Improbable

Kingdoms Gone #1

by Frances Pauli, Yewdiel Rosas (Translator)

Un hada madrina y un esfadair mágico unen fuerzas para salvar su pueblo de una pandilla hambrienta de magia. 


Satina es una madrina que utiliza su magia para conceder deseos. Marten es un Timador, un estafador mágico que desafía todo lo que ella cree saber acerca de los suyos. Cuando una pandilla hambrienta de magia llega al pueblo, Satina y Marten deberán volverse aliados improbables. 


Requerirá todo el poder que puedan conseguir para evitar que los secretos de Westwood caigan en las manos equivocadas, para mantener a una niña de ojos incrédulos lejos del hombre equivocado, y para evitar que Satina misma se enamore con la única persona en todo el mundo que sabe el fraude que ella es en realidad. 

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Magic

187 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2013

About the author

Frances Pauli writes books about animals, hybrids, aliens, shifters, and occasionally ordinary humans. She tends to cross genre boundaries, but hovers around fantasy and science fiction with romantic tendencies.

Her work has won four Leo awards, two Coyotl awards, and has been nominated for an Ursa Major award.

She lives in Washington State with her family, a small menagerie, and far too many houseplants.

Reviews

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was what I was hoping for a fairy tale like feeling but a new twist. I enjoyed it! The plot was fun and exciting and the characters were interesting even though not a lot of background on them was given, The audio book was great to listen too and I felt it pulled me into the book more. "This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."

[Kagama-the Literaturevixen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The maincharacter Satina is a goodmother on the run from the magical gangs that run things in the world where the book is set.

While on the run she accidentally encounters another magical creature,Marten the Imp Skinner and follows him back to a village where she is surprised to learn hes accepted (or at least tolerated by the townspeople because he uses his abilites to help them (for the most of the time)

Satina contemplates staying around for a bit,maybe this is a haven for her kind?

Then suddenly one of the magic gangs led by Vane appears to take over the village,and she is only saved in the nick of time by Marten who sends her off to a friend of his who lives in a cottage just outside the village.She is sheltered by the old lady named Hadja who lives there who despite being full human has magical abilites too.

Now Satina and her new friends have to figure out a way to escape detection from the ambitious Vane and his gang and make them leave.

So now to my thoughs about this book.There were many things that were unclear about the world and its inhabitants.Things that I would liked to have gotten a more information about. Like for example what the history between the Starlight and Shades gangs were or even what the name of the land where the book takes place is called. This bothered me.

The writing seemed at times to be a bit clunky and not flowing so smoothly that I had to go back and re-read sentences to see what I had missed.And another thing I found irked me were the names. You have characters named Satina,Marten and Hadja and then you have a gargoyle named Henry of all things.

Oh and also-the villain Vane was also something of a cardbox cut out villain.

Now you might think I hated this book but I dont.I just expected to be more,well EPIC.

I actually liked the characters such as they were and it did have some witty dialogue and though I am not sure I would recommend this book but I do feel that the author has potential and maybe just need to refine her writing skills a bit more and flesh out her worldbuilding and supporting characters. It was just a shame that it faltered in those aspects because it could have been great.

[SeasaltRose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars. This book reads similarly to fairytale stories like the Goosegirl by Shannon Hale or middle grade books like Howls Moving Castle.

I felt like the worldbuilding was a bit “mushy” and it was hard to understand the specifics. What exactly is a Granter or Skinner? Who are the Gentry? What is the difference between a half blood or human magic? What is dust? Who exactly are the Shade and Starlight gangs and why are they fighting? We don’t learn the answers here. There are other books in the series so perhaps they cover more information.

I did like the vibes and it felt very different from mainstream “Romantasy” capturing that older style. Overall it was a fun and somewhat “cozy” story.

[Melissa Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A magical story filled with fascinating magic thats layered with a current story and hints of the old Kingdoms lost. Even findina a place one belongs and the love that blooms.

****FULL REVIEW****
Satina escapes the Shade controlled town through a pocket. She's always looking for those that might accept her and not look to use her for what she can do along with more information on the Gentry blooded. Being a Goodmother, Satina is wanted by both fractions; Shades and Starlights. Satina wants nothing to do with either gang. Believing the pocket portals will take her to where she is needed, she comes to an unknown place where an Imp Skinner approaches her. She sees him play a cruel trick on a young boy, trapping him - stuck holding a game. Helping the boy she knows the town will now know a Goodmother is present. Shortly after Satina comes to Westwood, Starlights march in looking for magical items and weapons long lost from the Kingdoms gone. Satina finds herself the center of attention as the Starlight leader wants her help searching, and she wants to protect the few people she's ever met that accept and help her.

I was drawn into this book at the beginning wondering about Satina being a Goodmother and mention of two gang fractions, first we see chasing Satina is Shades. Then when quickly landed in Westwood met the smiling Marten, as I was curious of him, and the other gang fraction - Starlights. I was caught with the action and the magic present.

I hoped this read would be full of magic, and I was not let down at all. Loads of magic here. Refreshing, unexpected, and built on as you go through the book. Each time we used magic, I learned more that can be done the further I read. The magic is expressed in a few different venues here, one is through sigils or even through herbs.

Satina thinks she can judge the town by their crops and livestock, yet the Skinner she meet didn't seem to fit in, and to live in one place without being run out of town by his tricks. When she gets into town, she starts to see the Skinner has helped the people with magical sigils of protection and in other areas as well. She's surprised through out the book by who Marten the Imp Skinner is. All I have to say... I don't care you're an Imp Skinner (and the word might be deceiving) Marten, I love you anyway!

Early on we see glimpses of hints to what the Kingdoms once were. When magic was accepted and maybe even loved by all. A time when Gentry (those of magic) interacted freely with humans, no matter what they looked like. Staying with a herbalist Marten had sent her to, Satina might learn what she's been looking to learn about her Gentry blood, full blooded Gentry and the old Kingdoms now lost.

Satina finds she likes the touch of freedom she's experienced here in Westwood and maybe even Marten, who has helped her in this little town he made his home. When the Starlight gang sees a group of Gentry's playing in a secret magically hidden ruin of a castle, the Starlights like the Shades take the freedom away from the town's people. Satina is ready to make a stand and not run anymore. However, if either fraction learns the sigils hidden here, they could be dangerous to all in either's hands.

In telling this magical tale and describing the magic, the author layers in hints of the old kingdoms lost to the world along with the magic and ruins. Each visit to the ruins is layered with the current story and events and hints of old magic, It was even worth reading sections twice to pick up on all that Frances offers. The first time through I caught the story then the second time I caught more of the magic and old kingdoms. There is more to the story that initially meets the eye.

I'm completely looking forward to the next installment of this series!

[J.M. Scheirer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I know this author personally. That said, I approached the book as I would any other author I might read. However, I have been putting off this review for a while because I feel a little bad about the things I want to say about my impression of the book.

First, the good. I absolutely love the setting. Pauli's take on the fantasy setting is new and refreshing. Too many times, we see what a post-apocalyptic world is like, but it's from a science fiction, or even somewhat modern, take. So what about a post-apocalyptic fantasy world? And this is what she brings in spades. I found myself wanting to know more about what happened to turn this world into what it is at the time period when it's set. Sadly, much information isn't given, but I understand why as it's the first book in a series. For the most part, the characters are rich and vibrant, and I never really had a hard time distinguishing whose viewpoint was in control. Some other authors can have a hard time with switching points of view, so I was glad I never had that problem here.

Okay, now I'm going to get into the detractors. I wouldn't call the bad guy the villain. He seemed more like an adversary to me. Yeah, he did some kind of distasteful stuff, and I never really liked him, but I didn't feel him as being particularly menacing. I can only hope that this was the intent. I also felt rather "meh" about the main romantic relationship. While it's hinted at quite strongly throughout the book that the characters want it to happen, they get together at the very end of the book in a "boom that just happened" sort of a way, which made me feel like it was sort of shoehorned in. I personally would have liked to have seen a development of them exploring their feelings throughout the book so that it felt more organic when they finally got together as a couple.

Despite the things I saw that I found to be problems, the rest of it more than makes up for it. Pauli has made some solid characters in a novel world, and gosh darn it, I want to learn more! I look forward to continuing this series and seeing what else she has in store.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never really read anything like this before. There was a lot of new magic for me and so I wish there would have been more clarifications. Firstly, Satina's role as a goodmother or granter. It kind of sounds like a fairy god mother in a way but it never actually describes what exactly she is and does, maybe it's implied several times but I just would've liked it to be more clear. And then Marten is a skinner imp and he has a shop and plays tricks on kids but I still don't know exactly what a skinner imp is. Then there are the gangs, Starlight and Shade. It's an interesting concept but I wish I knew why there were 2 different gangs and what there purposes are and why they are rivals. The final thing I would've liked to be explained more to me were the kingdoms gone, it's the name of the series so I feel like we should know what happened to those kingdoms. Is this the first book? Maybe these are all explained elsewhere and I'm just lost in the middle. Ooh also we learn that Satina doesn't really know about her race but Marten and Hadja know, I would've liked if they explained what she didn't know and clue us in.

On the positive side, I loved Hadja's home. It made me wish it was my grandmas house that I could go visit. I loved the pockets, like little hidden places of magic. And I loved Henry :). And towards the end I was actually really liking Vane and I'm kinda glad he made it out alive, I sure hope that means he'll be in book 2. And I liked the twist with Maera, I kind of felt like Satina deserved it for ignoring her when she's supposed to be a granter. I liked Satina and Marten I just felt like the antagonists had more of a goal and purpose but the goodmother and skinner were still uncertain about who they were and what their own purposes were.

[Verity Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 3 and a half stars. I was deeply intrigued by the backstory of the world this book is set in (it's a post-apocalyptic story, but the world before the apocalypse was highly magical)...to the point that my frustration at not learning more about it actually created frustration with the story itself. In fact, most of my frustrations with this book are a result of not enough exposition overall--I felt like I was skimming over the surface of really fascinating things, but never getting to dive in and see them up close.

For example, what is a Skinner? Something negative, apparently, judging from Satina's reaction, but we're never given an adequate explanation. What are the guiding philosophies of the Shades and the Starlights? Stealing whatever you want may be adequate motivation for small local gangs, but these seem like ultimately larger organizations than that. And what doesn't Satina know about magic that she needs to? It seems like at least ONE really perspective-rocking thing should have come up by the end of the book.

In many ways, this book feels like a YA novel, even though it isn't marketed as such. It's relatively short, has no sex, and the level of exposition might satisfy a younger reader. I enjoyed it, but I think that going into it without the knowledge that it was more of a YA novel affected my expectations (and subsequently contributed to my frustration).

I do plan to read the next book, because I want to know more.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars: Enjoyable story and interesting premise: an entire world living in the aftermath of a long-ago war that broke magic and ended entire lines of many magical beings. Survivors live an itinerant life within pockets of magic only those with magical blood can see and access. In the non-magical world, those with mere drops of magical blood glean bits of useful magic from shards and relics, but it's not an easy life and they are not welcome everywhere. This broken world is now dominated by rapacious gangs whose warlords claim and tag territories. Satina is a so-called "Granter," akin to a fairy godmother, driven to help people. She's always on the wrong side of the gangs and is constantly on the run, as she is when the book opens. She slips through a pocket and emerges outside a quiet town. She meets a young man who charms her and who himself has a little magic. Their attraction is immediate and romance begins to bloom - when a gang invades the town. Things get, as they say, complicated.

I like how the story unfolds, and I like Pauli's writing. Even if a lot of what happens is predictable, how it happens is interesting, and the magic is different. Along the way she does not explain certain things which need explaining, and she leaves too many threads dangling.

[Christina McMullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting take on fantasy that felt more like a fairytale, but in a good way. It takes place in a world that has been built in the foundations of an older civilization that once had magic, but now magic is rare.

Satina is a curious character and I found I liked her a lot, despite not k owing a whole lot about her. It seems she doesn't know a whole lot about herself either. Marten is a good companion/love interest character as well. The only issue I have is that I feel there is a lot to both characters that went unexplored and unexplained. I was hoping for more in the next book, but from the preview provided, it seems this will then follow a different character.

What I really enjoyed was that it was fantasy without the epic quest. No one goes on a long and winding journey through the many lands. Satina and Marten only travel to their magical pockets, but those are just outside of town.

Lovely story and highly recommended.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was rich and magical. Frances Pauli created a world with its own lingo, a rich atmosphere that I sank into. I loved riding around in Satina’s head, figuring out her world and the mess she stepped into in Westwood. There’s history and lost knowledge to be considered, different cultures and peoples, and the broken down disarray that allows the gangs to rule. And of course, there are the other magical denizens keeping a low profile in Westwood.

Enter the imp Skinner, Marten. Is he a bit of a mischief maker? A little chaotic good? At first Satina isn’t sure. Marten runs a little store in Westwood and the bullying gangs aren’t above wrecking the place and roughing up Martin to force Satina into helping them with their plans for total local domination. Marten was an intriguing character since I was not sure where he stood at the beginning. Of course, I became quite fond of him by the end. And one gang, lead by Zane, became more of a pain in the ass than the others. While Zane threatens Marten’s health to get Satina to help him, he also lets Satina know that more of her is desired.

My favorite aspect of this story was the pockets, magical bubbles closed off from the real world unless you have the magic and can enter them. In these pockets, many of the remaining magical folks (faeries and such) choose to live. These pockets range in size from small grassy knolls perfect for a lovers’ tryst to small villages (where the magic folk can romp and play). Satina uses the pockets to travel safely, often setting up camp in one at night (provided she can find one). We learn a little about the magical denizens of these pockets, how they have chosen to shut out the real world and humanity. And because of this, much of humanity has forgotten how magic works.

All in all, a very good start to a fantasy series. There’s been great set up of Satina’s world, with plenty more left to discover.

Narration: Lisa L. Wiley was a good choice for the voice of Satina. She had a great mix of wonder, hesitancy, and resolve in her performance of Satina. Her male voices were also decent. On occasion, Wiley did narrate rather slowly and a few times there was some stilted speech patterns. These were not enough to make me put the book down.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlikely was an interesting read that followed the story of Satina through her struggles in a town, Westwood, she came across while escaping the gangs. Here, she meets Marten, an imp Skinner, and Hadja who is knowledgeable in herbs. Their world is torn apart when Starlights (a magic-hungry gang) comes to town. Their leader, Vane, uses Satina to find magic. Together with her two new acquaintances Satina must find a way to fight back (or run away).

Characters: The story was written in third person following Satina, a Granter. Therefore, the reader followed her throughout the whole story. Satina was a great character. She was strong but not unrealistically so. She was caring and wanted to do what was best for those around her. Marten and Hadja were also interesting characters with mystery and a deeper past that the reader was left wondering about the finer details for (perhaps in the next book?) The Villain in the story, Zane, was fairly one dimensional in that he was bad – magic/power hungry and that's about it.

Plot: The plot grew more adventurous as the story progressed and led to a good climax. There were a few twists within the story that left the reader wondering, "What will they do now?" The ending left leeway for the next book but settled the current troubles in the book. One thing that I would have liked to see was a little more explanation of the terms for this particular fantasy (such as Granter, Shades, etc.) I got a rough idea but did not completely understand it, especially at the beginning of the story. Also a little more background on the Final War would have been great (however, the reader was at the mercy of Satina's limited knowledge of these things.)

Overall, I enjoyed the book and finished it within two days. The story kept me interested, and it flowed throughout the whole book. If you like fantasy novels and adventure, you might want to give this book a try.

[Lynda Bester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: Unlikely (Kingdoms Gone) by Frances Pauli: Aw! My most favourite ending of all. A happy ending. Sigh. What an awesome book. It opens the door to a slew of new characters and brings in creatures great and small to titillate the imagination. Satina is a lovely character that draws you in with her goodness and willingness to see the good in everyone. She is half Gentry, and a Goodmother. A granter. Skipping though one pocket of magic to the other, to escape those chasing her, as well as to help those who want her to grant them a wish, she comes across an unlikely fellow named Marten. A Skinner. An imp. But Satina, being Satina, only sees the good in him, and her heart leads her down a path of adventure, love, friendship, betrayal and ultimately a happy ending. Yay! The story is well written, the plot well thought out, and intricate enough to make me concentrate from page to page, and thus kept me focused on all the good stuff that my wandering mind might normally miss. Talk of gangs trying to take over, ransacking towns and riding roughshod over everyone, sigils, magic, hidden treasures from long ago, and a history that bears serious investigating into, kept me riveted and eager to read the next part of the story. A tantalizing glimpse into book two is offered at the end. I would recommend this book to anyone.
This is an honest review. I downloaded the book from Amazon.com for free

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this across the span of three lunches, somewhere less than three hours in total, as it is a fairly quick read.

The protagonists are well developed and I enjoyed the snarky remarks that Hadja would make at times (I love sassy old ladies). However, the villain, Vane, was rather flat in terms of character. I liked him but he could have been so much more. I wanted him to have a motive or cause for his actions beyond simple greed.

I liked how the romance between Marten and Satina was slow, they didn't fall instantly in love, and their relationship built up over time.

The story is nice and interesting, leaving me anxious in turning to the next page, but the book could have provided some more background information for the Final War that is constantly mentioned and having explanations for terms like Granter, Starlight, Shade, and etc appear earlier so the reader is not as confused. I figured the terms out later but I wish I had a clue from the start.

Also, I was shocked by Maera's betrayal of telling Satina's plans to Vane. I didn't expect that one coming.

[Jaleta Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Frances Pauli. But to be clear, I don't rave over all of her books, just most of them. This is one worth raving over.

If you like fantasy with elves and fairies and the sidhe and magic and all that jazz, but you're tired of Tolkien-esque worlds and stories, try this book. Satina, a goodwife, is on the run. She's trying to find somewhere she will fit in, somewhere where her magic won't turn her into a target of either the magic-hating humans or the magic-seeking gangs. What she'd really love is to be part of the Old Kingdoms where magic ruled. But all that is left are the pockets, pieces of the Old Kingdoms accessible by those with the right gifts of magic and sight.

I enjoyed the story. The settings were evocative and rich with hinted culture and stories yet to be told. The use of magic was balanced and believable. The characters were well-developed and some took surprising turns. I'm happy to say that book two is on its way and promises to be every bit as fun as Unlikely.

4.5 stars, PG for mild violence

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com

There's an interesting concept behind this book. It's set in a post-apocalyptic world, but the pre-apocalypse world was full of magic. The apocalypse seems to have been a war (or wars) that led to the end of most magic. This could have been an interesting setting, unfortunately it's poorly realized and the story itself is fairly standard (and predictable) heroine and hero fight off the bad guys while pursuing a complicated love relationship. My biggest problem is that the main character is unlikable. She behaves stupidly and is extremely self-involved. The reader is subjected to her worries that the man she loves might think badly of her while there's fighting going on and people might be dying. I won't be reading any more in this series.

[Delta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly magical tale. The story and characters reminded me of something out of a Disney movie. The characters were interesting and sometimes weird. The villain could have been straight out of a Disney movie; he was mean and bad, but not overly so. But despite the Disney comparison, it was a grown up story with an interesting setting and interesting characters.

I listened to the audio version and I really enjoyed listening to Lisa L Wiley. The characters were distinct and Wiley's voice was not overbearing. I was never pulled out of the story.

A story full of magic.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The characters are well developed and quite likeable. It has a good pace and flows nicely. I thought the world the author created was well constructed. I am looking forward to the rest of this series because the author leaves the reader with just enough unanswered questions. I would recommend this book for adults that enjoy reading children's fiction and obviously for tweens and adolescents. The narrator did a fair job, with no mispronunciations.(If you listen to audio books as much as I do, you know how important that is!)

[Louise West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this! The characters and locations were easy to imagine due to the detailed but not onerous description, and I loved Satina's quick wit and her banter with Marten. Lots of fun!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters and great story.

[Grace Cleo]

Pleasantly surprised with this book so far.
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p good!! ill think about buying the rest of the series