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Facets of Feyrie #1
Elusion
The First Prophecy
Seed of Death and Dragon’s womb, suffering her fated tomb.
She, our savior, the Fallen’s soul, shall shed her blood to make us whole.
A vengeful Darkness she will arise, her love calls forth the Darkest tide
Yet, if her heart has ceased to beat, the world shall eclipse in Dark complete.
--------------------
Pretend Ma told me the terrible things done to me were for the greater good. That I would be a hero and fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.
I’m not so sure about that.
I am sure about that my time in this world is drawing to a close. I’m okay with that. I even wish for it, some days. Then I meet HIM. Mr. Glowy Eyes.
I’m also sure I’m a monster, and I’m CERTAIN that he’s so much worse than that. But he also shows me something important. Very important. Do you want to know what it is?
…
…
Are you still waiting?
I can’t tell you, silly rabbit. Who gives something like that away?
Mr. Glowy Eyes is waiting, too.
In the dark…
Under the bed…
I can’t promise he won’t eat you…
But I can promise you won’t mind when he does.
Please be advised: **This book contains violence and other content which may be triggering to readers.**
Seed of Death and Dragon’s womb, suffering her fated tomb.
She, our savior, the Fallen’s soul, shall shed her blood to make us whole.
A vengeful Darkness she will arise, her love calls forth the Darkest tide
Yet, if her heart has ceased to beat, the world shall eclipse in Dark complete.
--------------------
Pretend Ma told me the terrible things done to me were for the greater good. That I would be a hero and fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.
I’m not so sure about that.
I am sure about that my time in this world is drawing to a close. I’m okay with that. I even wish for it, some days. Then I meet HIM. Mr. Glowy Eyes.
I’m also sure I’m a monster, and I’m CERTAIN that he’s so much worse than that. But he also shows me something important. Very important. Do you want to know what it is?
…
…
Are you still waiting?
I can’t tell you, silly rabbit. Who gives something like that away?
Mr. Glowy Eyes is waiting, too.
In the dark…
Under the bed…
I can’t promise he won’t eat you…
But I can promise you won’t mind when he does.
Please be advised: **This book contains violence and other content which may be triggering to readers.**
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2017
646 people are currently reading
5012 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Parker
18 books734 followersHello!!
I want to thank you for perusing!
First off, I didn't write Storage Diva--no idea who that is, lol.
Second please know that any and ALL books that are upcoming or released that I write are on my website.
Thanks for reading my word vomit and I hope you're smiling at least once a day, it's good for you.
A little monsters and mayhem is good for everyone too!
I want to thank you for perusing!
First off, I didn't write Storage Diva--no idea who that is, lol.
Second please know that any and ALL books that are upcoming or released that I write are on my website.
Thanks for reading my word vomit and I hope you're smiling at least once a day, it's good for you.
A little monsters and mayhem is good for everyone too!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 400 reviews
September 10, 2018
Updating my records as follows.
Books on tbr: -1
Book boyfriends in my heart: +1
Here's what I love about this debut novel: the main characters.
Ok, I mean Phobe. Phobe Phobe Phobey Phobe.
You know the type of character that is mean and distant to everyone they meet.... except the heroine? That's Phobe. Times a million.
It's not that Phobe is misunderstood, or has a soft and gooey center; he's a villain through and through. Cross him, get in his way, or even mildly inconvenience him and he will probably eat your soul.
Which brings me to Iza, whom Phobe would like to eat in a whole different way. If you get me.
Iza and Phobe are cell mates in a supernatural prison. Phobe is totally enamored with Iza but doesn't know how to express this emotion in a healthy way. Iza has never seen any part of Phobe other than his orange eyes and still wants to fuck him silly.
Their relationship is kind of a wild ride.
The only other person Iza talks to in her prison cell is Jameson. He is the BEST.
Jameson is the quintessential frat boy of the Feyrie world. He talks big with nothing to show, he thinks with his groin, and he spends far too much money on Uber.
Love him.
So you throw these characters together into one dysfunctional found family and send them on a cross-realm roadtrip and you get Elusion. It's a great debut and seems like the series is worth sticking with.
Books on tbr: -1
Book boyfriends in my heart: +1
Here's what I love about this debut novel: the main characters.
Ok, I mean Phobe. Phobe Phobe Phobey Phobe.
You know the type of character that is mean and distant to everyone they meet.... except the heroine? That's Phobe. Times a million.
It's not that Phobe is misunderstood, or has a soft and gooey center; he's a villain through and through. Cross him, get in his way, or even mildly inconvenience him and he will probably eat your soul.
Which brings me to Iza, whom Phobe would like to eat in a whole different way. If you get me.
Iza and Phobe are cell mates in a supernatural prison. Phobe is totally enamored with Iza but doesn't know how to express this emotion in a healthy way. Iza has never seen any part of Phobe other than his orange eyes and still wants to fuck him silly.
Their relationship is kind of a wild ride.
The only other person Iza talks to in her prison cell is Jameson. He is the BEST.
Jameson is the quintessential frat boy of the Feyrie world. He talks big with nothing to show, he thinks with his groin, and he spends far too much money on Uber.
Love him.
So you throw these characters together into one dysfunctional found family and send them on a cross-realm roadtrip and you get Elusion. It's a great debut and seems like the series is worth sticking with.
February 2, 2021
”Your own mind should never have the power to pull you in and hold you hostage in remembered misery.”
Okay, this book was one of the weirdest books I ever read and this says quite something. I mean it all starts pretty dark and hopeless in a prison cell. Our heroine Iza has been stuck there for years after killing her foster parents which according to her deserved it. (and considering what they did to her – she was just a child - I can’t even disagree. >_<) So yeah, Iza is stuck at the Schoth prison (yes, we’re not on earth) and endures torture, horrible conditions and pain each and every single day. She’s not alone at the prison though. Aside from plenty of cruel guards and other poor inmates there’s also some mysterious creature with orange eyes.
”Those peepers of his are cold; so cold and ancient that it’s like gazing into the deepest, darkest hole in the most twisted, vile nightmare in existence while knowing that something utterly terrifying is waiting for you at the bottom.”
However, the damn glowing things have a tantalizing appeal to me, truth be told; something in them pulls on that same kind of monster inside of me.”
Yep, that’s Phobe in a nutshell. If you think Phobe is a sweet guy – well, you’re wrong. That man/creature is probably about as sweet as a shark that’s a breath away of taking a bite from you. Phobe is a predator and made of something completely different than all of his fellow inmates. He’s neither human nor prone to sappy feelings. If anything he’s hungry and the guards of his prison cell always make for a good meal. ;-P Needless to say he eats them up whole. *lol* Still, there’s been some particular kind of hunger that’s been gnawing at him ever since this young girl was brought to the prison. And surprise, it’s not the sort of hunger you can sate by eating. XD
”I want her, fuck I want her but she – she ... fucking scares the shit out of me, and fear is not something I have ever felt. Neither is genuine desire. All of this inner turmoil that will not cease no matter what I do, is her fault.”
What to do about it? He’s been alive for ages yet he can’t seem to be able to ignore that little thing in the cell next to him. Phobe deals with it by taking Iza under his wing and treating her wounds whenever she’s returned from another torture session. They are both sick and tired of being imprisoned but what can you do? Phobe is bound by a spell and Iza is too weak to do anything about her situation, so they bide their time and get to know each other. There’s only so much you can endure though and one day they eventually reach the end of their tether.
”A booted foot to the center of my back topples me forward into Phobe’s arms. Arms that wrap around me and pull me against him. He looks down into my eyes a question in his, as he calmly reaches out and rips the calf muscle out of the man that kicked me. Ignoring the screams of the injured man he holds my gaze.”
Ahh don’t they make a lovely pair? *lol* Joking aside they were quite a force to be reckoned with and I’m already sorry for everyone that dares to cross their way. As for my personal opinion: I don’t know whether I liked this book or not. I mean let’s be honest here: The prison setting was totally dark and grim. They are tortured, brutalized and abused each and every single day and the longer the book continued the more I was like: Okay but there has to be an end to this! (And yes, I admit it! Some part of me was even like: This is getting repetitive, please let them finally escape!) I wasn’t wrong with hoping for an escape and there actually was an end to this, to say it confused me would be putting it mildly though.
”I fight because I will not give in. I fight because it’s all I know. Even when I’m not fighting with my fists, I still fight with my words. I’ll fight with everything I am until I’m dead.
These puny fucks will not break me. I won’t let them.”
After the 50% mark the book changed so drastically that I found myself wondering if I was still reading the same book.
I have no idea where the author wanted to go with this and what she tried to achieve so I’m mostly confused now. Not that the last 50% weren’t enjoyable, because they were, but it was such a radical change in pacing and scenery that it was kind of hard to go along with it. All told this was an interesting story, but it also confused me immensely. *lol* I don’t know how to feel about it all and I’m not sure if I’ll read the second book. Maybe I will because I’m curious and just want to know where this is all heading. Who knows? *shrugs* For now I’ll just take a break from this series and keep the option of coming back to it in the back of my mind. So I suppose in the end this leaves me with 3 very confused stars. XD
_____________________________
Wow this was quite something. O_o
It feels like I read an entirely different book after the 50% mark and I don’t know where the author wants to go with this but after the introduction of all those new characters (especially cute Knox) I just need to read book two?! *lol*
I’m confused people...
Full RTC once I made up my mind on how to rate this.
_______________________________
I still got nine books on "My Book List 2019" and I’m planning to finish this old list in 2021! Finally! I know I’m a snail, but that’s nothing new. *lol*
This said I feel like I need to read something dark and apparently “Elusion” is super dark and twisted. Plus it seems to have faeries?! And I can never say “no” to faeries. Especially if there’s a mysterious one who’s called Mr. Glowy Eyes. Guess he’s behind bars for a reason. *wriggles eyebrows*
I have no idea how this book landed on my TBR but I’m definitely ready to find out more about it. I am intrigued. ;-P
Okay, this book was one of the weirdest books I ever read and this says quite something. I mean it all starts pretty dark and hopeless in a prison cell. Our heroine Iza has been stuck there for years after killing her foster parents which according to her deserved it. (and considering what they did to her – she was just a child - I can’t even disagree. >_<) So yeah, Iza is stuck at the Schoth prison (yes, we’re not on earth) and endures torture, horrible conditions and pain each and every single day. She’s not alone at the prison though. Aside from plenty of cruel guards and other poor inmates there’s also some mysterious creature with orange eyes.
”Those peepers of his are cold; so cold and ancient that it’s like gazing into the deepest, darkest hole in the most twisted, vile nightmare in existence while knowing that something utterly terrifying is waiting for you at the bottom.”
However, the damn glowing things have a tantalizing appeal to me, truth be told; something in them pulls on that same kind of monster inside of me.”
Yep, that’s Phobe in a nutshell. If you think Phobe is a sweet guy – well, you’re wrong. That man/creature is probably about as sweet as a shark that’s a breath away of taking a bite from you. Phobe is a predator and made of something completely different than all of his fellow inmates. He’s neither human nor prone to sappy feelings. If anything he’s hungry and the guards of his prison cell always make for a good meal. ;-P Needless to say he eats them up whole. *lol* Still, there’s been some particular kind of hunger that’s been gnawing at him ever since this young girl was brought to the prison. And surprise, it’s not the sort of hunger you can sate by eating. XD
”I want her, fuck I want her but she – she ... fucking scares the shit out of me, and fear is not something I have ever felt. Neither is genuine desire. All of this inner turmoil that will not cease no matter what I do, is her fault.”
What to do about it? He’s been alive for ages yet he can’t seem to be able to ignore that little thing in the cell next to him. Phobe deals with it by taking Iza under his wing and treating her wounds whenever she’s returned from another torture session. They are both sick and tired of being imprisoned but what can you do? Phobe is bound by a spell and Iza is too weak to do anything about her situation, so they bide their time and get to know each other. There’s only so much you can endure though and one day they eventually reach the end of their tether.
”A booted foot to the center of my back topples me forward into Phobe’s arms. Arms that wrap around me and pull me against him. He looks down into my eyes a question in his, as he calmly reaches out and rips the calf muscle out of the man that kicked me. Ignoring the screams of the injured man he holds my gaze.”
Ahh don’t they make a lovely pair? *lol* Joking aside they were quite a force to be reckoned with and I’m already sorry for everyone that dares to cross their way. As for my personal opinion: I don’t know whether I liked this book or not. I mean let’s be honest here: The prison setting was totally dark and grim. They are tortured, brutalized and abused each and every single day and the longer the book continued the more I was like: Okay but there has to be an end to this! (And yes, I admit it! Some part of me was even like: This is getting repetitive, please let them finally escape!) I wasn’t wrong with hoping for an escape and there actually was an end to this, to say it confused me would be putting it mildly though.
”I fight because I will not give in. I fight because it’s all I know. Even when I’m not fighting with my fists, I still fight with my words. I’ll fight with everything I am until I’m dead.
These puny fucks will not break me. I won’t let them.”
After the 50% mark the book changed so drastically that I found myself wondering if I was still reading the same book.
I have no idea where the author wanted to go with this and what she tried to achieve so I’m mostly confused now. Not that the last 50% weren’t enjoyable, because they were, but it was such a radical change in pacing and scenery that it was kind of hard to go along with it. All told this was an interesting story, but it also confused me immensely. *lol* I don’t know how to feel about it all and I’m not sure if I’ll read the second book. Maybe I will because I’m curious and just want to know where this is all heading. Who knows? *shrugs* For now I’ll just take a break from this series and keep the option of coming back to it in the back of my mind. So I suppose in the end this leaves me with 3 very confused stars. XD
_____________________________
Wow this was quite something. O_o
It feels like I read an entirely different book after the 50% mark and I don’t know where the author wants to go with this but after the introduction of all those new characters (especially cute Knox) I just need to read book two?! *lol*
I’m confused people...
Full RTC once I made up my mind on how to rate this.
_______________________________
I still got nine books on "My Book List 2019" and I’m planning to finish this old list in 2021! Finally! I know I’m a snail, but that’s nothing new. *lol*
This said I feel like I need to read something dark and apparently “Elusion” is super dark and twisted. Plus it seems to have faeries?! And I can never say “no” to faeries. Especially if there’s a mysterious one who’s called Mr. Glowy Eyes. Guess he’s behind bars for a reason. *wriggles eyebrows*
I have no idea how this book landed on my TBR but I’m definitely ready to find out more about it. I am intrigued. ;-P
October 17, 2018
GUYS!!!
This is a must read!
And for me it was free
*kisses kindle
This is a must read!
And for me it was free
*kisses kindle
November 17, 2017
Yeah. That's right. 5 stars.
Super well done, unexpected heroine and storyline, and I forewent sleep during one of the more hellish weeks of my life so far to finish it. Like I fell asleep in my clothes with the last page still open on my kindle kind of exhausted. So yeah. It deserves the 5 stars
This book is not for the faint of heart - it's dark. Edge of sanity, blood and guts with no remorse kind of dark. But it's enthralling and the mythology is all the author's own which makes it enjoyable and really I just wanted to keep reading but ran out of book.
Super well done, unexpected heroine and storyline, and I forewent sleep during one of the more hellish weeks of my life so far to finish it. Like I fell asleep in my clothes with the last page still open on my kindle kind of exhausted. So yeah. It deserves the 5 stars
This book is not for the faint of heart - it's dark. Edge of sanity, blood and guts with no remorse kind of dark. But it's enthralling and the mythology is all the author's own which makes it enjoyable and really I just wanted to keep reading but ran out of book.
November 19, 2021
I liked the first part of the book, however, I lost interest during the second half.
For quite a while reading the book I was exited, the way the story was going made me think I was in for a great book. The story had such a good projection at the beginning that I couldn't wait to see what would happen. But not too long after, I was disappointed.
The first half of the book had a lot of promise, and although I enjoyed it, it didn't completely satisfy me. To me, it would have been better with more darkness and sexuality. As it is now, is too wash out, too light and PG. It teases to that darkness and roughness, but never truly delivers. The story never goes deep into it and so it left me wanting.
Then, the second part of the book came in and it felt as if a different book came into the picture altogether, the transition not happening smoothly enough. The things that happen during the second part felt random and disconnected. All of a sudden, Iza, our main character that we had gotten to know seemed like a different person and the story around her drastically changed. The things that initially had me so excited were gone, and a completely new plot was thrust in there making me feel robe. Thus, I couldn't bring myself to care much for it.
Nevertheless, I am hoping the next installment has more of the qualities that I enjoyed here, so I am going to give it a try next.
Ascension (Facets of Feyrie, #2)
For quite a while reading the book I was exited, the way the story was going made me think I was in for a great book. The story had such a good projection at the beginning that I couldn't wait to see what would happen. But not too long after, I was disappointed.
The first half of the book had a lot of promise, and although I enjoyed it, it didn't completely satisfy me. To me, it would have been better with more darkness and sexuality. As it is now, is too wash out, too light and PG. It teases to that darkness and roughness, but never truly delivers. The story never goes deep into it and so it left me wanting.
Then, the second part of the book came in and it felt as if a different book came into the picture altogether, the transition not happening smoothly enough. The things that happen during the second part felt random and disconnected. All of a sudden, Iza, our main character that we had gotten to know seemed like a different person and the story around her drastically changed. The things that initially had me so excited were gone, and a completely new plot was thrust in there making me feel robe. Thus, I couldn't bring myself to care much for it.
Nevertheless, I am hoping the next installment has more of the qualities that I enjoyed here, so I am going to give it a try next.
Ascension (Facets of Feyrie, #2)
June 6, 2018
Wow!
4.75 Stars!
Just wow. This book is something different. Yes, it has magic, and faeries, and elements of your usual fantasy/urban fantasy, but I feel this was so much more. Iza and Phobe are such interesting characters, they are the best anti heroes. What they endure and how they connect, will make you feel so much. This is a very dark journey for them (especially the first half), but their connection is deep and full of... well, I want to say light but that would never suit these two. They wouldn’t want me to say such a thing. Hope, maybe? Love, maybe? How about just “so full”? None that seems exactly right.
Iza is strong and yet there’s a softness to her and she’s funny. She’s funny, snarky, sarcastic. She has so much fight in her. I immediately liked her. She’s also not your typical beauty and I found that refreshing. I, personally, found her captivating.
Phobe. Sigh. Phobe. I don’t know where to begin. He’s not you’re usual “hot hero”. He’s a monster. Like for real. And I love it. He makes me want to sigh and say, “You. Are. So. Cool.” (Yes, that’s a True Romance reference, if haven’t seen it, you should. Right now, look it up. You’ll see what I mean about the sigh and that statement.).
The story is like two stories in one (I think, that’s kinda why I didn’t give it the full 5 Stars-I’m not entirely sure here). The first half feels very dark and full of unanswered questions and you feel a little lost and confused, but so are the characters and that’s kind of the magic of the first part. The second half is lighter (? Again, I question the use of this word. It’s not appropriate, but...). Enlightening? I mean, you get many answers, and the journey becomes a different one.
Not making any sense? Fine, well, read it. See and decide for yourself.
I have to continue this journey. I HAVE to know how it all turns out.
----MMFBCE Myths and Monsters----
4.75 Stars!
Just wow. This book is something different. Yes, it has magic, and faeries, and elements of your usual fantasy/urban fantasy, but I feel this was so much more. Iza and Phobe are such interesting characters, they are the best anti heroes. What they endure and how they connect, will make you feel so much. This is a very dark journey for them (especially the first half), but their connection is deep and full of... well, I want to say light but that would never suit these two. They wouldn’t want me to say such a thing. Hope, maybe? Love, maybe? How about just “so full”? None that seems exactly right.
Iza is strong and yet there’s a softness to her and she’s funny. She’s funny, snarky, sarcastic. She has so much fight in her. I immediately liked her. She’s also not your typical beauty and I found that refreshing. I, personally, found her captivating.
Phobe. Sigh. Phobe. I don’t know where to begin. He’s not you’re usual “hot hero”. He’s a monster. Like for real. And I love it. He makes me want to sigh and say, “You. Are. So. Cool.” (Yes, that’s a True Romance reference, if haven’t seen it, you should. Right now, look it up. You’ll see what I mean about the sigh and that statement.).
The story is like two stories in one (I think, that’s kinda why I didn’t give it the full 5 Stars-I’m not entirely sure here). The first half feels very dark and full of unanswered questions and you feel a little lost and confused, but so are the characters and that’s kind of the magic of the first part. The second half is lighter (? Again, I question the use of this word. It’s not appropriate, but...). Enlightening? I mean, you get many answers, and the journey becomes a different one.
Not making any sense? Fine, well, read it. See and decide for yourself.
I have to continue this journey. I HAVE to know how it all turns out.
----MMFBCE Myths and Monsters----
March 2, 2018
how do we go from magic, torture, and imprisonment in another dimension, to getting an Uber on earth?
you can’t expect me to be okay with this
from one extreme to ...... Uber?
they have never known tech like this, and they haven’t adapted
SO HOW DO U EXPECT ME TO ADAPT???!!
wtfffff
this was supposed to be a before bed read and now i’m just disturbed and pissed.
you can’t expect me to be okay with this
from one extreme to ...... Uber?
they have never known tech like this, and they haven’t adapted
SO HOW DO U EXPECT ME TO ADAPT???!!
wtfffff
this was supposed to be a before bed read and now i’m just disturbed and pissed.
November 4, 2018
Leaning towards 4. Perhaps the sequels will win me over.
June 26, 2018
I really enjoyed the 1st half of this book. Like really I did, even though it wasn't without its faults either. Maybe I just have a morbid sense of entertainment, but the connection and chemistry felt much more real when they were in captivity. But for the life of me, I just couldn't get into the 2nd half of the book. It was boring and kinda bleh. The dynamic and story lost its umph. And for someone held captive and tortured for most of her young/adult life, she just seemed way too comfortable with the outside world. The first half of the book gets 4 stars, the last half like 0.5 stars. I'm sure it's a "just me" thing. Most friends that have read it have loved it, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. Ever onward...
March 22, 2021
1.5 stars DNF @ 52%
Yet another book marred down by poor writing and a stilted plot. Elusion features Iza and Phobe, who are both imprisoned and tortured by a certain type of faerie called the Schoth (at least I think that's what's going on.) We really don't know why either of them are there and the world building crosses from "less is more" territory into the "okay but actually what the heck is going on?" realm very quickly. At first the uncertainty of things drew me in because I wanted to know more about what was happening, but we really don't learn much at 50% of the book. In fact, it takes that long for the plot to actually move forward.
Things I liked: 1) the cover 2) uncanny valley creepiness 3) Phobe when we knew nothing about him
Things I didn't like: 1) Phobe when we got his POV 2) the nonexistent plot 3) weird insta-lust 4) seriously, what is going on? 5) the writing
So honestly the first half of this book has a lot of torture porn and not much else. Which- fine, but I want some semblance of a story along with it?
At first I did enjoy the uncanny valley aspects of this book. Iza is put in a sort of solitary confinement, but in the darkness she sees the glowing eyes of another being in a different cell. I really liked how creepy it was and how you didn't know what was going on. Unfortunately, a lot of the suspense wears off when we get Phobe's (the aforementioned creepy person's) POV. All of a sudden a lot of the mystery surrounding his character is taken away and the one thing I was liking about the book vanished.
Phobe is pretty unfeeling, brutal, and "eats" people. He doesn't really have any moral inclinations until Iza changes ~something~ in him and he's weirdly and inexplicably attracted to her. It's definitely not my favorite plot device ever which left me just very uninterested in basically everything that was going on.
New plot developments happen in such a stilted way- there's no flow to the book at all, and the writing is elementary at best. The insta-lust is painful to read about so there's no interesting romantic suspense. Then on top of that we have nothing interesting going on world-wise because as a reader you're really in the dark about it. I've had no interest in picking this book up since the 20% mark, so I have to call it quits.
Yet another book marred down by poor writing and a stilted plot. Elusion features Iza and Phobe, who are both imprisoned and tortured by a certain type of faerie called the Schoth (at least I think that's what's going on.) We really don't know why either of them are there and the world building crosses from "less is more" territory into the "okay but actually what the heck is going on?" realm very quickly. At first the uncertainty of things drew me in because I wanted to know more about what was happening, but we really don't learn much at 50% of the book. In fact, it takes that long for the plot to actually move forward.
Things I liked: 1) the cover 2) uncanny valley creepiness 3) Phobe when we knew nothing about him
Things I didn't like: 1) Phobe when we got his POV 2) the nonexistent plot 3) weird insta-lust 4) seriously, what is going on? 5) the writing
So honestly the first half of this book has a lot of torture porn and not much else. Which- fine, but I want some semblance of a story along with it?
At first I did enjoy the uncanny valley aspects of this book. Iza is put in a sort of solitary confinement, but in the darkness she sees the glowing eyes of another being in a different cell. I really liked how creepy it was and how you didn't know what was going on. Unfortunately, a lot of the suspense wears off when we get Phobe's (the aforementioned creepy person's) POV. All of a sudden a lot of the mystery surrounding his character is taken away and the one thing I was liking about the book vanished.
Phobe is pretty unfeeling, brutal, and "eats" people. He doesn't really have any moral inclinations until Iza changes ~something~ in him and he's weirdly and inexplicably attracted to her. It's definitely not my favorite plot device ever which left me just very uninterested in basically everything that was going on.
New plot developments happen in such a stilted way- there's no flow to the book at all, and the writing is elementary at best. The insta-lust is painful to read about so there's no interesting romantic suspense. Then on top of that we have nothing interesting going on world-wise because as a reader you're really in the dark about it. I've had no interest in picking this book up since the 20% mark, so I have to call it quits.
August 1, 2018
4.5 WTF DID I JUST READ STARS
So have you ever started reading a book and think WTF am I reading? This book starts out with a prophecy that makes little sense and then basically throws you right into a very dark and gritty story.... think torture, violence, blood/guts, etc. It is not for the faint of heart, and if you have issues with those types of things, this is DEFINITELY not for you! Nearly half of the book takes place in a prison, and as such, the plot moves very slowly and I was pretty confused as to what was going on (WTF am I reading), and yet, I just couldn't put the damn thing down. The first half of this book is definitely more character driven than plot driven but the MC (Iza) and her cell neighbor (Phobe) are such rich and unique characters which are so full of depth, I just wanted to keep reading and learning more about them.
So for about 50% we get to watch Iza suffer and suffer some more at the hands of the light Fae (called the Schoth), she has been in prison since she was 12, she has little memory of her early childhood and her time there has not been kind, which leaves her sanity questionable. Then there is Phobe, a brilliantly written anti-hero, all wrapped up in a mysterious blue package with sharp teeth. I won't say too much more about him, but the interaction between Phobe and Iza is perfect, with little bouts of dry humor intermixed.
The plot definitely picks up around 50%, and that's when I finally started understanding the world a little better and had quite a few less WTF moments. The book is written in such a way that you learn things right along side Iza, as she regains her memories everything starts to make a bit more sense. Iza is a kickass heroine whose moral compass is a bit skewed. She is flawed, she is damaged, she is witty, and just like Phobe, she is a brilliantly written character.
This book pretty much came out of nowhere and hit me over the head making me pay attention to it. My two major complaints were the confusing world that took me over half to book to really start to get a handle on (which ended up as a unique take on the various supernatural species), just a little more explanation at the beginning would have gone a long way and the second thing was the slow moving and somewhat thin plot. Yes there is a prophecy, and yes that is the driving force behind Iza's actions later in the book, but it still felt a bit lacking in some ways. I have huge hopes that the next book will really step up in this category.
So have you ever started reading a book and think WTF am I reading? This book starts out with a prophecy that makes little sense and then basically throws you right into a very dark and gritty story.... think torture, violence, blood/guts, etc. It is not for the faint of heart, and if you have issues with those types of things, this is DEFINITELY not for you! Nearly half of the book takes place in a prison, and as such, the plot moves very slowly and I was pretty confused as to what was going on (WTF am I reading), and yet, I just couldn't put the damn thing down. The first half of this book is definitely more character driven than plot driven but the MC (Iza) and her cell neighbor (Phobe) are such rich and unique characters which are so full of depth, I just wanted to keep reading and learning more about them.
So for about 50% we get to watch Iza suffer and suffer some more at the hands of the light Fae (called the Schoth), she has been in prison since she was 12, she has little memory of her early childhood and her time there has not been kind, which leaves her sanity questionable. Then there is Phobe, a brilliantly written anti-hero, all wrapped up in a mysterious blue package with sharp teeth. I won't say too much more about him, but the interaction between Phobe and Iza is perfect, with little bouts of dry humor intermixed.
The plot definitely picks up around 50%, and that's when I finally started understanding the world a little better and had quite a few less WTF moments. The book is written in such a way that you learn things right along side Iza, as she regains her memories everything starts to make a bit more sense. Iza is a kickass heroine whose moral compass is a bit skewed. She is flawed, she is damaged, she is witty, and just like Phobe, she is a brilliantly written character.
This book pretty much came out of nowhere and hit me over the head making me pay attention to it. My two major complaints were the confusing world that took me over half to book to really start to get a handle on (which ended up as a unique take on the various supernatural species), just a little more explanation at the beginning would have gone a long way and the second thing was the slow moving and somewhat thin plot. Yes there is a prophecy, and yes that is the driving force behind Iza's actions later in the book, but it still felt a bit lacking in some ways. I have huge hopes that the next book will really step up in this category.
October 24, 2017
Okay. Weird. I really liked this book despite a few things that made me almost not read it, namely the amateurish cover and description.
There was also a strange habit of commas inserted all over the place that should have been edited out, and there are some moments where it seemed like the POV got messed up. These things were hella distracting.
AND YET. The story was somehow really interesting! I was so surprised! I think this all revolves entirely around the grit and tenacity of our main character, but also the unintentionally funny “mr glowy eyes” and his learning how to care for another person/entity, especially one like Iza. This is def a character-driven story as the plot felt a little flimsy. But again I didn’t really mind since the inside of Iza’s head is really interesting and Phobe is a hoot.
Usually if I get annoyed with editing issues I won’t continue a series, but this one just can’t be helped. Come to me, book two!
There was also a strange habit of commas inserted all over the place that should have been edited out, and there are some moments where it seemed like the POV got messed up. These things were hella distracting.
AND YET. The story was somehow really interesting! I was so surprised! I think this all revolves entirely around the grit and tenacity of our main character, but also the unintentionally funny “mr glowy eyes” and his learning how to care for another person/entity, especially one like Iza. This is def a character-driven story as the plot felt a little flimsy. But again I didn’t really mind since the inside of Iza’s head is really interesting and Phobe is a hoot.
Usually if I get annoyed with editing issues I won’t continue a series, but this one just can’t be helped. Come to me, book two!
March 21, 2018
Dark fantasy/paranormal. Triggers abound. Beginning is absorbing, but story takes a weird turn in the middle. Cliffhanger ending, but I think I am staying on for the ride.
Book source: Kindle Unlimited
Book source: Kindle Unlimited
Want to read
May 3, 2019Can a librarian fix this cover please?
January 8, 2018
This book is full of darkness, torture, and violence. It was very well written. My heart pounded at moments where I feared for Iza or Phobe. Zoe parker definitely made me feel for the characters. The type of 'others' that are in these books are a little confusing. Maybe because they are extremely unique to anything else I have ever read.
I definitely recommend this book and cannot wait for book 2
I definitely recommend this book and cannot wait for book 2
March 14, 2018
Elusion was so freaking good! Okay, so I finished this book a while ago and I'm just now writing the review. Thank you to the person who gave me the flu because now I'm knocking out so many reviews! So this book is a dual POV from Iza and Phobe, which are kind of hard names to pernounce.. but it could have just been due to the medicine I'm on. I just called them I and P.
Now this book gives you a lot of torture and violence but it also gives you humor. Iza is freaking hilarious with the sassy comments she makes while being held prisoner. I just fell in love with her character whenever she would just say something so completely hilarious without even trying. Then there's Phobe who had magical powers because he could heal himself after every beat down he took. UH, where can I get that kind of magic?? That would come in so freaking handy sometimes.
Then there's Rickher, who tortured them both and he's a huge asshole. I hated him so much that I planned his death from the moment I met his character. Then things got a little weird and confusing because then they were on earth. I was amazed at how quickly they adapted to everything.. because I still haven't adapted to everything yet. I will admit that everytime she spoke to her dad or someone through her mind I was always laughing. Especially when she did it front of the hotel manager and he's like uh... is everything all right?
Overall, I loved this book. It was really interesting with a little dash of confusion. Loved both of the characters and how they are determined to protect the ones that they love. The ending hooked me in again and I am dying to get my hands on book two people. DYING!
Now this book gives you a lot of torture and violence but it also gives you humor. Iza is freaking hilarious with the sassy comments she makes while being held prisoner. I just fell in love with her character whenever she would just say something so completely hilarious without even trying. Then there's Phobe who had magical powers because he could heal himself after every beat down he took. UH, where can I get that kind of magic?? That would come in so freaking handy sometimes.
Then there's Rickher, who tortured them both and he's a huge asshole. I hated him so much that I planned his death from the moment I met his character. Then things got a little weird and confusing because then they were on earth. I was amazed at how quickly they adapted to everything.. because I still haven't adapted to everything yet. I will admit that everytime she spoke to her dad or someone through her mind I was always laughing. Especially when she did it front of the hotel manager and he's like uh... is everything all right?
Overall, I loved this book. It was really interesting with a little dash of confusion. Loved both of the characters and how they are determined to protect the ones that they love. The ending hooked me in again and I am dying to get my hands on book two people. DYING!
May 2, 2018
What the hell kind of ending is that,who ends a book so abruptly, Zoe Parker.
I liked Iza, she had been imprisoned for years and did what she had to do including eating rats. That sold it for me , to be honest. I have read books where the character is imprisoned and they almost starve to death while rats scurry around their cell, you better eat them rats, that's food! tf. Anyway yea, survival is all that matters and that was Iza all through.
She also went on some Mhysa Khalessi shit when she was freed, which I expected to get boring at some point but surprisingly didn't . She was badass killing everyone and she seemed to love it so, yay.
We don't really get to see a lot between her and Phobe after she was freed but the beginning more than made up for it.
I've got the second book and I can't wait to start.
I liked Iza, she had been imprisoned for years and did what she had to do including eating rats. That sold it for me , to be honest. I have read books where the character is imprisoned and they almost starve to death while rats scurry around their cell, you better eat them rats, that's food! tf. Anyway yea, survival is all that matters and that was Iza all through.
She also went on some Mhysa Khalessi shit when she was freed, which I expected to get boring at some point but surprisingly didn't . She was badass killing everyone and she seemed to love it so, yay.
We don't really get to see a lot between her and Phobe after she was freed but the beginning more than made up for it.
I've got the second book and I can't wait to start.
August 21, 2020
A dark story, torture, magic, fae, shifters and brutality and torture. It's a complex story where the H and h are connected, and he helps her to find a purpose after she frees him. She saves children who've been treated badly, and she connects with them easily as she's childlike after being imprisoned for years. It's bloody and brutal and strangely a lot of fun and love.
January 4, 2018
I loved everything about this book it was a healthy amount of suspense and action giving the story a really good flow and making it very hard to put down.
July 9, 2018
4.5 stars
Yep, I thoroughly enjoyed ELUSION and I think the series is going on my faves list, even though I am only one book in! And for a debut novel, Zoe Parker knocked it out of the park. Hell, for any novel, ELUSION is stellar. There were a few little hiccups in language or grammar that another tight line edit would clear up, and a few logic issues or inconsistencies that made me pause, but nothing that disrupted my enjoyment. All of which I am sure will improve the farther into the series we go, and the more experience the author gains. (Can see more specifics in the update notes at the end)
The character development is truly the strength of FACETS OF FEYRIE so far - as it would have to be with at least half the book taking place almost solely within the minds of the two main characters with very little outside interaction. Well, at least without much outside interaction that involved talking. Or anything else even remotely pleasant.
Iza is a strong and sassy MC, and despite her hellacious past, I appreciated that she is not wallowing in traumatic angst or PTSD. And I am so happy about that I am even willing to buy into the plot device that allows that to make sense (though it would be a spoiler to say what that is - so just know there is a logic to make that work just fine).
And Phobe. Phobe. Despite the god-awful name, he is shaping up to be one of my very favorite male love interests. Unique and interesting and antihero and all. Absolutely loved him! He is definitely one of the very best things about this book. He is part of a trope I love... alpha as hell and never had any interest, feelings, or desire for any other woman, until he meets the MC. *swoon*
As is Iza's secretly marshmallow-soft heart. And her interactions with kids, the innocent, and the abused. Really wonderful given how dark the series is! I think Knox, Ruthie and Michael will become favorite side characters. Oh! And Iza's interactions with her father are marvelous.
I also have enjoyed the "Hero's Journey" trope here. It feels like we don't see this as often in the paranormal romance genre as I might have expected. So it felt kind of fresh. (Clearly it is all over epic fantasy, so it has all those wonderful feels and comfortable familiarity - like slipping into a favorite, well-worn slipper - but it feels refreshing in this particular genre. And the author has handled it very well.)
There were some funky anachonisms or details/idioms used that still seem really odd for another world. Even one that Earth is a part of (one of the planets/realms/dimensions). As examples...
I got the TV and Addams Family references. Earth DOES exist, so I can fully believe things like that are brought over to other realms/planets/dimensions in some form. But it seems odd that Earth things would be so prevalent that someone who has been a prisoner her whole life would use things like "Juice Box" and reference "Spin the Bottle". It just doesn't seem those would be in the common lexicon.
None of that diminished my enjoyment - but I did notice them and they made me pause and think.
Bottom Line? Zoe Parker has done a great job of building these characters and getting the reader into their heads. And the tension of the building mystery is fascinating. This series is WELL worth the read thus far!
UPDATE PROGRESS NOTES:
98.0% "Dum dum dunnnn… Uh oh. Not sure why you would suddenly stop trusting those instincts you've been very effectively leaning on."
70.0% "Okay, here is what I don't get. Didn't she get all of her mom's memories? And presumably her mom lived on earth for at least a portion of the time, if this is where Nika and a lot of dragons are living. So wouldn't she have access to her memories of a lot of earth conventions and so forth? I find a lot of these "fish out of water" scenes to be hilarious, but the realism of them given details in the plot seems off."
68.0% "LMAO! Quote: "OMG lady, you can't eat the goldfish!"
(though I suspect they were koi if they were big enough to take a bite out of the stomach and not just swallow whole)"
64.0% "Sigh... I am really not fond of the avoidance/denial by the MC trope :/"
59.0% "I thought he was the FERRIER (as in ferrying) not FARRIER (as in shoeing/blacksmithing)?"
59.0% "LMAO! Yeah, that would be a tough thing. I would not want my mom's memories either if they come with memories of her with my dad. *shudder*"
58.0% "Hmm... Why do they need to call an Uber? Nika has her own car, brought them to the abandoned house in it, drove to her house and back with it. Not making sense to me..."
56.0% "Wait...did Nika die to give her that gift?!" (Edit: also answered shortly after)
56.0% "ROAR! *shiver* Well done!"
52.0% "Hmm...so Phobe meant "old soul" literally when he said that. Now that IS a surprise."
50.0% "Heh, another great line!
19.0% "Yeah... I am all over Phobe. Already. Really liking his character! And I am glad that this is a dual POV book. It is nice to get time in his head as well as in Iza's."
17.0% "It begs the question... how does she know the rune on her back? Especially if it was hidden until recently? In a prison with no mirrors, I would think she wouldn't be seeing her back at all."
14.0% "This feels a little anachronistic (well, not out of it's time period, but feels off in this fantasy realm). I know Earth is a thing here - a different world they brought TV over from (hence the Addams Family reference). But it feels a little jarring to see such commonplace Earth references like "juice box" and "spin the bottle". Would Earth things like that really be commonplace references for this other world?"
7.0% "Awesome Addams Family reference! Used to love that show."
6.0% "Whoa... 100 languages?! Is that possible (in real life I mean... fantasy, anything is)"
Yep, I thoroughly enjoyed ELUSION and I think the series is going on my faves list, even though I am only one book in! And for a debut novel, Zoe Parker knocked it out of the park. Hell, for any novel, ELUSION is stellar. There were a few little hiccups in language or grammar that another tight line edit would clear up, and a few logic issues or inconsistencies that made me pause, but nothing that disrupted my enjoyment. All of which I am sure will improve the farther into the series we go, and the more experience the author gains. (Can see more specifics in the update notes at the end)
The character development is truly the strength of FACETS OF FEYRIE so far - as it would have to be with at least half the book taking place almost solely within the minds of the two main characters with very little outside interaction. Well, at least without much outside interaction that involved talking. Or anything else even remotely pleasant.
Iza is a strong and sassy MC, and despite her hellacious past, I appreciated that she is not wallowing in traumatic angst or PTSD. And I am so happy about that I am even willing to buy into the plot device that allows that to make sense (though it would be a spoiler to say what that is - so just know there is a logic to make that work just fine).
And Phobe. Phobe. Despite the god-awful name, he is shaping up to be one of my very favorite male love interests. Unique and interesting and antihero and all. Absolutely loved him! He is definitely one of the very best things about this book. He is part of a trope I love... alpha as hell and never had any interest, feelings, or desire for any other woman, until he meets the MC. *swoon*
As is Iza's secretly marshmallow-soft heart. And her interactions with kids, the innocent, and the abused. Really wonderful given how dark the series is! I think Knox, Ruthie and Michael will become favorite side characters. Oh! And Iza's interactions with her father are marvelous.
I also have enjoyed the "Hero's Journey" trope here. It feels like we don't see this as often in the paranormal romance genre as I might have expected. So it felt kind of fresh. (Clearly it is all over epic fantasy, so it has all those wonderful feels and comfortable familiarity - like slipping into a favorite, well-worn slipper - but it feels refreshing in this particular genre. And the author has handled it very well.)
There were some funky anachonisms or details/idioms used that still seem really odd for another world. Even one that Earth is a part of (one of the planets/realms/dimensions). As examples...
I got the TV and Addams Family references. Earth DOES exist, so I can fully believe things like that are brought over to other realms/planets/dimensions in some form. But it seems odd that Earth things would be so prevalent that someone who has been a prisoner her whole life would use things like "Juice Box" and reference "Spin the Bottle". It just doesn't seem those would be in the common lexicon.
None of that diminished my enjoyment - but I did notice them and they made me pause and think.
Bottom Line? Zoe Parker has done a great job of building these characters and getting the reader into their heads. And the tension of the building mystery is fascinating. This series is WELL worth the read thus far!
UPDATE PROGRESS NOTES:
98.0% "Dum dum dunnnn… Uh oh. Not sure why you would suddenly stop trusting those instincts you've been very effectively leaning on."
70.0% "Okay, here is what I don't get. Didn't she get all of her mom's memories? And presumably her mom lived on earth for at least a portion of the time, if this is where Nika and a lot of dragons are living. So wouldn't she have access to her memories of a lot of earth conventions and so forth? I find a lot of these "fish out of water" scenes to be hilarious, but the realism of them given details in the plot seems off."
68.0% "LMAO! Quote: "OMG lady, you can't eat the goldfish!"
(though I suspect they were koi if they were big enough to take a bite out of the stomach and not just swallow whole)"
64.0% "Sigh... I am really not fond of the avoidance/denial by the MC trope :/"
59.0% "I thought he was the FERRIER (as in ferrying) not FARRIER (as in shoeing/blacksmithing)?"
59.0% "LMAO! Yeah, that would be a tough thing. I would not want my mom's memories either if they come with memories of her with my dad. *shudder*"
58.0% "Hmm... Why do they need to call an Uber? Nika has her own car, brought them to the abandoned house in it, drove to her house and back with it. Not making sense to me..."
56.0% "Wait...did Nika die to give her that gift?!" (Edit: also answered shortly after)
56.0% "ROAR! *shiver* Well done!"
52.0% "Hmm...so Phobe meant "old soul" literally when he said that. Now that IS a surprise."
50.0% "Heh, another great line!
“We are going to a place called Pennsylvania.” That is as close as I can get using the information provided by my snack. Iza is a bad influence on me. That sounds like something she would say.49.0% "OMFG...LMAO. That is hilarious!
Growing impatient, I grab Jameson and drag him away from the girl who works in the vehicle they sell their tacos from. He is a walking penis."43.0% "I don't understand why she is blocking Phobe out, why she is distancing herself from him like this. It's almost like she is punishing him. But for what? Solely because she came to care for him and gave up her shot at freedom? That was on her, he told her to run. Gah!" (Edit: this became clear later - there was a reason!)
19.0% "Yeah... I am all over Phobe. Already. Really liking his character! And I am glad that this is a dual POV book. It is nice to get time in his head as well as in Iza's."
17.0% "It begs the question... how does she know the rune on her back? Especially if it was hidden until recently? In a prison with no mirrors, I would think she wouldn't be seeing her back at all."
14.0% "This feels a little anachronistic (well, not out of it's time period, but feels off in this fantasy realm). I know Earth is a thing here - a different world they brought TV over from (hence the Addams Family reference). But it feels a little jarring to see such commonplace Earth references like "juice box" and "spin the bottle". Would Earth things like that really be commonplace references for this other world?"
7.0% "Awesome Addams Family reference! Used to love that show."
6.0% "Whoa... 100 languages?! Is that possible (in real life I mean... fantasy, anything is)"
June 12, 2020
4.5
This is exactly what every dark fantasy tries and fails to be.
Iza is a fae who has been locked in prison since she was 12. Phobe is a powerful demon-like creature that is enslaved by her captors and inexplicably chooses to keep Iza alive.
It's a mate bond trope, but it works as a slow burn. Iza and Phobe are written really well. They're fully believable as powerful inhuman creatures but they also retain a pragmatic goodness that makes them easy to root for.
The prison setting is ROUGH, not gonna lie. Definitely wouldn't recommend this to more sensitive readers. But what I loved is that for once, the violence and abuse isn't written in a gratuitous or exploitative way. It's there to add to the story instead of to illicit emotional responses from the audience. And it makes full sense in the context of the story; I actually think the plot would've been weaker without every hard to read scene.
Overall, it's a very strong start to an ambitious series.
This is exactly what every dark fantasy tries and fails to be.
Iza is a fae who has been locked in prison since she was 12. Phobe is a powerful demon-like creature that is enslaved by her captors and inexplicably chooses to keep Iza alive.
It's a mate bond trope, but it works as a slow burn. Iza and Phobe are written really well. They're fully believable as powerful inhuman creatures but they also retain a pragmatic goodness that makes them easy to root for.
The prison setting is ROUGH, not gonna lie. Definitely wouldn't recommend this to more sensitive readers. But what I loved is that for once, the violence and abuse isn't written in a gratuitous or exploitative way. It's there to add to the story instead of to illicit emotional responses from the audience. And it makes full sense in the context of the story; I actually think the plot would've been weaker without every hard to read scene.
Overall, it's a very strong start to an ambitious series.
November 30, 2017
Wow
Packed full of, action, violence, darkness, seduction, intrigue. Everything you'd ever want in a book.
Elusion was awesome, I was certainly impressed. Wonderful characters, development, world building, and dialog. Very hard to find any faults, I am still star stuck. I cannot wait for the 2nd book.
Packed full of, action, violence, darkness, seduction, intrigue. Everything you'd ever want in a book.
Isa has been in jail since she was 12 years old. Her main companion? Mr. Glowy eyes. He doesn't talk much but Isa is certain he is more then he appears. After a punishment that went beyond what was expected Mr. Glowy eyes keeps Isa from the brink of death. Little did they know, they pushed the metaphorical domino and kick started a prophecy and the chain of events that followed. Together they find out that they might just risk everything for each other and their 'friendship'.
Elusion was awesome, I was certainly impressed. Wonderful characters, development, world building, and dialog. Very hard to find any faults, I am still star stuck. I cannot wait for the 2nd book.
November 22, 2019
✴ Read for Unleash The Mods™ Challenge (UTM™) over at Fallen Into Tijan Books -- Pick: Maraya | Month: September ✴
Seriously. This was so AWESOME I can't word!
I can, however, screech. Loudly and unrepentantly.
*takes deep breath*
Seriously. This was so AWESOME I can't word!
I can, however, screech. Loudly and unrepentantly.
*takes deep breath*
January 13, 2018
5 stars!
I don't know where to begin. There's so much I want to say but I'll sound like a lunatic. This is a book about fae and otherworldly creatures. I LOVE books about fae, GOOD books about fae... and this was beyond amazing!!
Of all the books I've read, paranormal and non-paranormal,... I believe this is the only true dark book I've ever read. Some books come with the label "dark", but there's still that inherent goodness about them whether it be the romance or the hero or heroine themselves... But this book? NOooooo this was straight up dark (in my opinion).
In fact the first half of the book I wondered whether I should continue reading because I saw no light at the end of the tunnel, no beacon of hope pulling me forward. All I could think was...
But I just couldnt stop because no matter the outcome. This book DESERVED to be read. HEA or not it became a ride or die moment for me. And after that first half it wasn't as dark (maybe the author realized the human psyche could only take so much?) ...but it was still dark. and captivating. So I embraced the darkness.
I can't describe the different aspects of this book like i normally do in my reviews because I know I'll end up talking ALL Day. It's too early for me to deem this my favorite fae series, because I haven't read the second book yet and I don't know how many more there will be, but it's definitely in the running.
January 7, 2019
The onset of this book introduces us to Iza and Mr Glowy Eyes as Iza refers to him, they reside in cells facing one another, and endure a hellish existence of being trapped and tortured. Each fascinated by the other.
This story is a story about monsters, but not as we know them, here it is the monsters in their messiness, bloodlust and uniqueness, who dare I say it, are the heroes – at least that is the case with Iza. A woman, a monster, who through the course of this book begins to discover what she is, and what she truly is capable of. Her hellish existence rather than creating a cold heartless fiend has forged a will of steel, and ensured that she has a big heart, but when she is crossed, or those she loves are threatened, well the idiots who decide to mess with her should really run, not that running will stop them from meeting a horrible end.
At the onset of the book the way in which the author is able depict the sense of entrapment and bleakness felt by Iza had me absorbed, as did Iza’s resilience and willpower.
Then there is Mr Glowy eyes (Phobe), who is darkness, for many he is a monster of infinite power, too much power. There is no soft centre waiting to be discovered, cross him and you’ll not live long enough to regret it. Yet for a being who has never formed an attachment, who is frightfully powerful – Iza becomes a fascination. Her death would mean Phobe laying waste to the all.
The author has imagined a fascinating world, one that has a lot of potential. I’m hoping the second book will be similar to the richness found in the first part of this book, as that is the part of the book that had me riveted. The rest was overall enjoyable, although I did feel the book lost a fair amount of its spark and potency once they escaped, whilst there were small moments of the fabulousness found in the first part of the book, it wasn’t as engrossing.
This story is a story about monsters, but not as we know them, here it is the monsters in their messiness, bloodlust and uniqueness, who dare I say it, are the heroes – at least that is the case with Iza. A woman, a monster, who through the course of this book begins to discover what she is, and what she truly is capable of. Her hellish existence rather than creating a cold heartless fiend has forged a will of steel, and ensured that she has a big heart, but when she is crossed, or those she loves are threatened, well the idiots who decide to mess with her should really run, not that running will stop them from meeting a horrible end.
At the onset of the book the way in which the author is able depict the sense of entrapment and bleakness felt by Iza had me absorbed, as did Iza’s resilience and willpower.
Then there is Mr Glowy eyes (Phobe), who is darkness, for many he is a monster of infinite power, too much power. There is no soft centre waiting to be discovered, cross him and you’ll not live long enough to regret it. Yet for a being who has never formed an attachment, who is frightfully powerful – Iza becomes a fascination. Her death would mean Phobe laying waste to the all.
The author has imagined a fascinating world, one that has a lot of potential. I’m hoping the second book will be similar to the richness found in the first part of this book, as that is the part of the book that had me riveted. The rest was overall enjoyable, although I did feel the book lost a fair amount of its spark and potency once they escaped, whilst there were small moments of the fabulousness found in the first part of the book, it wasn’t as engrossing.
October 5, 2018
DNF @ 52%
The male audiobook narrator is quite frankly horrendous. I cannot stress enough how much this book should NOT be listened to. I gave up on it around the 25% mark and switched to the ebook, where I was at least no longer cringing during every chapter that was narrated from Phobe's point of view. Which that brings me to my next complaint - the name Phobe. I can tell you from the audiobook that this is pronounced Fobe, like the first syllable of 'phobia'. However when you are reading this name, you can't help but initially read it at Phoebe, a female name most popularly known as a ditzy character from the tv show "Friends", which is approximately 0% like this male book character. Yet I could not seem to get the name Phobe to stick, I just kept accidentally reading it as Phoebe, much to my own annoyance. But what made me ultimately stop reading this book was the fact that these characters just aren't three-dimensional at all. They have gone through a lot of physical trauma and yet seem emotionally and mentally fine. They quickly attach to each other with barely any interactions, which I can only guess will end up stemming from some kind of 'fated to be mated' type of thing, but for now it just comes across as some kind of insta-attraction. Lastly, there is almost no real world building - it's all glossed over with no explanation until all of a sudden there is a 'book' about 'history' which seems to be exist solely as a convenient explanation of things. Pass.
The male audiobook narrator is quite frankly horrendous. I cannot stress enough how much this book should NOT be listened to. I gave up on it around the 25% mark and switched to the ebook, where I was at least no longer cringing during every chapter that was narrated from Phobe's point of view. Which that brings me to my next complaint - the name Phobe. I can tell you from the audiobook that this is pronounced Fobe, like the first syllable of 'phobia'. However when you are reading this name, you can't help but initially read it at Phoebe, a female name most popularly known as a ditzy character from the tv show "Friends", which is approximately 0% like this male book character. Yet I could not seem to get the name Phobe to stick, I just kept accidentally reading it as Phoebe, much to my own annoyance. But what made me ultimately stop reading this book was the fact that these characters just aren't three-dimensional at all. They have gone through a lot of physical trauma and yet seem emotionally and mentally fine. They quickly attach to each other with barely any interactions, which I can only guess will end up stemming from some kind of 'fated to be mated' type of thing, but for now it just comes across as some kind of insta-attraction. Lastly, there is almost no real world building - it's all glossed over with no explanation until all of a sudden there is a 'book' about 'history' which seems to be exist solely as a convenient explanation of things. Pass.
September 10, 2020
4.25 dark-sidhe-loving-stars
This is my favourite indie author so far this year. Sure the book isn't as polished as something like the adored Fever series, but I plowed through loving every dark magical and vengeful minute of it. I can also relate to the heroine, as I too came to learn the joy of cheeseburgers late in life.
----MMFBCE Myths and Monsters----
This is my favourite indie author so far this year. Sure the book isn't as polished as something like the adored Fever series, but I plowed through loving every dark magical and vengeful minute of it. I can also relate to the heroine, as I too came to learn the joy of cheeseburgers late in life.
----MMFBCE Myths and Monsters----
March 16, 2020
This was a strange, dark, at times confusing, wild ride.
But be warned this book does include mentions of
Also, I'm still slightly confused about all the different worlds, how the mark on Iza's back is connected, and what the prophecy exactly is- but I got enough generals to not be completely in the dark.
But be warned this book does include mentions of
Also, I'm still slightly confused about all the different worlds, how the mark on Iza's back is connected, and what the prophecy exactly is- but I got enough generals to not be completely in the dark.
dnf-books
January 23, 2020Nope - not for me!
December 30, 2017
This is one of those times when words escape me. When I like the book so much, I don't know where to start or what to really say.
The world, the plot, the writing. Dear god, the writing was so, so good. It didn't take any effort on my part to visualize everything that was happening in the story, it's like I had a clear picture of it all in my mind. At it was so gripping, too.
And the characters. I loved reading about every single one of them, jut because they were that well written. But of course no one was more fascinating for me to read about than Iza and Phobe.
Also, I definitely appreciated all the weird and dry humor in this book. It sure fit right in with the uniqueness of the story.
The only reservation I had here was the ending. Or rather, the fact that it ended too soon. It wasn't even because of the fact that I did not get my full fix of this book, but because it did not feel as though we've reached a conclusive point in the story. Like it wasn't the time for it to end. Or at least, that's how it felt to me.
But I will definitely read the next book. I mean, how can I not?
The world, the plot, the writing. Dear god, the writing was so, so good. It didn't take any effort on my part to visualize everything that was happening in the story, it's like I had a clear picture of it all in my mind. At it was so gripping, too.
And the characters. I loved reading about every single one of them, jut because they were that well written. But of course no one was more fascinating for me to read about than Iza and Phobe.
Also, I definitely appreciated all the weird and dry humor in this book. It sure fit right in with the uniqueness of the story.
The only reservation I had here was the ending. Or rather, the fact that it ended too soon. It wasn't even because of the fact that I did not get my full fix of this book, but because it did not feel as though we've reached a conclusive point in the story. Like it wasn't the time for it to end. Or at least, that's how it felt to me.
But I will definitely read the next book. I mean, how can I not?
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