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Tales of Aurelian #1
The Light of Aurelian
I've always enjoyed my quiet life of drawing, baking, and dreaming of romance, but Roderic's arrival changed everything. He brought with him the truth of my identity, and from one moment to the next, I went from being Kendra to being a Princess of Aurelian. I would have to leave everything I knew behind to help save a Kingdom and a family I had never met. They said I was their salvation, but I was just a simple girl. How could I possibly help defeat their greatest enemy?
A dragon shifter retelling of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.
A dragon shifter retelling of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.
- GenresFantasyRetellings
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2024
24 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 24, 2024
Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader copy of this book.
The story starts out strong in this one, following a lonely, bullied girl, Kendra, who is enamored with fairy tales and dragons while her peers have eschewed such things as juvenile. She finds solace in a forest and befriends a squirrel, who watches her draw and keeps her company. It has a fairy-tale-came-true/Princess Bride quality to it, when Kendra finds out she's actually the princess from her stories, and her Aunt Jacinta is really a fairy who was tasked to help hide her from an evil dragon.
However, the writing is tonally very inconsistent for the world originally presented. The first time a character dropped an f-bomb, my jaw dropped. It felt foreign and broke me from the fairy tale world. Then the story becomes absolutely consumed by graphic sex scenes which again, felt so out of place and frankly unneeded.
There is a love story, which at first felt light and endearing, but it resolves itself too quickly. This is the opposite of a slow burn romance. Their relationship lacks tension, which is an issue with other story beats. There's a curse that befalls the kingdom, yet we as a reader see so little of this. We're told about it in passing almost. I didn't feel like it was actually an issue when none of the main characters are affected.
There is some world building here, but I wish there was more detail and background. I wanted to imagine this castle and these fantastical creatures. There's also just a lot left out, and even though we have Kendra who is new to this world, she quickly assimilates and seemingly knows all there is and there's no explanation to the reader.
The POVs changing so frequently also caused confusion, especially when sometimes a POV could be merely a page, and then shift to someone else. There's also flashback POVs and sometimes POVs that rehash a previous scene from another character's perspective. This caused events and characters to sort of melt into one another and not have a clear idea of who was who.
I was intrigued and quite liked the character of Kendra in the beginning, but she feels lost and bland as the book continues. There's some great concepts in here, there just needed to be a clearer, more cohesive vision.
The story starts out strong in this one, following a lonely, bullied girl, Kendra, who is enamored with fairy tales and dragons while her peers have eschewed such things as juvenile. She finds solace in a forest and befriends a squirrel, who watches her draw and keeps her company. It has a fairy-tale-came-true/Princess Bride quality to it, when Kendra finds out she's actually the princess from her stories, and her Aunt Jacinta is really a fairy who was tasked to help hide her from an evil dragon.
However, the writing is tonally very inconsistent for the world originally presented. The first time a character dropped an f-bomb, my jaw dropped. It felt foreign and broke me from the fairy tale world. Then the story becomes absolutely consumed by graphic sex scenes which again, felt so out of place and frankly unneeded.
There is a love story, which at first felt light and endearing, but it resolves itself too quickly. This is the opposite of a slow burn romance. Their relationship lacks tension, which is an issue with other story beats. There's a curse that befalls the kingdom, yet we as a reader see so little of this. We're told about it in passing almost. I didn't feel like it was actually an issue when none of the main characters are affected.
There is some world building here, but I wish there was more detail and background. I wanted to imagine this castle and these fantastical creatures. There's also just a lot left out, and even though we have Kendra who is new to this world, she quickly assimilates and seemingly knows all there is and there's no explanation to the reader.
The POVs changing so frequently also caused confusion, especially when sometimes a POV could be merely a page, and then shift to someone else. There's also flashback POVs and sometimes POVs that rehash a previous scene from another character's perspective. This caused events and characters to sort of melt into one another and not have a clear idea of who was who.
I was intrigued and quite liked the character of Kendra in the beginning, but she feels lost and bland as the book continues. There's some great concepts in here, there just needed to be a clearer, more cohesive vision.
February 28, 2024
I’m rounding up to a 3 star for this one but wished I could’ve given a 2.5 star. The prologue was immediately captivating and I was so excited to keep reading! The beginning of the story was completely endearing and the little love interest was so cute at the beginning but it progressed very quickly and turned into a lot of explicit intimate scenes both with the main couple and another couple. To me, this was really off putting (and unnecessary) because it really took away from watching their relationship develop and gaining more depth in the plot/world building. I wanted to see this new world through her eyes and marvel in the descriptions, but there weren’t many other than the dragon descriptions. Other than the hidden princess seeming to acclimate to her new life practically overnight, the story moved pretty slowly and the climax felt like reaching the top of a hill than a mountain. For having so long to prepare, the villain seems completely unprepared and the curse was barely even an obstacle. All in all, I loved the inspiration of a Sleeping Beauty retelling with dragon shifters and fated mates. The plot was ready enjoyable, but I just wanted more substance and world building!
February 29, 2024
Imagine growing up being told incredible fairytales that seem so real and then one day you discover that they actually are real and everything and everyone in them actually exists and that you are in fact the hidden princess in this story! Well that’s what happened to Kendra. Raised by her ‘aunt’ in the human realm, bullied as a child and whose only friend was a squirrel and who also loved to bake, Kendra’s world is soon turned upside down when a handsome young man comes to visit. It’s a real life fairytale story with dragons and fairies, shifters and magic, curses and discoveries, told with a few twists here and there. Exciting, captivating and thrilling as the good guys band together to defeat the bad guys and bring peace to the realms in this wonderful fantasy read.
January 30, 2025
So sweet
**Book Review: *The Light of Aurelian* by Constantina Cristi**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars) | 🌶️ 1.5 spice
*The Light of Aurelian* is a fun and enchanting fantasy with a touch of fairytale magic, reminiscent of *Sleeping Beauty*. Featuring dragon shifters, Fae, war, love, and lost love, it weaves an engaging story that keeps you hooked until its sweet happily-ever-after ending.
The romance is enjoyable, and while the spice scenes are okay, they weren’t entirely necessary. Some could have been written a little better, but they didn’t take away from the overall experience. This book was a great, shorter read that helped pull me out of a book slump. If you're looking for a light fantasy with adventure, love, and a satisfying ending, this is a great pick!
**Book Review: *The Light of Aurelian* by Constantina Cristi**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars) | 🌶️ 1.5 spice
*The Light of Aurelian* is a fun and enchanting fantasy with a touch of fairytale magic, reminiscent of *Sleeping Beauty*. Featuring dragon shifters, Fae, war, love, and lost love, it weaves an engaging story that keeps you hooked until its sweet happily-ever-after ending.
The romance is enjoyable, and while the spice scenes are okay, they weren’t entirely necessary. Some could have been written a little better, but they didn’t take away from the overall experience. This book was a great, shorter read that helped pull me out of a book slump. If you're looking for a light fantasy with adventure, love, and a satisfying ending, this is a great pick!
February 13, 2024
I really enjoyed this fairytale world and its story, it has heroine finding herself and her power, family, dragons and adoring love interest.
Even with a lot happening in short time, the story progression felt natural as did the love story within it. The character and world building was just enough so you understand it when its referenced back to. And when it comes to the several different love stories, you can read about long lost love and young love and how it all can be both wholesome and little 🌶️ at times.
Really looking forward to other parts of that series!
Even with a lot happening in short time, the story progression felt natural as did the love story within it. The character and world building was just enough so you understand it when its referenced back to. And when it comes to the several different love stories, you can read about long lost love and young love and how it all can be both wholesome and little 🌶️ at times.
Really looking forward to other parts of that series!
November 12, 2024
For what this book was, I enjoyed it. The editing was quite terrible in more spots than one can imagine but I enjoyed the minimalist plot even if it didn’t have any big surprises. Was honestly hoping for a plot twist of maybe someone having flipped sides so it was a very plain ending but dragons and magic and an easy read? I’ll take it.
February 17, 2024
This book was amazing! This book captured me as soon as I read the prologue. It is an amazing fantasy and romance. The story was so much fun to dive into. I grew attached to the characters so fast and it was a wonderful journey to go on. I strongly suggest this if you’re looking for a short amazing romantasy.
February 20, 2024
The world building was really good it grabbed my attention from the first page the characters are easy to follow and the story flows really well and spicy 🌶️ mating bonds family and royalty
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2024
This Romantasy is a new favorite! Once you start reading, it is impossible to stop! The characters, story and romance are done so well! I loved the FMCs journey to discovering her true self and her powers! Will definitely recommend this book every time!
March 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was not at all what I expected but went past expectations if that makes any sense. I loved the way it was written. Dragon shifters are one of my favorites and this book delivered. I highly recommend it.
January 25, 2025
I devoured this book! Magic, love, spice, romance, action, and more! This was an action-packed story that kept me interested throughout. A girl is bullied at school and doesn't quite fit in. When she finally finds out why it all makes sense , her life takes a wild, adventurous turn.
March 1, 2024
Dragon shifters, fairies, magic, and conflict all come together in this wonderful book that reminds us that there may be some truth and magic in the fairytales we've heard all of our lives. Wrap it up in sleeping beauty vibes and it's an amazing experience while reading.
May 28, 2024
Just finished and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I actually had a hard time putting it down. It's a very different, fun story. I don't want to say anything about the story because I'm afraid that I'll give away some of the surprises. Read and enjoy this unique book. Beware that it does have explicit sex scenes in it. I'm a firm believer that a book can be well written, while still leaving that part to the imagination.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews