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Curses of VIII #0.5
Into the Forest
Before the Wilted Rose, the pirates who sailed upon it, or even a curse, there was a young faery who lived amongst the dense trees of the forest....a princess among a tribe of fantastical creatures.
On the day of Ravenzara’s coronation as leader of the fae, her sister bestowed upon her two things :-
A rose and a curse
“ No good shall come if you should give your heart away “
Perhaps she thought her sisters’ words were a warning, but when her beloved pirate beau, Gaspard, arrives injured along with his crew, the bitter phrase begins to sound a little more sinister.
Risking detection Ravenzara heals her love and his friends and banishes their enemy.
In turn, Gaspard begs Ravenzara to leave her kingdom and sail away to places unknown...
Conflicted, all Ravenzara knows is that she belongs with Gaspard, and only death will separate them.
On the day of Ravenzara’s coronation as leader of the fae, her sister bestowed upon her two things :-
A rose and a curse
“ No good shall come if you should give your heart away “
Perhaps she thought her sisters’ words were a warning, but when her beloved pirate beau, Gaspard, arrives injured along with his crew, the bitter phrase begins to sound a little more sinister.
Risking detection Ravenzara heals her love and his friends and banishes their enemy.
In turn, Gaspard begs Ravenzara to leave her kingdom and sail away to places unknown...
Conflicted, all Ravenzara knows is that she belongs with Gaspard, and only death will separate them.
ebook
First published May 2, 2016
3 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Freedom Matthews
3 books66 followersFreedom grew up around storytellers. Men and women of Romany origin, who would tell tales of people and traditions long since lost to time. It was only natural for her to weave tales as well, but she would write them down with paper and ink instead of passing them through the spoken word.
She lives in rural Hampshire, UK with a hotchpotch of family, animals and wonky bookshelves. When she's not curled up with a good book and a cup of tea, she enjoys visits to stately homes and watching fantasy TV shows.
She lives in rural Hampshire, UK with a hotchpotch of family, animals and wonky bookshelves. When she's not curled up with a good book and a cup of tea, she enjoys visits to stately homes and watching fantasy TV shows.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 10, 2016
Freedom has written a short story as a prequel for INHERITED!
This book comes out in MAY and its a fabulous
This book comes out in MAY and its a fabulous
Read
May 29, 2016This was fantastic!! I loved that It read almost like a classic fairytale. There was so much lovely description and the way Ravenzara transformed from faerie to human was so unique!! I absolutely cannot wait to read Inherited and see where this story fits in!! (The little sneak peak to Inherited featured at the end of this novella has got me so intrigued!!) Freedom has done a wonderful job with this, I'm so excited to read more in July!!
July 10, 2016
I really enjoyed this prequel and started it so that I can gain a better understanding of Inherited that I received early from Fairyloot and Freedom. I loved the story and the world of the fae, I just feel that it was a bit rushed and I hope that Inherited always a better background on the story behind meeting Gaspard. I really looking forward to the next book which I'm starting asap!
May 2, 2016
Loved this little novella, the magic element was done so well, and after that sneak peak of Inherited, I can't wait for its release later this year! Fae and pirates make a brilliant, and very exciting combination!
Without being too 'spoilery', I was kind of routing for *something* to happen all the way through, and was so glad it did, as I'm now very much looking forward to seeing how this changes Ravenzara, and the conflict that will inevitably continue into the rest of the series. Bring on Inherited!
Without being too 'spoilery', I was kind of routing for *something* to happen all the way through, and was so glad it did, as I'm now very much looking forward to seeing how this changes Ravenzara, and the conflict that will inevitably continue into the rest of the series. Bring on Inherited!
Want to Read
February 5, 2018SO excited for this. Can it be May yet?
August 1, 2016
Source: I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.
Cost: Free
Title: Into the Forest
Series: The Curses of VIII #0.5
Author: Freedom Matthews
Overall Rating: 4 stars
I need to read Inherited by Freedom Matthews this month, and what better way to introduce myself to the world than by reading the novella for it. I was interested to see how this author could connect the Pirate world with the Fairy world. Because to me they are two very different things. However, this novella, although short, did exactly that. We met some brilliant first faces and we were brought into the world where fairies and pirates exist alongside one another. Shiver me timbers and get me into Inherited as soon as possible!
Cost: Free
Title: Into the Forest
Series: The Curses of VIII #0.5
Author: Freedom Matthews
Overall Rating: 4 stars
I need to read Inherited by Freedom Matthews this month, and what better way to introduce myself to the world than by reading the novella for it. I was interested to see how this author could connect the Pirate world with the Fairy world. Because to me they are two very different things. However, this novella, although short, did exactly that. We met some brilliant first faces and we were brought into the world where fairies and pirates exist alongside one another. Shiver me timbers and get me into Inherited as soon as possible!
May 10, 2016
A great quick read to leave you desiring more! Freedom spins a magical tale that gives you just enough to reel you into her etherial world and not want to let go. Oh and that teaser for Inherited that followed!!! You mean I have to wait until July to finish reading?! I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment of the Curses of VIII series!
May 12, 2016
Nice job of a prequel. I wish it was a little longer, now I have to wait til July to see what happens next! Perfect for fans of fairies and pirates.
April 26, 2016
Disclaimer: I won a copy of this book in a giveaway!
Actual Rating: 3.5*
This novella serves as a prequel to Inherited by Freedom Matthews. I liked the novella enough but I am not sure if it is enough to sway me to check out the novel itself. Let me preface this review by saying I have a love-hate relationship with novellas. I DID like this novella and I think the writing and plot were really well done, I just ALSO had some issues with it.
While I enjoyed this one and how the fae were represented, I had a pacing issue. I felt like there were things that had to happen in this story (that will probably make sense in the novel) but the way that they happened was boxy and awkward. It felt weird to me that our main character would be crowned and her advisors would be like "no it's okay you can run off with your boyfriend for a bit" because it wasn't really explained? And, okay, maybe it will be explained in the novel but I kinda needed it to be explained as it happened because it made me a bit cautious and worried for what will happen in INHERITED.
I think the characters and the magic are compelling, but maybe not enough to keep me interested in what will happen in a full novel. I almost feel like this is a prequel you need to read AFTER the first book, even though I have no idea what happens in the first book, because it seems like one of those that will explain how the setting got to where it was. But as an introduction, it just left me a bit confused.
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Actual Rating: 3.5*
This novella serves as a prequel to Inherited by Freedom Matthews. I liked the novella enough but I am not sure if it is enough to sway me to check out the novel itself. Let me preface this review by saying I have a love-hate relationship with novellas. I DID like this novella and I think the writing and plot were really well done, I just ALSO had some issues with it.
While I enjoyed this one and how the fae were represented, I had a pacing issue. I felt like there were things that had to happen in this story (that will probably make sense in the novel) but the way that they happened was boxy and awkward. It felt weird to me that our main character would be crowned and her advisors would be like "no it's okay you can run off with your boyfriend for a bit" because it wasn't really explained? And, okay, maybe it will be explained in the novel but I kinda needed it to be explained as it happened because it made me a bit cautious and worried for what will happen in INHERITED.
I think the characters and the magic are compelling, but maybe not enough to keep me interested in what will happen in a full novel. I almost feel like this is a prequel you need to read AFTER the first book, even though I have no idea what happens in the first book, because it seems like one of those that will explain how the setting got to where it was. But as an introduction, it just left me a bit confused.
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
May 8, 2016
Intro to the Inherited world
Into the forest is a short story that took me about an hour to read. If introduces you to a magical world deep in the forest and the magical beings that lives there. Freedom Matthews style pulls you easily inside the fairy world and all its color, scents and characters around you.
If the whole Inherited book keeps this magical tone then I will be enjoying it as soon as it gets available !!!
Into the forest is a short story that took me about an hour to read. If introduces you to a magical world deep in the forest and the magical beings that lives there. Freedom Matthews style pulls you easily inside the fairy world and all its color, scents and characters around you.
If the whole Inherited book keeps this magical tone then I will be enjoying it as soon as it gets available !!!
January 31, 2017
This prequel novella was short, but so delightful! It was awesome to finally learn more about Caw, and how the war between sisters began!
I highly recommend this, and Inherited!
Freedom Mathews weaves a magical tale!
I highly recommend this, and Inherited!
Freedom Mathews weaves a magical tale!
March 25, 2019
Freedom created a beautiful high fantasy world to escape to. Into the Forest was a great prequel. Freedom's writing style is very easy to read. I can't wait to read Inherited!
May 6, 2016
and now I'm even more excited to read Inherited now that I have read this!
Read
February 3, 2017Into the Forest is the beautiful, romantic, ethereal and compelling prequel to Inherited. In the matter of several pages (too short; I need more – stat!), Freedom immerses us not only in the magical universe of faeries and pirates, storm-swept beaches and rum-fueled battles all watched by the protective forest, but playfully teases us with hints of the magical web that the prophetic tagline of Inherited promises to fulfill: ‘If saying 'I love you' meant death, would you still say it?’.
From the recurrence of the number eight, to clues at what may have given the Wilted Rose its name, to a cryptic curse – “No good shall come from giving your heart away” – whose undoing may only be realized in Inherited (as we are soon to find out!), Into the Forest brings all the elements together in characters we immediately connect with and whose fates we can’t wait to see unfold.
Freedom’s sensitive handling of complex themes and fantastical elements in Into the Forest is phenomenal; even better though may be her handling of those not-so-magical elements, which gives her characters and her setting such genuineness that, even being fantastical beings, they feel real. Ever since the Weasleys, I have adored large, extended families in literature, and Ravenzara’s faery court is nothing if not its own version of a family. From old jealousies and rivalries, to older sibling and aunt-and-uncle types who gently cajole and encourage Ravenzara to follow her heart, the faery court is a perfect cross-section of a family we can all relate to…or dream to be part of.
Like a fantastic dream, Into the Forest is an enchanting tale that will spirit you away to a world you will want to return to again and again.
From the recurrence of the number eight, to clues at what may have given the Wilted Rose its name, to a cryptic curse – “No good shall come from giving your heart away” – whose undoing may only be realized in Inherited (as we are soon to find out!), Into the Forest brings all the elements together in characters we immediately connect with and whose fates we can’t wait to see unfold.
Freedom’s sensitive handling of complex themes and fantastical elements in Into the Forest is phenomenal; even better though may be her handling of those not-so-magical elements, which gives her characters and her setting such genuineness that, even being fantastical beings, they feel real. Ever since the Weasleys, I have adored large, extended families in literature, and Ravenzara’s faery court is nothing if not its own version of a family. From old jealousies and rivalries, to older sibling and aunt-and-uncle types who gently cajole and encourage Ravenzara to follow her heart, the faery court is a perfect cross-section of a family we can all relate to…or dream to be part of.
Like a fantastic dream, Into the Forest is an enchanting tale that will spirit you away to a world you will want to return to again and again.
May 22, 2016
Originally posted @ Miranda's Book Blog
What a romantic, ethereal and magical fairy tale!
Into the Forest is a prequel novella that is set before the novel Inherited. I loved seeing a bit of background into the curse that is the primary focus in Inherited.
The forest setting was quite magical, I loved the vivid, detailed descriptions!
Ravenzara was fantastic, her transformation into a faerie was delightfully refreshing, so unlike any other Fae book I've read!
Ravenzara's mother Davana was the original Sorceress. I am curious about her and how her reign ended. Hopefully we will get to see more into her story later on in the series.
Speaking of family, I found Ravenzara's sister Tatiana intriguing. I can't wait to see what's in store for these two in Inherited!
What a romantic, ethereal and magical fairy tale!
Into the Forest is a prequel novella that is set before the novel Inherited. I loved seeing a bit of background into the curse that is the primary focus in Inherited.
The forest setting was quite magical, I loved the vivid, detailed descriptions!
Ravenzara was fantastic, her transformation into a faerie was delightfully refreshing, so unlike any other Fae book I've read!
Ravenzara's mother Davana was the original Sorceress. I am curious about her and how her reign ended. Hopefully we will get to see more into her story later on in the series.
Speaking of family, I found Ravenzara's sister Tatiana intriguing. I can't wait to see what's in store for these two in Inherited!
August 20, 2016
3 stars
I enjoyed this novella but I wish it had a more detailed description. I was confused about the characters and their appearance since it lacked a better explanation.
It could also have been longer, with more back story. I think everything was too rushed when there was room for more.
It was a nice book but it lacked more depth. I hope Inherited doesn't disappoint.
I enjoyed this novella but I wish it had a more detailed description. I was confused about the characters and their appearance since it lacked a better explanation.
It could also have been longer, with more back story. I think everything was too rushed when there was room for more.
It was a nice book but it lacked more depth. I hope Inherited doesn't disappoint.
June 11, 2016
4.5 stars!
April 22, 2017
Quickly winning over my heart. This is such a delightful novella that will break your heart as quickly as it wins it. I'm eagerly anticipating Inherited and anything else Freedom writes!!
July 20, 2025
This was a novella from a million years ago that I completely forgot about. And it seems it was meant to be the start of a series but only the first book was ever published.
This is a reason why I read the novella but won’t continue with the first instalment.
The other reason was that I didn’t totally love this.
Overall, the story was cute but also a bit rushed, and we didn’t get the motivation for any character.
This is a reason why I read the novella but won’t continue with the first instalment.
The other reason was that I didn’t totally love this.
Overall, the story was cute but also a bit rushed, and we didn’t get the motivation for any character.
August 6, 2016
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Review posted on blog(AshweeReads):
https://ashweereads.wordpress.com/201...
Review: This novella was good. It gave me the feeling of tension and wonder, which I believe will be the same feeling I get when I read the first book in this series. I liked how it was fantasy mixed with pirates. It's a nice touch and makes me wonder how what happened in this novella will play into the first book of this series.
The characters were good, but I wish we had more time with them. I got to know some of the characters, though I wanted to know more about them. I would have liked to spend more time with them, but maybe I will a little bit more about them in Inherited because they might get mentioned.
While I know that this is a novella, I do wish that it was longer. Not only for the fact that I liked it, but because I felt like scenes went by too fast and I got kind of confused a bit.
Overall, I did like the novella. I like how it sets things up and the genre it is in. Also that mixture of fairies and pirates. I will definitely pick up Inherited.
Have fun reading!!!
Review posted on blog(AshweeReads):
https://ashweereads.wordpress.com/201...
Review: This novella was good. It gave me the feeling of tension and wonder, which I believe will be the same feeling I get when I read the first book in this series. I liked how it was fantasy mixed with pirates. It's a nice touch and makes me wonder how what happened in this novella will play into the first book of this series.
The characters were good, but I wish we had more time with them. I got to know some of the characters, though I wanted to know more about them. I would have liked to spend more time with them, but maybe I will a little bit more about them in Inherited because they might get mentioned.
While I know that this is a novella, I do wish that it was longer. Not only for the fact that I liked it, but because I felt like scenes went by too fast and I got kind of confused a bit.
Overall, I did like the novella. I like how it sets things up and the genre it is in. Also that mixture of fairies and pirates. I will definitely pick up Inherited.
Have fun reading!!!
July 13, 2016
3.5 stars
I'm not too fond of novellas. I think they're usually too short for me to get a grasp of the characters, and getting to know the characters is probably my favourite thing about reading. So I can't say much about that.
I did get enough of Matthews' writing to know that I like it a lot. It has a nice flow and is beautiful without sounding pretentious. I can also tell this setting is going to be great. I love faeries, so I'm really excited too se more of them, and pirates? Nice.
So basically, novellas aren't my cup of tea, I really enjoyed Into The Woods, and I will definitely put Inherited on my TBR.
I'm not too fond of novellas. I think they're usually too short for me to get a grasp of the characters, and getting to know the characters is probably my favourite thing about reading. So I can't say much about that.
I did get enough of Matthews' writing to know that I like it a lot. It has a nice flow and is beautiful without sounding pretentious. I can also tell this setting is going to be great. I love faeries, so I'm really excited too se more of them, and pirates? Nice.
So basically, novellas aren't my cup of tea, I really enjoyed Into The Woods, and I will definitely put Inherited on my TBR.
June 22, 2016
It was extremely short and I didn't feel the information it gave was useful. Some of the sentence structures seemed off, and tended to interrupt the flow of the writing. However it was a good little tidbit to get me excited for Inherited.
July 12, 2016
This novella was okay. At this point, I'm not sure how necessary it is to read this before reading The Inherited, but when I read that I might see that it's an important thing to read first, who knows! We shall see...
July 7, 2016
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews