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The Protogenoi Series #1
The Butterfly Crest
Between the shadows of the human world, a war as old as time is being fought. Ageless pantheons scheme to obtain or keep control, provoked by the weight of human belief which has altered the realm of the divine.
An ancient prophecy speaks of a human woman who will alter the course of this divine war, a descendant of a Great House mired in misfortune and blood, whose history was shaped by the cruelty of the gods.
On a day as unremarkable as any other, Elena Vicens, a young woman living a seemingly ordinary life, receives a letter about a deposit box belonging to her mother, nineteen years after her mother’s death. When this letter sends her on a journey halfway across the world from New Orleans to Japan, Elena unknowingly comes into possession of a cursed inheritance. She is suddenly thrust into a world of myths and legends, where the intangible and the strange are the fabric of everyday life, and deathless gods vie for victory at any cost.
As allies converge to help Elena fulfill the prophecy, one of whom is struggling with his own inheritance, Elena must choose for herself the measure of her own destiny.
An ancient prophecy speaks of a human woman who will alter the course of this divine war, a descendant of a Great House mired in misfortune and blood, whose history was shaped by the cruelty of the gods.
On a day as unremarkable as any other, Elena Vicens, a young woman living a seemingly ordinary life, receives a letter about a deposit box belonging to her mother, nineteen years after her mother’s death. When this letter sends her on a journey halfway across the world from New Orleans to Japan, Elena unknowingly comes into possession of a cursed inheritance. She is suddenly thrust into a world of myths and legends, where the intangible and the strange are the fabric of everyday life, and deathless gods vie for victory at any cost.
As allies converge to help Elena fulfill the prophecy, one of whom is struggling with his own inheritance, Elena must choose for herself the measure of her own destiny.
549 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2014
26 people are currently reading
825 people want to read
About the author
Eva Vanrell
1 book43 followersAuthor. Attorney. New Orleanian. Lover of Cherry Ring Pops. Confirmed Japanophile. Dreamer. Sometimes Obsessive. Blunt to a Fault. Wishful-Thinker. Tea and Anime Compulsive. Diehard.
I live in New Orleans with my husband, two cats and a Japanese maple. ;)
In the beginning of 2011, I took a blind leap of faith to pursue what I loved most. The result of that journey is my debut novel, The Butterfly Crest. I am currently working on Book Two of the series, so please stay tuned.
Feel free to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. To receive exclusive updates on my latest news, sneak peeks and special promotions, sign up now on Eva's List!
Happy reading!
I live in New Orleans with my husband, two cats and a Japanese maple. ;)
In the beginning of 2011, I took a blind leap of faith to pursue what I loved most. The result of that journey is my debut novel, The Butterfly Crest. I am currently working on Book Two of the series, so please stay tuned.
Feel free to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. To receive exclusive updates on my latest news, sneak peeks and special promotions, sign up now on Eva's List!
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 29, 2015
I love Japanese art, history and culture, and mythologies—that’s why I started reading this. The research is excellent, the plot premise original, the characters fascinating, and the settings extraordinary, but I wish the author had used a stronger editor to carve away the excess and reveal the inner beauty of this novel. She doesn’t seem to know how to cut, using three or four lines for what could be said in one, and rather than selecting the most relevant descriptive details, she gives them all, sometimes going on for a page or more without any action or dialog. I like detailed settings but this was too much even for me. Too often, the author writes out unnecessary transitions between scenes that don’t move the plot or develop character or relationships. I found it frustrating and almost decided not to finish. I cared enough about the story to get through it, but I can’t honestly say I enjoyed every page.
Read
December 14, 2014Editorial Reviews for The Butterfly Crest:
"Intriguing, imaginative and very original story... It is an exceptional read." -Mamta Madhavan, Readers' Favorite.
"A strong story with a beautifully strong female main character, in a world and with a story line that is imaginative and unique. If you are looking for a read for the summer that will have you hooked within the first pages and hold your interest until the very end, leaving you wanting more... then this is your book." -Kathryn Bennett, Readers' Favorite.
You can read them in their entirety here.
"Intriguing, imaginative and very original story... It is an exceptional read." -Mamta Madhavan, Readers' Favorite.
"A strong story with a beautifully strong female main character, in a world and with a story line that is imaginative and unique. If you are looking for a read for the summer that will have you hooked within the first pages and hold your interest until the very end, leaving you wanting more... then this is your book." -Kathryn Bennett, Readers' Favorite.
You can read them in their entirety here.
March 8, 2015
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from The Butterfly Crest. I really do not know my Japanese mythology. Typically I prefer my mythology of the Greco-Roman variety with a side of Norse or Egyptian. I was shocked, delighted and impressed where Eva Vanrell went with this story.
Eva Vanrell has a gift for description, covering every detail, not only allowing you to see the room, but to actually place yourself within it. All of the colors, the textures, the fabrics, my entire surroundings were precisely laid out before me. I was even brought back to places I have visited in the past.
While reading The Butterfly Crest I reached a watershed moment, I won't say when, but it did involve a road to hell. I said to myself, "Holy goat balls! She is writing a Homeric Epic!". In all reality it is more in the style of Virgil, something planned out with intricate detail and purpose, designed to bring us to a final point. The form, the genealogies, the heroic quests and the self sacrifice all lead to Virgil. This wasn't just a well researched book, she really knows her stuff. And to top it all off, the divine parent in The Butterfly Crest would be a hell of a lot more fun to hang with on a Friday night than Aeneas' mom.
I'm not giving anything away when I tell you that there is more to come from this author, and I, for one am looking forward to it. If you're like me and love a great new, fresh look at the Greek gods then you need to read The Butterfly Crest.
Eva Vanrell has a gift for description, covering every detail, not only allowing you to see the room, but to actually place yourself within it. All of the colors, the textures, the fabrics, my entire surroundings were precisely laid out before me. I was even brought back to places I have visited in the past.
While reading The Butterfly Crest I reached a watershed moment, I won't say when, but it did involve a road to hell. I said to myself, "Holy goat balls! She is writing a Homeric Epic!". In all reality it is more in the style of Virgil, something planned out with intricate detail and purpose, designed to bring us to a final point. The form, the genealogies, the heroic quests and the self sacrifice all lead to Virgil. This wasn't just a well researched book, she really knows her stuff. And to top it all off, the divine parent in The Butterfly Crest would be a hell of a lot more fun to hang with on a Friday night than Aeneas' mom.
I'm not giving anything away when I tell you that there is more to come from this author, and I, for one am looking forward to it. If you're like me and love a great new, fresh look at the Greek gods then you need to read The Butterfly Crest.
June 14, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
‘The Butterfly Crest (The Protogenoi Series Book 1)’ by Eva Vanrell is a lovely, well-written fantasy novel. The author, Eva Vanrell takes the reader on a thrilling, sometimes harrowing adventure. Elena first learns of a family secret, that leads to much more than she could have ever imagined.
All of the characters in ‘The Butterfly Crest’ are strong. Eva Vanrell writes strong descriptives that enchants the reader and pulls them right along to the heart of the story. The tale takes the reader along to not only different continents, but to different realms and worlds, including the afterlife.
The author knows her mythology well, and applies it, artfully, in her fantasy novel.
Personally, I loved ‘The Butterfly Crest’. I felt along with Elena the tedium of her job, the excitement of returning to her birth country, the total craziness that she could not comprehend when she was thrown together with some gods that wanted to kill her and some gods that wanted to save her. There was never a dull moment in this book for me. I cried, I laughed, and I bit my nails.
I recommend this book for all fantasy and mythology lovers. It is a great read.
I received a PDF copy of this book from Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review.
http://mauldinfamily1.wordpress.com/2...
‘The Butterfly Crest (The Protogenoi Series Book 1)’ by Eva Vanrell is a lovely, well-written fantasy novel. The author, Eva Vanrell takes the reader on a thrilling, sometimes harrowing adventure. Elena first learns of a family secret, that leads to much more than she could have ever imagined.
All of the characters in ‘The Butterfly Crest’ are strong. Eva Vanrell writes strong descriptives that enchants the reader and pulls them right along to the heart of the story. The tale takes the reader along to not only different continents, but to different realms and worlds, including the afterlife.
The author knows her mythology well, and applies it, artfully, in her fantasy novel.
Personally, I loved ‘The Butterfly Crest’. I felt along with Elena the tedium of her job, the excitement of returning to her birth country, the total craziness that she could not comprehend when she was thrown together with some gods that wanted to kill her and some gods that wanted to save her. There was never a dull moment in this book for me. I cried, I laughed, and I bit my nails.
I recommend this book for all fantasy and mythology lovers. It is a great read.
I received a PDF copy of this book from Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review.
http://mauldinfamily1.wordpress.com/2...
July 31, 2015
Thank you to the author, Eva Vanrell, for gifting me with a copy of The Butterfly Crest in exchange for an honest review!
I’ll start off this review by saying I really don’t know much about any pantheons aside from the Greek and Roman ones. So this book was so informative for me to learn more about Japanese culture and other pantheons.
So. One thing I learned while I was reading this was to pay attention to the names. You really have to remember them and remember their relevance to the MC. It almost reminded me of an Agatha Christie book just regarding the number of important characters. It is semi-important that you’re at least aware of the different pantheons and what they consist of - it helped me so much to keep everything straight!
I did really like how the author incorporated all of the pantheons in modern day society. She integrated them so well and so realistically. It almost reminded me of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series just because of the way that it was integrated in society.
As for the characters, I did really like the MC. She was nicely developed and I could sympathize with her (not really empathize because I haven’t ever been in a situation like hers!). I did see the romance between her and another character (if you read it you’ll figure it out pretty quickly!). It seemed sort of typical but the journey to get there was anything but. Which leads me to the ending!
The ending was absolutely crazy! You know when you look down at the percent and you see you’re almost done? Well that happened when something EPIC and CRAZY and HEART-BREAKING happened and I thought that was the end. Rest assured, it isn’t! It’s safe to say that I was crying at the end it was so emotional. The ending also took the MC somewhere I had thought about but didn’t really place her. I’d be interested in reading the next book to see how she fares!
The Final Verdict:
Though it did drag on in parts and the romance was a bit predictable, I loved the different pantheons and how they were incorporated into modern society. Be careful to keep track of all the characters and you’ll love it!
4 stars
I’ll start off this review by saying I really don’t know much about any pantheons aside from the Greek and Roman ones. So this book was so informative for me to learn more about Japanese culture and other pantheons.
So. One thing I learned while I was reading this was to pay attention to the names. You really have to remember them and remember their relevance to the MC. It almost reminded me of an Agatha Christie book just regarding the number of important characters. It is semi-important that you’re at least aware of the different pantheons and what they consist of - it helped me so much to keep everything straight!
I did really like how the author incorporated all of the pantheons in modern day society. She integrated them so well and so realistically. It almost reminded me of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series just because of the way that it was integrated in society.
As for the characters, I did really like the MC. She was nicely developed and I could sympathize with her (not really empathize because I haven’t ever been in a situation like hers!). I did see the romance between her and another character (if you read it you’ll figure it out pretty quickly!). It seemed sort of typical but the journey to get there was anything but. Which leads me to the ending!
The ending was absolutely crazy! You know when you look down at the percent and you see you’re almost done? Well that happened when something EPIC and CRAZY and HEART-BREAKING happened and I thought that was the end. Rest assured, it isn’t! It’s safe to say that I was crying at the end it was so emotional. The ending also took the MC somewhere I had thought about but didn’t really place her. I’d be interested in reading the next book to see how she fares!
The Final Verdict:
Though it did drag on in parts and the romance was a bit predictable, I loved the different pantheons and how they were incorporated into modern society. Be careful to keep track of all the characters and you’ll love it!
4 stars
November 2, 2014
The Butterfly Crest is a mesmerizing
story, set in a vivid and imaginative world. Every scene and character is rich with detail, as ancient mythologies and Japanese culture are intricately interwoven throughout the story. It's nothing short of amazing!
The author does a great job delving deeply into the subject matter -- so much so, that at times it took away from the narrative of the story, but not enough to put me off. I was too intrigued to stop reading. And I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the charming main character!
Elena Vicen has led a seemingly ordinary existence, when her life suddenly takes a turn, and changes in ways she's altogether unprepared for. After receiving a letter, she learns of a mysterious inheritance, tucked away in a safety deposit box. And from there Elena is swept away from the wonderful City of New Orleans, to the breathtaking backdrop of Japan.
In acquiring the contents of the box, Elena sets off a chain of events, and is thrust into the midst of an ancient war between deities in the various pantheons. But the real mystery is shrouded in a daunting journey through the realm of the afterlife, as Elena discovers her role in an ancient prophecy that could alter the course of the war. Through it all, Elena shows strength and courage, pushing forward for answers, despite her fears and lack of knowledge in how to deal with this mysterious world of mythology!
I absolutely loved this novel, and was captivated by the different gods, spirits, and demons from different cultures, coexisting together. This is a complex and imaginative story, complete with unique and engaging characters. Any fan of mythology and fantasy will be riveted by this story!
To read more, visit www.moonrisebookblog.com
story, set in a vivid and imaginative world. Every scene and character is rich with detail, as ancient mythologies and Japanese culture are intricately interwoven throughout the story. It's nothing short of amazing!
The author does a great job delving deeply into the subject matter -- so much so, that at times it took away from the narrative of the story, but not enough to put me off. I was too intrigued to stop reading. And I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the charming main character!
Elena Vicen has led a seemingly ordinary existence, when her life suddenly takes a turn, and changes in ways she's altogether unprepared for. After receiving a letter, she learns of a mysterious inheritance, tucked away in a safety deposit box. And from there Elena is swept away from the wonderful City of New Orleans, to the breathtaking backdrop of Japan.
In acquiring the contents of the box, Elena sets off a chain of events, and is thrust into the midst of an ancient war between deities in the various pantheons. But the real mystery is shrouded in a daunting journey through the realm of the afterlife, as Elena discovers her role in an ancient prophecy that could alter the course of the war. Through it all, Elena shows strength and courage, pushing forward for answers, despite her fears and lack of knowledge in how to deal with this mysterious world of mythology!
I absolutely loved this novel, and was captivated by the different gods, spirits, and demons from different cultures, coexisting together. This is a complex and imaginative story, complete with unique and engaging characters. Any fan of mythology and fantasy will be riveted by this story!
To read more, visit www.moonrisebookblog.com
Read
December 6, 2014I received this book for an honest review through my reading group on goodreads: LOP (Lovers of Paranormal).
I am part of a few reading groups where one or more books have to be read in a month. We keep the books around 250 pages. I was a bit overwhelmed when I saw this 523 page book in my e-reader. Honestly, the story, characters, environment, and culture are so vivid and well-written, it was hard for me to put this book down and find time to join the real world. I am also a huge fan of strong female lead characters, such as Elena. She has to push through her fears to find her strength to confront this mythological world that she was pulled into through this cursed inheritance. There are many fantasy books out there that offer the same old idea of "wars as old as time" and fulfilling "prophesies." The author not only put her own spin on the idea, she added glitter and fireworks--making it her own.
I am part of a few reading groups where one or more books have to be read in a month. We keep the books around 250 pages. I was a bit overwhelmed when I saw this 523 page book in my e-reader. Honestly, the story, characters, environment, and culture are so vivid and well-written, it was hard for me to put this book down and find time to join the real world. I am also a huge fan of strong female lead characters, such as Elena. She has to push through her fears to find her strength to confront this mythological world that she was pulled into through this cursed inheritance. There are many fantasy books out there that offer the same old idea of "wars as old as time" and fulfilling "prophesies." The author not only put her own spin on the idea, she added glitter and fireworks--making it her own.
August 15, 2014
I just finished this book and I have to say I'm sad that I finished it. I wanted to go on reading it and have story continue. This was the best book that has made me take my time reading it. Usually I finish a book in 2-3 days but I so loved the storyline in this book and all the great mythology I had to take my time to soak it all in. I have to say that my absolute favorite character was Eiry ( otherwise known as Thanatos Greek God of Death) the way Mrs. Vanrell created him was just yummy!!! I give this book way over 10 stars.
I'm so ready to read next book in series and can only dream that Thanatos will visit me again through the next story. I'm not going to give any details away as this is a book I wholeheartedly recommend to be read and enjoyed. I will most definitely be reading The Butterfly Crest over again.
I'm so ready to read next book in series and can only dream that Thanatos will visit me again through the next story. I'm not going to give any details away as this is a book I wholeheartedly recommend to be read and enjoyed. I will most definitely be reading The Butterfly Crest over again.
June 14, 2014
I received a free advance copy of this book for review. I don't normally gravitate toward fantasy, but the synopsis sounded promising. I'm happy to say that the novel far exceeded my expectations. The storyline covers a lot of ground and, yes, mixes together various different pantheons, but I actually found that to be one of the book's greatest strengths. The author's particular take on mythology was unique, and the way she wove them together into a unified theme was unexpected and imaginative. I couldn't put the book down. There was an appendix to help you keep track of things you might need to be reminded of, and the descriptive narration was well paced. I would recommend this book to fantasy readers and non-fantasy readers alike.
June 13, 2014
A perfect book for your summer reading list.
I always love a book with compelling female main character. The Butterfly Crest instantly sweeps you into a deliciously intriguing tale that crosses both continents and to the afterlife. The detail that Vanrell artfully employs, paints a compelling backdrop for this page turning book.
A must read! You will be checking to see when the next in the series is released.
I always love a book with compelling female main character. The Butterfly Crest instantly sweeps you into a deliciously intriguing tale that crosses both continents and to the afterlife. The detail that Vanrell artfully employs, paints a compelling backdrop for this page turning book.
A must read! You will be checking to see when the next in the series is released.
July 2, 2016
I had to DNF this book after 20 pages. TOO MUCH DESCRIPTION OF POINTLESS THINGS and half of the time I'm reading things that don't do anything to move the plot forward and considering the amount of awful new books I have read this year I can't... I literally cannot.
November 28, 2015
I absolutely adored this book from start to finish. I've read a lot of different writing styles lately and this has to be one of my favourites. The tone is very reserved but includes rich detail and a wonderfully unhurried pace so that you feel you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
The book starts with highly exaggerated descriptions of characters, which made me wonder if this story was going to be overdone in the descriptive area, but it all makes sense when you realise the nature of the characters themselves. This is all put into perspective when the story starts following our main protagonist, Elena.
Her story starts with a description of the underdog in a work environment (which we all relate to on some level, some of us more than others I realise after accidentally tripping down the stairs to my office last week), putting on shoes she likes (described as red, so those of us who are terrified of fashion aren't immediately put off) and still turning up late. She also loves tea religiously, so she's already got me on side.
I love the female characters in this book. They have strong personalities and are very self aware, I especially appreciated Elena's reserved personality. She knows her feelings about things but doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve, she is respectful, intelligent and curious about the things going on around her but above all, she works hard not to make a fool of herself or appear rude to others. She gets abused a lot in this book by various Greek gods but she never falls apart or lets them see how hurt she is emotionally or physically, which is the paramount of bravery you can expect from any ordinary human without prior godly training!
The story itself is slow but deliberately and well paced, by no means lacking in action, Vanrell takes the time to smell the roses, as it were, and tell you what's going on around Elena before introducing all of her new beasties and characters, all of which are rooted in various areas of mythology.
What also struck me about this book apart from the extensive planning and research that went into the creation of this book, is that is was genuinely hilarious. There was always an undercurrent of wit throughout the story but every so often I would actually laugh at loud, especially when the flame haired goddess of violendt death calls her brother a twat.
The story laid some excellent groundwork for what I know is going to be an amazing series. The book also works perfectly as a stand alone novel, with the ending leaving you wanting more but not tormenting you with a horrible cliffhanger.
The book starts with highly exaggerated descriptions of characters, which made me wonder if this story was going to be overdone in the descriptive area, but it all makes sense when you realise the nature of the characters themselves. This is all put into perspective when the story starts following our main protagonist, Elena.
Her story starts with a description of the underdog in a work environment (which we all relate to on some level, some of us more than others I realise after accidentally tripping down the stairs to my office last week), putting on shoes she likes (described as red, so those of us who are terrified of fashion aren't immediately put off) and still turning up late. She also loves tea religiously, so she's already got me on side.
I love the female characters in this book. They have strong personalities and are very self aware, I especially appreciated Elena's reserved personality. She knows her feelings about things but doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve, she is respectful, intelligent and curious about the things going on around her but above all, she works hard not to make a fool of herself or appear rude to others. She gets abused a lot in this book by various Greek gods but she never falls apart or lets them see how hurt she is emotionally or physically, which is the paramount of bravery you can expect from any ordinary human without prior godly training!
The story itself is slow but deliberately and well paced, by no means lacking in action, Vanrell takes the time to smell the roses, as it were, and tell you what's going on around Elena before introducing all of her new beasties and characters, all of which are rooted in various areas of mythology.
What also struck me about this book apart from the extensive planning and research that went into the creation of this book, is that is was genuinely hilarious. There was always an undercurrent of wit throughout the story but every so often I would actually laugh at loud, especially when the flame haired goddess of violendt death calls her brother a twat.
The story laid some excellent groundwork for what I know is going to be an amazing series. The book also works perfectly as a stand alone novel, with the ending leaving you wanting more but not tormenting you with a horrible cliffhanger.
December 11, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (LoP or Lovers of Paranormal).
I must say that I am slightly torn about this book. On the one hand, the story and characters are very unique and interesting. I was invested in the characters (especially Elena) from the beginning of the book and I really couldn’t wait to see how her story would end. This is where I become torn, though.
I found this book difficult to read. While I can appreciate an author’s desire to fully describe/set the scenes in their book, I felt that it was slightly overdone in this case. There were too many details when discussing how a room looked, what clothing looked like, etc. It made me become bored and I found myself sitting down the book for long stretches of time just because I couldn’t handle any more details.
It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy this book- I did. I just wish that it was a bit easier to read. Regardless, I will most likely pick up the next book in this series when it becomes available because the story line was truly that good.
I must say that I am slightly torn about this book. On the one hand, the story and characters are very unique and interesting. I was invested in the characters (especially Elena) from the beginning of the book and I really couldn’t wait to see how her story would end. This is where I become torn, though.
I found this book difficult to read. While I can appreciate an author’s desire to fully describe/set the scenes in their book, I felt that it was slightly overdone in this case. There were too many details when discussing how a room looked, what clothing looked like, etc. It made me become bored and I found myself sitting down the book for long stretches of time just because I couldn’t handle any more details.
It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy this book- I did. I just wish that it was a bit easier to read. Regardless, I will most likely pick up the next book in this series when it becomes available because the story line was truly that good.
June 20, 2016
OK. I tried really really really hard with this one. I am in a book slump and thought I should push through it so I really DID try hard but I JUST CANNOT DO IT!
Firstly, the WHISPERING (yes, I am yelling it because I feel the need to be ironic!). It drove me bonkers!!! Who would have thought you could whisper nearly every single conversation??!! Please QUIT WHISPERING!!!! and PLEASE! DON'T WHISPER .... NO. NO. NO. NOT AGAIN!!!! I whispered to myself when someone began a conversation. I did not count every instance but there was A LOT!!!
And then there were the details. So many minute details about everything.
So many minute details about millions and millions of characters.
So many minute details about scenery.
So many minute details about Japan and Japanese culture.
It was overwhelming and exhausting and worst of all, boring. If there had been a real purpose to it all it MAY have been bearable. I got to almost 50% and there was not enough story amidst all the detail and I spent a lot of my time skimming.
I whisper, "done".
Firstly, the WHISPERING (yes, I am yelling it because I feel the need to be ironic!). It drove me bonkers!!! Who would have thought you could whisper nearly every single conversation??!! Please QUIT WHISPERING!!!! and PLEASE! DON'T WHISPER .... NO. NO. NO. NOT AGAIN!!!! I whispered to myself when someone began a conversation. I did not count every instance but there was A LOT!!!
And then there were the details. So many minute details about everything.
So many minute details about millions and millions of characters.
So many minute details about scenery.
So many minute details about Japan and Japanese culture.
It was overwhelming and exhausting and worst of all, boring. If there had been a real purpose to it all it MAY have been bearable. I got to almost 50% and there was not enough story amidst all the detail and I spent a lot of my time skimming.
I whisper, "done".
May 23, 2016
This book was an ok for me. I am torn with this review.
Although the author is very talented with descriptions and her knowledge of Japanese mythology, I found in some places that my attention was waning. The premise of the story is fresh-very original. However, I found the story often verbose to a fault in certain areas. I wish there were parts where some culling of descriptors or sections were done. I was often bored
That being said, I did find myself swept away in the story and loved the storytelling. The characters were interesting, especially Elena.
If you like mythology and don't mind long descriptors, you'll appreciate this book.
Although the author is very talented with descriptions and her knowledge of Japanese mythology, I found in some places that my attention was waning. The premise of the story is fresh-very original. However, I found the story often verbose to a fault in certain areas. I wish there were parts where some culling of descriptors or sections were done. I was often bored
That being said, I did find myself swept away in the story and loved the storytelling. The characters were interesting, especially Elena.
If you like mythology and don't mind long descriptors, you'll appreciate this book.
November 14, 2014
This is one of the best books I've read in awhile. Of course I am from New Orleans, and I am familiar with Japan as I have a cousin who is an international translator there.
This is a well written, well thought out story, with some myths from each end of the world. I burned the midnight oil on this one as I didn't even have a chance to add it to my currently reading list!
I hate to give away the plot, which is why I usually rely on rating's when debating a book. All I can say is this is one you will not put down!
Now where is book 2? LOL
This is a well written, well thought out story, with some myths from each end of the world. I burned the midnight oil on this one as I didn't even have a chance to add it to my currently reading list!
I hate to give away the plot, which is why I usually rely on rating's when debating a book. All I can say is this is one you will not put down!
Now where is book 2? LOL
May 1, 2025
I’m a sucker for mythology and I also adore Japanese culture and going there is on my never ending bucket list. Mythology in our current world that combines folklore and urban fantasy is something I crave, but can be hard to find the way I want to read or enjoy it. Elena is also from New Orleans too! So we get a lot of that southern charm and Louisiana culture too! Like yes, more southern urban fantasies, please!!!!!
This book was everything I wanted. Japanese folklore and immersion into the country that also ties into the overall Greek mythology (Thanatos is… a book husband, for sure).
I love how intricate the plot is and how well thought out the execution is because combining these elements could have been confusing and a disaster, but Eva wrote with precision and made it work into a masterpiece that will blow your mind.
This review is all over the place so my apologies lol.
I also really enjoyed the Houses and families and how they tie back to the pantheon. This is like Percy Jackson and The Vampire Diaries for grown ups (I’m not just saying that because of the name Elena, either).
The only part I didn’t like was one of my favorite characters dying. That made me really sad, but as a fellow writer, I understand why she made that choice (still don’t have to like it, someone give me a tissue).
Well done, Eva!
Tu escritura es tan hermosa como tú. ¡Felicidades por tan maravillosa obra de arte!
I am anxiously awaiting the second book!
This book was everything I wanted. Japanese folklore and immersion into the country that also ties into the overall Greek mythology (Thanatos is… a book husband, for sure).
I love how intricate the plot is and how well thought out the execution is because combining these elements could have been confusing and a disaster, but Eva wrote with precision and made it work into a masterpiece that will blow your mind.
This review is all over the place so my apologies lol.
I also really enjoyed the Houses and families and how they tie back to the pantheon. This is like Percy Jackson and The Vampire Diaries for grown ups (I’m not just saying that because of the name Elena, either).
The only part I didn’t like was one of my favorite characters dying. That made me really sad, but as a fellow writer, I understand why she made that choice (still don’t have to like it, someone give me a tissue).
Well done, Eva!
Tu escritura es tan hermosa como tú. ¡Felicidades por tan maravillosa obra de arte!
I am anxiously awaiting the second book!
May 5, 2017
I was given this book by the author in exchange for a honest review
I totally LOVED this book. I love books about mythology and ones that include god and goddess in them. This book isn't in my usual YA genre but it was awesome nonetheless.
The book is about Elena who gets caught in a war between the gods of every major pantheon that has ever existed. The gods have separated themselves into two groups based on their origins and what they represent. Elena goes from being a semi-happy lawyer in a firm to the last Heir of the House of Thebes, who is destined to tip the war in the favor of one of the groups of gods. One group wants to kill her while the other group is desperate to save and protect her.
I liked Elena a lot. She was very sweet but feisty when she had to be. She is a very genuine and down to earth person. She cares about other's feelings before hers and puts herself in danger to save others. She is very concerned with doing the right thing and paying the consequences herself for her own actions. Everything gets thrown at her at once and she takes everything as well as can be expected. I like how she enjoys the little things in life and how she loves art.
The one thing I really loved about this book was the fact that the gods who were focused on in the book and who where important characters were NOT the popular gods like Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, Hera and so on (at least for the gods who were greek). Some of the greek gods were ones I heard of but never read many myths on them or ones that I haven't heard of at all. I like this because the author can basically make their characteristics however she deems fit in accordance with what they are the god of. I also liked how there were different mythological gods in one book. The ones featured in this book were the greek gods, the Japanese Shinto gods and the gods/fae of Ireland. I'm not familiar with the gods of Ireland or Japan so I loved reading about all of those gods and I loved how they were described. Many of the Japanese gods introduced were "demons" and they had different colored skin (purples, blues, etc), eyes, hair and some had animal characteristics. I also like how the way the godhood of the greek gods was different from how they normally looked. Normally the greek gods looked like beautiful, gorgeous but regular people. When they get angry or stressed or are ready to fight their appearance changes and that is their godhood coming through. For all the gods their hair grows and changes color along with their eyes. Some become brighters some paler than they usually are. Some can grow talons instead of fingers to fight with. And the gods can manifest weapons when fighting and its usually the weapon associated with them.
I loved Eiry who is the greek god who protects Elena. His MO is his stoicism. He doesn't let any emotion show on his face or in his body. He is even like this with Elena sometimes. He takes his protection of Elena very seriously and only entrusts a certain few to help him protect her. He is almost always at her side. He had allowed one two beings other than himself to protect Elena on their own. He can be playful at times but those are few and far between. When he gets angry everyone better watch out especially since hes the god of.... (can't tell you sorry). He also acts like a guy sometimes, cursing and fighting with his siblings. Also he's a looker; although I wasn't really feeling the description of how his skin is normally. Something about it being so white and pale that you can see tints of blue under his skin. I dunno, it makes me think of someone being frostbitten or something.
I also really liked the Kirin, who is a japanese mythical being who cannot stand violence. What I got from the book is that they are rare and not everyone, even the gods has seen one (Eiry had never seen one in all his life until the Kirin came to Elena). They are said to be neutral in the war and they are uncomfortable with violence. The Kirin is very sweet and he does everything he can to help Elena. He even becomes fierce when protecting Elena, which he says his species can do if they feel compelled to do so. The Kirin genuinely cares for Elena and does all he can to protect her. He is also very wise and help calm Elena when she feels stressed and panicky. He's good people.
The romance was great. There was no insta love or love triangles. Of course since I mentioned the characters already, the romance is between Elena and Eiry. You could tell throughout the whole book that they had feelings for each other but they tried to hide it from each other all the time. That was killing me! I was like "come on already, Kiss!" But the waiting made it that much more satisfying when they did get together.
The book mostly takes place in Japan and the underworld with some parts in New Orleans and the fae kingdom. I do have to say the descriptions of everything was very detailed and it made you really feel like you were there in these places. I was able to clearly picture the places in my mind while I read. I do have to admit that some of the descriptions were hard to get through because there was so many of them. This in no way deters from the book but personally I would of liked more action in the ongoing descriptions. The descriptions of things in Japan was phenomenal and it really felt like I was there seeing Japan with Elena. I loved the descriptions of the famous sites and the descriptions of the culture were awesome. I learned a lot about Japanese culture and customs from this book. Its clear the author did her research or that she is Japanese herself. Wonderful job.
The world building was amazing and I like I said I loved how the gods from the different pantheons worked together to protect Elena.
I can't wait for the second book and for more Eiry and Elena! I also hope that other religions will come into play too because I loved reading and learning about all the gods from the other pantheons.
All in all a wonderful book and I would recommend this book for anyone to read.
This review is also posted on The Book Owl Extraordinaire
I totally LOVED this book. I love books about mythology and ones that include god and goddess in them. This book isn't in my usual YA genre but it was awesome nonetheless.
The book is about Elena who gets caught in a war between the gods of every major pantheon that has ever existed. The gods have separated themselves into two groups based on their origins and what they represent. Elena goes from being a semi-happy lawyer in a firm to the last Heir of the House of Thebes, who is destined to tip the war in the favor of one of the groups of gods. One group wants to kill her while the other group is desperate to save and protect her.
I liked Elena a lot. She was very sweet but feisty when she had to be. She is a very genuine and down to earth person. She cares about other's feelings before hers and puts herself in danger to save others. She is very concerned with doing the right thing and paying the consequences herself for her own actions. Everything gets thrown at her at once and she takes everything as well as can be expected. I like how she enjoys the little things in life and how she loves art.
The one thing I really loved about this book was the fact that the gods who were focused on in the book and who where important characters were NOT the popular gods like Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, Hera and so on (at least for the gods who were greek). Some of the greek gods were ones I heard of but never read many myths on them or ones that I haven't heard of at all. I like this because the author can basically make their characteristics however she deems fit in accordance with what they are the god of. I also liked how there were different mythological gods in one book. The ones featured in this book were the greek gods, the Japanese Shinto gods and the gods/fae of Ireland. I'm not familiar with the gods of Ireland or Japan so I loved reading about all of those gods and I loved how they were described. Many of the Japanese gods introduced were "demons" and they had different colored skin (purples, blues, etc), eyes, hair and some had animal characteristics. I also like how the way the godhood of the greek gods was different from how they normally looked. Normally the greek gods looked like beautiful, gorgeous but regular people. When they get angry or stressed or are ready to fight their appearance changes and that is their godhood coming through. For all the gods their hair grows and changes color along with their eyes. Some become brighters some paler than they usually are. Some can grow talons instead of fingers to fight with. And the gods can manifest weapons when fighting and its usually the weapon associated with them.
I loved Eiry who is the greek god who protects Elena. His MO is his stoicism. He doesn't let any emotion show on his face or in his body. He is even like this with Elena sometimes. He takes his protection of Elena very seriously and only entrusts a certain few to help him protect her. He is almost always at her side. He had allowed one two beings other than himself to protect Elena on their own. He can be playful at times but those are few and far between. When he gets angry everyone better watch out especially since hes the god of.... (can't tell you sorry). He also acts like a guy sometimes, cursing and fighting with his siblings. Also he's a looker; although I wasn't really feeling the description of how his skin is normally. Something about it being so white and pale that you can see tints of blue under his skin. I dunno, it makes me think of someone being frostbitten or something.
I also really liked the Kirin, who is a japanese mythical being who cannot stand violence. What I got from the book is that they are rare and not everyone, even the gods has seen one (Eiry had never seen one in all his life until the Kirin came to Elena). They are said to be neutral in the war and they are uncomfortable with violence. The Kirin is very sweet and he does everything he can to help Elena. He even becomes fierce when protecting Elena, which he says his species can do if they feel compelled to do so. The Kirin genuinely cares for Elena and does all he can to protect her. He is also very wise and help calm Elena when she feels stressed and panicky. He's good people.
The romance was great. There was no insta love or love triangles. Of course since I mentioned the characters already, the romance is between Elena and Eiry. You could tell throughout the whole book that they had feelings for each other but they tried to hide it from each other all the time. That was killing me! I was like "come on already, Kiss!" But the waiting made it that much more satisfying when they did get together.
The book mostly takes place in Japan and the underworld with some parts in New Orleans and the fae kingdom. I do have to say the descriptions of everything was very detailed and it made you really feel like you were there in these places. I was able to clearly picture the places in my mind while I read. I do have to admit that some of the descriptions were hard to get through because there was so many of them. This in no way deters from the book but personally I would of liked more action in the ongoing descriptions. The descriptions of things in Japan was phenomenal and it really felt like I was there seeing Japan with Elena. I loved the descriptions of the famous sites and the descriptions of the culture were awesome. I learned a lot about Japanese culture and customs from this book. Its clear the author did her research or that she is Japanese herself. Wonderful job.
The world building was amazing and I like I said I loved how the gods from the different pantheons worked together to protect Elena.
I can't wait for the second book and for more Eiry and Elena! I also hope that other religions will come into play too because I loved reading and learning about all the gods from the other pantheons.
All in all a wonderful book and I would recommend this book for anyone to read.
This review is also posted on The Book Owl Extraordinaire
January 2, 2022
Foreword: I rarely read book synopses, and if I do I forget them. So, I started this novel and clasified it after the first few chapters as a good romance set between the US and Japan, a combination I find enjoyable. I risked to stop reading it when one of the protagonists, completely out of character - as the personage was presented up to that moment - is going to try to rape and then kill the heroine. Since I wasn't sleepy, however, I went on, fortunately, I must say, since from that point on the novel became a fantasy full of gods from various pantheons, mythical figures, clashes, betrayals and various cunning, most of them completely unexpected. And while the love story between the two main protagonists is highly anticipated, the events leading up to their union are not, and when the book seems to be coming to an end, there is still a twist that the reader does not expect.
November 11, 2014
The Butterfly Crest is a great read. Beautifully written with exquisite imagery and attention to detail, it sucks you right in until the very end, immersing you into a world both familiar and strange. I’ll admit, I had some trouble with it at first, but that’s just personal preference for brevity. The author’s description of the scenery and creatures really puts you right into the scene with Elena, and that’s not a quality many authors have. A few times she ran the risk of over-description (if that’s a thing), but she always balanced the scenery with witty banter or internal dialogue. I can’t get enough of Elena’s conversations with the strange beings around her – most of all the antagonistically friendly gods that help her (I’m looking at you, Galen and Bryce) – and all the dialog really does come across as natural, going a long way in the character development department for me.
Elena is a great protagonist: well-developed, strong, and yet vulnerable and capable of asking for help. Eiry is the perfect leading man: caring, protective, but willing to concede to Elena and not falling to the “Edward Cullen” type of male character. Not only are the two main characters very well-written and developed, but the entire supporting cast – from the most minor demon to the larger gods – were well-researched, developed, and given personalities. Eva Vanrell does an incredible job of juggling a large number of characters without letting any of them feel flat. A few examples: Bryce, Galen, and Gavin. Without risking spoilers, they’re on the peripheral for most of the story, not extremely central characters, and yet their personalities come through in every gesture, every word, so that, while not as expounded upon as the two main characters, they feel just as real. The same can be said for any of the other minor characters. From their descriptions to their dialogue – they are supremely vivid and alive.
Just like the characters, the plot was complex, intricate, and compelling. The deeper the author drew me into the story and the world around Elena, the more questions popped into my head, mirroring Elena’s own thought process and experience as she did her best to navigate what was now her life. The mythology behind Elena’s situation is creative and inventive – completely inspired! Every twist and turn, while unexpected, made complete sense, and as the story went on, everything fell in place like puzzle pieces. It’s such a great story, I really cannot wait until the sequel! And, although I already own a digital copy, I might be investing in a paperback – just because I can.
Conclusion: I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s into any kind of mythology. It’s an epic fantasy that reads and feels like a mix between the epic poems of old (Iliad, Odyssey) and some current globe-trotter novels (The Da Vinci Code). I can’t wait to see what’s in store next for Elena – an anticipation I haven’t felt since Harry Potter.
I received a free copy of this book for a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
Elena is a great protagonist: well-developed, strong, and yet vulnerable and capable of asking for help. Eiry is the perfect leading man: caring, protective, but willing to concede to Elena and not falling to the “Edward Cullen” type of male character. Not only are the two main characters very well-written and developed, but the entire supporting cast – from the most minor demon to the larger gods – were well-researched, developed, and given personalities. Eva Vanrell does an incredible job of juggling a large number of characters without letting any of them feel flat. A few examples: Bryce, Galen, and Gavin. Without risking spoilers, they’re on the peripheral for most of the story, not extremely central characters, and yet their personalities come through in every gesture, every word, so that, while not as expounded upon as the two main characters, they feel just as real. The same can be said for any of the other minor characters. From their descriptions to their dialogue – they are supremely vivid and alive.
Just like the characters, the plot was complex, intricate, and compelling. The deeper the author drew me into the story and the world around Elena, the more questions popped into my head, mirroring Elena’s own thought process and experience as she did her best to navigate what was now her life. The mythology behind Elena’s situation is creative and inventive – completely inspired! Every twist and turn, while unexpected, made complete sense, and as the story went on, everything fell in place like puzzle pieces. It’s such a great story, I really cannot wait until the sequel! And, although I already own a digital copy, I might be investing in a paperback – just because I can.
Conclusion: I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s into any kind of mythology. It’s an epic fantasy that reads and feels like a mix between the epic poems of old (Iliad, Odyssey) and some current globe-trotter novels (The Da Vinci Code). I can’t wait to see what’s in store next for Elena – an anticipation I haven’t felt since Harry Potter.
I received a free copy of this book for a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2014
Love the cover, love the characters, and I especially love the plot.
I just don't know what to say but this has got to be one of the best mythology stories I've ever read. It doesn't only include Greek mythology but others as well. I especially loved the Japanese mythology. I'm quite an otaku about this kind of things so I was intrigued and hooked immediately.
Elena lost her parents at a very young age. And one little phone call from Japan about her mother's unknown inheritance changes everything.
The plot itself was very interesting, intriguing, and quite a mystery. The story really surprised me. One moment you thought you got where the story was heading to and the next it throws you off into a loop. I loved the twists and turns especially the ending. Although I had a feeling about Eiry's .
The characters were very well written. This is one of the few books wherein I loved both H/h that I can't say anything bad about because like I mentioned well written, flaws and all. At first you think Elena might be a weakling but she's just as strong and which she proved many times. And then there's Eiry. Gotta love . Seriously, he's so drool worthy. And they so totally complement each other. Their romantic relationship starts off slowly but their very sweet and some scenes were steamy in a sense but still comes as sweet.
I loved the second characters as well and their personalities were very interesting and complemented the story well. Keres and Tarobo... Gotta love them. I really want to find out more about them and ahem... their relationship. It was funny when they bickered to one another and when other people mentioned about them especially the twin brothers Galen and Gavin. Those twins were something else. And then there's Hypnos. Although not much was said about him except his relationship with Eiry. But the thing I really can't get over with was the Japanese mythology like the Kirin.
I can't wait to read more of this series. Although when I read the ending I was kind of happy that it was an HEA and not a cliffhanger at the same time I wanted more. And I just found out that there's more to come.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (LoP or Lovers of Paranormal)
I just don't know what to say but this has got to be one of the best mythology stories I've ever read. It doesn't only include Greek mythology but others as well. I especially loved the Japanese mythology. I'm quite an otaku about this kind of things so I was intrigued and hooked immediately.
Elena lost her parents at a very young age. And one little phone call from Japan about her mother's unknown inheritance changes everything.
The plot itself was very interesting, intriguing, and quite a mystery. The story really surprised me. One moment you thought you got where the story was heading to and the next it throws you off into a loop. I loved the twists and turns especially the ending. Although I had a feeling about Eiry's .
The characters were very well written. This is one of the few books wherein I loved both H/h that I can't say anything bad about because like I mentioned well written, flaws and all. At first you think Elena might be a weakling but she's just as strong and which she proved many times. And then there's Eiry. Gotta love . Seriously, he's so drool worthy. And they so totally complement each other. Their romantic relationship starts off slowly but their very sweet and some scenes were steamy in a sense but still comes as sweet.
I loved the second characters as well and their personalities were very interesting and complemented the story well. Keres and Tarobo... Gotta love them. I really want to find out more about them and ahem... their relationship. It was funny when they bickered to one another and when other people mentioned about them especially the twin brothers Galen and Gavin. Those twins were something else. And then there's Hypnos. Although not much was said about him except his relationship with Eiry. But the thing I really can't get over with was the Japanese mythology like the Kirin.
I can't wait to read more of this series. Although when I read the ending I was kind of happy that it was an HEA and not a cliffhanger at the same time I wanted more. And I just found out that there's more to come.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (LoP or Lovers of Paranormal)
November 16, 2014
Elena’s life has been average and unremarkable since the death of her parents as a child, and her moving in with a family friend, Cataline. Grown, she now works in an attorney’s office, hoping one day to be more than just a paper pusher. Her boss is cold and unrelenting, causing Elena to loathe her work. The only silver lining is when she bumps into a handsome man heading into a meeting, and then proceeds to forget to ask his name before he disappears.
But what was once a boring life takes a huge turn when Elena receives word from Japan, the place she and her parents had lived, about unclaimed property of her mother’s. Baffled and hesitant, she’s unsure about taking a trip from New Orleans across the world for some mystery items that not even her guardian Cataline, knew about. Little does Elena know that by taking this trip, she’ll be thrust into the middle of a pantheon war that has already spanned thousands of years.
I really liked The Butterfly Crest. It brought me into a myriad of mythologies that I hadn’t thought about in a long time. I always liked the stories of the heroes of old, the Greek gods and their interactions for and against each other, so I had no problem getting into this book. The story wove together a great idea of Olympus versus Tartarus (the whole of the underworld), and one who might turn the tide of a war which neither side could seem to advance, an Heir to the house of Thebes.
Eva’s attention to detail in her writing is astonishing. Not only in the way she describes something, but the way her story flows too. She paints whole portraits with her words so that you can grasp the fullness of what there is to see. Whether it’s Japanese mythological creatures like the Kirin and Tarōbō (a bird-demon), or a rousing game of fidchell, an ancient board game, played against the High Queen of Tuatha Dé Danann.
The bad about this book? That it’s a continuation! I can’t wait to read the next in the series. This book is impeccable.
The Butterfly Crest receives a 5 out of 5 stars in my book. A must read for anyone who likes mythology, fantasy, or romance.
But what was once a boring life takes a huge turn when Elena receives word from Japan, the place she and her parents had lived, about unclaimed property of her mother’s. Baffled and hesitant, she’s unsure about taking a trip from New Orleans across the world for some mystery items that not even her guardian Cataline, knew about. Little does Elena know that by taking this trip, she’ll be thrust into the middle of a pantheon war that has already spanned thousands of years.
I really liked The Butterfly Crest. It brought me into a myriad of mythologies that I hadn’t thought about in a long time. I always liked the stories of the heroes of old, the Greek gods and their interactions for and against each other, so I had no problem getting into this book. The story wove together a great idea of Olympus versus Tartarus (the whole of the underworld), and one who might turn the tide of a war which neither side could seem to advance, an Heir to the house of Thebes.
Eva’s attention to detail in her writing is astonishing. Not only in the way she describes something, but the way her story flows too. She paints whole portraits with her words so that you can grasp the fullness of what there is to see. Whether it’s Japanese mythological creatures like the Kirin and Tarōbō (a bird-demon), or a rousing game of fidchell, an ancient board game, played against the High Queen of Tuatha Dé Danann.
The bad about this book? That it’s a continuation! I can’t wait to read the next in the series. This book is impeccable.
The Butterfly Crest receives a 5 out of 5 stars in my book. A must read for anyone who likes mythology, fantasy, or romance.
November 21, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (LoP or Lovers of Paranormal).
This was a great story! If you're into japanese folklore, greek mythology and a thrilling adventure; give this book some time :-)
What I enjoyed about this story was the plot and the well written characters. The story starts off extremely slow but it picks up later on. Elena goes to many different parts on the world, different realms and the underworld. I was not expecting such a vivid description of all the places she visits. I mean VERY descriptive. Eva Vanrell takes her time describing every little detail of a scene which I appreciated towards the middle of the book. It took some time for me to get used to her writing style She has a great way of describing all the characters. They all have their own vivid personalities. My favorite part about the story were her adventures into new places; there are many parts in her journey that kept me intrigued.
The reason I did not give this story 5 stars is because the story was so slow in the beginning. It took me a whole week to get through 28% of the book. Once the action started at the 28% mark, I finished in 3 days. Also, Elena was hard for me to like in the beginning. She did not have a lot to her personality. She was very reserved, kept all opinions to herself and did stand up for herself often. She grew throughout the book which was great and expected after everything that she had to endure in her journey.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you want a coming of age adventure filled with mythical creatures. I would like to thank Eva Vanrell for sharing her work with me. It was a pleasure reading her story.
This was a great story! If you're into japanese folklore, greek mythology and a thrilling adventure; give this book some time :-)
What I enjoyed about this story was the plot and the well written characters. The story starts off extremely slow but it picks up later on. Elena goes to many different parts on the world, different realms and the underworld. I was not expecting such a vivid description of all the places she visits. I mean VERY descriptive. Eva Vanrell takes her time describing every little detail of a scene which I appreciated towards the middle of the book. It took some time for me to get used to her writing style She has a great way of describing all the characters. They all have their own vivid personalities. My favorite part about the story were her adventures into new places; there are many parts in her journey that kept me intrigued.
The reason I did not give this story 5 stars is because the story was so slow in the beginning. It took me a whole week to get through 28% of the book. Once the action started at the 28% mark, I finished in 3 days. Also, Elena was hard for me to like in the beginning. She did not have a lot to her personality. She was very reserved, kept all opinions to herself and did stand up for herself often. She grew throughout the book which was great and expected after everything that she had to endure in her journey.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you want a coming of age adventure filled with mythical creatures. I would like to thank Eva Vanrell for sharing her work with me. It was a pleasure reading her story.
May 11, 2016
I love a good fantasy though I will admit to not ready very many epic fantasies in the past several years. The description of The Butterfly Crest instantly caught my eye when I stumbled across it on NetGalley and I am so glad I decided to request it. This book definitely falls into the epic fantasy category. It is the first book in a new series and I was instantly swept up in the story Eva Vanrell is telling. Elena is an ordinary woman living a regular, if somewhat unfulfilling life as a lawyer. One random, ordinary day she receives news that she has a previously unknown inheritance from her mother who had died over a decade ago (Elena was orphaned at seven and was raised by her mother's best friend). This news sends her to Japan to collect this inheritance and once she receives it her simple and unfulfilling life is shaken to its core. They mythology in this story is fascinating and really adds so much to the plot, bringing elements from Greek, Roman and Japanese mythology into modern day. I enjoyed Elena very much because she is written as a strong and competent female lead. I also loved all of the secondary characters Elena meets as she begins her quest to save the world. My only minor criticism is that there were a lot of details in this book and at times getting through them all became a bit tedious. In some instances I think we could have done without a few of the overly detailed descriptions. Vanrell has me fully invested in Elena and this fascinating world she created and I am now anxious to read book two.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2016
I received this book from NetGalley to read and review.
So where do I start with this book? How about the fact that it is absolutely amazing! I love history and different cultures, their myths and legends. I also love a good fantasy and Eva Varnell has done a magnificent job combining all of those elements, along with some romance and suspense, into this gem of a book.
Elena Vicens is a young woman who is living a normal life; she hates her job, she despises her boss, she has a past and a secret so for all intents and purposes, she is a normal person, never mind the fact that even she has no idea what that secret is. Oh what a secret it is! I love how Varnell kept the pace and then BAM! From the left the story of Elena takes a whole different turn and takes on a new life, literally, I was not expecting at all. The element of surprise is rich in this story, as is the evidence of the author's ability to describe places, people and things. She wove cultural myths and legends together as if they had belonged and we're just waiting for the right weaver.
From Japanese Yōkai to the ancient Irish Tuatha Dé Danann or Fae, and the gods of Greek mythology, The Butterfly Crest is just the beginning of the new life of Elena Vicens and I am beyond ready for the next part in what looks to be like a non-stop, thrilling adventure full of magic, mystery, loss, love and friendship! I highly recommend this book for everyone to read because really, who does not need a good fantastical adventure in their life now and then, even if it is in a book?
So where do I start with this book? How about the fact that it is absolutely amazing! I love history and different cultures, their myths and legends. I also love a good fantasy and Eva Varnell has done a magnificent job combining all of those elements, along with some romance and suspense, into this gem of a book.
Elena Vicens is a young woman who is living a normal life; she hates her job, she despises her boss, she has a past and a secret so for all intents and purposes, she is a normal person, never mind the fact that even she has no idea what that secret is. Oh what a secret it is! I love how Varnell kept the pace and then BAM! From the left the story of Elena takes a whole different turn and takes on a new life, literally, I was not expecting at all. The element of surprise is rich in this story, as is the evidence of the author's ability to describe places, people and things. She wove cultural myths and legends together as if they had belonged and we're just waiting for the right weaver.
From Japanese Yōkai to the ancient Irish Tuatha Dé Danann or Fae, and the gods of Greek mythology, The Butterfly Crest is just the beginning of the new life of Elena Vicens and I am beyond ready for the next part in what looks to be like a non-stop, thrilling adventure full of magic, mystery, loss, love and friendship! I highly recommend this book for everyone to read because really, who does not need a good fantastical adventure in their life now and then, even if it is in a book?
November 19, 2014
This is one imaginative book. I love how Eva weaves Greek mythology with other religions and paranormal to spin this amazing tale. I grew up loving Greek mythology and this book brought back that love. She expands it all to include the fae and Japanese mythology making this a master piece. Eva is an expert with the language and writes imaginative and very descriptive scenery throughout the book. With that being said, my only slight criticism is, this book is LONG, mostly due to an abundance of detailed description of every scenery in the book. It allows the reader to have a very vivid picture of the story at all times but feels at times a little much wanting me to hear mute about the story.
Her main characters, even the bead ones are amazing. They are well developed and have basically no secrets from the reader. Elena is an incredible heroin masking you wish she was a real person. The gods are also great characters, especially Eiry. Their love story is adorable and again well developed throughout the story.
This is an amazing read. I love the twist of it all, showing me a new twist on Greek mythology and introducing a lot of Japanese myths to me. Since I love Japanese anime this is a perfect mix to me.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
I have received this book from the author for an honest review (LoP, lovers of paranormal).
Her main characters, even the bead ones are amazing. They are well developed and have basically no secrets from the reader. Elena is an incredible heroin masking you wish she was a real person. The gods are also great characters, especially Eiry. Their love story is adorable and again well developed throughout the story.
This is an amazing read. I love the twist of it all, showing me a new twist on Greek mythology and introducing a lot of Japanese myths to me. Since I love Japanese anime this is a perfect mix to me.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
I have received this book from the author for an honest review (LoP, lovers of paranormal).
Currently reading
November 15, 2014i was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have no rating to give this novel since i couldn't finish it. I kept trying to power through it, even skipping chapters. but i found elena unrelatable and boring. i found her adventure boring and i found the mix of greek and shinto gods odd. the slow pace irritated me. elena just came off as mary sue-ish (she is supposedly 'pretty' which immediately turned me off since pretty is subjective) and hits all the special snowflake boxes including ancient prophesy, doomsday device only she can barely handle, and folks fighting over her inherent specialness (in this case gods). this book would probably appeal to westerners with a middling interest in japanese culture. I'm a big fan of Japanese culture and history but the novel's style irked me to no end like clavell's shogun.
The butterfly crest was well written as far as i can tell. i really wanted to enjoy this story. im sad...
I have no rating to give this novel since i couldn't finish it. I kept trying to power through it, even skipping chapters. but i found elena unrelatable and boring. i found her adventure boring and i found the mix of greek and shinto gods odd. the slow pace irritated me. elena just came off as mary sue-ish (she is supposedly 'pretty' which immediately turned me off since pretty is subjective) and hits all the special snowflake boxes including ancient prophesy, doomsday device only she can barely handle, and folks fighting over her inherent specialness (in this case gods). this book would probably appeal to westerners with a middling interest in japanese culture. I'm a big fan of Japanese culture and history but the novel's style irked me to no end like clavell's shogun.
The butterfly crest was well written as far as i can tell. i really wanted to enjoy this story. im sad...
September 6, 2014
Eva Vanrell's The Butterfly Crest is a journey. One that takes the reader around the world, through life and death, and on an unexpected adventure. Ms. Vanrell's world-building is exquisite and her descriptions take the reader to another place. I never had a particular desire to visit Japan, but Ms. Vanrell's descriptions have made it an addition to my bucket list.
The Butterfly Crest starts in New Orleans with main character Elena stuck in a frustrating job. A letter from Japan regarding a safety deposit box left to her by her deceased mother changes Elena's life, and plunges her into the middle of a supernatural war.
With beautiful descriptions, amazing settings, and unforgettable characters The Butterfly Crest is a superb first novel. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys fantasy or adventure.
The Butterfly Crest starts in New Orleans with main character Elena stuck in a frustrating job. A letter from Japan regarding a safety deposit box left to her by her deceased mother changes Elena's life, and plunges her into the middle of a supernatural war.
With beautiful descriptions, amazing settings, and unforgettable characters The Butterfly Crest is a superb first novel. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys fantasy or adventure.
September 13, 2016
https://ravenandbeez.wordpress.com/20...
[Note: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review]
First off, look at that beautiful cover! I can immediately tell that it has a touch of Japanese culture in it. And as big as the blurb is, it still sounds pretty interesting and I started off with so much interest.
BUT sadly the thing that made me finally DNF it is, the writing. Which is kind of sad because it is a beautiful and unique writing mixed with a bad dose of "too-many-descriptions-of-pointless-stuff". And the plot mostly consisted of the MC doing mundane things that had nothing whatsoever to do with the actual plot. This is a book that has a lot of potential but just hasn't been carried out very well. Read it if you have LOTS and LOTS of patience.
Lots of love,
Raven
[Note: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review]
First off, look at that beautiful cover! I can immediately tell that it has a touch of Japanese culture in it. And as big as the blurb is, it still sounds pretty interesting and I started off with so much interest.
BUT sadly the thing that made me finally DNF it is, the writing. Which is kind of sad because it is a beautiful and unique writing mixed with a bad dose of "too-many-descriptions-of-pointless-stuff". And the plot mostly consisted of the MC doing mundane things that had nothing whatsoever to do with the actual plot. This is a book that has a lot of potential but just hasn't been carried out very well. Read it if you have LOTS and LOTS of patience.
Lots of love,
Raven
May 28, 2018
This book gives me a very nasty reminder of how much I miss the regular monthly publications of Noragami.... especially when it leaves so much to be desired.
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I was really looking forward to this one given the Japanese mythological angle to it and my interest in mythology in general. However, I believe that I got that in a way I didn’t really expect. Eva Vanrell does an amazing job of describing the mythology and setting, while making sure that you understand everything as you are reading along, she’s not going to keep you guessing as to what this certain word means and the like. It’s even better yet when the mythology in question here spreads to include other cultures like Greek and Celtic, with the promise or rather the opportunity of so many more inductions. Personally I know enough of Greek mythology, Japanese mythology and the Japanese language in general to be able follow it without any needed extra information; but I definitely appreciated the extra information I got on the Celtic side of things.
That being said, there is a time when too much describing can actually be a con more so than a pro and unfortunately Eva Vanrell went way beyond that in the book. She paints the setting of the book in a way that makes sure you won’t ever need to take a step back to fill in some of the unnecessary gaps yourself, but after a while, it gets really tedious to see that just like the beginning of the book, this trend of over describing every single thing will continue till the very very end. Personally, I have a huge issue whenever an author will stick to telling me about things in what is seemingly an endless monologue (regardless if the point of views are third or first person) and to me, her approach, while it works in the beginning of the book, becomes a bit tedious in the middle of it and somewhat of a hassle in the final part of it.
The usage of some Japanese phrases and words were handled adequately, she has the characters say the phrase in Romaji (which is the way of writing Japanese words in English letters, like Ohayo or Konichiwa) before going further to explain it. I have a huge issue when authors don’t add a glossary to some of the foreign words used in their books since to me, English in itself was the foreign language taught in school, like I did with the Spanish words in Mary Weber’s latest duology. Eva Vanrell steps away from that since even when writing the romaji AND adding a glossary for those words, she will literally translate what was being said in English after the Japanese phrase to make it easier for others. Although, I do think it might need a revision in one instance tbh which I will mention in the comments below.
The characters in this case were filled with mythological and folklore beings which made me a little too giddy when I saw mentions of beings I didn’t expect to see, but easily recognized. However, the book obviously will give more of a focus to Elena and one more individual. Elena for 80% of the book was the definition of a damsel in distress, she would be taken from one spot to the other knowing very basic things about the situation while her “protector” would be painted to look like they had the right thought process to keep the information limited and Elena’s reaction to them is expected. When in reality, none of what happened between the two of them actually makes sense because of the nature of said protector.
That’s not the end of it either, despite the fact that we’re dealing with very powerful and very divine beings, some of them were acting a little too childish for my taste and more importantly given the profession some of them had, I’ll expect “calm and collected” to be the state of which they function, but both “Akai” and “Snowflake” were soooooooooo hotheaded that they were exhausting to read about. “Snowflake” in particular given the Nightingale syndrome-ish approach this cringeworthy romance developed in.
I left the plot till the end because that is the importance that was given to the plot in this book, the first half had us discovering where Elena got into all of this, but that’s about where the main plot line ended for me. The rest of the book had Elena completing a task that doesn’t really have anything to do with the biggest mission in this prophecy, kind of like a sub-mission you sometimes have to do in games to acquire special things that will be helpful from here onwards to complete the main mission, BUT they’re not mandatory. Seeing that the book was the first in a series, I could easily see that it wouldn’t wrap up the story in one book, but I expected a much much much bigger goal to be completed to justify the huge trip we had to take for the sub-mission. And honestly, I don’t think I got that.
If I’m talking about a pseudo guide for a place, then this book might be one given the plethora of descriptions about every new location visited. However, as a story it’s way too long of a prologue for my taste and doesn’t really need all of the 500+ pages it took to tell it... if I take away the very excessive descriptions I think I’ll end up with 250 pages maximum for this one. That being said, and especially because it’s taking way too long to write the second book, I most likely will pick up the sequel at some point in my life since I’m interested to see the mythological aspects she might bring into this and how Elena will fit in now, but as of now, I’m letdown with the content of the story despite my praises of her other areas.
Final rating: a very weak 2.5
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I was really looking forward to this one given the Japanese mythological angle to it and my interest in mythology in general. However, I believe that I got that in a way I didn’t really expect. Eva Vanrell does an amazing job of describing the mythology and setting, while making sure that you understand everything as you are reading along, she’s not going to keep you guessing as to what this certain word means and the like. It’s even better yet when the mythology in question here spreads to include other cultures like Greek and Celtic, with the promise or rather the opportunity of so many more inductions. Personally I know enough of Greek mythology, Japanese mythology and the Japanese language in general to be able follow it without any needed extra information; but I definitely appreciated the extra information I got on the Celtic side of things.
That being said, there is a time when too much describing can actually be a con more so than a pro and unfortunately Eva Vanrell went way beyond that in the book. She paints the setting of the book in a way that makes sure you won’t ever need to take a step back to fill in some of the unnecessary gaps yourself, but after a while, it gets really tedious to see that just like the beginning of the book, this trend of over describing every single thing will continue till the very very end. Personally, I have a huge issue whenever an author will stick to telling me about things in what is seemingly an endless monologue (regardless if the point of views are third or first person) and to me, her approach, while it works in the beginning of the book, becomes a bit tedious in the middle of it and somewhat of a hassle in the final part of it.
The usage of some Japanese phrases and words were handled adequately, she has the characters say the phrase in Romaji (which is the way of writing Japanese words in English letters, like Ohayo or Konichiwa) before going further to explain it. I have a huge issue when authors don’t add a glossary to some of the foreign words used in their books since to me, English in itself was the foreign language taught in school, like I did with the Spanish words in Mary Weber’s latest duology. Eva Vanrell steps away from that since even when writing the romaji AND adding a glossary for those words, she will literally translate what was being said in English after the Japanese phrase to make it easier for others. Although, I do think it might need a revision in one instance tbh which I will mention in the comments below.
The characters in this case were filled with mythological and folklore beings which made me a little too giddy when I saw mentions of beings I didn’t expect to see, but easily recognized. However, the book obviously will give more of a focus to Elena and one more individual. Elena for 80% of the book was the definition of a damsel in distress, she would be taken from one spot to the other knowing very basic things about the situation while her “protector” would be painted to look like they had the right thought process to keep the information limited and Elena’s reaction to them is expected. When in reality, none of what happened between the two of them actually makes sense because of the nature of said protector.
That’s not the end of it either, despite the fact that we’re dealing with very powerful and very divine beings, some of them were acting a little too childish for my taste and more importantly given the profession some of them had, I’ll expect “calm and collected” to be the state of which they function, but both “Akai” and “Snowflake” were soooooooooo hotheaded that they were exhausting to read about. “Snowflake” in particular given the Nightingale syndrome-ish approach this cringeworthy romance developed in.
I left the plot till the end because that is the importance that was given to the plot in this book, the first half had us discovering where Elena got into all of this, but that’s about where the main plot line ended for me. The rest of the book had Elena completing a task that doesn’t really have anything to do with the biggest mission in this prophecy, kind of like a sub-mission you sometimes have to do in games to acquire special things that will be helpful from here onwards to complete the main mission, BUT they’re not mandatory. Seeing that the book was the first in a series, I could easily see that it wouldn’t wrap up the story in one book, but I expected a much much much bigger goal to be completed to justify the huge trip we had to take for the sub-mission. And honestly, I don’t think I got that.
If I’m talking about a pseudo guide for a place, then this book might be one given the plethora of descriptions about every new location visited. However, as a story it’s way too long of a prologue for my taste and doesn’t really need all of the 500+ pages it took to tell it... if I take away the very excessive descriptions I think I’ll end up with 250 pages maximum for this one. That being said, and especially because it’s taking way too long to write the second book, I most likely will pick up the sequel at some point in my life since I’m interested to see the mythological aspects she might bring into this and how Elena will fit in now, but as of now, I’m letdown with the content of the story despite my praises of her other areas.
Final rating: a very weak 2.5
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