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Comyenti #1.5
Chained Freedom
Tana Woodwolf wakes to find herself trapped within a strange land. She learns quickly from the faces of the others that this is no paradise she has been transported to; it is a prison.
Unable to escape, Tana soon discovers that a dark and malignant force is dragging her and the other prisoners, one-by-one, to unreachable higher rooms of the tower from which they never return.
If she is to ever escape from there then she will need to use all the guile and strength she has within her. Does one of the others hold the key? Or is it something else within the prison that she needs to study?
As the darkness comes nearer, a strange voice whispers;“Look and be free… You have to let go of what you know.”
Should she trust the voice? Should she trust the others? Does she even have a choice?
As despair and terror closes in around them all, only one person can discover the truth and save them...
Note from the author: This is a stand alone story that is set in between 'Call Off The Search' Book One and 'Children Of The Sun' Book Two of the Comyenti Series.
Unable to escape, Tana soon discovers that a dark and malignant force is dragging her and the other prisoners, one-by-one, to unreachable higher rooms of the tower from which they never return.
If she is to ever escape from there then she will need to use all the guile and strength she has within her. Does one of the others hold the key? Or is it something else within the prison that she needs to study?
As the darkness comes nearer, a strange voice whispers;“Look and be free… You have to let go of what you know.”
Should she trust the voice? Should she trust the others? Does she even have a choice?
As despair and terror closes in around them all, only one person can discover the truth and save them...
Note from the author: This is a stand alone story that is set in between 'Call Off The Search' Book One and 'Children Of The Sun' Book Two of the Comyenti Series.
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2014
64 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Natasja Hellenthal
17 books52 followersNatasja Hellenthal is a novelist, researcher, environmentalist, and nature and animal lover. Her interests include reading the best books, science and metaphysics, psychology, philosophy, and art. She lives on a Greek island with her rescued cats.
She writes witty, speculative fiction that entertains people but at the same time makes them think. Her work has been described as 'thought-provoking'. Her writing is about change, freedom, advocating for LGBT equality, and animal welfare.
In her novels, she also deals with big psychological, ethical themes and struggles of life such as love and loss, abuse, and the consequences of our actions. She tries to build strong characters as realistically as possible, for even though the genre is Fantasy she wants people to feel connected with her heroes and villains as they would with their real-life people.
'Her books are available for Kindle, free with KindleUnlimited, and in Paperback.
Natasja Hellenthal is influenced by writers such as Tanith Lee, Kahlil Gibran, Patricia McKillip, and Hermann Hesse.
Subscribe to her NEWSLETTER: https://mailchi.mp/e49f0616a6b1/httpe...
Please click on "follow" if you want to know when she releases a new book, like and share her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Natasj..., or sign up to her weekly newsletter for the latest updates, free books, fun and interesting articles, and much more!
Follow her blog on http://natasjahellenthal.wordpress.com or Twitter on @natasjahellenth
Consider leaving an honest review and favorable rating if you enjoy her books.
Read less
She writes witty, speculative fiction that entertains people but at the same time makes them think. Her work has been described as 'thought-provoking'. Her writing is about change, freedom, advocating for LGBT equality, and animal welfare.
In her novels, she also deals with big psychological, ethical themes and struggles of life such as love and loss, abuse, and the consequences of our actions. She tries to build strong characters as realistically as possible, for even though the genre is Fantasy she wants people to feel connected with her heroes and villains as they would with their real-life people.
'Her books are available for Kindle, free with KindleUnlimited, and in Paperback.
Natasja Hellenthal is influenced by writers such as Tanith Lee, Kahlil Gibran, Patricia McKillip, and Hermann Hesse.
Subscribe to her NEWSLETTER: https://mailchi.mp/e49f0616a6b1/httpe...
Please click on "follow" if you want to know when she releases a new book, like and share her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Natasj..., or sign up to her weekly newsletter for the latest updates, free books, fun and interesting articles, and much more!
Follow her blog on http://natasjahellenthal.wordpress.com or Twitter on @natasjahellenth
Consider leaving an honest review and favorable rating if you enjoy her books.
Read less
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 4, 2016
Freedom versus Imprisonment
Tana Woodwolf holds the attention of the townspeople with her story. It's not a fairy tale; it's a true story. And it's her story.
With his magic, the Wizard transports people to his remote tower. He forces them to work the land and serve his needs.
Current prisoners pass on information to the new prisoners. First, do not try to escape. Second, if you do try to escape, the magical shield will stop you. And third, do not bring yourself to the attention of the Wizard. From time to time, prisoners are summoned to the Wizard's living quarters. They are never seen again.
"We had to provide for our own food and needs; if not we would simply wither away and die. Those were the options; live or die while we waited for our unknown destiny up there in the tower, which was most likely death."
Natasja Hellenthal's Chained Freedom is a short yet powerful paranormal mystery/fantasy. An important lesson is people many times fashion their own prisons. And they hold the power to free themselves.
Tana Woodwolf holds the attention of the townspeople with her story. It's not a fairy tale; it's a true story. And it's her story.
With his magic, the Wizard transports people to his remote tower. He forces them to work the land and serve his needs.
Current prisoners pass on information to the new prisoners. First, do not try to escape. Second, if you do try to escape, the magical shield will stop you. And third, do not bring yourself to the attention of the Wizard. From time to time, prisoners are summoned to the Wizard's living quarters. They are never seen again.
"We had to provide for our own food and needs; if not we would simply wither away and die. Those were the options; live or die while we waited for our unknown destiny up there in the tower, which was most likely death."
Natasja Hellenthal's Chained Freedom is a short yet powerful paranormal mystery/fantasy. An important lesson is people many times fashion their own prisons. And they hold the power to free themselves.
February 24, 2014
An unusual, interesting and downright intriguing 'true story' designed to not only entertain the reader, but also to make them think, what would they do in a similar situation.
See my review also at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chained-Freed...
http://www.amazon.com/Chained-Freedom...
See my review also at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chained-Freed...
http://www.amazon.com/Chained-Freedom...
April 17, 2014
Chained Freedom is a refreshing story I greatly enjoyed. I loved how Natasja Hellenthal weaved her message of be good to thy neighbor into her story. Creative and unique. Great job, Natasja
March 27, 2014
It's a nice short story, which has some links with the Comyenti series, but the main story is about people being caught and trapped by a wizard, after which they just have to work. There's no escape, as there's a big magic wall around the tower where they're being held. And yet, nobody is forcing them to work, but everybody still keeps quiet and gets on with it. Except Tana, she still has hope that one day it will be possible to get out. This is her story.
This story can be placed over so many situations in the real world, where people just do what is expected of them and they accept anything around them, as long as they're being left alone to get on with their own thing/ life. As per the author's previous books, she's also conveying a message of love and kindness towards people and animals in this short story, in order to make the world a better place. It's a romantic yet worthy idea, even though the odds can seem high at times.
I give this 3 stars as the story is too short to really get into and has only minor links to the previous book, Call off the Search, so I can't say "this is a great book, I really got into it and there's some great twists and turns in it". But I still enjoyed it and I think more people should read it and take it for what it is: an encouragement to be kind to each other and to help each other out - it doesn't cost anything and you'll reap what you sow.
This story can be placed over so many situations in the real world, where people just do what is expected of them and they accept anything around them, as long as they're being left alone to get on with their own thing/ life. As per the author's previous books, she's also conveying a message of love and kindness towards people and animals in this short story, in order to make the world a better place. It's a romantic yet worthy idea, even though the odds can seem high at times.
I give this 3 stars as the story is too short to really get into and has only minor links to the previous book, Call off the Search, so I can't say "this is a great book, I really got into it and there's some great twists and turns in it". But I still enjoyed it and I think more people should read it and take it for what it is: an encouragement to be kind to each other and to help each other out - it doesn't cost anything and you'll reap what you sow.
January 2, 2015
I sat down and read this story in one sitting. It is a short read, but it is written in a very clear, concise style. The author really draws you in and you find yourself right in the midst of this "fairy-tale".
I love stories that are filed with metaphors, and this is one of the best I have read. I won't go into details, as I think every reader should have the chance to discover the hidden meanings for themselves, but rest assured there are many thought provoking ideas.
I highly recommend this story to all.
I love stories that are filed with metaphors, and this is one of the best I have read. I won't go into details, as I think every reader should have the chance to discover the hidden meanings for themselves, but rest assured there are many thought provoking ideas.
I highly recommend this story to all.
January 17, 2015
Chained Freedom is a short story ( 40 odd pages) which I read in one sitting. It’s a fantasy story of Tana who is trapped in dark world from which there is no escape. Then one day she hears a voice that will help her escape. It’s a story of good and evil, right and wrong and about how she deals with this. It’s a book that rises above the normal fantasy genre, and one that asks many questions. Very concise and well written, I highly recommend this story. I have heard this a taster of more to come, and I for one, can’t wait.
March 3, 2015
Great paranormal, fantasy books
I love to read paranormal, fantasy books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint me. As I read on and got deeper into the mystery of the story I wondered how Tana would get herself out of the prison. Then I got to think about how many people make their own prison with their beliefs and by the way they cope with life. I give the author 5 stars for the clever way she wove this story. Great book.
I love to read paranormal, fantasy books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint me. As I read on and got deeper into the mystery of the story I wondered how Tana would get herself out of the prison. Then I got to think about how many people make their own prison with their beliefs and by the way they cope with life. I give the author 5 stars for the clever way she wove this story. Great book.
March 5, 2015
Gripping paranormal fantasy
Chained Freedom (The Comyenti Series) ...
Natasja Hellenthal
Fans of paranormal mystery and fantasy genres will eagerly devour this gripping story.
A short but strong tale, well-written with dynamic characters. Chained Freedom is one you won't want to put down - grab hold of your destiny and flip these great pages.
Gripping paranormal fantasy.
Chained Freedom (The Comyenti Series) ...
Natasja Hellenthal
Fans of paranormal mystery and fantasy genres will eagerly devour this gripping story.
A short but strong tale, well-written with dynamic characters. Chained Freedom is one you won't want to put down - grab hold of your destiny and flip these great pages.
Gripping paranormal fantasy.
March 1, 2015
Natasja Hellenthal's Chained Freedom is a well-written novella of paranormal mystery/fantasy. I found it compelling and couldn’t put it down until I finished. I’m not one to give to spoilers, but it is a MUST read if you are into this fascinating genre. I give it high marks!
March 1, 2015
Hellenthal's "Chained Freedom" is impressive: dark forces trap our heroine, Woodwolf, in a strange land and a strange tower from which prisoners never return. At the story's heart is the eternal questions: What is freedom worth?
July 23, 2016
I always appreciate honest but nice reviews, thank you (-:
February 23, 2014
Awesome short story Natasja!!!! Looking forward to reading more! I love the way you have a hidden message in all your writing - it really makes one think and re-assess ones life. Well done!!
March 1, 2015
Found this for free on Twitter. A great paranormal fantasy. Loves the mystery and the heroine Tana and want to read more on her adventures.
March 1, 2015
An exciting mystery. I love paranormal stories like this. Chained Freedom- A Free Fantasy by Natasja Hellenthal is wonderful.
June 11, 2017
Short read but didn't keep my attention.
So a wizard had been keeping people as slaves. These people had no way of knowing when they will be called to the wizard tower which they never come back.
The story is being told by Tana as she's one of those that escaped with the help of a woman from the outside of the invisible gate. Name Fay.
So after escaping Tana felt the need to help the other slaves that so happened to get them in trouble for trying to escape but Tana doesn't.
1.5 on trying with the writing and story telling. I hated how the story flipped and flapped from first person either Tana or Fay and then also third person. That I don't like.
Story was blah at best. Not something I'll cheer for. No character that I would cheer for or be happy for.
So a wizard had been keeping people as slaves. These people had no way of knowing when they will be called to the wizard tower which they never come back.
The story is being told by Tana as she's one of those that escaped with the help of a woman from the outside of the invisible gate. Name Fay.
So after escaping Tana felt the need to help the other slaves that so happened to get them in trouble for trying to escape but Tana doesn't.
1.5 on trying with the writing and story telling. I hated how the story flipped and flapped from first person either Tana or Fay and then also third person. That I don't like.
Story was blah at best. Not something I'll cheer for. No character that I would cheer for or be happy for.
October 9, 2017
Completely enthralled by Chained Freedom
I really enjoyed reading this short story. There is some truth to what she believed, that by doing good we shall find good. I recommend this book to anyone that likes to read fantasy and can see the hidden or not so hidden messages. Stay positive and do good.
I really enjoyed reading this short story. There is some truth to what she believed, that by doing good we shall find good. I recommend this book to anyone that likes to read fantasy and can see the hidden or not so hidden messages. Stay positive and do good.
February 19, 2017
Half a book
Like many of the free book 1's of a series it is unfinished but as I can't seem to find a follow-up book maybe it is just an ending that left me feeling reading the book was a waste of time with no conclusion.
Like many of the free book 1's of a series it is unfinished but as I can't seem to find a follow-up book maybe it is just an ending that left me feeling reading the book was a waste of time with no conclusion.
January 18, 2018
No pull for me.
This story and the chracters were bland which is usually tge case with short stories from my assessment. I read some of this story I think in early 2017 and picked back up 2018.
This story and the chracters were bland which is usually tge case with short stories from my assessment. I read some of this story I think in early 2017 and picked back up 2018.
December 26, 2017
I appreciated the message of freedom, friendliness and kindness in this book, but when I finished reading the book, I felt more confused than inspired. Maybe that's because the genre isn't my preferred style or I hadn't read any of the other books in the series.
January 17, 2019
It has potential
I was hoping this story would be different. It’s an interesting idea, but I don’t think it was executed well. It felt like the story was written in a passive voice.
I was hoping this story would be different. It’s an interesting idea, but I don’t think it was executed well. It felt like the story was written in a passive voice.
February 19, 2018
Business 001
This novel was excitement personified though at times a little too busy . I enjoyed reading this and I know you will also.
This novel was excitement personified though at times a little too busy . I enjoyed reading this and I know you will also.
April 20, 2019
from kobo
January 21, 2021
Una historia utópica en una distopía demasiado fantástica para mi gusto.
December 20, 2015
I did not like this thinly-veiled morality tale. Tana is not a reliable narrator. She's self-centred and the other characters, viewed through her eyes, do not appear as real people with stories of their own. It's as if they don't really exist. Even in Tana's narrative, names are forgotten--very few people have them. If she's spent so much time with them, you'd think they'd know each other's names, that they'd be important to her as fellow prisoners with a common goal--escape. As it is, they are 'the woman' or 'the man' or some other generic description which takes away from their humanity and creates disconnection. They're people without names, without faces, and that reduces the power of the story.
We don't get to see much of the evil wizard, nor get any insight into his motivations. So what if the wizard steals slaves and puts them to useless work? What's the purpose? Why does Tana go around telling her story if there's no reason for her warning? (or is that part of her narcissism?)
Essentially, this is a story-within-a-story that's lost all its power. Tana gets enslaved by an evil wizard with no apparent purpose or goal. She escapes and goes around telling people. Because the story starts with her telling the tale, we know she escapes, and so the tension of that mystery is denatured from the very beginning. The reason for her imprisonment is never shared, nor is there any character development for anyone.
Sadly disappointing.
We don't get to see much of the evil wizard, nor get any insight into his motivations. So what if the wizard steals slaves and puts them to useless work? What's the purpose? Why does Tana go around telling her story if there's no reason for her warning? (or is that part of her narcissism?)
Essentially, this is a story-within-a-story that's lost all its power. Tana gets enslaved by an evil wizard with no apparent purpose or goal. She escapes and goes around telling people. Because the story starts with her telling the tale, we know she escapes, and so the tension of that mystery is denatured from the very beginning. The reason for her imprisonment is never shared, nor is there any character development for anyone.
Sadly disappointing.
December 27, 2016
After a long day of what seemed like it was lasting forever. I was in the mood for a short story. This fit the bill!
I finished this book in one sitting and for a short story I didn't mind this one at all. I was drawn in and kept drawn in till the end.
The message of helping others/ putting others before yourself was nicely told in this short story.
I finished this book in one sitting and for a short story I didn't mind this one at all. I was drawn in and kept drawn in till the end.
The message of helping others/ putting others before yourself was nicely told in this short story.
January 17, 2015
This is the free version of 'Chained Freedom' as available on Smashwords.
Hopefully Amazon will price match soon.
Please leave an honest favourable review for my short thought-provoking story. Thank you (:
Hopefully Amazon will price match soon.
Please leave an honest favourable review for my short thought-provoking story. Thank you (:
July 15, 2015
Quick read and interesting story; the central themes can easily be applied to our own lives, it makes us think about our freedom and whether or not we're imprisoning ourselves, 3 stars ('liked it') because I think the story could've been more succinct and written a bit better
April 13, 2017
I have to confess this one is difficult to rate because its style is quite different from most other stories.
It is mostly told in the style of an oral narration to a crowd. In that sense, it reads a lot like a fairy tale or fable from the Brother's Grimm (in fact the tower in the story had me thinking of Rapunzel).
In terms of genre, or story style, I think it is probably similar to Paulo Coehlo's 'The Alchemist'. If you liked 'The Alchemist' you will probably like this book. If you didn't, then you probably won't.
The story has some good ideas to think about. I think it works well to keep you wondering what is truly going on.
It would have been nice to have a sample chapter from the next book in the series to be able to place this story.
I suspect (but I could be wrong) that it probably serves as a prologue to the rest of the books in the Comyenti series, which probably have different protagonists (again, I could be wrong about this because it would be really nice to continue with the lead characters from this story). Also, because the tone of the story is so unusual (because it serves as a prologue), I suspect the rest of the books are in a different style and tone because I can't imagine a whole series being told from the perspective of a Storyteller.
I found one unnecessary piece of profanity that disturbed the flow and one typo.
It is mostly told in the style of an oral narration to a crowd. In that sense, it reads a lot like a fairy tale or fable from the Brother's Grimm (in fact the tower in the story had me thinking of Rapunzel).
In terms of genre, or story style, I think it is probably similar to Paulo Coehlo's 'The Alchemist'. If you liked 'The Alchemist' you will probably like this book. If you didn't, then you probably won't.
The story has some good ideas to think about. I think it works well to keep you wondering what is truly going on.
It would have been nice to have a sample chapter from the next book in the series to be able to place this story.
I suspect (but I could be wrong) that it probably serves as a prologue to the rest of the books in the Comyenti series, which probably have different protagonists (again, I could be wrong about this because it would be really nice to continue with the lead characters from this story). Also, because the tone of the story is so unusual (because it serves as a prologue), I suspect the rest of the books are in a different style and tone because I can't imagine a whole series being told from the perspective of a Storyteller.
I found one unnecessary piece of profanity that disturbed the flow and one typo.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews