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Wraith
Magic. Shadows. Adventure. Romance.
Saiya Buchanan is a wraith, able to detach her shadow from her body and send it off to do her bidding. But, unlike most of her kin, Saiya doesn't deal in death. Instead, she trades secrets - and in the goblin besieged city of Stirling in Scotland, they're a highly prized commodity. It might just be, however, that the goblins have been hiding the greatest secret of them all. When Gabriel de Florinville, a Dark Elf, is sent as royal envoy into Stirling and takes her prisoner, Saiya is not only going to uncover the sinister truth. She's also going to realise that sometimes the deepest secrets are the ones locked within your own heart.
This is a stand-alone urban fantasy novel.
Saiya Buchanan is a wraith, able to detach her shadow from her body and send it off to do her bidding. But, unlike most of her kin, Saiya doesn't deal in death. Instead, she trades secrets - and in the goblin besieged city of Stirling in Scotland, they're a highly prized commodity. It might just be, however, that the goblins have been hiding the greatest secret of them all. When Gabriel de Florinville, a Dark Elf, is sent as royal envoy into Stirling and takes her prisoner, Saiya is not only going to uncover the sinister truth. She's also going to realise that sometimes the deepest secrets are the ones locked within your own heart.
This is a stand-alone urban fantasy novel.
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First published February 25, 2018
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March 22, 2018
A bold and unique urban fantasy of a view of dystopian United Kingdom plagued by elves and goblins.
I'm so here for it. Did I mention that it is free on Kindle Unlimited? Because it totally is.
When I think of urban fantasy books set in the UK, my mind first goes to Karen Marie Moning and her Fever series. It is intense and dark and very sexy and really my introduction into a big chunk of the genre. I was honestly a bit worried about this book being too close to that series as far as plot structure and oogie boogie stuff but I was pleasantly surprised.
Saiya is a wraith. The first image that comes to mind when I hear that word is Lord of the Rings. So dark, spooky, rides a scary creature of some sort, lost their soul...all of that business. This book approaches wraiths as someone that can detach their shadow from their body and run around. This makes them excellent assassins but Saiya isn't about to kill anybody. She deals in secrets, not death. The city of Stirling, Scotland is owned by the goblins who are willing to starve and hold captive all of the residents to control the city. When a Dark Elf named Gabriel de Florinville envoy comes to the city to check on it, essentially, Saiya finds herself eavesdropping on him.
She takes too many risks though and her shadow is held captive by this Elf. Saiya struggles for freedom while also learning more about the mysterious Gabriel and his knowledge and intentions for Stirling.
I honestly don't think I have read anything in the urban fantasy genre with wraiths. Ghosts, spirits, elves, trolls, goblins...yeah. But no wraiths. Their lore is a lot harder to pin down in many ways but that can also give the author more creative flexibility. It is sort of a clean slate for the genre and the author generally doesn't run the risk of being attacked because wraiths don't sparkle in the sun you absolute peanut. And then using a place with a history as long as Scotland but putting it in some sort of dystopian hellscape gives the author a physical setting but also the ability to transform the landscape as needed. The castle features prominently in the book as well as many of the streets but the imagination of the reader can take it so many different places without relying on physical locations.
Look at me writing an actual review. I'm so proud of myself.
Anyways. Both Saiya and Gabriel are fun characters to read about and get to know. Saiya has morals but also realizes that she cannot live and survive in a perfectly moral environment. She has to lie and manipulate in order to protect her future so she sells her secrets easily and quickly to those who would take advantage of them. Sure, she has an ideal version of the world that she would love to live in but that world doesn't exist at the moment. She is realistic and hardy which is a fantastic combination for an effective main character. Furthermore, Saiya has talents besides being a wraith that are necessary for the book. She can take care of herself and doesn't really need the protection of Gabriel.
And he recognizes that. It is fantastic.
Here is this man (well, Dark Elf Envoy) with oodles of magical energy and power that has to use the talents of a mere human to complete his tasks and survive the city. He is reliant on her as opposed to the typical trope of urban fantasy books where the woman is overwhelmed by magic and Save me you big hunk of wolf/lion/barracuda/tarantula/bear/Easter Bunny Shifter! *le swoon!*. Gabriel isn't perfect and neither is Saiya but they work together to survive and protect the residents of the city from certain death.
Gosh, isn't that wonderful? Can't you get behind these beautiful flawed babies?
They aren't confident alpha jackasses out to save the word because it is the noble thing to do. They are unsure and scared. They both make terrible mistakes and fall victims to pride and youth. Saiya isn't overwhelmingly beautiful and doesn't make men fall at her feet in puddles of drool. Gabriel is an elf but he isn't all powerful with flowing blonde hair skating down stone staircases while firing arrows into the sunset.
This book is about genuine struggle, despite it being in a fantasy setting. Good versus evil. Corruption versus survival. Morals versus obeying the law. These themes are universal and just about everybody can relate to them. What choices would you make? Would you risk your life to save the others of those in your city, even if it means death or torture?
Really y'all. I want this book to be the next sensation. I want more like this.
Gimme gimme gimme.
I'm so here for it. Did I mention that it is free on Kindle Unlimited? Because it totally is.
When I think of urban fantasy books set in the UK, my mind first goes to Karen Marie Moning and her Fever series. It is intense and dark and very sexy and really my introduction into a big chunk of the genre. I was honestly a bit worried about this book being too close to that series as far as plot structure and oogie boogie stuff but I was pleasantly surprised.
Saiya is a wraith. The first image that comes to mind when I hear that word is Lord of the Rings. So dark, spooky, rides a scary creature of some sort, lost their soul...all of that business. This book approaches wraiths as someone that can detach their shadow from their body and run around. This makes them excellent assassins but Saiya isn't about to kill anybody. She deals in secrets, not death. The city of Stirling, Scotland is owned by the goblins who are willing to starve and hold captive all of the residents to control the city. When a Dark Elf named Gabriel de Florinville envoy comes to the city to check on it, essentially, Saiya finds herself eavesdropping on him.
She takes too many risks though and her shadow is held captive by this Elf. Saiya struggles for freedom while also learning more about the mysterious Gabriel and his knowledge and intentions for Stirling.
I honestly don't think I have read anything in the urban fantasy genre with wraiths. Ghosts, spirits, elves, trolls, goblins...yeah. But no wraiths. Their lore is a lot harder to pin down in many ways but that can also give the author more creative flexibility. It is sort of a clean slate for the genre and the author generally doesn't run the risk of being attacked because wraiths don't sparkle in the sun you absolute peanut. And then using a place with a history as long as Scotland but putting it in some sort of dystopian hellscape gives the author a physical setting but also the ability to transform the landscape as needed. The castle features prominently in the book as well as many of the streets but the imagination of the reader can take it so many different places without relying on physical locations.
Look at me writing an actual review. I'm so proud of myself.
Anyways. Both Saiya and Gabriel are fun characters to read about and get to know. Saiya has morals but also realizes that she cannot live and survive in a perfectly moral environment. She has to lie and manipulate in order to protect her future so she sells her secrets easily and quickly to those who would take advantage of them. Sure, she has an ideal version of the world that she would love to live in but that world doesn't exist at the moment. She is realistic and hardy which is a fantastic combination for an effective main character. Furthermore, Saiya has talents besides being a wraith that are necessary for the book. She can take care of herself and doesn't really need the protection of Gabriel.
And he recognizes that. It is fantastic.
Here is this man (well, Dark Elf Envoy) with oodles of magical energy and power that has to use the talents of a mere human to complete his tasks and survive the city. He is reliant on her as opposed to the typical trope of urban fantasy books where the woman is overwhelmed by magic and Save me you big hunk of wolf/lion/barracuda/tarantula/bear/Easter Bunny Shifter! *le swoon!*. Gabriel isn't perfect and neither is Saiya but they work together to survive and protect the residents of the city from certain death.
Gosh, isn't that wonderful? Can't you get behind these beautiful flawed babies?
They aren't confident alpha jackasses out to save the word because it is the noble thing to do. They are unsure and scared. They both make terrible mistakes and fall victims to pride and youth. Saiya isn't overwhelmingly beautiful and doesn't make men fall at her feet in puddles of drool. Gabriel is an elf but he isn't all powerful with flowing blonde hair skating down stone staircases while firing arrows into the sunset.
This book is about genuine struggle, despite it being in a fantasy setting. Good versus evil. Corruption versus survival. Morals versus obeying the law. These themes are universal and just about everybody can relate to them. What choices would you make? Would you risk your life to save the others of those in your city, even if it means death or torture?
Really y'all. I want this book to be the next sensation. I want more like this.
Gimme gimme gimme.
February 28, 2018
2ish stars
Hm, that was disappointing. I like this author and was very much looking forward to this. This was very nearly a DNF. I skimmed aggressively starting around the 50% mark.
Methinks maybe this should not have been a standalone? IDK, there was A LOT happening here plot wise. On top of that, you're trying to do world building, setting a tone, bringing in the paranormal species, introducing characters, AND have fated mates? Something is going to get sacrificed here and it was definitely that latter.
Everything about the premise was very interesting and I think it had a lot of potential, but it was ALL adventure and action time in the plot, and you're left scratching your head about everything else.
You have two warring factions of goblins, one of which is ruling an isolated city. Why?
Dark Fae are rare and work for the government. Why?
No one likes Wraiths. Why?
(What even is the relationship between all these supernatural species....and humans?)
This city seems to be unique in its desolate and dystopia-like landscape. Why?
There's this all powerful magic stone hidden beneath the city. Why?
There's a side character the has connection to the stone everyone wants. Why?
I think you get where I'm going with this. All the whys.
On top of that, you have two MCs who are fated mates. But you don't know anything about them other than their names and their race. There's zero character development. Zero chemistry. Zero romance, unless you count one kiss. YET, they're in love by the end.
So if you want a straight up adventure-like urban fantasy, you might like this. If you need more, or like some kind of romance, you might not.
Hm, that was disappointing. I like this author and was very much looking forward to this. This was very nearly a DNF. I skimmed aggressively starting around the 50% mark.
Methinks maybe this should not have been a standalone? IDK, there was A LOT happening here plot wise. On top of that, you're trying to do world building, setting a tone, bringing in the paranormal species, introducing characters, AND have fated mates? Something is going to get sacrificed here and it was definitely that latter.
Everything about the premise was very interesting and I think it had a lot of potential, but it was ALL adventure and action time in the plot, and you're left scratching your head about everything else.
You have two warring factions of goblins, one of which is ruling an isolated city. Why?
Dark Fae are rare and work for the government. Why?
No one likes Wraiths. Why?
(What even is the relationship between all these supernatural species....and humans?)
This city seems to be unique in its desolate and dystopia-like landscape. Why?
There's this all powerful magic stone hidden beneath the city. Why?
There's a side character the has connection to the stone everyone wants. Why?
I think you get where I'm going with this. All the whys.
On top of that, you have two MCs who are fated mates. But you don't know anything about them other than their names and their race. There's zero character development. Zero chemistry. Zero romance, unless you count one kiss. YET, they're in love by the end.
So if you want a straight up adventure-like urban fantasy, you might like this. If you need more, or like some kind of romance, you might not.
October 14, 2020
Wraith
By: Helen Harper
Narrated by: Ruth Urquhart
This is a stand alone book but boy do I wish it was a series! I love this book so much! This is an alternative world were there is goblins, trolls, elves, humans, and wraiths. (Probably more too.) Our main gal is a wraith. She can leave her physical body and her shadow body can travel. She is not a killer. She spies to gather info and exchanges that info for food and medicine. One day she is caught spying by a dark elf. He thinks she is an assassin. Things get very complicated, especially when he finds out she is his soulmate! Lots of action, suspense, and great fantasy topped with a touch of romance!
Great narration too!
By: Helen Harper
Narrated by: Ruth Urquhart
This is a stand alone book but boy do I wish it was a series! I love this book so much! This is an alternative world were there is goblins, trolls, elves, humans, and wraiths. (Probably more too.) Our main gal is a wraith. She can leave her physical body and her shadow body can travel. She is not a killer. She spies to gather info and exchanges that info for food and medicine. One day she is caught spying by a dark elf. He thinks she is an assassin. Things get very complicated, especially when he finds out she is his soulmate! Lots of action, suspense, and great fantasy topped with a touch of romance!
Great narration too!
September 26, 2018
The city of Stirling in Scotland has been under occupation by Filit goblins for three years and under siege by Gneiss goblins for nearly as long. It's all by an agreement with the Scottish government, but even so the people of Stirling have been suffering under the brutal hands of the Filits for the entire time. Saiya Buchanan lives in Stirling, making her meager living by using her secret wraith abilities to gather information that she then on-sells. A visit from Gabriel de Florinville, a dark elf envoy from the Scottish government, proves to be the catalyst for exposing why the goblins are in Stirling and a supernatural connection between Saiya and Gabriel that neither expected.
As an urban fantasy setting this really works, particularly by wasting no time on a laborious backstory. There are goblins in Scotland. There are dark elves and they're very rare. Wraiths exist and they can control their shadows separate from their bodies. Bang, done. No explanation given or required. Instead, we get a lot of interesting information about living under a brutal occupation and the sacrifices that people in Stirling must make.
The central plot of what's happening to attract all these goblins to Stirling is an interesting one and progresses well throughout, and the relationship between Saiya and Gabriel is also interesting to a point. It does belabor a particular point (that Saiya is a wraith and Gabriel hates wraiths), far longer than necessary though.
As an urban fantasy setting this really works, particularly by wasting no time on a laborious backstory. There are goblins in Scotland. There are dark elves and they're very rare. Wraiths exist and they can control their shadows separate from their bodies. Bang, done. No explanation given or required. Instead, we get a lot of interesting information about living under a brutal occupation and the sacrifices that people in Stirling must make.
The central plot of what's happening to attract all these goblins to Stirling is an interesting one and progresses well throughout, and the relationship between Saiya and Gabriel is also interesting to a point. It does belabor a particular point (that Saiya is a wraith and Gabriel hates wraiths), far longer than necessary though.
February 27, 2018
Really wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. The concept and the plot were excellent but it just seemed to drag too often. Also, the main character’s relationship was not fully explored and the story was crying out for an epilogue.
February 4, 2019
Are you ready to walk into a world filled power hungry goblins and humans living in poverty? Helen Harper created a one of a kind world in Wraith. Saiya, our heroine, has an uphill battle on her hands. Wraith is a delicious read and I definitely recommend you pick it up.
October 29, 2019
Rating: 4 stars
A dazzling story with a setting that works well in the real world and characters that make it all darkly amusing. As always, Helen Harper does not disappoint, and if the love scene that was squished into the storyline annoyed me because it felt rushed, unnecessary and out of place, then I forgive the author for being forced to write it in. I truly enjoyed this book and felt it was worth my time.
A dazzling story with a setting that works well in the real world and characters that make it all darkly amusing. As always, Helen Harper does not disappoint, and if the love scene that was squished into the storyline annoyed me because it felt rushed, unnecessary and out of place, then I forgive the author for being forced to write it in. I truly enjoyed this book and felt it was worth my time.
September 23, 2023
This was better than expected and I actually enjoyed it. A human who can detach her shadow and use it to ferret out secrets, but what happens when her shadow is caught and by the dark elf meant to be her soul mate. There’s magic, war, and social issues in this book. Overall it was a good read
September 7, 2018
This was an Audible Daily Deal -- love those! -- and I was in the mood for fantasy so I forked over the $4. This was actually more like urban fantasy, though for the most part, it didn't feel too urban. Only when the old bowling alley or Rihanna was mentioned. ;0) It wasn't the best fantasy novel I've read, nor was it the best one I've read featuring goblins and elves; however, the wraith concept of separating yourself from your shadow self was unique enough. At any rate, it was $4 well spent to avoid thinking about work and the plethora of things stressing me out at the moment and worry instead about a Scotland where a nefarious goblin was threatening to name himself king.
June 9, 2018
This book was interesting, it felt fairytaleish, which i love, but was a slow start for me took a while to get into things.
The story is about Scotland being overtaken by two Clans of Goblins, while humans live there being savagely mistreated.... Saiya who's a Wraith gathers secrets..... She meets the dark elf Envoy as they unravel secrets to discover an impending doom.
So for me i would have loved a brief recap on the history of Scotland, I feel like the Author has just dropped us into her imaginary world blind... the humans listen to Rhianna so normalcy, but how on earth did Goblins take over???? Also what is a wraith in this authors POV all i get is they are killers a little more depth into, what, why and how would not of gone amiss.
The suspense got dragged out way too much... Saiya's wraith secret and the whole understanding of Fior Ghal, both reveals were anti climactic too, especially after waiting so long and being referenced every other page.
The start of the book was slow.. Too many characters with long difficult names were introduced in the prologue i felt a bit overwhelmed i nearly gave up there and then.
What i loved eventually.....
The author has a talent of making every detail she writes a connection or reason for something else in the book. The actual imagination behind the story was brilliant although i do think that more could have happened for the length the story was. I loved the fact it was a standalone its refreshing to read a paranormal/ fantasy read that needs just 1 book.
The story is about Scotland being overtaken by two Clans of Goblins, while humans live there being savagely mistreated.... Saiya who's a Wraith gathers secrets..... She meets the dark elf Envoy as they unravel secrets to discover an impending doom.
So for me i would have loved a brief recap on the history of Scotland, I feel like the Author has just dropped us into her imaginary world blind... the humans listen to Rhianna so normalcy, but how on earth did Goblins take over???? Also what is a wraith in this authors POV all i get is they are killers a little more depth into, what, why and how would not of gone amiss.
The suspense got dragged out way too much... Saiya's wraith secret and the whole understanding of Fior Ghal, both reveals were anti climactic too, especially after waiting so long and being referenced every other page.
The start of the book was slow.. Too many characters with long difficult names were introduced in the prologue i felt a bit overwhelmed i nearly gave up there and then.
What i loved eventually.....
The author has a talent of making every detail she writes a connection or reason for something else in the book. The actual imagination behind the story was brilliant although i do think that more could have happened for the length the story was. I loved the fact it was a standalone its refreshing to read a paranormal/ fantasy read that needs just 1 book.
May 4, 2018
This started off so well! I honestly picked it up in the beginning and got so excited because I thought this was going to become a 2018 favourite.
Alas... T'was not meant to be. =(
I really enjoyed the main characters in the beginning, and the potential for this book was massive. I liked the fact that Saiya was quiet, street-smart, and she was interesting. One thing I did notice from the beginning was that there was a big whole in terms of the world building, and I had an idea of what the author wanted us to envision, but it lacked substance. I wasn't even sure what era the setting of the book was in, and considering that the book was based in Scotland, a place that is so rich in its beauty, culture, and history, I thought that there was so much more that could be done in terms of the world-building. The world involved goblins and elves, and yet, we do not even get a basic description of what they look like.
I was willing to look past this as the characters caught my attention, and that initially kept my interest. However, as the book progressed the characters and plot-line became more and more shallow, and I just completely lost my desire to see the story through.
I really liked the idea of this book, but the execution was rather poor.
Alas... T'was not meant to be. =(
I really enjoyed the main characters in the beginning, and the potential for this book was massive. I liked the fact that Saiya was quiet, street-smart, and she was interesting. One thing I did notice from the beginning was that there was a big whole in terms of the world building, and I had an idea of what the author wanted us to envision, but it lacked substance. I wasn't even sure what era the setting of the book was in, and considering that the book was based in Scotland, a place that is so rich in its beauty, culture, and history, I thought that there was so much more that could be done in terms of the world-building. The world involved goblins and elves, and yet, we do not even get a basic description of what they look like.
I was willing to look past this as the characters caught my attention, and that initially kept my interest. However, as the book progressed the characters and plot-line became more and more shallow, and I just completely lost my desire to see the story through.
I really liked the idea of this book, but the execution was rather poor.
November 10, 2018
The story was good, but this should have been a series instead of a standalone. There was a lot going on, and everything felt too rushed. Often this was to the detriment of the characters. They made rash decisions to resolve their issues quickly. There were a few times where it felt like they got away with ridiculous things too easily. The romance developed very quickly. They had big obstacles to overcome, and they didn't work as hard as they should have to resolve them.
April 23, 2018
I'm currently really stressed out (moving by the end of the week and starting a job next week) so what do I do instead of the things I have to do? Correct, I read. And correct again, I don't read the books on my currently reading list.
Yesterday I browsed amazon and stumbled over this little beauty. First the cover spoke to me (it's awesome) then I wanted it because it's a standalone (while I really want to procrastinate I really don't have to tempt myself by starting a series) and then I read the synopsis and was hooked.
Really? An urban fantasy with a wraith as the MC? Cool! How could I say no?!
So the setting is exciting and the characters are cool... if someone has watched Bright on Netflix this goes a bit in the same direction in terms of world building only that the plot is actually a lot more consistent.
It's also a love story. Now that might turn of some people, since I was specifically looking for a love story it didn't turn me of (in fact it could have been a bit stronger in the love story department for my taste). And, it has a really hilarious description and reaction to the whole soul mate thing.
But at its core this book is a adventure. Lots of secrets and lies and sneaking around with the fate of a whole city on the line. A highlight is the McGuffin, the Stone of Scone. I just could not stop laughing and getting hungry everytime I read it. xD
I have two complaints. I already mentioned I wanted more romance (but that's just personal preference). A real problem I had was with the world building (and we return to Bright again). If we assume this world is our modern world just with magic and magical creatures in addition, it would change the world. Would RnB and Classical music and Rihanna really exist the same way? I know that was just a throw away comment, but still. Also, why does this world have weapons and technology in the same way ours does? Wouldn't the presence of magic and magical creatures change things? Why would phones be necessary if you have magic that does the same thing? That's the trouble with alternate worlds that includes magic that's known to everyone. Everything changes and hardly any author ever takes that under consideration.
I just thought of one more complaint. The depiction of goblins. I'm never a fan of depicting one kind of person, people, creature exclusively as the bad guys. I would have prefered it for example one of Gabriels friends/allies had been a goblin as well.
Anyway. All in all this was an interesting read, with interesting characters and interesting world building. My complaints are mostly minor and I probably would have enjoyed it even more if I hadn't been looking for a full blown romance.
Yesterday I browsed amazon and stumbled over this little beauty. First the cover spoke to me (it's awesome) then I wanted it because it's a standalone (while I really want to procrastinate I really don't have to tempt myself by starting a series) and then I read the synopsis and was hooked.
Really? An urban fantasy with a wraith as the MC? Cool! How could I say no?!
So the setting is exciting and the characters are cool... if someone has watched Bright on Netflix this goes a bit in the same direction in terms of world building only that the plot is actually a lot more consistent.
It's also a love story. Now that might turn of some people, since I was specifically looking for a love story it didn't turn me of (in fact it could have been a bit stronger in the love story department for my taste). And, it has a really hilarious description and reaction to the whole soul mate thing.
But at its core this book is a adventure. Lots of secrets and lies and sneaking around with the fate of a whole city on the line. A highlight is the McGuffin, the Stone of Scone. I just could not stop laughing and getting hungry everytime I read it. xD
I have two complaints. I already mentioned I wanted more romance (but that's just personal preference). A real problem I had was with the world building (and we return to Bright again). If we assume this world is our modern world just with magic and magical creatures in addition, it would change the world. Would RnB and Classical music and Rihanna really exist the same way? I know that was just a throw away comment, but still. Also, why does this world have weapons and technology in the same way ours does? Wouldn't the presence of magic and magical creatures change things? Why would phones be necessary if you have magic that does the same thing? That's the trouble with alternate worlds that includes magic that's known to everyone. Everything changes and hardly any author ever takes that under consideration.
I just thought of one more complaint. The depiction of goblins. I'm never a fan of depicting one kind of person, people, creature exclusively as the bad guys. I would have prefered it for example one of Gabriels friends/allies had been a goblin as well.
Anyway. All in all this was an interesting read, with interesting characters and interesting world building. My complaints are mostly minor and I probably would have enjoyed it even more if I hadn't been looking for a full blown romance.
May 31, 2019
Original and entertaining standalone novel about a unique supernatural's struggle to survive in an alternative future goblin-owned Stirling.
In "Wraith", Helen Harper has once again come up with an original magical world, this time set in an alternative Stirling, occupied by one set of goblins and besieged by another.
The main character, Saiya Buchanan, is a Wraith, a type of supernatural I haven't seen before, who can send their shadow away to spy on or assassinate people but who hates to be touched. The goblins are a cruel, greedy, occupying force who see themselves as superior to the humans in the city and the people in Holyrood are doing nothing to help (where has Scotland seen that pattern before? It made me wonder if the Goblins would all have English accents)
There's also a Dark Elf as a an Envoy of the Crown and a secret the Goblins are hiding from everyone and fighting over between themselves.
Saiya Buchanan, the Wraith at the centre of the story is well-drawn and won my sympathy early and kept it. She is a survivor in Goblin-occupied Stirling that's been under siege for three years. The people are starving, the goblins are brutal and the government in Holyrood are doing nothing to help, so our Saiya makes her living by selling secrets to the people who run the black market.
One of the strengths of the book is how vividly the plight of the humans in the occupied city is drawn: how little hope they have, how much determination they show, how being oppressed, starved and treated as property brings out the worst and the best in people.
There were also some exciting action set pieces, including a spectacular takedown of an enormous Death Worm.
The relationship between our Saiya and the Dark Elf envoy, Gabriel de Florinville, is cleverly done. He's a Darcy archetype who never quite unclenches enough to become likeable. She's a street-fighter version of Elizabeth Bennet with superpowers. Helen Harper avoids the ritual dance of cute-meet, unresolved sexual tension, upset and happy ever after. Her characters are natural enemies. Their attraction for one another smells of compulsion rather than choice. He remains a prig and she remains fierce and absolutely refuses to play the rescued princess role.
The big secret was intriguing and the denouement was clever and original and kept the tension cranked up but I didn't believe the scenes at Holyrood.
The only thing I didn't like about "Wraith" was the way it opened. Most of the book is told from Saiya's point of view and her personality power the story. The opening isn't from Saiya's point of view. It describes a conversation between the Dark Elf and his human colleague in Stirling Castle that provides a not very engaging scene-setter and then continues up to the point where Gabriel de Florinville captures a Wraith's shadow that is spying on him. Then Helen Harper used one of those "24 hours earlier" things that seldom work for me and the story becomes a first-person account from Saiya's point of view. The effect was like moving from black and white to colour in a movie. I was immediately more engaged both by Saiya's personality and by the world around her.
I didn't get back to Gabriel de Florinville until twenty per cent of the way through the book and I found some of the repetition irritating. For me, the book would have worked better if it had started from the first chapter told from Saiya's point of view.
February 6, 2021
2.5🌟
I think it would've been better if it was a series, because even though this book was action-packed, everything felt rushed and I can't say I enjoyed it that much.
This is an urban fantasy book and the idea was interesting, the action taking place in a city that was under siege for 3 years and it is ruled by goblins.
Here ends everything I liked.
I think it would've been better if it was a series, because even though this book was action-packed, everything felt rushed and I can't say I enjoyed it that much.
This is an urban fantasy book and the idea was interesting, the action taking place in a city that was under siege for 3 years and it is ruled by goblins.
Here ends everything I liked.
September 8, 2019
Liked it. Would've loved it if it had more books to develop the world and the characters, because we get to know practically nothing about them. Other than that, a really enjoyable read :)
February 5, 2021
The world building in this book is confusing. I finally had to settle my brain into thinking that this was a modern world that had been overtaken by goblins and I am not sure if that is accurate but otherwise the world confused me so much that it took away from the storyline. I did enjoy a wraith as a character because I am pretty sure it's the first time I have read a book where the main character was a wraith.
February 2, 2019
I enjoyed the story and the characters. There were a couple of discrepancies that I noticed but not enough to affect the story and easily overlooked. I didnt LOVE it but I did enjoy it and the writing was good.
April 23, 2018
I loved the idea of this. The heroine is a Wraith and has the ability to remove her shadow to lurk about. The love interest was a Dark Elf. I loved both of these characters, but I felt that this should not have been a stand alone book. I am a big fan of Helen Harper. Particularly her Blood Destiny series and Highland Magic series, both of which are very snarky and light with some romantic suspense. This book was a little darker, which I liked. It felt a little closer to her Bo Blackman series.
This was free on hoopla (audio). It kind of dragged on. I think that was partly due to the fact that it takes ten times longer for me to finish a book in audio than to read and partly because certain scenes dragged on. Harper was trying to show the wraith as she moved about, which was good. However, it seemed unbalanced because most of the story was her jumping from show to shadow in depth. This was just too short for me. I wanted more back story. I wanted more Gabriel. I hope that there are further books exploring the wraiths and Dark Elves.
This was free on hoopla (audio). It kind of dragged on. I think that was partly due to the fact that it takes ten times longer for me to finish a book in audio than to read and partly because certain scenes dragged on. Harper was trying to show the wraith as she moved about, which was good. However, it seemed unbalanced because most of the story was her jumping from show to shadow in depth. This was just too short for me. I wanted more back story. I wanted more Gabriel. I hope that there are further books exploring the wraiths and Dark Elves.
November 19, 2018
Saiya does her best to help out her friends, but when someone is kidnapped, she will do everything she can to help save them. However, when a spying mission goes wrong and a Dark Elf discovers her things go from bad to worse, and she must figure it out before it is too late.
This book was really interesting. I enjoyed the heroine a whole lot. She was brave, fierce, and extremely awesome. Add in a pretty awesome hero to the mix, and you've got a great Urban Fantasy. I really thought this book was good, and I wouldn't mind reading more about these characters.
This book was really interesting. I enjoyed the heroine a whole lot. She was brave, fierce, and extremely awesome. Add in a pretty awesome hero to the mix, and you've got a great Urban Fantasy. I really thought this book was good, and I wouldn't mind reading more about these characters.
October 1, 2018
Actual Rating: 4.25
This was an enjoyable read. I thought the story was really interesting. Also, I really liked how the story was narrated in the audiobook. I really liked the heroine. She was brave, sassy and badass. This is why I love Helen Harper books. All of her heroines are snarky and badass. The hero was just as impressive. He was also a badass. I wished the world building was more developed, but the story was still engaging. I really love Helen Harper books and I cannot wait to see what she writes next. The ending was great. Overall, a great read.
This was an enjoyable read. I thought the story was really interesting. Also, I really liked how the story was narrated in the audiobook. I really liked the heroine. She was brave, sassy and badass. This is why I love Helen Harper books. All of her heroines are snarky and badass. The hero was just as impressive. He was also a badass. I wished the world building was more developed, but the story was still engaging. I really love Helen Harper books and I cannot wait to see what she writes next. The ending was great. Overall, a great read.
February 25, 2018
I was expecting blood, death and assassins. I didn’t get much of that. The story is well written and smooth paced, though could do with another spell check. The main character whilst having power isn’t superwoman and struggles just like everyone else. I would have liked her to be a bit on the darker side, but I enjoyed the story itself, the characters and Saiya’s dark elf counterpart.
February 6, 2021
It has a lot of interesting moments, but I wasn't enthralled. The characters are flat and predictable. The world was interesting but confusing and nothing feels fully explained. I never felt like giving up though, and I enjoyed the narrator.
May 7, 2021
An interesting take on Wraiths. A little fast and confusing since the world isn't really explained. It felt historical until more modern appliances were brought up.
February 28, 2018
Although I received this ARC from the author, I absolutely loved it. This book and its characters are completely different to anything else that I have read by Helen Harper, but loved the link to Scotland, which does appear in a few of her other books.
This story takes place in an alternative Scotland, one where Goblins rule the city of Stirling, very badly I might add as well. The residents of Stirling are starved, beaten, tortured, arrested all for the slightest misdemeanor (and at times just because the goblins feel like it). Saiya is a wraith, a creature who can remove her shadow from herself and sneak through the shadows to spy on others for valuable information. No-one really knows what she is and she wants to keep it that way, but when her neighbour is arrested for no-one knows what, she takes it upon herself to find out. Unfortunately for Saiya and others who she has paid with information to help, the supposed simple arrest, turns out to be something so much more!
Gabriel de Florinville, a Dark Elf and envoy to the Prime Minister of Scotland, meets Saiya by sheer accident, but soon realises she is more than just a passing stranger in need of his help. They have to work together to save Stirling and all of Scotland, but with so many secrets between them it is not going to be an easy task. The goblins definitely cannot be trusted and there are not many others who can be either. Will they be able to work through their differences and use their own unique set of skills to potentially save the world?
I really liked Saiya - she's a quiet girl who wants to keep to herself and stay in the shadows, out of the goblins' radar. She is quick-witted and always seems to think up lies to cover her tracks. She's not like other wraiths and does not want to murder for a few gold coins and genuinely wants to help people if she can. Gabriel was a strange one - as a Dark Elf, he has incredible powers, yet his discovery of his Fior Ghal makes him act like a love struck teenager. I did like the fact that Saiya refused to believe in the Fior Ghal and stood up to him about it. It wasn't all love and romance for her at the start!
There were many twists and turns in the plot and every time I thought Saiya, and sometimes with Gabriel, was safe, something or someone would come along and spoil their safety net!
I would love to read more about Saiya and Gabriel and am keeping fingers crossed that Helen writes another book with these characters one day! Thank you Helen for letting me read and review your book.
This story takes place in an alternative Scotland, one where Goblins rule the city of Stirling, very badly I might add as well. The residents of Stirling are starved, beaten, tortured, arrested all for the slightest misdemeanor (and at times just because the goblins feel like it). Saiya is a wraith, a creature who can remove her shadow from herself and sneak through the shadows to spy on others for valuable information. No-one really knows what she is and she wants to keep it that way, but when her neighbour is arrested for no-one knows what, she takes it upon herself to find out. Unfortunately for Saiya and others who she has paid with information to help, the supposed simple arrest, turns out to be something so much more!
Gabriel de Florinville, a Dark Elf and envoy to the Prime Minister of Scotland, meets Saiya by sheer accident, but soon realises she is more than just a passing stranger in need of his help. They have to work together to save Stirling and all of Scotland, but with so many secrets between them it is not going to be an easy task. The goblins definitely cannot be trusted and there are not many others who can be either. Will they be able to work through their differences and use their own unique set of skills to potentially save the world?
I really liked Saiya - she's a quiet girl who wants to keep to herself and stay in the shadows, out of the goblins' radar. She is quick-witted and always seems to think up lies to cover her tracks. She's not like other wraiths and does not want to murder for a few gold coins and genuinely wants to help people if she can. Gabriel was a strange one - as a Dark Elf, he has incredible powers, yet his discovery of his Fior Ghal makes him act like a love struck teenager. I did like the fact that Saiya refused to believe in the Fior Ghal and stood up to him about it. It wasn't all love and romance for her at the start!
There were many twists and turns in the plot and every time I thought Saiya, and sometimes with Gabriel, was safe, something or someone would come along and spoil their safety net!
I would love to read more about Saiya and Gabriel and am keeping fingers crossed that Helen writes another book with these characters one day! Thank you Helen for letting me read and review your book.
September 12, 2020
I enjoyed this book and I think Saiya is a great character. The story was very interesting and kept me reading more to find out what Gabriel and Saiya were to each other. I thought it was an exciting love story. It is similar to a Romeo and Juliet story. The dark elf, Gabriel, is a great character too. It first I was not sure if I should like him or hate him but he grew on me as he did Saiya. I enjoyed it!
want-to-read-but-not-that-badly
July 25, 2018I'm just bored.
March 30, 2022
This was really interesting!
I like that I'm thrown into a world that I don't completely understand and the magic is super interesting.
I don't care for the love interest, he is a a$$hole, the MC on the other hand is awesome.
I like that I'm thrown into a world that I don't completely understand and the magic is super interesting.
I don't care for the love interest, he is a a$$hole, the MC on the other hand is awesome.
March 3, 2018
Wraith by Helen Harper a five-star read that will slip into your life as easily as a Wraith. I will be honest that I am a huge fan of the author, but I will also admit I picked this up on release day started it and then put it down a couple of chapters in. But I think it was me in a funk rather than the book, I picked it up again yesterday and finished it in one sitting. Dark Lord Gabriel de Florinville may be a diplomatic envoy of the Realm of Scotland but he's also so much more. But he is also a man who thinks certain things and will anything change those vies of his? Saiya Buchanan is a Wraith but she is different to her brethren in so many ways, not only is she the only female, she also has care and compassion for the people of Stirling and even though she is struggling to survive herself, she wont stop fighting for others who need it.
This was a great stand-alone story, but I'm sad its over, I could read so much more or Saiya and Gabriel and the other characters we have met along the way.
This was a great stand-alone story, but I'm sad its over, I could read so much more or Saiya and Gabriel and the other characters we have met along the way.
April 22, 2022
I bought this book on an Audible 2-for-1 sale, and figured it might actually be a light enough read for me to get me through my current reading slump - it worked for a few days, at least.
By the midway-point of this book, I have to admit I was bored. There was a lot of mystery and intrigue early on in the book, but by this point, everything just felt like it was being dragged out to actually have a full book to sell.
I did appreciate the character growth, and I found the world interesting enough. The writing is good. The story just wasn't quite for me - I'm not the biggest on romance, and I forget that Harper is a romance author ^^'.
My BIGGEST issue with this book is an issue I have with the ''magical soulmates'' trope in general. The idea is very cute, but the trope where one don't want it just makes my skin crawl, because it feels a lot - to me - like someone drugged the person at a party and then rape them. Or is that just me?
By the midway-point of this book, I have to admit I was bored. There was a lot of mystery and intrigue early on in the book, but by this point, everything just felt like it was being dragged out to actually have a full book to sell.
I did appreciate the character growth, and I found the world interesting enough. The writing is good. The story just wasn't quite for me - I'm not the biggest on romance, and I forget that Harper is a romance author ^^'.
My BIGGEST issue with this book is an issue I have with the ''magical soulmates'' trope in general. The idea is very cute, but the trope where one don't want it just makes my skin crawl, because it feels a lot - to me - like someone drugged the person at a party and then rape them. Or is that just me?
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