Scars & Sketches: A Collection of Short Stories from Esmadia

by R.H. Linehan

Book II in The Ulvvori Chronicles

Dive deeper into the world of The Midwinter Queen with this collection of short stories featuring both old & new favorite characters, stunning new Ulvvori legends, & tantalizing hints at what is coming next in The Ulvvori Chronicles.

Scars & Sketches can be tandem read with The Midwinter Queen or read as a sequel. A Tandem Reading Guide will be provided inside the book.

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2024

About the author

The Ulvvori Chronicles, Books 1-3 available now!
- Book 1: The Midwinter Queen
- Book 2: Scars & Sketches
- Book 3: The Oracle King

Book 4 (The Wildcat & the Wolf), coming soon!

Come follow along with me on IG or Facebook :)

Reviews

[Ashlee Tharman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I thought I loved Midwinter Queen, I had a love affair with Scars and Sketches by R. H. Linehan. This was an amazing set of short stories helping to fill in questions and musings from the past of your favorite characters and opening the doors of the future introducing new beloved characters. Linehan is amazing at making you feel like these characters and stories are real and you get so invested in their lives you truly do forget that you're not actually in Esmadia. I cried (a lot) for so many different reasons, and I'm just as much in love with this second installation of the Ulvvori Chronicles as I was the first. I can't wait to dive more into these books and for the official release of Scars and Sketches fall 2024!!

[Morgan Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was different than i normally read but i enjoyed it. It was beautifully written

[Tessa Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh this book was everything I needed! I did the tandem read with the first book (the guide is amazing) and it filled in so many gaps and just tied the first book together so amazing!! And the ending was perfect! I seriously can’t wait for book 3!!

[Morgan Jacques · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:
✨Short Stories
✨Found Family
✨Tandem Read With Book 1
✨Giant, Magic Wolves

These short stories were everything!

This book can be read as a tandem read with book 1, The Midwinter Queen, if you have not read it. I decided not to go that route has I had previously read book 1.

There were so many short stories in the POV of the side characters. You get so many questions answered that you have from book 1, and this book fills in a lot of gaps timeline wise from book 1 as well.

You get a better sense of the characters, and you will absolutely fall in love with all of them (except 1) and even meet some new characters!

If you love Folklore, mythology, found family, and clean romance you need to check this book and well as the first book out. I promise you won’t regret it.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good collection of short stories showcasing more of the events that happened throughout Midwinter Queen and afterwards.

The characters were the best part of the first book, so this was nice to get some more scenes with them without really needing to have much additional plot.

As with any collection of short stories, some were interesting and some weren't to me. Some made me giggle, some gave tears, and some had me skimming through (ugh Azimar).

Thank you to the author for the eARC of this book.
My thoughts are entirely my own.
Finish date: 8/28/24, Release date 9/5/24

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend the tandem read because I got lost with the characters a few times (read TMQ in June with quite a bit of fantasy in between). I loved the attention to detail with the "side" characters! Definitely teared up a few times, and I'm intrigued to see what happens next!

[Gabby Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was like a hug ❤️ It filled in all the gaps and gave us a glimpse of every single side character! It made me laugh and it made me cry! It was the perfect companion for the Midwinter Queen!

[Ashley Remmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in tandem with The MidWinter Queen. I know it says you don’t have to have read it to read this but I think I would’ve been completely lost if I hadn’t read them together. Overall I enjoyed the stories together. A little different from my normal reads but the storyline is well written.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book and filled in a lot of the gaps from “The Midwinter Queen.” I will say that readers would understand a lot more of what’s going on in both books if they did the tandem read.

[Shelby Wallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I was initially a bit unsure of how I'd like book two being a collection of short stories rather than a traditional novel but Y'ALL. This. All of this. I absolutely loved all the background information and questions that were answered. The attack at the Den absolutely destroyed me but it was so, so good! I adore R.H. Linehan's writing style in general and the character development is just fantastic. This was an easy 5 star read for me! I'd dare say I liked Scars & Sketches a hair more than the Midwinter Queen, which was another 5 star for me. Just amazing!

[ChelseaFace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so very much to R.H. Linehan for allowing me to be an ARC reader for the sequel of "The Midwinter Queen". I was so excited to dig my teeth into this😍

We have several short stories from this world and the characters from the first book. Each story made me truly feel like I was being transported into someone's mindset. A truly difficult thing to accomplish, but the author made it happen on the page!

My favorite stories had to be Carro's with the guys uncle and Ivarr's with the library🩷 Absolutely loved those!! There were a couple of very hard hitting ones, some sweet romantic ones, and some silly funny ones. I think everyone who reads this will find something they liked within it.

I loved this. I believe the tandem read would make it even better, but I am honestly too lazy to do that 😂 I do think it would make this easier to digest as far as timeline goes, but I had no issues since I read the first book so recently. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and it's authors work! Can't wait to see what she does next!!

[Vikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scars & Sketches is a captivating continuation of R.H. Linehan’s enchanting world in The Ulvvori Chronicles. This anthology brilliantly expands upon the rich tapestry introduced in The Midwinter Queen, offering readers a deeper glimpse into the lives and legends that make Ulvvori such a compelling realm.

This collection of short stories is a treasure trove for fans, featuring a mix of beloved characters and intriguing new faces. Each story is a carefully crafted piece that not only enriches the backstory of The Midwinter Queen but also weaves in tantalizing hints of what's to come in the series. From heart-wrenching histories to exhilarating new adventures, every page is infused with the same magic and complexity that made Book 1 unforgettable.

Scars & Sketches is a must-read for anyone invested in The Ulvvori Chronicles. It’s a beautifully written anthology that not only delves into the past but also sets the stage for the future of this enthralling series. If you loved The Midwinter Queen, you’ll find this collection an absolute delight as it deepens your understanding of Ulvvori and its unforgettable inhabitants.

[Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did the tandem read for this one and OH MY GOD
If you haven’t read this yet, 100% grab the tandem guide and read it that way, because it’s amazing.

When I tell you that there’s some Tolkien level world building here, I mean it. Zero exaggeration. No, she doesn’t spend 20 pages describing a tree- but she DOES paint a clear enough picture that I forgot these places aren’t actually real… which is a crying shame, because I would gladly relocate.

Carro. Baby, you’ve been to war enough, let me go to war FOR YOU 😩
Asenna is a badass.
Briar, Nettle and Sage deserve everything.
I’ll let you take a wild guess at my opinion of Azimar.

Do yourself a favor, let R. H. Linehan break your heart
(so she can fix it again, obviously…maybe…one way to find out 👀)

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of short stories in the Ulvvori Universe! I had the pleasure of Beta reading this book for RH. Linehan, and let's just say I am still obsessed with their writing! The world building, characterizations, growth... It's all amazing. Each of their books in this series feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a stormy night. HIGHLY recommend for the romantasy lovers out there!

Scars & Sketches is a captivating read for fans of fantasy and romance who crave immersive world-building, complex characters, and hints at what's to come. Follow beloved characters (and new ones!) through legends of old, and adventures of new.

[Amy Barraclough · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories add a whole lot more depth to Esmadia and its inhabitants. I read the entire book in one day - I just couldn't put it down.

Some of the stories resonated deeply especially these lines from Sons:

"But if there is one thing that I can tell you, it is that grief will always catch up. Sometimes it is better to open the door, let it inside, and sit with it for awhile. Let it stay, put it on a shelf, then take it out and hold it again sometimes, but always put it back. Do not give it pride of place in the center of the room. Do not lock it out, but do not let it weigh you down or you will never come back up."

[Alexandra Simpkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


🐺⚔️

I was provided an ARC in exchange for my honest review:

This was AWESOME. We asked for more from R.H. Linehan’s world and she DELIVERED! I love how this is a tandem read too. I loved all the extended lore. I loved meeting new characters and new stories and stories from the 1st book I wanted more of! I don’t want to say too much as it may ruin the 1st book but this was amazing. R.H. Linehan has a real talent for world building, she knows how to reel a reader in.

Thank you for this masterpiece !

[KyLee Zelfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in a chokehold. It is a perfect blend of past and present. This book definitely helped to fill in some blanks from book 1 and explain things a bit more. From understanding what Carro went through during the war, to little back stories and insights into Gaelin, Talla, and Tira. I enjoyed the alternative viewpoints as well. It can be read as a tandem, and I highly suggest doing so. I am assuming for book 3 we are probably switching from Asenna being the lead to Fen, and if so, this book was the perfect transition for it. Definitely enjoyed this book a lot!

[Kathryn Garibaldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an incredible, ingenious book! Imagine reading a book, falling in love with it (especially the characters), and then getting blessed with this masterpiece of short stories that fills in all the blanks in the timeline before, during, and after the first book you fell in love with. Whew what an amazing ride. Tandem reading this the first time through would have been truly awesome, but I thoroughly enjoyed it as I read it. I have definitely fallen in love with R.H. Linehan’s writing style and talent for building characters and beautiful, mythical worlds. Can’t wait for her next one!

[Nicole Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having throughly enjoyed The Midwinter Queen, I was eagerly anticipating the release of Scars & Sketches. This installment did not disappoint. It is a delightful exploration of the world of The Midwinter Queen, but it also expands on that universe. The 2 books can be read in tandem. S & S gives us stories on both familiar and new characters, adding layers to the complex tapestry of the series. The author's ability to bring these characters to life with such vividness and emotional depth is truly
impressive.

[Sarina K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an excellent read. Everything I wanted more of in the first book was fully delivered in this beautiful companion book. It was such a perfect blend of humor and emotion. I’m really loving the development of some of the fantasy elements here and can’t wait to see more about how Fen grows into his role as king and explores his abilities. Loved the addition of some new characters, everyone was so developed with distinct personalities and I loved so many of their interactions. I will forever be thinking about these characters.

[Jupiter Spook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing read by R.H. Linehan, this collection of short stories has you diving into the rich history of the Ulvvori Chronicles. You'll laugh, you'll squeal, you'll cry! It truly has it all. The Midwinter Queen became one of my favorite reads this year and getting to know more about character backgrounds just made me fall more in love with this world. I'm literally about to reread both and do the tandem read haha

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scars & Sketches is a series of short tales that take place before, during, and after the events of The Midwinter Queen. It can be tandem read with The Midwinter Queen or read as a sequel. A Tandem Reading Guide is provided inside the book. I loved the extra stories and the author’s writing is always gripping. I recommend reading tandem or directly after reading book one.

[bookish_adventurer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed being back in the realm of Midwinter Queen. I particularly enjoy this collection of short stories that helps to provide further insight into some of the characters we’ve grown to love (or at least know of) while introducing us to new concepts. The writing is engaging and easy to get lost in reading. This was a wonderful read and continuation of the world of Esmadia.

[Sara Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linehan has done it again with an absolutely amazing second book in the Ulvori Chronicles.

This collection of short stories answered most - if not all - of the questions I had while reading The Midwinter Queen. It was so heartwarming to get glimpses into the backstories of the other characters that we got to know in TMQ. I really loved getting to see more of the dynamic and internal dialogue that goes on between The Riders and their wolves. The artwork for each character was unique, and such an expression of them. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Virgi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book of short stories. It filled in gaps from book 1-The Midwinter Queen. I recommend doing the tandem read. I love the characters and world that R.H. Linehan has created and I can’t wait to see what happens in book 3.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a fun way to learn more about all the characters, it would be great as a tandem read with the midwinter queen to give you more insight into all the characters and where the story goes after!

[Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant collection of short stories for this series. You can do a tandem read or read this by itself. I did the tandem and I'm so glad I did!! There is a guide on how to do it. It's easy to follow and understand. I can't wait to see what comes next from R.H. Linehan.

[Kandice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading it along with The Midwinter Queen. I can't wait to see what's next!

[Cristy Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do the tandem read with The Midwinter Queen!! That is all. (:

[River]

DNFed at 7%