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Ruined
Kade, a seasoned battlefield soldier has had enough, refusing to fight for greed. Now on a quest to return to her homeland she meets Iza.
Iza, a slave from the army defeated by Kade, begs the warrior to take her on as a servant.
Kade, sympathetic to the slave’s request, allows her to travel as a companion and a friendship begins to form.
Iza, a slave from the army defeated by Kade, begs the warrior to take her on as a servant.
Kade, sympathetic to the slave’s request, allows her to travel as a companion and a friendship begins to form.
61 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2010
About the author
Ali Spooner
73 books124 followersI am a native Floridian who is temporarily (I hope) displaced in Memphis, TN. for work purposes, however I hope to make it home to a partner of 17 years and our family as quickly as I can. I enjoy photography as a hobby along with spinning a good tale.
I am American by birth and Southern by the Grace of God. LOL I enjoy writing about the south and creating characters and events that I hope my readers enjoy as much as I have in creating them.
I am American by birth and Southern by the Grace of God. LOL I enjoy writing about the south and creating characters and events that I hope my readers enjoy as much as I have in creating them.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 25, 2019
3.25 Stars. This was a decent fantasy novella by Spooner. It was very readable and easy to get hooked into the story. It is not overly exciting though, which was a surprise since it is about a former warrior woman. Like in many fantasy books there was a lot of traveling. And like in the books I have read by Spooner, there was a lot of time spent on getting and preparing food. My guess is Spooner is a foodie since she writes about food in her books so much. Even though the book was not overly stimulating, I still liked this short story. This is currently available with Kindle Unlimited.
May 29, 2017
Terrible
I never thought I'd have to read a book so bland when I picked this up. The majority of this is just the two main characters traveling, with hardly any real conflict. The romance is forced near the very end. Another thing that really annoys me is how the author pointedly avoids the use of contractions, which wouldn't really be a problem on its own, but when every character speaks the same way, it dehumanizes them. Not everyone speaks like that. Coupled with weak writing, these stylistic choices end up making the story monotonous to get through, despite it's short size. What's more, the last 20 percent of the book consists of the author's note and a list of other books they recommend you read. If those books are anything like this one, I highly recommend that you don't bother.
1/10 for trying, but I'd never read this again.
I never thought I'd have to read a book so bland when I picked this up. The majority of this is just the two main characters traveling, with hardly any real conflict. The romance is forced near the very end. Another thing that really annoys me is how the author pointedly avoids the use of contractions, which wouldn't really be a problem on its own, but when every character speaks the same way, it dehumanizes them. Not everyone speaks like that. Coupled with weak writing, these stylistic choices end up making the story monotonous to get through, despite it's short size. What's more, the last 20 percent of the book consists of the author's note and a list of other books they recommend you read. If those books are anything like this one, I highly recommend that you don't bother.
1/10 for trying, but I'd never read this again.
July 7, 2017
Sometimes a short read is just what is needed. This was an enjoyable story for a rainy afternoon. The characters, though slightly less rounded out than what I'd like to see, pulled at me. I love the little nuances of a deepening relationship between Kade and Iza. It is shown in the way that they come to depend on one another throughout the story. I would like to read some back story on these two.
February 22, 2020
Love truely heals
This is such a simply beautiful story. Iza and Kade are ready for a new life. War and death all for someone else's greed is no life. Their life changing journey home will bring their hearts together and heal the warrior in Kade. Beautiful, tender and such a good story.
This is such a simply beautiful story. Iza and Kade are ready for a new life. War and death all for someone else's greed is no life. Their life changing journey home will bring their hearts together and heal the warrior in Kade. Beautiful, tender and such a good story.
July 23, 2020
Beautiful
Lovely piece about survival, strength, and love. Although short in words ... it is long in pathos, empathy and love. Surviving the wilderness relying on each other is a brilliant example of today’s “battles”. A good read. I heartily recommend this work and any others by Ms. Spooner. She has an enjoyable style of writing. Thank you Peace
Lovely piece about survival, strength, and love. Although short in words ... it is long in pathos, empathy and love. Surviving the wilderness relying on each other is a brilliant example of today’s “battles”. A good read. I heartily recommend this work and any others by Ms. Spooner. She has an enjoyable style of writing. Thank you Peace
May 28, 2017
Short and heartwarming
This story touched my heart and it deserves more than five stars! Kade and Iza are strong, determined women who deserve the deep love and affection they feel for each other.
This story touched my heart and it deserves more than five stars! Kade and Iza are strong, determined women who deserve the deep love and affection they feel for each other.
May 19, 2017
Good story
This was a nice quick short story but I really liked it. Definitely with downloading and giving it a read.
This was a nice quick short story but I really liked it. Definitely with downloading and giving it a read.
March 2, 2019
A very cute short story. :)
September 14, 2020
Nice, but too damn short.
Good storyline but needs more chapters to really tell their story. Good start to get your feet wet.
Well written.
Good storyline but needs more chapters to really tell their story. Good start to get your feet wet.
Well written.
April 26, 2015
This short story is rather poignant on many levels. Interestingly, the two key women elicit this sensation again and again. It felt as if the timeframe was patterned after the Middle Ages or perhaps a bit earlier. It is set in a relatively primitive and fairly pristine forest; by this I mean you can eat and drink off the land. I found this immensely enjoyable as I shadowed the two women during their travels. It was extraordinarily delightful and easy to imagine, feel, taste, and breathe this earlier time frame. I really loved the setting, how the two women interacted with each other, plus the more than cordial interaction with the caretaker managing a small way-stop. Beautiful!
Kade is large in stature for a woman and carries many scars from her warrior campaigns. However, she is equitable, has not lost her connection to being affectionate, and barters fairly. Her life since she left her family farm has been harsh and brutal, leaving many marks on her body and especially her face. The last battle she engaged in clearly convinced her to leave her warrior ways. It was more than a pleasure for me to get to know Kade. I compliment, congratulate, and thank the author on the talented way she establishes her, from the awkwardness in regard to the battle scars especially on her face possibly the origin for the book's title, and then on to showing her as a truly tender and caring woman. Magnificent!
Iza is a splendid counterpoint and traveling companion to Kade. Her history is harsh, but not overly brutal. It is her initiative that brings about the hookup as a traveling companion to Kade. There is a most enlightning yet brief reference in her saga that subtlety establishes her sexual preference. Her character and internal strength slowly unfolds and I along with Kade came to appreciate, possibly love, the serendipity of Iza being more than a supportive companion. Iza is a jewel and I adored her. Enthralling!
This is a perfectly wondrous short story and I wholeheartedly recommend it. The unexpected touch of magic at the end was definitely icing on the cake. Do not miss this.
Bedazzling!
Kade is large in stature for a woman and carries many scars from her warrior campaigns. However, she is equitable, has not lost her connection to being affectionate, and barters fairly. Her life since she left her family farm has been harsh and brutal, leaving many marks on her body and especially her face. The last battle she engaged in clearly convinced her to leave her warrior ways. It was more than a pleasure for me to get to know Kade. I compliment, congratulate, and thank the author on the talented way she establishes her, from the awkwardness in regard to the battle scars especially on her face possibly the origin for the book's title, and then on to showing her as a truly tender and caring woman. Magnificent!
Iza is a splendid counterpoint and traveling companion to Kade. Her history is harsh, but not overly brutal. It is her initiative that brings about the hookup as a traveling companion to Kade. There is a most enlightning yet brief reference in her saga that subtlety establishes her sexual preference. Her character and internal strength slowly unfolds and I along with Kade came to appreciate, possibly love, the serendipity of Iza being more than a supportive companion. Iza is a jewel and I adored her. Enthralling!
This is a perfectly wondrous short story and I wholeheartedly recommend it. The unexpected touch of magic at the end was definitely icing on the cake. Do not miss this.
Bedazzling!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews