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Iníonaofa Chronicles #1
Eléonore
Eléonore Dormant’s life is a precarious balancing librarian by day, demon hunter by night and single mother around the clock. Each day brings its challenges and she brings her A-game. It helps that coffee and a bottle of painkillers are always in supply.
For six years, she’s protected the streets of Montreal from all manner of demons and the consequent evil that they would wreak on her city. But even a resumé like hers isn’t enough to prepare her for the unforeseen night when she becomes the hunted.
A sorcerer, an enigmatic Elder, has placed a hefty bounty on her head and the demons are eager to claim the reward for her capture. They bear down on her, disrupting her mode de vie and endangering her son’s life all in one fell swoop. But Eléonore is ready to fight whatever Hell deigns to send her way to save him. The path she pursues will lead her to new places and old faces.
One thing is certain, Eléonore’s about to get into a whole hellhole of trouble.
For six years, she’s protected the streets of Montreal from all manner of demons and the consequent evil that they would wreak on her city. But even a resumé like hers isn’t enough to prepare her for the unforeseen night when she becomes the hunted.
A sorcerer, an enigmatic Elder, has placed a hefty bounty on her head and the demons are eager to claim the reward for her capture. They bear down on her, disrupting her mode de vie and endangering her son’s life all in one fell swoop. But Eléonore is ready to fight whatever Hell deigns to send her way to save him. The path she pursues will lead her to new places and old faces.
One thing is certain, Eléonore’s about to get into a whole hellhole of trouble.
- GenresFantasyUrban Fantasy
149 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2016
1 person is currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Faith Rivens
5 books42 followersFaith Rivens was born and bred in Quebec.
A reader since the age of three, publishing a novel has been a life long dream. When she's not busy creating fantastic worlds for readers to delve into, she spends her time reading more fantastical worlds, playing the guitar, and geeking out on all things Harry Potter, Doctor Who and Sherlock!
Life is never boring with a bit of imagination!
A reader since the age of three, publishing a novel has been a life long dream. When she's not busy creating fantastic worlds for readers to delve into, she spends her time reading more fantastical worlds, playing the guitar, and geeking out on all things Harry Potter, Doctor Who and Sherlock!
Life is never boring with a bit of imagination!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 9, 2021
I don't usually read novellas and demon fighting heroines are not normally my thing. But this book won me over on both counts! I loved Eleonore's character - she has strengths and weaknesses, and she makes mistakes, which is such a refreshing change. Her bond with her young son is beautifully written and realistic, her love for him shining from each page.
This is an action packed thrill ride of a little book and the story keeps moving forward all of the time. I really liked that. At the beginning of each chapter there are diary entries which fill the reader in on previous events and demon history, thus negating the need to 'tell'.
Faith Rivens has an excellent command of story structure and pace, her world building is simple but very effective and her dialogue is the best I have seen in a long time. She makes it look *easy*.
All this in a debut novella. The future will be very bright for Ms Rivens. I very much look forward to the next installment in the series and I highly recommend this if you're a fan of urban fantasy/demon hunting.
This is an action packed thrill ride of a little book and the story keeps moving forward all of the time. I really liked that. At the beginning of each chapter there are diary entries which fill the reader in on previous events and demon history, thus negating the need to 'tell'.
Faith Rivens has an excellent command of story structure and pace, her world building is simple but very effective and her dialogue is the best I have seen in a long time. She makes it look *easy*.
All this in a debut novella. The future will be very bright for Ms Rivens. I very much look forward to the next installment in the series and I highly recommend this if you're a fan of urban fantasy/demon hunting.
November 1, 2017
Eléonore by Faith Rivens.
This if Faith Rivens debut novella and it certainly delivers. From the very beginning the story grabbed me and didn’t let go. I haven’t read an Urban Fantasy at all. For my first to find the protagonist is a demon hunter and a librarian and a mother is very appealing. I particularly love the relationship between Eléonore and her son. It’s very touching and real. Rivens portrays a mother’s love so heart-warmingly. Raphael is another engaging character and the dynamics between him and Eléonore are exciting and foreshadow more to be told.
It is well-written, with a snappy pace and has a great structure to the story. I liked the small diary entries at the beginning of each chapter that help the reader understand the demon hierarchy.
I highly recommend this book. You really can’t go wrong.
This if Faith Rivens debut novella and it certainly delivers. From the very beginning the story grabbed me and didn’t let go. I haven’t read an Urban Fantasy at all. For my first to find the protagonist is a demon hunter and a librarian and a mother is very appealing. I particularly love the relationship between Eléonore and her son. It’s very touching and real. Rivens portrays a mother’s love so heart-warmingly. Raphael is another engaging character and the dynamics between him and Eléonore are exciting and foreshadow more to be told.
It is well-written, with a snappy pace and has a great structure to the story. I liked the small diary entries at the beginning of each chapter that help the reader understand the demon hierarchy.
I highly recommend this book. You really can’t go wrong.
May 15, 2017
I really liked the look of this book's cover (shallow person that I am) and confidently expected to enjoy it, even though I couldn't actually pronounce half the title. The book met this expectation and exceeded it. A short and punchy novella, it wastes no time setting scenes or introducing characters, instead you are straight into the action, maybe a little too much, as I kept thinking there must have been a previous book I hadn't read. This is not a criticism, I am just a little slow on the uptake with books, sometimes needing things really pointed out to me. However, once I'd got my bearings and had adapted to the rhythm of the plot, I began to really enjoy the story. Eleonore is a busy, working, single, mother, during the day, and a feisty, strong, demon hunter, by night. This really struck a cord with me, as my life is very similar - not the demon hunting bit, obviously, and I could really sympathise with her daily battle between family and duty.
The action is set in Canada, and I sometimes felt I was reading a foreign novel, as the author had sprinkled French names and phrases throughout the plot, not so much that it alienated the reader, just enough to add a flavour of the book's location. Each chapter begins with a snippet from Eleonore's diary, which helps fill in the background of the world she inhabits, without intruding into the main story. This is a clever plot device, that works well in this setting.
The characters throughout the book are well rounded and three dimensional, even the ones who only briefly appear. The identity of the father of Eleonore's son isn't revealed until halfway through the book, when the rather gorgeous Raphael appears. I am so hoping the author is planning a sequel, and that we see an awful lot more of him, he is such an interesting character, one with many dark and intriguing secrets yet to be uncovered. The relationship between him and Eleonore appears to be complicated, and no real explanation is given to their previous history, the circumstances of her son's conception, or why they are apart, when there is clearly a bond between them. Perhaps, in the sequel, we will learn more of this dynamic.
The action scenes are crisp and decisive, the author treading a fine line between realistic description and unnecessary gory reveling, which I liked. Not a great fan of dark horror, I was relieved and impressed this book knew when to stop.
The whole time I was reading the book, I was experiencing deja vu. Not because the story reminded me of another, but rather it's tone and pace, the feel of it, kept triggering memories of another genre, another distinct style of writing. It wasn't until I'd almost finished the book that it came to me. Back in my teenage years, I went through a phase of reading old-fashioned private eye novels, and the style and flavour of the writing was very reminiscent of Raymond Chandler. The lonely warrior for justice, operating from the shadows, relying on artificial stimulants to get them through - in Eleonore's case painkillers and strong coffee, rather than the cheap whisky favoured by those trench coated, anti-heroes.
The book quickly builds to its climax, the showdown with the one demon Eleonore might not triumph against. There was real pathos and angst here, as Eleonore says goodbye to her son, knowing there's a very strong chance she won't be coming back. I don't want to give any spoilers, only to say the ending satisfied but left me wanting more, a lot more.
Overall, an excellent read, tightly paced and nicely plotted, with crisp, well defined characters. The writing is superb, and the author has ensured her paragraphs are short, thereby avoiding the trap so easily fallen into by less experienced writers, of the reader being confronted with a solid wall of words on each page. This is bad enough in a paperback, but on a kindle makes reading very difficult. However, the author showed her skill, not only in her writing, but in the mechanics of a nicely formatted book, it does make all the difference.
I would thoroughly recommend this book, not only to readers already fans of this genre, but to others, like me, who are unfamiliar with it. This book acts as an excellent ambassador to the genre, and I enjoyed it immensely.
The action is set in Canada, and I sometimes felt I was reading a foreign novel, as the author had sprinkled French names and phrases throughout the plot, not so much that it alienated the reader, just enough to add a flavour of the book's location. Each chapter begins with a snippet from Eleonore's diary, which helps fill in the background of the world she inhabits, without intruding into the main story. This is a clever plot device, that works well in this setting.
The characters throughout the book are well rounded and three dimensional, even the ones who only briefly appear. The identity of the father of Eleonore's son isn't revealed until halfway through the book, when the rather gorgeous Raphael appears. I am so hoping the author is planning a sequel, and that we see an awful lot more of him, he is such an interesting character, one with many dark and intriguing secrets yet to be uncovered. The relationship between him and Eleonore appears to be complicated, and no real explanation is given to their previous history, the circumstances of her son's conception, or why they are apart, when there is clearly a bond between them. Perhaps, in the sequel, we will learn more of this dynamic.
The action scenes are crisp and decisive, the author treading a fine line between realistic description and unnecessary gory reveling, which I liked. Not a great fan of dark horror, I was relieved and impressed this book knew when to stop.
The whole time I was reading the book, I was experiencing deja vu. Not because the story reminded me of another, but rather it's tone and pace, the feel of it, kept triggering memories of another genre, another distinct style of writing. It wasn't until I'd almost finished the book that it came to me. Back in my teenage years, I went through a phase of reading old-fashioned private eye novels, and the style and flavour of the writing was very reminiscent of Raymond Chandler. The lonely warrior for justice, operating from the shadows, relying on artificial stimulants to get them through - in Eleonore's case painkillers and strong coffee, rather than the cheap whisky favoured by those trench coated, anti-heroes.
The book quickly builds to its climax, the showdown with the one demon Eleonore might not triumph against. There was real pathos and angst here, as Eleonore says goodbye to her son, knowing there's a very strong chance she won't be coming back. I don't want to give any spoilers, only to say the ending satisfied but left me wanting more, a lot more.
Overall, an excellent read, tightly paced and nicely plotted, with crisp, well defined characters. The writing is superb, and the author has ensured her paragraphs are short, thereby avoiding the trap so easily fallen into by less experienced writers, of the reader being confronted with a solid wall of words on each page. This is bad enough in a paperback, but on a kindle makes reading very difficult. However, the author showed her skill, not only in her writing, but in the mechanics of a nicely formatted book, it does make all the difference.
I would thoroughly recommend this book, not only to readers already fans of this genre, but to others, like me, who are unfamiliar with it. This book acts as an excellent ambassador to the genre, and I enjoyed it immensely.
December 6, 2016
I can't tell you how excited I was to read this book. I dare say it's one of my favourite reads this year <3
She wore glasses, thin navy frames that sat atop her nose. Behind them, greyish-green eyes twinkled with kindness. She strolled leisurely, the smile on her face one of compassion and promise. A stereotype of the goodly woman. She was my demon.
Eléonore follows the demon hunter Eléonore in Montreal, where she works three jobs: She hunts demons at night, works at her library during the day, and she's a single Mum to boot! All this creates a rather hectic life style, the centre of which is her son Etienne, and his safety.
If you're a mother this novella will violently tug and pull at your heart strings. Eléonore may be a demon hunter, but her priority is her young son, Etienne. Everything she does is to keep him save - all the more so because he has no magical ability himself, and is too young to know what his mum gets up to at night.
When a sorcerer places a bounty on her head, she's forced to leave her son with his nanny more and more often. Seeing how her hunt for the sorcerer affects her relationship with Etienne is so real, so human, that it will make you feel all of the things.
But it's not just her relationship with her son that's believable and deeply realistic. It's her relationship with everyone. Every character is believable, flawed, and well developed, and it makes this short novella all the more enjoyable.
I am aware of the sorcerer's blast of lightning. And finally, I am aware that my father throws himself in front of me. A human shield, he takes the brunt of the blast. It kills him instantly. It is still killing me.
The writing style was another highlight for me. There's nothing forced about the way the story develops, or the writing itself. It floes smoothly and beautifully, and if I'd had the time (damn the day job!) I'd gladly have read the whole thing in one sitting.
The love aspect for me was perfect, too. Not overpowering or distracting from the plot, and not lacking completely, either. Eléonore has feelings for someone (avoiding spoilers here...) but it's complicated, and seeing how she copes with being around him was yet another highlight for me. There's so much history there, and I really hope she'll allow it to grow into something more.
The world was big and could be terrifying; if I wanted to survive it, I had to be bigger, braver. I think that might have been the lesson my Dad had wanted me to learn. He had never told me. I had never asked.
Eléonore was a wonderful read for so many reasons. There's a lot of action, a great main character, and enough feelings to make any brick tear up!
She wore glasses, thin navy frames that sat atop her nose. Behind them, greyish-green eyes twinkled with kindness. She strolled leisurely, the smile on her face one of compassion and promise. A stereotype of the goodly woman. She was my demon.
Eléonore follows the demon hunter Eléonore in Montreal, where she works three jobs: She hunts demons at night, works at her library during the day, and she's a single Mum to boot! All this creates a rather hectic life style, the centre of which is her son Etienne, and his safety.
If you're a mother this novella will violently tug and pull at your heart strings. Eléonore may be a demon hunter, but her priority is her young son, Etienne. Everything she does is to keep him save - all the more so because he has no magical ability himself, and is too young to know what his mum gets up to at night.
When a sorcerer places a bounty on her head, she's forced to leave her son with his nanny more and more often. Seeing how her hunt for the sorcerer affects her relationship with Etienne is so real, so human, that it will make you feel all of the things.
But it's not just her relationship with her son that's believable and deeply realistic. It's her relationship with everyone. Every character is believable, flawed, and well developed, and it makes this short novella all the more enjoyable.
I am aware of the sorcerer's blast of lightning. And finally, I am aware that my father throws himself in front of me. A human shield, he takes the brunt of the blast. It kills him instantly. It is still killing me.
The writing style was another highlight for me. There's nothing forced about the way the story develops, or the writing itself. It floes smoothly and beautifully, and if I'd had the time (damn the day job!) I'd gladly have read the whole thing in one sitting.
The love aspect for me was perfect, too. Not overpowering or distracting from the plot, and not lacking completely, either. Eléonore has feelings for someone (avoiding spoilers here...) but it's complicated, and seeing how she copes with being around him was yet another highlight for me. There's so much history there, and I really hope she'll allow it to grow into something more.
The world was big and could be terrifying; if I wanted to survive it, I had to be bigger, braver. I think that might have been the lesson my Dad had wanted me to learn. He had never told me. I had never asked.
Eléonore was a wonderful read for so many reasons. There's a lot of action, a great main character, and enough feelings to make any brick tear up!
November 29, 2016
This review is featured on my blog: writerly Bookish Stuff
This is an ARC review.
Eleonore is a demon hunter; a legacy passed down by her late father. She is a heroine by night, and then goes back to her most important job by day- mother to her six year old son. When she becomes the hunted, and her son’s life is put in jeopardy, Eleonore must discover the truth behind the bounty on her head, and put an end to the evil that threatens her life.
This is Faith Rivens’ debut work, and she has burst onto the scene with a bang. From the first page, I knew I would be suckered into the great writing, the AMAZING dialogue, (seriously, that dialogue feels effortless), and the well constructed narrative. Demon hunting, urban fantasy always sits well with me, and I have read many such books, but what sticks out with this one?:
1. Eleonore is a kick-ass heroine, but also a mother protecting her child.
2. The romantic aspect has history.
3. The writing style is on point.
This is not just another urban fantasy with the usual tropes and cliches. This is a well thought out, well edited book with well developed characters and sub characters. I highly recommend this novella. As a thirty year old mother who grew up with an addiction to Buffy, this novella has satisfied my needs to read a narrative that includes a strong huntress who has a semi-normal existence and family life that I can relate to in some way. If Eleonore can do it, I can, right? Okay, maybe not, but it’s nice to follow her adventures.
This is an ARC review.
Eleonore is a demon hunter; a legacy passed down by her late father. She is a heroine by night, and then goes back to her most important job by day- mother to her six year old son. When she becomes the hunted, and her son’s life is put in jeopardy, Eleonore must discover the truth behind the bounty on her head, and put an end to the evil that threatens her life.
This is Faith Rivens’ debut work, and she has burst onto the scene with a bang. From the first page, I knew I would be suckered into the great writing, the AMAZING dialogue, (seriously, that dialogue feels effortless), and the well constructed narrative. Demon hunting, urban fantasy always sits well with me, and I have read many such books, but what sticks out with this one?:
1. Eleonore is a kick-ass heroine, but also a mother protecting her child.
2. The romantic aspect has history.
3. The writing style is on point.
This is not just another urban fantasy with the usual tropes and cliches. This is a well thought out, well edited book with well developed characters and sub characters. I highly recommend this novella. As a thirty year old mother who grew up with an addiction to Buffy, this novella has satisfied my needs to read a narrative that includes a strong huntress who has a semi-normal existence and family life that I can relate to in some way. If Eleonore can do it, I can, right? Okay, maybe not, but it’s nice to follow her adventures.
February 10, 2017
This was an excellent debut novella by the promising Faith Rivens. Written with distinct style, it's a stirring and engaging urban fantasy yarn that engages from beginning to end and leaves you eager for more. Eléonore's story draws the reader in with ease. Few things are cooler than a fearless single mom doubling as a librarian and demon hunter.
I was particularly impressed by the natural character banter and strong character building that made this story feel remarkably effortless - a true pleasure to read. Eléonore: An Iníonaofa Novella shines brightly as an addition to the urban fantasy genre and is telling of the author's firm grasp of bold storytelling. This is the first installment in what promises to be a diverting and character-rich series.
I highly recommend this novella to fans of urban fantasy.
I was particularly impressed by the natural character banter and strong character building that made this story feel remarkably effortless - a true pleasure to read. Eléonore: An Iníonaofa Novella shines brightly as an addition to the urban fantasy genre and is telling of the author's firm grasp of bold storytelling. This is the first installment in what promises to be a diverting and character-rich series.
I highly recommend this novella to fans of urban fantasy.
February 21, 2017
Eléonore is an action packed 178 page novella. It's an urban fantasy with demons and a kickass heroine. How cool does she look in this brilliant book cover!
I haven't read Urban fantasy before, and now I realise I've been missing out.
The story flies along as one night Eléonore finds herself hunted by the demons she is usually so adept at killing. With a bounty on her head and her son's life in danger, the tension really mounts with each chapter.
I really like the relationship between Eléonore and her friend Rosalie, and the love she feels for her son is well portrayed. My personal favourite though is the mysterious Raphael.
The feeling of place in this book is also perfectly written - Montreal comes alive and I'm not surprised to learn this is the author’s hometown.
My only complaint - When's the next book?
And on a smaller note - the word 'hellhole' turned up a bit too much for my liking. But when fighting demons, what better word is there!
I recommend this book to those who like fantasy and demons hunting action. And if you haven't tried Urban fantasy before, give this one a shot. I'm sure you won't regret it.
I haven't read Urban fantasy before, and now I realise I've been missing out.
The story flies along as one night Eléonore finds herself hunted by the demons she is usually so adept at killing. With a bounty on her head and her son's life in danger, the tension really mounts with each chapter.
I really like the relationship between Eléonore and her friend Rosalie, and the love she feels for her son is well portrayed. My personal favourite though is the mysterious Raphael.
The feeling of place in this book is also perfectly written - Montreal comes alive and I'm not surprised to learn this is the author’s hometown.
My only complaint - When's the next book?
And on a smaller note - the word 'hellhole' turned up a bit too much for my liking. But when fighting demons, what better word is there!
I recommend this book to those who like fantasy and demons hunting action. And if you haven't tried Urban fantasy before, give this one a shot. I'm sure you won't regret it.
July 5, 2017
It's one thing to read a story of a demon huntress. But a French Canadian demon huntress and single mother whose son is threatened by a sorcerer - a sorcerer who has also set a bounty on the huntress's head? That's an eerie high-stakes conflict worth reading.
ELEONORE is the first in a series of planned novellas by Faith Riven, and right away it packs quite the punch. Lots of action, demonic creatures, and dark magic, but despite the short length, you get to know Eleonore, her son Etienne, and several other characters quite well. The dialogue is great, too: realistic and snapping with personality. My only critique is that I would have liked more descriptions of Montreal and the other towns that Eleonore visited. I've never been to Canada, so it was difficult for me to picture what the buildings, architecture, and monuments looked like. But overall this was an exciting, engaging, and tightly paced story of love, family, and what happens when the hunter becomes the hunted. I look forward to reading more of Eleonore's adventures in the future!
NOTE: I won ELEONORE in a giveaway from the author. This has in no way influenced my opinion of the book.
ELEONORE is the first in a series of planned novellas by Faith Riven, and right away it packs quite the punch. Lots of action, demonic creatures, and dark magic, but despite the short length, you get to know Eleonore, her son Etienne, and several other characters quite well. The dialogue is great, too: realistic and snapping with personality. My only critique is that I would have liked more descriptions of Montreal and the other towns that Eleonore visited. I've never been to Canada, so it was difficult for me to picture what the buildings, architecture, and monuments looked like. But overall this was an exciting, engaging, and tightly paced story of love, family, and what happens when the hunter becomes the hunted. I look forward to reading more of Eleonore's adventures in the future!
NOTE: I won ELEONORE in a giveaway from the author. This has in no way influenced my opinion of the book.
Read
October 11, 2017Okay. Not bad. I'm really proud of this first book. It's not perfect, but it's enjoyable I think! And I've made great notes. Starting first draft edit of Heralding now so we'll see how it goes ;)
November 2, 2017
Riveting!
February 7, 2017
4.5 Stars
What a fabulous surprise! To be honest, I wasn't sure this was one for me, Eleonore, wouldn't normally be a book I'd instantly choose, but I'm so glad I did. It took me a few chapters to get into the swing of it, but it didn't take long to have me tethered to my Kindle. Faith Rivens has a wonderful way with phrasing, sentence structure and story pace, and her dialogue is effortless. The addition of diary entries to start of each chapter was a lovely touch; setting the tone each time. Eleonore's relationship with her young son is wonderfully realistic, there were moments in the closing chapters, their emotions gave me a lump in my throat. Altogether, an unexpectedly brilliant read (I adore the cover) I'm looking forward to the next one!
What a fabulous surprise! To be honest, I wasn't sure this was one for me, Eleonore, wouldn't normally be a book I'd instantly choose, but I'm so glad I did. It took me a few chapters to get into the swing of it, but it didn't take long to have me tethered to my Kindle. Faith Rivens has a wonderful way with phrasing, sentence structure and story pace, and her dialogue is effortless. The addition of diary entries to start of each chapter was a lovely touch; setting the tone each time. Eleonore's relationship with her young son is wonderfully realistic, there were moments in the closing chapters, their emotions gave me a lump in my throat. Altogether, an unexpectedly brilliant read (I adore the cover) I'm looking forward to the next one!
December 8, 2016
Review originally posted on A Keyboard and an Open Mind 09 December 2016:
After following the progress of Eléonore on Faith’s blog, I was really excited to finally give it a read. I’m pleased to say that this is a really strong debut with great characters and lots of action.
Eléonore is a librarian by day, demon hunter by night. When a sorceror places a bounty on her head and threatens her son’s life, Eléonore travels to confront him, and has to face some demons of her past along the way.
Firstly, I don’t normally comment on covers in my review, but I just have to say, dayum, that cover. I really love it. That is all.
I’ve realised recently books that are soley about hunting demons don’t interest me that much. However, Eléonore worked for me because the demons weren’t the only magical beings. The sorcerors really helped, as it gave the book a bit more depth that “Arr, demon! Kill it!” which I’ve run into in some urban fantasies I’ve tried reading recently.
Eléonore is a strong but flawed character. She’s a single mum, and as such, fiercely protective of her son, and determined to keep him separate from the world she inhabits at night. She makes bad decisions, but she figures out how to deal with that. She tries to do it all without help, but she is capable of (eventually) accepting it when it is needed.
The side characters are also well-drawn. I particularly liked Raphael, Eléonore’s love interest, as well as Rosalie, Eléonore’s best friend and confidante. Etienne, Eléonore’s son, was a bit precocious for a six-year-old, but then Eléonore also referred to that being the case. I also really liked the Big Bad, whose name I won’t mention because spoilers, but I thought the story really got going when he showed up. I loved his dialogue; it was great.
The world-building was simple, but I mean that in a good way. The excerpts from Eléonore’s father’s journals at the top of each chapter gave us the information we needed, and that combined with Eléonore’s commentary gave us plenty to go on, and the imagination is able to do the rest. The plot and pacing were never sacrificed for the sake of description. I also really enjoyed the fact that it was set in Quebec, and that there was lots of French peppered throughout the dialogue.
I am still a little fuzzy on why this sorceror wanted Eléonore so badly. I’m not sure if that might be something that will get expanded on in follow-up stories, whether I missed something or if it wasn’t really addressed. That’s really my only quibble, though.
(Thank you to Faith Rivens for providing me with an ARC of Eléonore in exchange for an honest review)
After following the progress of Eléonore on Faith’s blog, I was really excited to finally give it a read. I’m pleased to say that this is a really strong debut with great characters and lots of action.
Eléonore is a librarian by day, demon hunter by night. When a sorceror places a bounty on her head and threatens her son’s life, Eléonore travels to confront him, and has to face some demons of her past along the way.
Firstly, I don’t normally comment on covers in my review, but I just have to say, dayum, that cover. I really love it. That is all.
I’ve realised recently books that are soley about hunting demons don’t interest me that much. However, Eléonore worked for me because the demons weren’t the only magical beings. The sorcerors really helped, as it gave the book a bit more depth that “Arr, demon! Kill it!” which I’ve run into in some urban fantasies I’ve tried reading recently.
Eléonore is a strong but flawed character. She’s a single mum, and as such, fiercely protective of her son, and determined to keep him separate from the world she inhabits at night. She makes bad decisions, but she figures out how to deal with that. She tries to do it all without help, but she is capable of (eventually) accepting it when it is needed.
The side characters are also well-drawn. I particularly liked Raphael, Eléonore’s love interest, as well as Rosalie, Eléonore’s best friend and confidante. Etienne, Eléonore’s son, was a bit precocious for a six-year-old, but then Eléonore also referred to that being the case. I also really liked the Big Bad, whose name I won’t mention because spoilers, but I thought the story really got going when he showed up. I loved his dialogue; it was great.
The world-building was simple, but I mean that in a good way. The excerpts from Eléonore’s father’s journals at the top of each chapter gave us the information we needed, and that combined with Eléonore’s commentary gave us plenty to go on, and the imagination is able to do the rest. The plot and pacing were never sacrificed for the sake of description. I also really enjoyed the fact that it was set in Quebec, and that there was lots of French peppered throughout the dialogue.
I am still a little fuzzy on why this sorceror wanted Eléonore so badly. I’m not sure if that might be something that will get expanded on in follow-up stories, whether I missed something or if it wasn’t really addressed. That’s really my only quibble, though.
(Thank you to Faith Rivens for providing me with an ARC of Eléonore in exchange for an honest review)
January 29, 2017
Firstly, I want to say thank you to the lovely Faith Rivens for giving me an ARC of her book. I was given this a couple of months ago (I think) and was able to finish it a couple of weeks later but wasn’t able to write a review right away because you know, busy with work and all. And I know this review is way way late but I’m writing this anyway because I want everyone to know how much I enjoyed this book.
The story revolves around Eléonore, part-time librarian/part-time demon hunter/full-time mother. Being a demon hunter is a legacy passed down to her by her late father but being a mother to Etienne is a job she chose and loves. When suddenly a bounty is placed on her head and demons start hunting her down, she’s determined to find out who and why someone would do that. What enrages her more is Etienne’s life is in danger too as long as she has the bounty on her head. So she sets off to hunt down these demons instead and is determined to find out who put the bounty even if it means being separated from Etienne.
“The world was big and could be terrifying; if I wanted to survive it, I had to be bigger, braver.”
I was sold right away when I read the blurb and I knew I was going to love this novella. i certainly did! I think Eléonore is the kind of character you can’t help but love. She’s a kick-ass heroine, not perfect but a strong-willed one. She loves Etienne so much and would do everything, anything, to keep him safe. And I think any mother would’ve done what she’s done just to protect their child. Like I said, Eléonore is not perfect, she makes bad decisions but she makes up for it by learning from it.
The secondary characters are also adorable. I didn’t expect Raphael at all but I loved him! And I may have not expected the romance but I love Eléonore and Raphael together anyway. Lol. (I’m a sucker for romance, you see). I also like the simplicity of the world-building. I admit I haven’t read many books set in Canada so it was refreshing to read about the place and the descriptions are lovely. Also, it was beautifully written. Everything felt natural, no forced dialogues and the narrative is impressive.
Overall I really enjoyed this novella and would definitely want to know the rest of Eléonore’s story! So if you want a kick-ass heroine, a compelling story with a lot of action, you should read this one!
The story revolves around Eléonore, part-time librarian/part-time demon hunter/full-time mother. Being a demon hunter is a legacy passed down to her by her late father but being a mother to Etienne is a job she chose and loves. When suddenly a bounty is placed on her head and demons start hunting her down, she’s determined to find out who and why someone would do that. What enrages her more is Etienne’s life is in danger too as long as she has the bounty on her head. So she sets off to hunt down these demons instead and is determined to find out who put the bounty even if it means being separated from Etienne.
“The world was big and could be terrifying; if I wanted to survive it, I had to be bigger, braver.”
I was sold right away when I read the blurb and I knew I was going to love this novella. i certainly did! I think Eléonore is the kind of character you can’t help but love. She’s a kick-ass heroine, not perfect but a strong-willed one. She loves Etienne so much and would do everything, anything, to keep him safe. And I think any mother would’ve done what she’s done just to protect their child. Like I said, Eléonore is not perfect, she makes bad decisions but she makes up for it by learning from it.
The secondary characters are also adorable. I didn’t expect Raphael at all but I loved him! And I may have not expected the romance but I love Eléonore and Raphael together anyway. Lol. (I’m a sucker for romance, you see). I also like the simplicity of the world-building. I admit I haven’t read many books set in Canada so it was refreshing to read about the place and the descriptions are lovely. Also, it was beautifully written. Everything felt natural, no forced dialogues and the narrative is impressive.
Overall I really enjoyed this novella and would definitely want to know the rest of Eléonore’s story! So if you want a kick-ass heroine, a compelling story with a lot of action, you should read this one!
February 7, 2017
I don’t read a great deal of Urban Fantasy as I usually prefer to explore secondary worlds but I’m glad I took a chance on this.
Eleonore is the story of a young woman, part-time librarian by day, demon-hunter by night. When an otherworldly bounty is taken out on her, potentially putting her son at risk, she knows she needs to track down whoever wants her dead and take the fight to them. A kick-ass heroine, she is utterly devoted to her son. I really enjoyed the fact that she’s a mother and that her son comes first to her in everything.
The characters are well defined and interesting enough that I would happily read more about them – and I hope to see more of Raphael in future stories. There were lots of hints at a wider world with more stories to be explored; the author has many options for further stories in this world that she has created.
I can’t say too much more without the risk of spoilers so I’ll leave you with this – if you enjoy urban fantasy, you should absolutely give Eleonore a try. I’m looking forward to further books from this author.
Eleonore is the story of a young woman, part-time librarian by day, demon-hunter by night. When an otherworldly bounty is taken out on her, potentially putting her son at risk, she knows she needs to track down whoever wants her dead and take the fight to them. A kick-ass heroine, she is utterly devoted to her son. I really enjoyed the fact that she’s a mother and that her son comes first to her in everything.
The characters are well defined and interesting enough that I would happily read more about them – and I hope to see more of Raphael in future stories. There were lots of hints at a wider world with more stories to be explored; the author has many options for further stories in this world that she has created.
I can’t say too much more without the risk of spoilers so I’ll leave you with this – if you enjoy urban fantasy, you should absolutely give Eleonore a try. I’m looking forward to further books from this author.
October 13, 2017
You can judge a book by its cover. A glorious book inside and out. This cover has caught my eye more than a few times for its beauty and I can't believe it took me so long to purchase it.
An well written story that kept me awake and reading long after my bedtime. I adored Eléonore and fell in love with Raphael, and although this is not a romance and I am not usually romantically inclined, I find myself hoping they sort everything out in future books.
Eléonore is a perfectly rounded novella with the exact amount of action and description to draw the reader in and believe wholeheartedly in this world of battling demons.
Rivens should also be paid by the Canadian Tourist Board because her descriptions of Canada are so vivid, I feel the need to travel there very soon.
So happy the next book is due out early December. At least by discovering this gem so late I have only a couple of months to wait for the sequel.
An well written story that kept me awake and reading long after my bedtime. I adored Eléonore and fell in love with Raphael, and although this is not a romance and I am not usually romantically inclined, I find myself hoping they sort everything out in future books.
Eléonore is a perfectly rounded novella with the exact amount of action and description to draw the reader in and believe wholeheartedly in this world of battling demons.
Rivens should also be paid by the Canadian Tourist Board because her descriptions of Canada are so vivid, I feel the need to travel there very soon.
So happy the next book is due out early December. At least by discovering this gem so late I have only a couple of months to wait for the sequel.
December 8, 2017
A wild romp with a demon killer
Novella length, this tale was full of swashbuckling action, the love for a mother for her child, and the complex sacrifice of a loving couple. The protagonist was a powerful woman who embraced motherhood and her warrior soul at the same time, a refreshing gender role bend that worked quite well. The storyline tied up nicely, yet left questions to draw the reader into the story's sequel. It should be a good one.
Novella length, this tale was full of swashbuckling action, the love for a mother for her child, and the complex sacrifice of a loving couple. The protagonist was a powerful woman who embraced motherhood and her warrior soul at the same time, a refreshing gender role bend that worked quite well. The storyline tied up nicely, yet left questions to draw the reader into the story's sequel. It should be a good one.
May 13, 2017
This short and fun read is clearly the start of a larger tale or sequence of tales, and I look forward to reading more of them! Eleonore is a single mother who also happens to be a demon hunter, armed with a sword that she has dubbed 'Eponine'. Her priorities are pretty clear: In the very first sentence, she tells us that she has to go kill some demons -- but first, coffee. It's hard to disagree with that.
Eleonore finds herself possibly in over her head when a mysterious local sorcerer (the book takes place in and around Montreal) puts a price on her head, leading her to fear for her child's safety even as she works to track down the sorcerer, a job which naturally leads her to the company of an ex with whom she apparently did not part on entirely friendly terms.
Author Rivens sets the story up very quickly and gets it moving just about as quickly. There's not a great deal of flab here, which is impressive given that the characters are still real and have genuine emotional struggles about which I cared as the reader. I look forward to reading more of Eleonore's adventures!
Eleonore finds herself possibly in over her head when a mysterious local sorcerer (the book takes place in and around Montreal) puts a price on her head, leading her to fear for her child's safety even as she works to track down the sorcerer, a job which naturally leads her to the company of an ex with whom she apparently did not part on entirely friendly terms.
Author Rivens sets the story up very quickly and gets it moving just about as quickly. There's not a great deal of flab here, which is impressive given that the characters are still real and have genuine emotional struggles about which I cared as the reader. I look forward to reading more of Eleonore's adventures!
December 25, 2017
I read this book last year and was thoroughly engrossed. The author does an amazing job with the main characters, but especially the character of Elenore's son. He is precious and makes me less afraid of having kids one day lol. I recommend reading this book if you like action demon-fighting-style.
June 8, 2017
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the experience of reading it because there were some really great emotional highs and fantastic characters.
July 20, 2024
This type of urban fantasy is not my normal fare, but I thought I'd give it a try to support a fellow self-published author. I appreciate the depth Rivens has given to her fantasy world, as it was developed enough that I felt like I was diving into the middle of an already-going story. This led me to feel a bit lost at times, but it also made me want to know more, keeping me engaged. Unfortunately, by the end, I felt like there was something majorly missing from the plot, and I think that's because the answers will come in a later book. Or maybe some of them won't. I don't think I'll continue on, mostly due to what I mentioned before about it not being the kind of thing I normally read. It was also a bit more extreme than I expected in various ways. There's a fair bit of violence and language and a sex scene (not particularly graphic, but more than I prefer). It was also weirdly religious—Eléonore prays to Mary (mother of Jesus) after stating that she isn't religious at all, so kind of confusing. Fans of urban fantasy of this nature who don't mind the things I mentioned above might consider giving this book a try.
January 12, 2019
An adventure fueled by a mother's love
Though short, the story was jam-packed with action. Lots of demons, lots of magic, and lots of love in this urban fantasy novella. I loved Eléonore's connection with historical/mythical mothers. The diary entries at the beginning of each chapter were a great way to give the reader's necessary information without info-dumping. I didn't really like the style or formatting of the flashback, but the rest of the writing was great.
Though short, the story was jam-packed with action. Lots of demons, lots of magic, and lots of love in this urban fantasy novella. I loved Eléonore's connection with historical/mythical mothers. The diary entries at the beginning of each chapter were a great way to give the reader's necessary information without info-dumping. I didn't really like the style or formatting of the flashback, but the rest of the writing was great.
Want to read
October 21, 2017Demon hunters! Excited to read this!
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