. There are no real time skips or jumps in locations as each scene flows to the next. As a result, most worldbuilding is done either through context clues or by explaining things to out of the loop characters (mostly Wren at the beginning since she is new to the city). This was done pretty well and I didn't feel like I really had to struggle to understand the key points of the world and city.
I think my main struggle for reading this book was that it very much centers around the chase and trying to recapture Lark's ex Nightingale. It was done in a very exciting way, but it felt like the entire book was high stakes and there wasn't quite enough room to breathe and interact with the characters. Specifically, I feel like the scene between Wren and Lark where they were talking before taking a long rest was a really good pause for breath amidst all the action and high stakes - I just wish we got a little more of that to break up the action. From what I saw in the preview of the next book, it looked like it did allow a little more of that breathing time as the adventure continues, and I look forward to seeing how Aimee continues the adventure!
Overall, a very fun quick read with wonderful LGBTQIA+ representation!
I received an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
September 17, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I absolutely LOVED this book. The only thing I regret about reading it is that the next one is not available already 😭
I had a good feeling basically as soon as we started it. Ok to be honest I had a good feeling since reading the dedication, but it got confirmed as soon as I started reading it. Like I had to take a break from reading when I reached the fourth chapter to go excitedly tell a friend about it.
Lark and Wren? Instantly in love with them. I LOVED that we got thrown in with their relationship already stablished, it was SO well done. Again, I was barely three chapters in and I was already completely down to KILL for them. Amazing.
Lark has SO MUCH HEART and I love them for it. An amazing character to follow tbh.
I think it was the first time I've seen a trans character in a fantasy setting be so … genuine? that might be the word? No trans/enbiphobia whatsoever, dealing with the uncomfortable parts of being trans, being able to discuss those with the people around them, etc. I know that's a bit on me, I am not reading as many queer indie fantasy books as I should, but it still made me super happy to see.
The plot was fun, I feel like Lark wouldn't want me calling some of the worst days of their life fun lmao but I'm sorry! That's what it was!! I did want to smack them in the head a couple times because smart people can be so dumb sometimes 😭
But anyway, amazing characters, so heartfelt, very interesting dynamics, left me wanting the next one SO BAD. I'm super thankful to the author and booksirens for letting me read this ARC.
I absolutely LOVED this book. The only thing I regret about reading it is that the next one is not available already 😭
I had a good feeling basically as soon as we started it. Ok to be honest I had a good feeling since reading the dedication, but it got confirmed as soon as I started reading it. Like I had to take a break from reading when I reached the fourth chapter to go excitedly tell a friend about it.
Lark and Wren? Instantly in love with them. I LOVED that we got thrown in with their relationship already stablished, it was SO well done. Again, I was barely three chapters in and I was already completely down to KILL for them. Amazing.
Lark has SO MUCH HEART and I love them for it. An amazing character to follow tbh.
I think it was the first time I've seen a trans character in a fantasy setting be so … genuine? that might be the word? No trans/enbiphobia whatsoever, dealing with the uncomfortable parts of being trans, being able to discuss those with the people around them, etc. I know that's a bit on me, I am not reading as many queer indie fantasy books as I should, but it still made me super happy to see.
The plot was fun, I feel like Lark wouldn't want me calling some of the worst days of their life fun lmao but I'm sorry! That's what it was!! I did want to smack them in the head a couple times because smart people can be so dumb sometimes 😭
But anyway, amazing characters, so heartfelt, very interesting dynamics, left me wanting the next one SO BAD. I'm super thankful to the author and booksirens for letting me read this ARC.
June 29, 2023
I received an e-ARC of this from the author.
I went into this read expecting a little adventure piece and I most certainly got that and then some! Action-packed and filled with characters that it’s impossible to not love, this book had a little bit of everything for any reader.
The plot itself was a lot of fun; constant twists and turns and you never really knew what was coming next. It was interesting and engaging and I am so excited for the rest of the series!
I was in love with every character that came on page and more so, I loved the chemistry between them all. Lark and Wren are both extremely well-written characters that I am deeply in love with, and their friendship is so near and dear to my heart. Nightingale is such a fascinating villain and I am desperate to know more about her. But my favorite had to have been Palla. I love her endlessly.
But what is really special about this book, to me at least, is the LGBTQIA+ rep. Donnellan has set the book in a queer-normative world and has done such a fantastic job with crafting queer characters. Lark being non-binary is written so exceptionally well that I was able to see a little of myself in them and that is such a special experience as a reader.
Overall, this was a fantastic story and I am beyond psyched for the rest of the series!!
I went into this read expecting a little adventure piece and I most certainly got that and then some! Action-packed and filled with characters that it’s impossible to not love, this book had a little bit of everything for any reader.
The plot itself was a lot of fun; constant twists and turns and you never really knew what was coming next. It was interesting and engaging and I am so excited for the rest of the series!
I was in love with every character that came on page and more so, I loved the chemistry between them all. Lark and Wren are both extremely well-written characters that I am deeply in love with, and their friendship is so near and dear to my heart. Nightingale is such a fascinating villain and I am desperate to know more about her. But my favorite had to have been Palla. I love her endlessly.
But what is really special about this book, to me at least, is the LGBTQIA+ rep. Donnellan has set the book in a queer-normative world and has done such a fantastic job with crafting queer characters. Lark being non-binary is written so exceptionally well that I was able to see a little of myself in them and that is such a special experience as a reader.
Overall, this was a fantastic story and I am beyond psyched for the rest of the series!!
January 29, 2024
The good:
-Character tensions.
-Grounding of the city the whole story is set in.
-The select details for major characters that help them stand out.
-The protagonist's identity and complicated relationship was greatly appreciated
-Fun, fast read; easy to read along with weightier tomes.
The not so good:
-Description and language too sparse for my taste (that may just be me though; I've found most writing that the fiction market wants is too sparse for my taste).
-Book one is short and limited to one place, which was just too simple overall. There seemed so much more there to explore. Still, a chase through the one city provided just enough complications to work, if not enough to send us into deeper exploration.
And the promising:
-The teaser for Book Two was great and makes me excited to read it. Hoping the chaos promised within brings deeper explorations than Book One. The range of characters introduced was exciting to see, especially getting the two main characters from another angle.
I'll definitely be checking out Book Two. The book was a fun read, and number two looks to be even more fun.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Aimee Donnellan and Book Sirens for the opportunity.
-Character tensions.
-Grounding of the city the whole story is set in.
-The select details for major characters that help them stand out.
-The protagonist's identity and complicated relationship was greatly appreciated
-Fun, fast read; easy to read along with weightier tomes.
The not so good:
-Description and language too sparse for my taste (that may just be me though; I've found most writing that the fiction market wants is too sparse for my taste).
-Book one is short and limited to one place, which was just too simple overall. There seemed so much more there to explore. Still, a chase through the one city provided just enough complications to work, if not enough to send us into deeper exploration.
And the promising:
-The teaser for Book Two was great and makes me excited to read it. Hoping the chaos promised within brings deeper explorations than Book One. The range of characters introduced was exciting to see, especially getting the two main characters from another angle.
I'll definitely be checking out Book Two. The book was a fun read, and number two looks to be even more fun.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Aimee Donnellan and Book Sirens for the opportunity.
April 18, 2024
I admit I wasn‘t sure whether to give this novella three or four stars. I enjoyed this novella with its rapid action and interesting worldbuilding. The author did a great job including that worldbuilding as the story progressed instead of long boring rants. At times I missed descriptions of where people were, action at times happening in a barely sketched otherwise white room. The magic seemed interesting and I like the way it opens the world up for more stories without lacking in this story, giving the impression of a much larger world than what we see. Personally, I did miss the emotional impact however and conversations that should be important read a bit flat to me. I know I am not too fond of action driven stories since the emotional impact and the connection with characters is very important to me and that is why I decided this story should get 4 stars despite lacking it because it is a good story many will enjoy
November 3, 2023
I read book 2 in this series first and enjoyed it so much I had to get book 1. I read this in half a day and had an absolute blast.
Donnellan made me care about the characters within paragraphs. Lark is clever and passionate and flawed. Nightingale is awful and wonderful. Wren is my favourite, strong and wise, I can't wait for book 3 to begin to explore her inner life.
The dialogue is fresh and funny. The pace is fast. Possibly my favourite thing, though, is the writing quality. Occasionally I see a graphic go around online about varying sentence structure and rhythm to keep it interesting. Donnellan is a master of this. Every sentence is different and compelling and masterfully crafted. The writing shows a real delight in and appreciation for words. It's entertaining and addictively readable.
I love this series and can't wait for more.
Donnellan made me care about the characters within paragraphs. Lark is clever and passionate and flawed. Nightingale is awful and wonderful. Wren is my favourite, strong and wise, I can't wait for book 3 to begin to explore her inner life.
The dialogue is fresh and funny. The pace is fast. Possibly my favourite thing, though, is the writing quality. Occasionally I see a graphic go around online about varying sentence structure and rhythm to keep it interesting. Donnellan is a master of this. Every sentence is different and compelling and masterfully crafted. The writing shows a real delight in and appreciation for words. It's entertaining and addictively readable.
I love this series and can't wait for more.
February 19, 2025
I picked this up from Libby purely because the cover was gorgeous—I mean, who can resist? What I didn’t know was that it was a novella, so I spent a whopping two hours reading it before I was hit with the devastating realization that it was over. Sobs. Now I’m stuck wanting the second book, and my TBR pile is side-eyeing me as I write this.
That being said, I had a blast with the magic in this story. It’s unique, vivid, and interesting. And let’s talk about the villain—she’s giving hot mommy vibes, and I am here for it.
While I really enjoyed this quick read, I felt like there was a bit more potential that wasn’t fully explored. It’s definitely a fun, fast fantasy adventure, but I found myself wishing for more depth. Still, it’s a great pick for anyone looking for a light, magical escape!
That being said, I had a blast with the magic in this story. It’s unique, vivid, and interesting. And let’s talk about the villain—she’s giving hot mommy vibes, and I am here for it.
While I really enjoyed this quick read, I felt like there was a bit more potential that wasn’t fully explored. It’s definitely a fun, fast fantasy adventure, but I found myself wishing for more depth. Still, it’s a great pick for anyone looking for a light, magical escape!
June 20, 2023
This fantasy book was such a fun short read. Also look at this cover absolutely stunning.
Lark is the main character and they are non-binary. I absolutely loved them lots! Same with Wren she is just amazing and would support Lark with everything. Let’s not forget the very intriguing Nightingale aka the hot villain. She is definitely a force to be reckoned with and I am intrigued to see where her story will go.
I can definitely recommend this book. It’s a perfect setup for the rest of the series! It comes out this Friday (aka June 23rd). I have added the synopsis in the comments if you are interested in checking this book out.
Thank you so much Aimee for the opportunity to read this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lark is the main character and they are non-binary. I absolutely loved them lots! Same with Wren she is just amazing and would support Lark with everything. Let’s not forget the very intriguing Nightingale aka the hot villain. She is definitely a force to be reckoned with and I am intrigued to see where her story will go.
I can definitely recommend this book. It’s a perfect setup for the rest of the series! It comes out this Friday (aka June 23rd). I have added the synopsis in the comments if you are interested in checking this book out.
Thank you so much Aimee for the opportunity to read this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2024
If you are looking for some light fantasy reads with lots of amazing banter, quirky characters and beautiful prose, this is for you!
This book was so fun I read it all in one setting, and I can't wait to delve deeper into this universe.
Lark's ambiguity is so refreshing in a sea of perfect heroes, and I can just tell that the development of their relationship with sweet Wren (who is my new book girlfriend now) will be absolutely delicious.
Hop in for magic, seduction, jokes and doomsday prepper elves!
This book was so fun I read it all in one setting, and I can't wait to delve deeper into this universe.
Lark's ambiguity is so refreshing in a sea of perfect heroes, and I can just tell that the development of their relationship with sweet Wren (who is my new book girlfriend now) will be absolutely delicious.
Hop in for magic, seduction, jokes and doomsday prepper elves!
May 6, 2024
Had a lot of fun reading this. Aimee Donnellan captures the feel of an epic fantasy anime that dances the line between humor and deep emotions. While the story is action heavy, things don’t get overly detailed or graphic. The entire story is intended to deliver a quick, fun adventure and delivers exactly that.
One of the things I loved more than I expected was that this story manages to stand on its own, even though it ends with so much unresolved. The title itself makes a promise that the story delivers which is the beginning of Lark and Wren’s chase of Nightingale.
One of the things I loved more than I expected was that this story manages to stand on its own, even though it ends with so much unresolved. The title itself makes a promise that the story delivers which is the beginning of Lark and Wren’s chase of Nightingale.
May 5, 2025
A whirlwind of an adventure, I love the queernormative world and the fantasy details that come out in each scene. Enough is explained that it's understandable as a reader, without a dump of information and definitions. Each character is distinct with a strong personality; the factions of the city seem important and always acting in some way. The villain is so dramatic and fun, and the protagonist has some really neat magic. There's a lot of mysteries left in the world and I'm interested in exploring the rest!
March 14, 2024
Thank you to the author for providing me a free ARC copy in exchange for a honest review.
This was a fun fast read. The characters are compelling and i loved slowly learning of the history that Lark and Nightingale had shared and what lead them to the point they are at now. The world building was also handled well, which can be tough to do when you only have 148 pages. Seeds have been planted for a interesting mystery and a daring chase, i look forward to checking the next one in the series.
This was a fun fast read. The characters are compelling and i loved slowly learning of the history that Lark and Nightingale had shared and what lead them to the point they are at now. The world building was also handled well, which can be tough to do when you only have 148 pages. Seeds have been planted for a interesting mystery and a daring chase, i look forward to checking the next one in the series.
January 31, 2025
Ooookay I'm sorry but I didn't like this one. The world-building was great, and so was the backstory behind nightingale and lark's eventual fallout. Very jayvik vibes. Kinda.
But the plot does get pretty repetitive. There's a good reason for this, but that did NOT stop me from frequently checking the page count. Overall, this book was kinda weak sauce, but I'm still pretty interested and will continue reading the rest of the books
But the plot does get pretty repetitive. There's a good reason for this, but that did NOT stop me from frequently checking the page count. Overall, this book was kinda weak sauce, but I'm still pretty interested and will continue reading the rest of the books
June 24, 2023
A fast-paced read that immediately jumps into the action as a former friend and lover of the protagonist, Lark, escapes from prison and wreaks havoc. I'm immediately interested in the worldbuilding details and the magic, and a lot of reminds me of Dragon Age and I really love that. I can't wait to read the next installment
October 15, 2025
4.5 stars
The moment Nightingale made an appearance I knew that I was a goner. There's something about highly competent,slightly evil sapphic women that I can't resist. That aside, the rest of the novella was very intriguing as well, from the world to the magic to the few characters we met. And the demi representation was so great. I am definitely going to continue the series.
The moment Nightingale made an appearance I knew that I was a goner. There's something about highly competent,
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