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Knights of The Compass #4
The Knight and The Beast
The Beast
Keeper of the Needle. Scarred both inside and out.
Hideous. Heartless.
He protects the Heart of the Needle by banishing any and all trespassers to the dungeons ...
Sir Louis
Unskilled knight of The Compass and keeper of hounds. He’s lonely, but cares deeply—especially toward his hounds Colby and Vixen.
When Vixen chases a cat into a house unannounced—a house with mysterious tunnels that leads into the Needle—Louis is left little choice but to follow.
But stepping over that threshold will change his life forever ...
Warning: This is by far not the end of the series! There are so many facets of The Compass I want to discover, and so many more fairytales I want to write set in the world. While there is a resolution to the relationship part of "The Beast" other story-problems are still open with the stakes getting higher . . .
:)
Keeper of the Needle. Scarred both inside and out.
Hideous. Heartless.
He protects the Heart of the Needle by banishing any and all trespassers to the dungeons ...
Sir Louis
Unskilled knight of The Compass and keeper of hounds. He’s lonely, but cares deeply—especially toward his hounds Colby and Vixen.
When Vixen chases a cat into a house unannounced—a house with mysterious tunnels that leads into the Needle—Louis is left little choice but to follow.
But stepping over that threshold will change his life forever ...
Warning: This is by far not the end of the series! There are so many facets of The Compass I want to discover, and so many more fairytales I want to write set in the world. While there is a resolution to the relationship part of "The Beast" other story-problems are still open with the stakes getting higher . . .
:)
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2014
5 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Dru Wellington
5 books25 followersContact: http://www.druwellington.com/?page_id=47.
I love fairy tales, both original and retellings, and that is where my idea for The Compass stemmed. A world where all these amazing fairy tales could live and breathe with some of my own little twists . . .
I'm really enjoying writing these novellas and discovering more of The Compass as I go. Perhaps someday a bigger novel will come out of this setting, and I hope these stories help to cultivate the world-building.
Of course, these novellas can be read as standalones, too. Each one features new heroes and the journey they go on to reach their happy ending.
The first volume in the world of "The Compass" will involve four "Knight" stories, but others are planned: Lords of the Compass, Pirates of the Compass, ... stay tuned! They are in some way interrelated (with a couple that aren't) with a bigger story-conflict.
Feel free to contact me at: druwellington (at) gmail.com or check my website, www.druwellington.com.
I love fairy tales, both original and retellings, and that is where my idea for The Compass stemmed. A world where all these amazing fairy tales could live and breathe with some of my own little twists . . .
I'm really enjoying writing these novellas and discovering more of The Compass as I go. Perhaps someday a bigger novel will come out of this setting, and I hope these stories help to cultivate the world-building.
Of course, these novellas can be read as standalones, too. Each one features new heroes and the journey they go on to reach their happy ending.
The first volume in the world of "The Compass" will involve four "Knight" stories, but others are planned: Lords of the Compass, Pirates of the Compass, ... stay tuned! They are in some way interrelated (with a couple that aren't) with a bigger story-conflict.
Feel free to contact me at: druwellington (at) gmail.com or check my website, www.druwellington.com.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 25, 2014
Unfortunately I am not impressed ... 
** HUGE SPOILER AHEAD; GO AWAY IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW BECAUSE I AM FEELING A BIT RANTY FOR SPOILER-TAG **
The thing is, when I read that there will be four stories in the series, I am expecting closure. I am expecting that this one will be filled with action on how the Knights finally able to overthrown King Maas. Alas, I didn't get it. Nope.
Because Dru Wellington decided to end this in a cliffhanger -- with everyone (well, almost everyone) being trapped in 100 years sleeping spell (I assume to take Sleeping Beauty myth). Then he said that there will be few other novellas during the 100 years before the full novel.
Uhm. No. No. I felt like I've been cheated.
Sorry. I am not amused with how I'm being brought along just to be told that hey, you need a novel to get the closure. This like watching a movie with a very important arc being built-up and then the movie maker said, oh, you will have to wait for the next several movies to find out how it ended.
Again. NOT IMPRESSED.
On top of that, I'm not charmed with the love story. I felt rather confused, actually, with the presence of the Beast and being the Keeper of the Needle (does that ever been mentioned before, or I forgot) and the whole myth about the soul and the brother and the pirate -- they all seemed disjointed, like pieces of puzzles, which just confused me.
So I don't know if I want to continue with this series. Maybe after the novel is out. MAYBE. I loved the first two stories, though. At least that...
** HUGE SPOILER AHEAD; GO AWAY IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW BECAUSE I AM FEELING A BIT RANTY FOR SPOILER-TAG **
The thing is, when I read that there will be four stories in the series, I am expecting closure. I am expecting that this one will be filled with action on how the Knights finally able to overthrown King Maas. Alas, I didn't get it. Nope.
Because Dru Wellington decided to end this in a cliffhanger -- with everyone (well, almost everyone) being trapped in 100 years sleeping spell (I assume to take Sleeping Beauty myth). Then he said that there will be few other novellas during the 100 years before the full novel.
Uhm. No. No. I felt like I've been cheated.
Sorry. I am not amused with how I'm being brought along just to be told that hey, you need a novel to get the closure. This like watching a movie with a very important arc being built-up and then the movie maker said, oh, you will have to wait for the next several movies to find out how it ended.
Again. NOT IMPRESSED.
On top of that, I'm not charmed with the love story. I felt rather confused, actually, with the presence of the Beast and being the Keeper of the Needle (does that ever been mentioned before, or I forgot) and the whole myth about the soul and the brother and the pirate -- they all seemed disjointed, like pieces of puzzles, which just confused me.
So I don't know if I want to continue with this series. Maybe after the novel is out. MAYBE. I loved the first two stories, though. At least that...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2021
4.5 stars for this installment, but the series is left unfinished. It’s been 7 years and not a word that I could find from the author about the series future. I know quite a few readers lowered their rating for this book because of it, but I can’t. The only thing I can think of is demoting my rating to 4.
May 12, 2016
To me this was the best of the four stories with a major caveat. It was a touching retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" with adorable dogs and a cat as supporting characters.
The ending sucked. I simply did not understand it, even after reading other reviews here. It just doesn't make sense to me. It also leaves the story unresolved.
The ending sucked. I simply did not understand it, even after reading other reviews here. It just doesn't make sense to me. It also leaves the story unresolved.
June 20, 2018
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
WHY CAN'T GAY BEAUTY AND THE BEAST STORIES BE AS GOOD AS Cruel Beauty???
MY HEART WEEPS
Seriously tho, this was so very NOT Beauty and the Beast. 1) there's no curse so Nic can leave whenever he wants, 2) he's actually got people with him who do, 3) he's not even a beast! He just has scars! 4) the entry for the 'castle' is actually in some random little house? What? 5) there's no castle, just a magicless tower.
Sigh.
Nic's character, aka the 'beast', really didn't work for me. He's all mopey and wangsty about his brother's death, which I'll give him, but he's also calling himself heartless and selfish and I mean, the fact that you regret his death and let it affect you this bad is PROOF that you're not heartless, idiot. Have someone tell him already.
And he's always like:
Louis: *scoots closer* I like you
Nic: Go away. I'm a beast
Louis: *nonplussed* ...you're clearly a man
Nic: I HAVE SCARS OK
Like ಠ_ಠ His whole character keeps going through the same motions of 'he can't love me I'm this' then 'he can't love me I'm that' and it's ridiculous. Case in point:
Nic: I don't understand why you're still here.
Louis: *sits back* I told you, I like you
Nic: But I have scars!
Louis: *puts his hand over Nic's* I think you're beautiful
Nic: *blushes* ok then
~five minutes later~
Nic: But I'm also a terrible person. You should move on already
Louis: *sips tea* How so?
Nic: I... threw you in the dungeon
Louis: Well, I'm not there anymore am I?
Nic: *grumbles*
~two minutes later~
Nic: I've got it now!
Louis: What is it?
Nic: I killed my brother
Louis: The brother you keep crying over?
Nic: ...yes.
Nic: He died because of me and my heartlessness
Louis: You're not heartless and it wasn't your fault
Nic: *flips table*
And also I have a character called Nic whom I've themed with the Mob song in Beauty and the Beast and every time I read that name I thought of how much funnier this would be if he were there instead.
Fanny: Sorry but I think my son's wandered in here...
Meshetta: *throws him over the railing*
They have such a lovely relationship :3
Louis was very underwhelming too. I hoped he'd be the good-for-nothing with a pure heart no one knows what to do with and while he was that, he was way too cheerful to my taste. I NEED DRAMA OK. He doesn't do much except be sad for Nic and cheering him up. They never do anything for him. He doesn't use his newfound confidence to stand up to Ryan or gives something to the others that only he can do.
He stays like two pages in the dungeon? HOW DARE YOU I need my men in jail 24/7 dammit seriously tho that didn't help at all? Like have him stew and worry about his dogs and his friends and if he's be stuck here forever. It would up the tension when Nic appears
The ending was very abrupt? Like you don't want your book ending and the readers asking IS EVERYBODY DEAD OR WHAT
So yeaaahhh this one was very disappointing I'm sad I like the author
~an hour later~
Fanny: *swings open the door* What the hell was that?
Meshetta: *is bathing* *throws the curtain holder at him*
Fanny: *closes door before it hits him* There's no point talking to you. By the way, good luck finding your clothes >:P
Meshetta: *le offended gasp*
~plus half and hour later~
Fanny: *to his son* You better have learned not to wander in secret passageways in random houses.
Meshetta: *throws open the door and a vase at Fanny's head*
Fanny: *dodges* Can you do anything but throw things?
Meshetta: *glares*
Fanny: That's something, I guess
Meshetta: *trips on a curtain and faceplants*
Fanny: ...that was anticlimatic.
AAAHHH I love these two so much! Maybe you'll see them one day! Kyaa
WHY CAN'T GAY BEAUTY AND THE BEAST STORIES BE AS GOOD AS Cruel Beauty???
MY HEART WEEPS
Seriously tho, this was so very NOT Beauty and the Beast. 1) there's no curse so Nic can leave whenever he wants, 2) he's actually got people with him who do, 3) he's not even a beast! He just has scars! 4) the entry for the 'castle' is actually in some random little house? What? 5) there's no castle, just a magicless tower.
Sigh.
Nic's character, aka the 'beast', really didn't work for me. He's all mopey and wangsty about his brother's death, which I'll give him, but he's also calling himself heartless and selfish and I mean, the fact that you regret his death and let it affect you this bad is PROOF that you're not heartless, idiot. Have someone tell him already.
And he's always like:
Louis: *scoots closer* I like you
Nic: Go away. I'm a beast
Louis: *nonplussed* ...you're clearly a man
Nic: I HAVE SCARS OK
Like ಠ_ಠ His whole character keeps going through the same motions of 'he can't love me I'm this' then 'he can't love me I'm that' and it's ridiculous. Case in point:
Nic: I don't understand why you're still here.
Louis: *sits back* I told you, I like you
Nic: But I have scars!
Louis: *puts his hand over Nic's* I think you're beautiful
Nic: *blushes* ok then
~five minutes later~
Nic: But I'm also a terrible person. You should move on already
Louis: *sips tea* How so?
Nic: I... threw you in the dungeon
Louis: Well, I'm not there anymore am I?
Nic: *grumbles*
~two minutes later~
Nic: I've got it now!
Louis: What is it?
Nic: I killed my brother
Louis: The brother you keep crying over?
Nic: ...yes.
Nic: He died because of me and my heartlessness
Louis: You're not heartless and it wasn't your fault
Nic: *flips table*
And also I have a character called Nic whom I've themed with the Mob song in Beauty and the Beast and every time I read that name I thought of how much funnier this would be if he were there instead.
Fanny: Sorry but I think my son's wandered in here...
Meshetta: *throws him over the railing*
They have such a lovely relationship :3
Louis was very underwhelming too. I hoped he'd be the good-for-nothing with a pure heart no one knows what to do with and while he was that, he was way too cheerful to my taste. I NEED DRAMA OK. He doesn't do much except be sad for Nic and cheering him up. They never do anything for him. He doesn't use his newfound confidence to stand up to Ryan or gives something to the others that only he can do.
He stays like two pages in the dungeon? HOW DARE YOU I need my men in jail 24/7 dammit seriously tho that didn't help at all? Like have him stew and worry about his dogs and his friends and if he's be stuck here forever. It would up the tension when Nic appears
The ending was very abrupt? Like you don't want your book ending and the readers asking IS EVERYBODY DEAD OR WHAT
So yeaaahhh this one was very disappointing I'm sad I like the author
~an hour later~
Fanny: *swings open the door* What the hell was that?
Meshetta: *is bathing* *throws the curtain holder at him*
Fanny: *closes door before it hits him* There's no point talking to you. By the way, good luck finding your clothes >:P
Meshetta: *le offended gasp*
~plus half and hour later~
Fanny: *to his son* You better have learned not to wander in secret passageways in random houses.
Meshetta: *throws open the door and a vase at Fanny's head*
Fanny: *dodges* Can you do anything but throw things?
Meshetta: *glares*
Fanny: That's something, I guess
Meshetta: *trips on a curtain and faceplants*
Fanny: ...that was anticlimatic.
AAAHHH I love these two so much! Maybe you'll see them one day! Kyaa
October 9, 2018
3.5 stars
In itself a nice Beauty and the Beast retelling, but as the last (???) of a series it's lacking.
No real advancing of the overall plot of the series and no conclusion or explanation, which is frustrating, especially since this is the last book published in this series since 5 years.
There's also a few plot holes/things of the book itself that are never explained
There were clear setups for more novellas (Ryan and Danny were already hinted at in book3, and now Philipp and the pirate...) though I couldn't find any information if this series is abandoned or will ever continue.
Lil bonus yay for dogs, though!
In itself a nice Beauty and the Beast retelling, but as the last (???) of a series it's lacking.
No real advancing of the overall plot of the series and no conclusion or explanation, which is frustrating, especially since this is the last book published in this series since 5 years.
There's also a few plot holes/things of the book itself that are never explained
There were clear setups for more novellas (Ryan and Danny were already hinted at in book3, and now Philipp and the pirate...) though I couldn't find any information if this series is abandoned or will ever continue.
Lil bonus yay for dogs, though!
September 13, 2017
A nice twist on the Beauty and the Beast classic...but it never really delved as deeply as it should have. Too many myths, legends, and magic are lightly touched upon but I really wanted more depth, more MORE, if you know what mean. Sometimes hints and whispers at back stories aren't enough.
All that being said I'm still going to read whole series. Yes, once again I have discovered a series and read the most recent one first. Maybe that is why I found the "history " of the knights a bit lacking.
Oh well, onto book 1.
All that being said I'm still going to read whole series. Yes, once again I have discovered a series and read the most recent one first. Maybe that is why I found the "history " of the knights a bit lacking.
Oh well, onto book 1.
February 28, 2018
Interesting
I have enjoyed this series so far. Each story is different and is building to the bigger plot with the very cunning King Maas. It will be nice to get a conclusion of this series.
I have enjoyed this series so far. Each story is different and is building to the bigger plot with the very cunning King Maas. It will be nice to get a conclusion of this series.
March 20, 2018
Good story, but it does end rather abruptly. More?
February 26, 2017
I was expecting this book to conclude this story, instead it leaves me hanging.
I did enjoy the tale of Nic and Louis, but it didn't feel connected with the rest of the stories. King Maas played such a large part in this series I was hoping to get some closure. Instead while this was a good story it simply laid the path for future stories with no closure on the present story.
While the author ends with the promise of more to come I can't help but notice this book was out in 2014 . :(
I did enjoy the tale of Nic and Louis, but it didn't feel connected with the rest of the stories. King Maas played such a large part in this series I was hoping to get some closure. Instead while this was a good story it simply laid the path for future stories with no closure on the present story.
While the author ends with the promise of more to come I can't help but notice this book was out in 2014 . :(
April 18, 2014
This is the fourth story of the "Knights of the Compass".
I admit, I have a soft spot for these stories (I've finished all four of them now and can't wait for the next story). The idea of taking fairy tales, giving them a new twist but keeping some of their distinguishing attributes, is intriguing. And I loved the result.
OMG - what to do with this story? All the guys have grown on me, I love them all. Just to make this clear - this is obviously not the last book in this series, at least I hope so.
We finally get to know the mystery around the needle. Rumors had been mentioned in the first book and this time the mystery is lifted.
I liked Sir Louis, he is a good guy, a sensible and emphatic guy. He is good, deep, deep down in his heart he is really good. He is the right guy for the Beast, who btw. isn't as bad as beastly and heartless as he sees himself.
The story contains a lot of information about the world it happens in. This is important, actually, as much as the lovestory enchanted me, obviously the book is also a trailblazer for more to come, not only with the (really, Dru Wellington, was that necessary???? To leave me hanging like that with that end??? Okay, rant over.) huge cliffhanger in the end. Have I already mentioned that I dislike cliffhangers? (Oh, and Dru Wellington, you haven't explained the Sir Ryan/Danny conflict in this one either...just saying...and why hasn't Sir Axle asked about it even once?)
If you don't mind them, it's a lovely lovestory. A really lovely lovestory. It even contains cats and dogs, magic and yummy sex.
I admit, I have a soft spot for these stories (I've finished all four of them now and can't wait for the next story). The idea of taking fairy tales, giving them a new twist but keeping some of their distinguishing attributes, is intriguing. And I loved the result.
OMG - what to do with this story? All the guys have grown on me, I love them all. Just to make this clear - this is obviously not the last book in this series, at least I hope so.
We finally get to know the mystery around the needle. Rumors had been mentioned in the first book and this time the mystery is lifted.
I liked Sir Louis, he is a good guy, a sensible and emphatic guy. He is good, deep, deep down in his heart he is really good. He is the right guy for the Beast, who btw. isn't as bad as beastly and heartless as he sees himself.
The story contains a lot of information about the world it happens in. This is important, actually, as much as the lovestory enchanted me, obviously the book is also a trailblazer for more to come, not only with the (really, Dru Wellington, was that necessary???? To leave me hanging like that with that end??? Okay, rant over.) huge cliffhanger in the end. Have I already mentioned that I dislike cliffhangers? (Oh, and Dru Wellington, you haven't explained the Sir Ryan/Danny conflict in this one either...just saying...and why hasn't Sir Axle asked about it even once?)
If you don't mind them, it's a lovely lovestory. A really lovely lovestory. It even contains cats and dogs, magic and yummy sex.
September 6, 2015
This fourth installment was fleshed out more like the first one, but still felt incomplete and like it was just missing something. Together these four books fall to expand on and breathe life into this fairy tale world. Each new book wretched you from the part of the world you had just begun to know only to introduce something else that is also never expounded on. Truth be told they all just felt like excuses for sex, which is too bad because it's a waste of potential. I really loved the first one and really enjoyed that homage to fellowship of the ring at the end, but there hasn't been any payoff for that. I wish I'd just stopped reading there.
July 2, 2014
First, like the other ones before this one, I love the story and how it sticks so close to the fairy tale! So awesome! And second, I like how Louis persisted and finally was able to break through the Beast's (Nic) walls!
But come on!!!!!! WHAT? WHY? I have so many questions! Why the cliffhanger? That did not make me happy! I mean yes, I got the "curse" or whatever that was but how come, the Prince? What's going to happen? Not nice to leave people hanging! :(
So many questions.....
But come on!!!!!! WHAT? WHY? I have so many questions! Why the cliffhanger? That did not make me happy! I mean yes, I got the "curse" or whatever that was but how come, the Prince? What's going to happen? Not nice to leave people hanging! :(
So many questions.....
July 13, 2015
This fourth installment in the series has a bit of a different feel to it than the first three. It was less swashbuckling and fairytale like. I found it more moving and emotional. I loved Louis, his compassion and bravery. Also enjoyed the mystery surrounding Nic. There were also two excellent dogs and a cat.
Fair warning - it ends with a cliffhanger. I sure hope we don't have to wait 100 years for the resolution.
Fair warning - it ends with a cliffhanger. I sure hope we don't have to wait 100 years for the resolution.
May 8, 2016
I like this one and 'The Knight and The Bandit' best in this series. Hopefully the cliffhanger regarding King Maas and the restoration of peace for the four kingdoms will be resolved in Tales from the Compass series.
May 17, 2014
The knight an the Beast
The knight an the Beast
The knight an the Beast was a good read took a minute to get into it but good once it got going
The knight an the Beast
The knight an the Beast was a good read took a minute to get into it but good once it got going
May 21, 2014
Probably my favorite so far in this series...and I've liked all of them! That ending though! Can't wait for the next one!!
June 4, 2015
A sweet take on a tale as old as time..
This was the tale that hooked me into this author's work. Very well written and executed.. Pick it up! It's a cozy very enjoyable read.
This was the tale that hooked me into this author's work. Very well written and executed.. Pick it up! It's a cozy very enjoyable read.
December 21, 2015
Definitely my favorite in the series! Can't wait for the next installment ....
January 6, 2016
After book 1 the best in the series, I think.
August 3, 2016
Good
It was a bit more slow paced than the previous 3, but still good. It wasn't my favorite but it was entertaining. Can't wait for the next book.
It was a bit more slow paced than the previous 3, but still good. It wasn't my favorite but it was entertaining. Can't wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews