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Open Doors
Sean Evans. Aussie bloke. Unlucky in love. Rock fanatic. Talented artist. Makes a mean coffee. Just don't call him a barista.
When Sean meets Tam by chance at a local bar, he thinks his luck may have taken a turn for the better. But when Sean drinks a spiked drink, he comes to a startling realisation. Either he is losing his mind or fairies are real.
Enter Evie, who bears a striking resemblance to Tam, but is anything but human. Trapped in Sean's world, they must learn to coexist while Sean tries to keep his shifts at the cafe, finish his paintings, all while trying to convince Tam that he's not a creepy lunatic.
But Evie has her own problems, and Sean as a human is powerless to protect her. Can Sean find a way to fix things with his fairy, Tam and himself before the doors close forever?
Open Doors is an urban fantasy set in Melbourne, Australia.
Warning: Contains Aussie blokes, swearing, fairies and mild drug use.
When Sean meets Tam by chance at a local bar, he thinks his luck may have taken a turn for the better. But when Sean drinks a spiked drink, he comes to a startling realisation. Either he is losing his mind or fairies are real.
Enter Evie, who bears a striking resemblance to Tam, but is anything but human. Trapped in Sean's world, they must learn to coexist while Sean tries to keep his shifts at the cafe, finish his paintings, all while trying to convince Tam that he's not a creepy lunatic.
But Evie has her own problems, and Sean as a human is powerless to protect her. Can Sean find a way to fix things with his fairy, Tam and himself before the doors close forever?
Open Doors is an urban fantasy set in Melbourne, Australia.
Warning: Contains Aussie blokes, swearing, fairies and mild drug use.
- GenresFantasy
180 pages, ebook
Published February 27, 2016
3 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Grace Hudson
10 books130 followersGrace lives by the beach in Australia, land of sun, surf and drop bears!
She spends a lot of time in her writing cave but can be tempted to come out to check social media from time to time.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 18, 2019
I was provided a review copy of Open Doors in exchange for an honest review.
Meet Sean – budding artistic painter, part-time barista, lover of QOTSA, and currently lacking in the romantic relationship department. Just when he meets a young lady named Tam with the potential to change his relationship status, things go topsy-turvy. Someone slips something into his beer and instead of flirting with Tam, he finds himself being rescued by her. Fast forward to Tam’s apartment, where a still groggy Sean is just conscious enough to notice tiny people staring at him, tiny people with wings that is . . .
This is my first urban fantasy read and I didn’t know quite know what to expect. I found myself liking the realism of everyday Australian city life, smashed up against the slowly-unfolding mystery of Sean’s connection to his unlikely muse and another world. Author Hudson never rushes the story. Open Doors meanders its way through like an easy Sunday morning, taking time to smell the coffee and enjoy the sunrise. Hudson takes plenty of time to develop the characters and their relationships, especially the connection between Sean and Tam, which takes as many turns as the story arc. Don’t expect to be immediately thrown into an action-laced fantasy world, instead you’ll linger in Sean’s world, seeing his challenges, but also getting to know his mystical muse.
This is a lighthearted, fun read. Hudson does well with natural conversations and descriptive prose. I might have enjoyed a bit more time on the ‘other side’, but maybe a sequel is in order. Oh yeah, without giving anything away, there are a few nice twists at the end. Enjoyable read.
Meet Sean – budding artistic painter, part-time barista, lover of QOTSA, and currently lacking in the romantic relationship department. Just when he meets a young lady named Tam with the potential to change his relationship status, things go topsy-turvy. Someone slips something into his beer and instead of flirting with Tam, he finds himself being rescued by her. Fast forward to Tam’s apartment, where a still groggy Sean is just conscious enough to notice tiny people staring at him, tiny people with wings that is . . .
This is my first urban fantasy read and I didn’t know quite know what to expect. I found myself liking the realism of everyday Australian city life, smashed up against the slowly-unfolding mystery of Sean’s connection to his unlikely muse and another world. Author Hudson never rushes the story. Open Doors meanders its way through like an easy Sunday morning, taking time to smell the coffee and enjoy the sunrise. Hudson takes plenty of time to develop the characters and their relationships, especially the connection between Sean and Tam, which takes as many turns as the story arc. Don’t expect to be immediately thrown into an action-laced fantasy world, instead you’ll linger in Sean’s world, seeing his challenges, but also getting to know his mystical muse.
This is a lighthearted, fun read. Hudson does well with natural conversations and descriptive prose. I might have enjoyed a bit more time on the ‘other side’, but maybe a sequel is in order. Oh yeah, without giving anything away, there are a few nice twists at the end. Enjoyable read.
June 29, 2017
Sean meets Tam on a night out and ends up drinking a spiked drink. Under the influence he sees fairies, but they can't be real. Can they?
An entertaining mix of the real world and the fairy world. An enjoyable read.
An entertaining mix of the real world and the fairy world. An enjoyable read.
October 30, 2016
FOUR AND A HALF STARS
This was a magic book for so many reasons.
One, the writer actually can write. It's not like a lot of self published books that I've been reading lately where the writer just isn't quite there or needs an editor before publishing. This is a fully realised piece of work, skilfully written.
Two, the setting. The Australian setting (Melbourne) is refreshing. It's not often that you read urban fantasy set in Australia. I often feel if I encounter another gloomy, snarky urban fantasy set in the American south, I'll tear my hair out. In this book, Hudson catches the smells, the seasons, the nuances of life in Australia. The charming details like the smell of melting bitumen in the summer, and Melbourne's highly developed coffee culture are examples of the finely grained detail in the story. You won't find any Starbucks here!
Three, the characters and dialogue. Character development and dialogue are Hudsons strong points. The characters are delicious, quirky and very real. Though this is a short book The characters are all developed to some extent, with an efficiency of words that belies a skilled writer rather than an amateur.
Four: absence of urban fantasy cliches. This is one of the few urban fantasies I've read where there the writer has created a mature female character without relying on snark, bitchiness and acting like a 12-year-old to manufacture false conflict and interest in the plot and with other characters.
If you are looking for a refreshing voice in urban fantasy in a unique setting, that's a quick engaging read I thoroughly recommend this book.
This was a magic book for so many reasons.
One, the writer actually can write. It's not like a lot of self published books that I've been reading lately where the writer just isn't quite there or needs an editor before publishing. This is a fully realised piece of work, skilfully written.
Two, the setting. The Australian setting (Melbourne) is refreshing. It's not often that you read urban fantasy set in Australia. I often feel if I encounter another gloomy, snarky urban fantasy set in the American south, I'll tear my hair out. In this book, Hudson catches the smells, the seasons, the nuances of life in Australia. The charming details like the smell of melting bitumen in the summer, and Melbourne's highly developed coffee culture are examples of the finely grained detail in the story. You won't find any Starbucks here!
Three, the characters and dialogue. Character development and dialogue are Hudsons strong points. The characters are delicious, quirky and very real. Though this is a short book The characters are all developed to some extent, with an efficiency of words that belies a skilled writer rather than an amateur.
Four: absence of urban fantasy cliches. This is one of the few urban fantasies I've read where there the writer has created a mature female character without relying on snark, bitchiness and acting like a 12-year-old to manufacture false conflict and interest in the plot and with other characters.
If you are looking for a refreshing voice in urban fantasy in a unique setting, that's a quick engaging read I thoroughly recommend this book.
July 30, 2016
Intriguing idea, an urban fairy tale for adults set in Australia. Grace Hudson’s “Open Doors” was just what I needed, a light, enjoyable read, and I enjoyed every page (F bombs notwithstanding … it was just the way the characters talked). Sean is an Everyman who could be in any city in the U.S. but who happens to work and live in Melbourne – most of the time. The characters are believable and we quickly come to care about them. I especially liked that Sean’s art became his means of entry into a different world. I’m not sure if Hudson intended the subliminal message that creativity is a strong power in the universe, but that’s what I read.
The magic was woven into the story with skill and humor and this reader was very caught up in the story arc. Hudson’s fairies are charming and delightful (well, except for the baddies, who are pretty awful). I’d love to meet them, and one of my favorite lines in the book says a lot about why: “You think us fairies don’t understand sarcasm? We invented sarcasm.”
Written by a gifted author whose descriptions and dialogue flow easily, the book moves along quickly and contains plenty of surprises as well as a romance that is constantly interrupted but eventually comes to a satisfactory resolution. Highly recommended for adults who believe in magic and love (and can overlook a little rough language).
The magic was woven into the story with skill and humor and this reader was very caught up in the story arc. Hudson’s fairies are charming and delightful (well, except for the baddies, who are pretty awful). I’d love to meet them, and one of my favorite lines in the book says a lot about why: “You think us fairies don’t understand sarcasm? We invented sarcasm.”
Written by a gifted author whose descriptions and dialogue flow easily, the book moves along quickly and contains plenty of surprises as well as a romance that is constantly interrupted but eventually comes to a satisfactory resolution. Highly recommended for adults who believe in magic and love (and can overlook a little rough language).
May 23, 2017
So, not going to lie, there were quite a few things I did not like about this read.
-Endless description (pretty sure we went over one of the scenes like four different times)
-Trivial dialogue
-Soooo many music references (but I guess that might be an Aus thing, because I've read many books that do the same thing from Aussie authors)
-Some of the plot felt really sharp and forced
-So many SUPER short chapters
Okay, so I know what you're thinking, "sounds like you hated it, why four stars?" Well, because despite all of its problems, I finished the book in two days. It was the kind of read where you were just stuck in it. Once you start, you HAVE to finish. You just desperately need to know where its all going. The author really paints you a picture and sucks you into this world of mystery and wonder. And the way it all came together was freaking brilliant!
It was a super fun, easy read that I think I would recommend to people. I probably wouldn't tell them what it was about because the suspense and putting it together really was the height of the read.
So, all-in-all, I came out rating it at about a 3.5 but rounded up because it was a much better use of my time than stuffing my face with doughnuts and catching up on Archer.
-Endless description (pretty sure we went over one of the scenes like four different times)
-Trivial dialogue
-Soooo many music references (but I guess that might be an Aus thing, because I've read many books that do the same thing from Aussie authors)
-Some of the plot felt really sharp and forced
-So many SUPER short chapters
Okay, so I know what you're thinking, "sounds like you hated it, why four stars?" Well, because despite all of its problems, I finished the book in two days. It was the kind of read where you were just stuck in it. Once you start, you HAVE to finish. You just desperately need to know where its all going. The author really paints you a picture and sucks you into this world of mystery and wonder. And the way it all came together was freaking brilliant!
It was a super fun, easy read that I think I would recommend to people. I probably wouldn't tell them what it was about because the suspense and putting it together really was the height of the read.
So, all-in-all, I came out rating it at about a 3.5 but rounded up because it was a much better use of my time than stuffing my face with doughnuts and catching up on Archer.
August 7, 2016
Everyday bloke Sean is drowning his sorrows at the pub, bemoaning the fact his best mate is on another date with 'the one' and meets Tam. The two hit it off immediately, and the night is progressing well until Sean becomes the unwitting victim of a spiked drink. This is when things take a particularly interesting turn.
Open Doors is an enchanting urban fantasy that despite it's short length, manages to pack in enough story to keep you feeling sated. Set in the heart of Melbourne, Australia, the location becomes a character that helps ground the story and those that inhabit it. A lot of people seem perturbed by the profanity in the book, but as an Australian, it feels authentic. This is how we speak Down Under and the author has taken great steps to give that aspect - sordid or not - of Australian culture life. Littered with humour, the plot shifts along nicely, giving you enough time to process key moments, before taking you on to the next critical phase.
Grace has crafted a fun, light-hearted book, that is perfect for anyone who longs for a touch of magic in what can be a stressful, urban existence.
Open Doors is an enchanting urban fantasy that despite it's short length, manages to pack in enough story to keep you feeling sated. Set in the heart of Melbourne, Australia, the location becomes a character that helps ground the story and those that inhabit it. A lot of people seem perturbed by the profanity in the book, but as an Australian, it feels authentic. This is how we speak Down Under and the author has taken great steps to give that aspect - sordid or not - of Australian culture life. Littered with humour, the plot shifts along nicely, giving you enough time to process key moments, before taking you on to the next critical phase.
Grace has crafted a fun, light-hearted book, that is perfect for anyone who longs for a touch of magic in what can be a stressful, urban existence.
August 8, 2017
I think it’s been pretty well established through an assortment of my other reviews that fantasy isn’t my general first choice in genre for reading, but by the same token, I have been known to read anything and everything, and it’s always great to step outside one’s own comfort zone and delve into something they ordinarily wouldn’t.
And Open Doors by Grace Hudson sure is a hell of a fun way to do just that.
For a start, it isn’t a standard, run of the mill fantasy treading the usual well-worn grounds, set in some phantasmagorical, and largely unpronounceable universe.
Instead, this is an engaging urban fantasy tale based in, of all places, Melbourne, Australia, and features a rich cast of well-developed characters, all of which are extremely believable and unique, and easily relatable to.
Open Doors kicks off fairly innocuous enough, without any real indication of the twists and turns it is going to take, with good old Aussie bloke, and burgeoning artist, Sean, at the pub, having a drink or several, whilst lamenting on the state of his life. It isn’t so much that his life is so dreadful, bar his non-existent relationship status, but more the fact that his best mate, Steve isn’t there to accompany him, as he usually would be, but is instead off with a woman elsewhere.
Just when Sean seems destined for a mundane evening spent propping up the bar and mulling morosely over things, he encounters Tamsin-no, she hates Tamsin, she prefers Tam-and from that point on events take on a whole different complexion, if somewhat bizarre for Sean.
A spiked drink, intended for Tam, ends up being downed by Sean, and while he passes off his strange encounter with fairies the following day as a result of hallucinations, he soon discovers there is a whole lot more to it than that.
Hudson writes with a smooth, engaging style and blends the fantastic with the realistic in a seamless mixture where all of it flows naturally, punctuated by ample humour and plenty of magic, with an undercurrent of romance keeping things interesting.
The book itself is a relatively short one, so once you’re well immersed in the story you’ll be liable to stay there until you’re finished, and there are no lulls in it whatsoever; the pacing is excellent.
Being from Sydney myself, I’m not too experienced with what goes on in Melbourne, but I can definitely relate to many of the characters, their habits, their language, the whole lot. These are real, genuine characters, folks beautifully portrayed in all their flawed humanity.
Open Doors is a top-notch, light-hearted read with just the right amount of magic and fantasy, and abundant reality too. Highly recommended for not just fans of urban, fantasy, romance, or humour, but folks who truly enjoy a great all-round book.
In closing though I’ll make one point-I’ve got to go with Sean’s mate, Steve, in preferring Chris Cornell over Josh Homme. I’m a fan of both musician’s respective bands, but Soundgarden first and foremost (you’ll have to read the book to get where I’m going with that).
And Open Doors by Grace Hudson sure is a hell of a fun way to do just that.
For a start, it isn’t a standard, run of the mill fantasy treading the usual well-worn grounds, set in some phantasmagorical, and largely unpronounceable universe.
Instead, this is an engaging urban fantasy tale based in, of all places, Melbourne, Australia, and features a rich cast of well-developed characters, all of which are extremely believable and unique, and easily relatable to.
Open Doors kicks off fairly innocuous enough, without any real indication of the twists and turns it is going to take, with good old Aussie bloke, and burgeoning artist, Sean, at the pub, having a drink or several, whilst lamenting on the state of his life. It isn’t so much that his life is so dreadful, bar his non-existent relationship status, but more the fact that his best mate, Steve isn’t there to accompany him, as he usually would be, but is instead off with a woman elsewhere.
Just when Sean seems destined for a mundane evening spent propping up the bar and mulling morosely over things, he encounters Tamsin-no, she hates Tamsin, she prefers Tam-and from that point on events take on a whole different complexion, if somewhat bizarre for Sean.
A spiked drink, intended for Tam, ends up being downed by Sean, and while he passes off his strange encounter with fairies the following day as a result of hallucinations, he soon discovers there is a whole lot more to it than that.
Hudson writes with a smooth, engaging style and blends the fantastic with the realistic in a seamless mixture where all of it flows naturally, punctuated by ample humour and plenty of magic, with an undercurrent of romance keeping things interesting.
The book itself is a relatively short one, so once you’re well immersed in the story you’ll be liable to stay there until you’re finished, and there are no lulls in it whatsoever; the pacing is excellent.
Being from Sydney myself, I’m not too experienced with what goes on in Melbourne, but I can definitely relate to many of the characters, their habits, their language, the whole lot. These are real, genuine characters, folks beautifully portrayed in all their flawed humanity.
Open Doors is a top-notch, light-hearted read with just the right amount of magic and fantasy, and abundant reality too. Highly recommended for not just fans of urban, fantasy, romance, or humour, but folks who truly enjoy a great all-round book.
In closing though I’ll make one point-I’ve got to go with Sean’s mate, Steve, in preferring Chris Cornell over Josh Homme. I’m a fan of both musician’s respective bands, but Soundgarden first and foremost (you’ll have to read the book to get where I’m going with that).
September 17, 2017
This was a fun book to read. If you are looking for a light-hearted fantasy that is easy to read but not easy to put down, this is the book for you. There is some bad language in it, but this is necessary to portray the characters accurately. They are believable and realistic. I could easily picture them in my mind, as well as the places they go. I thought I was going to be disappointed with this one as I’m not into fairies, but I’m pleased to say I wasn’t. I highly recommend it.
August 19, 2017
A humorous and enjoyable story. Sean and Tam meet in the bar one night. Sean drinks something meant for Tam and ends up drugged. This is the start of their adventure in this funny, adventure tale. Urban fantasy lovers will enjoy it.
March 8, 2016
This is the second book I've read by this author, and it is very different to the first. This is a modern day fairy story - an unusual and entertaining one.
Set in a gritty Melbourne, the characters in this book are not your average urban dwellers. At least, they are not the ones you usually read about.
Straightforward and direct, they are definitely rough diamonds, especially the male protagonist. And yet it is Sean, the male protagonist, who has depth - layers that are peeled back as the book progresses.
Sean is an artist, and he has his own use - a fairy. She is stuck in the mortal realm, for reasons that become clear as you read. And, curious, I did read, and thoroughly enjoyed. The book has complex, richly drawn characters and a multifaceted storyline that comes to a satisfying, if slightly unexpected conclusion.
I highly recommend this book. As all good fairy stories have a moral, I will say that this one is to never judge a person on the surface. Everyone has depths and they're usually surprising.
Set in a gritty Melbourne, the characters in this book are not your average urban dwellers. At least, they are not the ones you usually read about.
Straightforward and direct, they are definitely rough diamonds, especially the male protagonist. And yet it is Sean, the male protagonist, who has depth - layers that are peeled back as the book progresses.
Sean is an artist, and he has his own use - a fairy. She is stuck in the mortal realm, for reasons that become clear as you read. And, curious, I did read, and thoroughly enjoyed. The book has complex, richly drawn characters and a multifaceted storyline that comes to a satisfying, if slightly unexpected conclusion.
I highly recommend this book. As all good fairy stories have a moral, I will say that this one is to never judge a person on the surface. Everyone has depths and they're usually surprising.
August 19, 2016
Being an American, I found the Australian slang and turn of phrase in Hudson’s Open Doors absolutely engaging, and she has created a cast of lovable (and not so lovable) characters that were both solid and interesting. The humans are real and easy to relate to. They work every day jobs, enjoy well-made coffee, good music and strong drinks. I especially liked Sean. He’s a normal, average kind of a guy, but there’s a lot more to him that that. Hudson gives this character a great depth, and it’s on this foundation that she builds the rest of her story.
And then there are the fairies.
The first line of this book is surprising and funny, and the writing continues in this manner all the way through the tale. Hudson is adept at drawing the reader in, and then holding them until the very end. This story is a terrific balance of humor, sweetness, romance and action. It’s a fun balance of both real life and fantasy,
And did I mention there are fairies?
I enjoyed this book a great deal and look forward to more from the talented Grace Hudson.
And then there are the fairies.
The first line of this book is surprising and funny, and the writing continues in this manner all the way through the tale. Hudson is adept at drawing the reader in, and then holding them until the very end. This story is a terrific balance of humor, sweetness, romance and action. It’s a fun balance of both real life and fantasy,
And did I mention there are fairies?
I enjoyed this book a great deal and look forward to more from the talented Grace Hudson.
July 17, 2016
I enjoyed this book so much. It's fresh, it's original and, so unusually for urban fantasy it combines really grainy, believable, real-life characters with the sparkle of actual fairyland.
A novelist, to me, lives and dies with her characters, and the characters in Open Doors are so real - so authentic, so believable, so truly Australian. There is no - ah, fairies, now I have a quest, let us embark upon it. No indeed - it's more OMG, fuck, where's my beer and cigarettes? I found this deeply satisfying.
The story flows beautifully from the familiar, workaday atmosphere of the opening to a dramatic finale complete with - well no, I must not do spoilers. I will just say that the transition from quotidian Melbourne to fairyland is handled with grace and aplomb. I'll certainly be looking for more from this writer.
A novelist, to me, lives and dies with her characters, and the characters in Open Doors are so real - so authentic, so believable, so truly Australian. There is no - ah, fairies, now I have a quest, let us embark upon it. No indeed - it's more OMG, fuck, where's my beer and cigarettes? I found this deeply satisfying.
The story flows beautifully from the familiar, workaday atmosphere of the opening to a dramatic finale complete with - well no, I must not do spoilers. I will just say that the transition from quotidian Melbourne to fairyland is handled with grace and aplomb. I'll certainly be looking for more from this writer.
July 30, 2016
It must be the drugs because Sean would swear that he had just seen a fairy!
But why would he continue to see a fairy once he had come down?
Small in page numbers but big on action. Open Doors reminded me a little bit of the works of Douglas Adams. You couldn't get any more normal that Sean. Apart from his incredible art, there is nothing discernable about him. He is just a regular guy, who happens to find out that he is being watched over by a fairy!
Hudson has a talent for fleshing out her characters. They are well-rounded individuals who you may well meet down the pub! Totally believable.
I thought the action was at just the right speed to keep me engaged throughout. The story was well crafted and compelling.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
But why would he continue to see a fairy once he had come down?
Small in page numbers but big on action. Open Doors reminded me a little bit of the works of Douglas Adams. You couldn't get any more normal that Sean. Apart from his incredible art, there is nothing discernable about him. He is just a regular guy, who happens to find out that he is being watched over by a fairy!
Hudson has a talent for fleshing out her characters. They are well-rounded individuals who you may well meet down the pub! Totally believable.
I thought the action was at just the right speed to keep me engaged throughout. The story was well crafted and compelling.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
July 6, 2016
Open Doors is a fun and almost raucous story of a totally normal guy finding out he's way more than that. I love that the people in this story are down to earth, blue collared types. They work low wage jobs, listen to good music, drink and curse, and just want to connect with other people.
The authors writing was easy to follow and the pacing was very quick, leading me to read it within just a couple days. A great mix of fantasy and real-life kept me interested and fully engaged. I connected with the main characters easily and didn't want their story to end!
The authors writing was easy to follow and the pacing was very quick, leading me to read it within just a couple days. A great mix of fantasy and real-life kept me interested and fully engaged. I connected with the main characters easily and didn't want their story to end!
July 31, 2016
This is a very strong book, with well-developed characters who react appropriately to completely bizarre things. I would love to see more from this universe, particularly more of the fairies world. I loved the relationships in this book, and I love the idea of fairies being our muses. Yes, there are f-words, but be honest with yourself: if a fairy randomly popped up in your living room, what would you say?
September 12, 2016
It is between developed and complex that got me thinking about Open Doors by Grace Hudson. It is not surprising to me how Sean feels about his fairy friend Evie, then we have Tam, Steve and Mel (Sean other friends). This book is very detailed and easy to read with no problem. The characters are well written and describe as the plots are detailed for each scene. I enjoy reading this book. It is just one "F" word I do not care for, but other than that it is worth reading.
July 14, 2016
Another great read from this author, fairies in our lives giving us insperation and being our muse's. Amazing imagination in this unusual tale with real down to earth people who smoke a joint drink and work normal jobs. A fairy who is banished for murder is saved by the charge she is looking out for. This story will keep you interested with colourful characters and strange happenings.
December 30, 2016
So much fun!
I love it! Though I have to admit I love stories set in Australia in general, this one was so much fun I couldn't sleep till I finished it. It reminds me of a happier Neil Gaiman fairytale... less spooky, but still just as fantastical. It was an entertaining and quick read that makes me feel so much better for having read it, I highly recommend!
I love it! Though I have to admit I love stories set in Australia in general, this one was so much fun I couldn't sleep till I finished it. It reminds me of a happier Neil Gaiman fairytale... less spooky, but still just as fantastical. It was an entertaining and quick read that makes me feel so much better for having read it, I highly recommend!
April 30, 2017
A modern fairy tale set in Melbourne. An interesting idea and well executed. A bit much smoking (both cigarettes and marijuana) on behalf of the protagonist for my taste, but that was the only issue I had. Overall a great story by an Australian author.
January 6, 2017
A fun read by a gifted author
Sean is an artist with his very own muse that just happens to be a fairy. She is stuck in the mortal realm and, the story is as much about her as it is about Sean. A fun read by a gifted author.
Sean is an artist with his very own muse that just happens to be a fairy. She is stuck in the mortal realm and, the story is as much about her as it is about Sean. A fun read by a gifted author.
April 24, 2017
Aussie blokes and fairies, what's not to love?
Very original and entertaining. Very cute couple, obviously perfect for each other, but some large obstacles to overcome. Nice touch of magic, too.
Very original and entertaining. Very cute couple, obviously perfect for each other, but some large obstacles to overcome. Nice touch of magic, too.
September 4, 2019
The premise of this book was promising, but I had a tough time with a lot of the Aussie lingo. I'm used to British language because I've been to England a lot and have read a lot of British mysteries. Having said that, I found myself skipping through pages. I probably won't read any more by this author. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.
October 20, 2016
Aussie fairy tale
December 20, 2017
Open Doors
by Grace Hudson (Author)
Genre: Fantasy
I am a relatively new member of the Fantasy Fan Club. Until about 4 months ago, I never read anything but Horror/Sci-Fi and Mysteries. Books like Open Door have changed all that for me!
Here’s what I liked about Open Doors:
• I’ve been a reader all of my life. I love books, especially really well written ones that take me into their pages where I can be a fly on the wall. Lots of writers can do that. What very few can do is make me feel as if I’m more than just a witness to the action but am instead a part of it. When the settings are brought to life and I can feel the cold of the beer glass or the wetness of the rain; when the dialogue is real and genuine and I feel like a guest at the party, not just someone looking in through the window; when danger makes my gut ache and joy makes me smile…THAT’S a good book. Open Doors is a very good book.
• This author is incredibly talented at fleshing out her characters. Sean, Tam, Evie, Steve and Mel are written so well, so fully complex and complete they feel like friends I meet once a week at the local pub.
• The action never lags. The story is constantly in motion, pushing the tale forward without forcing it. It’s a natural flow and pace and I was kept interested and entertained from page 1 to the very end.
Here’s what I didn’t like:
• The “F” word. It seemed to appear at least once in every paragraph. Call me a prude if you must…and the label may fit. I’m a 50-something grandmother to five. That does not mean, however, that I’ve never said the “F” word myself. When I’m sufficiently pushed, even today, it falls out of my mouth too, on occasion. However, the overuse of crudeness just seemed unnecessary to me. It is the ONLY reason for my 4-star rating.
However, that’s the only rotten apple in this basket of wonderful! I would recommend this book to anyone! ANYONE!
by Grace Hudson (Author)
Genre: Fantasy
I am a relatively new member of the Fantasy Fan Club. Until about 4 months ago, I never read anything but Horror/Sci-Fi and Mysteries. Books like Open Door have changed all that for me!
Here’s what I liked about Open Doors:
• I’ve been a reader all of my life. I love books, especially really well written ones that take me into their pages where I can be a fly on the wall. Lots of writers can do that. What very few can do is make me feel as if I’m more than just a witness to the action but am instead a part of it. When the settings are brought to life and I can feel the cold of the beer glass or the wetness of the rain; when the dialogue is real and genuine and I feel like a guest at the party, not just someone looking in through the window; when danger makes my gut ache and joy makes me smile…THAT’S a good book. Open Doors is a very good book.
• This author is incredibly talented at fleshing out her characters. Sean, Tam, Evie, Steve and Mel are written so well, so fully complex and complete they feel like friends I meet once a week at the local pub.
• The action never lags. The story is constantly in motion, pushing the tale forward without forcing it. It’s a natural flow and pace and I was kept interested and entertained from page 1 to the very end.
Here’s what I didn’t like:
• The “F” word. It seemed to appear at least once in every paragraph. Call me a prude if you must…and the label may fit. I’m a 50-something grandmother to five. That does not mean, however, that I’ve never said the “F” word myself. When I’m sufficiently pushed, even today, it falls out of my mouth too, on occasion. However, the overuse of crudeness just seemed unnecessary to me. It is the ONLY reason for my 4-star rating.
However, that’s the only rotten apple in this basket of wonderful! I would recommend this book to anyone! ANYONE!
September 10, 2016
The story starts in every day Melbourne, and Sean is a likeable character. Unlucky in love, and while he is contemplating that his friend has landed yet another date with a girl he probably wouldn't have around for long, he meets the girl. I enjoyed the banter between Sean and Tam - it wasn't lust at first sight, they developed a friendship, which was nice for a change.
Then!!! Doors open between worlds and Sean meets Evie. I absolutely loved the fantasy part of this story, and the author could create a genuinely magical world if she developed this part into another fantasy story. You see, Sean is an artist, a painter, and since meeting Evie his paintings become more and more realistic.
I would recommend this story to anyone who believes there is magic in the world. I really liked it!
Then!!! Doors open between worlds and Sean meets Evie. I absolutely loved the fantasy part of this story, and the author could create a genuinely magical world if she developed this part into another fantasy story. You see, Sean is an artist, a painter, and since meeting Evie his paintings become more and more realistic.
I would recommend this story to anyone who believes there is magic in the world. I really liked it!
August 9, 2016
A super fun romance with a fantasy twist! This book was a truly enjoyable read. The characters are well drawn, with excellent chemistry and great dialogue between them. The plot is fast paced, with some twists that I definitely didn't expect, especially toward the end. As an avid reader of fantasy and paranormal YA, it was great to see this aspect of fantasy explored in an adult novel. I definitely recommend this book and hope there is a sequel in the works!
July 8, 2016
I wish amazon had the option to rate half stars, because I'd give this book 4.5 stars if I could. It was well written, totally original and I enjoyed reading it very much. I laughed out loud several times and loved the down to earth chats and interactions between the characters. Highly recommended as a vacation or summer escape read - a cool drink in hand goes without saying!
July 13, 2016
I have never read a story about fairies before, but I really enjoyed this book! It had plenty of action that kept me interested and I liked the three main characters (Sean, Tam and Evie) a lot. I also loved that the characters interactions and conversations were very real and natural. I highly recommend this book and would definitely read more from this author!
January 16, 2021
Delightful!
Urban fantasy with fairies! As a chi!d, I read fairy tales, and dreamed of going 'round the church seven times widdershins to end up in their world. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Urban fantasy with fairies! As a chi!d, I read fairy tales, and dreamed of going 'round the church seven times widdershins to end up in their world. Thoroughly enjoyable.
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