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Courting Shadows
Ash to Embers
If Tian wasn’t a badass sociopath she’d be an emotional basket case. Warped is a pesky side effect of an immortality enslaved to the Dark Court of the Unseelie Sidhe. After an endless life of servitude she craves oblivion, but hey, she'll settle for the status quo that keeps her from being traded to an endless supply of sadists and psychotics for small favors. Too bad, the Sidhe Oracle is both and he’s tasked her to find a relic he’s lost in the human world. His violent insistence leaves her with two spectacular problems. The first is obtaining said Faerie relic without seeking help from her own kind. The second is a brutal hot stranger named Sio, who keeps derailing her cozy little train of soulless emotional vacancy.
Sio has the temperament of a hero and all the hobbies of a villain. The normal life he struggles with is a cover for the time he spends burying an abusive past under long lines of anonymous bedmates and bouts of violent underground fighting. Trouble is, his version of normal has been on the implode since lousy judgement and a spectacular sexual performance ran him afoul of a local wizard.
When Tian saves Sio from an assassin in the bathroom of a local nightclub, the only way out is a nice swift drop kick into the masticating shadows of Tir Na Nog. There Sio comes face to fae with a lifetime of personal demons, a murderous pack of rugrat night terrors, the meaning of true love, and the disturbing realization that the past he’s run from may not be the biggest secret in his life.
Unfortunately, the wizards are waiting for his return and they intend to kill them both.
That is, if the Unseelie Sidhe don’t get to them first.
Sio has the temperament of a hero and all the hobbies of a villain. The normal life he struggles with is a cover for the time he spends burying an abusive past under long lines of anonymous bedmates and bouts of violent underground fighting. Trouble is, his version of normal has been on the implode since lousy judgement and a spectacular sexual performance ran him afoul of a local wizard.
When Tian saves Sio from an assassin in the bathroom of a local nightclub, the only way out is a nice swift drop kick into the masticating shadows of Tir Na Nog. There Sio comes face to fae with a lifetime of personal demons, a murderous pack of rugrat night terrors, the meaning of true love, and the disturbing realization that the past he’s run from may not be the biggest secret in his life.
Unfortunately, the wizards are waiting for his return and they intend to kill them both.
That is, if the Unseelie Sidhe don’t get to them first.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2014
9 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
C.V. Larkin
2 books12 followersI live in an odd, well wintered, little corner of New England with my husband and our dog that is not a dog, and one that should have been a dragon. There, I drink copious amounts...of tea, obsess over imaginary worlds, listen to deafeningly loud music, renovate on a timetable that would put the Winchester Mansion to shame, and steal away to unexplored places whenever the opportunity presents itself.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 20, 2016
I'll give CV Larkin credit where it's due. I really liked the world-building in this dark new urban fantasy series. It's not really like anything else I have read, which is part of the attraction. So many books in the genre feel like a rehash of something else, but this book never tries to cash in on someone else's successful formula. It follows its own path and --for the first half especially-- had me completely invested in both the core characters and their journey.
Tian is a killer who is nearly dead inside. She feels nothing, beyond the pain of constantly being killed and resurrected. She is a mixed-breed Fae: powerful enough to be immortal, but weak enough to be enslaved to the pureblood Fae. She not only must serve her "owner," but the cruel Oracle who keeps her under his thumb. At this point, true death would be a blessing. But it's not a luxury she has.
Sio is a man with a tortured past, a penchant for underground fights, and an insatiable sex drive. In his own way, he is as dead inside as Tian... until the day he first lays eyes on her. Though he didn't meet her that night, Tian's image is seared into his brain --and when he stumbles across her again, he is even more entranced than before. I won't spoil the bizarre events that bring them together, but suffice it to say they are dark and bloody. The thing is, the fierce attraction isn't one sided. Tian is so drawn to Sio that she practically comes alive in his presence.
They end up working together to keep Sio safe from the Bad Guys who are targeting him; this, as Tian searches for a Fae artifact at the Oracle's behest. Along the way, they must face nightmare creatures, vengeful ex-lovers, and their own devastating pasts. Both characters are so very damaged. Yet they manage to find peace in one another. Well, as much peace as you can find when everyone is trying to kill you.
The characters are well drawn and easy to care about. Not only Sio and Tian, but the secondary characters as well. I cared what happened with the heartbroken Xavier, the sullen Royal, the enigmatic Ceyla and the clueless human Loren. I want to know more about all of them. I want to know their stories.
But the book has some issues. Though the pacing and plotting worked really well in the beginning, there were some parts in the second half which went a bit off course. The pacing faltered and we went off too far into the mythos. I also found that I had unanswered questions --or at least unsatisfactory answers. Like why the wizards were targeting Sio... the explanation didn't ring true. Who bound him? Why? What's Tian's backstory? How/ why was she chosen to become an avatar? Is the goddess just going to stay inside her? What's the basis of her connection with Sio? How did they get from the bathroom stall to the subway? (I read that chapter 3 times.) Some of these questions niggled more than others, but there were too many to ignore. Maybe some will be answered in subsequent books, but I felt like it was a lot left that I didn't entirely understand.
Overall, I thought it was a story worth reading. And I would like to read the next installment (despite the fact that it doesn't appear to be about Royal and Ceyla.) I'd recommend if you're looking for something dark and different and you're cool with some questions left unanswered.
Rating: B/B-
*ARC provided by author for review
Tian is a killer who is nearly dead inside. She feels nothing, beyond the pain of constantly being killed and resurrected. She is a mixed-breed Fae: powerful enough to be immortal, but weak enough to be enslaved to the pureblood Fae. She not only must serve her "owner," but the cruel Oracle who keeps her under his thumb. At this point, true death would be a blessing. But it's not a luxury she has.
Sio is a man with a tortured past, a penchant for underground fights, and an insatiable sex drive. In his own way, he is as dead inside as Tian... until the day he first lays eyes on her. Though he didn't meet her that night, Tian's image is seared into his brain --and when he stumbles across her again, he is even more entranced than before. I won't spoil the bizarre events that bring them together, but suffice it to say they are dark and bloody. The thing is, the fierce attraction isn't one sided. Tian is so drawn to Sio that she practically comes alive in his presence.
They end up working together to keep Sio safe from the Bad Guys who are targeting him; this, as Tian searches for a Fae artifact at the Oracle's behest. Along the way, they must face nightmare creatures, vengeful ex-lovers, and their own devastating pasts. Both characters are so very damaged. Yet they manage to find peace in one another. Well, as much peace as you can find when everyone is trying to kill you.
The characters are well drawn and easy to care about. Not only Sio and Tian, but the secondary characters as well. I cared what happened with the heartbroken Xavier, the sullen Royal, the enigmatic Ceyla and the clueless human Loren. I want to know more about all of them. I want to know their stories.
But the book has some issues. Though the pacing and plotting worked really well in the beginning, there were some parts in the second half which went a bit off course. The pacing faltered and we went off too far into the mythos. I also found that I had unanswered questions --or at least unsatisfactory answers. Like why the wizards were targeting Sio... the explanation didn't ring true. Who bound him? Why? What's Tian's backstory? How/ why was she chosen to become an avatar? Is the goddess just going to stay inside her? What's the basis of her connection with Sio? How did they get from the bathroom stall to the subway? (I read that chapter 3 times.) Some of these questions niggled more than others, but there were too many to ignore. Maybe some will be answered in subsequent books, but I felt like it was a lot left that I didn't entirely understand.
Overall, I thought it was a story worth reading. And I would like to read the next installment (despite the fact that it doesn't appear to be about Royal and Ceyla.) I'd recommend if you're looking for something dark and different and you're cool with some questions left unanswered.
Rating: B/B-
*ARC provided by author for review
May 14, 2014
There are so many aspects to this book that will draw in the reader, for instance, the characters are imperfect and broken in their own way. They are not personified to be a work of perfection; although they are considered to be aesthetically pleasing, they are, also, composed of grit, anguish, and a dark side. The character development and details of their world, in which strangely resembles an aspect of the streets of San Francisco that you never expected to exist, will engulf your imagination from the start. Both of the main characters, whom are devoid of emotional attachments or the ability to connect with another "living" soul, suddenly are fighting the urge to allow the other to enter their personal world. Yet, as they are thrown into a duel with demons to save their own skin, each learns from the other things they never knew or has kept hidden deep in the depths of their mind. Only, Sio, the human whom has a proclivity to mindless sexual encounters, is about to learn more about his own life than he anticipated or expected. With each road along their journey, you will root for some, while feeling empathy for some of the others who use Tian, our heroine faerie, in inexplicable ways that will make your toes curl, at the vivid imagery that will flash through your head with the descriptive narrative this unique author creates for our pleasure. It was a treat to be captivated so early in a new book but, be ready for every little gory detail of a world so distinctively painted that you may think twice of your surroundings and environment that revolves around your existence. It is definitely a story unlike any other in its genre yet, will enrapture any reader with its sexual explicitness and unabridged, no holds bar havoc to save all mankind, humans and non-humans alike.
May 20, 2014
Great book. The characters and the world that C.V. created are great. I love the plot. Tian is a great character. I recommend it to others. It's one that needs to added to your TBR list. I look forward to reading more of C.V.'s books.
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June 4, 2014I can't get into it. Maybe it's me, I find the writing doesn't flow, I have to concentrate a lot, reread passages several times.
It hasn't gripped me so it's a DNF for me..
It hasn't gripped me so it's a DNF for me..
May 13, 2014
If you like your urban fantasy on the gritty side, if you want plotting that pulls no punches, characters who refuse to let their damages hold them back, and a storyline that sprints from crisis to crisis with barely a break, (I do! I do!) then grab this title as fast as you can.
The author drops you right into the middle of Tian & Sio's lives and lets you pick up the pieces of the story as you ride along from adventure to fight to confrontation. The fancy reviewers call that 'in media res.' I call it a rocking good time. I wouldn't recommend this as a first introduction to the world of modern Fae stories, because none of the mythological terminology or personalities are given much background, but as long as the reader has a passing familiarity with folklore and the idea of the Seelie & Unseelie courts, the action will carry the day.
And oh, is there action! Thumping fights, steamy sex (I would put this at a firmly adult rating, pun intentional, oh, my yes...) long-running conspiracies and hidden pasts that come to light. You'll get all that and more. Tian and Sio are complicated people, and their friends & allies are fully-realized people with their own problems and motives. There's plenty of room for more stories in this world, and I'm looking forward to the next.
Nitpicky details paragraph: it's not a polished gem of editorial perfection, although it gets close. Admirably close. The premise was on the murky side due to the total lack of exposition. There's a gray area between building mystery and reader confusion, and plot revelations were heavily weighted to the end of the story. The use of of slang description in narrative sometimes went from entertaining to jarring, for me, especially when a paragraph would use two synonyms for face and never say face, f'rex. Sometimes it's cool when a character has to "wrap his brain around" something, but sometimes the extravagance would jar me out of my immersion in the world.
There. That's my due diligence on critical elements. Now, proceed straight to the "buy" button on Amazon, click, and enjoy the heck out of this dark, brutal, bloody, sexy delightful read.
The author drops you right into the middle of Tian & Sio's lives and lets you pick up the pieces of the story as you ride along from adventure to fight to confrontation. The fancy reviewers call that 'in media res.' I call it a rocking good time. I wouldn't recommend this as a first introduction to the world of modern Fae stories, because none of the mythological terminology or personalities are given much background, but as long as the reader has a passing familiarity with folklore and the idea of the Seelie & Unseelie courts, the action will carry the day.
And oh, is there action! Thumping fights, steamy sex (I would put this at a firmly adult rating, pun intentional, oh, my yes...) long-running conspiracies and hidden pasts that come to light. You'll get all that and more. Tian and Sio are complicated people, and their friends & allies are fully-realized people with their own problems and motives. There's plenty of room for more stories in this world, and I'm looking forward to the next.
Nitpicky details paragraph: it's not a polished gem of editorial perfection, although it gets close. Admirably close. The premise was on the murky side due to the total lack of exposition. There's a gray area between building mystery and reader confusion, and plot revelations were heavily weighted to the end of the story. The use of of slang description in narrative sometimes went from entertaining to jarring, for me, especially when a paragraph would use two synonyms for face and never say face, f'rex. Sometimes it's cool when a character has to "wrap his brain around" something, but sometimes the extravagance would jar me out of my immersion in the world.
There. That's my due diligence on critical elements. Now, proceed straight to the "buy" button on Amazon, click, and enjoy the heck out of this dark, brutal, bloody, sexy delightful read.
August 20, 2014
Fantasy is a new genre for me, and one that is quickly becoming my favorite. This particular book isn’t one I would have normally picked up on my own since the cover is dark and ominous, and as I use books for escapism I frequently opt for the light and fluffy variety. Ash to Embers was highly recommended to me by a friend, and after reading I am quite glad for the recommendation.
I don’t bother with synopses so had no clue what to expect when I first opened this book. In the opening scene heroine Tian receives a message, magically etched into her skin. She eventually answers the call by stepping into a lit fireplace, to be transferred to another realm. After being burned by the fire, she gets swallowed up by the stone, and then spit out somewhere else. I was completely flummoxed, but so intrigued I had to read on.
Never before have I been so fascinated and so perplexed at to what the heck is going on, at the same time. The author has an impressive vocabulary and uses it well. My usual method of just skipping over the words I don’t know and assuming I can figure out what is being said by context didn’t work here. Once I started looking up the unfamiliar words everything made perfect sense but I was a good halfway in before I finally started using that handy dictionary tool. It is mainly the fae and mythology jargon I didn’t know, and as this is a book that involves fae and other mythological people the references should be expected.
This is a really well-written story. The plot is fairly complex, the characters are solid, and the story is fast-paced and wild. There is no spelling out what is going on for the newbies, so the reader needs to jump in and go along for the ride. Everything makes sense in the end. There were so many mental lightbulbs going off in my head in the latter part of the book, it was like a fireworks display.
I guess it’s time to take a break from my light and fluffy escapism.
One thing to note, though. In the early chapters there seems to be some minor scenes which I assumed were inconsequential. They weren’t. In this book everything matters.
I can’t wait for the next one.
I don’t bother with synopses so had no clue what to expect when I first opened this book. In the opening scene heroine Tian receives a message, magically etched into her skin. She eventually answers the call by stepping into a lit fireplace, to be transferred to another realm. After being burned by the fire, she gets swallowed up by the stone, and then spit out somewhere else. I was completely flummoxed, but so intrigued I had to read on.
Never before have I been so fascinated and so perplexed at to what the heck is going on, at the same time. The author has an impressive vocabulary and uses it well. My usual method of just skipping over the words I don’t know and assuming I can figure out what is being said by context didn’t work here. Once I started looking up the unfamiliar words everything made perfect sense but I was a good halfway in before I finally started using that handy dictionary tool. It is mainly the fae and mythology jargon I didn’t know, and as this is a book that involves fae and other mythological people the references should be expected.
This is a really well-written story. The plot is fairly complex, the characters are solid, and the story is fast-paced and wild. There is no spelling out what is going on for the newbies, so the reader needs to jump in and go along for the ride. Everything makes sense in the end. There were so many mental lightbulbs going off in my head in the latter part of the book, it was like a fireworks display.
I guess it’s time to take a break from my light and fluffy escapism.
One thing to note, though. In the early chapters there seems to be some minor scenes which I assumed were inconsequential. They weren’t. In this book everything matters.
I can’t wait for the next one.
February 23, 2015
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading Ash to Embers, but I was pleasantly surprised. C.V. Larkin has written an original and enthralling novel combing elements of our world and the fantasy work of the Celtic Fae. Larkin has woven the lore of the past with our present world.
I loved that the main characters Tian and Sio are as flawed as they are. They begin with absolute emptiness. They are not nice people, but you grow to love and admire them. They are complex and layered, continuing to reveal more and more. Larkin has a brilliant way of creating beauty in a touch. The other characters are just as intriguing and complex, helping to move the story along with candor and humor.
The worlds that Larkin has created are darkly rich and ugly, which I loved. She has taken fantasy, romance and horror and mashed them all together in a rich tapestry of intricate plot and sub-plot. My only complaint is that Larkin’s overuse of uncommon words often took me out of the story. Please do not misunderstand, I love that the author used words that are often ignored in the everyday vernacular, and they painted amazing visuals, but at times, it seemed overdone and I felt myself being pulled to the words rather than enjoying the imagery Larkin was trying to create.
Despite the occasional removal from the story, I was enthralled. I loved that Larkin pulls no punches and writes gritty, dark ugliness as well as emotional beauty. I would absolutely recommend this book.
I loved that the main characters Tian and Sio are as flawed as they are. They begin with absolute emptiness. They are not nice people, but you grow to love and admire them. They are complex and layered, continuing to reveal more and more. Larkin has a brilliant way of creating beauty in a touch. The other characters are just as intriguing and complex, helping to move the story along with candor and humor.
The worlds that Larkin has created are darkly rich and ugly, which I loved. She has taken fantasy, romance and horror and mashed them all together in a rich tapestry of intricate plot and sub-plot. My only complaint is that Larkin’s overuse of uncommon words often took me out of the story. Please do not misunderstand, I love that the author used words that are often ignored in the everyday vernacular, and they painted amazing visuals, but at times, it seemed overdone and I felt myself being pulled to the words rather than enjoying the imagery Larkin was trying to create.
Despite the occasional removal from the story, I was enthralled. I loved that Larkin pulls no punches and writes gritty, dark ugliness as well as emotional beauty. I would absolutely recommend this book.
March 30, 2015
http://badbirdreads.com/review-ash-to...
At A Glance
What the hell was happening??? DNF
The Good
The concept appealed to me right away. The gritty world was totally up my alley.
The Bad
I made it to 40% of this book (And I was pushing myself. I wish I stopped at 10%), after that I just couldn't endure anymore. I had NO idea what the hell was happening. It was like reading a twister of blood, monsters, and torture. I like my torture, don't get me wrong, but inflicting pain happened for exactly 100% of the 40% that I read. Got a bit much. But the worst part was that I had no idea what was happening. It was a bunch of random occurrences smashed together with no background and history to explain it. I am still confused. I couldn't even hint at what this book was about.
The Snuggly
I didn't get far enough to know how the sex was, but I'm going to guess blood was involved.
Final Thoughts
I feel bad but seriously, don't read this book. Or you can try to read it and then translate it for me because I still want to know what the hell was going on?? Not recommended.
What the hell was happening??? DNF
The Good
The concept appealed to me right away. The gritty world was totally up my alley.
The Bad
I made it to 40% of this book (And I was pushing myself. I wish I stopped at 10%), after that I just couldn't endure anymore. I had NO idea what the hell was happening. It was like reading a twister of blood, monsters, and torture. I like my torture, don't get me wrong, but inflicting pain happened for exactly 100% of the 40% that I read. Got a bit much. But the worst part was that I had no idea what was happening. It was a bunch of random occurrences smashed together with no background and history to explain it. I am still confused. I couldn't even hint at what this book was about.
The Snuggly
I didn't get far enough to know how the sex was, but I'm going to guess blood was involved.
Final Thoughts
I feel bad but seriously, don't read this book. Or you can try to read it and then translate it for me because I still want to know what the hell was going on?? Not recommended.
July 22, 2014
I know you've heard it 1,000 times, but C.V. Larkin's style of writing is TRULY refreshing and original. With all the novels I've read over the years, I've become a bit jaded by the "status quo" style of contemporary writing. The language and imagery that C.V. Larkin uses is unlike anything I've read in a novel before. Her use of casual language in the narrative made the whole ride feel much more intimate than most other novels I've read - as if being told the story by a close friend rather than watching a TV documentary of events. It's raw and doesn't hold back. I personally couldn't get enough of it!
The story itself is dark, gripping, and in a few ways not for the faint of heart. And with the added casual language noted above makes the novel come to life in a real, plausible, way. This is one author I am honored to have stumbled upon. Reading this novel was like sharing in one of her closest held secret stories. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
The story itself is dark, gripping, and in a few ways not for the faint of heart. And with the added casual language noted above makes the novel come to life in a real, plausible, way. This is one author I am honored to have stumbled upon. Reading this novel was like sharing in one of her closest held secret stories. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
February 19, 2015
This is a paranormal romance that takes place in San Francisco and in Tir Na Nog (Fairie). It is written in the third person narration by C.V. Larkin. this is the first book by this author that I've read and it definitely won't be the last.
This is a tale about two beings who are so totally different yet fit together so well. She has lived a harsh life, or lives. She is a warrior who has lived a life of servitude. He is a beautiful man who seems to draw attention to himself without even trying.When they meet the chemistry is electrifying. She is sent on a mission and he gets caught up in it. She feels the need to protect him and he wants answers. There are some very dangerous moments that nearly kill them.
In my opinion this is an awesome read. the storytelling is fabulous. this author paints a wonderful picture keeping you into the story until the end and leaves you hanging enough to desperately need the next story. I highly recommend if you like paranormal/fantasy romance.
This is a tale about two beings who are so totally different yet fit together so well. She has lived a harsh life, or lives. She is a warrior who has lived a life of servitude. He is a beautiful man who seems to draw attention to himself without even trying.When they meet the chemistry is electrifying. She is sent on a mission and he gets caught up in it. She feels the need to protect him and he wants answers. There are some very dangerous moments that nearly kill them.
In my opinion this is an awesome read. the storytelling is fabulous. this author paints a wonderful picture keeping you into the story until the end and leaves you hanging enough to desperately need the next story. I highly recommend if you like paranormal/fantasy romance.
May 27, 2014
There is a lot that goes on in “Ash to Embers”, an incredibly imaginative tale by debut author C.V. Larkin. I found “Ash to Embers” to be unpredictable, entertaining, touching, and humorous. Sio and Tian are damaged individuals who begin to feel for each other, and to heal through those feelings. The healing feeling warmed my romance-loving heart. They fit together perfectly, including having orgasms that leave mortals feeling jealous. The story is heartbreakingly sad at times, and violent enough to be engaging without leaving scars on me.
Virgil is a standout character for me, because I am a Reiki Master Teacher and he is a healer. Accounts of his technique are well-written and held up well under my informed eye. That’s always a treat for me.
C.V. Larkin is on my author list. I’m looking forward to seeing where she takes the world of Courting Shadows.
Virgil is a standout character for me, because I am a Reiki Master Teacher and he is a healer. Accounts of his technique are well-written and held up well under my informed eye. That’s always a treat for me.
C.V. Larkin is on my author list. I’m looking forward to seeing where she takes the world of Courting Shadows.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews