Travels with a Fairytale Monster

The War of Gold and Silver #1

by Elizabeth Gannon

Her enemy's secret weapon might just be her people's only hope... Taylor’s village is under attack. As her town burns, her enemies unleash a massive monster to destroy them all. …Unless Taylor figures out a way to free him from his captivity and convince him to join her team, instead.

Last of the race of ogres, Dom has spent years enslaved and tortured by the humans. He doesn’t understand them. When he first sees Taylor, though, he recognizes his mate, and everything in Dom knows this crazy redhead is supposed to be his. But, surviving to see their happily ever after just might be harder than either of them think.

(M/F, HEA, fairytale romance, adventure romance, 100K+ words, no cheating, is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone.)

Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Fairy Tales, Romance, Monster Romance, Slow Burn

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2015

About the author

Overeducated and underemployed, Elizabeth (“Lizzy”) Gannon lives in Florida with her sister Cassandra Gannon (who is also an author) She enjoys romance novels, comic books, and soap operas.

She has always been the type of person who genuinely votes for the bad guys in movies, TV and video games, and usually can’t stand the hero. Even as a child all of her Barbies were always criminals and/or ninja assassins, but their hair still looked perfect.

She has a very spoiled dog, and is lorded over by the world's most evil cat.

Reviews

[Shasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is fast paced with some really fun, sarcastic dialogue. It was a fresh idea to me to have an attractive ogre.

The plethora of f-bombs was surprising considering this is a fantasy...and I wasn't impressed. The are also many words in italics. This did made it more clear how the characters were stressing what they said but wasn't fun to read. Besides the profanity there are are lot of lusty thoughts that push this story into 17+

There is a misunderstanding that goes on for most of the book that caused me to skim because it was so frustrating.

mature content

[Airwreckah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got to 30% and just couldnt

The first bit was promising and i was on board, then noticed that there are at least 10-20 italicized words on each page. Like i as a reader cant inflect the dialogue in my head. As though i am too stupid to understand english cadence and meaning without being slapped in the face. The dialogue became soupy and repetitive pretending to be wittish and clever. And i gave up.

[MLL · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a sad disappointment.

The heroine of this book is a total idiot. Her plan is to sneak through the dangerous forest while loudly yelling at her brother then convince the king to free the ogre, apologize for annihilating his people and offer a monetary recompense. That is the complete plan details and all.
Her plans get worse from then on. She is a complete moron. I can't stand to read anymore. I got 27% of the way through.
I sooo wanted to like this book and author. Such a sad disappointment.
2 stars because it was mildly humerous.

[Coyora Dokusho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typos extremely sparse!!! woo hoo!!! Laughed A TON!!!

Two quibbles: past for passed

everyone speaks in ITALICS... differentiation between characters?

All in all, loved it a lot, laughed a lot, and WAS EXTREMELY AMUSED AND INTERESTED!!!

[Marta Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok so this is fantasy but possibly unlike any other I’ve read. From the start we are told that Taylor is bright and good at looking after herself and yet as the story progresses she is really rather blinkered and it’s almost as if she thinks it’s black or white and Taylor is always right ! I loved her brother Ryle as he’s irreverent and honestly just doesn’t care what anyone thinks but then again there’s much sadness in his life so perhaps that was his way of coping ? Dom is our hero , an Ogre who has suffered greatly at the hands of humans. Dom is actually quite a sweetie if perhaps a little bit too under Taylor’s thumb. Perhaps the most intriguing thing in this book are the pirates Ulrich and Ransome because honestly they stole every scene they were in and they definitely need their own book. Alas for this reader Taylor and Dom just didn’t quite hit the mark for me but I’m sure others will enjoy reading this when in the mood for something a little different to the usual fantasy available.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5**

Not as funny as the super villains...409 pages is not long enough perhaps? I do enjoy getting to know the secondary characters, Ransom especially; she really needs her own book, we don't even know her real name -there's so much to tell- and Uriah (hey, why isn't his name simply Pirate??) as well.

[DemetraP · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out well. The ogre was funny, the heroine and her brother had a good relationship and were trying to survive the war.

But the ogre's blind devotion got annoying after a while. Her brother even commented he would do or say anything to impress her.

I put the book down and never picked it back up.

[BookPauper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate miscommunication that could be solved by someone simply opening their damn mouth OR someone shutting their damn mouth and listening for a change. In fact, the central problem of this couple had a one sentence solution. I should have hated it but in-between my frustration I was laughing out loud and thoroughly entertained.

[Heather Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

So hilarious!

The story was something completely new and the characters were absolutely wonderful. I loved the humor and the relationship between the characters. I laughed throughout the whole book. Awesome!

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the plot of this book. But more than anything else, I was spell-bound by the absolutely good an rich writing.

[Carolyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I decided not to finish this book. The crudity of the language really bothered me. I read fantasy for relaxation - not to be bludgeoned by bad language.

[Talltree · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Tia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good but…

Elizabeth Gannon is clearly a very skilled writer and the plot of this book was interesting. This is why I gave 2 stars, however, there are several things that detracted from my enjoyment of the book and I am only writing them here for other sensitive or empathetic people like myself. If you’re the type of reader who really values content warnings, I feel like you will appreciate my review. If you don’t really care, I think you should skip my review and focus on the glowing recommendations from everyone else. There are slight spoilers ahead.

1. Most of all, the repeated detailed and long descriptions from the villain’s perspective of how they either wanted or they had gang r4ped women in the story. If there was a content warning for this, I completely missed it. There are at least 1 or 2 dedicated to these thoughts from several villains. It was awful reading from abusers perspectives on how and why and when and where they abused women. I’m a naturally empathetic person which is why I love reading but I hated to have been put in those shoes. I did not sign up for un-understanding r4pists. This detracted from the entire rest of the story for me and I wish I was the type that could not finish a story and be okay. So, I skimmed and skipped the rest the of the book.

2. The action drags. The characters are very introspective and that was helpful and interesting at first. But then it just kept repeating the same things over again? So even me skimming and skipping and only reading a few sentences per page in efforts to avoid more triggering content, I still understood everything that happened.

3. I felt like this story was just a long prologue to set us up for Uriah and Ransom’s story. I felt like near the end even Elizabeth Gannon may have forgotten than Dom and Taylor are supposed to be the main characters. I also really hated how Taylor was condescending to Dom and didn’t listen to him.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just plain fun

Ever since I discovered this author I have had a field day binging on her books. This one was no exception. Luckily I started it after a shift on a Saturday so that I wouldn't have to put it down because I just couldn't stop laughing. My only thought was that I wished the heroine would listen more but the whole book was great and I will definitely be going back for more :)

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness this was just darling. Ransom and Uriah remain my favorite characters (I read their book first) but Taylor, Dom and Ryle were still very fun. I really enjoy the absurdity of some of the plot elements and the humor. I did try the third book in the series and dropped it but I might go back to it and try again since I liked this one so much. I will probably give a few of her other books a try as well.

[Elisa Nocerino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!! also I loved the relationship between Taylor and Dom because it reminded me of Beauty and the Beast, even if the story here is absolutely original! Plus I loved Ryle's character!! the dialogues are absolutely entertaining and like Nobody likes fairytale pirates is beautifully written. MUST READ

[David Jay Dotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple captivating some thing good after a. Long day in a cruel and boring world and the word count you have. to use just to say this a greabo

Say this is a great book sucks. Read the snow queen! 3 kindled thousands of books 1 st review make it easier !!!

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave this writer a shot since I really enjoy her sister’s work, but this story was too incoherent. The idea was interesting, but this book needed a couple more edits to fix plot holes and confusing descriptions.

[Megan Bull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story

I really enjoy stories that are different than the old fairytales. Loved the idea of a good Ogre! The story is cute and exciting. Keeps moving and really loved the characters!

[Liz]

I believe this is the first of an interconnected series with "Nobody Likes Fairytale Pirates" as the MCs in that book cross the characters in this one (they kidnap the brother of the FMC in this book).

[Sony · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was alright, more of the I will do anything for my love stuff. Generic characters, but still a pretty nice story.

[Mandy McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

A truly funny, sweet, ouragous read.

Full of funny well rounded side characters.

I think Uriah and Ransom may have stole the show for me :P

[Nelda Putek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all her books

She is an awesome storyteller. From the start to the finish., I could not put it down. It's a winner

[Gnome Claire *Wishes she was as cool as Gnome Ann* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was funny in places, but I found myself getting really frustrated at Taylor for ignoring Dom so throughly.

The volume of rape 'jokes' was distasteful (to me at least)

[Ditchwater Sal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun!!!

[LizKat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to try this author since I liked her sister's books and the premise was interesting. The writing style threw me off and honestly the FMC was TSTL which is an immediate DNF for me.

[Fibula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book!

[Jennifer L · Rating 5 out of 5]

So different, so good

This book is nothing like I've read before; well fantacy/romance yes but never in the way that this story was told. I read one of her sister's books first and loved it. I wasn't sure about this one but I wanted to give her a chance too. This is a silly story yet it moved me. I laughed out loud, got mad a couple times, and truly felt for the best pirate/barbarian I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. There were two areas that I had a small issue with. I felt that the way the two main characters were able to come together physically wasn't really addressed and that italicized words were used more often than needed but neither of these things were enough to stop me from giving 5 stars. This is only the second review I've posted. I don't normally take the time to complete a review but this story deserved it.

[Mella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Sarcasm, a smart heroine, pirates, there was little not to love. That being said I can't give it five stars. I even tossed up over four - because I did really love this book - except for the rather frequent detailed mentions of rape. A passing mention and I probably would've dismissed it but Buggane constantly gives explicit detail about what he wants to do to the women and it made me sick. So in good conscience I can't give five stars and four is probably pushing it as well but I was in frequent hysterics so it is what it is.

Disregarding the rape mentions, this still probably isn't a book for everyone - the humour is reminiscent of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - I love that book but I know that I'm in a minority rather than a majority who enjoy that style.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very silly book of Ogre love

This reminds me of some 1920s farcical play where lots would be settled quickly if all the characters just sat down & listened to each other. Lots of great, ridiculous dialogue.

It seems to be set in "medieval times" based on weaponry, but people talk in 21st century slang. It has a "Mad Hatter" crazy-logic that can be fun or a bit scary, but the violence isn't too descriptive--more threatening than actual.

There is a bit of sex for those who are sensitive to such things. But this is more about following
around these ridiculous characters as they try to decide their next move in a world falling apart to war.