Bramble Burn

Convergence #1

by Autumn Dawn

It had been thirty years since the Convergence, when the dimensions aligned and combined Earth and the world of Gwyllon, known in human mythology as “Underhill”.

Elven castles and ancient ruins sprouted in vacant lots, on major highways, sometimes merging with existing buildings, twisting into completely new structures. Roads and rail systems reformed, and after the rioting, starvation and death, agriculture finally sorted itself and food began to flow.

A new government formed of elves and men had arisen, a society of human tech and elven magic. Cell phones and frost giants, race cars and elven steeds, dungeons and dragons… And everywhere, monsters.

Tree mage Juniper was twenty-three, a child of the new generation. When she found a source of magic buried in an abandoned park, she made a deal with the city. If she can stabilize the park’s wild magic, she’ll own it…if she can survive. Now she has to clear out magic spawned monsters, deal with a werewolf suitor and survive her bloodthirsty dragon uncle. She’s going to have to dig deep to subdue Bramble Burn Park. Sweet heat. Does not contain explicit sex scenes.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Urban Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Elves

299 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2015

About the author

About me:

I'm a stay at home mom with three kids, a dog and an active imagination. I spent the first 34 years of my life in Alaska, land of the midnight sun, but these days I'm located in Washington, and am enjoying a much warmer sun :) I'm married to my high school sweetheart, John, who is known to bring me flowers "just because".

My leisure time is filled with gardening, crochet, knitting, sewing, art and reading.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend recommended this one to me and it was good. Read it all in one sitting.

I like that there was one love interest and no pre-marriage shenanigans. Church going was mentioned, but not a huge part of the book, which was somewhat saddening, but not unexpected.

The brother was a real piece of work. Both of them honestly. The sisterly love was great. I wish there was more female friendship in the book though. That was a missed opportunity.

4, my friend was right this book was very good, stars.

[Colleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting plot idea and world building in the beginning. Sexism and misogyny ruined what could have been a great read. All men made important decisions without the main character’s consent "for her own good". From first kiss to marriage to clothing choices her consent was forced or ignored. Males planned behind her back for her own good to control and steer the direction of her life. Her agency and right to be involved in decisions that affect her life was disregarded. Very disturbing even if the intention is perceived as positive. The power dynamics in their relationship were very uneven. Offensive views were stuck into the story for example, “teachers and the media” push jobs as more important for women than having children. The author goes on to say this leads to being a “lonely old woman with piles of money and no one to love.” There are so many things wrong with that I almost don’t know where to start. Women’s purpose is not to birth children. Our value is not tied to children we may or may not have. Our future happiness is not dependent upon the ability to have children. So much misogyny! “So you like alpha men?” This part where her 1st kiss is forced without any consent made me throw up in my mouth a little. Eww! NOPE to toxic males being sexy.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting concept, but really weird pacing. The utter misogyny displayed by all the male characters is absolutely NOT wiped out by making the MC a girl.

[Main Energy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My complaints are that i wish the series followed Juniper and Kjetil. And i wish this was a RH.

Great story with great characters. Dragons werewolves, magic,monsters.

[Cherry Mischievous · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts:

The advertisement is true. Reading this book, it made me think of Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews. It is not the same, though. This is not a Kate Daniels rip-off.

True to most urban fantasies, plot is not this book's strong suit, either.

The ending is not exactly a cliffhanger, but, it also pointed to the fact that there is a book 2 in the series.

I am wondering if Juniper would show her child to Grandpa. If so, how would she accomplish this?...

This is my first Autumn Dawn read and I am glad that I bumped into this author!

My only complaint about this book/series, is that, it does not have an audiobook version.

Of course book 2 is already bought!

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = 4
Plot = 3.5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5

[Blake · Rating 1 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

It started out so well, then MC turned into a doormat re the manipulative 'love interest' and also her adoptive father. It turned into a 'men know best' book. Her wishes were ignored as she was manipulated by them under the guise of their 'loving' her and even though she complains that they take her choices from her, she just goes along with it! -- She's supposed to be a very powerful tree mage, but she just complains a little, then gives in to their manipulations!

That doormat attitude was not how the book started out. She was a good strong character. It started to go downhill about 260 pages and I stupidly kept reading hoping it would get better, but it got worse.
The 'love interest' even has the gall to say he wants an equal partner as he manipulates her and 'daddy dearest' waffles on about wanting her to have choices, when both happily manipulate her to get her to do what they want!

Up until about page 260, I had thought I'd found a new favourite author.

First time read the author's work?: Yes

Will you be reading more?: No

Would you recommend?: No


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[Penny · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. read about 65% and just gave up. It started great and I really liked the idea Iof a tree mage and dragons. World building not bad and the story line had potential but it started deteriorating for me as the romantic relationship between the FMC and the wolf advanced. It just didn't work for me and I had to quit.

[Lainy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read most of Autumn's work, and I have to say this is her best book yet.

Terrific characters and a great concept for her world. I absolutely cannot wait for more from this series.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

great setting but strong great FMC reduced to basically a fertile prize at the end. sad and disappointing

Rating: 3✨

Autumn Dawn and her series, The Convergence, starting with Bramble Burn, was a top recommendation on a fantasy list so I picked it up based on similar themes and recommendations.

What I found both delighted and disappointed me in terms of character development and plot design.

Let’s start with the positive aspects of this story. Which are primarily related to the design and detail of Bramble Burn Park itself.

The premise is that at some point in time our world and that of the Fae Underhill world merged, violently. From the geological landscape to actual buildings, there was an explosion of activity as physical changes, actual melding or melting of structures, happened, leaving our world forever changed.

One mage leaves her family and farm to go buy a cheap abandoned city park from the mayor and officials, the Bramble Burn Park. A park so dangerous, so overrun, and inhabited by unknown creatures that evolved from the merge that no one enters in. One she intends to remake and make her own.

That gorgeous, mystical cover is the tree home that tree mage, Juniper, first makes in the forest. And mysterious, eerie, Bramble Burn, with all its distinctive features, wilding areas, and imaginative creatures, is a highlight of the story.

Too bad the author leaves it behind and tosses it away for another storyline altogether. Anyway, the park and Juniper’s resolve to make it her own, is the best part of the story.

This includes her magic and the obstacles that come as she slowly builds up the frame around the park. And her living structures made from trees.

The author really does an excellent job in making this park as intriguing, horrifying, and beautifully alive right from the beginning. And Juniper as well. From her perspective, she’s revealed to be increasingly powerful, someone who chooses to be alone in her woods, territorial and masterful in her pursuit of her goals.

That’s where the author had me. Until she didn’t.

The not so great aspects of the story.

The romantic aspects of the book and the relationships.

Bring on the dragons and werewolves.

Spoilers ahead.

The plot turns from Juniper needing to make Bramble Burn hers within a time frame to dragon father, dragon sister, bratty brother who might be dangerous, and a human, enabling suffocating mother full of flags.

It gets so much worse.

Author Autumn Dawn reveals that Juniper is a “fertile female “ half dragon, therefore she is a catch or highly regarded female for both werewolves and dragons for her abilities to breed.

Her werewolf, blink and he’s in love with her and asserting his mate bond over her, to a newly arrived dragon, both thrilled with Juniper’s fertility.

At this point I’m wondering what happened to the character I was reading at the beginning of the story. That strong woman is reduced to a breeder, complaining about a brother who is attacking her ( mom is excusing him) and complies with accepting the werewolf because he’s nice.

There’s a strange new plot that introduces a bunch of characters that has nothing to do with the original story. Takes them away from the park. The author decides to immediately wrap up what was originally a complex issue, leaving huge threads unexplained or just left out.

Juniper, the powerful tree mage who wanted to just work with her Forrest now ends up mated, marriages, with twins.

What?

So once again, I’m floored that an author went totally south with her character, world and plot development.

It was if she decided halfway to change everything but without any notice, explanation , or foundation.

So I’m not proceeding with either author or the series.

Cool cover though.

COVER DESIGN: Autumn Dawn

The Convergence:
Bramble Burn #1
And a bunch more books each with a different character apparently.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, it has an interesting take on a post-apocalyptical type world with Elves and Dragons and such. Creative with the monsters and plants, etc. Especially the trees, I would love to grow treehouses.

Also had sly humor:
Juniper had her grandfather’s hunger for growing things. He’d tolerated her visiting his woods as long as he could, but there could be only one Forest Lord.
He’d told her kindly but firmly to find her own wood. She could not go back, or he’d kill her.
“Be sure to write, let me know how you’re doing,” he’d said, and meant it. After all, they were family.

I liked the main love interest as a couple but felt like they were now married and mated without any celebration, no real acknowledgement other than she didn't protest being with him (eventually). He was a great guy so I will allow it, had to say I was also disappointed in her parents divorcing. That kind of came out of the blue.

Other Highlights:
"Message received. If werewolves haunted her park, her mom wouldn’t sic her dad on her. With a grimace, she gave up on trying to throw him out (besides, he was doing dishes), and went to brush her teeth and prepare for the day. She had a park to see to."

"It made Kjetil’s interest more real, more serious. The worst thing was, it was her fault. She wasn’t even sure what her feelings were, and Kjetil was already talking to her father. She’d insisted on a proper courtship.
What did she know about men, or dating? She’d just wanted more time, hadn’t been ready to deal with it, and the wolf had called her bluff."

[Kiri Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic Fun with Flora

This is a very light-hearted fantasy smattered with romantic intentions and a lot of build up to sexual tension between the main characters.

I love the female lead--she's a strong and no-nonsence plant mage and she makes it look sexy and easy. Her hero is a solid, if subdued shifter there to keep her safe from things that go bump in the forest at night.

The only, minor drawbacks were the very beginning of the book--which started with a heavy amount of exposition and background. I almost stopped reading because of it. But the book picks up once it gets into the story. And the story makes it worthwhile.

The other niggling issue is the odd sense of not understanding the villain behind the tension in the story. There were bad guys defeated, sure, but no mastermind revealed. There was a sense of incompletion for me. Perhaps there will be more in the series later.

Still, this is all in all a good, solid story with well fleshed central characters and a warm family quality. The sex is only a sidebar, hinted anticipation. Nothing too graphic. So, it will appeal to a wider, younger audience, I think.

I'd give it a solid A if they had resolved the true power behind the evil, but otherwise it ends satisfyingly enough.

[Brett Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rainy Afternoon Read

Lovely, book with wonderful world building. Follow Juniper as she conquers her new land, overcomes her fears and develops her interpersonal relationship. Let your imagination free to experience the creative ideas she uses to make Bramble Burn a beautiful new land with new plants always just a page away. Enjoy the way she uses plant power to improve and tame the park and conquer her enemies.

Book is well-written and edited. Fast paced, and appropriate for any audience. No language, closed door romance, and no major triggers. It really focuses on showcasing Juniper’s imagination. The characters are well rounded, with each having their own distinct personalities you can fall in love with. Sweet, but not cloying with overdone trope. And of course a happily ever after ending.

Grab a cup of chocolate and blanket. Dive into and prepare to be delighted.

[Cally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love that it has a Kate Daniels feel to it, did not like how it's only one book. I would have loved to have seen more adventures with the FMC and MMC trying to tame the wild. Honestly, I think it could have been broken down into different books and more depth to it, but for what it is, it's good. It did kinda feel like the book was too many little stories with no big driving factor to tie it all together. Her whole situation with her sister could have been its own book. Could have had more tension with the FMC and MMC.

Just felt like it was a very good bones but not fleshed out enough. No meat? If you know what I mean.

[Tracey L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time Well Spent

I’m so picky these days, getting older sucks for my reading habits. At any given time, I have more than one book, genre, open on kindle app, reading them here and there. Every once in awhile a book will grab my attention and I’ll read it straight through without stopping to read something else. This book kept my attention. I loved that it did not have sex scene filler. It didn’t need it. Nothing wrong with them, and I read plenty of books with them, but it’s nice to read a book with romance without all that.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

Bramble Burn is a good read with interesting characters and a catchy plot. The romance angle is a nice hook and I was glad that sex wasn’t the main driving force of the book.

However, I feel the book would have been a better read by focusing on the mage and her efforts to stabilize the Bramble. Too many situations were glossed over or brushed aside with magic.

It also would have been nice to see a mage interaction that resulted in a mage/monster friendship instead of a monster death.

[Yashodhara T · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars cause of the line

Spoiler
*It seems you only respond to alpha men * (paraphrased but not enough:( )

Please let's not do this.

The writing also felt very awkward (in terms of perspective, 3rd person was done in a very wooden way, in my opinion) and the pacing was pretty weird, everything happened in a few weeks (days?) for the first 50-60 percent of the book..
Kinda skipped the middle cause so much was happening at the same time but also not?
Also FMC gave very pick-me vibes but even the protagonist flag couldn't hide that

[Britta · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise was interesting but DNF once the romance started to pick up. Misogynistic characters and the female main character lost almost all agency. Once I got to the line where the “hero” claims she must only like alpha males and then kisses her without consent, I couldn’t keep reading. He proceeds to then make decisions about/for her and acts like she can’t be trusted to make any decisions on her own. It’s also had a concerning message on how the only way to be happy or fulfilled in life was to have babies. So definitely a no for me. I really don’t need this in my fantasy-or real life.

[Andrey Lukyanenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the positive side, it was fun and had interesting heroes. The world is interesting, and the story was simple but good.
On the negative side, the pacing was weird; the POV switches were abrupt; the hero was somewhat proactive, but too many things just happened to her (and not because she made them): secretly hired security (btw, the main hero basically manipulated her and lied to her), sudden marriage, father pushing her to do things she didn't want, etc. And her job, which should have been the most important thing to her, finished off-screen.

[Starbuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning was a little slow. Only because the world she created was so descriptive, you had to take your time and really imagine the world coming to life. I loved the convergence aspect of the story, that tied in seamlessly. Smart characters with charisma kept the pages turning. This was a very pleasant surprise. Personally I don’t care for fairy, witch, or dragon driven tales, or I should say, until now!

[Karene Torgerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Written

This book kept my attention from start to end. It was a slow burn where the romance wasn’t the focus. I appreciate the imagination of the story and each character’s development. Usually books that move slowly like this don’t keep my attention. But her writing style and detail drew me in chapter after chapter. I really didn’t want it to end!

Going to read more of Dawn’s books!

[Amy Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great world building

I really loved this idea! It’s been done before, but this had enough new twists I liked it anyway. I think the author did a very good job of magic with discernible limits and explanations. Too often, a character is extremely overpowered with no limits or extremely powerful on extremely limited situations/ so many weaknesses to be unusable.
I cannot wait to see where this goes!

[Dwilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative

I really enjoyed this interesting story. It was a sweetie, slow burn romance. Juniper was a sweet interesting character reminiscent of a wood nymph (minus the overactive sex drive( and Kjetil was a sweet but typical werewolf hunk. All of the secondary characters were interesting but I am a little sad about her parents. But, I stilled really enjoyed this book.

[Tracy Kaufman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author. Plenty of action the romance is a very slow burn without descriptions of what is happening in the bedroom. I had the entire series finished in less than 10 days. The world building was done very well, characters were fleshed out. I just really enjoyed this series. The whole story line was such a pleasure to read I could hardly wait to start the next one.

[Justin Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it

This was really fun for the imagination when she creates her tree houses. The book was clean would have loved the romance to have developed more but it was still fun. The story line was good and I really enjoyed all the different characters. I will definitely continue the series.

[Lynne M · Rating 5 out of 5]

imaginative!

Beautiful new world for me, as well as a new author. What a treat! I love the characters as well, they were engaging and endearing. The monsters were tremendous and somewhat frightening in thought because it could happen in science , lol. Anyway, this book was clearly imagined and projected into her book by Autumn Dawn I enjoyed it immensely.

[Tricia Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story and the world building, and the characters are all really interesting. It just felt a little “abridged”. Happenings just sort of happened without much build up or lead in to them. I think it could have been a really excellent story with a little more rich detail and filled out timeline.

[Sue Bartell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story

What an imagination this author has. I've never read anything thing quite like this book. I couldn't out it down. A wonderful fantastical story with great characters. If you like magic, mages, dragons and wolves you'll love this book. A really good read with plenty of action

[Ryan Mackay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow was there some Christian messaging in this book despite there being magic and overtly fae etc. i didn’t dock it at all for that, because it wasn’t a bad book. It wasn’t a great book either. It was very uneven and included some absolute nonsense, and I’m not sure i understood the pov threads at all.

[Victoria Plum · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started well. I loved the premise… But I reached a point where it began to feel generic and boring. The main love interest, Kjetil, was too controlling and treated Juniper at times like a cute accessory that he was in charge of. It felt unhealthy and suffocating rather than exciting and fun. I laboured on for a bit, but I ending up procrastinating my reading time to avoid this book.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read

A really different story. I enjoyed the new world. Very complete and well fleshed out universe. At first I wasn't sure about the writing but I couldn't put it down. Will definitely get the next one!