The Keeper - Special Coloured Edition

by P S Whytock

392 pages, Hardcover

Published March 21, 2024

Reviews

[Reese 🌌💙 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, and I devoured it within a day. The authors style of writing is so easy to read and follow without getting lost at any points. The story flowed nicely and I never found myself feeling as though I was missing any gaps in the story.

At first I was sceptical of our FMC, Annabelle. I found a couple of things she said at the start of the book to be a bit naive, but the more I read and the more I followed her story, the more I fell in love with her. I felt her pain, I felt the journey she was going through, and I enjoyed every moment of it. The fight scenes were also written very well.

I loved how we got the villain’s side of the story as well. I feel as though that’s something we miss in a lot of stories, and we straight away go from meeting them to then the end product. I liked that there were small moments snatched throughout the book where we saw what was going on.

I’m dying to know more about Gallian, he was such a complex character that I feel as though we have only just touched on the surface of him. I feel as though all of the characters in the book were written well, even the side characters.

I also loved how there were so many creatures entwined in this story, and it wasn’t a typical fae story.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow!! Just wow!! I didn’t think I was going to like this as much as I did but boy was I wrong 🤩

✨High Fantasy
✨3rd person POV
✨Fae
✨Magic
✨Strong FMC

I always get confused with 3rd person POV but this was beautifully written so I didn’t have that issue. P S Whytock’s writing style is incredible and the world building she has created is amazing 🤩
Fae, magic, dragons - what more could you want?!

It is slow to start off with but keep going, it’s worth the wait 🥰

This is a new adult romance so if you’re looking for spice, you won’t find it in this book and do you know what? I actually really enjoyed this aspect 🤣 There is of course a romantic element to it and it didn’t go the way I was expecting it to when I first started - but I am not mad at all 😍

I am eagerly awaiting book 2 in the series because I need more!! I absolutely highly recommend this book and can’t wait to see more from this author 🔥

[Elicia Meairs · Rating 5 out of 5]

P.S. Whytock’s The Keeper is a mesmerizing dive into a world where magic and reality intertwine, creating a tale that is both enchanting and deeply moving. This fantasy novel, rich with folklore and mystical intrigue, tells the story of Anabelle, a young woman on the brink of an extraordinary destiny she never imagined.

Anabelle is not your typical heroine; she is content with her simple, secluded life in the forest with her mother, far from the societal pressures of coming-out balls and romantic entanglements. But as her twentieth birthday looms, the boundary between the life she knows and a world she only dreams of begins to blur. Whytock crafts these early scenes with a delicate hand, setting the stage for the unfolding drama while allowing readers to become deeply invested in Anabelle’s quiet, introspective life.

The concept of the Keeper—a guardian chosen every two thousand years to protect the forest and the veil separating the world of man and magic—is brilliantly conceived and executed. Anabelle’s gradual realization of her role, along with the return of her long-buried memories, is both thrilling and heartbreaking. Whytock captures the weight of this responsibility with elegance, exploring how it reshapes Anabelle’s identity and her relationships with those around her.

The dream sequences, filled with Fae, spirits, and masquerade balls, are wonderfully vivid and serve as a haunting foreshadowing of Anabelle’s true destiny. These dreams bridge the gap between her ordinary life and the extraordinary world she is about to enter, creating a sense of tension and anticipation that builds as the story progresses.

Whytock’s world-building is lush and immersive, drawing readers into a forest filled with ancient magic and lurking dangers. The setting feels both familiar and otherworldly, a place where the natural world is alive with secrets and shadows. As Anabelle’s memories resurface and the shadows rise, threatening the balance of the forest, the stakes become increasingly dire. The narrative expertly weaves together elements of mystery, adventure, and romance, all while maintaining a strong emotional core centered on Anabelle’s journey of self-discovery.

What truly sets *The Keeper* apart is its exploration of heritage and legacy. Anabelle’s struggle to reconcile her past, her hidden heritage, and her role as the Keeper is portrayed with depth and sensitivity. The novel touches on themes of identity, duty, and the sacrifices required to protect what is cherished. As Anabelle faces the darkness that threatens to consume her world, she also learns about the strength that lies within her—a strength she never knew she had.

The supporting characters, too, are richly drawn, each with their own connections to the forest and the magic that surrounds them. Whytock does an excellent job of fleshing out these relationships, making the reader care about the fate of not just Anabelle, but the world she is sworn to protect.

In The Keeper, P.S. Whytock has created a beautifully written, captivating story that will resonate with fans of fantasy and folklore. It’s a tale of courage, love, and the timeless battle between light and darkness. Anabelle’s journey is one that will stay with you long after the final page is turned, making this novel a must-read for anyone who loves a good, magical adventure.

[Amber Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn't something I would read, but I'm glad I did, there was alot of warnings going into the book.

Approaching her twentieth birthday, Anabelle has little interest in romance, coming-out balls, or the latest fashions. Living in seclusion on the edge of the forest with her mother, Anabelle sees no reason for her idyllic life to change.

Though Anabelle is plagued with dreams that feel far too real, dreams of Fae and spirits, masquerade balls, and handsome strangers. Unknowing that her life was about to change.

I love anabelle. She is a character who would give you what's on her mind and wouldn't give 2 crap about it.

"The chill has gone, the frost has died, and winter has fled our sights. Come, my fairy friends, won't you dance in the summer nights? The moon is full, and the stars are bright. Come and dance in the summer nights."

This gave me chills.
Also, I did feel like I couldn't get it into this book as the 1st 2 chapters, I was confused. But going through the book, slowly I was understanding what was going on.

We have gillian and Balwin, who was annoying but good at the same time.

2 more quotes I like -

" To Be Immortal, you must die"
- Fire and ash reigned high, and the world burned. Where life sowed its roots, only cinders remained.
I will be getting this book in physical form
Cannot wait to read book 2.
The Black Forest.

[Michelle Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book focusing on Annabelle who is wild in childhood by societies view - caring less for social acceptance and more for the freedom of nature. A journey of self discovery, self belief, inner strength and being authentic.

The world building was beautiful. Each world described was masterfully painted in a way it was alive in my imagination as I read - more so than many other highly promoted books. The glossary was a great addition as many of the words I would have butchered and they were aptly chosen words. I adored the characters (ok maybe not Balwin) and the budding slow burn romance that develops is very sweet and not overdone. I liked the names used, how mythology played into the book. I would love to see this again in multiple POV narrative just to delve more into some of the characters. This book made me laugh, it made he cry and it had me desperate to find out what happened next.

The only criticism for me is that the first 25% felt a little slow paced in comparison to the rest of the book bur equally it’s been a busy week so maybe it was more my mood?

The acknowledgements made me cry too. Your father would be so incredibly proud of this book.

[Liz (this_scorpioreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This book has an interesting premise, the main FMC, has led a sheltered life, hidden away from society, alone with her mother, until she is thrust into the land of the fae, and many secrets which have been hidden from her for years quickly reveal themselves.

I found the world building to be rich, the description used brought it to life, but it could at times for me seem a little without depth. I felt that Annabelle seemed to fall into her new role a little easily given her background, so it seemed it a little unconvincing at times to me.

The story was interesting though, and I get the sense from the ending that this is very much just the beginning.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars but not downgrading the stars.

The concept of this story is so incredible. And the way she incorporates different spirits and ideas of fae was so cool

I will say some of the sentences felt a little wordy (but I am very weird about that stuff so...). I loved the romance, wasn't with who I initially expected but I am not complaining I loooove who she's currently with.
Am very interested in how this story is going to continue, definitely reading the next one.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly well written fantasy, that has you emotionally invested with the characters from the first chapter. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Cariad Giles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an easy read! Perfect if you love fantasy, with a "discovering who you are" aspect.

[Rosie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! Such a unique idea for a fantasy book and the storyline was great.