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Two Realms #0.5
The Amber Elixir
What if the Lady of the Lake and Merlin were powerful, headstrong youths who each loved someone beyond their reach?
Heartbreak haunts Viviane, the new Lady of the Lake, after a magical challenge from Merlin ends tragically, causing her forbidden love to forsake her. Proving her worthiness may help Viviane win back her estranged lover. But will helping the sorceress Morgan le Fay concoct an elixir to save King Arthur aid Viviane’s cause? Can she trust a potion created from Merlin’s stolen incomplete spell?
In a dangerous time of shape-shifting fairies, unrivaled sorcery, and protective dragons,
the amber elixir could alter the balance of power in the Two Realms for centuries. Even on the isle of Avalon, magic exacts a price and choices have consequences.
Fans of The Mists of Avalon , will love The Amber Elixir , a medieval tale of magic, powerful women, and forbidden romance.
Heartbreak haunts Viviane, the new Lady of the Lake, after a magical challenge from Merlin ends tragically, causing her forbidden love to forsake her. Proving her worthiness may help Viviane win back her estranged lover. But will helping the sorceress Morgan le Fay concoct an elixir to save King Arthur aid Viviane’s cause? Can she trust a potion created from Merlin’s stolen incomplete spell?
In a dangerous time of shape-shifting fairies, unrivaled sorcery, and protective dragons,
the amber elixir could alter the balance of power in the Two Realms for centuries. Even on the isle of Avalon, magic exacts a price and choices have consequences.
Fans of The Mists of Avalon , will love The Amber Elixir , a medieval tale of magic, powerful women, and forbidden romance.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2017
1 person is currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Ariella Moon
10 books121 followersAriella Moon draws upon her experiences as a shaman to create magical Young Adult fiction. Her series include The Two Realms Trilogy, a medieval Scotland and Fairy fantasy romance, Two Realms Novellas, origin stories of characters and magic in the Two Realms, and The Teen Wytche Saga, a series of sweet contemporary paranormal romances. Ariella’s “Covert Hearts” appears in Second Chances: A Romance Writers of America Collection. She lives a nearly normal life doting on her extraordinary daughter, two shamelessly spoiled dogs, and a media-shy dragon.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 20, 2018
The Amber Elixir is a novella from the Two Realms series by Ariella Moon.
Set in Arthurian times, we follow the Lady of the Lake, Viviane, and her journey to undo the magic that turned two of her handmaidens to stone. There's more to it than that, of course, because we're also dealing with Merlin, Morgan le Fay, and even Queen Mab.
The Amber Elixir, to me, felt longer than a novella. It actually felt like a full-length story that I wasn't quite getting the full length of, if that makes sense. At first I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into while reading the story, but things cleared up a bit the farther along into it I got. However, it does feel a little...incomplete. I felt like I should have already read at least the first book before diving into this one. That's just me, though.
I did like the story for what it was, and even though I didn't quite connect with any of the characters, I did think Viviane was a good leader and protector of her handmaidens, and she seemed loyal and determined, too.
As for the other characters, Merlin is kind of a jerk at times, but I suppose that's to be expected. Morgan le Fay is interesting. I liked her, but I wasn't sure if she was trustworthy or not. I actually think I liked Viv's handmaidens the most. They were young, innocent, but so full of an eagerness to learn. I liked them a lot.
Plot-wise, the story stays pretty steady. There were a few spots in the beginning I felt were a little slow, but it picked up and stayed at that pace the rest of the way through the book. The ending didn't seem too rushed, although it did leave me wanting more.
Overall, The Amber Elixir is a pretty decent read, and I'd be curious to see where the series goes. I might have to look into the first book so things start to come together and make more sense to me.
I'd rate The Amber Elixir 3.5 stars.
Set in Arthurian times, we follow the Lady of the Lake, Viviane, and her journey to undo the magic that turned two of her handmaidens to stone. There's more to it than that, of course, because we're also dealing with Merlin, Morgan le Fay, and even Queen Mab.
The Amber Elixir, to me, felt longer than a novella. It actually felt like a full-length story that I wasn't quite getting the full length of, if that makes sense. At first I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into while reading the story, but things cleared up a bit the farther along into it I got. However, it does feel a little...incomplete. I felt like I should have already read at least the first book before diving into this one. That's just me, though.
I did like the story for what it was, and even though I didn't quite connect with any of the characters, I did think Viviane was a good leader and protector of her handmaidens, and she seemed loyal and determined, too.
As for the other characters, Merlin is kind of a jerk at times, but I suppose that's to be expected. Morgan le Fay is interesting. I liked her, but I wasn't sure if she was trustworthy or not. I actually think I liked Viv's handmaidens the most. They were young, innocent, but so full of an eagerness to learn. I liked them a lot.
Plot-wise, the story stays pretty steady. There were a few spots in the beginning I felt were a little slow, but it picked up and stayed at that pace the rest of the way through the book. The ending didn't seem too rushed, although it did leave me wanting more.
Overall, The Amber Elixir is a pretty decent read, and I'd be curious to see where the series goes. I might have to look into the first book so things start to come together and make more sense to me.
I'd rate The Amber Elixir 3.5 stars.
February 19, 2018
Interim novella
I enjoyed learning more about the lady of the lake. There is a lot that happens and I am intrigued to learn where it is all leading.
I enjoyed learning more about the lady of the lake. There is a lot that happens and I am intrigued to learn where it is all leading.
March 1, 2018
**I received a copy of this book from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest voluntary review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**
Ariella Moon has done a great job of weaving classic Arthurian elements and her own imaginings into this novella. It's a really interesting blend of fantasy elements at play and I loved learning more as I read.
I think fans of classic fantasy novels will love the world we get here. It's very complex and rich and completely captivates you.
While the focus is mostly on Viviane and her role in the world, we get introduced to quite a few players and that just makes everything a little fuller and more complex. I like stories that have a lot going on; that have multiple storylines and characters involved and this one has it. I found this to be a very strong story and for its novella length, it reads more like a full novel.
You can definitely read this novel without reading The Beltane Escape. It does a great job of tying the two together to get readers up to speed. It is noted on Ariella's site she does recommend reading this novella after The Beltane Escape. My problem was that I didn't know there was a Book 1 so I was a little confused during the prologue what was happening as I unaware we've been introduced to this world before.
Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!
Full Review: https://wp.me/p7hLUw-2ts
Actual Rating: 3/5
Ariella Moon has done a great job of weaving classic Arthurian elements and her own imaginings into this novella. It's a really interesting blend of fantasy elements at play and I loved learning more as I read.
I think fans of classic fantasy novels will love the world we get here. It's very complex and rich and completely captivates you.
While the focus is mostly on Viviane and her role in the world, we get introduced to quite a few players and that just makes everything a little fuller and more complex. I like stories that have a lot going on; that have multiple storylines and characters involved and this one has it. I found this to be a very strong story and for its novella length, it reads more like a full novel.
You can definitely read this novel without reading The Beltane Escape. It does a great job of tying the two together to get readers up to speed. It is noted on Ariella's site she does recommend reading this novella after The Beltane Escape. My problem was that I didn't know there was a Book 1 so I was a little confused during the prologue what was happening as I unaware we've been introduced to this world before.
Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!
Full Review: https://wp.me/p7hLUw-2ts
Actual Rating: 3/5
January 10, 2018
This is an introduction to A Two Realms Trilogy. It's set in the Arthurian era where magic reigned.
Vivianne is Merlin's apprentice and the new lady of the lake. Confident in her magic, she accepts a challenge from Merlin and as a result has to endure a severe punishment. Avalon is now in a dire state and she has to find a way to right the wrongs.
Morrain, a water fay comes across an object that she considers to be a "treasure" and delivers this to Mab, the Fay Queen. Her reward is not quite what she expects. Morgan Le Fay has her own agenda which just so happens to be linked to that particular object. Vivianne's quest to make amends leads her to make a bad decision. A decision which threatens her purpose and those in her care.
This novella consists of several layers. Merlin's intentions are not quite clear. Morgan's behaviour is conflicting and Mab remains a bit of a mystery despite the assumptions being made about her.
Although Vivianne makes some progress, there are more questions to be answered. This contains white and dark magic with the elements of deceit and greed for power. It's a complex and interesting introduction to the series.
I was kindly issued with an eARC and the views expressed are my personal opinion.
Vivianne is Merlin's apprentice and the new lady of the lake. Confident in her magic, she accepts a challenge from Merlin and as a result has to endure a severe punishment. Avalon is now in a dire state and she has to find a way to right the wrongs.
Morrain, a water fay comes across an object that she considers to be a "treasure" and delivers this to Mab, the Fay Queen. Her reward is not quite what she expects. Morgan Le Fay has her own agenda which just so happens to be linked to that particular object. Vivianne's quest to make amends leads her to make a bad decision. A decision which threatens her purpose and those in her care.
This novella consists of several layers. Merlin's intentions are not quite clear. Morgan's behaviour is conflicting and Mab remains a bit of a mystery despite the assumptions being made about her.
Although Vivianne makes some progress, there are more questions to be answered. This contains white and dark magic with the elements of deceit and greed for power. It's a complex and interesting introduction to the series.
I was kindly issued with an eARC and the views expressed are my personal opinion.
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January 3, 2018Rating and review to come during the blog tour.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews