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Crucible of Change #1
Forging Day
Global apocalypse never felt so good.
Olivia almost has the perfect life. She almost has a job. She almost has a boyfriend. She almost has a future.
It’s a good thing she has friends.
On a sunny day in June, the entire world steps sideways into a new reality—out of this chaos, almost a third of the human population find themselves transformed into Elves, Dwarves, Goblins, and Trolls. Olivia is now a Dark Elf mage, and her new girlfriend is one sexy kitty.
With magic, however, come monsters, and things that draw blood in the night— and now a werewolf is carving a path of pain and terror through the park next to Olivia’s home. The old Olivia would have been hiding under her sister’s bed.
The new Olivia is going hunting.
Adversity is the forge of the soul. For Olivia, today is Forging Day.
Olivia almost has the perfect life. She almost has a job. She almost has a boyfriend. She almost has a future.
It’s a good thing she has friends.
On a sunny day in June, the entire world steps sideways into a new reality—out of this chaos, almost a third of the human population find themselves transformed into Elves, Dwarves, Goblins, and Trolls. Olivia is now a Dark Elf mage, and her new girlfriend is one sexy kitty.
With magic, however, come monsters, and things that draw blood in the night— and now a werewolf is carving a path of pain and terror through the park next to Olivia’s home. The old Olivia would have been hiding under her sister’s bed.
The new Olivia is going hunting.
Adversity is the forge of the soul. For Olivia, today is Forging Day.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2015
15 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 31, 2015
3.5 stars is my un-rounded rating. Means I really enjoyed it, but it might not appeal to all.
Snapshot: I had pretty high hopes, and this tale still exceeded them. The plot moves smoothly and develops to a tense finale, the dialogue flowed naturally, characters were well-defined and interesting, and the world-building is presented through action more than explanation. The writing was even free from most of the indie-publishing/small press irritations that that grate on me. Huzzah!
Books are food comparison: dinner at a favorite diner. Nothing mind-blowing, but always satisfying. Could return every week (or as often as budgeting allows) happily order more of the same thing off the menu, and never get tired of it. Moar pls, kthxbai.
This is the first in a planned series, and the story takes its time with meticulous set-up and development. My reading preferences being skewed towards something more like immersion therapy, I was ready for things to go haywire much sooner. The Event is a given, from the premise. Everything on the page was interesting, but the impending Change distracted me from appreciating the minor dramas as much as they deserved.
There is sex: explicit sex, and some in situations that leaned on the consent line. I mention this because the dangers of unhealthy relationships and the protagonist's maturation from passive victim to active agent are elements fundamental to the plot as well as to the character's development. Some heavy issues were handled with finesse and skill. I like more emphasis on sensuality and less on mechanics in my erotica, but there are plenty of happy sheet-rumpling scenes, and plenty of variety too.
It's in told in first person, and the protagonist is a relatable, sympathetic, and realistically flawed human being. The cast is large, but most of the supporting characters conformed to archetypes that made them easy to remember without falling into stereotypes. (The distinction is a fine one, others may disagree) That strategy did come with a big drawback for me: the focus on memorable hooks obscure any depth to their personalities. I was pleasantly intrigued by glimpses of character complexity...but most of them never got a chance to show off real personality. The action moved fast once it started, and kept moving right to the finale.
If you read fantasy fiction of the classic or urban variety, if you have ever been a noob, if you enjoy creative anachronism or hot chicks kissing, if you get a kick from mutant dinosaurs, motorcycles, or MORE COWBELL--if any of those references made you smile, then give this book book a read and follow the author so you won't miss the next installment.
Snapshot: I had pretty high hopes, and this tale still exceeded them. The plot moves smoothly and develops to a tense finale, the dialogue flowed naturally, characters were well-defined and interesting, and the world-building is presented through action more than explanation. The writing was even free from most of the indie-publishing/small press irritations that that grate on me. Huzzah!
Books are food comparison: dinner at a favorite diner. Nothing mind-blowing, but always satisfying. Could return every week (or as often as budgeting allows) happily order more of the same thing off the menu, and never get tired of it. Moar pls, kthxbai.
This is the first in a planned series, and the story takes its time with meticulous set-up and development. My reading preferences being skewed towards something more like immersion therapy, I was ready for things to go haywire much sooner. The Event is a given, from the premise. Everything on the page was interesting, but the impending Change distracted me from appreciating the minor dramas as much as they deserved.
There is sex: explicit sex, and some in situations that leaned on the consent line. I mention this because the dangers of unhealthy relationships and the protagonist's maturation from passive victim to active agent are elements fundamental to the plot as well as to the character's development. Some heavy issues were handled with finesse and skill. I like more emphasis on sensuality and less on mechanics in my erotica, but there are plenty of happy sheet-rumpling scenes, and plenty of variety too.
It's in told in first person, and the protagonist is a relatable, sympathetic, and realistically flawed human being. The cast is large, but most of the supporting characters conformed to archetypes that made them easy to remember without falling into stereotypes. (The distinction is a fine one, others may disagree) That strategy did come with a big drawback for me: the focus on memorable hooks obscure any depth to their personalities. I was pleasantly intrigued by glimpses of character complexity...but most of them never got a chance to show off real personality. The action moved fast once it started, and kept moving right to the finale.
If you read fantasy fiction of the classic or urban variety, if you have ever been a noob, if you enjoy creative anachronism or hot chicks kissing, if you get a kick from mutant dinosaurs, motorcycles, or MORE COWBELL--if any of those references made you smile, then give this book book a read and follow the author so you won't miss the next installment.
August 30, 2015
'Forging Day' doesn't lend itself to to easy categorization. It's not a romance, lesbian or otherwise. It's not pure erotica. Ti's not post-apocalyptic. That said, it does include elements of all three genres. When we meet Olivia, the narrator, she is unemployed, living off the kindness of her friends and the generosity of her sister, and scraping the bottom of the barrel for boyfriends. She's not a bad person, but she is broken. Over the course of the book, she, like the Shards of Narsil, is reforged into strength and purpose.
There's a bit of dialog that captures the flavor of Olivia's transformation:
“Oh my god, Berto. We’re noobs. We’re not even first level adventurers. We’re those idiots trying to figure out the tutorial— and I always skip the tutorial. . . . when I dreamed about becoming a fantasy adventurer, I was always a max-level character with epic gear. Look at me. I’m wearing vendor trash.”
Thankfully, Olivia, like countless other low-level adventurers, has a party backing her up. Her friends have abilities of their own and are learning to use them as well. As with any ensemble cast, most get only the screen time and storyline they need to have, not what they ideally should have. Developing the secondary characters would have added a lot to the story, but I think it would have lessened the urgency and tension the plot needs.
Olivia's romantic relationships are a significant part of the story, especially in the first chapter. In online gaming terms, Chapter One is a gear check for the reader. Make it through to the end (and I mean the entirety of the chapter) and you're in good shape for the rest of the story. The author handles a rough scene with great skill, and the reader becomes invested in Olivia almost at once. The other sex scenes in the book are nicely fun and sweaty. Olivia doesn't get magic items as she levels up but she does get magic moments.
Obviously this is the first book of a planned series, and I can't wait to pick up the next one.
There's a bit of dialog that captures the flavor of Olivia's transformation:
“Oh my god, Berto. We’re noobs. We’re not even first level adventurers. We’re those idiots trying to figure out the tutorial— and I always skip the tutorial. . . . when I dreamed about becoming a fantasy adventurer, I was always a max-level character with epic gear. Look at me. I’m wearing vendor trash.”
Thankfully, Olivia, like countless other low-level adventurers, has a party backing her up. Her friends have abilities of their own and are learning to use them as well. As with any ensemble cast, most get only the screen time and storyline they need to have, not what they ideally should have. Developing the secondary characters would have added a lot to the story, but I think it would have lessened the urgency and tension the plot needs.
Olivia's romantic relationships are a significant part of the story, especially in the first chapter. In online gaming terms, Chapter One is a gear check for the reader. Make it through to the end (and I mean the entirety of the chapter) and you're in good shape for the rest of the story. The author handles a rough scene with great skill, and the reader becomes invested in Olivia almost at once. The other sex scenes in the book are nicely fun and sweaty. Olivia doesn't get magic items as she levels up but she does get magic moments.
Obviously this is the first book of a planned series, and I can't wait to pick up the next one.
March 26, 2016
*This book was provided by the Author/Publisher for an honest review.
**18+ Mature readers only!
I will have to say I enjoyed this premise. Global apocalypse with a twist of Monsters, taken the form of Faires, Elves, Werewolves and anything that goes bump in the night!!
Olivia, the main character is a Dark Elf mage with some kickass magic and an a sassy attitude to match. This provacative tale has high action, awesome character development and relationship dynamics!
If you are looking for a fantastic read with an Urban Fantasy SciFi twist. Read this book!!
4 Stars and a tip of my #NerdGirl hat!!
*This review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl.
**18+ Mature readers only!
I will have to say I enjoyed this premise. Global apocalypse with a twist of Monsters, taken the form of Faires, Elves, Werewolves and anything that goes bump in the night!!
Olivia, the main character is a Dark Elf mage with some kickass magic and an a sassy attitude to match. This provacative tale has high action, awesome character development and relationship dynamics!
If you are looking for a fantastic read with an Urban Fantasy SciFi twist. Read this book!!
4 Stars and a tip of my #NerdGirl hat!!
*This review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl.
July 27, 2015
A wonderful book by a brand-new author. I thoroughly enjoyed this romp of a tale, with Good Guys to cheer for and Bad Guys to give you chills.
Can't wait for the next installment of Olivia's story to become available.
Can't wait for the next installment of Olivia's story to become available.
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November 1, 2015Of course I like it. I wrote it.
December 11, 2019
Loved it
This is the 2nd time I have bought this book and it is just as interesting as the 1st time I read it. I am rereading the series and highly recommend it
This is the 2nd time I have bought this book and it is just as interesting as the 1st time I read it. I am rereading the series and highly recommend it
September 10, 2015
This is a tough book for me to review. I haven't got a voyeuristic bone in my body, it seems, and erotica does nothing for me. I tend to skim those scenes, and this book had me skimming a fair amount. So, fair warning, this book does contain a fair amount of graphic sex, and will be offensive to a certain, bigoted mindset (faith fore fend! There are girls with girls!). That said, I didn't skim the first sex scene, and I'm glad of it. It is not erotic, it's brutal, and it spiked a flame of rage in me. It also, in one chapter, put me firmly on the side of our main character, Olivia.
The story is creative, and witty, with a nice balance of drama and action. The characters are well rounded and memorable. The relationship between Olivia and Kat is both unconventional and sweet.
I recommend this to any fan of urban fantasy
The story is creative, and witty, with a nice balance of drama and action. The characters are well rounded and memorable. The relationship between Olivia and Kat is both unconventional and sweet.
I recommend this to any fan of urban fantasy
October 14, 2015
Must read
A great mix of sex magic explosions and religious blending. Great book can't wait for the next book. I can't wait to see what new powers and sexual exploits are going to come next.
A great mix of sex magic explosions and religious blending. Great book can't wait for the next book. I can't wait to see what new powers and sexual exploits are going to come next.
April 16, 2016
I really like the whole modern works with the introduction of magic. Olivia becomes a dark elf with magic, which she isn't instantly proficient with and has to train.
I'll be picking up the next book.
I'll be picking up the next book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews