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Knight Trilogy #1
The Forest of Adventures
Seventeen-year-old Mina isn't the sort of girl to believe in magic, or knights on white horses - or love at first sight. That's all the nonsense of childish fairy tales, and with her exams looming it's time to put her childhood behind her But when the mysterious and handsome Blake Beldevier arrives at college, Mina finds her whole world turning upside down. Transported into a world belonging to a time of myths and legends, Mina discovers the terrifying truth behind the fairy tale And waiting for her, is Morgan Le Fay the wickedest witch of all.
240 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2010
104 people are currently reading
2632 people want to read
About the author
Katie M. John
58 books375 followersMarried to a handsome giant and mummy to a two foot mud-fairy, Katie has been writing stories and poetry since childhood and has always been away with the woodland fairies.
She is author of the Amazon UK Best Selling YA Fairy Tale Romance series, 'The Knight Trilogy' www.katiemjohn.com and a dark, Gothic paranormal detective novel called 'Beautiful Freaks'
She has a love of writing weird and wonderful short stories and can be found 'visiting' writer friends' anthology collections.
Katie likes to keep it varied and pinning her down to a particular style or genre is hard; she mainly writes for YA and NA, and in the Dark Fairy Tale Genre. However she also dabbles in more adult works of horror and issue-focused work.
Katie often draws on her ten year experience of teaching in a London Comprehensive school in her work.
Katie
She is author of the Amazon UK Best Selling YA Fairy Tale Romance series, 'The Knight Trilogy' www.katiemjohn.com and a dark, Gothic paranormal detective novel called 'Beautiful Freaks'
She has a love of writing weird and wonderful short stories and can be found 'visiting' writer friends' anthology collections.
Katie likes to keep it varied and pinning her down to a particular style or genre is hard; she mainly writes for YA and NA, and in the Dark Fairy Tale Genre. However she also dabbles in more adult works of horror and issue-focused work.
Katie often draws on her ten year experience of teaching in a London Comprehensive school in her work.
Katie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
August 29, 2011
When we meet Mina she seems like a typical British, college-aged girl. She attends college, hangs out with her friends, and lives at home with her mother. Mina's future is already mapped out; she'll finish school and marry her loving and sweet boyfriend. However, nothing ever goes as planned and destiny awaits her.
How many times have you thought that you had everything planned out, a set order of how your life will proceed and then in the flash of an instant, everything gets turned upside down? This is exactly what happens to Mina.
Many stories begin with ordinary people that are unremarkable and seem very normal as they go about their everyday lives. However, as the best fairy tales and stories progress we discover the ordinary protagonist is indeed destined for extraordinary adventures. This is exactly what you will find when you read The Forest of Adventures.
You will also find a love triangle, of course, which will make your heart ache. There are delicious knights in armor bound by chivalry, honor, and fighting the battle of good versus evil. Romance, humor, honor, prophecies, magic, the impossible made possible, good vs. evil, knights on white horses, epic battles, castle towers...this story has it all! What little girl doesn't dream of her prince charming coming along and sweeping her off her feet?!
This story will charge into your heart and leave you breathless and waiting for the next book in the series. As with all Arthurian Legends have ever done, this one made my heart bleed and ache! I cheered the heroes, laughed, boo'd the villains, and also wanted to comfort and console the characters when they needed it.
Katie painted a vivid picture of Arthurian knights and ladies with a new contemporary setting. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us in book two.
How many times have you thought that you had everything planned out, a set order of how your life will proceed and then in the flash of an instant, everything gets turned upside down? This is exactly what happens to Mina.
Many stories begin with ordinary people that are unremarkable and seem very normal as they go about their everyday lives. However, as the best fairy tales and stories progress we discover the ordinary protagonist is indeed destined for extraordinary adventures. This is exactly what you will find when you read The Forest of Adventures.
You will also find a love triangle, of course, which will make your heart ache. There are delicious knights in armor bound by chivalry, honor, and fighting the battle of good versus evil. Romance, humor, honor, prophecies, magic, the impossible made possible, good vs. evil, knights on white horses, epic battles, castle towers...this story has it all! What little girl doesn't dream of her prince charming coming along and sweeping her off her feet?!
This story will charge into your heart and leave you breathless and waiting for the next book in the series. As with all Arthurian Legends have ever done, this one made my heart bleed and ache! I cheered the heroes, laughed, boo'd the villains, and also wanted to comfort and console the characters when they needed it.
Katie painted a vivid picture of Arthurian knights and ladies with a new contemporary setting. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us in book two.
August 21, 2011
An amazing, beautiful tale. Katie John proved herself to be a fantastic storyteller as she took the world of King Arthur and wove it around and into the life of seventeen-year-old Mina Singer. Beautifully crafted, the prose is engaging and the characters are solid. My heart broke with Mina's with every decision she was forced to make... and for Sam in the end though he seemed to understand. I look forward to the next adventure!
February 11, 2011
The premise of this book gave me high hopes for the adventures that would happen within its pages, but unfortunately I was disappointed. The book starts off with Mina doubting her relationship with her long time boyfriend Sam and feeling smothered by him simply because she sees a hot guy. Enter Blake, who is apparently so perfect and gorgeous he fails to get any type of personality beyond the cliche of the tortured bad boy who is actually a Nice Guy. Things change so quickly between Mina and Sam that their whole relationship is pretty much pointless. Sam is disposed of very conveniently early on, and I’m left to wonder if the book would have been a lot better without his character. Sam is really only the catalyst to keep Mina and Blake apart a bit longer and to distance Mina from her friends since they disapprove of Blake. The whole “relationship” between Mina and Blake is just so quick and based on nothing, that I couldn’t even appreciate the few moments that were cute. “Love” based on destiny and the fact that a couple HAS to be together because it was written that way really offends me. What about free will and choice?
Who is Mina? I’m not quite sure. Despite the fact that she is narrating the book, I feel like I have no clue who she is and what she is interested in, besides Blake. Sometimes I didn’t really know what was happening at all, in fact. What exactly IS The Realm? I actually don’t even have a clue. There’s all this mysticism going on, with some immortal characters from the past and some that are mortal, but somehow related to people from Arthurian times. I just have absolutely no clue how it all works. It’s fine to leave a bit of mystery, but when the reader doesn’t understand anything about the world you’ve built (or failed to build), I think that’s a problem.
There is a lot of foreshadowing of doom and gloom at the beginning of the book which is annoying, especially because those levels of said doom and gloom didn’t really seem to appear. Yes, bad stuff happened. But apocalyptic, everything is doomed levels of gloom? Not so much. Everything in the book seems a bit disjointed, in fact. There are random details about the background characters thrown in just for the heck of it, it seems, because they definitely didn’t serve any purpose to the greater story. Add in some grammar mistakes and major formatting issues with the eBook version of the novel, and it leads me to believe there was very little proofreading.
The last fifty pages of the book are infinitely better and more interesting than the rest of the book, and the ending feels like an entirely different book with how intriguing and well written it is. When I finished reading the book I admit that I was curious about what will happen next, but not enough to pick up the next book. The deficiencies that plague the majority of this story will definitely prevent me from reading on in this saga.
Who is Mina? I’m not quite sure. Despite the fact that she is narrating the book, I feel like I have no clue who she is and what she is interested in, besides Blake. Sometimes I didn’t really know what was happening at all, in fact. What exactly IS The Realm? I actually don’t even have a clue. There’s all this mysticism going on, with some immortal characters from the past and some that are mortal, but somehow related to people from Arthurian times. I just have absolutely no clue how it all works. It’s fine to leave a bit of mystery, but when the reader doesn’t understand anything about the world you’ve built (or failed to build), I think that’s a problem.
There is a lot of foreshadowing of doom and gloom at the beginning of the book which is annoying, especially because those levels of said doom and gloom didn’t really seem to appear. Yes, bad stuff happened. But apocalyptic, everything is doomed levels of gloom? Not so much. Everything in the book seems a bit disjointed, in fact. There are random details about the background characters thrown in just for the heck of it, it seems, because they definitely didn’t serve any purpose to the greater story. Add in some grammar mistakes and major formatting issues with the eBook version of the novel, and it leads me to believe there was very little proofreading.
The last fifty pages of the book are infinitely better and more interesting than the rest of the book, and the ending feels like an entirely different book with how intriguing and well written it is. When I finished reading the book I admit that I was curious about what will happen next, but not enough to pick up the next book. The deficiencies that plague the majority of this story will definitely prevent me from reading on in this saga.
May 2, 2011
What? Seriously? That was the end? That’s just mean! And then to give me a little taste of the beginning of book two, why? You’re torturing me here!
Yes, this book was really good. I had a little bit of a tough time in the beginning trying to create a mental image of this story-world in my head, but once I did I was sucked into The Realm. It was a tough time for me because I had to first create in my mind a real-world image of the main character's world, and then I had to re-create her world in the image of fairytale picture. Eventually I found a happy medium and I loved it!
A very real picture AND a fairytale picture is exactly what this book is all about. One minute Mina is in the real world with her friends and family, but as soon as she enters the forest with The Realm, it is almost like she's in a fairytale. Don’t get me wrong, the fairytale isn’t all fun and magical. It is also gruesome and deceitful.
I loved how the majority of the book enveloped a young innocent romance. Hmm, but is it really innocent?! Is their love and romance forbidden? In the beginning of the book, I was getting a little irritated with Mina because she already has a boyfriend, but she's almost immediately awestruck and smitten by another boy, Blake. But when Mina enters The Realm and it looks like her attraction to Blake seems inevitable, I felt like saying, “Come on! Will you KISS EACHOTHER ALREADY!!” Why does Blake have to be such a saint?
This is supposed to be the first book in a Trilogy, and I hope I don’t have to wait long for the next two books. If I do, I think I just might go insane. I HAVE to know where this trilogy will end!
Yes, this book was really good. I had a little bit of a tough time in the beginning trying to create a mental image of this story-world in my head, but once I did I was sucked into The Realm. It was a tough time for me because I had to first create in my mind a real-world image of the main character's world, and then I had to re-create her world in the image of fairytale picture. Eventually I found a happy medium and I loved it!
A very real picture AND a fairytale picture is exactly what this book is all about. One minute Mina is in the real world with her friends and family, but as soon as she enters the forest with The Realm, it is almost like she's in a fairytale. Don’t get me wrong, the fairytale isn’t all fun and magical. It is also gruesome and deceitful.
I loved how the majority of the book enveloped a young innocent romance. Hmm, but is it really innocent?! Is their love and romance forbidden? In the beginning of the book, I was getting a little irritated with Mina because she already has a boyfriend, but she's almost immediately awestruck and smitten by another boy, Blake. But when Mina enters The Realm and it looks like her attraction to Blake seems inevitable, I felt like saying, “Come on! Will you KISS EACHOTHER ALREADY!!” Why does Blake have to be such a saint?
This is supposed to be the first book in a Trilogy, and I hope I don’t have to wait long for the next two books. If I do, I think I just might go insane. I HAVE to know where this trilogy will end!
August 20, 2012
This was an interesting novel that combines the fairytale world with the “real” world, complete with knights, duels to the death, and evil sorceresses. I liked the novel, though I am rarely a fan of “instant love” stories. And, for our characters, Mina and Blake, instant love is a huge portion of this story. However, I was pleasantly surprised because John does a great job showing all the other characters’ abhorrence to such a quick budding relationship, which I thought was great because I rarely see that in novels. Usually all the characters are rooting for the new couple that’s “so in love,” but in John’s novel, that isn’t the case at all, mainly due to the fact that, before Blake, there was someone else in Mina’s life… but no spoilers. I would have liked a lot more character development to show the budding love, but as this is a series, I’m sure we’ll get more of that in the next few installments.
I liked the inner conflict that Mina felt throughout the story as well. I know that probably sounds strange, but I was 100% with Mina as she contemplated her decisions, and while I was on her side, I was also conflicted myself, and for me, that’s the makings of a great writer—being able to connect the reader to the fictional characters. This is a novel that I enjoyed and hope to see continue developing.
To see my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
I liked the inner conflict that Mina felt throughout the story as well. I know that probably sounds strange, but I was 100% with Mina as she contemplated her decisions, and while I was on her side, I was also conflicted myself, and for me, that’s the makings of a great writer—being able to connect the reader to the fictional characters. This is a novel that I enjoyed and hope to see continue developing.
To see my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
June 4, 2011
The Forest of Adventures is a romantic, often times poetic, beautifully told and perfectly descriptive story that weaves together the lives of modern day heroine, Mina Singer with the honorable, totally swoonworthy Arthurian knight, Blake Beldevier.
The storyline is adventurous, unique and fascinating. Mina, an easily relate-able character, is involved with the immediately loveable Sam, her boyfriend of over 2 years but has never really given her self over to their relationship for reasons she's unsure of... until the day she meets Blake, her one and only true love. Character development is one of the key elements that draws me into a book and I felt that the author did a brilliant job doing just that. I quickly became completely immersed in the magical, fantasy world that Katie John's so creatively constructed. This book was definitely a page turner, ending with a cliff hanger that will have you chomping at the bit for her next installment in the series! Such a great book!
The storyline is adventurous, unique and fascinating. Mina, an easily relate-able character, is involved with the immediately loveable Sam, her boyfriend of over 2 years but has never really given her self over to their relationship for reasons she's unsure of... until the day she meets Blake, her one and only true love. Character development is one of the key elements that draws me into a book and I felt that the author did a brilliant job doing just that. I quickly became completely immersed in the magical, fantasy world that Katie John's so creatively constructed. This book was definitely a page turner, ending with a cliff hanger that will have you chomping at the bit for her next installment in the series! Such a great book!
March 30, 2012
When I read the synopsis for this book, I thought 'Great! Something different!' This book mixed together several topics that interest me - new world knights(on horseback,no less), tales of the round table of Arthurian legend, modern mixed-up YA relationships (including a strong female lead, and a couple of handsome, semi-dangerous male counterparts), some supernaturality, and throw in a bit of Egyptian mythology, for good measure. The result was a pleasantly surprising story of a beautiful fairy-tale I can relate to, as I have imagined many an adventure of my own in the little forest beside the farm I grew up on. And oh my......what an ending! What a beautiful world you've created,Katie!
Thankfully for me, I knew what book 2, Immortal Beloved, was all about ahead of time, because otherwise the ending would have driven me crazy with anxious curiosity! Oh - which reminds me: the ending of said book 2....... that's a tale for another day!
Thankfully for me, I knew what book 2, Immortal Beloved, was all about ahead of time, because otherwise the ending would have driven me crazy with anxious curiosity! Oh - which reminds me: the ending of said book 2....... that's a tale for another day!
April 15, 2013
I was drawn in to this book from the very start. Katie M John has done fantastic job at developing the characters and being able to pull you in to their world leaving you breathless. The Forest of adventures is beautifully told. Mina who could be like any girl you or I know falls for Blake (who I WISH I knew) unknown to her is a knight of the Realm. Life is not simple - There is Sam Mina's current boyfriend, and Morgan La Fey who wants to destroy everything Mina holds dear. Mina is split between two worlds and two hearts. For those who enjoyed Twilight, and the Hunger Games and many other YA books you will love this, and its better written x
April 11, 2011
I won this book as a giveaway through Goodreads and I really was impressed. I absolutely love stories that deal with Arthurian times so I was very excited when I learned that Blake was from the Realm!! This book was a very quick read and I devoured it from the instant that I opened it. I thought the story could have used a little more detail in some areas just to beef it up but all in all I really liked it. I will certainly be waiting for the next installment!
August 9, 2012
I finished this book while lying in bed at 11pm one night and immediately got up to download the second book onto my ereader. To say I really enjoyed this book is an understatement. It was a quick read with relatable characters. I liked the Arthurian aspects of the story. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new series with a fairy tale twist.
January 7, 2014
I don't read a lot of YA fiction. I'm glad I picked this one up though. The author handles the contrast between the day-to-day and the fantasy very well, and she does the atmosphere bit really well, threatening and sinister before you even know what's going on.
Like several YA novels though we don't reack a conclusion in this book, so if you don't like being left in the air, be warned.
Like several YA novels though we don't reack a conclusion in this book, so if you don't like being left in the air, be warned.
July 30, 2011
That ending killed me!!!! Review to come.
October 15, 2012
Loved it! Katie M. John writes in a style that makes you really feel what the character is feeling.
January 13, 2014
I want the next book now.
June 3, 2013
It was really nice to read a story based in England and with a background of what I already knew. A great beginning now let's see where it goes.
July 13, 2013
Absolutely loved this book.
February 6, 2017
Hi Readers,
I have a new book to add to my list of favourites! The Forest Of Adventures is a great book if you love romance, adventure and history/fantasy as it has all of those elements.
This book is mature in some aspects so I'd say only age 16+ readers should read it. It doesn't get graphic but sex is still brought up.
We see from Mina's perspective throughout so the main girl in this story, who's seventeen years old. She's at college when she sits next to a boy, Blake Beldevier. He's a very charmingly mysterious guy. Mina is already in a relationship with Sam. A guy she's known from years before this book starts but she's attracted to Blake. When Sam sees Mina walking with Blake one afternoon at college, he gets angry and has a car crash. The rest of the book centres around this accident and Mina's relationship with Blake as well as other characters, her mother for instance who has always wanted Mina to marry Sam when she's old enough. Mina herself doesn't want this though after meeting Blake. This is quite an ista-love book, which I love but if you don't like that then maybe it wouldn't be for you.
There's also another plot point. The Arthurian legend sub plot was interesting to read. It's what the fantasy subplot is based on. You could tell that the author had done her research but that she'd also changed certain aspects of history to fit in with this story. I'd never read a book even slightly based on the Legend Of King Arthur so this was interesting to me.
The characters were well developed. I could see myself in Mina. And Blake has a past, partly dark but you could tell that he's the hero in this story. The evil characters were great. You can tell they're going to cause havoc in the rest of the trilogy.
I'm giving this book 5 stars because I loved it! The slightly new adult elements helped me enjoy it more, I think because it seemed more grown up that regular YA stories. If I could have changed one thing, it would have been seeing a few of the chapters from Blake's point of view, just because I think this would have opened his character up a little bit more if we could have seen from his POV.
The sequel to this book will be great as it will expand on the plot points bought up in The Forest Of Adventures. I can't wait to read it and review it for you guys.
Have any of you read this? What did you think? Would you read this if you haven't already? I really enjoyed it as you can see!
I look forward to choosing my next read soon!
I have a new book to add to my list of favourites! The Forest Of Adventures is a great book if you love romance, adventure and history/fantasy as it has all of those elements.
This book is mature in some aspects so I'd say only age 16+ readers should read it. It doesn't get graphic but sex is still brought up.
We see from Mina's perspective throughout so the main girl in this story, who's seventeen years old. She's at college when she sits next to a boy, Blake Beldevier. He's a very charmingly mysterious guy. Mina is already in a relationship with Sam. A guy she's known from years before this book starts but she's attracted to Blake. When Sam sees Mina walking with Blake one afternoon at college, he gets angry and has a car crash. The rest of the book centres around this accident and Mina's relationship with Blake as well as other characters, her mother for instance who has always wanted Mina to marry Sam when she's old enough. Mina herself doesn't want this though after meeting Blake. This is quite an ista-love book, which I love but if you don't like that then maybe it wouldn't be for you.
There's also another plot point. The Arthurian legend sub plot was interesting to read. It's what the fantasy subplot is based on. You could tell that the author had done her research but that she'd also changed certain aspects of history to fit in with this story. I'd never read a book even slightly based on the Legend Of King Arthur so this was interesting to me.
The characters were well developed. I could see myself in Mina. And Blake has a past, partly dark but you could tell that he's the hero in this story. The evil characters were great. You can tell they're going to cause havoc in the rest of the trilogy.
I'm giving this book 5 stars because I loved it! The slightly new adult elements helped me enjoy it more, I think because it seemed more grown up that regular YA stories. If I could have changed one thing, it would have been seeing a few of the chapters from Blake's point of view, just because I think this would have opened his character up a little bit more if we could have seen from his POV.
The sequel to this book will be great as it will expand on the plot points bought up in The Forest Of Adventures. I can't wait to read it and review it for you guys.
Have any of you read this? What did you think? Would you read this if you haven't already? I really enjoyed it as you can see!
I look forward to choosing my next read soon!
February 19, 2018
This book isn't "bad" persay, but I am unwilling to give it a full 4 stars. Consider my rating a 3.5. I don't know what I expected when I decided to read this book, but it wasn't a modern Arthurian-adjacent romance. I never would have read it because King Arthur isn't a story I care much for. From a description I had read it says the main male love interest has a secret background or something. It was enough to draw me in, but I was expecting faeries not knights of the round table. Overall the book is fine, it just wasn't my cup of tea. That plus multiple spelling and punctuation erors is what resulted in my rating.
June 24, 2020
What a pleasant surprise this was! Must have downloaded as a freebie 2 years ago and thought I’d give it a go. Arthurian Knights bought to life, the cruel Morgan Le Fay (Morgana), legends of old. What romantic doesn’t love a Knight in Shining Armour.
Loved it!!
I can even forgive the few grammar errors and continual use of the word ‘juxtaposition’ - I’m guessing this was a new vocabulary learn and thrown in lots of times for effect!!
Loved it!!
I can even forgive the few grammar errors and continual use of the word ‘juxtaposition’ - I’m guessing this was a new vocabulary learn and thrown in lots of times for effect!!
March 1, 2019
Enthralled from beginning to end
Katie creates such beautiful tales. Every book I read grips my mind and fingers.
Here I go, diving straight into book two, with trepidation, but so much excitement.
Katie creates such beautiful tales. Every book I read grips my mind and fingers.
Here I go, diving straight into book two, with trepidation, but so much excitement.
September 18, 2019
This book is totally great.
https://media1.tenor.com/images/5a5a3...
https://media1.tenor.com/images/5a5a3...
April 13, 2018
It had an interesting premise but meandered and therefore lost my interest half way through the book. Not invested enough in the characters to care what happens to them.
June 22, 2018
Love this book
This was a romantic fantasy with a realistic fiction feel. I recommend this book to a lot of people who love an adventure in there books.
This was a romantic fantasy with a realistic fiction feel. I recommend this book to a lot of people who love an adventure in there books.
October 14, 2011
I was given this book to review and wasn't sure what to expect. I have to be honest and say, I didn't know much about Arthurian legend growing up. I must have been taught it in school, I just obviously didn't listen. But I have to say, if it had been as easy, fun, and enjoyable to read as The Forest Of Adventures, I would have known a lot more a lot sooner.
When we first meet 17 year old Mina Singer, she's your normal everyday college girl. She has a close group of friends, a good relationship with her mother, Martha and is in a loving relationship with her boyfriend Sam.
On the surface, life is perfect. That is until the day she meets Blake Beldevier, a hot and totally swoonworthy Arthurian Knight.
Mina's life has always been played relatively safe. She has the long term relationship most girls would dream of. Sam is a lovely guy and she loves him. She just hasn't been able to give herself over to him fully, nor admit it to herself.
When she meets Blake, she starts to realise that maybe not all is it it should be in her life. Perhaps she is missing something.
As the story goes on, you see that Mina is a heroine with whom you can easily relate, and Blake is totally hot and well worthy of her love, passion and desire.
Blake is an Arthurian Knight, so he comes with old fashioned virtues and manners. He won't kiss Mina, nor do anything except occasionally hold her hand, unless she is free to be with him.
I won't tell you what happens between Mina and Sam, nor will I tell you even the basic outline of the rest of the story. It is there for discovery within the pages of the book.
I know I am glad that I didn't read it all in a review before I picked up the book, as it would have made it less enjoyable for me.
The Forest Of Adventures is a fast paced, page turner of a book. Once I picked it up I could not put it down.
Katie M John wrote this in such a way that every word painted a picture. I got lost within the pages and felt a real connection with the characters. I know that if a guy came up to me in the street and said he was from Arthurian times, I would not believe a word he said. But with Blake, it is just so obvious that that is what he is, a Knight. A tall, beautiful, wonderful knight.
If you are anything like me, the story will sweep you away, make you laugh, and make you cry. I sat here and felt tears stinging my eyes until they finally brimmed over and ran rivers down my cheeks.
As I reached the final page, I longed for the next installment. But something the author and I both agree on is, you should really leave about a week between this and Immortal Beloved. This is to create the illusion of the passage of time. Without spoiling too much of the story, there is 2 years between one point and the another. If I was to pick up the next book now, it would not feel so realistically like time had elapsed.
I'm sorry if that doesn't really explain it very well, but I promise, once you read it for yourself, it will make perfect sense.
In summary, I am unbelievably grateful to Katie for giving me this book to review. So much so I went straight onto Amazon and bought Immortal Beloved and put it in my TBR list ready for next week when I will again, aim to read it within a day or two and post a review.
If you love YA books that are easy to sink into, fast paced, un-put-down-able (if there was such a word), and you are looking for something a little bit out of the ordinary to read then I promise you, this is THE book for you.
I heart me some Blake Beldevier and I am sure when you read this, you will too!
When we first meet 17 year old Mina Singer, she's your normal everyday college girl. She has a close group of friends, a good relationship with her mother, Martha and is in a loving relationship with her boyfriend Sam.
On the surface, life is perfect. That is until the day she meets Blake Beldevier, a hot and totally swoonworthy Arthurian Knight.
Mina's life has always been played relatively safe. She has the long term relationship most girls would dream of. Sam is a lovely guy and she loves him. She just hasn't been able to give herself over to him fully, nor admit it to herself.
When she meets Blake, she starts to realise that maybe not all is it it should be in her life. Perhaps she is missing something.
As the story goes on, you see that Mina is a heroine with whom you can easily relate, and Blake is totally hot and well worthy of her love, passion and desire.
Blake is an Arthurian Knight, so he comes with old fashioned virtues and manners. He won't kiss Mina, nor do anything except occasionally hold her hand, unless she is free to be with him.
I won't tell you what happens between Mina and Sam, nor will I tell you even the basic outline of the rest of the story. It is there for discovery within the pages of the book.
I know I am glad that I didn't read it all in a review before I picked up the book, as it would have made it less enjoyable for me.
The Forest Of Adventures is a fast paced, page turner of a book. Once I picked it up I could not put it down.
Katie M John wrote this in such a way that every word painted a picture. I got lost within the pages and felt a real connection with the characters. I know that if a guy came up to me in the street and said he was from Arthurian times, I would not believe a word he said. But with Blake, it is just so obvious that that is what he is, a Knight. A tall, beautiful, wonderful knight.
If you are anything like me, the story will sweep you away, make you laugh, and make you cry. I sat here and felt tears stinging my eyes until they finally brimmed over and ran rivers down my cheeks.
As I reached the final page, I longed for the next installment. But something the author and I both agree on is, you should really leave about a week between this and Immortal Beloved. This is to create the illusion of the passage of time. Without spoiling too much of the story, there is 2 years between one point and the another. If I was to pick up the next book now, it would not feel so realistically like time had elapsed.
I'm sorry if that doesn't really explain it very well, but I promise, once you read it for yourself, it will make perfect sense.
In summary, I am unbelievably grateful to Katie for giving me this book to review. So much so I went straight onto Amazon and bought Immortal Beloved and put it in my TBR list ready for next week when I will again, aim to read it within a day or two and post a review.
If you love YA books that are easy to sink into, fast paced, un-put-down-able (if there was such a word), and you are looking for something a little bit out of the ordinary to read then I promise you, this is THE book for you.
I heart me some Blake Beldevier and I am sure when you read this, you will too!
August 7, 2011
Originally posted on At Home Between the Pages
Mina Singer is happy with her life: she’s got the perfect boyfriend, a great group of friends, and a great relationship with her mom. That is, until Blake Beldevier shows up in her English class. She is drawn to him and Sam, her boyfriend of two years, notices. Next thing she knows, Sam leaves angry and ends up in a car accident and then at the hospital in a coma. As torn up as she is about Sam, Blake is around and she still can’t deny her attraction to him. As she spends more time with Blake, it’s obvious that there’s something paranormal going on, and that she and Blake just might be part of an ancient prophecy that will tear her world apart.
This is the first indie book I’ve read and I enjoyed it. It was definitely a different experience, since the author is British and so her writing includes Brit slang and sayings. It was fun to read, especially when my nerd brain starting reading with a British accent XD. Other than that, it was like reading any other book.
This story was based on the legend of King Arthur and Arthurian Knights. Although I’ve read a lot of paranormal books, I haven’t read any like this. The setting of the story changes between the Real World and the Realm World, where people follow the old rules of England and Knights in shining armour exist, as well as sorceresses and magic. This was the world that Blake came from. Yeah, a real Knight in shining armour. Hot, right? Just nod yes, cause it is ;). I thought it was awesome the way the author took the legend of Arthur and made it come to life. I don’t know a lot about the legends of Arthur, so it was really fun to learn about it in the way that the author interpreted it.
I liked Mina and Blake as main characters. Mina was put in a very difficult position and she handled it really well. Even though she knew there was something between her and Blake, she was also respectful of her relationship with Sam and of his feelings. Even when she thought the mutual attraction with Blake was going to take over her, that was when Blake was a gentleman. Like I said, people from the Realm follow old rules, and so Blake wouldn’t let either of them acknowledge their feelings and blooming romance while Mina was still tied to Sam. It really put a different spin on the typical love triangle, and I loved the way it was done.
The climax of the story was really well written. I found myself really emotionally invested in Mina and Blake, and their whole situation. It was very suspenseful and emotional. I found myself thinking “Poor Mina” and “Poor Blake” a lot around the end of the story. But I don’t want to give anything away, so that’s all I’m saying! I will say that it set up really well for the next book, Immortal Beloved, which comes out in the Fall. I can’t wait to read it!
Mina Singer is happy with her life: she’s got the perfect boyfriend, a great group of friends, and a great relationship with her mom. That is, until Blake Beldevier shows up in her English class. She is drawn to him and Sam, her boyfriend of two years, notices. Next thing she knows, Sam leaves angry and ends up in a car accident and then at the hospital in a coma. As torn up as she is about Sam, Blake is around and she still can’t deny her attraction to him. As she spends more time with Blake, it’s obvious that there’s something paranormal going on, and that she and Blake just might be part of an ancient prophecy that will tear her world apart.
This is the first indie book I’ve read and I enjoyed it. It was definitely a different experience, since the author is British and so her writing includes Brit slang and sayings. It was fun to read, especially when my nerd brain starting reading with a British accent XD. Other than that, it was like reading any other book.
This story was based on the legend of King Arthur and Arthurian Knights. Although I’ve read a lot of paranormal books, I haven’t read any like this. The setting of the story changes between the Real World and the Realm World, where people follow the old rules of England and Knights in shining armour exist, as well as sorceresses and magic. This was the world that Blake came from. Yeah, a real Knight in shining armour. Hot, right? Just nod yes, cause it is ;). I thought it was awesome the way the author took the legend of Arthur and made it come to life. I don’t know a lot about the legends of Arthur, so it was really fun to learn about it in the way that the author interpreted it.
I liked Mina and Blake as main characters. Mina was put in a very difficult position and she handled it really well. Even though she knew there was something between her and Blake, she was also respectful of her relationship with Sam and of his feelings. Even when she thought the mutual attraction with Blake was going to take over her, that was when Blake was a gentleman. Like I said, people from the Realm follow old rules, and so Blake wouldn’t let either of them acknowledge their feelings and blooming romance while Mina was still tied to Sam. It really put a different spin on the typical love triangle, and I loved the way it was done.
The climax of the story was really well written. I found myself really emotionally invested in Mina and Blake, and their whole situation. It was very suspenseful and emotional. I found myself thinking “Poor Mina” and “Poor Blake” a lot around the end of the story. But I don’t want to give anything away, so that’s all I’m saying! I will say that it set up really well for the next book, Immortal Beloved, which comes out in the Fall. I can’t wait to read it!
May 31, 2011
I won this book through the Good Reads First Read Giveaway on 04/01/2011 and received it on 05/27/2011!
I haven't read a book this fast since my last Twilight binge. I LOVED this book. But I'm going to be brutally honest. I hope that you take my opinion as just that, an opinion. You may read this and completely disagree because you brought something different away from The Forest of Adventures. But ... at this point, this is what I think. I don't think that I included any huge spoilers here ... but beware!
Like I said, I loved this book. Absolutely adored it. It was such an intoxicating story. BUT. Yes, there are some buts. If you didn't already know this, The Forest of Adventures is written by someone from London. I'm in no way saying that this is a bad thing. But, if you're American, there are bunches of words that may be unfamiliar to you - you can usually figure out what Katie John means by reading the rest of that particular sentence ... I thought I would point that out in case you didn't know. Also, the drinking age in England is different than in the US. This book does portray what American's would consider underage drinking - just wanted to get that out there in case someone was thinking of buying this for a child and they are uncomfortable with this fictional scenario.
Another thing is that I wish that Blake's character had been explored a little more. I understand a little about him and how he is, but I would have liked more in depth info since he's the hero of the book. You get that he is this amazing looking man with perfect manners and a sordid past and he's very mysterious, maybe that is what Katie John was going for - very mysterious for this first book and then she'll explore him a little more in the next one. If that is the case, she totally hit this out of the park. It left me wanting more info about him, his past, his family and everything in between.
I feel like all I'm doing is pointing out all of the bad things. I just wanted to get these out of the way before I jump up on my pedestal and gush about the book some more. Okay. The Realm. Gosh, I don't know where to start. I have so many questions!!! This may be another one of Katie John's ploys to get you to read the next book - it will definitely work for me! It will leave you asking why and how and why again.
Okay, now that that nastiness is done with, this book reminded me of a mixture of Twilight and Harry Potter with a heaping of something extra that made it amazing. Katie John just has a way of writing that really pulls you in and grabs you. I stayed up until 4 am reading it the day that I got it and then fell asleep with it in my hands. I didn't want to put it down.
I would really recommend this book to anyone that enjoyed Twilight and/or Harry Potter or if you're just looking for a great book on a rainy day. I'll definitely read this again. And again.
I haven't read a book this fast since my last Twilight binge. I LOVED this book. But I'm going to be brutally honest. I hope that you take my opinion as just that, an opinion. You may read this and completely disagree because you brought something different away from The Forest of Adventures. But ... at this point, this is what I think. I don't think that I included any huge spoilers here ... but beware!
Like I said, I loved this book. Absolutely adored it. It was such an intoxicating story. BUT. Yes, there are some buts. If you didn't already know this, The Forest of Adventures is written by someone from London. I'm in no way saying that this is a bad thing. But, if you're American, there are bunches of words that may be unfamiliar to you - you can usually figure out what Katie John means by reading the rest of that particular sentence ... I thought I would point that out in case you didn't know. Also, the drinking age in England is different than in the US. This book does portray what American's would consider underage drinking - just wanted to get that out there in case someone was thinking of buying this for a child and they are uncomfortable with this fictional scenario.
Another thing is that I wish that Blake's character had been explored a little more. I understand a little about him and how he is, but I would have liked more in depth info since he's the hero of the book. You get that he is this amazing looking man with perfect manners and a sordid past and he's very mysterious, maybe that is what Katie John was going for - very mysterious for this first book and then she'll explore him a little more in the next one. If that is the case, she totally hit this out of the park. It left me wanting more info about him, his past, his family and everything in between.
I feel like all I'm doing is pointing out all of the bad things. I just wanted to get these out of the way before I jump up on my pedestal and gush about the book some more. Okay. The Realm. Gosh, I don't know where to start. I have so many questions!!! This may be another one of Katie John's ploys to get you to read the next book - it will definitely work for me! It will leave you asking why and how and why again.
Okay, now that that nastiness is done with, this book reminded me of a mixture of Twilight and Harry Potter with a heaping of something extra that made it amazing. Katie John just has a way of writing that really pulls you in and grabs you. I stayed up until 4 am reading it the day that I got it and then fell asleep with it in my hands. I didn't want to put it down.
I would really recommend this book to anyone that enjoyed Twilight and/or Harry Potter or if you're just looking for a great book on a rainy day. I'll definitely read this again. And again.
June 10, 2011
Original review at http://inkscratchers.blogspot.com/
I recieved this ARC as the winner of a giveaway over at Reading Away The Days, and I had not seen any other reviews or anything for it, so I really had no idea what to expect. Thanks so much to Katie for sending me this book!
My opinion from the summary was a bit mixed. The whole 'new boy at school' storyline is overused and I was so worried that I would find nothing original but I was also excited to read something based off the Arthurian legend. I really have a thing for Arhurian legend...
First impressions? I liked it, there are some cringe worthy metaphors and similes in there that I felt seemed like John was trying a little too hard, but she also gives us a great introduction to the setting and the characters. I usually like these things to be established slowly but thew ay that John does it is beautifully. I was shocked to find that Mina already has a boyfriend, it adds a new twist to the 'new boy' storyline. Usually I go for the underdog, but i really fell in love with Blake in this book. He is everything you want from a hero, strong, protective, sweet, mysterious and A KNIGHT! (I don't class that a spoiler as the trilogy is called 'The Knight Trilogy'). I really was rooting for Blake and Mina all the way through.
The characterisation was so strong, Mina is a believable character, she may treat her boyfriend badly, maybe makes some bad decisions, but she is only seventeen, a year younger than me and to be honest, all teenage girls have to admit that sometimes, we can be cows... I also loved the relationship between Mina and her mother. They seem close, but her mother really cares and she is one of those 'I will support you as long as you do what I think is right' mothers. pretty much like my own, but we really do see how much she cares later. Sammy.. he is lovely, he isn't all... there throughout the book but we can see what type of character he is through Mina's thoughts. I like Sammy, but John didn't make him TOO loveable so he takes over Blake.
The storyline is fantastic, though John does not pull off the storyline as well as I would have expected. I loved the Arthurian side of it, but the setting and what goes on in the real world is fantastic. There is a scene in which Mina has a confrontation with her best friends and it is very relateable. The writing is decent, but there were some cringeworthy purple prose in there...
A few more notes;
-I have to say how much the ending drove me crazy, in now way is it a bad ending but it is a bit of a cliffhanger.
-I love the names, you can tell a lot from the names of book characters. Mina is a simple, beautiful and magical name, Sammy is simple and nice, Blake is mysterious and gorgeous.
I recieved this ARC as the winner of a giveaway over at Reading Away The Days, and I had not seen any other reviews or anything for it, so I really had no idea what to expect. Thanks so much to Katie for sending me this book!
My opinion from the summary was a bit mixed. The whole 'new boy at school' storyline is overused and I was so worried that I would find nothing original but I was also excited to read something based off the Arthurian legend. I really have a thing for Arhurian legend...
First impressions? I liked it, there are some cringe worthy metaphors and similes in there that I felt seemed like John was trying a little too hard, but she also gives us a great introduction to the setting and the characters. I usually like these things to be established slowly but thew ay that John does it is beautifully. I was shocked to find that Mina already has a boyfriend, it adds a new twist to the 'new boy' storyline. Usually I go for the underdog, but i really fell in love with Blake in this book. He is everything you want from a hero, strong, protective, sweet, mysterious and A KNIGHT! (I don't class that a spoiler as the trilogy is called 'The Knight Trilogy'). I really was rooting for Blake and Mina all the way through.
The characterisation was so strong, Mina is a believable character, she may treat her boyfriend badly, maybe makes some bad decisions, but she is only seventeen, a year younger than me and to be honest, all teenage girls have to admit that sometimes, we can be cows... I also loved the relationship between Mina and her mother. They seem close, but her mother really cares and she is one of those 'I will support you as long as you do what I think is right' mothers. pretty much like my own, but we really do see how much she cares later. Sammy.. he is lovely, he isn't all... there throughout the book but we can see what type of character he is through Mina's thoughts. I like Sammy, but John didn't make him TOO loveable so he takes over Blake.
The storyline is fantastic, though John does not pull off the storyline as well as I would have expected. I loved the Arthurian side of it, but the setting and what goes on in the real world is fantastic. There is a scene in which Mina has a confrontation with her best friends and it is very relateable. The writing is decent, but there were some cringeworthy purple prose in there...
A few more notes;
-I have to say how much the ending drove me crazy, in now way is it a bad ending but it is a bit of a cliffhanger.
-I love the names, you can tell a lot from the names of book characters. Mina is a simple, beautiful and magical name, Sammy is simple and nice, Blake is mysterious and gorgeous.
January 5, 2011
The Forest of Adventures is the first book in a new series the Knight Trilogy by author Katie M. John. A new Young Adult author in the urban fantasy genre hailing from Middlesex, England, Katie John’s is a beautifully expressive and unique voice in the YA universe.
The Forest of Adventure sets the stage with an ominous and foreboding preface. And while the tone appears at first dark and menacing, as the story unfolds the reader will discover that The Forest of Adventure is first and for ...more The Forest of Adventures is the first book in a new series the Knight Trilogy by author Katie M. John. A new Young Adult author in the urban fantasy genre hailing from Middlesex, England, Katie John’s is a beautifully expressive and unique voice in the YA universe.
The Forest of Adventure sets the stage with an ominous and foreboding preface. And while the tone appears at first dark and menacing, as the story unfolds the reader will discover that The Forest of Adventure is first and foremost a love story.
“From the very first moment of time, I loved you.”
Author Katie John has created a tale that weaves together the lives of a modern day heroine, Mina Singer, with a Knight of The Realm from the time of King Arthur, Blake Beldevier. And though the story speaks of Arthurian legends, Merlin and times of sorcery and magic, it is not mired in the weighty details typically used to create medieval tales, reading more like a fairytale.
The Forest of Adventure is set in the modern day, with elements of fantasy just hinted at early on, only coming to the forefront midway through the story. The pace is unhurried, allowing the author to reveal the details in wonderfully descriptive, poetic and often achingly beautiful passages.
While the story flows fluidly with such detail, it becomes a bit unclear during the brief transition as Mina begins to fully embrace the people of The Realm, leaving behind her modern day life. And while we know Blake to be chivalrous, honorable, living his life abiding by a code, it is at times difficult to get insight into Mina’s character, her feelings about the events that have altered her life and her motivations.
The Forest of Adventures ends with a question and a series of adventures on the horizon. The second book in the trilogy, Immortal, will hopefully provide the answers and continue the quest.
A note to readers: In its eBook format, the story has not been adapted for an American audience so readers should expect alternate spelling and punctuation as well as certain “Britishims” – such as classes being referred to as “lessons” and secondary school/high school being referred to as “college.”
The Forest of Adventure sets the stage with an ominous and foreboding preface. And while the tone appears at first dark and menacing, as the story unfolds the reader will discover that The Forest of Adventure is first and for ...more The Forest of Adventures is the first book in a new series the Knight Trilogy by author Katie M. John. A new Young Adult author in the urban fantasy genre hailing from Middlesex, England, Katie John’s is a beautifully expressive and unique voice in the YA universe.
The Forest of Adventure sets the stage with an ominous and foreboding preface. And while the tone appears at first dark and menacing, as the story unfolds the reader will discover that The Forest of Adventure is first and foremost a love story.
“From the very first moment of time, I loved you.”
Author Katie John has created a tale that weaves together the lives of a modern day heroine, Mina Singer, with a Knight of The Realm from the time of King Arthur, Blake Beldevier. And though the story speaks of Arthurian legends, Merlin and times of sorcery and magic, it is not mired in the weighty details typically used to create medieval tales, reading more like a fairytale.
The Forest of Adventure is set in the modern day, with elements of fantasy just hinted at early on, only coming to the forefront midway through the story. The pace is unhurried, allowing the author to reveal the details in wonderfully descriptive, poetic and often achingly beautiful passages.
While the story flows fluidly with such detail, it becomes a bit unclear during the brief transition as Mina begins to fully embrace the people of The Realm, leaving behind her modern day life. And while we know Blake to be chivalrous, honorable, living his life abiding by a code, it is at times difficult to get insight into Mina’s character, her feelings about the events that have altered her life and her motivations.
The Forest of Adventures ends with a question and a series of adventures on the horizon. The second book in the trilogy, Immortal, will hopefully provide the answers and continue the quest.
A note to readers: In its eBook format, the story has not been adapted for an American audience so readers should expect alternate spelling and punctuation as well as certain “Britishims” – such as classes being referred to as “lessons” and secondary school/high school being referred to as “college.”
January 14, 2013
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.
Mina is a seventeen year old still in school and on the a-list. She has been studying real hard to keep her grades up so that she can go on to college. She wants to make a life for herself as well as have a career. Mina lives with her mother, Martha. Martha is the kind of parent that trusted Mina to go and come as she pleases. She has let Mina's boyfriend, Sam live with them because of his home life. Sam and Mina have been together for two years. Mina knows that she loves Sam but for some reason unknown to her she has not let Sam into her bed.
But when Mina meets Blake a knight of the Realm they fall instantly in love. After meeting Blake Mina begins to understand why she has never let Sam into her bed. She now knows that she has always loved Sam but like you would a brother. Martha doesn't approve of Blake but I think she is just partial to Sam. Or maybe she just likes Sam better for whatever reason. Martha never actually spent anytime with Blake long enough to know him.
Blake is an old fashion kind of guy. He will only hold Mina's hand, he won't kiss her because he says she doesn't belong to him. She belongs to Sam and will until she can end her relationship with him. That is a true and honest person right there now. He is really a shining knight in armour. Blake wants to do what is right for Mina as well as for Sam. He is thinking of someone else instead of himself. He is a guy that he will give up his own happiness so that he will not hurt some else and to do what is right or moral.
I really liked the person that Blake is. His ways, attitude, the things he believed in really made him stand out to me. He was always wanting to do the right thing. So yes this makes me "Team Blake". Sam is not a bad guy either. He understood and let Mina go when the time came for him to do so. If it upset him to let her go he never said a word about it. He kept it all to himself and never told anyone. What I don't get though is Mina's mother, Martha why did she not like Blake? Why did she never give him a chance? She trusted Mina enough to let her lead her own life. Why did she not trust her enough to know that Blake was the one meant to be with Mina and not Sam? I would like to have known more about Martha's feelings on this.
Mina is a seventeen year old still in school and on the a-list. She has been studying real hard to keep her grades up so that she can go on to college. She wants to make a life for herself as well as have a career. Mina lives with her mother, Martha. Martha is the kind of parent that trusted Mina to go and come as she pleases. She has let Mina's boyfriend, Sam live with them because of his home life. Sam and Mina have been together for two years. Mina knows that she loves Sam but for some reason unknown to her she has not let Sam into her bed.
But when Mina meets Blake a knight of the Realm they fall instantly in love. After meeting Blake Mina begins to understand why she has never let Sam into her bed. She now knows that she has always loved Sam but like you would a brother. Martha doesn't approve of Blake but I think she is just partial to Sam. Or maybe she just likes Sam better for whatever reason. Martha never actually spent anytime with Blake long enough to know him.
Blake is an old fashion kind of guy. He will only hold Mina's hand, he won't kiss her because he says she doesn't belong to him. She belongs to Sam and will until she can end her relationship with him. That is a true and honest person right there now. He is really a shining knight in armour. Blake wants to do what is right for Mina as well as for Sam. He is thinking of someone else instead of himself. He is a guy that he will give up his own happiness so that he will not hurt some else and to do what is right or moral.
I really liked the person that Blake is. His ways, attitude, the things he believed in really made him stand out to me. He was always wanting to do the right thing. So yes this makes me "Team Blake". Sam is not a bad guy either. He understood and let Mina go when the time came for him to do so. If it upset him to let her go he never said a word about it. He kept it all to himself and never told anyone. What I don't get though is Mina's mother, Martha why did she not like Blake? Why did she never give him a chance? She trusted Mina enough to let her lead her own life. Why did she not trust her enough to know that Blake was the one meant to be with Mina and not Sam? I would like to have known more about Martha's feelings on this.
September 19, 2011
The synopsis of the book didn’t do much to sell the originality of this story. At first glance, you’d think that the same old forbidden love and destiny would be the fare but there was so much more to this story. There were legends to be had and a world that bordered on ancient history and mysticism.
The first few pages of this book were written almost poetically but for some reason, the lyrical writing petered to a stop.
I’ve never been a fan of instantaneous love; and this book is heady with it. Although understandable, what with destiny and such, I couldn’t help but cringe when two characters proclaim their undying devotion in a tiny window of time. I just couldn’t stand it when Mina took one look in his eyes and readily saw how much HE loved her.
What’s up with that?
He kicked at the leaves under his feet and looked at me, sizing me up, working out the measure of his love for me. Oh my God, he loved me. - page 110
It just came out of nowhere. There was no slow built, no slow realization. Sure the physical attraction was there but I don’t know how she could’ve known instantly. Was it maybe written in his eyes? Was there a clue? If there was any, then I completely missed it. Maybe if Blake was a bit more taken with her the first time they met, then I could understand this unreasonable immediate adoration between them. It was explained later that Mina had been in Blake’s dreams and there was a written irrevocable prophecy about them.
There is a disorganization of events and character development in this book that hindered me from completely enjoying what would have been a brilliant story. At the end of it all, I couldn’t, no matter how hard I tried, feel anything for the characters. Often times, Mina’s character fell flat, as was Blake’s. It’s hard to continue reading when the cast themselves couldn’t interest me. But I pressed on.
Incidentally, I bought this book last June and just decided to read it today. I found out that Katie M. John signed my copy and wrote a personalized note thanking me for purchasing it. I thought it was the coolest, sweetest thing ever. So you can just imagine how awful I feel for writing this review. But I wanted to be honest and I tried my hardest to be fair.
It is what it is.
The first few pages of this book were written almost poetically but for some reason, the lyrical writing petered to a stop.
I’ve never been a fan of instantaneous love; and this book is heady with it. Although understandable, what with destiny and such, I couldn’t help but cringe when two characters proclaim their undying devotion in a tiny window of time. I just couldn’t stand it when Mina took one look in his eyes and readily saw how much HE loved her.
What’s up with that?
He kicked at the leaves under his feet and looked at me, sizing me up, working out the measure of his love for me. Oh my God, he loved me. - page 110
It just came out of nowhere. There was no slow built, no slow realization. Sure the physical attraction was there but I don’t know how she could’ve known instantly. Was it maybe written in his eyes? Was there a clue? If there was any, then I completely missed it. Maybe if Blake was a bit more taken with her the first time they met, then I could understand this unreasonable immediate adoration between them. It was explained later that Mina had been in Blake’s dreams and there was a written irrevocable prophecy about them.
There is a disorganization of events and character development in this book that hindered me from completely enjoying what would have been a brilliant story. At the end of it all, I couldn’t, no matter how hard I tried, feel anything for the characters. Often times, Mina’s character fell flat, as was Blake’s. It’s hard to continue reading when the cast themselves couldn’t interest me. But I pressed on.
Incidentally, I bought this book last June and just decided to read it today. I found out that Katie M. John signed my copy and wrote a personalized note thanking me for purchasing it. I thought it was the coolest, sweetest thing ever. So you can just imagine how awful I feel for writing this review. But I wanted to be honest and I tried my hardest to be fair.
It is what it is.
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