Enchanted Castle - A Novelette

The Enchanted Castle #1

by Chrissy Peebles

Dinosaurs, abduction, and a hidden civilization were never part of Casey Smith’s vacation plans. That is, until a freak storm tossed her and two best friends, Mike and Jack, out to sea. When they wash up on what they presume to be a mysterious tropical island...they soon discover that being lost...is the least of their troubles. In a jungle that teems with impossible creatures, UFOs, and a hidden civilization, the three friends need to team up to fight danger...without letting their emotions tear them apart. Can they find a way to survive the harsh jungle...and its deadly inhabitants?

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Paranormal, Ghosts, Paranormal Romance, Short Stories

Unknown Binding

First published August 27, 2011

About the author

Chrissy Peebles, a practicing nurse, has always loved reading and writing fantasy from the earliest age she can remember. She plotted every single twist she could think of during bedtime stories for her children. When her little ones begged for more adventures, she felt confident enough to let her overeager imagination and sense of humor spill out into her first novel. She lives in Ohio with her husband, two young kids, one hamster, three dwarf hamsters and cat. When she's not taking the kids to Little League soccer, basketball, or baseball, she loves to snap photos as her favorite hobby.

Reviews

[Bèbè ✦ RANT ✦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joey Sanders always wanted to get away from her problems and from her family. It's not that she didn't love them, they were just.... different. When she got accepted to Mount Park Manor for a school year, she knew that this would be the opportunity to stop being noticed and find out more about who she really is. Making new friends and possibly falling for a gorgeous guy is exactly what she needs. But with moving shadows, unbelievable dreams, and something creeping in the dark, her and her new friends will have to question everything that they believe in.

I thought the writing was very good and the start of the story was quiet good. However, since being a Novelette, it is very short and I felt like it wasn't enough for me to get my interest in. More than 50% of the book was just about Zoey and her surroundings and how she got to know other people in the Mansion. The next part was pretty good. I thought that the author was spot on making me feel creeped out and that's why I think there is hope for this series.

What I really enjoyed is that Enchanted Castle really made me frustrated. You know those girls in scary movies that go towards the sound? DON'T GO TOWARDS THE SOUND! That's how you end up dead. But no... Obviously not Zoey.

"Check this out. I wonder what it is".
Hunter scooted a table and lined it up with what looked like a trapdoor.
"Let's check it out"

But as much as I yelled for them not to go towards the trap door.... Of course they didn't listen. Which was actually the best part of this book. So overall, I would recommend it but only if you have the second book handy right away. I couldn't believe it would end the way it did, but hey... Can I get a cliffhanger? Whoop whoop!!!

[CheyAnn Robin ·ᴥ· · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need more of the book! I think the author should have written more! The end was disappointing!!😢😢

[chucklesthescot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Explain to me why American authors always have it raining when their character arrives in Scotland? It's always grey, gloomy, dreary, damp or raining and cold enough to freeze those American bones and it is just not reality people! It drives me bloody crazy. If you visit Central Scotland in winter it is milder than the whole of the northern US. So why are we portrayed as some gloomy, polar temperatures country? Most winters my part of Scotland never sees snow and it is the US that shivers through huge snowdrifts. Ditch the steriotypes why don't you.

And of course, love comes calling straight away and the two best male friends each snag the two female new best friends to make two cosy couples. Of course they do. Eric just seems to be there as love interest #2 as there is little about him otherwise. It was ok but nothing much of interest really happens.

[Cassie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4 stars

This was definitely an interesting start to what is sure to be a great series! While it did read more like just the beginning of a novel in that this is only 32 pages long, this novelette provides just enough to get your interest piqued and want to find out what happens next. Granted, I do wish it was longer and that the characters would have been fleshed out a bit more, I am sure that in the next book this will happen. I would definitely check this out if you like a bit of mystery, an amazing setting, and a story that will leave you wanting to find out so much more. Plus it's free on Amazon, so you can' beat that!! I can't wait to see what happens next.

Happy reading :)

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good scary story...

[Jayde Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoey is a normal sixteen-year-old girl with a bright future ahead of her. That's why she's being offered a spot in a very exclusive private school in Scotland. Upon her arrival, she meets Hunter and they hit it off straight away. Hunter's funny and cute, and she falls for him quickly. But Hunter's also free spirited and adventurous, two qualities that get him in trouble most of the time.
But conquering her flame's heart, even though he's never been one to play fair...or faithful, aren't Zoey's only worries. Strange things begin to take place at her new school: dreams and visions that seem eerily real. Zoey and Hunter soon begin to unravel a past long forgotten. Or is it?
As Zoey and Hunter lose themselves in the school's past, they don't yet realize their quest to discover the truth might just draw dangerous attention upon them.

The Possession of Zoey is a fast read that kept me hooked from page one. I absolutely loved the vivid imagery of the new school, an old castle in the middle of Scotland. Hunter's such a funny and lighthearted character. He's the perfect love interest, the guy whose heart has never belonged to anyone. Zoey is more broody and intense, and has a few secrets of her own. Secrets that put her life in danger. This was a brilliant book that ended with a cliffhanger I thoroughly enjoyed. I hope the next installment will be out soon because I'm dying to find out what happens next.

[Sienna Logan (Lost to Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an intriguing read but I found it a little jumpy and could have been constructed better. I agree with what other people have said and that it felt like a teaser or the first few chapters of a book rather than a novelette as there wasn't an obvious beginning, middle and end, or plot. I wanted to feel more from the characters and get to know them better before everything started to happen, and I needed some more detail on locations, and background to flesh it out and help me to understand everything. It has an interesting premise and it was free--not sure it's made me want to read on though.

[Adrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the beginning of a series called The Enchanted Castle. It says book 1 but it's more like a lead-in novella. It's about a haunted castle in Scotland and a bunch of American exchange students. Yup, there isn't going to be anything authentically Scottish here. That said, 2.5 stars.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was a cute story. I might read the next one if it was really cheap. But I am not compelled to run out and get it though.. The main character was very relatable.

[Quirkyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good start to hook in readers.

[Laura Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

[MK ( MaKayla) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excuse me 30 pages ??
I don't get the point of novellas ...there just isn't enough time for any real character development.
The author should have just made a stand alone book instead of separating it into sections ...but what do I know .
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I just read another one of Chrissy Peebles books and I really just didn't get the point of the book . Especially when she forgot to write a major part of the plot *ahem *.
But thankfully all of the promised parts in the blurb were found in this book .
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Dissapointments :
- The length which I already mentioned .
- The insta-lust :/*barf*
Although kudos to the author for making it a little less pg-13 and more pg ...it wasn't as lusty as the other one ....it was more of your face is perfectly symmetrical and I want to make out with it kinda way ...but still *gags* 😂😂
This is the main reason why Romance novels and I don't get along .

- Does every guy have to be HOT ...c'mon ...but this is YA romance so what the frick did I actually have expectations.
- The entire book felt so familiar ...not in a I've already read this book before way . More in a I've read a lot of books like this book before kind of way .
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My applause to the author though I actually liked this book , even if it was a little regurgitated. :/
I loved all the elements in it though
-gothic house
-boarding school
-haunted feel
I would like to read more of this ...I just wish it was less like a serial and more of a novel.

[Book Wyvern · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, first off, look at that cover. If I was just reviewing the cover I’d give it five stars, honestly. It’s so beautiful. It also sets the bar high for the story behind it and sadly, the story fell under that bar.

I feel like this has potential and I kind of love and hate the teenage aspect of it. The author kept hinting at the main characters past and I wish that I had more of a flashback or a bit more history of Zoey.

Is this a school for troubled teens? It sure seems like it.

I do like that the author didn’t go the jealous teen girl way when Zoey and Pam met with Hunter, it was a nice change of pace.

I am feeling a bit frustrated at this box set because the stories stop right when the plot gets going so I’m left with a not very exciting beginning. I kind of feel like this would make a good show but that it’s also been done before so I’m torn.

As I said, the story doesn’t really match up with the cover but again, I’m left with basically just a beginning so maybe it gets better.

Thank you for reading my review.

-Sam

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoey is going to finish her senior year of High School in a castle at Scottland, She is looking forward to this adventure. She easily makes friends with a couple other students very quickly. She thinks she sees things on and off but explains them off as possibly shadows in the dark castle. She has a strange dream of a very handsome young man and a talented princess only to discover a wall hanging of those same people who she later learns were once residents of this castle. Zoey has a remarkable resemblence to Princess Isabella in the picture, so close they could pass as twins and she is wearing the same exact necklace in the picture as Zoey is. Zoey was given the the necklace as a heirloom from her grandmother.
This was a short novelette but it grabbed my attention and I would like to check out this series..

[Briarsong's Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

Misleading Description - not a novella

Lies.
Says it is a 102 page novelette, calls itself "book 1", but it is actually only 41 pages long. I repeat, it is only 41 PAGES!
The rest is previews of the author's other works.

This is not a novella. It is not even a short story. It is PART 1 of a short story. The Kindle price is comparative to many full novels. Totally a rip off. I will not be buying any more of this author's work.

I admit that the description does warn that "none of your questions will be answered" but they are NOT Kidding! It is like buying the first 2 chapters of a book at full price.

Beyond that, this is geared for an 11-12 yo reading level. Don't expect much, cuz you aren't going to get it here!

[Victoria Zigler · Rating 3 out of 5]

It feels like the story hardly started before it suddenly ended. I get that this is the first in a series, but this book felt more like the first couple of chapters of something longer, rather than a book in its own right, which is a shame... It had the potential to be a five star read. If this was one of those serialised stories some magazines used to do, it would be worthy of that five star rating.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan. There are a couple of editing errors but what really got me was that they found some old clothing and a tiara that had been there for 100 or so years and everything was still sparkling. There was just no commonsense to the story.
I won’t be reading the sequel (though heaven knows it is a continuation of the same story. This one didn’t have anything happen so nothing was resolved. Therefore, not a complete story.)

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a quick free read. It barley brushed the story details. I found it a bit lacking as far as a series intro goes, I wished the writer had delved a bit more into the story. At the same time can one really complain about a free read. The story is about a group of high school seniors that get recruited to go to a prestigious academy in a castle in Scotland where strange things start to take place. It’s not a bad read just wish there was more.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

😄

Since that first dream she swears the castle is haunted. Especially when she flips a book in the library and realizes the man from her dream has a picture in it from many years ago. But upstairs they find a crown and a picture but what's most bizarre of all is she looks just like the girl in the painting and she has the same exact locket as well.

[Bigbear Woolliscroft · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this series, because I had been told great things about it, by a 17 year old. Well, perhaps I am too old for it and perhaps I am just not keen on bad research or bad writing, but this series did not gel with me. It is a bit Harry Potter in a haunted castle, but the details are all wrong and it jars.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good first book

Would love to dive into book two, found it is currently unavailable. A haunted castle in Scotland turned into a school, students that are doppelgangers to the past, a mystery to be solved and love to be found. All in one series, can't wait to see what happens next.

[mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read, a gothic ghost tale and a tempting taste of an interesting new series. I liked FMC Zoey, she was strong and independant, and managed to trip over a mystery in her new school, I can't wait to see where this is going. I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Michelle Rindal · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was really shot

[Jami Humphrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. I liked the characters of the book but, the storyline was not my cup of tea. Would of liked to hear more about the history of the building.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know this is very short, but I was expecting a short story. A short story that would intrigue me enough to find the next full-length novel. This read more like an introductory chapter.

[Brandy Shumway · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth the time

It was not worth the time and energy i put into reading it. I would not recommend to anyone. Rubbish

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[dove🤎 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Of course it was a novella but it was too short for me to connect with the story.

[Addison · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zoey’s senior year at a mysterious Scottish castle sets the perfect gothic backdrop for a paranormal romance filled with secrets and suspense. The story blends teenage drama with dark intrigue and a hint of romance, though some plot elements feel predictable. Peebles creates a moody atmosphere that keeps readers curious about Zoey’s fate and the hidden dangers lurking in the shadows.

[Rayn]

I should probably stop reading free Google play books....but they are nice quick reads at least.