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Tales of Bones and Roses #3
Unlocking Fire: A Bluebeard Retelling
Ansa is desperate for an arranged marriage, but are the nobleman's secrets ever deadlier than hers?
When another man cracks her composure and fans her fire, she has to choose between heart and head.
Are rumors and passion enough to change the hard truths of poverty and magic?
Ansa needs a husband. Fast. When the Lowtown matchmaker proposes a rich, reclusive noble, she cannot afford to ask too many questions.
Alexei best friend, the crown prince, has been exiled from Tal, and Alexei worries he is next. With dwindling funds and mounting problems, he cannot resist the distraction of the fiery serving woman asking for assistance.
Unlocking Fire is a thrilling, heartwarming slow-burn fantasy tale of magic, love and empowerment.
A standalone Bluebeard retelling, prequel set three year before the events in Stealing Glass.
When another man cracks her composure and fans her fire, she has to choose between heart and head.
Are rumors and passion enough to change the hard truths of poverty and magic?
Ansa needs a husband. Fast. When the Lowtown matchmaker proposes a rich, reclusive noble, she cannot afford to ask too many questions.
Alexei best friend, the crown prince, has been exiled from Tal, and Alexei worries he is next. With dwindling funds and mounting problems, he cannot resist the distraction of the fiery serving woman asking for assistance.
Unlocking Fire is a thrilling, heartwarming slow-burn fantasy tale of magic, love and empowerment.
A standalone Bluebeard retelling, prequel set three year before the events in Stealing Glass.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2023
18 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Liv Strom
12 books32 followersLiv Strom is a Swiss-Swedish writer of speculative fiction, often featuring strong women. Her stories have appeared in Apex, Hexagon SF Magazine, and Mystery Magazine, among others, and been included on Tor.com’s Must-Read Speculative Fiction and reviewed on Locus.
Her first novel The Last Spiritwalker is a dark contemporary fantasy road trip where no one is safe, while her Tales of Bones and Roses series retells fairytales in the city of Tal, where epic fantasy and romance meet.
When not writing, she raises her three wild children on stories.
Her first novel The Last Spiritwalker is a dark contemporary fantasy road trip where no one is safe, while her Tales of Bones and Roses series retells fairytales in the city of Tal, where epic fantasy and romance meet.
When not writing, she raises her three wild children on stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 19, 2023
First thing first, this is a novella so, of course you want/need to know more about the characters and their backstories and I felt that, the premise is really catching, a Blue beard and his 7 brides retelling but I think all the potencial of that plot was a bit unused.
But I must continue remembering myself of the length of the story.
The world building was a bit confusing, and not really well explained so I guess there the book fails a bit
Well, the end is an open one so, I think we’ll have to wait to know what happens next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 13, 2023
Probably one of the best fairytale retellings I've come across. Liv Strom gives the tale of Bluebeard a unique spin while introducing an intriguing world I'm already eager to spend more time in. I only wish this had been a full length novel rather than a novella, allowing for more depth in worldbuilding and characters - while I greatly enjoyed what I got, it feels like we've only scratched the surface. Looking forward to seeing what more this series has in store.
*** I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
*** I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
October 17, 2023
I love fairytale retellings and I'm happy to add another one to my list. I only wish it was a full-length story instead of a novella as it would have given the characters more depth. However, it does not mean they weren't well written. The author has done a good job in ensuring that they elicited the right kind of emotions from the readers. Also, there's a sequel coming up in 2024, so maybe that would shed some more light on the characters motives and feelings.
I enjoyed the writing style and though the plot was close to the original story, it had a unique touch. With every chapter I read, it made me eager to find out what was coming next. The ending was bittersweet, and I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger as the story was complete but it was left on a note that made me question what was in store for the protagonists.
The romance was different. It wasn't insta-love, nor was it slow-burn; it was something in between. I won't say more for fear of giving spoilers, but I'd like to see this aspect explored further in the next book.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and better than many novellas I've read. I definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy fairytale retellings and fantasy romance stories.
I enjoyed the writing style and though the plot was close to the original story, it had a unique touch. With every chapter I read, it made me eager to find out what was coming next. The ending was bittersweet, and I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger as the story was complete but it was left on a note that made me question what was in store for the protagonists.
The romance was different. It wasn't insta-love, nor was it slow-burn; it was something in between. I won't say more for fear of giving spoilers, but I'd like to see this aspect explored further in the next book.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and better than many novellas I've read. I definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy fairytale retellings and fantasy romance stories.
September 22, 2024
i requested an e-arc for spinning fire and didn’t realize it was part of a series (even if it can be read as a standalone), nor did i realize there was a novella about ansa and alexei’s first interactions, so i am definitely glad that i stopped to read this first!
for its short length, i think it told a great, fast-paced story in a short amount of time with solid character development from both characters. i’m not familiar with the legend of bluebeard so i had to do some research beforehand, but i do love the twist on it and the overarching message of trust. i thought it was communicated clearly and effectively despite it being a novella.
i thought the world building was fine. you understand enough of the character’s motives and backstory to keep you engaged throughout the novella. of course i would have loved to known more, but i’m sure this will be expanded on more in spinning fire, which i look forward to.
alexei is very likable from the get go. to quote taylor swift: “in a world of boys he’s a gentleman.” from the first few chapters you get a sense of his responsible, considerate, kind hearted and protective nature and i loved how safe he made ansa feel. he is such a green flag and i loved the way he gradually earned her trust by coming to her aid and treating her as a person instead of a monster. while i did not read the previous novel, i understood enough of his backstory and it was satisfying seeing him learn from his mistakes and helped ansa the way he couldn’t with dimi.
ansa also has a great arc and is just as likable. you understand her motives and desperation despite some of her actions and sense of self preservation being questionable, but i did like how she learnt to accept her powers instead of fear them and used it to protect herself. alexei brings out the best in her and i thought that was beautiful to read.
their story is just beginning and this novella sets up a promising follow up to their tale in spinning fire.
for its short length, i think it told a great, fast-paced story in a short amount of time with solid character development from both characters. i’m not familiar with the legend of bluebeard so i had to do some research beforehand, but i do love the twist on it and the overarching message of trust. i thought it was communicated clearly and effectively despite it being a novella.
i thought the world building was fine. you understand enough of the character’s motives and backstory to keep you engaged throughout the novella. of course i would have loved to known more, but i’m sure this will be expanded on more in spinning fire, which i look forward to.
alexei is very likable from the get go. to quote taylor swift: “in a world of boys he’s a gentleman.” from the first few chapters you get a sense of his responsible, considerate, kind hearted and protective nature and i loved how safe he made ansa feel. he is such a green flag and i loved the way he gradually earned her trust by coming to her aid and treating her as a person instead of a monster. while i did not read the previous novel, i understood enough of his backstory and it was satisfying seeing him learn from his mistakes and helped ansa the way he couldn’t with dimi.
ansa also has a great arc and is just as likable. you understand her motives and desperation despite some of her actions and sense of self preservation being questionable, but i did like how she learnt to accept her powers instead of fear them and used it to protect herself. alexei brings out the best in her and i thought that was beautiful to read.
their story is just beginning and this novella sets up a promising follow up to their tale in spinning fire.
October 20, 2024
- it's a bluebeard retelling, and i love retellings!
- the first paragraph hooked me in immediately, i love a magic shop setting with potions and curiosities, and an old grumpy witch owner
- beautiful writing
- there's a division between magic-users and 'muggles', and between the rich and the poor, and those two systems are intertwined in a way that seemed interesting to me
- the romance is the big focus of the story. i liked the female protagonist, but the male protagonist would be annoying if i knew him irl. they work well together in fiction though, and were fun to read.
- got me thinking about the original bluebeard story, and similar stories like pandora, where the moral seems to be that the woman is justly punished for disobedience, it was all her fault. i like this story's take on the theme.
- i like the world and would love to learn more about the magic system, and different types of magic users – hopefully in the sequels!
KINDA SPOILERY:
- the first paragraph hooked me in immediately, i love a magic shop setting with potions and curiosities, and an old grumpy witch owner
- beautiful writing
- there's a division between magic-users and 'muggles', and between the rich and the poor, and those two systems are intertwined in a way that seemed interesting to me
- the romance is the big focus of the story. i liked the female protagonist, but the male protagonist would be annoying if i knew him irl. they work well together in fiction though, and were fun to read.
- got me thinking about the original bluebeard story, and similar stories like pandora, where the moral seems to be that the woman is justly punished for disobedience, it was all her fault. i like this story's take on the theme.
- i like the world and would love to learn more about the magic system, and different types of magic users – hopefully in the sequels!
KINDA SPOILERY:
May 19, 2024
“Unlocking Fire” is a novella offering a unique reimagining of the Bluebeard tale, blending elements of fantasy and romance to immerse readers in a world brimming with mystery and charm. While the characters are intricately developed and evoke profound emotions, the story’s brevity limits the opportunity to delve deeper. Despite occasional shortcomings, the captivating world-building keeps readers engaged, albeit with occasional moments of uncertainty.
The evolving relationship between the resilient female protagonist (Ansa) and her male counterpart (Alexei) provides a fresh perspective on traditional romance, delicately balancing between immediate connection and gradual development. Despite its concise length, the author skillfully integrates significant character growth, drawing readers into the intricate emotional journey.
While the conclusion neatly ties up loose ends, it also hints at further narrative possibilities to be explored in the eagerly anticipated sequel. Despite some grammatical errors, the engaging writing style sustains anticipation for future developments. Ultimately, while some readers may yearn for deeper immersion into the story’s world and characters, the novella assures an enchanting experience for enthusiasts of fairy tale retellings and fantasy romance.
https://www.editorsweekly.com/book-re...
The evolving relationship between the resilient female protagonist (Ansa) and her male counterpart (Alexei) provides a fresh perspective on traditional romance, delicately balancing between immediate connection and gradual development. Despite its concise length, the author skillfully integrates significant character growth, drawing readers into the intricate emotional journey.
While the conclusion neatly ties up loose ends, it also hints at further narrative possibilities to be explored in the eagerly anticipated sequel. Despite some grammatical errors, the engaging writing style sustains anticipation for future developments. Ultimately, while some readers may yearn for deeper immersion into the story’s world and characters, the novella assures an enchanting experience for enthusiasts of fairy tale retellings and fantasy romance.
https://www.editorsweekly.com/book-re...
November 28, 2023
“Despite the fire in my veins, I desired to create, not destroy.”
✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:
Unlocking Fire by Liv Strom
appropriate for ages 16+
book received through BookSirens
my rating: 5/5 stars
✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:
when I stumbled upon the book Stealing Glass: A Cinderella Retelling [read my review of this here!] on BookSirens, I found that this universe also has this prequel novella set prior to it and is a retelling of the fairytale Bluebeard. I was not familiar with this retelling apart from the K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM’s recent song featuring it in its title (for real haha the first time I heard of Bluebeard was from this song😂), so I had to read more about it first before being hesitant whether I want to read this or not. but because I was set to wanting to read Stealing Glass and my perfectionist mind that prefers to read books in their chronological order, I ended up deciding to give it a try; and that is a decision I did not regret! surprisingly found myself enjoying this book and falling in love with Ms. Liv’s writing✨
Ansa who’s desperate for a fast marriage with any suitable suitor finds herself at a precarious crossroad between a risky opportunity that can turn either profitable or deadly; and an unexpected odds with someone who given the chance, could fulfill her heart. before going into the fairytale retelling, I think the characters and story by itself are already very enthralling. my first introduction to the world of Tal was not disappointing as it offers such a magical place and people that made my experience reading the albeit, short book, very enjoyable. I love both Ansa and Alexei - they both have characters that are distinct and make such great leads. each of their journeys and development in this were to me done incredibly, once again not being hindered by the short length of the book. I’m so excited to know that it is planned that they're to have their own book/series; very much looking forward to it💞
now going a bit into the retelling, as someone who wasn’t familiar with the original fairytale, I still found this retelling to be very interesting. the added depth of this Bluebeard’s reason to the slight alternate yet still ‘canon’ resolution is very satisfying and I like it very much.
lastly, to add to that is the way the author mentions she wants the story to be about trust (the direct quote being “trust in all its forms—earned, broken, expected, and lost”) – for me, it was very successful. I can recognize the importance and key roles of trust in the story, especially during Ansa’s journey and trust in the three men of that short time of her life: her past lover who left her after promising not to; her almost-lover (the Bluebeard noble) who promised her something she’s been wanting but that ended up harming her, and her future-lover (Alexei) who tried to earn her trust by helping and taking care of her. I found that very beautiful and very rarely done in fantasy books; really really appreciating it now💖
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
✧･ﾟ: ✧:･ﾟ✧
“Sharing yourself with someone you cared for while trusting their word isn’t stupid. Or if it is, it is a stupidity we have all committed—some too many times.”
🌻 #lydsreviews
✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:
Unlocking Fire by Liv Strom
appropriate for ages 16+
book received through BookSirens
my rating: 5/5 stars
✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:
when I stumbled upon the book Stealing Glass: A Cinderella Retelling [read my review of this here!] on BookSirens, I found that this universe also has this prequel novella set prior to it and is a retelling of the fairytale Bluebeard. I was not familiar with this retelling apart from the K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM’s recent song featuring it in its title (for real haha the first time I heard of Bluebeard was from this song😂), so I had to read more about it first before being hesitant whether I want to read this or not. but because I was set to wanting to read Stealing Glass and my perfectionist mind that prefers to read books in their chronological order, I ended up deciding to give it a try; and that is a decision I did not regret! surprisingly found myself enjoying this book and falling in love with Ms. Liv’s writing✨
Ansa who’s desperate for a fast marriage with any suitable suitor finds herself at a precarious crossroad between a risky opportunity that can turn either profitable or deadly; and an unexpected odds with someone who given the chance, could fulfill her heart. before going into the fairytale retelling, I think the characters and story by itself are already very enthralling. my first introduction to the world of Tal was not disappointing as it offers such a magical place and people that made my experience reading the albeit, short book, very enjoyable. I love both Ansa and Alexei - they both have characters that are distinct and make such great leads. each of their journeys and development in this were to me done incredibly, once again not being hindered by the short length of the book. I’m so excited to know that it is planned that they're to have their own book/series; very much looking forward to it💞
now going a bit into the retelling, as someone who wasn’t familiar with the original fairytale, I still found this retelling to be very interesting. the added depth of this Bluebeard’s reason to the slight alternate yet still ‘canon’ resolution is very satisfying and I like it very much.
lastly, to add to that is the way the author mentions she wants the story to be about trust (the direct quote being “trust in all its forms—earned, broken, expected, and lost”) – for me, it was very successful. I can recognize the importance and key roles of trust in the story, especially during Ansa’s journey and trust in the three men of that short time of her life: her past lover who left her after promising not to; her almost-lover (the Bluebeard noble) who promised her something she’s been wanting but that ended up harming her, and her future-lover (Alexei) who tried to earn her trust by helping and taking care of her. I found that very beautiful and very rarely done in fantasy books; really really appreciating it now💖
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
✧･ﾟ: ✧:･ﾟ✧
“Sharing yourself with someone you cared for while trusting their word isn’t stupid. Or if it is, it is a stupidity we have all committed—some too many times.”
🌻 #lydsreviews
January 4, 2024
Spice Details: Just kisses
Thank you to BookSirens and Liv Strom for the advanced copy of this book.
**This is a novella in the Tale of Bones and Roses series. It takes place 2 years prior to the events in Stealing Glass.**
Ansa is desperate for an arranged marriage. The town matchmaker has found her a prospect with a secretive past, but Ansa can't afford to ask too many questions.
Alexi's best friend, Dimi crown prince of Tal, has been exiled. Alexia fears he might be next. With not many options left, Alexi becomes distracted by Ansa asking for assistance.
Alexi was my favorite character from Stealing Glass so I was very excited to see a novella with him as the main character. It was a fast paced story being a novella, and at times I really wanted more from the characters. However, I do feel as if I knew Ansa and Alexi and I understood the events that were happening. I love how Alexi chose to rectify Ansa's dire situation. The ending was wonderful, even if I wanted a little more of the two of them.
I'll be excited to see how their story continues in the next novella.
Thank you to BookSirens and Liv Strom for the advanced copy of this book.
**This is a novella in the Tale of Bones and Roses series. It takes place 2 years prior to the events in Stealing Glass.**
Ansa is desperate for an arranged marriage. The town matchmaker has found her a prospect with a secretive past, but Ansa can't afford to ask too many questions.
Alexi's best friend, Dimi crown prince of Tal, has been exiled. Alexia fears he might be next. With not many options left, Alexi becomes distracted by Ansa asking for assistance.
Alexi was my favorite character from Stealing Glass so I was very excited to see a novella with him as the main character. It was a fast paced story being a novella, and at times I really wanted more from the characters. However, I do feel as if I knew Ansa and Alexi and I understood the events that were happening. I love how Alexi chose to rectify Ansa's dire situation. The ending was wonderful, even if I wanted a little more of the two of them.
I'll be excited to see how their story continues in the next novella.
December 23, 2023
This was a fun, easy, and exciting read! This book introduced me to the tale of Bluebeard, which was completely new to me. I learned more about the classic fairy tale and then delved in to a world I was already familiar with from her book, Stealing Glass. Liv Strom created an incredible retelling that pairs unique writing and storyline with a strong FMC, a consistent and interesting setting, and the drama that makes a reader want to read more! Alexei and Ansa discover more about themselves, their inner rage, and the beauty of calming that fire within. What a great cast of characters that interconnect in a thoughtful and creative way throughout the author’s other novels. Can’t wait to read more of Alexei and Ansa!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 24, 2023
A wonderful read with engaging and well-written characters. I love Ansa and Alexi! They both have a great backstory and are richly written -- with lots of yummy chemistry between them. I was rooting for them from the beginning, individually and as a couple.
The worldbuilding here is great, and I felt like I was given just enough detail to make me really curious about the world, but not have the world take over from the story. I'm glad there are more books in this universe because I definitely want more!
There are some great side characters here too. I found Popova very interesting and hope to see her appear again. Also, so happy to see that Mariska will be getting her own story!
Oh, and there's a map! Love that.
The worldbuilding here is great, and I felt like I was given just enough detail to make me really curious about the world, but not have the world take over from the story. I'm glad there are more books in this universe because I definitely want more!
There are some great side characters here too. I found Popova very interesting and hope to see her appear again. Also, so happy to see that Mariska will be getting her own story!
Oh, and there's a map! Love that.
December 10, 2023
I was honored to receive an ARC ebook, and am happy to give this honest review.
This is a Novella by Liv Strohm that is a retelling of the story of Bluebeard.
I have to say I wish this would have been a full length novel, I just wanted the story to go on and on, so the characters could have had more depth and more backstory, though this did not detract from the storyline.
I loved the characters of Ansa and Alexei, set in the magical world of Tal, it sticks pretty close to the original tale but with a definite twist!! There is tension and angst, but great chemistry between the two main characters and you can’t help but be drawn into their drama.
All in all this was a wonderful, enjoyable read, that keeps you engaged from the very beginning.
This is a Novella by Liv Strohm that is a retelling of the story of Bluebeard.
I have to say I wish this would have been a full length novel, I just wanted the story to go on and on, so the characters could have had more depth and more backstory, though this did not detract from the storyline.
I loved the characters of Ansa and Alexei, set in the magical world of Tal, it sticks pretty close to the original tale but with a definite twist!! There is tension and angst, but great chemistry between the two main characters and you can’t help but be drawn into their drama.
All in all this was a wonderful, enjoyable read, that keeps you engaged from the very beginning.
December 18, 2023
This fantasy romance novella is a quick but fiery read—and well worth your time. Whether you're familiar with the Bluebeard tale or not, you'll appreciate the themes in this story.
Strom creates a strong female lead who learns to stand on her own two feet while also learning to trust others. And the male lead is just as inspiring. Watching them fall for each other, despite their imperfections, is a treat.
I would have loved to read this as a full novel, but Strom packs a lot of character development into a small space. Such a feat is impressive!
My only complaint is the amount of distracting grammatical and punctuation errors that could have been removed in a professional proofread.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Strom creates a strong female lead who learns to stand on her own two feet while also learning to trust others. And the male lead is just as inspiring. Watching them fall for each other, despite their imperfections, is a treat.
I would have loved to read this as a full novel, but Strom packs a lot of character development into a small space. Such a feat is impressive!
My only complaint is the amount of distracting grammatical and punctuation errors that could have been removed in a professional proofread.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 3, 2023
This is a great fairy-tale retelling novella. I would have loved it be full-length, but it was still a great little read.
I read this book after reading the full-length novel in that is set after it in the series, so I had a bit more background on the world and characters. I feel that helped me, and made the story richer.
The story was close to the original, with some added unique elements. It was a bit romantic and a bit bittersweet. It did not end on a cliffhanger, but still made me wish I knew what happened next.
There is a sequel set for 2024, so I will have to wait and see.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I read this book after reading the full-length novel in that is set after it in the series, so I had a bit more background on the world and characters. I feel that helped me, and made the story richer.
The story was close to the original, with some added unique elements. It was a bit romantic and a bit bittersweet. It did not end on a cliffhanger, but still made me wish I knew what happened next.
There is a sequel set for 2024, so I will have to wait and see.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 19, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a really good te telling. When I read this book I was in a retelling book mood so I enjoyed this story from start to finish. I had never read a blue beard and his seven wife’s retelling so it was a really interesting twist for me. I do wish the book was longer because it would have given so much more depth to the characters because I did feel there was so much more we could explore. But if you are looking for a quick read this might hit the spot for you. The world was intriguing and the story was really entertaining. Honestly this was a very solid read and I liked it very much!
This was a really good te telling. When I read this book I was in a retelling book mood so I enjoyed this story from start to finish. I had never read a blue beard and his seven wife’s retelling so it was a really interesting twist for me. I do wish the book was longer because it would have given so much more depth to the characters because I did feel there was so much more we could explore. But if you are looking for a quick read this might hit the spot for you. The world was intriguing and the story was really entertaining. Honestly this was a very solid read and I liked it very much!
September 9, 2023
I really enjoyed Unlocking Fire! Being a novella, it was quite fast paced, but the author really made sure you had plenty of information for the story to make sense. There was also just enough character and world building that it left me needing to read more about Ansa and Alexei! The book is so well written, the characters are dynamic and interesting, and the glimpse of the world building has me wanting more. Highly recommend this if you want a quick fantasy story with a splash of romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 24, 2024
I am sorry, but I did not like this book as well as I thought I would but, sometimes a retelling is not as good as the original story. The story feels unfinished, and while some parts were very entertaining, there were several parts of stories into one, not a cohesive flow for me. I did like the part where Alexei stood up for what he believed in, and took care of the people he loved, while Ansa tried to keep her baby alive and fought tooth and nail against her evil fiancee.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 4, 2023
The chapters switch between Ansa and Alexi, following their character journey over their romance. Despite their connection, Ansa marries Siniy and learns the truth behind his previous wives. It might help to read the original story of Bluebeard as this story provides a version surrounding love over Siniy's character. This is a quick read, but the pacing moves the story steadily.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 17, 2023
This novella was a Bluebeard retelling. It was elegantly written, and an enjoyable read.
I felt a connection with Ansa, and while this was only a short read, it did feel quite magical.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I felt a connection with Ansa, and while this was only a short read, it did feel quite magical.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 14, 2023
This novella was captivating! You quickly learn about the characters and their struggles and are eager to have them come together. True to the Bluebeard tale, this story follows internal strife in the characters; I believe the moral of the story was to listen to yourself and trust yourself. I am eager to read other stories about these characters!
November 18, 2023
A reimagining of the tale of Bluebeard, through alternating points of view, and a story that keeps you guessing. I was not familiar with the original story, so this was brand new to me, and I loved each moment. It is a novella so it leaves you wanting more, but the author has promised their return, and I look forward to it.
February 11, 2024
I enjoyed this retelling of Bluebeard in the settings of Tales of Bones & Roses.
The ambiance was good, and the characters interesting. And the romance was just right for the story. I'm satisfied with this short read!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The ambiance was good, and the characters interesting. And the romance was just right for the story. I'm satisfied with this short read!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 11, 2024
This is the third installment of a very compelling group of fairy tales reimagined. Liv Stom has created a new platform for old stories. The characters are amazing they are well developed full-fledged personalities. I have read the fourth book and the two previous to this book, and I highly recommend all four. I look forward to any more installments that Ms Strom has to offer in the future.
October 29, 2023
Lovely.
November 22, 2023
I quite enjoyed this read in terms of the plots and the characters, although at some points throughout I found that the writing wasn't for me!
December 30, 2023
I feel like I will definitely be looking into this series further. Woaw, that's how you do a novella!
March 5, 2024
3.75
September 29, 2023
The storytelling was amazing and I love the dual point of view of painting the story as it goes along. Both Ansa and Alexei came into the story with a lot a lot of previously lived burdens and it was interesting how they viewed the world, each other and of themselves. I did enjoy the evolution of the characters as the storyline progressed but I found the ending rather unsatisfying although it does leave room for further story development. Until the end, I still did not fully understand why Alexei needed to remain in Tal.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2023
This is an fantasy retelling novel this novel is very well written great storyline I really enjoyed reading this novel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2023
Loved the magic and romance
September 28, 2023
Unlocking Fire by Liv Strom is a good, and enjoyable retelling fairy tale romance read with dual point of views. The story has a great entertaining world building story line. The characters are great, and they have great chemistry. This story is a very entertaining read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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