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The Hawaiian Ladies’ Riding Society #1
Bound in Flame
Letty Lang is a suffragist of the most fearless kind, with a bullwhip, big plans, and ancient power she doesn’t understand. Will a fast horse and a stubborn man derail her dreams?
Banished to boarding school to tame her wild temper, Leticia Lili‘uokalani Lang sails home to Hawaii, bringing her devotion to animals with her. She’ll be among the first female veterinarians in history—most remarkable in 1909 when women still cannot vote.
With one mad leap into the ocean to save a horse, Letty sets another destiny in motion. She is a mākāhā, a Gate to the healing fires of the land, her beloved ‘aina. Letty must fight to harness the ancient power that lives within her, fueled by her connection to the islands. But the price of power is steep. Her inner flame burns hot—hot enough that her kisses can actually kill, a precarious inconvenience since the horse’s owner, Timothy Rowley, lights another kind of fire.
Can Letty learn to master her power to have a chance at life and love? Or is the danger of the flame too great?
Banished to boarding school to tame her wild temper, Leticia Lili‘uokalani Lang sails home to Hawaii, bringing her devotion to animals with her. She’ll be among the first female veterinarians in history—most remarkable in 1909 when women still cannot vote.
With one mad leap into the ocean to save a horse, Letty sets another destiny in motion. She is a mākāhā, a Gate to the healing fires of the land, her beloved ‘aina. Letty must fight to harness the ancient power that lives within her, fueled by her connection to the islands. But the price of power is steep. Her inner flame burns hot—hot enough that her kisses can actually kill, a precarious inconvenience since the horse’s owner, Timothy Rowley, lights another kind of fire.
Can Letty learn to master her power to have a chance at life and love? Or is the danger of the flame too great?
373 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2019
53 people are currently reading
5649 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Kayne
3 books108 followersAward winning author Katherine Kayne writes deeply romantic historical fantasy set in old Hawaii. Her critically acclaimed debut novel BOUND IN FLAME delivers myth, magic and all the sparks promised by the title. The next installment in her Hawaiian Ladies' Riding Society series, BOUND IN ROSES, is available for preorder now.
Katherine's novels are filled with horses and history and happily ever after . . . and heroes strong enough to follow their heroine's lead. She spends a part of each year on Hawaii Island immersing herself in Hawaii's past. Accompanied - of course - by the occasional mai tai. Katherine created the world of the Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society to tell the stories of the fearless horsewomen of the islands' ranches. Because who doesn't love a suffragist on horseback? With a bullwhip? Wearing flowers? If you come along for the ride, be prepared for almost anything to happen. Katherine can promise you fiery kisses, charming cowboys, women who ride like the rainbow to save the day, and that rarest of beasts-handsome men who like to dance.
Katherine's novels are filled with horses and history and happily ever after . . . and heroes strong enough to follow their heroine's lead. She spends a part of each year on Hawaii Island immersing herself in Hawaii's past. Accompanied - of course - by the occasional mai tai. Katherine created the world of the Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society to tell the stories of the fearless horsewomen of the islands' ranches. Because who doesn't love a suffragist on horseback? With a bullwhip? Wearing flowers? If you come along for the ride, be prepared for almost anything to happen. Katherine can promise you fiery kisses, charming cowboys, women who ride like the rainbow to save the day, and that rarest of beasts-handsome men who like to dance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 18, 2022
Leticia Lili‘uokalani Lang is returning to Hawaii in 1909, after being sent to boarding school in San Francisco, to turn her into a lady and for her to learn to control her fiery temper. Letty loves animals, she wants to be a veterinarian and she’s a proud suffragette.
On arrival Letty jumps into the water, she saves a horse from drowning and discovers she’s an mākāhā, a Gate to the healing fires of the land, and her hair turns a bright red. The ancient power that lives with in her is very intense, it's her connection to the islands, she needs to learn how to use her special type of magic and Kumu helps her.
Letty meets Mr. Timothy Rowley, it was his horse Diablo that she saved from drowning and he doesn’t know what to make of Letty. After spending time with her, he discovers the gift she has with animals, Letty finds the Englishman attractive, with her power a kiss from her is enough to kill him and she must control her feelings towards him.
I received a copy of Bound in Flame by Katherine Kayne from NetGalley and Passionflower Press in exchange for an honest review. I’m not a big fan of magical realism, it’s not really my style, as the narrative was set in Hawaii it did fit in with the islander’s beliefs and culture. I enjoyed reading about the beautiful island, food, clothing, Letty's dreams of being a vet, love interest, and her family are all lovely. Letty's a member of the Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society and what an impressive sight they would be riding their horses and holding their votes for women banner. Three and a half stars from me, I actually own a copy of this book and a quick read.
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On arrival Letty jumps into the water, she saves a horse from drowning and discovers she’s an mākāhā, a Gate to the healing fires of the land, and her hair turns a bright red. The ancient power that lives with in her is very intense, it's her connection to the islands, she needs to learn how to use her special type of magic and Kumu helps her.
Letty meets Mr. Timothy Rowley, it was his horse Diablo that she saved from drowning and he doesn’t know what to make of Letty. After spending time with her, he discovers the gift she has with animals, Letty finds the Englishman attractive, with her power a kiss from her is enough to kill him and she must control her feelings towards him.
I received a copy of Bound in Flame by Katherine Kayne from NetGalley and Passionflower Press in exchange for an honest review. I’m not a big fan of magical realism, it’s not really my style, as the narrative was set in Hawaii it did fit in with the islander’s beliefs and culture. I enjoyed reading about the beautiful island, food, clothing, Letty's dreams of being a vet, love interest, and her family are all lovely. Letty's a member of the Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society and what an impressive sight they would be riding their horses and holding their votes for women banner. Three and a half stars from me, I actually own a copy of this book and a quick read.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KarrenReadsH...
September 3, 2019
I will be doing a full review for Library Journal so these are my messy thoughts for a mess of a novel.
I was assigned this book to review as for Library Journal. I review specifically "Historical Romance" novels for Library Journal. This book looks like a historical romance novel, has back copy that reads like a historical romance novel, and even has a Hawaiian language glossary at the back, all things that indicate this is a historical romance novel. But. The author's note at the beginning makes sure to specifically point out:
No thank you. I don't want to have to guess whether this is a romance or a fantasy and the story doesn't embrace any of these genres in any satisfying way.
1900s Hawaii is a time period fraught with colonialism and racism and if you aren't ready to do the work besides following your own personal research rabbit holes, than don't write a historical fiction novel. Don't use historical figures. Don't make your blurb sound like you are writing about a real person (as far as I can tell Letty Lang is made up).
Most readers and book clubs are going to pick this up and think oh, how lovely, this will lead to such interesting discussion, but will not have the wherewithal or the prior knowledge to understand that this book is at best badly written and misleading and at worst highly problematic.
Letty Lang is 18 years old, is a budding Suffragette, an aspiring veterinarian, and SHE'S MAGIC. I hated that Letty's skills were made possible by magic she barely understood and that wasn't fully comprehensible to me, a white lady who is very unfamiliar with Native Hawaiian mythology. I just felt uncomfortable about it all.
And if that weren't enough, Letty is also best friends with the former Queen of Hawaii, rides at least fifteen different horses with different names throughout the story, interacts with other Native Hawaiians who seem to only be able to speak stilted English, and falls in love with an older English "nice white guy" who owns a sugar plantation. But she might kill him with her fire powers you know. And of course it is the MAGIC that is keeping them apart, not the fact he's a White plantation owner and she's a Brown Native Hawaiian who gets to experience casual and forthright racism throughout the story. Oh and there's a polo match, and a ball, and some other sort of horse race, and a magic white donkey riding lady who appears sometimes, and a dog named Rosebud, and a bad guy who wants to sabotage the nice White Guy for some reason and is mean to horses and kidnaps Letty and tortures her. SO MUCH STUFF. And the Hawaiian Ladies' Riding Society is barely mentioned, and again should perhaps been the focus of the story?
Basically this felt like it should have been a YA fantasy novel that took inspiration from Hawaiian myth, took more responsibility for not being "own voices," and just really shouldn't be out here masquerading as an Adult Historical Romance novel (there is one explicit sex scene).
I was assigned this book to review as for Library Journal. I review specifically "Historical Romance" novels for Library Journal. This book looks like a historical romance novel, has back copy that reads like a historical romance novel, and even has a Hawaiian language glossary at the back, all things that indicate this is a historical romance novel. But. The author's note at the beginning makes sure to specifically point out:
Bound in Flame is not intended to be an accurate portrayal of history, but rather a re-imagining, a consideration, of what might have been...Is this a romance? Is this a fantasy? Or merely the ramblings of an old woman who has spent too long in the sun? I leave that for you to decide.
No thank you. I don't want to have to guess whether this is a romance or a fantasy and the story doesn't embrace any of these genres in any satisfying way.
1900s Hawaii is a time period fraught with colonialism and racism and if you aren't ready to do the work besides following your own personal research rabbit holes, than don't write a historical fiction novel. Don't use historical figures. Don't make your blurb sound like you are writing about a real person (as far as I can tell Letty Lang is made up).
Most readers and book clubs are going to pick this up and think oh, how lovely, this will lead to such interesting discussion, but will not have the wherewithal or the prior knowledge to understand that this book is at best badly written and misleading and at worst highly problematic.
Letty Lang is 18 years old, is a budding Suffragette, an aspiring veterinarian, and SHE'S MAGIC. I hated that Letty's skills were made possible by magic she barely understood and that wasn't fully comprehensible to me, a white lady who is very unfamiliar with Native Hawaiian mythology. I just felt uncomfortable about it all.
And if that weren't enough, Letty is also best friends with the former Queen of Hawaii, rides at least fifteen different horses with different names throughout the story, interacts with other Native Hawaiians who seem to only be able to speak stilted English, and falls in love with an older English "nice white guy" who owns a sugar plantation. But she might kill him with her fire powers you know. And of course it is the MAGIC that is keeping them apart, not the fact he's a White plantation owner and she's a Brown Native Hawaiian who gets to experience casual and forthright racism throughout the story. Oh and there's a polo match, and a ball, and some other sort of horse race, and a magic white donkey riding lady who appears sometimes, and a dog named Rosebud, and a bad guy who wants to sabotage the nice White Guy for some reason and is mean to horses and kidnaps Letty and tortures her. SO MUCH STUFF. And the Hawaiian Ladies' Riding Society is barely mentioned, and again should perhaps been the focus of the story?
Basically this felt like it should have been a YA fantasy novel that took inspiration from Hawaiian myth, took more responsibility for not being "own voices," and just really shouldn't be out here masquerading as an Adult Historical Romance novel (there is one explicit sex scene).
December 24, 2019
A hit debut by a new author Katherine Kayne set in early 20th century Hawaii. First book in a new series called Hawaiian Ladies' Riding Society main character Letty Lang a feisty and headstrong women who wants freedom to become a veterinarian.
She's a suffragist but that part of the story was mentioned but would of enjoyed to see Letty interact with the suffragette.
The story was concentrated on her accepting her power's redflame's and fighting her feelings for dashing british Timothy which in the end a marriage was celebrated.
The story of the Gate's will continue. The search for the nine Gate's is on going because the 'aina demandes that they reunite.
The cover of this book is gorgeous very bright colours.
I want to thank NetGalley, Passion Flower Press, Katherine Kayne and Sarah Miniaci from Smith Publicity for sending me an Advance Reading Copyof this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.
She's a suffragist but that part of the story was mentioned but would of enjoyed to see Letty interact with the suffragette.
The story was concentrated on her accepting her power's redflame's and fighting her feelings for dashing british Timothy which in the end a marriage was celebrated.
The story of the Gate's will continue. The search for the nine Gate's is on going because the 'aina demandes that they reunite.
The cover of this book is gorgeous very bright colours.
I want to thank NetGalley, Passion Flower Press, Katherine Kayne and Sarah Miniaci from Smith Publicity for sending me an Advance Reading Copyof this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2019
Title : Bound To Flame
Series: Hawaiian Ladies Raiding Society
Author: Kathrine Kayne
Genre: Historical romance /magical realism
Pages: 347
Rating: 5
Publication:Oct 28,2019
Letty Lang is a suffragist of the most fearless kind, with a bullwhip, big dreams, and ancient powers she doesn’t understand. Can she save her lover from her own lethal passions?
Banished to boarding school to tame her wild temper, Letty Liliuokalani Lang returns home to Hawaii, bringing her devotion to animals with her. She’ll be among the first female veterinarians in history—remarkable in 1909 when women still cannot vote.
With one mad leap into the ocean to save a horse, Letty sets another destiny in motion. She is a mākāhā, a Gate to the healing fires of the land, her beloved ‘aina. Letty must learn to harness the ancient power that lives within her, fueled by her connection to the islands. But the price is steep. Her inner flame burns hot—hot enough that her kisses can actually kill, a precarious inconvenience since the horse’s owner, Timothy Rowley, lights another kind of fire.
Can Letty learn to command her power in pursuit of her passion, or is the danger of love too great?
My thoughts
Would I recommend it ? Yes
Will I continue on with the series ?yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Wow ,just wow ,the story its self is beautiful written that she brings to life her characters , of course it would have to make me cry at two different parts of the story but over all it's now one of my new favorite 2019 books. And the characters ,out of all of them Letty is my favorite ,the way she's out going and sprited, and her love for animals, other thing I love about the story is how the author use the myths of the Hawaiian people and their islands , it shows just how much they love them and honored them. Plus I loved how there was usage of the Hawaiian language and there's even a language glossary in the back of the book , plus the mentioning of the flowers and their meaning.And while it does mention the colonialism and how the Hawaiian people was look down upon it also show that there was people even from the islands that worked against their own people.Hopeful I'm putting my thoughts down in a way you the readers of this blog can somewhat understand, because in many ways I'm not sure if I'm give it the justification it deserves. With that said I want to thank Netgalley as will as Smith Publicity for let me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion as well as a big thank you once again to Smith Publicity for send me a copy
Series: Hawaiian Ladies Raiding Society
Author: Kathrine Kayne
Genre: Historical romance /magical realism
Pages: 347
Rating: 5
Publication:Oct 28,2019
Letty Lang is a suffragist of the most fearless kind, with a bullwhip, big dreams, and ancient powers she doesn’t understand. Can she save her lover from her own lethal passions?
Banished to boarding school to tame her wild temper, Letty Liliuokalani Lang returns home to Hawaii, bringing her devotion to animals with her. She’ll be among the first female veterinarians in history—remarkable in 1909 when women still cannot vote.
With one mad leap into the ocean to save a horse, Letty sets another destiny in motion. She is a mākāhā, a Gate to the healing fires of the land, her beloved ‘aina. Letty must learn to harness the ancient power that lives within her, fueled by her connection to the islands. But the price is steep. Her inner flame burns hot—hot enough that her kisses can actually kill, a precarious inconvenience since the horse’s owner, Timothy Rowley, lights another kind of fire.
Can Letty learn to command her power in pursuit of her passion, or is the danger of love too great?
My thoughts
Would I recommend it ? Yes
Will I continue on with the series ?yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Wow ,just wow ,the story its self is beautiful written that she brings to life her characters , of course it would have to make me cry at two different parts of the story but over all it's now one of my new favorite 2019 books. And the characters ,out of all of them Letty is my favorite ,the way she's out going and sprited, and her love for animals, other thing I love about the story is how the author use the myths of the Hawaiian people and their islands , it shows just how much they love them and honored them. Plus I loved how there was usage of the Hawaiian language and there's even a language glossary in the back of the book , plus the mentioning of the flowers and their meaning.And while it does mention the colonialism and how the Hawaiian people was look down upon it also show that there was people even from the islands that worked against their own people.Hopeful I'm putting my thoughts down in a way you the readers of this blog can somewhat understand, because in many ways I'm not sure if I'm give it the justification it deserves. With that said I want to thank Netgalley as will as Smith Publicity for let me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion as well as a big thank you once again to Smith Publicity for send me a copy
November 14, 2019
Wow! I am adding Katherine Kayne to my MUST READ authors list. This was an incredible debut. It does not suffer from being the first in a series at all. This is a fantasy book that feels more like historical fiction. The world building is so well done and blends beautifully with early 20th century Hawaii. All the characters are well developed and somehow manage to be both believable and magical. I think that is because the magic itself is slow and natural and ancient like the islands and the people it comes from. I honestly cannot wait for the next books.
My only criticism would be that the villains could have been elaborated on a bit more, they felt a bit like an afterthought but not to the detriment of the book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
My only criticism would be that the villains could have been elaborated on a bit more, they felt a bit like an afterthought but not to the detriment of the book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 9, 2020
A remarkable woman, strong of will with an ancient and “special “power will taunt the sensibilities of the early twentieth to carve her own path in her lush and beautiful Hawaiian home. Letty is a woman determined to break all stereotypes to become a rare female veterinarian, proving that even the tropical paradise of her home is no match for a suffragist who knows no fear. Will her heart betray her or will it make her stronger?
After a gripping and tense opening, BOUND IN FLAME by Katherine Kayne, begins to slow a bit and at times seems to plod along without much forward movement. Ms. Kayne does give beautiful and moving descriptions of the tropical paradise and it is easy to feel the breezes, smell the vegetation and see the colorful backdrop, but it almost became too much.
Part historical fiction, romance and fantasy, this tale crosses genres without giving decisive direction where it is going to end up. A good read, a bit slow and possibly something better enjoyed on a chilly evening when on dreams of a tropical getaway. Letty was the standout draw for me and there are scenes that had me completely engrossed, but I wanted less "wordy dreaminess."
I received a complimentary copy from Katherine Kayne! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: The Hawaiian Ladies' Riding Society - Book 1
Publisher: Passionflower Press (October 28, 2019)
Publication Date: October 28, 2019
Genre: Historical Romantic Fantasy
Print Length: 373 pages
Available from: Amazon
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October 23, 2019
Bound in Flame is a historical novel with romance, magic, and a hell of a lot of fun. In 1909, Letty Lang is a headstrong Hawaiian suffragette and horsewoman who dreams of becoming a veterinarian. But life, an English man, and a strange power get in her way. Letty must learn how to handle her fiery healing touch before her inner flames consume her. This just might come at the expense of love and ambition. Can she channel an ancient power and be a modern woman at once?
Kayne clearly loves Hawaii. That love shines through in every sentence. She takes liberties, but has done her research. Letty and the people around her are interesting characters. While Letty is intelligent and powerful in multiple ways, she is flawed and needs help. Thankfully, she has friends and family.
Throughout the novel, Kayne hints that other women in Hawaii may also have powers. Bound in Flame is set to be the first in the Hawaiian Ladies' Riding Society series. I look forward to reading about other members of that Society and their adventures.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Kayne clearly loves Hawaii. That love shines through in every sentence. She takes liberties, but has done her research. Letty and the people around her are interesting characters. While Letty is intelligent and powerful in multiple ways, she is flawed and needs help. Thankfully, she has friends and family.
Throughout the novel, Kayne hints that other women in Hawaii may also have powers. Bound in Flame is set to be the first in the Hawaiian Ladies' Riding Society series. I look forward to reading about other members of that Society and their adventures.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 2, 2019
Just as Hawaii is a place where every sense in your body says "thank you, thank you, thank you," I felt the same when I reluctantly finished this wonderful story. Katherine Kayne manages to capture the unique, special time in Hawaiian history when their royalty was still a powerful force in their society and Hawaii was a study in contrasts: cowboys and princesses, wild pigs, steam ships, colorful hula dancers, sacred lands and ceremonies, abundant feasts and celebrations, land barons, and my favorite -- the fearless horsewomen of the islands' ranches. I loved her approach in viewing all of this change through the lens of self acceptance as the key to power and the key to unlocking a lively romance! I look forward to keeping in touch with these characters that I have grown to love in this first book (her characters are so well developed, they are the kind that you want to stay with beyond just one book). I can't wait for the next installment of "The Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society" and I hope she does one for every island!
November 5, 2019
I once had a Hawaiian friend who had enough mystery and magnetism to inspire a novel like Katherine Kayne’s Bound in Flame. There’s just something about the allure of Hawaii, the islands and its people, that enchants like nowhere else.
This is why Kayne’s romance novel - with its major dose of historical fiction and mystical fantasy - is such a sweep-you-off-your-feet stunner. There’s so much to delight in each turn of the page.
Bound in Flame shares the story of Letty Lang, a fierce female heroine with some serious flaws. She’s rash and tempestuous, but has a heart of gold (particularly when it comes to animals). She returns from schooling in San Francisco as a suffragette, who plans to defy the odds and become a veterinarian, but finds that her family is in some financial distress. As she navigates all of this, she finds that she has the “gift” of certain intentional (magic) powers that complicate things further, especially when it comes to the man she loves!
The book’s grand lesson is of harnessing one’s personal power. It’s not just about the heart and work one puts in, but also learning the art of negotiation — and sometimes having to find a new path to reach one’s goals. But it’s also a story of family, of sacrifice, and passion of all sorts.
Book #1, and Kayne’s debut novel, Bound in Flame is the first in her Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society series. I imagine each will detail one (of 9?) Hawaiian ladies who find themselves with ancient powers linked to the land. And all of this is told in the fascinating time between Hawaii’s annexation and statehood. For fans of multiple genres, the series is much anticipated to be sure.
It’s fictional, but you may wish Bound in Flame were a true story of old Hawaii. Regardless, you’ll certainly wish for the second installment of the Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society to be released soon!
This is why Kayne’s romance novel - with its major dose of historical fiction and mystical fantasy - is such a sweep-you-off-your-feet stunner. There’s so much to delight in each turn of the page.
Bound in Flame shares the story of Letty Lang, a fierce female heroine with some serious flaws. She’s rash and tempestuous, but has a heart of gold (particularly when it comes to animals). She returns from schooling in San Francisco as a suffragette, who plans to defy the odds and become a veterinarian, but finds that her family is in some financial distress. As she navigates all of this, she finds that she has the “gift” of certain intentional (magic) powers that complicate things further, especially when it comes to the man she loves!
The book’s grand lesson is of harnessing one’s personal power. It’s not just about the heart and work one puts in, but also learning the art of negotiation — and sometimes having to find a new path to reach one’s goals. But it’s also a story of family, of sacrifice, and passion of all sorts.
Book #1, and Kayne’s debut novel, Bound in Flame is the first in her Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society series. I imagine each will detail one (of 9?) Hawaiian ladies who find themselves with ancient powers linked to the land. And all of this is told in the fascinating time between Hawaii’s annexation and statehood. For fans of multiple genres, the series is much anticipated to be sure.
It’s fictional, but you may wish Bound in Flame were a true story of old Hawaii. Regardless, you’ll certainly wish for the second installment of the Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society to be released soon!
September 2, 2019
Bound in Flame is the best book I've read in ages. It is a world-building fantasy based on and in Hawaii, with significant references to early twentieth century history. A sweeping, luscious story that rang so many of my bells it was a personal twelve alarm fire, including cowgirls, horses, old magic, and suffrage. There is even an author's note about historical research! I can't wait to see more of this world. It was particularly moving to read the book while Hawaiians were protesting building on Mauna Kea.
October 28, 2019
I received this free book from the publisher for honest review.
4 stars ⭐ ⭐⭐ ⭐
This is the first time reading from this author.
What a beautiful wonderful amazing read.
What a great read! This had me hooked from the beginning. The sitting, theme, and the Characters had me pulled so in. Everything was well put together and it was just perfect. This novel did just that to me.
Highly recommend everybody get this book and read it. Its so good!
Can't wait for her next book.
4 stars ⭐ ⭐⭐ ⭐
This is the first time reading from this author.
What a beautiful wonderful amazing read.
What a great read! This had me hooked from the beginning. The sitting, theme, and the Characters had me pulled so in. Everything was well put together and it was just perfect. This novel did just that to me.
Highly recommend everybody get this book and read it. Its so good!
Can't wait for her next book.
October 24, 2019
A glorious "retelling" as alternate history of the Hawaiian Islands at the turn of the Century (19th-20th), with strong female heroines (multiple), paranormal elements founded and grounded in the Islands, the suffrage for women, and the rights of women to independence and careers; plus romance, animals, danger, and victories. Additionally, the author provides an inspiring and educational afterword about Hawaii's history and royal bloodline.
BOUND IN FLAME will appeal to fans of historic Romantic Suspense (think Phyllis A. Whitney and Victoria Holt), Alternative History (Harry Turtledove), history as-it-should-have-been and as it was, and readers eager for strong female characters.
BOUND IN FLAME will appeal to fans of historic Romantic Suspense (think Phyllis A. Whitney and Victoria Holt), Alternative History (Harry Turtledove), history as-it-should-have-been and as it was, and readers eager for strong female characters.
November 15, 2019
Blog Tour Stop! Bound in Flame by Katherine Kayne
Nov 12
Blog Tour Stop! Bound in Flame by Katherine Kayne
I have to admit, when I first signed up for this blog tour, I wasn’t 100% sure I what I was getting into with this novel – romance + supernatural magic are not necessarily the words I would use to describe my regular reading go-to’s (those would lean more towards “brutal murder” and “grotesque serial killers”).
And then I picked the book up – the beautiful, colorful, cover had been catching my eye for weeks, but I kept putting it off, because, ROMANCE, PEOPLE. Except. EXCEPT.
Except, three chapters in and I was HOOKED on this story – I was all in on Letty, I wanted to know more about her flames (hell, I wanted flames of my own!), I wanted to see how powerful she would turn out to be, I wanted to find out if she would destroy Tim with her power, or if he was her meant-to-be.
Did I mention I don’t read romance?
Somehow Katherine Kayne had me completely forgetting that I was eyeball deep in a romance read, never mind one that dives deep into the mysterious magic of the island. I was flying through the chapters which moved the story along at the perfect pace of action and dialogue, the plot catapulting me through Letty’s journey of finding herself amongst a power she never asked for. The perfect mix of historical fiction and magical fantasy is not an easy balance to strike, and yet, Katherine pulls it off with aplomb in this story.
Not to mention, this entire story happening between the various islands of Hawaii, one of my favorite places on this planet. Katherine did such incredible work bringing the island, the scenery, the smells, the views all to life on the page, and I was utterly transported to Letty’s world – which says A LOT considering it was a very cold, snowy day at home while I was reading! But it was this world, that was so perfectly developed, that had me glued to the page and 100% INVOLVED.
Ultimately, the reason I could fall so deeply in love with a book so far from my usual genre of reading, comes down to one thing – fierce, fearless, female characters. Good heavens, do I want a story that is jam-packed with women who are capable, strong, stubborn, smart, thoughtful, vulnerable, sassy, hilarious, flawed and challenging. I want a woman who is just as badass as the men (or more badass!) and who doesn’t need to play victim, or be a victim. I want women rescuing themselves and each other. I want, essentially, this book.
Which isn’t to take away from Letty’s love story at all – instead it was like a breath of fresh air seeing a strong, powerful, magical creature still struggle with the very human issue of love, trust and partnership – I think it’s Letty’s flaws that make her a relatable character, despite her magic (that I’m dying to possess). It is such a fun journey watching Letty navigate herself, her life and her opportunity to love that make this book more than just the average romance novel – this is historical fiction and character drama and wonderful action plots all wound together to defy a simple genre tag.
All to say – I cannot recommend this book enough for readers; readers of romance, mysticism, historical fiction, drama, action or any combination of those; this is a book that will transport you to a world within our world that you will be dying to visit by the end of the last chapter.
August 25, 2019
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review*
Bound in Flame by Katherine Klayne is a refreshing fantasy and historical fiction novel that takes place among the enchanting landscape of the Hawaiian islands. Local myths and legends meet political upheaval in this first installment of 'The Hawaiian Lady's Riding Society' novels.
Headstrong and bad tempered Letticia is sent to boarding school to curve her ill-tempered behavior. On her return back to her Hawaiian homeland in 1909, she brings her discovered devotion to animals with her, and sets out to become one of the first women to be a veterinarian in history. An unusual feat since women are still not allowed to vote. When a daring rescue attempt by Letty to save a horse in the ocean, Letty sets a whole different destiny into motion. She is a makaha, a Gate to the healing fires of the land. Letty must learn to harness the ancient power that lives within her, fueled by her connection to the islands. But her powers come with a cost. The flame within her burns so hot, she can kill someone with just a kiss, which is a bit inconvenient since the owner of the horse, Timothy Rowley, lights a whole other fire for Letty. Can Letty harness her power in pursuit of her passion, or is the danger of love too great?
This was an interesting fantasy tale, unlike a lot in the genre at the moment. The fact it's based in Hawaii alone sets it apart from most, as the culture is steeped in folklore and old tradition. The timing of the story brings about other issues that come into play. The Kingdom of Hawaii has just become part of America. This in itself brings about many obstacles and hardships the people of Hawaii have to face. This was a very turbulent and uncertain time in Hawaiian history. One such obstacle is that women are not allowed to vote. Letty is a fierce suffragist, which is one of her more redeeming qualities, as well as her love for animals and her strength.
All of the characters,including Letty are well fleshed out and are likable. The ones that stood out are Letty's godmother, Princess K, who was in line to take the throne until there was no throne at all. She is a compassionate, kind, and strong woman, and definitely would have made a great ruler. There is Letty's stepmother Agnes, who is wildly protective of all of her children- including Letty. For the most part, the characters are well developed and likable. Ones you want to root for. Letty, even though she is the protagonist of the book, was quite annoying at times. Some of her decision making made her seem much more immature for her age, so the romance part of the story, even though it's not the main focus, was hard for me to grasp. She came off a lot of times as a bad tempered teenager.
Katherine Klayne created a unique and magical world in Bound in Flame. She has made her characters- especially the women, strong, and due to events of the time period, stronger than most. She blends Hawaiian myths and lore with the turbulence of the time, making for an original fantasy that dodges most of the tropes that are engulfed in the fantasy genre to date. She has set her sights on bringing to light 'The Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society'. It will be interesting to see where this story takes us next!
Bound in Flame by Katherine Klayne is a refreshing fantasy and historical fiction novel that takes place among the enchanting landscape of the Hawaiian islands. Local myths and legends meet political upheaval in this first installment of 'The Hawaiian Lady's Riding Society' novels.
Headstrong and bad tempered Letticia is sent to boarding school to curve her ill-tempered behavior. On her return back to her Hawaiian homeland in 1909, she brings her discovered devotion to animals with her, and sets out to become one of the first women to be a veterinarian in history. An unusual feat since women are still not allowed to vote. When a daring rescue attempt by Letty to save a horse in the ocean, Letty sets a whole different destiny into motion. She is a makaha, a Gate to the healing fires of the land. Letty must learn to harness the ancient power that lives within her, fueled by her connection to the islands. But her powers come with a cost. The flame within her burns so hot, she can kill someone with just a kiss, which is a bit inconvenient since the owner of the horse, Timothy Rowley, lights a whole other fire for Letty. Can Letty harness her power in pursuit of her passion, or is the danger of love too great?
This was an interesting fantasy tale, unlike a lot in the genre at the moment. The fact it's based in Hawaii alone sets it apart from most, as the culture is steeped in folklore and old tradition. The timing of the story brings about other issues that come into play. The Kingdom of Hawaii has just become part of America. This in itself brings about many obstacles and hardships the people of Hawaii have to face. This was a very turbulent and uncertain time in Hawaiian history. One such obstacle is that women are not allowed to vote. Letty is a fierce suffragist, which is one of her more redeeming qualities, as well as her love for animals and her strength.
All of the characters,including Letty are well fleshed out and are likable. The ones that stood out are Letty's godmother, Princess K, who was in line to take the throne until there was no throne at all. She is a compassionate, kind, and strong woman, and definitely would have made a great ruler. There is Letty's stepmother Agnes, who is wildly protective of all of her children- including Letty. For the most part, the characters are well developed and likable. Ones you want to root for. Letty, even though she is the protagonist of the book, was quite annoying at times. Some of her decision making made her seem much more immature for her age, so the romance part of the story, even though it's not the main focus, was hard for me to grasp. She came off a lot of times as a bad tempered teenager.
Katherine Klayne created a unique and magical world in Bound in Flame. She has made her characters- especially the women, strong, and due to events of the time period, stronger than most. She blends Hawaiian myths and lore with the turbulence of the time, making for an original fantasy that dodges most of the tropes that are engulfed in the fantasy genre to date. She has set her sights on bringing to light 'The Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society'. It will be interesting to see where this story takes us next!
August 19, 2019
Bound in Flame by Katheine Kayne was such a fun read! I am so glad I got to dive into the stories of the Hawaiian Ladies' Riding Society because once I started on this book, I could not put it down. I finished it in one day. Kayne had just the right mix of strong women, animals, and the ancient powers of the earth. I enjoyed the romance in it but am glad that there was so much else to the story that made it so well rounded. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!
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September 5, 2019I loved this book! Full of feisty characters with big hearts, Bound in Flame is a fun and fast paced read. Katherine Kayne does a fabulous job of capturing old Hawaii with a little magic thrown in. Add this one to your list.
October 29, 2019
What a special book! This book features strong, courageous women with special gifts. I enjoyed learning some of the history of Hawaii along with some of their vocabulary. The imagery is fantastic - the colors, sounds and flavors leap off the page!
March 23, 2021
Historical Hawaii, myths, and love come together in this story about a young woman with a career ambition that clashes with her destiny.
Letty is headstrong, brave, and a bit of a rebel. But in the best of ways! Her heart's in the right place, even if her fiery spirit gets the best of her at times. This story about triumph and destiny is as fragrant and exotic as Hawaii's most rare blooms. I love stories mixed with myths and legends ,and this one offered a unique look at the Hawaiian people and culture.
Letty is headstrong, brave, and a bit of a rebel. But in the best of ways! Her heart's in the right place, even if her fiery spirit gets the best of her at times. This story about triumph and destiny is as fragrant and exotic as Hawaii's most rare blooms. I love stories mixed with myths and legends ,and this one offered a unique look at the Hawaiian people and culture.
November 10, 2019
The year is 1909 and Letty is returning to her Hawaiian home after being sent to boarding school in San Francisco where she was sent to learn to tame her temper. She returns with a love of animals, a desire to be an independent woman and a plan to be a veterinarian. Along with her plans for her life, she is a mākāhā, a Gate to the healing fires of the land, her beloved ‘aina. Letty must fight to harness the ancient power that lives within her, fueled by her connection to the islands. In other words, she is MAGIC. She has to learn to handle the fire within her in her life to be able to find love and a life of freedom. Will she learn to control her magic so that she is able to have a successful life and find love?
To be totally honest, I enjoy historical fiction but do not like magical realism - or magic of any kind in my books so I had a difficult time reading this. However, if you enjoy books with magic in them, you will love this book - the characters are well written, the setting in Hawaii is beautiful and the plot line is very well done. And most importantly there is a lot of information about the culture and history of Hawaii that I never knew and found very interesting to learn.
To be totally honest, I enjoy historical fiction but do not like magical realism - or magic of any kind in my books so I had a difficult time reading this. However, if you enjoy books with magic in them, you will love this book - the characters are well written, the setting in Hawaii is beautiful and the plot line is very well done. And most importantly there is a lot of information about the culture and history of Hawaii that I never knew and found very interesting to learn.
October 31, 2019
I was provided with an ARC of this title by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a delightful story about a heroine determined to flout convention and find her own path. Her journey is made all the more complicated by the legacy of magic that runs in her veins. It is a legacy that ties her to the lush history of her Hawaiian homeland.
I found the pace of the story a bit slow, and the dialogue was stilted at times. However, the story includes many cultural aspects that will be fascinating to readers who are unfamiliar with the history of Hawaii's colonization, and the primary character is a wonderful reflection of the women who launched the Suffrage Movement.
This is a delightful story about a heroine determined to flout convention and find her own path. Her journey is made all the more complicated by the legacy of magic that runs in her veins. It is a legacy that ties her to the lush history of her Hawaiian homeland.
I found the pace of the story a bit slow, and the dialogue was stilted at times. However, the story includes many cultural aspects that will be fascinating to readers who are unfamiliar with the history of Hawaii's colonization, and the primary character is a wonderful reflection of the women who launched the Suffrage Movement.
August 24, 2019
Ever since I went to Hawaii I have been intrigued by the rather tragic history of the island and its rulers. This book takes the audience to that time, in a somewhat fictionalized account of the island post the American takeover. But there is magic here too, and gods, and suffragists, all with an underpinning of romance. I enjoyed reading this book and will want to read the rest of the series in the Hawaiian Ladies' Riding Society.
I was given an advance copy of this book by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
I was given an advance copy of this book by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 12, 2019
I've had the pleasure of working with the author and seeing this book go through a few revisions. What Katherine Kayne has produced is something new and exciting in the romance and historical fiction genre. This is a fun and wild read that is entertaining from the first page to the last! Be ready to be transported to Hawaii and another time and place. Great beach read or anytime escape. Bravo.
August 4, 2019
A Fantasy Historical romance with some Hawiiaian myths.
A good story about Letty a girl who a connection to animals and the islands.
Some drama, twist, angst,romance and Island history.
Enjoyed reading ablot the Islands.
Voluntarily reviewed.
A good story about Letty a girl who a connection to animals and the islands.
Some drama, twist, angst,romance and Island history.
Enjoyed reading ablot the Islands.
Voluntarily reviewed.
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January 9, 2020Leticia Liliuokalani Lang, better known as Letty, has good intentions, but her strong will and quick temper tend to get in her way. Banished from her Hawaiian home due to a conflict with her stepmother, Letty winds up in a California boarding school, where she decides to devote her career to healing animals—even though female veterinarians are scarcer than the proverbial hen’s teeth in 1906.
On the ship back to her beloved islands, Letty notices a beautiful racehorse and realizes the horse’s trainer is abusing him. An accident in the harbor sends the stallion into the ocean, and Letty dives in to save him without a second thought. That sets her on a collision course with the horse’s owner and trainer after she insults the former and reports on the latter’s mistreatment. All this before Letty even reaches her home and confronts the stepmother who sent her away.
Letty learns that she has a magical gift that challenges her self-control but acts as a source of strength and connection. She is one of nine Gates, bound to the earth, born with the ability to harness its power—represented by the flames of her spirit—to direct her intentions, for good or for ill. But Letty resists her destiny, knowing that her gift comes at a cost: a lifetime alone.
In this delightful debut novel Katherine Kayne sweeps us back to a Hawaii still mourning its lost kingdom, where ladies—their ballgowns covered in yards of protective fabric—gallop across the mountains and down the city streets on their way to polo matches and parties, men dance the hula as well as women, and flowers are everywhere. It’s no accident that Bound in Flame kicks off a brand-new series, aptly called The Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society.
Interview with the author at New Books in Historical Fiction.
On the ship back to her beloved islands, Letty notices a beautiful racehorse and realizes the horse’s trainer is abusing him. An accident in the harbor sends the stallion into the ocean, and Letty dives in to save him without a second thought. That sets her on a collision course with the horse’s owner and trainer after she insults the former and reports on the latter’s mistreatment. All this before Letty even reaches her home and confronts the stepmother who sent her away.
Letty learns that she has a magical gift that challenges her self-control but acts as a source of strength and connection. She is one of nine Gates, bound to the earth, born with the ability to harness its power—represented by the flames of her spirit—to direct her intentions, for good or for ill. But Letty resists her destiny, knowing that her gift comes at a cost: a lifetime alone.
In this delightful debut novel Katherine Kayne sweeps us back to a Hawaii still mourning its lost kingdom, where ladies—their ballgowns covered in yards of protective fabric—gallop across the mountains and down the city streets on their way to polo matches and parties, men dance the hula as well as women, and flowers are everywhere. It’s no accident that Bound in Flame kicks off a brand-new series, aptly called The Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society.
Interview with the author at New Books in Historical Fiction.
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March 25, 2022Review also available at The Smut Report.
Heat Factor: She’s on fire. The sex is not (and it’s not meant to be, really).
Character Chemistry: Yes.
Plot: I can’t even begin...
Overall: Try a little something different on for size.
Historical romance is great, but it’s so hard to find historical romance that’s not 19th century British. There are also the various popular American settings: Wild West, Gilded Age, Reconstruction. So when I found this Hawaiian historical romance I jumped right on it. Also my in-laws have been living in Hawaii, so we’ve had a Hawaiian culture inundation the past couple years. Basically I had no choice.
This book is set in a very early 20th century (1909) Hawaii, in a fictional, mystical world, where Americans did take over Hawaii, but Lili’uokalani was succeeded by Kehokulani, a suffragist princess born with mystical powers. There is all kinds of stuff going on in this book:
1. Mystical Gates are ushering the world from its past to its future, led by Princess Kehokulani.
2. Letty’s family has money trouble.
3. Letty is part of an equestrian society of Hawaiian suffragists.
4. Timothy has family/plantation issues.
5. Letty was sent to school in California where she decided to become a veterinarian.
6. There is a psychopath who hates Letty because Timothy fired him.
Some of these things are more relevant than others, but be prepared for a lot of moving parts. Kayne also dates all the chapters, which was too much. As far as I could tell, the narrative moves in a chronologically forward progression, so the dates really just made me feel like I was missing something, because I paid attention to them not at all.
It’s going to be really hard for me to be succinct, but I’ll try. Because we at The Smut Report talk romance, I’m going to leave some of our plot points outlined above alone in favor of the romance between Timothy and Letty.
Letty Lang just can’t seem to control herself sometimes. It’s the reason she’s sent to boarding school in California. The reason she can’t control herself? She is a Gate, one of nine women who will “open new ways for our people.” (It’s a period of change, the early 20th century. There are cars, for starters.) Her power is healing and it manifests as flames. (Get it?)
It is because she can’t control her power that she throws herself off a ship after a horse as the book opens and then curses the horse’s owner, Timothy Rowley, when she and her equine friend arrive safely on shore. Timothy is a very good friend of the aforementioned Princess K, who also happens to be Letty’s godmother, so Letty and Timothy are thrown together over and over as the story progresses. They live on different islands, though. Letty starts out on the big island because she’s visiting Princess K, but most of the time she lives with her parents on Oahu, while Timothy’s plantation is next to the Princess’s on the big island. Distance makes the heart grow fonder? I honestly didn’t know if this was actually going to be a romance or if we were going to do some more series, Stephanie Plum nonsense because first there is a very slow burn and then it turns out that Gates kill romantic interests with their powers. (?) (???) I got to a point where if Letty broke up with Timothy without telling him to his face what the issue was one more time, I was going to throw the book. Teenagers.
Letty and Timothy train horses together and are generally quite proper. They write each other. The visit politely when they’re in the same space. But they are insta-attracted to each other, so it’s a subtle romance. Also there’s the issue that Letty is half Hawaiian, so Timothy, as not only a white man but as an English aristocrat, would face a degree of social ostracism if he were with her. Going home to England in glory to stick it to his father goes up in smoke and all that. The romance, therefore, is one that I really wanted to happen, but it was on-again-off-again, sometimes even seeming non-existent before swinging back to burning and yearning.
Much of the story isn’t really centered on the romance anyway. Timothy ties directly into Letty’s journey of self discovery, but Letty learning she’s a Gate and subsequently learning how to accept and harness her powers is a lot of the narrative. Given the lack of an external conflict to drive the plot, the story lives or dies based on the quality of the narrative and the writing. The narrative is definitely engaging. It took me a little while to warm up, but by the end I did become totally absorbed in all the different goings on Kayne had whipped up.
So how’s the writing? It’s good, or I wouldn’t have enjoyed the book at all. But… The first, and honestly very minor, thing is that the story is written in 3rd person omniscient and in the past tense (as most books are). So when the author says, “That is, of course, until one crafty mama decided to make a break for it….”
It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s super jarring. The other aspect of the writing I feel compelled to flag is the pacing. As I said, there’s a lot going on, so there was a lot of story to tell, but I probably shouldn’t have wondered if we were ever going to resolve the central Gate/Relationship conflict in this book, especially if it’s marketed as romance. There were a few points along various plotlines that geared up to high drama and then… resolved? Just like that?
Some of these things matter more than others, but holy wow did that ending feel packed in, like, “Let’s not make this book too long!” Hi, I just read a 500 page romance novel (Like, why? Different issue...)--this book is not too long. Or if it is, cut down on some of the story lines. Don’t fail to flesh out all the drama that’s been created in all the other carefully crafted pages!
TL;DR - I liked this book, and I really liked that its setting both physically and temporally were different than most of what I read. Is it my new fave? Nah. But that’s okay, too.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
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Heat Factor: She’s on fire. The sex is not (and it’s not meant to be, really).
Character Chemistry: Yes.
Plot: I can’t even begin...
Overall: Try a little something different on for size.
Historical romance is great, but it’s so hard to find historical romance that’s not 19th century British. There are also the various popular American settings: Wild West, Gilded Age, Reconstruction. So when I found this Hawaiian historical romance I jumped right on it. Also my in-laws have been living in Hawaii, so we’ve had a Hawaiian culture inundation the past couple years. Basically I had no choice.
This book is set in a very early 20th century (1909) Hawaii, in a fictional, mystical world, where Americans did take over Hawaii, but Lili’uokalani was succeeded by Kehokulani, a suffragist princess born with mystical powers. There is all kinds of stuff going on in this book:
1. Mystical Gates are ushering the world from its past to its future, led by Princess Kehokulani.
2. Letty’s family has money trouble.
3. Letty is part of an equestrian society of Hawaiian suffragists.
4. Timothy has family/plantation issues.
5. Letty was sent to school in California where she decided to become a veterinarian.
6. There is a psychopath who hates Letty because Timothy fired him.
Some of these things are more relevant than others, but be prepared for a lot of moving parts. Kayne also dates all the chapters, which was too much. As far as I could tell, the narrative moves in a chronologically forward progression, so the dates really just made me feel like I was missing something, because I paid attention to them not at all.
It’s going to be really hard for me to be succinct, but I’ll try. Because we at The Smut Report talk romance, I’m going to leave some of our plot points outlined above alone in favor of the romance between Timothy and Letty.
Letty Lang just can’t seem to control herself sometimes. It’s the reason she’s sent to boarding school in California. The reason she can’t control herself? She is a Gate, one of nine women who will “open new ways for our people.” (It’s a period of change, the early 20th century. There are cars, for starters.) Her power is healing and it manifests as flames. (Get it?)
It is because she can’t control her power that she throws herself off a ship after a horse as the book opens and then curses the horse’s owner, Timothy Rowley, when she and her equine friend arrive safely on shore. Timothy is a very good friend of the aforementioned Princess K, who also happens to be Letty’s godmother, so Letty and Timothy are thrown together over and over as the story progresses. They live on different islands, though. Letty starts out on the big island because she’s visiting Princess K, but most of the time she lives with her parents on Oahu, while Timothy’s plantation is next to the Princess’s on the big island. Distance makes the heart grow fonder? I honestly didn’t know if this was actually going to be a romance or if we were going to do some more series, Stephanie Plum nonsense because first there is a very slow burn and then it turns out that Gates kill romantic interests with their powers. (?) (???) I got to a point where if Letty broke up with Timothy without telling him to his face what the issue was one more time, I was going to throw the book. Teenagers.
Letty and Timothy train horses together and are generally quite proper. They write each other. The visit politely when they’re in the same space. But they are insta-attracted to each other, so it’s a subtle romance. Also there’s the issue that Letty is half Hawaiian, so Timothy, as not only a white man but as an English aristocrat, would face a degree of social ostracism if he were with her. Going home to England in glory to stick it to his father goes up in smoke and all that. The romance, therefore, is one that I really wanted to happen, but it was on-again-off-again, sometimes even seeming non-existent before swinging back to burning and yearning.
Much of the story isn’t really centered on the romance anyway. Timothy ties directly into Letty’s journey of self discovery, but Letty learning she’s a Gate and subsequently learning how to accept and harness her powers is a lot of the narrative. Given the lack of an external conflict to drive the plot, the story lives or dies based on the quality of the narrative and the writing. The narrative is definitely engaging. It took me a little while to warm up, but by the end I did become totally absorbed in all the different goings on Kayne had whipped up.
So how’s the writing? It’s good, or I wouldn’t have enjoyed the book at all. But… The first, and honestly very minor, thing is that the story is written in 3rd person omniscient and in the past tense (as most books are). So when the author says, “That is, of course, until one crafty mama decided to make a break for it….”
It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s super jarring. The other aspect of the writing I feel compelled to flag is the pacing. As I said, there’s a lot going on, so there was a lot of story to tell, but I probably shouldn’t have wondered if we were ever going to resolve the central Gate/Relationship conflict in this book, especially if it’s marketed as romance. There were a few points along various plotlines that geared up to high drama and then… resolved? Just like that?
Some of these things matter more than others, but holy wow did that ending feel packed in, like, “Let’s not make this book too long!” Hi, I just read a 500 page romance novel (Like, why? Different issue...)--this book is not too long. Or if it is, cut down on some of the story lines. Don’t fail to flesh out all the drama that’s been created in all the other carefully crafted pages!
TL;DR - I liked this book, and I really liked that its setting both physically and temporally were different than most of what I read. Is it my new fave? Nah. But that’s okay, too.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
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December 3, 2023
Would have been 3 * but for the one sex scene that was intrusive and unnecessary.
Want to read
September 25, 2019I love how diverse this book is.
This book creatively combines Hawaiian folklore, horses, and female suffragettes. All of these aspects mesh together to create an entirely unique story. From the very first page I was intrigued and wanted to know more. The cover is absolutely beautiful and the story contained within its pages was full of fun YA adventure and romance.
This book creatively combines Hawaiian folklore, horses, and female suffragettes. All of these aspects mesh together to create an entirely unique story. From the very first page I was intrigued and wanted to know more. The cover is absolutely beautiful and the story contained within its pages was full of fun YA adventure and romance.
October 21, 2019
I don’t read many historical romances and BIF was pleasant surprise! 4.5 stars goes to Letty! She’s one of my new favorite fictional characters and one I think about often!
August 4, 2019
Loved this little jewel of a book . It was good and good read , I loved the setting
thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book
thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book
July 4, 2020
Read this review and others at https://www.readingforsanity.com/2020...
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