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Descended of Dragons #1
Rare Form
Ten years ago, Stella Stonewall’s world changed forever. Now, the story that launched the Descended of Dragons series is back—newly polished and better than ever. Step into the 10th Anniversary Edition of Rare Form and rediscover the magic, danger, and romance where it all began.
Happy reading!
Jen
Magic. Intrigue. A dangerous romance that will leave you breathless.
Stella Stonewall thought she was a normal college student, until one reckless night shatters everything she knows. Transported to a world of magic and danger, she discovers a pulse of power inside her that won’t stay hidden: the ability to shift into forms long thought extinct.
But rare power comes with a price.
A ruthless sorcerer wants her bent to his will. Allies circle close; some with loyalty, others with ancient secrets. Rowan Gresham, a brooding stranger with fire in his veins offers guidance Stella can’t always trust…and temptation she can’t seem to resist. As threats mount and betrayals surface, Stella must decide whether she’s a pawn in someone else’s game or a weapon strong enough to change the fate of worlds.
An Amazon #1 Bestseller, Rare Form is the explosive first book in the Descended of Dragons series. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer Armentrout and Rebecca Yarros will love this romantasy series about dragons and shifters at an enchanted grad school.
Happy reading!
Jen
Magic. Intrigue. A dangerous romance that will leave you breathless.
Stella Stonewall thought she was a normal college student, until one reckless night shatters everything she knows. Transported to a world of magic and danger, she discovers a pulse of power inside her that won’t stay hidden: the ability to shift into forms long thought extinct.
But rare power comes with a price.
A ruthless sorcerer wants her bent to his will. Allies circle close; some with loyalty, others with ancient secrets. Rowan Gresham, a brooding stranger with fire in his veins offers guidance Stella can’t always trust…and temptation she can’t seem to resist. As threats mount and betrayals surface, Stella must decide whether she’s a pawn in someone else’s game or a weapon strong enough to change the fate of worlds.
An Amazon #1 Bestseller, Rare Form is the explosive first book in the Descended of Dragons series. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer Armentrout and Rebecca Yarros will love this romantasy series about dragons and shifters at an enchanted grad school.
236 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2015
151 people are currently reading
2484 people want to read
About the author
Jen Crane
7 books176 followersJen Crane has published six novels, including Sunscorched, winner of the Rosemary Award for excellence in young adult fiction, and Rare Form, an Amazon #1 Bestseller.
Raised on a working cattle ranch, Jen grew up around open skies and untamed beauty. Storytelling came naturally. She writes with equal parts heart and grit, blending the wildness of nature with the wonder of the unknown.
Jen has a master’s degree and spent years in government and nonprofit work before deciding life was far too real for nonfiction. Now she creates immersive worlds and unforgettable characters where anything is possible.
She lives in the South with her family and too many pets.
Connect with Jen on any social media
@JenCraneBooks
Sign up to receive sneak peeks, news, and giveaways at bit.ly/Jen_Crane_Newsletter
Raised on a working cattle ranch, Jen grew up around open skies and untamed beauty. Storytelling came naturally. She writes with equal parts heart and grit, blending the wildness of nature with the wonder of the unknown.
Jen has a master’s degree and spent years in government and nonprofit work before deciding life was far too real for nonfiction. Now she creates immersive worlds and unforgettable characters where anything is possible.
She lives in the South with her family and too many pets.
Connect with Jen on any social media
@JenCraneBooks
Sign up to receive sneak peeks, news, and giveaways at bit.ly/Jen_Crane_Newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 16, 2017
***** 4.5 Stars *****
What a fun read! Stella is a strong girl that just finished college. She knew she was meant for more in life, but she didn't expect to be from a different realm. With her mentor's guidance, she enters a new school to embrace her unknown power.
Rowan Gresham is a sexy and confident man that will melt your panties. As Stella's mentor, they spend a lot of time together, and their strong chemistry is obvious. There is some nudity in the book since people can shift into animals, but there were no erotic moments. The other students at the school were also enjoyable. Some could shift into a deer, wolf, or a crow. Didn't I tell you this realm is amazing?
The new world of Thayer is filled with so many magical creatures. It's impossible to get bored from this story. I have a lot of questions, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book! I usually like stories with more steamy moments, so I'll keep my fingers crossed!
What a fun read! Stella is a strong girl that just finished college. She knew she was meant for more in life, but she didn't expect to be from a different realm. With her mentor's guidance, she enters a new school to embrace her unknown power.
Rowan Gresham is a sexy and confident man that will melt your panties. As Stella's mentor, they spend a lot of time together, and their strong chemistry is obvious. There is some nudity in the book since people can shift into animals, but there were no erotic moments. The other students at the school were also enjoyable. Some could shift into a deer, wolf, or a crow. Didn't I tell you this realm is amazing?
The new world of Thayer is filled with so many magical creatures. It's impossible to get bored from this story. I have a lot of questions, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book! I usually like stories with more steamy moments, so I'll keep my fingers crossed!
November 3, 2015
4 fun, confusing, and fascinating stars. This is a Paranormal/Fantasy New Adult novel and is a first for me because they are usually Contemporary Romance aged or Young Adult situated. Stella's life completely falls off its axis when she quite literally crashes into Rowan Gresham. Gresham tells her she's not a human and she belongs in a parallel universe that he's taking her to.
Fucking Gresham! That's really a good way to sum up my feelings involving Gresham because he brings me joy, pain, and a lot of lusty feelings. He's clever, witty, snarky, sarcastic, and the perfect redeemable hero. He has his faults but what redeemable being doesn't? He ensures he's Stella's stronghold for more purposes than he'd even care to admit.
Here's a moment where it shows you Gresham best!
"Besides," he said, his mood suddenly darker,"I don't consider the effort spent before one gets to the bedroom to be 'work.' That's the good part."
Wait, whah? Was that innuendo? From Mr. You're-Too-Young?
I couldn't see his face since he was a few stairs ahead of me. I was stunned and had unwittingly stopped climbing. Gresham turned around to face me, those amber eyes shining with amusement.
"What? Have I scandalized you yet again?"
His wolfish smile gave nothing away. Predator or prankster I couldn't be sure.
Stella is young, especially when you compare her to Gresham, but not naive. She's a quick learner, a sass pot, and quite charming. She's easy to like because she's easy to relate to while not being overly anything. Truthfully, I found her to be real which doesn't happen in most readings.
This story leaves the reader on a cliffhanger which quickly gets resolved in book two. The writing is very specific to the writer and different from what I've read in this genre. I liked the supporting and main characters along with the overarching story line. I quickly ate through book two after finishing this novel.
Fucking Gresham! That's really a good way to sum up my feelings involving Gresham because he brings me joy, pain, and a lot of lusty feelings. He's clever, witty, snarky, sarcastic, and the perfect redeemable hero. He has his faults but what redeemable being doesn't? He ensures he's Stella's stronghold for more purposes than he'd even care to admit.
Here's a moment where it shows you Gresham best!
"Besides," he said, his mood suddenly darker,"I don't consider the effort spent before one gets to the bedroom to be 'work.' That's the good part."
Wait, whah? Was that innuendo? From Mr. You're-Too-Young?
I couldn't see his face since he was a few stairs ahead of me. I was stunned and had unwittingly stopped climbing. Gresham turned around to face me, those amber eyes shining with amusement.
"What? Have I scandalized you yet again?"
His wolfish smile gave nothing away. Predator or prankster I couldn't be sure.
Stella is young, especially when you compare her to Gresham, but not naive. She's a quick learner, a sass pot, and quite charming. She's easy to like because she's easy to relate to while not being overly anything. Truthfully, I found her to be real which doesn't happen in most readings.
This story leaves the reader on a cliffhanger which quickly gets resolved in book two. The writing is very specific to the writer and different from what I've read in this genre. I liked the supporting and main characters along with the overarching story line. I quickly ate through book two after finishing this novel.
January 27, 2016
The overall story was not bad. I was drawn to the book cuz of hints of dragons. I happen to love dragons and romance. However, this book just came short. The characters were ok and stiff. I did not feel drawn to them at all or the connection. Our MC, Stella, was a college student and smart mouth in a way. She was born and raised in a human world without any knowledge of the supernatural. One fine day she literally collides with the hottest guy and well, everything she knows as reality is shifted. She is thrust into this other world, school for other worldly creatures (imagine Hogwarts school for adults only not just for witches) and she soon acclimates to it. I loved the tracing part of traveling between worlds or anywhere....I wish it was something possible in our world :D
However, I just felt the connection forced. Rowan Gresham, who was this badass guy and there was supposed to be this huge attraction between Stella and Rowan....I didn't see/feel it. Stella told us how attracted she was to him. And, it seems like Rowan has his own secret and we don't know what he is. He is keeping it all hush hush and we have no clue as to why? Same with Ewan, who was her classmate and she wanted to jump his bones so bad and yet I never felt the connection or attraction between them. In fact, we never know how Evan feels about Stella except he looked at her couple times slyly or with intense eyes. Then, there was this growling scene between Rowan and Evan at one point in a testosterone match trying to make a claim on Stella....again, I was confused cuz it just did not make sense to me as to why? She was not attached to anybody and at that point she was not even going out with either of them. The connection just wasn't there. It's a shame cuz the story would have been nice if I happened to care for the characters enough and felt the connection between them. It just felt odd and disconnected to me. More or less forced connection.
I read the blurb from the next book and see that it will be a love triangle and I am just NOT a fan of it especially, when there is no rhyme or reason. I won't be continuing with this series.
However, I just felt the connection forced. Rowan Gresham, who was this badass guy and there was supposed to be this huge attraction between Stella and Rowan....I didn't see/feel it. Stella told us how attracted she was to him. And, it seems like Rowan has his own secret and we don't know what he is. He is keeping it all hush hush and we have no clue as to why? Same with Ewan, who was her classmate and she wanted to jump his bones so bad and yet I never felt the connection or attraction between them. In fact, we never know how Evan feels about Stella except he looked at her couple times slyly or with intense eyes. Then, there was this growling scene between Rowan and Evan at one point in a testosterone match trying to make a claim on Stella....again, I was confused cuz it just did not make sense to me as to why? She was not attached to anybody and at that point she was not even going out with either of them. The connection just wasn't there. It's a shame cuz the story would have been nice if I happened to care for the characters enough and felt the connection between them. It just felt odd and disconnected to me. More or less forced connection.
I read the blurb from the next book and see that it will be a love triangle and I am just NOT a fan of it especially, when there is no rhyme or reason. I won't be continuing with this series.
August 17, 2016
*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
This was my first read by Jen and I was completely taken over by her! Her writing was so easy to get lost in from the very first word and kept you completely intrigued from cover to cover. I read this in one sitting as evidence of this.
This book follows Stella Stonewall, a college graduate who never really knew where she came from. She never fit in anywhere and had difficulty picturing her future. Her story starts as she meets a S.E.X.Y. and swoon worthy guy, Rowan, that ties into the life she never knew she was a part of. He shows her a life where she can see a future in and gives her a new found purpose. We follow her as she struggles with the attraction blooming between them while also attending classes that help her learn everything there is to learn about her new world. It's been so long since I've read a book that focuses on a non-human school so this plot line was deeply appreciated.
I absolutely loved how Jen tackled this story. She never gave us information overload and I couldn't be any more grateful. She gave us just enough to make us yearn for more and boy, do I want MORE. I loved how this story follows adults instead of teenagers. It's a different take in 'magic' school and I loved seeing a maturity on campus I don't normally see. I also really liked the fact that there was no skirting around the subject of sex like most of the books out there.
This story was a bit predictable but it didn't impact my experience at all. In fact, I currently just want to read, read, and read everything Jen comes out with. I am obsessed with this world and I don't think I will ever get enough of it. This story was funny and had the most painful sexual tension ever. I couldn't help but feel as if I were a part of that tension; Rowan drove me completely and utterly insane... to put it lightly.
All of the characters were beautiful and unique in their own way. I loved the dynamic between them since it felt undeniably real. I can't wait to continue this series!!!
This was my first read by Jen and I was completely taken over by her! Her writing was so easy to get lost in from the very first word and kept you completely intrigued from cover to cover. I read this in one sitting as evidence of this.
This book follows Stella Stonewall, a college graduate who never really knew where she came from. She never fit in anywhere and had difficulty picturing her future. Her story starts as she meets a S.E.X.Y. and swoon worthy guy, Rowan, that ties into the life she never knew she was a part of. He shows her a life where she can see a future in and gives her a new found purpose. We follow her as she struggles with the attraction blooming between them while also attending classes that help her learn everything there is to learn about her new world. It's been so long since I've read a book that focuses on a non-human school so this plot line was deeply appreciated.
I absolutely loved how Jen tackled this story. She never gave us information overload and I couldn't be any more grateful. She gave us just enough to make us yearn for more and boy, do I want MORE. I loved how this story follows adults instead of teenagers. It's a different take in 'magic' school and I loved seeing a maturity on campus I don't normally see. I also really liked the fact that there was no skirting around the subject of sex like most of the books out there.
This story was a bit predictable but it didn't impact my experience at all. In fact, I currently just want to read, read, and read everything Jen comes out with. I am obsessed with this world and I don't think I will ever get enough of it. This story was funny and had the most painful sexual tension ever. I couldn't help but feel as if I were a part of that tension; Rowan drove me completely and utterly insane... to put it lightly.
All of the characters were beautiful and unique in their own way. I loved the dynamic between them since it felt undeniably real. I can't wait to continue this series!!!
October 24, 2016
Reminded me a lot of Firebolt by Adrienne Woods... And I really enjoyed it!
October 9, 2015
I received Omega in return for an honest review as part of the tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. Omega is set in modern day times where Greek gods are the rules and humans are treated as the inferior people. Things are about to change now that a human girl has been born to be the last Oracle with the mark of the double omega. She’s spent her life living with the monks in the forest training, while the nymphs steal all her potential guys after all they haven’t been able to keep up with her. When her guardian leaves her alone for the weekend she decides to just step outside the barrier just for a few minutes to dip her toes in the water, and changes everything.
Suddenly now her safety has been compromised people will be coming after her. To give her time to get away her guardian Herakles heads off to distract those who will be hunting her. In the hands of a mercenary Lyssa flee’s the only home into the human world that she was born into but hasn’t been a part of in twelve years. As Lyssa learns to deal with her new life she’s haunted by childhood memories come back as she starts to remember things. When she encounters her childhood friend things start to slide into place as her future starts to catch up with her. Will she be able to survive what her future holds? Has she met the one boy who is everything she’s been looking for but will it last?
I like Lyssa right from the start she captured my heart, she’s not your typical weak heroine but trained for the last twelve years to protect herself. It’s refreshing to have a character who doesn’t rely on a guy to save her but does it herself, and I love characters who kick butt. I like Adonis as a potential love interest for Lyssa he’s her child friend and not just human but something else. I’m so torn on Niko I want to hate him after everything he’s done but I kind of like him, and I’m hoping he has some redeeming qualities for the future.
I’ve had the paperback sitting on my bookshelf for months, and I decided to wait till it was closer to my tour spot so the review would be fresh. I wish I hadn’t waited because I really enjoyed being drawn into Lyssa’s world it’s a unique concept that captured my heart as well as my imagination. I love the idea of creating a unique story with the Greek Gods the author has done a beautiful job creating an exciting new world for Lyssa to figure out who she is as well as what her future holds. I think Lyssa is a great character I was able to connect with her right from the start as well as she progressed through the book. Omega is a fast paced action packed novel filled with enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat as well as an intriguing story. I had a hard time putting Omega down, it’s one that I finished in just a day because I had to know what would happen next to Lyssa. This isn’t my first book by the author I’ve read several of her novels over the years. I have to admit the Omega is my favorite because I love the characters and the story. The only sad part is that Omega just came out it’s going to be a long wait for the next one, since I loved the first so much.
Suddenly now her safety has been compromised people will be coming after her. To give her time to get away her guardian Herakles heads off to distract those who will be hunting her. In the hands of a mercenary Lyssa flee’s the only home into the human world that she was born into but hasn’t been a part of in twelve years. As Lyssa learns to deal with her new life she’s haunted by childhood memories come back as she starts to remember things. When she encounters her childhood friend things start to slide into place as her future starts to catch up with her. Will she be able to survive what her future holds? Has she met the one boy who is everything she’s been looking for but will it last?
I like Lyssa right from the start she captured my heart, she’s not your typical weak heroine but trained for the last twelve years to protect herself. It’s refreshing to have a character who doesn’t rely on a guy to save her but does it herself, and I love characters who kick butt. I like Adonis as a potential love interest for Lyssa he’s her child friend and not just human but something else. I’m so torn on Niko I want to hate him after everything he’s done but I kind of like him, and I’m hoping he has some redeeming qualities for the future.
I’ve had the paperback sitting on my bookshelf for months, and I decided to wait till it was closer to my tour spot so the review would be fresh. I wish I hadn’t waited because I really enjoyed being drawn into Lyssa’s world it’s a unique concept that captured my heart as well as my imagination. I love the idea of creating a unique story with the Greek Gods the author has done a beautiful job creating an exciting new world for Lyssa to figure out who she is as well as what her future holds. I think Lyssa is a great character I was able to connect with her right from the start as well as she progressed through the book. Omega is a fast paced action packed novel filled with enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat as well as an intriguing story. I had a hard time putting Omega down, it’s one that I finished in just a day because I had to know what would happen next to Lyssa. This isn’t my first book by the author I’ve read several of her novels over the years. I have to admit the Omega is my favorite because I love the characters and the story. The only sad part is that Omega just came out it’s going to be a long wait for the next one, since I loved the first so much.
October 8, 2015
Firstly, Jen is awesome. She is funny and so sweet and I'm so grateful that she contacted me to see if I wanted to read and review her book, because I absolutely loved it! (THANK YOU JEN!!)
Rare Form is about college student Stella Stonewall. About to graduate and still having no idea what shes going to do with her life, Stella goes about her days aimlessly. When her life collides with sexy brooding Gresham, and I mean literally, She runs her mustang into his SUV, She finds out that he's been looking for her for a while now. Obviously shes intrigued by this hot piece of man, but also has a weird feeling that she should get away from him.
“I had reason to be wary of Rowan Gresham. Crazy doesn't always look crazy. Sometimes it looks like the most handsome and refined gentleman ever encountered in one's short life.”
Gresham convinces Stella to sit down and talk with him, after some awkward yet kinda steamy, interactions, she agrees. Gresham tells Stella that she's meant to be in a world called Thayer and that they believe that her father was from there, making Stella half human, half Thayerian. Gresham tells Stella about a wonderful Magic school that she should attend to hone her magical skills. Skills she didn't know she had.
Once at Radix Citadel for Supernatural Learning Stella learns that there's more to who she is. That there's are a lot of things she didn't know about where she comes from. While learning about who she is and trying to master her new found powers, She learns more about Thayer's troubled history and how she's involved. How did Gresham know to find her? Whats this amazing chemistry building between her and this sexy older man, Gresham?
I Sat down to start Rare Form and was instantly sucked in. Between the wonderfully descriptive imagery to the grown up Harry Potter plot I was hooked! I loved the addition of different races/species into the world of Thayer. It's not just regular folk who can do magic. But hybrids of animals and Humans. So neat!
I loved the instant chemistry between Gresham and Stella. Even though he is quite a bit older then her, I still found myself longing for the moment that they would kiss. The tension was palpable.
“At his words not my body, but my soul bucked, decimating barriers that until then had been untouched.”
I mean how hot is that quote!! So hot! Gresham has officially been put on my "If only he was real" list. He's sexy, quick witted and just dirty enough to make your knees weak.
Between the comedy, amazing band of misfit characters and steamy tension between G and S, you've got a great read here. I devoured it in one sitting and I couldn't wait for more. I literally wrote Jen and Said " Holy Crap, I need more!" I suggest this book to everyone who loves Paranormal Fantasy with slight Romance. Its just a great read!
Rare Form is about college student Stella Stonewall. About to graduate and still having no idea what shes going to do with her life, Stella goes about her days aimlessly. When her life collides with sexy brooding Gresham, and I mean literally, She runs her mustang into his SUV, She finds out that he's been looking for her for a while now. Obviously shes intrigued by this hot piece of man, but also has a weird feeling that she should get away from him.
“I had reason to be wary of Rowan Gresham. Crazy doesn't always look crazy. Sometimes it looks like the most handsome and refined gentleman ever encountered in one's short life.”
Gresham convinces Stella to sit down and talk with him, after some awkward yet kinda steamy, interactions, she agrees. Gresham tells Stella that she's meant to be in a world called Thayer and that they believe that her father was from there, making Stella half human, half Thayerian. Gresham tells Stella about a wonderful Magic school that she should attend to hone her magical skills. Skills she didn't know she had.
Once at Radix Citadel for Supernatural Learning Stella learns that there's more to who she is. That there's are a lot of things she didn't know about where she comes from. While learning about who she is and trying to master her new found powers, She learns more about Thayer's troubled history and how she's involved. How did Gresham know to find her? Whats this amazing chemistry building between her and this sexy older man, Gresham?
I Sat down to start Rare Form and was instantly sucked in. Between the wonderfully descriptive imagery to the grown up Harry Potter plot I was hooked! I loved the addition of different races/species into the world of Thayer. It's not just regular folk who can do magic. But hybrids of animals and Humans. So neat!
I loved the instant chemistry between Gresham and Stella. Even though he is quite a bit older then her, I still found myself longing for the moment that they would kiss. The tension was palpable.
“At his words not my body, but my soul bucked, decimating barriers that until then had been untouched.”
I mean how hot is that quote!! So hot! Gresham has officially been put on my "If only he was real" list. He's sexy, quick witted and just dirty enough to make your knees weak.
Between the comedy, amazing band of misfit characters and steamy tension between G and S, you've got a great read here. I devoured it in one sitting and I couldn't wait for more. I literally wrote Jen and Said " Holy Crap, I need more!" I suggest this book to everyone who loves Paranormal Fantasy with slight Romance. Its just a great read!
February 28, 2017
Received a copy in exchange for a fair review,
All you have to do is mention one word, dragons and I am sold!
This is a lot different to The Alchemist of Loom by Elise, but I am still glad I read it. Stella one day has a very unfortunate incident with her car and the next thing you know she is in the arms of tall, strong and handsome. Gresham.
Gresham introduces Stella to a whole new world, Thayer where all kind of magical creatures exist and live in harmony that is until Brandubh ruins their home years ago. After so many years of trying to restore peace and heal, the threat of Brandubh unveils itself again. How will the citizens of Thayer protect themselves?
Unknown to Stella, she is in for more than she bargained for when she enrols in Radix. She makes new friends; Timbra, Bex, Ewan, Layla and Boone. I must admit each of them were fascinating to learn and instantly to fall in love with. Timbra had to be my favourite she may be seem weak but she is anything like that. She is also a good friend to Stella when she first enrols and they instantly become bffs.
Hm..I see a possible love triangle?
Gresham is moody, intelligent, wise (he seems old to me) and not to mention incredibly handsome. He also has the tendency to disappear from time to time and a former flame is very jealous with his relationship with Stella. It does make you question if he is hiding something as he does try to avoid some of Stella's questions.
Stella is a fiery redhead with a heart of gold, she is loyal, brave and does not let anyone tell her what to do. Go Stella! She fits in the world of Thayer quite easily, feel like she is at home already.
This is the first time I have ever read some of the authors work, but I fell in love with the characters with ease, it didn't take long for the suspense to finally roll in and take the lead leaving you on the edge of your seat. And where it ends it leaves you wanting more. I can't wait to read the next book.
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All you have to do is mention one word, dragons and I am sold!
This is a lot different to The Alchemist of Loom by Elise, but I am still glad I read it. Stella one day has a very unfortunate incident with her car and the next thing you know she is in the arms of tall, strong and handsome. Gresham.
Gresham introduces Stella to a whole new world, Thayer where all kind of magical creatures exist and live in harmony that is until Brandubh ruins their home years ago. After so many years of trying to restore peace and heal, the threat of Brandubh unveils itself again. How will the citizens of Thayer protect themselves?
Unknown to Stella, she is in for more than she bargained for when she enrols in Radix. She makes new friends; Timbra, Bex, Ewan, Layla and Boone. I must admit each of them were fascinating to learn and instantly to fall in love with. Timbra had to be my favourite she may be seem weak but she is anything like that. She is also a good friend to Stella when she first enrols and they instantly become bffs.
Hm..I see a possible love triangle?
Gresham is moody, intelligent, wise (he seems old to me) and not to mention incredibly handsome. He also has the tendency to disappear from time to time and a former flame is very jealous with his relationship with Stella. It does make you question if he is hiding something as he does try to avoid some of Stella's questions.
Stella is a fiery redhead with a heart of gold, she is loyal, brave and does not let anyone tell her what to do. Go Stella! She fits in the world of Thayer quite easily, feel like she is at home already.
This is the first time I have ever read some of the authors work, but I fell in love with the characters with ease, it didn't take long for the suspense to finally roll in and take the lead leaving you on the edge of your seat. And where it ends it leaves you wanting more. I can't wait to read the next book.
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October 6, 2015
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**
Rare Form is the first book in the new adult paranormal series, called Descended from Dragons. I love not only the cover, but also the fact that I know this book will deal with dragon shifters in some way. I don't get to read too many books about dragon shifters, and after reading Rare Form- I want more! And I have to let you in on a little secret. (half secret really, because I don't want to spoil anything.) but there is a secret surrounding the main character, Stella's shifter form. Mainly that she didn't know what she was going to turn into since she was new to this whole world. And I know you may be thinking that is a silly thing for me to say because...hello look at the cover and series name. But trust me, it was my favorite aspect of the story. Jen Crane, I applaud you.
Like is the case in many paranormal books that I have read over the years, Stella has a mysterious parent that, unbeknowst to her, is not of this world. And because of that, Stella is swept up and deposited in another world, in a school for magical beings and shifters. What I loved about Jen Crane's imagining of this other world, is that it is not only one, or even a few, kinds of shifters. So often, shifters turn into fearsome fighting creatures, but here in the world of Thayer, there are evolutions of every kind of animal turned shifter. I loved that it wasn't just the typical kinds, but even deer, crows, lizards, etc.
Stella is left, not only to try and fit in, but also to harness the power of her shifter, without knowing anything about it. That is a task in and of itself. But Stella has a great mentor in Rowan. Yum yum, and also a really great group of friends. As far as the school is concerned, think grown up Hogwarts with way less rules. There is a big point made in the story that these are not school kids, these are adults. Because in the world of Thayer, only adults are allowed to start harnessing the power of their shifter animal, which I think makes a whole lot of sense. Teenagers are not known for their restrain and maturity. So it fits in perfectly with the new adult age grouping, and I love that this story is new adult. There is the inkling of what migth turn into a love triangle, but I am really not to sure on that front. I will have to report back after the next book.
Rare Form is a great start to what looks like it will be an epic series. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book. I just know that I am going to like it. I finished Rare Form in one quick afternoon. I am kind of hoping that the next book is a little bit longer because I loved this one so much that I really want more. If you like paranormals, magical boarding schools and shifter romances, Rare Form and the Descended from Dragons series is the one for you. Read it now.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Rare Form is the first book in the new adult paranormal series, called Descended from Dragons. I love not only the cover, but also the fact that I know this book will deal with dragon shifters in some way. I don't get to read too many books about dragon shifters, and after reading Rare Form- I want more! And I have to let you in on a little secret. (half secret really, because I don't want to spoil anything.) but there is a secret surrounding the main character, Stella's shifter form. Mainly that she didn't know what she was going to turn into since she was new to this whole world. And I know you may be thinking that is a silly thing for me to say because...hello look at the cover and series name. But trust me, it was my favorite aspect of the story. Jen Crane, I applaud you.
Like is the case in many paranormal books that I have read over the years, Stella has a mysterious parent that, unbeknowst to her, is not of this world. And because of that, Stella is swept up and deposited in another world, in a school for magical beings and shifters. What I loved about Jen Crane's imagining of this other world, is that it is not only one, or even a few, kinds of shifters. So often, shifters turn into fearsome fighting creatures, but here in the world of Thayer, there are evolutions of every kind of animal turned shifter. I loved that it wasn't just the typical kinds, but even deer, crows, lizards, etc.
Stella is left, not only to try and fit in, but also to harness the power of her shifter, without knowing anything about it. That is a task in and of itself. But Stella has a great mentor in Rowan. Yum yum, and also a really great group of friends. As far as the school is concerned, think grown up Hogwarts with way less rules. There is a big point made in the story that these are not school kids, these are adults. Because in the world of Thayer, only adults are allowed to start harnessing the power of their shifter animal, which I think makes a whole lot of sense. Teenagers are not known for their restrain and maturity. So it fits in perfectly with the new adult age grouping, and I love that this story is new adult. There is the inkling of what migth turn into a love triangle, but I am really not to sure on that front. I will have to report back after the next book.
Rare Form is a great start to what looks like it will be an epic series. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book. I just know that I am going to like it. I finished Rare Form in one quick afternoon. I am kind of hoping that the next book is a little bit longer because I loved this one so much that I really want more. If you like paranormals, magical boarding schools and shifter romances, Rare Form and the Descended from Dragons series is the one for you. Read it now.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
January 23, 2016
The ending was odd. I'm not getting why Gresham kept his identity a secret. Nor Stella's reaction after the dragons fled. I like Ewan & wonder about the chemistry between him & Stella.
This book reads very well until 3/4 in. The Root is a place I'd love to study anything at frankly. The description about Thayer is interesting. Stella being told she has supernatural talents is quite the shock to her, but she's rolling with it well.
Stella being an Omni (dual shifter, at the end of book 1) is what her mother wanted to her to avoid. Her mother fleeing is disappointing. There's a huge story there. I don't know who Stella's father is, but I sincerely hope it isn't Gresham.
The other dragons are odd & will probably be back. Gresham freaking out about letting these dragons go feels forced.
I am unsure about buying book 2 frankly. I was hoping for more at the end of the book. It should have been better.
This book reads very well until 3/4 in. The Root is a place I'd love to study anything at frankly. The description about Thayer is interesting. Stella being told she has supernatural talents is quite the shock to her, but she's rolling with it well.
Stella being an Omni (dual shifter, at the end of book 1) is what her mother wanted to her to avoid. Her mother fleeing is disappointing. There's a huge story there. I don't know who Stella's father is, but I sincerely hope it isn't Gresham.
The other dragons are odd & will probably be back. Gresham freaking out about letting these dragons go feels forced.
I am unsure about buying book 2 frankly. I was hoping for more at the end of the book. It should have been better.
September 12, 2015
Jen Crane knocks it out of the ballpark in her debut fantasy novel, Rare Form. What's not to love with a kick-ass heroine, a swoon-worthy older man, and magic? The story begins with Stella Stonewall's ordinary day turning extraordinary. The main character Stella is a hoot, funny, and sharp. She embraces her new surroundings when she steps into a different world (literally). The descriptions of a supernatural college life had me wanting to attend Radix. I loved Stella's new friends and the way she just rolls with her new adventure. If you love hunky shifters, magical surroundings, and college antics, then this book will be one you can't put down.
I was given an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I was given an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
January 11, 2016
Awesome dragon story. I love how this series began, the intrigue and mystery surrounding Stella's origins. This was such a great read, I jumped right into the second book after I finished. Can't wait to see where this story goes.
October 11, 2015
Rare Form by Jen Crane is the first instalment in the Descended of Dragons series. Narrated in the first person from redhead Stella Stonewall's perspective, the novel opens with Stella leaving college and unsure of what to do in her life, when she crashes her car in another and a lamppost.
From the first chapter we are introduced to Rowan Gresham, another main character, who tells Stella that he has been looking for her and that he has information about her father – a man Stella has never met and whom her mother would never speak of.
"It wasn't every day a girl learned of an alternate utopia with dwarfs and magic."
Shortly after, Gresham takes the protagonist to another world called Thayer, where everyone has an animal ancestry and form – except Stella.
In an attempt to prove to Stella that Thayer exists, Gresham brings a dwarf-like bearded man and hides him under the table at a restaurant. What bothered me about that part was that the focus was on the man not the fact that he magically disappeared. I felt that was a big of an anomaly in the narration or the character's focus.
Another thing that annoyed me in Rare Form was the use of "atop", which was used roughly ten times in the novel. It's not a big deal, but when a word keeps popping up like that – and there are synonyms – I, as a reader, get annoyed. Others may not.
In Thayer, Stella finally feels that she fits in, though she still wants to prove herself, especially after she learns that the students were betting that she wouldn't last a week there.
One of the themes or main ideas focused on in the novel was that the school, known as Redix, is a place for "adults"; therefore, they have coffee by day and bar by night. No monitoring of alcohol or sex; everything is left open.
"Coffee during the day and a full bar at night."
"Are you freaking kidding me? A dorm with a bar? Pinch me now."
"It isn't a dorm. It's a residence hall for adult students. We're all adults here."
However, as you read on a bit, several of Stella's actions and reactions seem to be unadult-like, especially in her infatuation with Gresham, which we later learn that he might be taken.
At first, Stella's narration annoyed me. It was repetitive and fairly shallow; although she describes fear and what happens when we panic and all the crazy ideas we get quite well.
Stella's character sees significant change during the course of the novel.
In Thayer, she feels she has a place, makes friends quickly and begins to delve deeper into her new world and lineage – even though her mother still shies away from the "Who is my father?" question.
Not one of the best – or prettiest - images in the novel, but still a creative one "My mind vomited questions." Generally, Rare Form is full of beautiful paragraphs and speeches rather than standalone imagery.
Although the main characters are Stella and Gresham, others like the jealous – and irritating – principle Livia Miles, who attempts to humiliate Stella throughout the novel and is constantly jealous of her.
Our and Stella's first encounter with Livia goes like this:
"Ugh, Rowan. She is an imbecile. Wherever did you find her, and what moron allowed her into this institution. If this is the caliber of student my department is expected to instruct, I…"
Other characters include Stella's mother, Timbra, who becomes Stella's best friends, Boone, the enigmatic Ewan and others.
Although Stella's main transformation comes towards the end of the novel, it is a significant one, where an adult and wiser Stella comes out.
The protagonist struggles to find her animal form and to control it. Gresham is her mentor and uses an unorthodox method to help her.
"You can't possibly know what it means to coax a throbbing chakra; to fan its banked fire until, white hot, energy bursts forth and burns forcibly through your veins. You can't imagine the rush you'll feel when the only physical form you've ever known explodes into a thousand pieces and leaves a monster in its wake. And the liberating part about changing is that you don't even care. You're free. You're… yourself… finally."
The novel also includes diary entries by Stella, which I felt were a sort of summary to the events, which were already narrated in the first person from Stella's point of view.
On another note, the novel is fairly quick-paced, especially since its starts with a car crash and quick shift from our world to Thayer in the early chapters.
Rare Form is not free of romance, in fact Stella is attracted to two people, though one more than the other, and there are several couples, some of which are having difficulty dating because of their animal forms, which is interesting in the turn of events.
As we go farther into the novel we learn that a powerful wizard had enslaved dragons long ago and had them do his bidding in an attempt to control Thayer. That wizard remains hidden with his whereabouts unknown. Although it has been years since anyone has seen the dragons, Stella soon comes face to face with several. It is then that the already quick-pace heightens and the reader is propelled towards the end of the book.
Although there were certain points I did not like about Rare Form, I must say, honestly, that I gobbled the novel in a few days, whenever time was made available (including a couple of minutes here and there at work).
Quick, enjoyable and it has dragons, three things that make a good book.
Note: I received a free copy of Rare Form by Jen Crane via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review as part of the blog tour.
Note II: This book is meant for an adult/mature audience. (18+)
From the first chapter we are introduced to Rowan Gresham, another main character, who tells Stella that he has been looking for her and that he has information about her father – a man Stella has never met and whom her mother would never speak of.
"It wasn't every day a girl learned of an alternate utopia with dwarfs and magic."
Shortly after, Gresham takes the protagonist to another world called Thayer, where everyone has an animal ancestry and form – except Stella.
In an attempt to prove to Stella that Thayer exists, Gresham brings a dwarf-like bearded man and hides him under the table at a restaurant. What bothered me about that part was that the focus was on the man not the fact that he magically disappeared. I felt that was a big of an anomaly in the narration or the character's focus.
Another thing that annoyed me in Rare Form was the use of "atop", which was used roughly ten times in the novel. It's not a big deal, but when a word keeps popping up like that – and there are synonyms – I, as a reader, get annoyed. Others may not.
In Thayer, Stella finally feels that she fits in, though she still wants to prove herself, especially after she learns that the students were betting that she wouldn't last a week there.
One of the themes or main ideas focused on in the novel was that the school, known as Redix, is a place for "adults"; therefore, they have coffee by day and bar by night. No monitoring of alcohol or sex; everything is left open.
"Coffee during the day and a full bar at night."
"Are you freaking kidding me? A dorm with a bar? Pinch me now."
"It isn't a dorm. It's a residence hall for adult students. We're all adults here."
However, as you read on a bit, several of Stella's actions and reactions seem to be unadult-like, especially in her infatuation with Gresham, which we later learn that he might be taken.
At first, Stella's narration annoyed me. It was repetitive and fairly shallow; although she describes fear and what happens when we panic and all the crazy ideas we get quite well.
Stella's character sees significant change during the course of the novel.
In Thayer, she feels she has a place, makes friends quickly and begins to delve deeper into her new world and lineage – even though her mother still shies away from the "Who is my father?" question.
Not one of the best – or prettiest - images in the novel, but still a creative one "My mind vomited questions." Generally, Rare Form is full of beautiful paragraphs and speeches rather than standalone imagery.
Although the main characters are Stella and Gresham, others like the jealous – and irritating – principle Livia Miles, who attempts to humiliate Stella throughout the novel and is constantly jealous of her.
Our and Stella's first encounter with Livia goes like this:
"Ugh, Rowan. She is an imbecile. Wherever did you find her, and what moron allowed her into this institution. If this is the caliber of student my department is expected to instruct, I…"
Other characters include Stella's mother, Timbra, who becomes Stella's best friends, Boone, the enigmatic Ewan and others.
Although Stella's main transformation comes towards the end of the novel, it is a significant one, where an adult and wiser Stella comes out.
The protagonist struggles to find her animal form and to control it. Gresham is her mentor and uses an unorthodox method to help her.
"You can't possibly know what it means to coax a throbbing chakra; to fan its banked fire until, white hot, energy bursts forth and burns forcibly through your veins. You can't imagine the rush you'll feel when the only physical form you've ever known explodes into a thousand pieces and leaves a monster in its wake. And the liberating part about changing is that you don't even care. You're free. You're… yourself… finally."
The novel also includes diary entries by Stella, which I felt were a sort of summary to the events, which were already narrated in the first person from Stella's point of view.
On another note, the novel is fairly quick-paced, especially since its starts with a car crash and quick shift from our world to Thayer in the early chapters.
Rare Form is not free of romance, in fact Stella is attracted to two people, though one more than the other, and there are several couples, some of which are having difficulty dating because of their animal forms, which is interesting in the turn of events.
As we go farther into the novel we learn that a powerful wizard had enslaved dragons long ago and had them do his bidding in an attempt to control Thayer. That wizard remains hidden with his whereabouts unknown. Although it has been years since anyone has seen the dragons, Stella soon comes face to face with several. It is then that the already quick-pace heightens and the reader is propelled towards the end of the book.
Although there were certain points I did not like about Rare Form, I must say, honestly, that I gobbled the novel in a few days, whenever time was made available (including a couple of minutes here and there at work).
Quick, enjoyable and it has dragons, three things that make a good book.
Note: I received a free copy of Rare Form by Jen Crane via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review as part of the blog tour.
Note II: This book is meant for an adult/mature audience. (18+)
April 14, 2017
This is starting out as an excellent series. Stella is an excellent character that is finding her way through a different reality and taking the reader with her. She's funny and strong. Remember when you start this to have the next book ready since they bleed into each other seamlessly.
November 8, 2015
Rare Form, Descended of Dragons: Book 1, Jen Crane
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance, Sci-fi and fantasy.
Well, this sounded great fun – and it was. Its something different from the norm, shape shifters, but in a kind of parallel dimension, and with others magics being used too.
Its the first book in a new series and that’s always a difficult job, delivering a good story while introducing the reader to a new world and the people within it, and its a hard balance to get right. I felt the world setting here was great and its certainly one I want to read more of, but the actual storyline of this first part was a little simplistic for me. It had a very YA/NA feel to it; that’s not a bad thing, I enjoy a well written YA/NA at times but it did present a few frustrations for me as someone long past the YA range!! The storyline is really just one plot, about Stella’s heritage and I would have liked a bit deeper plot, or some sub plots working alongside it. For someone introduced to such a fantastical new world Stella is incredibly accepting. I know she felt a little “out” in her life and how she fitted in, but she had very few questions about something that surely must have gobsmacked her totally. Would she really have thrown everything up just like that without a few more questions? Maybe, maybe not? The romance part too frustrated me, Stella seemed quite in-your-face to Rowan while he seemed to jump from hot to cold to hot again. I was disappointed in Livia (La-VEE-Yah) I had such hopes she was going to live up to the fantastic bit ch person she first presented, but somehow that never quite worked out – next book maybe? I hope so, I do so like a good “bad” person and she sounded perfect for the role, being involved with Rowan and clearly jealous of and disliking Stella already.
It sounds like it’s all criticisms from me, and it’s not. There were some great characters, a good mix of the loyal, the conceited and the friendly types. I loved the way the people had evolved, with many showing parts of their magical heritage in their human appearance and natures. I loved the Radix Citadel, the fabulous descriptions ( I could mentally picture the place), the magic involved, the premise of Stella learning about her history which served to make us readers aware of the background story too. I could feel the connection between Rowan and Stella right from the start, just wished they’d been more consistent. Somehow their relationship felt neither one thing or another. I note some reviews have remarked on the dichotomy of the YA feel and the language and sexual implications. There is some bad language and sexual connotations here but I don't feel its really an issue, I still feel it fits well in the YA/NA range. It's one that’s deemed suitable for the upper end of the YA grouping, not the early teens ( though I wouldn’t worry about my 14 year old granddaughter reading this, there’s far more sexuality and bad language on TV daily!)
Its a fun read, in a fresh new world and one I want to read more of. I see book two is out already, and am hoping that means Jen is one of those writers who turn out novels quickly, not keep us waiting months/years for more. This doesn't end on a cliff-hanger thank goodness, but at a natural break point leading the way into the next book. .As one who hates cliff-hangers a huge thanks to Jen for that!!
Stars: Four, a fresh and interesting new world and a promising start to the series.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers
If you enjoyed my review I'd love it if you would please click “Like” and if you didn't I'd love to know why, so I can make future reviews more helpful.
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance, Sci-fi and fantasy.
Well, this sounded great fun – and it was. Its something different from the norm, shape shifters, but in a kind of parallel dimension, and with others magics being used too.
Its the first book in a new series and that’s always a difficult job, delivering a good story while introducing the reader to a new world and the people within it, and its a hard balance to get right. I felt the world setting here was great and its certainly one I want to read more of, but the actual storyline of this first part was a little simplistic for me. It had a very YA/NA feel to it; that’s not a bad thing, I enjoy a well written YA/NA at times but it did present a few frustrations for me as someone long past the YA range!! The storyline is really just one plot, about Stella’s heritage and I would have liked a bit deeper plot, or some sub plots working alongside it. For someone introduced to such a fantastical new world Stella is incredibly accepting. I know she felt a little “out” in her life and how she fitted in, but she had very few questions about something that surely must have gobsmacked her totally. Would she really have thrown everything up just like that without a few more questions? Maybe, maybe not? The romance part too frustrated me, Stella seemed quite in-your-face to Rowan while he seemed to jump from hot to cold to hot again. I was disappointed in Livia (La-VEE-Yah) I had such hopes she was going to live up to the fantastic bit ch person she first presented, but somehow that never quite worked out – next book maybe? I hope so, I do so like a good “bad” person and she sounded perfect for the role, being involved with Rowan and clearly jealous of and disliking Stella already.
It sounds like it’s all criticisms from me, and it’s not. There were some great characters, a good mix of the loyal, the conceited and the friendly types. I loved the way the people had evolved, with many showing parts of their magical heritage in their human appearance and natures. I loved the Radix Citadel, the fabulous descriptions ( I could mentally picture the place), the magic involved, the premise of Stella learning about her history which served to make us readers aware of the background story too. I could feel the connection between Rowan and Stella right from the start, just wished they’d been more consistent. Somehow their relationship felt neither one thing or another. I note some reviews have remarked on the dichotomy of the YA feel and the language and sexual implications. There is some bad language and sexual connotations here but I don't feel its really an issue, I still feel it fits well in the YA/NA range. It's one that’s deemed suitable for the upper end of the YA grouping, not the early teens ( though I wouldn’t worry about my 14 year old granddaughter reading this, there’s far more sexuality and bad language on TV daily!)
Its a fun read, in a fresh new world and one I want to read more of. I see book two is out already, and am hoping that means Jen is one of those writers who turn out novels quickly, not keep us waiting months/years for more. This doesn't end on a cliff-hanger thank goodness, but at a natural break point leading the way into the next book. .As one who hates cliff-hangers a huge thanks to Jen for that!!
Stars: Four, a fresh and interesting new world and a promising start to the series.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers
If you enjoyed my review I'd love it if you would please click “Like” and if you didn't I'd love to know why, so I can make future reviews more helpful.
October 8, 2015
This book was AMAZING. Oh, it’s been too long since I read a great fantasy romance…I don’t usually read the preview of the next book that you find at the end, but this time I could not stop myself. I WANT IT.
Okay, let’s get down to business. The first thing that really sticks out to me is the world-building. It was perfect. Honestly, I could see every single thing, every single place that was described, perfectly in my head. And Radix? It was SO my kind of place. I loved the old-fashioned feel, the sophistication and the décor. I would absolutely love to go to a college like that.
As for the fantastical element as a whole, it was pretty interesting, even if the plot was a little cliché. I think the whole descended-from-animals bit is unique, especially with the ability to transform as well. I mean, shape-shifting isn’t unique, but it’s definitely different here. Stella’s special, for sure, and even if it isn’t 100% a ‘chosen one’ type of thing (yet), it seems very similar, especially with the whole cliché of the ‘bad guy previously thought to be dead but now targeting the main character’ bit. Anyway, I don’t mind at all. That’s why I love fantasy so much. It doesn’t matter that the plot isn’t usually very different. I read it for the circumstance, the HOW it all happens. And the romance. (Duh.)
Speaking of, this novel is very appropriately steamy. Sometimes (often) it’s just a frustrating tease, sometimes a little more, but let’s just say I’m looking very much forward to the next books. It’s one of those things where you know it’s going to be worth the wait. You just know it. But looking at more big-picture things, yes, there is a tiny bit of a love triangle. Just be warned. Not enough to be truly annoying to those who don’t like it, but there might be more in the next books. Hard to say at this point. But I didn’t mind. I am perfectly fine with love triangles.
Let’s have a look at Stella. She’s great. Not entirely unique, but I love her snark and witty comments. That’s another thing; this book was very funny. (Especially everything to do with Pia, her Siri-like assistant.) But yeah, Stella was amusing and definitely interesting, if a little predictable. Gresham was unusual—Yes, he’s attractive, brooding, mysterious, that whole bit, but he’s also grumpy pretty often and he almost entirely lacks a sense of humor. He’s generally just not who you think he’d be, and I love it. It works well with the story. (Also, it was really fun finding hidden meanings in a lot of what he said that were kind of explained later, but not excessively. It’s the kind of thing where you know you’re right and you get to be really self-satisfied in that without the book taking the fun away and explaining it entirely.)
The pacing was great, the plot was engaging (and yes, several twists will keep you on edge, some predictable and some not), the characters are unique and really cool, the romance was suspenseful, the ending was a tiny bit rushed but DEFINITELY made me want to read the next book immediately. I think I have a new favorite.
See the full review on my blog, Awesome Book Assessment.
Okay, let’s get down to business. The first thing that really sticks out to me is the world-building. It was perfect. Honestly, I could see every single thing, every single place that was described, perfectly in my head. And Radix? It was SO my kind of place. I loved the old-fashioned feel, the sophistication and the décor. I would absolutely love to go to a college like that.
As for the fantastical element as a whole, it was pretty interesting, even if the plot was a little cliché. I think the whole descended-from-animals bit is unique, especially with the ability to transform as well. I mean, shape-shifting isn’t unique, but it’s definitely different here. Stella’s special, for sure, and even if it isn’t 100% a ‘chosen one’ type of thing (yet), it seems very similar, especially with the whole cliché of the ‘bad guy previously thought to be dead but now targeting the main character’ bit. Anyway, I don’t mind at all. That’s why I love fantasy so much. It doesn’t matter that the plot isn’t usually very different. I read it for the circumstance, the HOW it all happens. And the romance. (Duh.)
Speaking of, this novel is very appropriately steamy. Sometimes (often) it’s just a frustrating tease, sometimes a little more, but let’s just say I’m looking very much forward to the next books. It’s one of those things where you know it’s going to be worth the wait. You just know it. But looking at more big-picture things, yes, there is a tiny bit of a love triangle. Just be warned. Not enough to be truly annoying to those who don’t like it, but there might be more in the next books. Hard to say at this point. But I didn’t mind. I am perfectly fine with love triangles.
Let’s have a look at Stella. She’s great. Not entirely unique, but I love her snark and witty comments. That’s another thing; this book was very funny. (Especially everything to do with Pia, her Siri-like assistant.) But yeah, Stella was amusing and definitely interesting, if a little predictable. Gresham was unusual—Yes, he’s attractive, brooding, mysterious, that whole bit, but he’s also grumpy pretty often and he almost entirely lacks a sense of humor. He’s generally just not who you think he’d be, and I love it. It works well with the story. (Also, it was really fun finding hidden meanings in a lot of what he said that were kind of explained later, but not excessively. It’s the kind of thing where you know you’re right and you get to be really self-satisfied in that without the book taking the fun away and explaining it entirely.)
The pacing was great, the plot was engaging (and yes, several twists will keep you on edge, some predictable and some not), the characters are unique and really cool, the romance was suspenseful, the ending was a tiny bit rushed but DEFINITELY made me want to read the next book immediately. I think I have a new favorite.
See the full review on my blog, Awesome Book Assessment.
March 17, 2018
I did really enjoy this book. I liked the humor and the amazing friends the main character, Stella, had. I loved the way Thayer and its people were described and I loved Stella's personality. Stella was witty, funny, and strong, but what I loved the most about her was that she never aimed to be higher than what she was or try to deny everything and go back to her disappointing and normal life. I've noticed lately that in fantasy/paranormal novels the main character is always either trying to become the one person who holds the fate of the world in their hands and makes a big deal out of it, or they're like "I hated my life but I want to go back to it now because this is too weird" and then start crying or something, but this wasn’t like that. Stella may very well have the fate of the world in her hands BUT she's just like 'I just wanna fit in' and I think that's great.
One thing I didn't like was the fact the her mother, despite being who she turned out to be, was practically irrelevant. Like, the whole back and forth thing with 'who's my daddy' ended up being entirely pointless because Stella never got any sort of answer from her mother. So instead of focusing on that, I feel Stella could've just said, "I'll find a different way to get answers" and stayed in Thayer, preferably turning her attention to Ewan, whom I loved from the beginning.
I loved all of Stella's friends because even though they were all so different, they were all very loyal and dedicated to her. I loved how kind Timbra was, I loved Layla and Boone's banter, Ewan was obviously my favorite, but I do wish Raynor had been more involved with the story (he was fascinating). Another thing I didn't like was how little you know about Gresham the entire way. Literally, she knows nothing about him other than that he found her by mysterious ways that are only explained at the end, and even then not fully, and that he is her adviser. Other than that, who is he? What is he? Why do other characters think he cannot be trusted?
But that kind of ties in with the main (really the only) reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5. When starting the book, you develop some questions. But by the time you finish it, you still have most of the same questions, and more, that you started with. It was a really great story and I can't wait to read the next in series, but it really didn't leave me with much (or rather, anything new) to hang onto.
One thing I didn't like was the fact the her mother, despite being who she turned out to be, was practically irrelevant. Like, the whole back and forth thing with 'who's my daddy' ended up being entirely pointless because Stella never got any sort of answer from her mother. So instead of focusing on that, I feel Stella could've just said, "I'll find a different way to get answers" and stayed in Thayer, preferably turning her attention to Ewan, whom I loved from the beginning.
I loved all of Stella's friends because even though they were all so different, they were all very loyal and dedicated to her. I loved how kind Timbra was, I loved Layla and Boone's banter, Ewan was obviously my favorite, but I do wish Raynor had been more involved with the story (he was fascinating). Another thing I didn't like was how little you know about Gresham the entire way. Literally, she knows nothing about him other than that he found her by mysterious ways that are only explained at the end, and even then not fully, and that he is her adviser. Other than that, who is he? What is he? Why do other characters think he cannot be trusted?
But that kind of ties in with the main (really the only) reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5. When starting the book, you develop some questions. But by the time you finish it, you still have most of the same questions, and more, that you started with. It was a really great story and I can't wait to read the next in series, but it really didn't leave me with much (or rather, anything new) to hang onto.
February 9, 2017
Overall Stars: 4 STARS
Shapeshifter
Magic
When finding love, will she chose to listen to her heart or to her head?
Fiery redhead Stella Stonewall can’t decide between a margarita and a manhattan.
The rest of her life? Please. Stella has never really fit in, and her pretty world comes crashing down when she learns it was never her world at all. Rowan Gresham is domineering, brooding, and as sexy as chocolate-dipped sin. When he transports Stella to the magical realm of her parents she recognizes her rightful place immediately. Gresham’s motivations are less clear. The enigmatic Gresham aids in Stella’s metamorphosis and their chemistry ignites, though a long-time girlfriend and a significant age difference stand in the way. (Amazon blurb)
The first time Stella meets Gresham, he hit her Mustang with his car and she mourned her Mustang more than the fact that her neck hurt and the possibility of a concussion after he saved her from the wreckage. The irony is not lost on me. She never knew her father and she lost her mother before she was ready to be alone, and when Gresham dangles unknown information about her father for her cooperation, Stella has no choice and complies. Although we have a completely different dynamic including shapeshifting, romance, a more mature audience and a darker theme, I had moments where I was reminded of the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Claire, which I enjoyed immensely. Considering that this is a first in a series, finding out about Thayer asks much description and introduction, but I hope that the next books in the series don’t have those long sections of introduction since for myself, I found them slightly long. However, that does not detract from the fact that this novel is highly recommended to paranormal fans and those loving shapeshifters, magic and suspense; I know I enjoyed it.
.
**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and reviewed by Kathleen for Alpha Book Club**
Shapeshifter
Magic
When finding love, will she chose to listen to her heart or to her head?
Fiery redhead Stella Stonewall can’t decide between a margarita and a manhattan.
The rest of her life? Please. Stella has never really fit in, and her pretty world comes crashing down when she learns it was never her world at all. Rowan Gresham is domineering, brooding, and as sexy as chocolate-dipped sin. When he transports Stella to the magical realm of her parents she recognizes her rightful place immediately. Gresham’s motivations are less clear. The enigmatic Gresham aids in Stella’s metamorphosis and their chemistry ignites, though a long-time girlfriend and a significant age difference stand in the way. (Amazon blurb)
The first time Stella meets Gresham, he hit her Mustang with his car and she mourned her Mustang more than the fact that her neck hurt and the possibility of a concussion after he saved her from the wreckage. The irony is not lost on me. She never knew her father and she lost her mother before she was ready to be alone, and when Gresham dangles unknown information about her father for her cooperation, Stella has no choice and complies. Although we have a completely different dynamic including shapeshifting, romance, a more mature audience and a darker theme, I had moments where I was reminded of the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Claire, which I enjoyed immensely. Considering that this is a first in a series, finding out about Thayer asks much description and introduction, but I hope that the next books in the series don’t have those long sections of introduction since for myself, I found them slightly long. However, that does not detract from the fact that this novel is highly recommended to paranormal fans and those loving shapeshifters, magic and suspense; I know I enjoyed it.
.
**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and reviewed by Kathleen for Alpha Book Club**
September 25, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book. I could not get enough! I think I might have cried when I realized that I had finished it in basically 1 sitting. (I will not confirm actual tears).
Stella is a character I never want to stop reading. She was funny and sarcastic at times, serious at others and like an awe struck child when appropriate. The emotions and feelings coming from this character were so strong, I felt everything along with the story. The book starts out with Stella, confused about where she will be heading in life now that she is almost done with college, and then she is hit, literally, by fate and her whole world changes.
Rowan is almost the opposite, in that I almost never knew what he was thinking. I found myself wishing I could somehow peer into his mind to find out what he was hiding. Even after completing this book, I know the mystery around this character has not been even slightly revealed.
I loved the connection between the characters. From the very beginning it was obvious there was something there. However obstacles like current girlfriends, or age difference were in the way. Despite this, there are some very intense and steamy moments that leave you wanting more.
This book was a journey. You get to discover a completely new world! New people and Species, a world with Magic and things you never thought possible. At the same time, you get to meet fascinating people and watch Stella grow and learn. It was an amazing ride, one that I did not want to end. I can honestly say that I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the second book. I will be first in line to read it.
This book is perfect for fantasy lovers, and romance lovers. Fun, cute, sexy and has lots of twist and turns to keep you on your feet. Cannot wait for book 2!!
I loved this book. I could not get enough! I think I might have cried when I realized that I had finished it in basically 1 sitting. (I will not confirm actual tears).
Stella is a character I never want to stop reading. She was funny and sarcastic at times, serious at others and like an awe struck child when appropriate. The emotions and feelings coming from this character were so strong, I felt everything along with the story. The book starts out with Stella, confused about where she will be heading in life now that she is almost done with college, and then she is hit, literally, by fate and her whole world changes.
Rowan is almost the opposite, in that I almost never knew what he was thinking. I found myself wishing I could somehow peer into his mind to find out what he was hiding. Even after completing this book, I know the mystery around this character has not been even slightly revealed.
I loved the connection between the characters. From the very beginning it was obvious there was something there. However obstacles like current girlfriends, or age difference were in the way. Despite this, there are some very intense and steamy moments that leave you wanting more.
This book was a journey. You get to discover a completely new world! New people and Species, a world with Magic and things you never thought possible. At the same time, you get to meet fascinating people and watch Stella grow and learn. It was an amazing ride, one that I did not want to end. I can honestly say that I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the second book. I will be first in line to read it.
This book is perfect for fantasy lovers, and romance lovers. Fun, cute, sexy and has lots of twist and turns to keep you on your feet. Cannot wait for book 2!!
December 22, 2015
I'm soooooo geeking out over this book right now!!
Rare Form is quite a bit different from my typical reading fare. Before starting this one, I hadn't read fantasy/sci-fi in a while. Suffice it to say, I'm so thankful to have stepped out of my comfort zone.
What stood out the most to me (aside from the unique, fantastical world Jen has created) was the scorching sexual tension between Stella and Gresham. I had so much fun picturing the latter, tweaking my vision of him with each new discovery. He's an enigma of epic proportion--one with broody tendencies, a stellar sense of style, and an authoritative, proprietary air that only adds to his sex appeal.
Nevertheless, Stella steals the show with her sparkling wit, snark, and sass. Her attitude, thought processes, and all-around fun personality had me laughing out loud at times. While she reveals herself as smart and determined to succeed in her new environment, she also establishes herself as someone who cares deeply for friends and family. Her consideration for their well-being is endearing.
Other elements I enjoyed:
• how speech patterns are used to characterize the characters
• how "smart" the writing is (i.e. the references, vocabulary, well-developed lore, etc.)
• the more-than-one villain angle; some are obvious, some are not
I've already begun the second Descended of Dragons book, Origin Exposed. The series' action and cast of characters has me hooked!
Rare Form is quite a bit different from my typical reading fare. Before starting this one, I hadn't read fantasy/sci-fi in a while. Suffice it to say, I'm so thankful to have stepped out of my comfort zone.
What stood out the most to me (aside from the unique, fantastical world Jen has created) was the scorching sexual tension between Stella and Gresham. I had so much fun picturing the latter, tweaking my vision of him with each new discovery. He's an enigma of epic proportion--one with broody tendencies, a stellar sense of style, and an authoritative, proprietary air that only adds to his sex appeal.
Nevertheless, Stella steals the show with her sparkling wit, snark, and sass. Her attitude, thought processes, and all-around fun personality had me laughing out loud at times. While she reveals herself as smart and determined to succeed in her new environment, she also establishes herself as someone who cares deeply for friends and family. Her consideration for their well-being is endearing.
Other elements I enjoyed:
• how speech patterns are used to characterize the characters
• how "smart" the writing is (i.e. the references, vocabulary, well-developed lore, etc.)
• the more-than-one villain angle; some are obvious, some are not
I've already begun the second Descended of Dragons book, Origin Exposed. The series' action and cast of characters has me hooked!
October 19, 2015
Rare Form by jen crane
4.5 stars
I was given this arc book in exchange for an honest review free of persuasion from the author and anyone else affiliated with this title.
Jen crane is an amazing writer in which she offers us a break from a reality known to a world of magic and adventure with secrets and mystery on every corner.
Rare form takes us on the journey of Stella stonewall and her discovery of a lineage that is to impossible to believe. We always look back in history of the strong belief of each one of us having an animal spirit. Well Rare form takes us one step beyond this belief.
Imagine a typical college setting. Parties, make out sessions, jealousy, and keeping your head above water. Now imagine your roommate having doe like qualities or your love interest with the growl of a wolf or the girl everyone wants to be with the eyes of a lioness. Sounds a hell of a lot more interesting then boring old college life!
Rare form reveals the secret that Stella has always wanted to know, which would be who her father is.
She enters the magical school of radix in the realm of Thayer to discover betrayals, history, and who she really is! But as they say nothing comes easy.
If you love fantasy with a twist, then rare form is the book to read. Stay tuned for Stella’s adventure continues…….
4.5 stars
I was given this arc book in exchange for an honest review free of persuasion from the author and anyone else affiliated with this title.
Jen crane is an amazing writer in which she offers us a break from a reality known to a world of magic and adventure with secrets and mystery on every corner.
Rare form takes us on the journey of Stella stonewall and her discovery of a lineage that is to impossible to believe. We always look back in history of the strong belief of each one of us having an animal spirit. Well Rare form takes us one step beyond this belief.
Imagine a typical college setting. Parties, make out sessions, jealousy, and keeping your head above water. Now imagine your roommate having doe like qualities or your love interest with the growl of a wolf or the girl everyone wants to be with the eyes of a lioness. Sounds a hell of a lot more interesting then boring old college life!
Rare form reveals the secret that Stella has always wanted to know, which would be who her father is.
She enters the magical school of radix in the realm of Thayer to discover betrayals, history, and who she really is! But as they say nothing comes easy.
If you love fantasy with a twist, then rare form is the book to read. Stay tuned for Stella’s adventure continues…….
November 8, 2015
I received this free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Dragons man. I don't know what it is about them, but I absolutely love stories about dragons. And this one was pretty amazing! I loved the fact that Stella had no idea what was going on and that she fought tooth and nail to figure out all of the missing pieces in her life.
I really hate her mother. She is such a coward and I just wanted to slap her for leaving Stella in the place she was in - which was nowhere since she had no information. She's her mother for heaven's sake! She's supposed to take care of her baby girl no matter what the problem is. Noooo, she decided she is going to care for herself and only herself... Stupid woman.
I loved the tense relationship between Stella and Rowan Gresham. You could tell they were attracted to each other and both of them definitely tried to steer clear of that particular action, but to no avail.
And the intense scenes Stella had with Ewan is not to be ignored either. I'm not sure how far that will go because of certain situations, but it's nice to read about when they happen :)
This does end on a cliffhanger, and the second book is available, so naturally I went and one clicked it and am about to devour it like I devoured this novel. So glad I got this free eARC and as loved the book and can't wait to read more!
Dragons man. I don't know what it is about them, but I absolutely love stories about dragons. And this one was pretty amazing! I loved the fact that Stella had no idea what was going on and that she fought tooth and nail to figure out all of the missing pieces in her life.
I really hate her mother. She is such a coward and I just wanted to slap her for leaving Stella in the place she was in - which was nowhere since she had no information. She's her mother for heaven's sake! She's supposed to take care of her baby girl no matter what the problem is. Noooo, she decided she is going to care for herself and only herself... Stupid woman.
I loved the tense relationship between Stella and Rowan Gresham. You could tell they were attracted to each other and both of them definitely tried to steer clear of that particular action, but to no avail.
And the intense scenes Stella had with Ewan is not to be ignored either. I'm not sure how far that will go because of certain situations, but it's nice to read about when they happen :)
This does end on a cliffhanger, and the second book is available, so naturally I went and one clicked it and am about to devour it like I devoured this novel. So glad I got this free eARC and as loved the book and can't wait to read more!
September 17, 2015
4 stars, loved every Omni second of it.
My first book by Jen crane and although it ended in a semi cliffhanger (it's a series) I went ahead and pre-ordered the second book (both books come out the same day, lucky ya'll... I will have to wait a few weeks).
Stella has just completed her undergraduate degree when she learns a life changing secret (so sad to see the beast go). And, damn, it's a good secret. In a world where she never really fit, she finds that sense of belonging amongst others whole have evolved much the same way as she has.
What I loved was the amount of comedy and the sense of humor even from Pia, the angst between Stella and Gresham (hello old world alpha male!) is off the charts and the merry band of Primos are all a delight to read.
What I couldn't stand was Stella's mother. I understand heartbreak, but I couldn't understand the abandonment... Couldn't stand Livia either (she wasn't meant to be a character of like). I really wanted more and was sad when the book ended. Currently (according to Amazon) the second book is going to be 165 pages? Why not just put them both together?
(ARC in exchange for an honest review)
My first book by Jen crane and although it ended in a semi cliffhanger (it's a series) I went ahead and pre-ordered the second book (both books come out the same day, lucky ya'll... I will have to wait a few weeks).
Stella has just completed her undergraduate degree when she learns a life changing secret (so sad to see the beast go). And, damn, it's a good secret. In a world where she never really fit, she finds that sense of belonging amongst others whole have evolved much the same way as she has.
What I loved was the amount of comedy and the sense of humor even from Pia, the angst between Stella and Gresham (hello old world alpha male!) is off the charts and the merry band of Primos are all a delight to read.
What I couldn't stand was Stella's mother. I understand heartbreak, but I couldn't understand the abandonment... Couldn't stand Livia either (she wasn't meant to be a character of like). I really wanted more and was sad when the book ended. Currently (according to Amazon) the second book is going to be 165 pages? Why not just put them both together?
(ARC in exchange for an honest review)
November 3, 2015
You can find my reviews at: The Titan's Tomb
*ARC received for an honest review, thank you!
So first thing first, I really enjoyed this book, I loved the characters, I loved the story and I loved the original idea behind it. However, it was so short! I wanted this book to go on forever and ever, learn more about the characters and the awesome world that this author created. I just don't feel like there were enough pages to really go in depth with the characters, and because of this, while I did enjoy all of them, there was just an extra something missing for me. It was all a bit shallow, no amazing descriptions of this new world that I want to know more about, no amazing dialogue between characters that shows their inner conflict and demons. I loved this book, but I really just wanted more from it. That being said, I could have read 500 pages of it and it still would not have been enough. Jen Crane weaves an intriguing story of magic and shapeshifting, different dimensions and people that will leave readers begging for more.
*ARC received for an honest review, thank you!
So first thing first, I really enjoyed this book, I loved the characters, I loved the story and I loved the original idea behind it. However, it was so short! I wanted this book to go on forever and ever, learn more about the characters and the awesome world that this author created. I just don't feel like there were enough pages to really go in depth with the characters, and because of this, while I did enjoy all of them, there was just an extra something missing for me. It was all a bit shallow, no amazing descriptions of this new world that I want to know more about, no amazing dialogue between characters that shows their inner conflict and demons. I loved this book, but I really just wanted more from it. That being said, I could have read 500 pages of it and it still would not have been enough. Jen Crane weaves an intriguing story of magic and shapeshifting, different dimensions and people that will leave readers begging for more.
October 21, 2015
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great book. This book is about a young lady named Stella Stonewall. She was raised in a single parent household whose mother refused to discuss her father and who he is. Just as she's about to graduate college, enters Mr Gresham. Mr Gresham explains to Stella that she is from another world and she must go there to learn about her heritage and powers.
I really liked the story. In a way Ms Crane jumped right into the story, but in another way, I felt like the beginning was drawn out. I appreciated a strong female character who was open to a different world. The whole book was not spent on trying to convince Stella until the very end. The story has some sudden twist I didn't see coming. I LOVED the supporting characters in this book. Her imagination of Stella's friends brought vibrant life and character to the Thayer.
Great book! I can't wait to read the next one.
This was a great book. This book is about a young lady named Stella Stonewall. She was raised in a single parent household whose mother refused to discuss her father and who he is. Just as she's about to graduate college, enters Mr Gresham. Mr Gresham explains to Stella that she is from another world and she must go there to learn about her heritage and powers.
I really liked the story. In a way Ms Crane jumped right into the story, but in another way, I felt like the beginning was drawn out. I appreciated a strong female character who was open to a different world. The whole book was not spent on trying to convince Stella until the very end. The story has some sudden twist I didn't see coming. I LOVED the supporting characters in this book. Her imagination of Stella's friends brought vibrant life and character to the Thayer.
Great book! I can't wait to read the next one.
April 19, 2023
This is the debut novel of Jen Crane and she has started with a belter! There are some brilliant one-liners in here, and she has given a new meaning between a younger girl and an older man!
So many characters in here to draw you in! Stella herself is cracking! She deals with life-changing events with attitude and aplomb, whilst committing herself fully. Gresham is simply gorgeous and I can't get enough of him. Timbra is sweet but with a sassy edge. Ewan - what can I say about him? He intrigues me and I can't wait to see where this story will take him.
Well-written, smoothly paced, and laced with humour, this is a book to savour! Definitely recommended by me and I can't wait for book 2!!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 6, 2015
So many characters in here to draw you in! Stella herself is cracking! She deals with life-changing events with attitude and aplomb, whilst committing herself fully. Gresham is simply gorgeous and I can't get enough of him. Timbra is sweet but with a sassy edge. Ewan - what can I say about him? He intrigues me and I can't wait to see where this story will take him.
Well-written, smoothly paced, and laced with humour, this is a book to savour! Definitely recommended by me and I can't wait for book 2!!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 6, 2015
November 30, 2015
Rare Form was a mature version of Harry Potter mixed with the Mortal Instruments. It was an intriguing story that captured my attention a lot. The characters were diverse and layered. The underlying shapeshifter storyline with its evident display of classes and divisions was interesting. The ever-building and completely unresolved conflict that presented itself hauntingly lingered and then burst into uncontrollable high flames that could not be extinguished. I followed the protagonists movements well, however I was somewhat confused by the end of the book. I must admit that the questions I was left with at the end of this book were unsettling. All in all, this story laid a solid foundation, so much so that I would read the next book in the series.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Source of Access: NetGalley (ARC in exchange for an honest critique)
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Source of Access: NetGalley (ARC in exchange for an honest critique)
November 16, 2015
This book is absolutely amazing!! A girl in college finds out she's actually a dragon shifter and is shown a whole new beautiful world! It's fun and intriguing and a wonderful story with amazing characters and a completely well written villain to go with it!
Stella is a lovable witty character who has a lot to come to terms with. She's strong and smart and had me cheering for her! She meets new friends and bit so nice enemies. The side characters are just as well written as Stella. I loved them too!
The writing is excellent. I loved the plot twists and I can't wait for book two! And there's suspense, humor, and romance! I really really wanna know what's gunna happen next. It's going to be a fantastic ride and a new world that I'd love to live in!!! 5 MAGICAL DRAGON PAWS!!
Stella is a lovable witty character who has a lot to come to terms with. She's strong and smart and had me cheering for her! She meets new friends and bit so nice enemies. The side characters are just as well written as Stella. I loved them too!
The writing is excellent. I loved the plot twists and I can't wait for book two! And there's suspense, humor, and romance! I really really wanna know what's gunna happen next. It's going to be a fantastic ride and a new world that I'd love to live in!!! 5 MAGICAL DRAGON PAWS!!
October 19, 2015
I received this ARC book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I haven't read a book where the main focus is on dragons before, but I really enjoyed reading Jen Crane's world of Thayer and the characters within it. It's a short book with quick chapters, so sometimes the story seems rushed and short on details. The action just happens and is straight to the point. Stella is a strong and independent character who is not without her flaws. The grammar and editing of the copy I received needed some work, so I hope they are fixed in future editions. I enjoyed reading the story and I will try to read the second book soon to find what is in store for Stella and Gresham.
I haven't read a book where the main focus is on dragons before, but I really enjoyed reading Jen Crane's world of Thayer and the characters within it. It's a short book with quick chapters, so sometimes the story seems rushed and short on details. The action just happens and is straight to the point. Stella is a strong and independent character who is not without her flaws. The grammar and editing of the copy I received needed some work, so I hope they are fixed in future editions. I enjoyed reading the story and I will try to read the second book soon to find what is in store for Stella and Gresham.
January 24, 2016
I enjoyed this book. I love books that kind of have a parallel world or a hidden world. I would love to suddenly be taken to a really cool magical college or school, I loved that part it was fun and I think this author did a great job with that. I'm excited for the next one to come out. I wasn't sure about the ending and the way her mother reacted but clearly there's more to be told there, So I'm going to hang on for the next book!
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