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The Realm Watchers #1
Autumn Winters
Autumn Winters has a secret that could get her killed. She just doesn't know she's keeping it.
Autumn Winters doesn't realize that she's come into her powers as a protector of the veil. All she knows is that her world suddenly looks onto another, one full of ghosts and other supernatural beings that can't possibly exist. But another window has opened within her, bringing memories of when her sister, Cassie, also displayed magical abilities. That was just before Cassie went missing. She hasn't been seen since.
Autumn believes there must be a connection between what's happening to her now and what happened years ago. Determined to finally rescue her sister, Autumn sets out with the mysterious, and psychic, private investigator Ian to track down who committed her sister's abduction, as she struggles to accept her own legacy as a veil witch and master her newfound magic. What she doesn't realize is that, when the powers of a realm watcher awaken, there are those who'll be waiting. Getting closer to the truth only means getting closer to danger.
Autumn Winters is the first book in a dark, thrilling urban fantasy series journeying into the place where our world converges with that of ghosts, vampires, magical creatures and other trans-dimensional intruders—a world humans were never meant to detect.
Autumn Winters doesn't realize that she's come into her powers as a protector of the veil. All she knows is that her world suddenly looks onto another, one full of ghosts and other supernatural beings that can't possibly exist. But another window has opened within her, bringing memories of when her sister, Cassie, also displayed magical abilities. That was just before Cassie went missing. She hasn't been seen since.
Autumn believes there must be a connection between what's happening to her now and what happened years ago. Determined to finally rescue her sister, Autumn sets out with the mysterious, and psychic, private investigator Ian to track down who committed her sister's abduction, as she struggles to accept her own legacy as a veil witch and master her newfound magic. What she doesn't realize is that, when the powers of a realm watcher awaken, there are those who'll be waiting. Getting closer to the truth only means getting closer to danger.
Autumn Winters is the first book in a dark, thrilling urban fantasy series journeying into the place where our world converges with that of ghosts, vampires, magical creatures and other trans-dimensional intruders—a world humans were never meant to detect.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2016
330 people are currently reading
878 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Malcom
21 books118 followersJ.S. Malcom is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Realm Watchers urban fantasy series, of which Autumn Winters is just the beginning. J.S. lives in Richmond, Virginia, a town full of history and ghosts (not to mention, many other supernatural creatures, including Autumn and Cassie).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
April 8, 2023
Well this hits to close to home. Our lead lost her sister 15-years-ago & her husband 1-year-ago. She also died and came back to life. Now she’s doing nothing, but drinking her sores away. I couldn’t get into the story. It’s just to depressing.
DNF @ 21%
DNF @ 21%
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December 1, 2017Kindle Unlimited - absolutely nothing wrong with this, I suspect it's a really good book - just not my cup of tea :)
May 24, 2019
[edit 5/24/19: Well it looks like I shouldn't have waited 6 months to try to read the sequel. There is just NO recap or anything to help you get into the groove of a new book, and I can't remember enough of the plot and characters from the first one to make myself care enough to push through. Definitely an original concept but I think I'm gonna have to put this book on the abandoned series shelf.]
This started out really interesting but then got a little bit weird and convoluted for me, although I think I will still check out the next book in the series. I really like Autumn as a character because she is incredibly flawed [as we see pretty much from the first chapter], but also very relatable. She feels like a real person and not just like 'Stock Urban Fantasy Lead #283'. The plot was very interesting at first but by the end I felt like there were a few too many elements introduced and it kind of started to seem unbelievable.
I mean it starts out and she has some kind of magic ability and can see ghosts, I'm totally on board with that. But then [SPOILERS] these other creatures show up and it turns out they're kind of like vampires but also they're aliens who steal people's bodies and I'm just like what is this, one of Anne Rice's horrible new books? [no seriously, Realms of Atlantis is about vampires hanging out with bird-aliens, I kid you not] It still sounds like it could be an interesting universe though so I'm hoping things will settle into something a bit less outlandish in the next book.
This started out really interesting but then got a little bit weird and convoluted for me, although I think I will still check out the next book in the series. I really like Autumn as a character because she is incredibly flawed [as we see pretty much from the first chapter], but also very relatable. She feels like a real person and not just like 'Stock Urban Fantasy Lead #283'. The plot was very interesting at first but by the end I felt like there were a few too many elements introduced and it kind of started to seem unbelievable.
I mean it starts out and she has some kind of magic ability and can see ghosts, I'm totally on board with that. But then [SPOILERS] these other creatures show up and it turns out they're kind of like vampires but also they're aliens who steal people's bodies and I'm just like what is this, one of Anne Rice's horrible new books? [no seriously, Realms of Atlantis is about vampires hanging out with bird-aliens, I kid you not] It still sounds like it could be an interesting universe though so I'm hoping things will settle into something a bit less outlandish in the next book.
February 7, 2017
Slow beginning, and it really started moving in the last 1/4th, felt more like an opening novella, but i liked it nonetheless. Easy to read and competent writing.
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November 22, 2018DNF
August 5, 2024
A book with good world building and an unique take on vampires. I did find the beginning a bit slow and unlike most urban fantasies that might deal with deaths, dismemberment and other mayhem this book is more down-to-earth depressing, at times, because of a woman's grief over losing her husband in a car accident. You feel the depression, not in all the tears, but in her need for alcohol to get through the day, her lack of motivation and indecisiveness, and isolation. However, it does not stay this way. The MC begins of a journey of reawakening to life as well as discovery when she decides to use her ability to see ghosts and try to help discover a missing girl.
There are definite loose ends at the finish of this book but the future books have plenty of things to deal with if the last few chapters are any indication.
There are definite loose ends at the finish of this book but the future books have plenty of things to deal with if the last few chapters are any indication.
January 2, 2018
Excellent story!
This is the first in a series that I just HAD to purchase. I actually started with a different book, Realms of Ghosts and Magic, I soon realized it was a second series and needed to begin with this one. Since I was already interested in the story line I sprang for the whole thing and just finished the first one. The writing is terrific, I became immersed into the world and hated having to put it down.
I always enjoy finding new stories and authors, but it’s also a mixed blessing. You can find yourself so caught up you will delay other things to find out what happens. I honestly should be washing dishes but I just don’t want to stop. I hope you’re as happy reading the book as I was.
This is the first in a series that I just HAD to purchase. I actually started with a different book, Realms of Ghosts and Magic, I soon realized it was a second series and needed to begin with this one. Since I was already interested in the story line I sprang for the whole thing and just finished the first one. The writing is terrific, I became immersed into the world and hated having to put it down.
I always enjoy finding new stories and authors, but it’s also a mixed blessing. You can find yourself so caught up you will delay other things to find out what happens. I honestly should be washing dishes but I just don’t want to stop. I hope you’re as happy reading the book as I was.
February 10, 2018
I loved it!
What a great book. I felt like Autumn was sort of a Jessica Jones personality, tortured and damaged by life, barely hanging on but not ready to let go. The world she’s thrown into is one hard to grasp yet intriguing. I look forward to the rest of the series.
What a great book. I felt like Autumn was sort of a Jessica Jones personality, tortured and damaged by life, barely hanging on but not ready to let go. The world she’s thrown into is one hard to grasp yet intriguing. I look forward to the rest of the series.
June 26, 2018
I’ve read another J.S. Malcom series (her Fae Witch Chronicles) and totally, absolutely adored it. So it is no surprise that I reacted with glee when I discovered she’d done another series, Realm Watchers, the first book of which is Autumn Winters. The namesake character here, Autumn, is just coming into her powers as a veil witch and just discovering the supernatural world that lies alongside our own, with the perils it entails that only she will be able to deal with. Quite a lot to throw at someone but following along as Autumn desks with, well, everything is a totally enjoyable experience. Action, magic, adventure, a great plot and characters (special mention to Paul and Ian), really everything needed for a top-flight urban fantasy. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
July 1, 2017
Star rating: 2 stars
What a disappointment this novel ended up being. J.S. Malcom took a creative idea and threw it directly into the mud. Autumn is a troubled, reluctant main character who I enjoyed reading about because she was troubled. She's had a rough life and it's wearing her thin. But unfortunately it's not easy making a hero out of an alcoholic. How can you ever expect her to actually save the day? It's a fine line that J.S. Malcom doesn't seem to tread very well. There's also the gigantic issue of plot holes the size of Texas. This novel is written at the speed of sap dripping out of a maple tree. What started off as a promising premise never really lived up to anything at all. There's no way I'm picking up the next book in this series.
What a disappointment this novel ended up being. J.S. Malcom took a creative idea and threw it directly into the mud. Autumn is a troubled, reluctant main character who I enjoyed reading about because she was troubled. She's had a rough life and it's wearing her thin. But unfortunately it's not easy making a hero out of an alcoholic. How can you ever expect her to actually save the day? It's a fine line that J.S. Malcom doesn't seem to tread very well. There's also the gigantic issue of plot holes the size of Texas. This novel is written at the speed of sap dripping out of a maple tree. What started off as a promising premise never really lived up to anything at all. There's no way I'm picking up the next book in this series.
June 15, 2019
Cliffhanger
This world's monsters are a lot more complicated than usual. That leads to a slow start action-wise, but the mystery dropped in the beginning pulled me through the exposition. The human characters are sympathetic. The alien characters are remote, and I could have done without their vague conversations in the beginning, which confused me instead of enlightening or intriguing me.
I like that the relationship between Ian and Autumn is ambiguous in this book. I hope they get together later, but it doesn't seem assured.
One problem is resolved at the end of the book, but three problems remain (one of which I consider a cliffhanger) setting up the next book and a villain for the series.
This world's monsters are a lot more complicated than usual. That leads to a slow start action-wise, but the mystery dropped in the beginning pulled me through the exposition. The human characters are sympathetic. The alien characters are remote, and I could have done without their vague conversations in the beginning, which confused me instead of enlightening or intriguing me.
I like that the relationship between Ian and Autumn is ambiguous in this book. I hope they get together later, but it doesn't seem assured.
One problem is resolved at the end of the book, but three problems remain (one of which I consider a cliffhanger) setting up the next book and a villain for the series.
July 29, 2020
Omg I'm bored to tears!
This book is so unbelievably boring! Nothing happens for the first 50% of the book. We are literally following around a depressed woman obsessing over her dead husband of one year and missing sister of 15 years. She sees ghosts occasionally, but most of the story is about her going to bars and drinking beer or wine, and/or going to see family and friends, and talking about depressing stuff or boring everyday stuff. It isn't till over 50% of the book was read that any action happened, she is attacked and saved by mysterious people that tell her who she is, and about themselves, but after that they take her memory away, so we are back at square one. Yea, this is one depressing, frustrating and completely BORING book! I do not recommend it.
This book is so unbelievably boring! Nothing happens for the first 50% of the book. We are literally following around a depressed woman obsessing over her dead husband of one year and missing sister of 15 years. She sees ghosts occasionally, but most of the story is about her going to bars and drinking beer or wine, and/or going to see family and friends, and talking about depressing stuff or boring everyday stuff. It isn't till over 50% of the book was read that any action happened, she is attacked and saved by mysterious people that tell her who she is, and about themselves, but after that they take her memory away, so we are back at square one. Yea, this is one depressing, frustrating and completely BORING book! I do not recommend it.
January 20, 2019
I'm addicted to this series!
This book starts the Realm Watchers series. It's an exciting paranormal story that depicts the awakening powers of Autumn Winters, a veil witch. Autumn's character is well developed and you find yourself rooting for her every step of the way. Autumn has to fight her own personal demons as she faces the fact that she's different from who she thought she was as well as accept that there is a whole supernatural world out there she didn't know existed. I couldn't put it down! It's fast-paced and full of many twists. I can't wait to read the next one!
This book starts the Realm Watchers series. It's an exciting paranormal story that depicts the awakening powers of Autumn Winters, a veil witch. Autumn's character is well developed and you find yourself rooting for her every step of the way. Autumn has to fight her own personal demons as she faces the fact that she's different from who she thought she was as well as accept that there is a whole supernatural world out there she didn't know existed. I couldn't put it down! It's fast-paced and full of many twists. I can't wait to read the next one!
June 27, 2021
Great start to a promising series!
Autumn Winters has had her powers awakened after surviving a car accident that should have been fatal. Now she's learning more about her abilities from a mysterious man named Paul. Autumn learns she's a Realm Watcher. This book follows her as she learns just what that means. And how this could help her understand what happened to her sister years ago. Great for anyone who loves the world of fantasy and witches and other dimensions. Can't wait to read the next book.
Autumn Winters has had her powers awakened after surviving a car accident that should have been fatal. Now she's learning more about her abilities from a mysterious man named Paul. Autumn learns she's a Realm Watcher. This book follows her as she learns just what that means. And how this could help her understand what happened to her sister years ago. Great for anyone who loves the world of fantasy and witches and other dimensions. Can't wait to read the next book.
June 18, 2019
I’m really not sure how I feel about this book, I think the idea is great but somehow it’s slow paced and too fast at the same time. It’s almost like Malcom put to much emphasis on things that required less and vice versa. I’m only interested in reading the next one for the sake of knowing what happens.
Also one of my biggest issues was the print style, there was no need to waste so much paper and have the print so large with such large line spacing.
Also one of my biggest issues was the print style, there was no need to waste so much paper and have the print so large with such large line spacing.
November 27, 2017
Not bad
This book wasn't bad. The pacing was a bit slow but it was exciting for me to [finally] read a story that took place in a city so close to my own. I will be reading the second one in hopes that more will be explained and the pacing increases. All in all not a bad read though.
This book wasn't bad. The pacing was a bit slow but it was exciting for me to [finally] read a story that took place in a city so close to my own. I will be reading the second one in hopes that more will be explained and the pacing increases. All in all not a bad read though.
August 31, 2018
Autumn Winters (Realm Watchers Book 1): A Veil Witch Urban Fantasy (The Realm Watchers)
This was an excellent read, definitely a different kind of way on how, people are disappearing... very interesting, it kept me engaged. A page turner, glad that it didn’t dwell on her grief or it would of been boring....
Would recommend
This was an excellent read, definitely a different kind of way on how, people are disappearing... very interesting, it kept me engaged. A page turner, glad that it didn’t dwell on her grief or it would of been boring....
Would recommend
November 20, 2017
Good start
This is a new series based on the concept of multiple dimensions and what that might do to impact the concept of supernatural and / or mythological creatures in this world. A good read and a good start to a new series. I will read the next.
This is a new series based on the concept of multiple dimensions and what that might do to impact the concept of supernatural and / or mythological creatures in this world. A good read and a good start to a new series. I will read the next.
December 20, 2022
Pretty Good
The excitement, the thrill. The underdog.
Keeps you guessing which is nice but also gives makes it terribly puzzling. You wonder who or what the main character is facing.
The excitement, the thrill. The underdog.
Keeps you guessing which is nice but also gives makes it terribly puzzling. You wonder who or what the main character is facing.
December 23, 2022
DNF 70%
I tried. I really really tried. I got all the way to 70% but this was just not it for me, I'm afraid. The premise is weak and I didn't find the storyline enjoyable at all. I wasn't a fan of the writing style either. Sorry.
I tried. I really really tried. I got all the way to 70% but this was just not it for me, I'm afraid. The premise is weak and I didn't find the storyline enjoyable at all. I wasn't a fan of the writing style either. Sorry.
July 19, 2023
This was great. This protagonist has a rough life, it was pretty dark at times, but nothing I found triggering. After so many UF books glamorizing boozing it was refreshing to read one with a more realistic take on it. I enjoyed how the plot played out and liked the characters.
July 13, 2024
I have started my journey
After buying the first book in the last series, The Shadow Order, I made myself play catch up and start from the very beginning. I have done that and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now for book two - In The Blood. Bye bye
After buying the first book in the last series, The Shadow Order, I made myself play catch up and start from the very beginning. I have done that and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now for book two - In The Blood. Bye bye
September 5, 2017
Let me wanting a little more...
Very good book. Good story pacing. And left me wanting a little more. I would happily read this author again.
Very good book. Good story pacing. And left me wanting a little more. I would happily read this author again.
November 23, 2017
Loved this book. liked the imagination. of the author and the story line
April 2, 2018
A bit confusing. Difficult to follow and keep track of.
June 24, 2018
Impressive, very well written!
Jumped right in, fastpaced, interesting characters and fun, creative plot with unusual elements. Looking forward to next book and complete series.
Jumped right in, fastpaced, interesting characters and fun, creative plot with unusual elements. Looking forward to next book and complete series.
September 11, 2019
A Very Addictive Series!
I really enjoyed this book! The characters are fresh and the concept is different enough to really hold my attention.
Well done!
I really enjoyed this book! The characters are fresh and the concept is different enough to really hold my attention.
Well done!
September 29, 2020
Great read
Different take on this. Very enjoyable series. I look forward to reading all future books in this world of the supernatural and magic.
Different take on this. Very enjoyable series. I look forward to reading all future books in this world of the supernatural and magic.
Read
January 15, 2021Really liked this book, gone on to the next one hope it's as good
February 10, 2021
Good but intense
This is a complex pod people story that has lots of trauma past and present. This is gritty not a romance and it does have a cliffhanger.
This is a complex pod people story that has lots of trauma past and present. This is gritty not a romance and it does have a cliffhanger.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews