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Manifested Series #1
Dark Emerald: A Manifested Novel
When you realize men are the cruelest creatures in the night, you no longer fear the dark.
Twenty-year-old Ayvre is just trying to provide for her family when she's captured, tortured, and experimented on. After a strange rescue, she tries to forget the nightmare she endured, but when she’s asked to go back to Emerald city to help with the investigation into her captors, she agrees, despite the rift it creates in her new life.Grayson, a fellow survivor, unwillingly resurfaces, and together they uncover a twisted plot to trigger magical properties in non-magical folk. Is that what they did to her?Ayvre must pull herself from the darkness and forge ahead--whatever that means for her future.A character-driven dark adult fantasy that delves deep into the recesses of personal strife and darkness and rising from it.
Twenty-year-old Ayvre is just trying to provide for her family when she's captured, tortured, and experimented on. After a strange rescue, she tries to forget the nightmare she endured, but when she’s asked to go back to Emerald city to help with the investigation into her captors, she agrees, despite the rift it creates in her new life.Grayson, a fellow survivor, unwillingly resurfaces, and together they uncover a twisted plot to trigger magical properties in non-magical folk. Is that what they did to her?Ayvre must pull herself from the darkness and forge ahead--whatever that means for her future.A character-driven dark adult fantasy that delves deep into the recesses of personal strife and darkness and rising from it.
- GenresParanormalFantasy
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2019
5 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 17, 2021
Whew
What a journey T.L Thorne takes you in while reading Dark Emerald.
For the first installment of this duology(?) I must say there is a lot of information and emotions being thrown out at you as soon as you delve in.
The main character Ayvre couldn’t catch a break like at all in the entire book. I had a love/hate relationship in the way the author had spent many many many pages recounting on the MC’s feelings after her capture. I understand the need for it BUT after awhile it was tedious and repetitive and I had to put down the book and come back to it. Same with Grayson’s POV. Though at the end I find that her character arc was believing which i was relieved, yet Grayson’s didn’t seem to change much at all sadly. Their “relationship” was stagnant and didn’t grow much throughout the story even when reunited like I hoped it would.
Ayvre’s eye seemed to catch every male characters attention besides the one I wanted to ship. It was irritating to a point. T.L. Thorne seemed to sink my ship at every turn 😭
There’s soooo much going on in this book that when I read the last sentence I kinda just sat for a moment to reflect on everything. I know the author has set a great foundation for the next book but at the same time I’m unsure of what exactly it will entail.
***this is definitely an adult fantasy book. There are some parts that can be gruesome and triggering.***
What a journey T.L Thorne takes you in while reading Dark Emerald.
For the first installment of this duology(?) I must say there is a lot of information and emotions being thrown out at you as soon as you delve in.
The main character Ayvre couldn’t catch a break like at all in the entire book. I had a love/hate relationship in the way the author had spent many many many pages recounting on the MC’s feelings after her capture. I understand the need for it BUT after awhile it was tedious and repetitive and I had to put down the book and come back to it. Same with Grayson’s POV. Though at the end I find that her character arc was believing which i was relieved, yet Grayson’s didn’t seem to change much at all sadly. Their “relationship” was stagnant and didn’t grow much throughout the story even when reunited like I hoped it would.
Ayvre’s eye seemed to catch every male characters attention besides the one I wanted to ship. It was irritating to a point. T.L. Thorne seemed to sink my ship at every turn 😭
There’s soooo much going on in this book that when I read the last sentence I kinda just sat for a moment to reflect on everything. I know the author has set a great foundation for the next book but at the same time I’m unsure of what exactly it will entail.
***this is definitely an adult fantasy book. There are some parts that can be gruesome and triggering.***
March 6, 2022
The first book in The Manifested series is a fantastic grimdark fantasy, with well developed characters. You can really understand the main character Ayvre and her struggles. Together with a fascinating plot and great worldbuilding, I believe this deserves 5 stars. Cannot wait for the sequel!
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August 14, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/14/2022)! 🎁
August 15, 2021
The start of something very different...
This is a brutal fantasy book, blending grimdark with high fantasy. In a lot of ways, it reminded me of Steven Erikson's Malazan books, particularly his treatment and exploration of the character Toc the Younger in Memories of Ice. I mean this as incredibly high praise.
The book is relatively short in comparison to Erikson's, but shares the same passion of getting into a character's psyche. We delve into every facet of Ayvre's character, getting to know her for good and for worse, and we feel every slight against her.
Thorne spends the same care and attention on all the POV characters, and we fully understand, if not like them because of this.
This is a DARK book. It's violent, gruesome, and adult in every sense of the world. It'll challenge you as a reader, but reward you when you come to the end. I'm totally on board for book two of this duology, and can't wait to get stuck in.
This is a brutal fantasy book, blending grimdark with high fantasy. In a lot of ways, it reminded me of Steven Erikson's Malazan books, particularly his treatment and exploration of the character Toc the Younger in Memories of Ice. I mean this as incredibly high praise.
The book is relatively short in comparison to Erikson's, but shares the same passion of getting into a character's psyche. We delve into every facet of Ayvre's character, getting to know her for good and for worse, and we feel every slight against her.
Thorne spends the same care and attention on all the POV characters, and we fully understand, if not like them because of this.
This is a DARK book. It's violent, gruesome, and adult in every sense of the world. It'll challenge you as a reader, but reward you when you come to the end. I'm totally on board for book two of this duology, and can't wait to get stuck in.
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February 18, 2022I am probably not the ideal reviewer for this book–it tends towards a fantasy romance genre, and I prefer for romance to take a backseat in the books I read. Nonetheless, the author generously sent me an ARC, so I’ve given it my best shot!
I really liked the psychological focus of this novel. Ayvre is not intended to be a likable character, necessarily, but I appreciate the focus on how her thoughts evolve throughout the book. I also liked the dark themes, which I thought were explored responsibly (and the scene where Ayvre takes her revenge was a standout in the book for me, for its viscerally clear writing and thrilling sense of justice). Other characters, especially Song, were really well-depicted.
The plot, on the other hand, was less engaging. I think the biggest challenge for me was that it wasn’t driven by the character’s actions or choices for the most part. Ayvre is a very interesting character that I enjoyed getting to know, but the things that happen to her seem to just happen (like getting kidnapped and held in a dungeon for months, for example).
You can see my full review here: https://anyajosephs.wordpress.com/202...
I really liked the psychological focus of this novel. Ayvre is not intended to be a likable character, necessarily, but I appreciate the focus on how her thoughts evolve throughout the book. I also liked the dark themes, which I thought were explored responsibly (and the scene where Ayvre takes her revenge was a standout in the book for me, for its viscerally clear writing and thrilling sense of justice). Other characters, especially Song, were really well-depicted.
The plot, on the other hand, was less engaging. I think the biggest challenge for me was that it wasn’t driven by the character’s actions or choices for the most part. Ayvre is a very interesting character that I enjoyed getting to know, but the things that happen to her seem to just happen (like getting kidnapped and held in a dungeon for months, for example).
You can see my full review here: https://anyajosephs.wordpress.com/202...
April 16, 2022
I will start this out by saying I am not usually a fan of fantasy genre books. With that being said this book was really good! It kept me wanting to know what’s coming next so I couldn’t help but keep turning the pages! T.L Thorne gives so much detail that you can actually visualize what’s happening. The whole time I was reading I felt like was actually watching a movie. I can’t wait to read more by this wonderful author!
October 10, 2021
*I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Dark Emerald is a more realistic, mature approach to the fantasy genre that focuses on developing a world founded on cruelty by humans towards magic and magical creatures. There is a lot of exposition in the first few chapters to introduce the world following the protagonist, Avyre, who is struggling to move on after her father's mysterious death. Because she assumes it was a murder, she is set on figuring out the truth and getting revenge. However, with her family struggling to live without the patriarch, she must take on the role of provider by hunting and foraging. Their family is helped on numerous occasions by the Vale family, especially Avyre's initial love interest, Jace. The first half of the book's plot can be found in the blurb, which prepares the reader for what is to come, while the later half seems to follow its own trail leading more towards the sequel.
The story is very character-centered, breaking down their thoughts and words as opposed to using action to draw the reader in. These moments allow for the exposition, and linger on for some time. I found myself forgetting what the scene was about as I was thrown into plenty of backstory and details about the country. Something also seems to be missing from the beginning to fuel Avyre's lust for revenge for her father. Why is that more important than her plans for the future? Could she have figured anything out in the years since? Once the inciting incident takes place near the end of the first chapter, the subject is dropped except for brief mentions.
Aside from some editing errors, my main conflict with the book is its organization. There is an entire world available and described for the reader to follow and understand easily. The moments where there is so much information being presented pauses the pacing set before the break. When this happens, I often find myself drawn out of the story or skimming to get ahead to where it picks up again. This also leads to a repetition of information right after it is first presented, as if the author wasn't certain the reader would remember it after the pause.
Once the story picks up, Avyre's capture, torturing sessions, escape, and resulting adventure are described so well. The emotions are wonderfully vivid and sometimes relatable so the reader has a sense of what she feels. I also like the idea of her being a victim of an interrogation. It's not a perspective you read too often. Grayson, the other character we meet and follow, brings a sense of mystery while providing some 'behind the scenes' observations. His darker, more serious moments are countered by more lighthearted interactions, such as with the character Song. Another aspect of the plot I enjoyed reading about was the bond the protagonists are forced into, and the elven bonds in general. It is so creative and used to push the plot forward. I'm excited to see if it develops or falls apart, which could be either considering their relationship is stagnant after they are free.
Speaking of which, there is little character development in place of action and torturing that is slowly paced, perhaps to draw out the agony of the protagonists. What character development there is is based on the trope, 'put the protagonist through hell so they come back stronger than ever.' She is also 'unlike every other woman' in the book. It was noticeable, but not distracting from the rest of the book. If it helps, every young male is handsome.
The real strength of the book is its focus on the toxic relationship. The protagonist's indecisiveness ultimately leads to the fallout and her lover's descent into possessiveness. There are no perfect relationships or redeemable characters, although her lover's downward spiral over the second half of the book doesn't make sense to me except to give Avyre more of a reason to hate her current life. This also contributes to my overall view of the antagonists. The first half of the book is the interrogating and the second focuses on overly dramatic pride. Nothing leading up to either was too enticing, as a sense of dread swells until the eventual conflict. I believe more will tie into the sequel.
I found Dark Emerald a new take on the genre as I don't usually read darker, mature stories, and I was pleasantly surprised by how the realism of the protagonist's concerns made me feel. The physical material was more fitting than the language, which, in my opinion, teetered between too modern and unnecessary and appropriate for the setting. Overall, this is a well thought out story with a plan for the future.
Dark Emerald is a more realistic, mature approach to the fantasy genre that focuses on developing a world founded on cruelty by humans towards magic and magical creatures. There is a lot of exposition in the first few chapters to introduce the world following the protagonist, Avyre, who is struggling to move on after her father's mysterious death. Because she assumes it was a murder, she is set on figuring out the truth and getting revenge. However, with her family struggling to live without the patriarch, she must take on the role of provider by hunting and foraging. Their family is helped on numerous occasions by the Vale family, especially Avyre's initial love interest, Jace. The first half of the book's plot can be found in the blurb, which prepares the reader for what is to come, while the later half seems to follow its own trail leading more towards the sequel.
The story is very character-centered, breaking down their thoughts and words as opposed to using action to draw the reader in. These moments allow for the exposition, and linger on for some time. I found myself forgetting what the scene was about as I was thrown into plenty of backstory and details about the country. Something also seems to be missing from the beginning to fuel Avyre's lust for revenge for her father. Why is that more important than her plans for the future? Could she have figured anything out in the years since? Once the inciting incident takes place near the end of the first chapter, the subject is dropped except for brief mentions.
Aside from some editing errors, my main conflict with the book is its organization. There is an entire world available and described for the reader to follow and understand easily. The moments where there is so much information being presented pauses the pacing set before the break. When this happens, I often find myself drawn out of the story or skimming to get ahead to where it picks up again. This also leads to a repetition of information right after it is first presented, as if the author wasn't certain the reader would remember it after the pause.
Once the story picks up, Avyre's capture, torturing sessions, escape, and resulting adventure are described so well. The emotions are wonderfully vivid and sometimes relatable so the reader has a sense of what she feels. I also like the idea of her being a victim of an interrogation. It's not a perspective you read too often. Grayson, the other character we meet and follow, brings a sense of mystery while providing some 'behind the scenes' observations. His darker, more serious moments are countered by more lighthearted interactions, such as with the character Song. Another aspect of the plot I enjoyed reading about was the bond the protagonists are forced into, and the elven bonds in general. It is so creative and used to push the plot forward. I'm excited to see if it develops or falls apart, which could be either considering their relationship is stagnant after they are free.
Speaking of which, there is little character development in place of action and torturing that is slowly paced, perhaps to draw out the agony of the protagonists. What character development there is is based on the trope, 'put the protagonist through hell so they come back stronger than ever.' She is also 'unlike every other woman' in the book. It was noticeable, but not distracting from the rest of the book. If it helps, every young male is handsome.
The real strength of the book is its focus on the toxic relationship. The protagonist's indecisiveness ultimately leads to the fallout and her lover's descent into possessiveness. There are no perfect relationships or redeemable characters, although her lover's downward spiral over the second half of the book doesn't make sense to me except to give Avyre more of a reason to hate her current life. This also contributes to my overall view of the antagonists. The first half of the book is the interrogating and the second focuses on overly dramatic pride. Nothing leading up to either was too enticing, as a sense of dread swells until the eventual conflict. I believe more will tie into the sequel.
I found Dark Emerald a new take on the genre as I don't usually read darker, mature stories, and I was pleasantly surprised by how the realism of the protagonist's concerns made me feel. The physical material was more fitting than the language, which, in my opinion, teetered between too modern and unnecessary and appropriate for the setting. Overall, this is a well thought out story with a plan for the future.
October 7, 2021
As I got this book for free and not read this author before I wanted to give it a go. The blurb caught my attention and I love the title and front cover.
The version I had could have really benefitted from an editor. There was misused punctuation, wrong words, missing words. It would have just made some sentences shorter and make more sense. This was something incredibly minor and did not affect the story, it would just tighten it up a bit.
I would love more of Grayson's point of view. The vast majority of the book was Avyre. I think showing more of Grayson, how he was captured, how he felt imprisoned would have been interesting.
I hope the Jace situation is mentioned more later in the series as to me it didnt make much sense. The only red flag at the start of the book is the number of times he mentions marriage even when she says no. After her return he goes from loving and caring to a complete monster. There are small reasons given such as "jealousy" or "always been like it but hidden it" but I would like to know more why he suddenly turned.
Overall I really enjoyed it. My heart went out to Avyre, the story was quite dark and does share with the reader how she felt, what she went through. She was tortured. She was then abused by the man she loved. She needs a better family too, how could they not be happy after she returned? Like, at all? She was gone for 7 months and she was straight back to work.
The story with the father interests me. Do we find out more?
Is she pregnant or was Jace lying?
What was written on the scroll?
What happened to Cabal?
All good reasons to keep reading.
I liked the characters and thought they were well developed, some points were repetitive but at the same time she was traumatized. You cant just get over it like that.
The story flowed well and I loved the concept of them gaining powers. Gavin is definitely a favourite character!
I would say it was definitely worth a read and I will be continuing with the series.
The version I had could have really benefitted from an editor. There was misused punctuation, wrong words, missing words. It would have just made some sentences shorter and make more sense. This was something incredibly minor and did not affect the story, it would just tighten it up a bit.
I would love more of Grayson's point of view. The vast majority of the book was Avyre. I think showing more of Grayson, how he was captured, how he felt imprisoned would have been interesting.
I hope the Jace situation is mentioned more later in the series as to me it didnt make much sense. The only red flag at the start of the book is the number of times he mentions marriage even when she says no. After her return he goes from loving and caring to a complete monster. There are small reasons given such as "jealousy" or "always been like it but hidden it" but I would like to know more why he suddenly turned.
Overall I really enjoyed it. My heart went out to Avyre, the story was quite dark and does share with the reader how she felt, what she went through. She was tortured. She was then abused by the man she loved. She needs a better family too, how could they not be happy after she returned? Like, at all? She was gone for 7 months and she was straight back to work.
The story with the father interests me. Do we find out more?
Is she pregnant or was Jace lying?
What was written on the scroll?
What happened to Cabal?
All good reasons to keep reading.
I liked the characters and thought they were well developed, some points were repetitive but at the same time she was traumatized. You cant just get over it like that.
The story flowed well and I loved the concept of them gaining powers. Gavin is definitely a favourite character!
I would say it was definitely worth a read and I will be continuing with the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2021
What a book!
The truth is that I still don't process many of the things that happened there and left me with my heart in chaos.
I admire the author so much for including elements that I thought weren't possible but combined so well that it blew my mind. But I think this deserves a good summary and I don't know if I will be brief, here we go:
At first I disliked the main character, her way of being and many things about her made me angry and made me think she was just a conceited with a vendetta that would take her somewhere and that would be it, but then she gets kidnapped along with Grayson and I was so confused because I didn't understand the destiny she was going to take, then I felt sorry and wanted to hug her.
I have to give an altar to the author because she did a great job describing the kind of tortures and how the main character felt, besides she makes you feel sorry, empathy, you know that would be your reaction if you would go through something like that.
As for Ayvre's family, it really bothered me a lot how the mother spoiled the little boy, and more how they lived, yes, he was a little boy, but those were hard times and she wasn't preparing him for the life that awaited him.
As for Grayson, I got the idea that he would be a tough, untouchable character, but then with so many things it stuck in my mind that he is just a being who has been through so much, was tortured, alienated from his friends and sister and I am sure he is going to accomplish great things in the progression of the other stories (please don't kill him off).
The book overall I loved it, it's a fascinating and gripping story, the places, characters have certain characteristics and wonderful individuality.
In conclusion, it was a book I didn't know I needed in my life, I would reread it again and I can't wait to get started on the second one.
The truth is that I still don't process many of the things that happened there and left me with my heart in chaos.
I admire the author so much for including elements that I thought weren't possible but combined so well that it blew my mind. But I think this deserves a good summary and I don't know if I will be brief, here we go:
At first I disliked the main character, her way of being and many things about her made me angry and made me think she was just a conceited with a vendetta that would take her somewhere and that would be it, but then she gets kidnapped along with Grayson and I was so confused because I didn't understand the destiny she was going to take, then I felt sorry and wanted to hug her.
I have to give an altar to the author because she did a great job describing the kind of tortures and how the main character felt, besides she makes you feel sorry, empathy, you know that would be your reaction if you would go through something like that.
As for Ayvre's family, it really bothered me a lot how the mother spoiled the little boy, and more how they lived, yes, he was a little boy, but those were hard times and she wasn't preparing him for the life that awaited him.
As for Grayson, I got the idea that he would be a tough, untouchable character, but then with so many things it stuck in my mind that he is just a being who has been through so much, was tortured, alienated from his friends and sister and I am sure he is going to accomplish great things in the progression of the other stories (please don't kill him off).
The book overall I loved it, it's a fascinating and gripping story, the places, characters have certain characteristics and wonderful individuality.
In conclusion, it was a book I didn't know I needed in my life, I would reread it again and I can't wait to get started on the second one.
November 1, 2021
This is the first novel that I have read by TL Thorne and I am pleasantly pleased to have chosen this book to read. By putting pen to paper this author paints a beautiful and complicated canvas with her words. As a reader she draws us into this canvas and allows us the opportunity to experience a mature approach to the fantasy genre. She paints us a canvas that focuses on the creation of a world founded on cruelty by humans towards magic and magical creatures.
As she paints this canvas, she pulls the reader into the painting and makes us a part of the world that our protagonist Ayve lives in. She pulls into a story line where we find our protagonist has lost her father in a questionable manner. As she handles this loss she soon discovers that she lives in a world where MEN are the cruelest creatures in the night Men creep into the night and kidnap, torture, and experiment on her. She is rescued (Thank you!) and returns home trying to forget the nightmare she endured. When she is asked to help in the hunt for her captures she agrees, and she and another survivor uncover a twisted plot to trigger magical properties in non-magical beings. She wonders is that what they did to her? This is very much a character-driven dark adult fantasy that delves deep into the recesses of personal strife and darkness and rising from it.
JL Throne is a talented and gifted author and this is a brilliant read! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention until the very last page. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an interesting story line that keeps you turning the pages. I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the novel.
As she paints this canvas, she pulls the reader into the painting and makes us a part of the world that our protagonist Ayve lives in. She pulls into a story line where we find our protagonist has lost her father in a questionable manner. As she handles this loss she soon discovers that she lives in a world where MEN are the cruelest creatures in the night Men creep into the night and kidnap, torture, and experiment on her. She is rescued (Thank you!) and returns home trying to forget the nightmare she endured. When she is asked to help in the hunt for her captures she agrees, and she and another survivor uncover a twisted plot to trigger magical properties in non-magical beings. She wonders is that what they did to her? This is very much a character-driven dark adult fantasy that delves deep into the recesses of personal strife and darkness and rising from it.
JL Throne is a talented and gifted author and this is a brilliant read! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention until the very last page. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an interesting story line that keeps you turning the pages. I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the novel.
November 1, 2021
This is the first novel that I have read by TL Thorne and I am pleasantly pleased to have chosen this book to read. By putting pen to paper this author paints a beautiful and complicated canvas with her words. As a reader she draws us into this canvas and allows us the opportunity to experience a mature approach to the fantasy genre. She paints us a canvas that focuses on the creation of a world founded on cruelty by humans towards magic and magical creatures.
As she paints this canvas, she pulls the reader into the painting and makes us a part of the world that our protagonist Ayve lives in. She pulls into a story line where we find our protagonist has lost her father in a questionable manner. As she handles this loss she soon discovers that she lives in a world where MEN are the cruelest creatures in the night Men creep into the night and kidnap, torture, and experiment on her. She is rescued (Thank you!) and returns home trying to forget the nightmare she endured. When she is asked to help in the hunt for her captures she agrees, and she and another survivor uncover a twisted plot to trigger magical properties in non-magical beings. She wonders is that what they did to her? This is very much a character-driven dark adult fantasy that delves deep into the recesses of personal strife and darkness and rising from it.
JL Throne is a talented and gifted author and this is a brilliant read! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention until the very last page. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an interesting story line that keeps you turning the pages. I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the novel.
As she paints this canvas, she pulls the reader into the painting and makes us a part of the world that our protagonist Ayve lives in. She pulls into a story line where we find our protagonist has lost her father in a questionable manner. As she handles this loss she soon discovers that she lives in a world where MEN are the cruelest creatures in the night Men creep into the night and kidnap, torture, and experiment on her. She is rescued (Thank you!) and returns home trying to forget the nightmare she endured. When she is asked to help in the hunt for her captures she agrees, and she and another survivor uncover a twisted plot to trigger magical properties in non-magical beings. She wonders is that what they did to her? This is very much a character-driven dark adult fantasy that delves deep into the recesses of personal strife and darkness and rising from it.
JL Throne is a talented and gifted author and this is a brilliant read! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention until the very last page. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an interesting story line that keeps you turning the pages. I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the novel.
January 20, 2022
Enjoyed the interaction between the characters.
September 21, 2022
This story was something else.It's my first time reading such a book that fits well into the dark fantasy genre.
The story follows the life of Ayvre, a young woman that struggles to take care of her family and dreams of revenge against the ones that killed her father.I
In a turn of events, Ayvre is kidnapped and tortured together with Grayson, who turns out to be a rebel elf.
Forced together, they end up having an unwiling bond created between them. Even after escaping they have serious problems.Here the author continued with the dark elemets, especially on Ayvre's part.
I just felt for her so much, and even in the end she was ready to sacrifice herself so that others could escape.
The book was nice regarding both plot action and worldbuilding. A refreshing read for sure.
The story follows the life of Ayvre, a young woman that struggles to take care of her family and dreams of revenge against the ones that killed her father.I
In a turn of events, Ayvre is kidnapped and tortured together with Grayson, who turns out to be a rebel elf.
Forced together, they end up having an unwiling bond created between them. Even after escaping they have serious problems.Here the author continued with the dark elemets, especially on Ayvre's part.
I just felt for her so much, and even in the end she was ready to sacrifice herself so that others could escape.
The book was nice regarding both plot action and worldbuilding. A refreshing read for sure.
June 25, 2023
Not my usual cuppa & slow-building, but interesting world & great characters
You can tell by loads of unpronouncable names in the first 10 pages that this is epic fantasy. 50 pages in & torture - dark epic.
20yo Ayvre Darvestaid loses her father at age 12 & her family is turned out from the only home they’ve ever known. There is her BFF & f*buddy Jace, but Ayvre doesn’t really want him - her heart set instead on exacting her revenge. After Jace’s failed proposal, Ayvre is abducted from the woods near her home and wakes to some brutes torturing an elf(!) in front of her.
What I liked:
- Ayvre’s spirit, fierce independence and trying to survive on her own;
- Grayson - he’s a cinnamon-roll, really - loved how this vicious assassin showed his soft side not by words but actions; even how he respected Ayvre’s wishes in exacting her revenge;
- Good things are in store for Ayvre&Grayson, I believe in the following book (tho the author will likely put them through plenty of darkness before);
- The book reads almost like a satire on the modern world where humans have destroyed those who are different;
- tho the book is plenty dark, there are some slivers of hope - a side character here, Avery’s own decisions there;
- Loved alternative forging of Fated mates (low on the romance & fated angle, tho, so not a PNR book);
- Ayvre’s family dynamic reminded me of Cinderella - where 1 girl does all the work and the rest (some of them definite freeloaders) don’t acknowledge it.
What I did not like:
- Too much of an infodump in the first 10% of the book - telling the reader of this world’s history and wars of magic rather than have it come up in conversation etc. Too much description is a pet peeve of mine. If you like intricate worlds described in detail and slow-progressing stories aka epic fantasy, then you might have a different view.
- I did not enjoy 50 pp of description of torture (pp 46-93) - while realistic (I guess), not a fan;
- My heart broke for the girl at the rape scene in Chapter 23;
- Scene where the victim reclaims her power - again, while realistic, TMI on the snippy-snippy - BUT BUT masterful portrayal of how victims can become monsters;
- Fated mates but not even a kiss?!? But plenty of action with other peeps… Okay, not romantic fantasy then. Lol.
FMC is 20yo, but the book still has elements of coming of age, her running from feelings and unable to see herself as loved & someone’s wife over clinging to her revenge & need to be free and uncontrolled to deliver it. Firmly NA/adult content.
Recommended for lovers of dark epic fantasy & manifested self-edited books.
Trigger warnings: death of a loved one; also some chapters in the beginning (pp 46-93) will be difficult to read for survivors of torture, physical abuse & PTSD; there is also a rape scene in Chapter 23 where the FMC doubts her reactions, which will be difficult for survivors of sexual & domestic abuse.
You can tell by loads of unpronouncable names in the first 10 pages that this is epic fantasy. 50 pages in & torture - dark epic.
20yo Ayvre Darvestaid loses her father at age 12 & her family is turned out from the only home they’ve ever known. There is her BFF & f*buddy Jace, but Ayvre doesn’t really want him - her heart set instead on exacting her revenge. After Jace’s failed proposal, Ayvre is abducted from the woods near her home and wakes to some brutes torturing an elf(!) in front of her.
What I liked:
- Ayvre’s spirit, fierce independence and trying to survive on her own;
- Grayson - he’s a cinnamon-roll, really - loved how this vicious assassin showed his soft side not by words but actions; even how he respected Ayvre’s wishes in exacting her revenge;
- Good things are in store for Ayvre&Grayson, I believe in the following book (tho the author will likely put them through plenty of darkness before);
- The book reads almost like a satire on the modern world where humans have destroyed those who are different;
- tho the book is plenty dark, there are some slivers of hope - a side character here, Avery’s own decisions there;
- Loved alternative forging of Fated mates (low on the romance & fated angle, tho, so not a PNR book);
- Ayvre’s family dynamic reminded me of Cinderella - where 1 girl does all the work and the rest (some of them definite freeloaders) don’t acknowledge it.
What I did not like:
- Too much of an infodump in the first 10% of the book - telling the reader of this world’s history and wars of magic rather than have it come up in conversation etc. Too much description is a pet peeve of mine. If you like intricate worlds described in detail and slow-progressing stories aka epic fantasy, then you might have a different view.
- I did not enjoy 50 pp of description of torture (pp 46-93) - while realistic (I guess), not a fan;
- My heart broke for the girl at the rape scene in Chapter 23;
- Scene where the victim reclaims her power - again, while realistic, TMI on the snippy-snippy - BUT BUT masterful portrayal of how victims can become monsters;
- Fated mates but not even a kiss?!? But plenty of action with other peeps… Okay, not romantic fantasy then. Lol.
FMC is 20yo, but the book still has elements of coming of age, her running from feelings and unable to see herself as loved & someone’s wife over clinging to her revenge & need to be free and uncontrolled to deliver it. Firmly NA/adult content.
Recommended for lovers of dark epic fantasy & manifested self-edited books.
Trigger warnings: death of a loved one; also some chapters in the beginning (pp 46-93) will be difficult to read for survivors of torture, physical abuse & PTSD; there is also a rape scene in Chapter 23 where the FMC doubts her reactions, which will be difficult for survivors of sexual & domestic abuse.
June 9, 2022
Some awkward word choices made me cringe occasionally, two blatant errors (conscience instead of consciousness, adversary instead of emissary) and a posessive instead of a plural ALMOST EVERY TIME. All this pulled me out of the storyline which was fun to read (in a dark way) despite two demensional characters and repetitive monologue. It still gets 3 stars because I didn't put it down despite the flaws.
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