Five years have passed since the battle for the Verinian Forest. Kia, Keota, the wolves and Ionan have been living peacefully since, though things aren't as happy as they appear. Ionan longs for the shores of Nesting's Haven, the isle of Changers that he left long ago, and the eyes of his first love, Vera.
Things are turned upside down when Vera arrives, claiming to have left her abusive Accompany. Almost immediately after Kia's young son Kennu and his Changer Allie go missing. Allie and Kennu have been kidnapped by an evil mastermind hellbent on taking total control of the Lands and all that surrounds them. But there’s a twist this time, as the foe is one they not only know well, but fear, because his powers are beyond all imagining and his cunning is enough to outwit them all.
Our heroes are left with no choice...in order to bring back the children they love, one of them must be sacrificed. Kiatana and her friends will discover that their previous battles are nothing compared to the upcoming war, and what they’ve lost so far is in no way equal to the danger brewing on the horizon...
Natalie Erin is the pen name for the writing team of Megan Linski and Krisen Lison (also known as Krystyl Lisoh).
Krisen Lison (pen name Krystyl Lisoh) was an author and poet. She is known for her bestselling Creatures of the Lands series, as well as her poetry collections Memoirs of a Teenage Poet and Living as Me, as well as her short story collections Death, Life and Other Things and Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall. Her work has been featured in multiple publications. She passed away in 2013.
Megan Linski is best known for her popular Hidden Legends universe, co-written with Alicia Rades, as well as more than fifty other novels. Linski is a passionate advocate for mental health, disability rights, and suicide prevention.
**Disclaimer: I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**
My Review –
I wasn’t super impressed with the first book so I had low expectations heading into this, however, I was pleasantly surprised with how good this book was in comparison with Kiatana’s Journey.
The book was action packed to the point where I couldn’t put it down. I was finally able to connect with the characters and really began to care about what happened to them. Lot’s of new characters were introduced and I think that perhaps there were too many because I found it hard to keep track of how everyone was related/knew each other.
Ionan and Allie are my favourite characters as they are so well portrayed and I can’t help but worry about them. Ionan broke my heart in this book and I hope things start to look up for him soon.
Once again, the romance is rushed and doesn’t quite fit the flow of the plot. Some aspects of the novel such as the events that occur… the authors are brilliant at, but some aspects such as character development, personal relationships and realism still seem a little wobbly.
All of that being said, I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read the next book!
Kennu and Allie have now been kidnapped, and Keota, Kia and Ionan are striving to find them. Kennu and Allie and some pups have been kidnapped by Wyntier. With Wyntier's return, everything is in chaos and Wyntier is planing to somehow rule the Lands. Vera's Song is a really enjoyable and adventurous read. There is adventure, yes so much, which is basically the reason why I loved this book. Kia and Keota have to find their kid, Kennu. They meet some new creatures on their journey. But with Wyntier and his wife, who is also Kia's sister,... will they be able to rule the Lands? And what will happen to Allie and Kennu? The writing quality of the author has become better than the last book and you will immediately get sucked in to the book. Vera's Song is about love, family, loss, sacrifices and friendships. The story had some heart-aching scenes too. There were so many new amazing characters. My most favorite characters were Allie and Kennu. Overall, this book is highly recommended to fantasy readers, as this story is filled with the most amazing adventures and mystical creatures.
Well, first off, this book was so much better than the first. Obviously considering I read it in a day!
Without the necessary world building that the reader got in the first book, Natalie Erin is able to jump right into the story. Starting five years after the end of Kiatana's Journey, this starts off with peace throughout the land. However, there is an evil Accompany that plans to take over the world.
Readers get an expansion on each character from the first novel, along with a look at new characters. This time around, each character is dynamic and life-like. We also see more into the world of the Accompanys and Changers. That is the part I found most interesting. Not that this book wasn't, but I tend to enjoy background knowledge about types of characters.
Vera's Song is super fast-paced and intriguing. There are so many aspects of this novel that will either shock and surprise you, or you will have seen it coming. Either way, I cannot wait to read the next installment.
**Disclaimer: I am currently part of a team reviewing this series. I am giving my honest reviews in exchange for free copies of this series**
Return to the Lands and follow several characters along on their adventures! This book features dragons, shapeshifters (changers), fairies, witches, and other magical creatures. The children have gone missing! Will the group be able to find them in time, and will Vera be able to stand up to her Accompany (master)?
Absolutely loved reading this book. It was much more fun to read than the first, Kiatana's Journey. I believe this is because the universe is already explained (so the authors just jumped right into the story) and I believe the writing also was improved from the first book which seemed to have more rough edges.
I found myself reading this book whenever I got the chance, and was thoroughly hooked. Already started the follow up to this, Wyntier's Rise. This book flowed very well, though it had some predictable moments I still loved it. I would say this series is incredibly cheesy, sort of like a B stock fantasy in comparison to things like Harry Potter and Narnia. But I love B stock movies (as does my husband) and I love this B-stock fantasy. It does not mean I think it is bad!
It also focuses on a character's struggle with Stockholm syndrome (Vera) whom struggles to 'do the right thing' versus listening to her master whom she desperately wishes to seek approval from.
- I do have some criticisms for it however. First of all, the cover doesn't seem fitting. It features Nineva, an evil witch/fairy, but the book is called Vera's Song so I think it should probably feature Vera, not Nineva. Especially since most of the book features Vera. - I also think this is just a goof-up on the author's part, probably just needed another look over. But in one scene Ionan is a cat, and then they redundantly say he transforms into a cat, even though he already is one at the moment. -
I enjoyed this second book more than the first one, if I’m being honest. Maybe I’m used to the setting by now, but it feels like I get to like the characters as well over time. I liked it.
Having read the first book in this series and enjoyed it, I was interested to see what the author would do with this one. Was it going to be the dreaded second book in a series which didn’t live up to the promise of the first? Actually, no. In fact it was quite the opposite.
Erin introduces some new characters in this story and ties them in nicely with those from book one. Vera’s Song takes us forward about four years from where the previous tale leaves off. Kiatana has grown in confidence and taken the mantle of queen of the forest to the next level. Her son is typical for his age: curious, fearless, and a bundle of energy.
Wyntier, a new character, is deliciously evil. He’s hatching a plot and needs Kiatana’s son and his changer to make it work. Wyntier is cruel to the nth degree. He beats his changer, Vera, for the slightest thing and yet she loves him and does whatever he wants, even if she knows it’s wrong. There are no redeeming features in this character. He shows no remorse for anything he does, or the pain he causes. Driven by his need to be powerful and to control everything around him, he will stop at nothing to achieve it. I had to wonder why he was so brutal and driven and this was never addressed. It would have been interesting to know his background a little more, but even the flashbacks to his childhood showed a nasty boy who bullied weaker kids.
Vera’s a conflicted character who has been in love with Ionan, Keota’s changer, since they were young. She yearns to be reunited with him, but despite the harsh treatment she endures, she still won’t leave Wyntier. Vera’s character is well crafted. You feel her frustration, pain, love, and basically she has a good heart. She wants to do the right thing and tries in her own way to make life more comfortable for Wyntier’s victims. I found myself really sympathising with her plight and she’s the one who has stayed with me the most.
The other new characters all added something meaningful to the story. Some of them were written in a stronger voice though. Those from book one had all grown into their skins or pelts. However, I found Keota to be less effective in places and would have liked to see him as formidable as his wife, Kiatana.
The plot itself was exciting and dramatic. There were lulls, but they didn’t diminish the story; there needed to be some less intense moments so the reader could draw breath and take in what had happened in the previous few pages. There were no plot holes and the only part of it which felt contrived was an altercation with some elves. Later in the story, the elves return and the complete 180 didn’t quite sit right with me. However, the rest of the story was so engaging that this small irritation didn’t spoil it for me.
The world Erin built in book one was equally as strong in this one. From forests to icy mountains and beaches, her description was detailed without being overwhelming. She brought each part of the world seamlessly into the story giving good reasons why the characters were there.
For me, the definition of a good, enjoyable book is one you can remember several weeks later, and that’s exactly what’s happened here. I finished reading Vera’s Song about three weeks prior to writing this review and yet I find myself transported back into the pages as if I’d finished it only yesterday. There were enough errors which made me want to shoot the editor or proof reader for missing them, but they didn’t detract from my pleasure in reading it.
In conclusion, this book was better than expected, a good and memorable story with characters that stayed in my heart long after I finished it. If you’re looking for a fairy fantasy read with something a little different, I would certainly recommend Vera’s Song.
I received a free ARC of this book in return for an honest review
What I really love about this series is the quirky characters. And there are a TON of them; from fairies, to shape-shifting animals, to a whole array of mythical creatures. I wish these animals could come alive so I could keep them in my backyard. Vera is indeed my favorite, a sweet, mothering dragon, staying strong in the face of trials despite the chains that hold her.
As with Kiatana's Journey, the Changers are still a little confusing. They switch forms so much, it's hard to picture what they look like in a scene. I'll read along thinking Ionan is a dragon, then realize he's been a lion this whole time. The author will start off a scene mentioning Ionan is now a Pegasus, but I'm still picturing the lion. So just make sure you keep a close eye on those pesky Changers.
I was happy to find so much emotion with the characters, which was lacking a bit with the last book. Each main character has their own story, yet Erin brings them all together flawlessly. My heart poured out for each one of them, latching onto their fear, relief, betrayal, happiness, and heartache.
As far as writing style goes, Natalie Erin is not my favorite. Her story is rich with drama and excitement, but I feel there is something lacking in the delivery. Perhaps with so many characters in the party, she's busy setting up what everyone is doing in the scene to really throw the reader in it. Her voice has grown since the first book, so I have high hopes for the series.
Overall, Vera's Song is a fantastic sequel. Things go from bad to worse, and you really doubt everything will work out for your furry friends. Creatures of the Lands really has everything that makes a great modern fairytale and is perfect for a reader with a hungry imagination.
What I really love about this series is the quirky characters. And there are a TON of them; from fairies, to shape-shifting animals, to a whole array of mythical creatures. I wish these animals could come alive so I could keep them in my backyard. Vera is indeed my favorite, a sweet, mothering dragon, staying strong in the face of trials despite the chains that hold her.
As with Kiatana's Journey, the Changers are still a little confusing. They switch forms so much, it's hard to picture what they look like in a scene. I'll read along thinking Ionan is a dragon, then realize he's been a lion this whole time. The author will start off a scene mentioning Ionan is now a Pegasus, but I'm still picturing the lion. So just make sure you keep a close eye on those pesky Changers.
I was happy to find so much emotion with the characters, which was lacking a bit with the last book. Each main character has their own story, yet Erin brings them all together flawlessly. My heart poured out for each one of them, latching onto their fear, relief, betrayal, happiness, and heartache.
As far as writing style goes, Natalie Erin is not my favorite. Her story is rich with drama and excitement, but I feel there is something lacking in the delivery. Perhaps with so many characters in the party, she's busy setting up what everyone is doing in the scene to really throw the reader in it. Her voice has grown since the first book, so I have high hopes for the series.
Overall, Vera's Song is a fantastic sequel. Things go from bad to worse, and you really doubt everything will work out for your furry friends. Creatures of the Lands really has everything that makes a great modern fairytale and is perfect for a reader with a hungry imagination.
When magical creatures that should be extinct appear... be careful. Kia is living happily married to Keota, together with his Changer Ionan, their son Kennu and his Changer Allie. But when Ionan meets the love of his life, Vera, in their forest, it's the first sign something is wrong, since she is the Changer of the most evil Accompany in the Nesting's heaven. Since the first time Wyntier heard about the little prince and his unusual Accompany, he started plotting a dangerous game. But the two littles aren't the only ones who are extraordinary, nor are they the only ones in danger. A miscellaneous company must go on an adventurous journey to restore the balance, break Wyntier's plans and save the kidnapped. This book was so action-packed and adventurous that I literally flew through the pages. The situation changed nearly every page, keeping the story fast and full of suspense, drama and emotions. Definitely an improvement from the first book, although I found there still some passages where I lost any emotional connection to the story - but it was restored quickly. I also appreciate the choice of characters. Although Keota and Kia sometimes appear awkward and I can't fully understand them, I loved the cold cruelty in Wyntier, and definitely adored Vera. My heart bled for her the whole time, being abused nearly all her life, kind in her heart but forced to be a murderer. I wished a better end than she got, she deserved some compensation for the years of suffering... but life is not fair. I received a copy from the author and volunteered to review it.
This is the second book in a series so the first thing I would say is that you need to read the first book in the series you understand this book fully, you appreciate what has happened previously.
I loved the storyline in this book, it is jam packed full of action with surprises around every corner, it is filled with an excitement and full of emotions throughout the whole story. I won't say too much about the storyline as I won't ruin in gorgeous anyone but rest assured uou will not see half of what happens coming. There is a lot of emotional pain and sadness in this book but there is also hope, love and joy. I am now dying to read the next book in the series.
There are definitely a lot more characters introduced in this book, the one I felt most for is vera, my heart really goes out to her. There is so much that I could say about the other characters, I will say that they are all completely different to each other with unique personalities and you will love them all, even the 'bad' guys.
This is a read that everyone can enjoy, I am loving this series, it's very compelling and addicting!!!
This is the second book in the Creatures of the Lands series and while I would recommend reading book 1 first, you can still read this book alone and not feel completely lost. All of the characters I loved from the first book were back in this one along with a few new ones, even a character that I did not like and would love to see him get what is coming in a future book! This book had a little of a disconnect in the characters from Ionan as he reconnected with his true love Vera and it seemed like at times he was forgotten about. I loved that Ionan was able to connect with him, but hated that it was for such a short time before her changer had her back. I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see where all of this will end up....and hope to see more of my favorite characters, the wolves and unicorns!
I was thrilled when the author contacted me after I read the first in the series last week and asked if I would be willing to read an ARC to review. This was a continuation of an epic tale. I look forward to this world expanding and getting even more fleshed out. The rules that have always seemed to be written in stone, seem to be being broken, tradition may not always be the best thing to follow. This is definitely a tale of good-V-evil, but even some of the ones you might consider evil can be redeemed. The set up for the next episode is there and I look forward to seeing how it turns, a possibility of chaos vs order, is chaos always a bad thing?
LOVED IT! This book is full of new characters, happiness, sadness, betrayal, surprises, twists, and new and old character back stories. I was so excited to read Vera's Song since I loved the first book and I was not disappointed! Loads and loads of new characters are introduced and at times it can be a bit confusing but they all soon piece together and it's easier to keep track of. I'm a huge fan of this book as well as the others keep me wanting more! I'm looking forward to the third book!
Usually the initial book in a series is the best one. I love this and the crazy characters that are brought into the story and the shape shifters that you never know what they look like. Loads of action and fun and just an awesome red. I thought the first story was good but this just keeps getting better. It is mos def worth the time and investment. You will laugh and gasp and so much more reading this and enjoying all of the action and the interplay between characters they are a hoot.
Well this one was better. I love Allie and Kennu but the characters from the previous book still annoy me. Just on a different level in a different way. However I loved the stuff about an accompany and charger finding one another. Also the stuff with Vera (who i felt sorry for from the very beginning) and Ionan kept my interest. Better than the last one but still a bit to go before I get obsessed. I received this in exchange for an honest review
A lovely little adventure. Everyone is in here plus more. Starts out as everyone is fine then once the children are stolen the adventure of getting them back making sure the prophecy turns out okay. But someone evil wants all the power to himself. Will they be able to stop him...
This is the second book in the Creatures of the Lands serie. I really loved it even more than I did with the first book in the serie. Can't wait to read more in the serie.
Vera and Her accompanier decides to make naughty plans. Kia and Keota have a kid with an accompanier. Wolves and kids go missing. And the Hunt of them and the bad people goeson.