Into the Otherworld

by Kyra Whitton

Dodging a future she wasn’t sure she wanted in the first place, Flora MacDonald spins a new story for herself as a shopkeeper in a small Southern town, complete with a budding romance. When her lover Owen Drummond disappears, she discovers he is supposedly dead. Then a mysterious woman presents her with a unique opportunity. With nothing to lose but her future, Flora crosses the veil into the Otherworld, armed with only a fleeting knowledge of the Welsh Mabinogion texts, a paltry collection of artifacts, and a trio of unlikely guides to save the man who doesn’t remember her. Her goal becomes survival for them both. But when gods are involved, Flora discovers saving the man she loves might not be her mission after all.

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2018

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fun, fast read that still manages to have a well-crafted ending.

Flora McDonald is an average woman who, like most of us, has unwittingly made some poor decisions; but she is strong and manages to reinvent herself and start a new life successfully in a small town. However, strange things begin happening to her, and she discovers this world isn’t the only one.

Based on the Mabinogion, but framed differently, the old Celtic myths have also been reinvented a bit in the book. If you’re a purist, this might put you off, but I applaud the creativity the author used to shape the myths, both familiar and obscure, to the needs of the story. There are plenty of plot twists with characters you will love to love, and others you will love to hate—plus one or two you will think you have figured out, but then they will surprise you. And there’s the missing-presumed-dead guy.

For me, the key elements of any satisfying read are characters I can believe in and a fast-paced adventure written by a good storyteller. A touch of romance doesn’t hurt, either. Nor does some wry humor. Into the Otherworld has them all. It kept me up reading most of the night so I could find out what happened next, and, afterwards, I wished for more time with the folks I had come to know in the pages of the book. I hope there will be a sequel, and soon!

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Flora Macdonald, she is a young Scottish woman living in the USA, the tale opens with her preparing to open up her Scottish themed shop when she receives a mysterious package it changes her life forever catapulting her into the Otherworld .

I really enjoyed this story, Flora was an instantly likable character and her love for Owen although it happened quickly felt real, I thought the novel could have been longer as it fairly skipped through the story. Some characters intentions were unclear and their characters undeveloped, but if this book is going to form a series then it makes sense.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for a honest review

[Althea Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great twist on the concept of a mortal crossing into another realm—which is more than just a fantasy genre trope, after all, it’s a pretty old idea. I really enjoyed that. I always appreciate when an author can find a new approach for an old idea. This story wasn’t predictable, every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, it didn’t. There are plot twists right up to the end. And speaking of the ending, it’s open enough that I assume there will be a sequel, yet the plot feels finished enough that I don’t feel like I was left hanging for the sake of justifying a sequel. This is another thing I really appreciate, as I’ve been stuck with way too many cliffhangers. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy or Welsh mythology. Also, without being spoilers, I really enjoyed the way the status of women wasn’t abysmal just because it’s a fantasy novel. See, male fantasy writers? It can be done.

[Bonnie Richardson keane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this!

Interesting premise, was a real page turner. Looking forward to finding out what happens the the sequel!! I loved the relationships in this book and am curious about some of the more mysterious ones.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story, especially for the year 2020. I was looking for something to get in my head and take me out of the everyday nonsense. Easy to read and made to entertain. I was racing though it, anxious to see what happens next. Bits of history, love, and magic made it perfect for me. I also enjoyed that I was completely wrong about the ending. I really thought I knew where the story was going and what was going to happen yet, the ending went completely the other way! I want to know more of the story and will be coming back for the next book!

[Karla Aslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is hard to put down, an entertaining fantasy and paranormal romance. Kyra is an incredible story teller.