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Wickedly Winged #1
What Dwells: Whychoose Sci Fi Fantasy Romance
It was just another boring day monitoring the Mists, the strange murky clouds that hover in the canyons below the Up Top.Until it wasn't.They say whatever enters the mysterious mist is lost to it.When Novara's schooner is sucked into the clouds of death, she's expecting the worst.She's going to die.Instead, she finds herself violently thrust into a world below her own, of darkness, humanoid bat people, and madness.Great gwog, if ever there was a time her love for dead languages could come in handy, this was it. And she would be definitely be needing it because this was her new home now.Citoc isn't too keen on taking on the odd, funny faced wingless Humanid that had literally dropped down atop him, spewed out from the skies, yet he finds himself drawn to the mouthy, witless female.He isn't the only one intrigued by the many tongues speaking newcomer.A whole new world and all the different cultures forming the melting pot of the Alcove, Novara will need to learn to navigate it all fast if she's to stand a chance at making a go of it in the caves.Eladrathuil preserve her, what's a stranded Mists pilot to do? Acclimate. Her stubborn buns are going to do it her way, though.May the madness ensue and the odds be in her favor.
651 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2019
74 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Jeanette Lynn
54 books394 followersQuirky, offbeat characters in out of this world stories. Finding love in unexpected places.
Paranormal, contemporary, fantasy, sci fi, shifters, aliens, magic and matchmaking mayhem, there's a little bit of everything.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
November 21, 2019
Oh wow. What is this thing I just read?
Okay. So there's a lot going on in this story, and aspects of it had me in a state of emotional whiplash.
Just like our main character. Seriously, Nova was exhausting to read at times. Girl, you are so far from stable it is maddening.
Novara is a classic case underachiever. She went to school for a worthless degree that lands her in debt, which results in her conscription into the military until said debts are repaid. They literally dragged her kicking and screaming to her training. Oof. But she's fat and is classed at the lowest pay grade, so she will get out in...never. She's never getting out. She hates her job, her life, and her coworkers. And no one wants to be serious about her and stay with her. Not even the non-humanid species Up Top with humanids. Even before this story really gets rolling, Nova has a chip the size of a boulder on her shoulder. She's an angry person and lets everything fester.
Shockingly, she doesn't take her job very seriously, and this lack of care results in an avoidable accident that sends her falling into the acidic Mist clouds to the Down Below. Genuinely shocking is that she survives and falls on top of a humanid-bat man creature who speaks a dead language—that was part of her worthless degree!—and he takes her under his wing.
And then...a ton of stuff happens and all of it is spoilery, so I will not go into it.
The story goes great until about the 25% mark when Nova loses her damn mind and goes out of her way to be the most miserable and hateful person ever. I felt for her and understood her need to lash out—because that first big Thing that happens to her is beyond rotten and would hurt like an emeffer—but damn. She just poisoned her own well and then created 90% of her own problems from there on out. Like the crash, they were all things that could have been avoided. I wanted to pull her aside and tell her what a stupid sandwich she is and make her slow down a bit.
Luckily when she's not being a miserable person, the woman is hilarious and playful. It was one of her saving graces. And even if she's not super intelligent, she is curious and wants to learn how things work. She can be surprisingly brave while being horrifyingly reckless when she gets an idea in her head. She really does want to do the right thing outside of her relationships. Even when she's poorly equipped to do anything. Admirable but not bright.
And yes, I absolutely felt for her and understand that all she wanted was the security of knowing someone loves her and will not leave her. But most of those stability issues were birthed by her and her paranoid anxieties and her compulsive need to do the absolute wrong thing to make it work—that whole self-created problem thing I mentioned above. It's so very human to push toward the thing we're most afraid will happen.
The problem with this book's being as long as it is, is that it was a very long time before Nova starts to regain some balance...because she runs into the very beastly creature she dreamed of as a little girl. Once we head into the Murke, things get even more wild—but it's also where the story picks up and leaves the rut it was in and gets way more enjoyable. The final 40% of the book is great and full of action and lots of fun sexy times.
So yes. That early-middle 35% or so is a slog because Nova is a drag, caught in a loop of self-created problems that those closest to her keep pointing out, and she keeps telling them to "feck off"...but power through. It gets so much better.
I was delighted by the world building in this book. So many different kinds of bat people in the Down Below! A lot of description about life Up Top even if we never got to spend time there. The starting of some religious mythologies. But so many unanswered questions on this topic!
All of Nova's males are well-written, distinct, and no one is there as filler. It was so nice to know who was being written about based on personality traits, word choices, etc. They were all unique and all great in their own way. (Okay. Except the one who was the 10% of problems Nova did not create on her own. But those two are just too much alike and gasoline to the other's fire.) I'm not the biggest fan of RH, but I rather enjoyed this one and all of the unique scenarios that played out once it got going. Their nest dynamics and banter were more than worth the pain to reach them.
Sugar Bear + Ball Sac 4eva.
And I was so happy to know what became of Nemo and am curious if he will make future appearances.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I will definitely read more stories set in this world. Even if it's simply a continuation of Nova's story; now that she's more stable, she and I will get on just fine. I'm really curious how the whole name reveal at the end will play out, and if there will be at least one more wingless soft skin dropping down for maybe the partner being to the one mentioned? Because if he exists, does the other one? Are there people in the Down Below who are not the bats? Is there another section of the Murke elsewhere?
Okay. So there's a lot going on in this story, and aspects of it had me in a state of emotional whiplash.
Just like our main character. Seriously, Nova was exhausting to read at times. Girl, you are so far from stable it is maddening.
Novara is a classic case underachiever. She went to school for a worthless degree that lands her in debt, which results in her conscription into the military until said debts are repaid. They literally dragged her kicking and screaming to her training. Oof. But she's fat and is classed at the lowest pay grade, so she will get out in...never. She's never getting out. She hates her job, her life, and her coworkers. And no one wants to be serious about her and stay with her. Not even the non-humanid species Up Top with humanids. Even before this story really gets rolling, Nova has a chip the size of a boulder on her shoulder. She's an angry person and lets everything fester.
Shockingly, she doesn't take her job very seriously, and this lack of care results in an avoidable accident that sends her falling into the acidic Mist clouds to the Down Below. Genuinely shocking is that she survives and falls on top of a humanid-bat man creature who speaks a dead language—that was part of her worthless degree!—and he takes her under his wing.
And then...a ton of stuff happens and all of it is spoilery, so I will not go into it.
The story goes great until about the 25% mark when Nova loses her damn mind and goes out of her way to be the most miserable and hateful person ever. I felt for her and understood her need to lash out—because that first big Thing that happens to her is beyond rotten and would hurt like an emeffer—but damn. She just poisoned her own well and then created 90% of her own problems from there on out. Like the crash, they were all things that could have been avoided. I wanted to pull her aside and tell her what a stupid sandwich she is and make her slow down a bit.
Luckily when she's not being a miserable person, the woman is hilarious and playful. It was one of her saving graces. And even if she's not super intelligent, she is curious and wants to learn how things work. She can be surprisingly brave while being horrifyingly reckless when she gets an idea in her head. She really does want to do the right thing outside of her relationships. Even when she's poorly equipped to do anything. Admirable but not bright.
And yes, I absolutely felt for her and understand that all she wanted was the security of knowing someone loves her and will not leave her. But most of those stability issues were birthed by her and her paranoid anxieties and her compulsive need to do the absolute wrong thing to make it work—that whole self-created problem thing I mentioned above. It's so very human to push toward the thing we're most afraid will happen.
The problem with this book's being as long as it is, is that it was a very long time before Nova starts to regain some balance...because she runs into the very beastly creature she dreamed of as a little girl. Once we head into the Murke, things get even more wild—but it's also where the story picks up and leaves the rut it was in and gets way more enjoyable. The final 40% of the book is great and full of action and lots of fun sexy times.
So yes. That early-middle 35% or so is a slog because Nova is a drag, caught in a loop of self-created problems that those closest to her keep pointing out, and she keeps telling them to "feck off"...but power through. It gets so much better.
I was delighted by the world building in this book. So many different kinds of bat people in the Down Below! A lot of description about life Up Top even if we never got to spend time there. The starting of some religious mythologies. But so many unanswered questions on this topic!
All of Nova's males are well-written, distinct, and no one is there as filler. It was so nice to know who was being written about based on personality traits, word choices, etc. They were all unique and all great in their own way. (Okay. Except the one who was the 10% of problems Nova did not create on her own. But those two are just too much alike and gasoline to the other's fire.) I'm not the biggest fan of RH, but I rather enjoyed this one and all of the unique scenarios that played out once it got going. Their nest dynamics and banter were more than worth the pain to reach them.
Sugar Bear + Ball Sac 4eva.
And I was so happy to know what became of Nemo and am curious if he will make future appearances.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I will definitely read more stories set in this world. Even if it's simply a continuation of Nova's story; now that she's more stable, she and I will get on just fine. I'm really curious how the whole name reveal at the end will play out, and if there will be at least one more wingless soft skin dropping down for maybe the partner being to the one mentioned? Because if he exists, does the other one? Are there people in the Down Below who are not the bats? Is there another section of the Murke elsewhere?
did-not-finish
December 19, 2019This needs a good edit. Loads of run on sentences and way too many commas trying to join a bunch of sentences together. If this gets the edit it needs, I'd be more than happy to pick it back up again.
Read
July 14, 2020This was a wild ride of a book. Also, don't know if I wan't to give this a rating.
Didn't exactly hate it- but didn't really enjoy enough of it to give it a good rating...but I finished it so maybe that says something?
Plus Amazon said it was 467 pages...but I'll be honest it felt like an 800 page book.
Oh, and I don't know where this cover came from- but I think it shows the more Horror Erotica vibes this book has going on.
On a side note- this book slightly reminds me of R. Lee Smith's Olivia with the underground RH bat creature storyline... but more coherent. Now that book was wild and over the top- and actually long with its 1032 pages.
So maybe give this a try if your into a dark creature RH romance?
Didn't exactly hate it- but didn't really enjoy enough of it to give it a good rating...but I finished it so maybe that says something?
Plus Amazon said it was 467 pages...but I'll be honest it felt like an 800 page book.
Oh, and I don't know where this cover came from- but I think it shows the more Horror Erotica vibes this book has going on.
On a side note- this book slightly reminds me of R. Lee Smith's Olivia with the underground RH bat creature storyline... but more coherent. Now that book was wild and over the top- and actually long with its 1032 pages.
So maybe give this a try if your into a dark creature RH romance?
Read
January 29, 2020DNF
A secondary character with this kind of behavior (sassy all the way, always saying jokes, never really serious) is ok for me, but when it's the main character, I can't. So maybe it's good, but not for me.
A secondary character with this kind of behavior (sassy all the way, always saying jokes, never really serious) is ok for me, but when it's the main character, I can't. So maybe it's good, but not for me.
December 2, 2019
Floved this book so hard! Could barely put it down (and only because I had too).
October 2, 2020
DNF
*Sigh*
This book needs a trigger warning, or maybe I’m just to sensitive. Either way, I can’t keep reading.
I got a little over a quarter of the way through this book hoping the MC would get better. Y’know, stop thinking, and doing stupid shit, over and over.
Well, I’ll never know because the male H came along and just through up every red flag. I mean, every time they weren’t screwing (which wasn’t very often), alarms were going off in my head, “WARNING, WARNING!!! MANIPULATIVE ASSHOLE ALERT!!!”
I tried to brush it off and keep reading. Stupidly thinking, he’ll cool out and get better, right.
God, I even sound like the MC, making excuses for this jackass.
My breaking point came when he threw a tantrum because she left the cave without him. Breaking shit and yelling about how “You reside in my keep, sleep in my nest, eat food from my hand. You are mine.”
And instead of telling this jerk to go screw himself and leaving, the MC keeps provoking him.
So... yeah, no. I can’t.
*Sigh*
This book needs a trigger warning, or maybe I’m just to sensitive. Either way, I can’t keep reading.
I got a little over a quarter of the way through this book hoping the MC would get better. Y’know, stop thinking, and doing stupid shit, over and over.
Well, I’ll never know because the male H came along and just through up every red flag. I mean, every time they weren’t screwing (which wasn’t very often), alarms were going off in my head, “WARNING, WARNING!!! MANIPULATIVE ASSHOLE ALERT!!!”
I tried to brush it off and keep reading. Stupidly thinking, he’ll cool out and get better, right.
God, I even sound like the MC, making excuses for this jackass.
My breaking point came when he threw a tantrum because she left the cave without him. Breaking shit and yelling about how “You reside in my keep, sleep in my nest, eat food from my hand. You are mine.”
And instead of telling this jerk to go screw himself and leaving, the MC keeps provoking him.
So... yeah, no. I can’t.
November 21, 2019
Falling stars
Novara isn't the brightest of humanids. Nor is she the most beautiful. Drafted as a class f she's chubby, content with the slow lane and studying ancient history and languages. Something the modern age considers useless. One day, on a boring patrol, in a junker of a ship that gets pulled into the mists, everything goes wrong. Acid eats through the hull, there's no safety mask, and the parachute is a joke. No one knows what's beneath the mists, because nothing survives going through them. Till Nova does. What she discovers is terrifying and amazing.
Spoilers ahead.
Jeanette Lynn creates unusual characters. That's part of her charm. While HEAs are guaranteed, the plot line getting there is full of twisty turns, unusual elements and lots of laughter. Terminology, again, as in many of her non Earth based books, is a pain. Some is derived from context, some is explained later, some you just have to assume and roll with it. Through the mists is another world within the world she knows. Ancient beasts thought long lost, struggling to survive in harsh climates. The world within world within world, because in the Alcove lies the Murke, a world within it... remember I said twisty? I find it interesting that this sunken world lacks the technology of the Up Top. And while world building is there, there's so much I want to know yet:
*If the mists are acidic, is the rain? Is that why so many died in the floods? Then why is there vegetation?
*If the mists are too thick to see through, how do they know about stars?
*Where the mists there always? Did tectonic shifts cause the land to sink below them? They have cave paintings so there should be some historical records somewhere. Even oral retellings.
*Did volcanic episodes create the mists?
*How is this world structured? Is Up Top all mountainous? Is it like a Mesa shelf?
*How did humans come to this world? How long have they been there? The other species, is this their world, or are they transplants, too?
*What kid of rock are these mountains made of that they can dig through it with claws but it's still sturdy enough to live in? To support water catching bathing structures?
*Why do some of the tribes have body decorations?
*Why do some share similar colorations but different characteristics?
*How did some come to be more insectoid? What makes the Murke so unusual?
*How does vegetation adapt in the Murke?
*Why is the Alcove considered safe? It leads to the Murke, the most unsafe of places.
*The high peaks caved in with snow. (See earlier rock question for how bathing chambers are ok but this happened.) The lower regions, I assume, were affected too, hence 3rd cave tiers in the mix. Lowlands flooded. What exact level is considered safe? Did they have to clear to make the Alcove?
*Why some of the adaptations? Two headed birds? The glow worms I get. Phosphorescence is common in underground ecosystems. But what was up with the toxin drawing? And the noise to dim or brighten the slick? Is the slick nutritious enough to support whatever bacteria (guessing here) that creates the glow, long after secretion? How long does it last? How often does it need to be reapplied?
*Gems, semiprecious or precious, are often found in rock. Especially volcanic rock. There seems to be a barter system more than a monetary system, yet they don't seem to have ornamentation, either.
*Weaving, tanning and music seem to be the only arts recognized. But how are dyes created? For fabric or otherwise.
My brain, I swear. I love discovering new world's but I also need to know how they work. The story was good, slang translation aside lol. I really hope this world is revisited, and built on. Maybe meet some of the Up Top beings?
Novara isn't the brightest of humanids. Nor is she the most beautiful. Drafted as a class f she's chubby, content with the slow lane and studying ancient history and languages. Something the modern age considers useless. One day, on a boring patrol, in a junker of a ship that gets pulled into the mists, everything goes wrong. Acid eats through the hull, there's no safety mask, and the parachute is a joke. No one knows what's beneath the mists, because nothing survives going through them. Till Nova does. What she discovers is terrifying and amazing.
Spoilers ahead.
Jeanette Lynn creates unusual characters. That's part of her charm. While HEAs are guaranteed, the plot line getting there is full of twisty turns, unusual elements and lots of laughter. Terminology, again, as in many of her non Earth based books, is a pain. Some is derived from context, some is explained later, some you just have to assume and roll with it. Through the mists is another world within the world she knows. Ancient beasts thought long lost, struggling to survive in harsh climates. The world within world within world, because in the Alcove lies the Murke, a world within it... remember I said twisty? I find it interesting that this sunken world lacks the technology of the Up Top. And while world building is there, there's so much I want to know yet:
*If the mists are acidic, is the rain? Is that why so many died in the floods? Then why is there vegetation?
*If the mists are too thick to see through, how do they know about stars?
*Where the mists there always? Did tectonic shifts cause the land to sink below them? They have cave paintings so there should be some historical records somewhere. Even oral retellings.
*Did volcanic episodes create the mists?
*How is this world structured? Is Up Top all mountainous? Is it like a Mesa shelf?
*How did humans come to this world? How long have they been there? The other species, is this their world, or are they transplants, too?
*What kid of rock are these mountains made of that they can dig through it with claws but it's still sturdy enough to live in? To support water catching bathing structures?
*Why do some of the tribes have body decorations?
*Why do some share similar colorations but different characteristics?
*How did some come to be more insectoid? What makes the Murke so unusual?
*How does vegetation adapt in the Murke?
*Why is the Alcove considered safe? It leads to the Murke, the most unsafe of places.
*The high peaks caved in with snow. (See earlier rock question for how bathing chambers are ok but this happened.) The lower regions, I assume, were affected too, hence 3rd cave tiers in the mix. Lowlands flooded. What exact level is considered safe? Did they have to clear to make the Alcove?
*Why some of the adaptations? Two headed birds? The glow worms I get. Phosphorescence is common in underground ecosystems. But what was up with the toxin drawing? And the noise to dim or brighten the slick? Is the slick nutritious enough to support whatever bacteria (guessing here) that creates the glow, long after secretion? How long does it last? How often does it need to be reapplied?
*Gems, semiprecious or precious, are often found in rock. Especially volcanic rock. There seems to be a barter system more than a monetary system, yet they don't seem to have ornamentation, either.
*Weaving, tanning and music seem to be the only arts recognized. But how are dyes created? For fabric or otherwise.
My brain, I swear. I love discovering new world's but I also need to know how they work. The story was good, slang translation aside lol. I really hope this world is revisited, and built on. Maybe meet some of the Up Top beings?
January 14, 2021
Holy run on sentence!
I didn't make it past 4% of this book. When every sentence contains at least three commas and plenty of those run on sentences serve as the entire paragraph.. It becomes nearly impossible to read when you add in absolutely superfluous adverbs to every one of those sentences.
I'm pretty lax when it comes to the actual writing structure of my books however this goes beyond the pale imo.
DNF. I would try again if the author revised and heavily edited this work.
PS, I'm so sorry Jeanette. I hate leaving bad reviews. I know how much heart and soul goes into creating an entire novel only for someone to trash it, especially when I didn't even give it 5%.
I didn't make it past 4% of this book. When every sentence contains at least three commas and plenty of those run on sentences serve as the entire paragraph.. It becomes nearly impossible to read when you add in absolutely superfluous adverbs to every one of those sentences.
I'm pretty lax when it comes to the actual writing structure of my books however this goes beyond the pale imo.
DNF. I would try again if the author revised and heavily edited this work.
PS, I'm so sorry Jeanette. I hate leaving bad reviews. I know how much heart and soul goes into creating an entire novel only for someone to trash it, especially when I didn't even give it 5%.
May 3, 2021
Idea was great, but Nova is horrid
This book could've been fantastic, but the heroine, the main character and main point of view is so annoying! She's a babbling, selfish, prideful, ungrateful and irritatingly annoying female. She has no redeeming qualities. I stopped reading at 60%. I do not understand what the two males see in her. On top of that, the writing is so wordy it's hard to follow with all the strange alien words that are there with near no explanation or reason.
The main plot is fine and the whole idea is interesting, but the wording and the main character ruined it for me.
This book could've been fantastic, but the heroine, the main character and main point of view is so annoying! She's a babbling, selfish, prideful, ungrateful and irritatingly annoying female. She has no redeeming qualities. I stopped reading at 60%. I do not understand what the two males see in her. On top of that, the writing is so wordy it's hard to follow with all the strange alien words that are there with near no explanation or reason.
The main plot is fine and the whole idea is interesting, but the wording and the main character ruined it for me.
February 19, 2020
She can definitely weave an amazing story. But the half baked reverse harem didn’t work at all. She ruined what could have been an epic tale. It’s like she couldn’t think of a plot point so she added another random guy who didn’t want other guys with her, that’s never going to end up being hot. Think if this book were in reverse and it was a huge book on a man forcing women into polygamy even though they’ve said they don’t want to because “oh well you’re mated” it takes on a yucky, creepy vibe.
January 20, 2020
I book favorite
Gushing! I truly loved this read, it was a little hard the first few pages with our heroine and her corkiness, but please stay with it, you won't be disappointed. There is nothing I didn't like about this read, it was deliciously long, crazy funny, and heart breaking. It was everything I needed and more, but that's Jeanette lynn! A sci-fi fantasy favorite
Gushing! I truly loved this read, it was a little hard the first few pages with our heroine and her corkiness, but please stay with it, you won't be disappointed. There is nothing I didn't like about this read, it was deliciously long, crazy funny, and heart breaking. It was everything I needed and more, but that's Jeanette lynn! A sci-fi fantasy favorite
April 3, 2020
3.5 stars ✨
Heroine was very annoying. Couldn't keep up with her thoughts or conversations. She was all over the place. A big ol' mess
Warning - if ur into monogamy this isn't the book for you.The heroine has multiple mates .
Heroine was very annoying. Couldn't keep up with her thoughts or conversations. She was all over the place. A big ol' mess
Warning - if ur into monogamy this isn't the book for you.The heroine has multiple mates .
March 23, 2020
The heroine was difficult. I actually started to skim her dialogue. Too bad because the world building was cool.
March 2, 2020
Firstly, this book was awesome.
Secondly, here's the information I was looking for in reviews while I was undecided about buying. To be absolutely clear:
Yes, this is a reverse harem with bat men who are each more alien than the last.
No, none of the heroes cheat on her.
Yes, there is a happily ever after.
I'm a fan of Jeanette Lynn, and I liked Of Another Dimension and Bridal Hunt, but was disappointed by Bride of Glass (too muddled). Sure, the editing isn't perfect, and at one point I had trouble keeping all of the characters straight, but the story of What Dwells is worth it. No one writes reverse harem like Jeanette Lynn, and this could be my favorite of hers.
SUMMMARY (without spoiling too much):
Novara falls from the sky and is rescued by bat guy, Citoc, and they get steamy quickly.
She's taken to a cave city of bat people--who come in different varieties of colors, shapes, sizes (and I do mean phallically, too, once the reverse hareming gets rolling). As this was where the sample left off, I was worried about mysoginistic practices of this society, but that's not a problem.
For the first chunk of the book she is with Citoc, and they have a tumultuous relationship. Very bantery and angsty in the true Jeanette Lynn style.
I'm a sucker for the books where the hero does something to break the heroine's heart (but doesn't cheat on her, though it may seem like he does). Suffice to say, there's a separation. (There will eventually be groveling.)
There is a threat against Novara's life by one of the other bat people. (Enter villain.)
Insert Harkyn, who has crippled wings. He's the sweet, nurturing hero who always complements Lynn's harems. Their romance is endearing, soul-matey, though not without its heart aching difficulties. (Can't get enough of this tear-jerking section.)
Lynn also provides her trademark "waits in the wings" (pun intended) hunter hero, who has been quietly watching, craving, and wanting his turn with the heroine, whose patience will pay off.
And then there's the HUGE surprise of the fourth hero. (Also cue a lot of action, gore, near death peril, more so than Lynn's typical book.)
Novara's first few scenes with the huge guy are what catapulted this book into being my favorite. I will not spoil who or what he is, but did anyone watch the 1989 Fantasia? If you like big scary monsters having their way with the heroine, sign yourself up for this. And read it all the way to the end.
In the best ways, this book is over the top hareming, over the top weird alien erotica, and over the top "you are mine and we were meant to be together" "I would die and kill for you" declarations of romance.
Secondly, here's the information I was looking for in reviews while I was undecided about buying. To be absolutely clear:
Yes, this is a reverse harem with bat men who are each more alien than the last.
No, none of the heroes cheat on her.
Yes, there is a happily ever after.
I'm a fan of Jeanette Lynn, and I liked Of Another Dimension and Bridal Hunt, but was disappointed by Bride of Glass (too muddled). Sure, the editing isn't perfect, and at one point I had trouble keeping all of the characters straight, but the story of What Dwells is worth it. No one writes reverse harem like Jeanette Lynn, and this could be my favorite of hers.
SUMMMARY (without spoiling too much):
Novara falls from the sky and is rescued by bat guy, Citoc, and they get steamy quickly.
She's taken to a cave city of bat people--who come in different varieties of colors, shapes, sizes (and I do mean phallically, too, once the reverse hareming gets rolling). As this was where the sample left off, I was worried about mysoginistic practices of this society, but that's not a problem.
For the first chunk of the book she is with Citoc, and they have a tumultuous relationship. Very bantery and angsty in the true Jeanette Lynn style.
I'm a sucker for the books where the hero does something to break the heroine's heart (but doesn't cheat on her, though it may seem like he does). Suffice to say, there's a separation. (There will eventually be groveling.)
There is a threat against Novara's life by one of the other bat people. (Enter villain.)
Insert Harkyn, who has crippled wings. He's the sweet, nurturing hero who always complements Lynn's harems. Their romance is endearing, soul-matey, though not without its heart aching difficulties. (Can't get enough of this tear-jerking section.)
Lynn also provides her trademark "waits in the wings" (pun intended) hunter hero, who has been quietly watching, craving, and wanting his turn with the heroine, whose patience will pay off.
And then there's the HUGE surprise of the fourth hero. (Also cue a lot of action, gore, near death peril, more so than Lynn's typical book.)
Novara's first few scenes with the huge guy are what catapulted this book into being my favorite. I will not spoil who or what he is, but did anyone watch the 1989 Fantasia? If you like big scary monsters having their way with the heroine, sign yourself up for this. And read it all the way to the end.
In the best ways, this book is over the top hareming, over the top weird alien erotica, and over the top "you are mine and we were meant to be together" "I would die and kill for you" declarations of romance.
June 22, 2020
3.5 Rounded Up
This is a strange book, and strangely beautiful. I can't ever really say that I found a bat hot before, but there is something about the way Lynn writes that changed my mind... mostly. I am all about unusual dynamics and relationships that don't work on paper, but I am NOT about manipulative attitudes, gaslighting and emotional angst. Seems that no matter the species, some similarities span the gamut when it comes to an insecure male mind.
Set on a world that harbors multiple species of bipedal, intelligent souls, this book throws a pleasantly plump and somewhat unsure Nova into the literal depths of this planet... far below a layer of mist that hides deep fissures and canyons none have ever seen, or at least none from 'up top'. Drafted to service in order to pay off her debt, debts incurred by taking ancient language studies - an area unsuitable for most work. She is a pilot monitoring the easiest areas of the mist... until said mist somehow drags her in and down, destroying her ship and landing her among caves her brain can barely fathom. There Nova meets a collection of bat like people, and finds a fate more dicey than any she could have imagine before.
Nice... but...
So, this is a GOOD book, with interesting characters and lush world building. My issue? Nova is inconsistent. One moment she is a strong, sure female who stands up for herself. The next? She is weak willed and insecure, falling into patterns of mental abuse and victimhood. It bothered me. I am not sure if it bothered me more because I could actually relate to it... because there was a odd sense of reality to her actions... or because I expect FMC's in these types of books to be Bad@ss, regardless of setting. But that is just me.
Perspective:
~First Person, Single POV
Ending Type:
~HEA
Rating:
~Mature... very mature.
Romantic Dynamic:
~MMMMF
Character Age Range:
~Almost 30+
This is a strange book, and strangely beautiful. I can't ever really say that I found a bat hot before, but there is something about the way Lynn writes that changed my mind... mostly. I am all about unusual dynamics and relationships that don't work on paper, but I am NOT about manipulative attitudes, gaslighting and emotional angst. Seems that no matter the species, some similarities span the gamut when it comes to an insecure male mind.
Set on a world that harbors multiple species of bipedal, intelligent souls, this book throws a pleasantly plump and somewhat unsure Nova into the literal depths of this planet... far below a layer of mist that hides deep fissures and canyons none have ever seen, or at least none from 'up top'. Drafted to service in order to pay off her debt, debts incurred by taking ancient language studies - an area unsuitable for most work. She is a pilot monitoring the easiest areas of the mist... until said mist somehow drags her in and down, destroying her ship and landing her among caves her brain can barely fathom. There Nova meets a collection of bat like people, and finds a fate more dicey than any she could have imagine before.
Nice... but...
So, this is a GOOD book, with interesting characters and lush world building. My issue? Nova is inconsistent. One moment she is a strong, sure female who stands up for herself. The next? She is weak willed and insecure, falling into patterns of mental abuse and victimhood. It bothered me. I am not sure if it bothered me more because I could actually relate to it... because there was a odd sense of reality to her actions... or because I expect FMC's in these types of books to be Bad@ss, regardless of setting. But that is just me.
Perspective:
~First Person, Single POV
Ending Type:
~HEA
Rating:
~Mature... very mature.
Romantic Dynamic:
~MMMMF
Character Age Range:
~Almost 30+
April 12, 2020
Loved Vara and her bat men
Navara, is a human drafted as a pilot, to patrol over the mist, to pay off her student loans. A rogue cloud engulfs her ship, 1 she learns the clouds are really acid, and 2 she is going down and no one is going to save her. A prank parachute and a whole lot of luck she survives the crash and finds herself in a world she has dreamed of her whole life. The world of the Great Beasts. Her college education pays off.
Vara is rescued by a bald, red Batman. Citoc is an outcast of sorts, the last survived of his people. He introduces her to the people of her new world, but keeps her isolated and only gives her minimal information about her new world. The development a steamy and volatile relationship. When the truth comes out, Vara is taken under the wing of Saradne, who introduces her to Harkyn, and older blue make who looks more of a gargoyle. While part of her heart belongs to the make who broke it, she finds love and friendship in Harkyn. He is older and a plague of sorts took his ability to fly and have winglings. He pushes her to take on more males as is their people's custom. Vara only wants him.
A betrayal lands Vara in the Murke, the home of the once Great Beasts who have lost themselves in madness and is saved by Nahesh their lord. He believes she is the mate a prophecy long ago promised him. The Murke is a dangerous place and keeping her safe is proving difficult. Nahesh, brings her back to Harkyn and brings in Kaval, the gentle giant hunter as a third mate to keep Vara happy and safe. The only thing missing is Citoc, Mahesh has a plan to bring him into their family. He has plans for the traitor who sent his mate into the Murke.
A fun, snarky, and steamy, reverse harem sifi romance. Nice epilogue to wrap up their story.
Navara, is a human drafted as a pilot, to patrol over the mist, to pay off her student loans. A rogue cloud engulfs her ship, 1 she learns the clouds are really acid, and 2 she is going down and no one is going to save her. A prank parachute and a whole lot of luck she survives the crash and finds herself in a world she has dreamed of her whole life. The world of the Great Beasts. Her college education pays off.
Vara is rescued by a bald, red Batman. Citoc is an outcast of sorts, the last survived of his people. He introduces her to the people of her new world, but keeps her isolated and only gives her minimal information about her new world. The development a steamy and volatile relationship. When the truth comes out, Vara is taken under the wing of Saradne, who introduces her to Harkyn, and older blue make who looks more of a gargoyle. While part of her heart belongs to the make who broke it, she finds love and friendship in Harkyn. He is older and a plague of sorts took his ability to fly and have winglings. He pushes her to take on more males as is their people's custom. Vara only wants him.
A betrayal lands Vara in the Murke, the home of the once Great Beasts who have lost themselves in madness and is saved by Nahesh their lord. He believes she is the mate a prophecy long ago promised him. The Murke is a dangerous place and keeping her safe is proving difficult. Nahesh, brings her back to Harkyn and brings in Kaval, the gentle giant hunter as a third mate to keep Vara happy and safe. The only thing missing is Citoc, Mahesh has a plan to bring him into their family. He has plans for the traitor who sent his mate into the Murke.
A fun, snarky, and steamy, reverse harem sifi romance. Nice epilogue to wrap up their story.
December 5, 2019
Happy screech!
LOVED LOVED this book! If you have read any of this authors books you will feel at home! I finished in three days even with breaks in between (work). It had me laugh out loud, giggle and at times sad (minimally) other times yelling in my head! But it ends in the beat of ways.
Novara is a sassy bigger girl who never had anything going her way UpTop. Forced to work for the government when her passion for dead languages put her in student debt. Could anything be more boring then hanging out in a skimmer above the Mist, patrolling, a job that was both boring and given to the “losers”. Well life decides to throw her a bone, not that she knows it yet. Falling from the sky landing on the head of a snarling Beast, rolling over a cliff to be attacked by Beasts of the Murke. Being saved grudgingly will put anyone in a dark mood. Can Novara survive this new world under the Mist? Finally find her happy ending in the arms (wings) of her Prince Charming(s)? Or will life throw her kicking and screaming into the Murke to be eaten by the true Beast?
If you like happily ever afters, sexy times galore, feisty females and cranky males, annoying mates and RH, this book is for you!!!!!
LOVED LOVED this book! If you have read any of this authors books you will feel at home! I finished in three days even with breaks in between (work). It had me laugh out loud, giggle and at times sad (minimally) other times yelling in my head! But it ends in the beat of ways.
Novara is a sassy bigger girl who never had anything going her way UpTop. Forced to work for the government when her passion for dead languages put her in student debt. Could anything be more boring then hanging out in a skimmer above the Mist, patrolling, a job that was both boring and given to the “losers”. Well life decides to throw her a bone, not that she knows it yet. Falling from the sky landing on the head of a snarling Beast, rolling over a cliff to be attacked by Beasts of the Murke. Being saved grudgingly will put anyone in a dark mood. Can Novara survive this new world under the Mist? Finally find her happy ending in the arms (wings) of her Prince Charming(s)? Or will life throw her kicking and screaming into the Murke to be eaten by the true Beast?
If you like happily ever afters, sexy times galore, feisty females and cranky males, annoying mates and RH, this book is for you!!!!!
November 19, 2019
What an incredible world!
I love Novara’s story! She survives an impossible entry into the ‘Under’ world, encountering ancient beings of mythic proportions. Textbooks speak of them, ‘dead’ languages are there to study; to encounter them in person - unheard of!
The world building is superb, the characters of the underworld unique (not necessarily ’pretty’), their personalities well-developed and fascinating.
By the time I was a few chapters in, I was hooked! I had to keep reading. Some of the misunderstandings, situations, had me snickering, even cackling with laughter! The love Novara discovers is deep, passionate, and as unique as her beloved males. This is not a tame, safe world, as Nova soon discovers. It’s a good thing she has someone looking out for her!
Set aside some extra reading time, sit down and enjoy this fascinating book. You won’t want to stop!
I love Novara’s story! She survives an impossible entry into the ‘Under’ world, encountering ancient beings of mythic proportions. Textbooks speak of them, ‘dead’ languages are there to study; to encounter them in person - unheard of!
The world building is superb, the characters of the underworld unique (not necessarily ’pretty’), their personalities well-developed and fascinating.
By the time I was a few chapters in, I was hooked! I had to keep reading. Some of the misunderstandings, situations, had me snickering, even cackling with laughter! The love Novara discovers is deep, passionate, and as unique as her beloved males. This is not a tame, safe world, as Nova soon discovers. It’s a good thing she has someone looking out for her!
Set aside some extra reading time, sit down and enjoy this fascinating book. You won’t want to stop!
March 19, 2021
I tried. I really really tried to love this book. I appreciated the originality of it, but not only was it somewhat difficult to read (it's like some things are assumed or skipped and I'm left with, wait-so did that just happen? Or how did I miss this?), I got really frustrated with the main character. Vara annoyed me most of the time. I appreciated her insecurities, but she was way too cool with too much and by the whole thing with H gapped where her choice happened because of lies.. I was done. She was ok with being mislead and forced into something and she was still friendly with someone who had intentionally put her in that mated situation and who had drugged her the night before!
No, no, I just couldn't go on. I was too pissed and could only assume it would continue for the second half of the book.
No, no, I just couldn't go on. I was too pissed and could only assume it would continue for the second half of the book.
February 13, 2020
*WARNING* story contains explicit sexual content and violence
Novara is a chubby humanoid who racked up a mountain of debt to to to school. Unfortunately, the classes she chose did not being her employment. Nova ended up paying off her debt by becoming a pilot for the government. Nova is assigned to the crappy area because she is considered a throw away pilot because she is chubby. One of her regular shifts changes Nova's life forever.
This story has quite a bit of world building to make it easy to visualize. Nova is a perplexing character, sometimes she is why and weak, other times she stand her ground and tells it like it is.......her character will keep you guessing. The story is quite lengthy, but we'll written.
Novara is a chubby humanoid who racked up a mountain of debt to to to school. Unfortunately, the classes she chose did not being her employment. Nova ended up paying off her debt by becoming a pilot for the government. Nova is assigned to the crappy area because she is considered a throw away pilot because she is chubby. One of her regular shifts changes Nova's life forever.
This story has quite a bit of world building to make it easy to visualize. Nova is a perplexing character, sometimes she is why and weak, other times she stand her ground and tells it like it is.......her character will keep you guessing. The story is quite lengthy, but we'll written.
January 18, 2020
*If you can’t handle graphic sexual content, do not read this book.
This book was a nice long read. Fun. A few times I got a bit lost. I highlighted a few things that were contradictory, but they were minimal as not critical to the overall story. BUT, it was a totally unique and strange, bat-beasty fantasy/sci-fi?/erotica?/reverse harem story.
Much better than brides of glass part 2 of this author’s other series. This was good enough that I stayed up too late reading, curious as to what would happen next.
I recommend if you like monster/beasty reverse harem with lots of action...of all kinds. Entertaining.
This book was a nice long read. Fun. A few times I got a bit lost. I highlighted a few things that were contradictory, but they were minimal as not critical to the overall story. BUT, it was a totally unique and strange, bat-beasty fantasy/sci-fi?/erotica?/reverse harem story.
Much better than brides of glass part 2 of this author’s other series. This was good enough that I stayed up too late reading, curious as to what would happen next.
I recommend if you like monster/beasty reverse harem with lots of action...of all kinds. Entertaining.
July 7, 2020
Great read
I didn't know what to think when I started this book, but I'm so glad that I read it. This is the way you start a series. It was the perfect introduction into a new and exciting world and species of being. I loved each and every one of her mates and I felt her pain with Citoc, and it set the stage for how she treated each mate in the beginning. I absolutely loved Kaval and Nahesh, especially. The only thing I hated was that Vara expected her mates to change their culture for her, instead of her adapting and accepting theirs. If she had things would've gone so much smoother for her. But I can't wait for the next book and characters. I'm loving this author.
I didn't know what to think when I started this book, but I'm so glad that I read it. This is the way you start a series. It was the perfect introduction into a new and exciting world and species of being. I loved each and every one of her mates and I felt her pain with Citoc, and it set the stage for how she treated each mate in the beginning. I absolutely loved Kaval and Nahesh, especially. The only thing I hated was that Vara expected her mates to change their culture for her, instead of her adapting and accepting theirs. If she had things would've gone so much smoother for her. But I can't wait for the next book and characters. I'm loving this author.
October 30, 2020
Truly enjoyed this
I didn’t know what to expect when I opened this open but I am glad this was recommended to me, I enjoyed the world and the characters and the story I will say at times i had to go back because I felt like I was missing something when it jumped from one thing to another but even as much as I didn’t love that when it happened I still loved the rest of the book. Nova she was at times a little co dependent and sometimes a little Whiney but than who wouldn’t be if they were in such a strange world .. so again got over that with my love for the book in a whole ... so yes really enjoyed this one !!!
I didn’t know what to expect when I opened this open but I am glad this was recommended to me, I enjoyed the world and the characters and the story I will say at times i had to go back because I felt like I was missing something when it jumped from one thing to another but even as much as I didn’t love that when it happened I still loved the rest of the book. Nova she was at times a little co dependent and sometimes a little Whiney but than who wouldn’t be if they were in such a strange world .. so again got over that with my love for the book in a whole ... so yes really enjoyed this one !!!
December 9, 2021
Love it
This book was amazing. I cried I laughed. The characters were very well written. The fmc starts out helpless and just following the male who offered her help but eventually realizes all is not well. The whole story shows her going from meek to finding her strength and her voice but not always in the easiest ways.
Trigger warnings: there is a lot of things that border on dubcon and one relationship full stop that I consider dubcon for the beginnings but the character growth makes the fmc stronger and the abusive male character(s) less so.
There is also a lot of ablism, some sexism, bit of gore.
This book was amazing. I cried I laughed. The characters were very well written. The fmc starts out helpless and just following the male who offered her help but eventually realizes all is not well. The whole story shows her going from meek to finding her strength and her voice but not always in the easiest ways.
Trigger warnings: there is a lot of things that border on dubcon and one relationship full stop that I consider dubcon for the beginnings but the character growth makes the fmc stronger and the abusive male character(s) less so.
There is also a lot of ablism, some sexism, bit of gore.
November 17, 2019
My favorite Author strikes again! I love how she can think up the strangest worlds and make them come alive along with hugely relatable female main characters who add their own special spice. Amazingly well written. Laughed so much my husband went in another room to watch football! Thank you for another enjoyable story. I read it twice already to make sure I did not miss anything. It is forever on my rereads list. It may even catch up to the 27 time champion Jungle Belled and Mistletoed.
December 6, 2019
Fiuuuuu. So the beggining was a bit shaky for my liking. I was about to feel cheated after waiting so long to get my hands on this book... but a few chapters in I was definitely hooked. I think a more consistent explanation on the world is needed because the heroine starts as a chicken scrambling all over the place and it is not only difficult to get what is what, but it is also hard to conect with her. Thankfully, as I said, afer a few chapters everything falls into place and the plot flows nicely.
September 6, 2020
Five stars
This is a much longer book than I expected. The characters were really compelling and the storyline was very interesting. I don't usually read much reverse harem, but this was very different. All the males were well developed so that they were distinct from each other. Each one has a full relationship with the female lead. Each one brought something different to the group. I fully felt the emotional turmoil and It made sense. I would recommend this book and will be checking out more from this author.
This is a much longer book than I expected. The characters were really compelling and the storyline was very interesting. I don't usually read much reverse harem, but this was very different. All the males were well developed so that they were distinct from each other. Each one has a full relationship with the female lead. Each one brought something different to the group. I fully felt the emotional turmoil and It made sense. I would recommend this book and will be checking out more from this author.
October 15, 2022
I need MORE from this world!
It was delicious, dark, dirty, and absolutely hilarious! I need MORE from this world and really hope I don't have to wait long!!! Plus I totally love that this wasn't a short 100pg read that I finished in an hour. I definitely prefer longer reads for so many reasons but mostly because I can get into the world building and character's lives before it's just over. Plus I hate cliffhangers and if it's not a completed series I usually try to avoid it until it is finished. So yes please continue with this world and keep writing actual novels!!!
It was delicious, dark, dirty, and absolutely hilarious! I need MORE from this world and really hope I don't have to wait long!!! Plus I totally love that this wasn't a short 100pg read that I finished in an hour. I definitely prefer longer reads for so many reasons but mostly because I can get into the world building and character's lives before it's just over. Plus I hate cliffhangers and if it's not a completed series I usually try to avoid it until it is finished. So yes please continue with this world and keep writing actual novels!!!
December 3, 2019
Wickedly winged
This was such a great story. It seemed a bit different from the authors usual ones but oh my gosh it was really really good. These bat people...I am in love with these bat people. With every book that comes out by Ms Lynn, I'm seeing so much growth and a new edge I absolutely adore. Love the reverse harem, diversity, the different races of the bat people and the characters. I didnt want this book to end. LOVED IT!
This was such a great story. It seemed a bit different from the authors usual ones but oh my gosh it was really really good. These bat people...I am in love with these bat people. With every book that comes out by Ms Lynn, I'm seeing so much growth and a new edge I absolutely adore. Love the reverse harem, diversity, the different races of the bat people and the characters. I didnt want this book to end. LOVED IT!
January 7, 2020
What a book I really enjoyed this books and the characters were something else. Novara falls from the mist in the sky and what she finds no one thought existed under the acid mist. Of course she lands/ crashes in to Citoc and things get complicated. You are going to experience a range of emotions so be ready. And I know your not supposed to pick favorites but I totally did lol. Oh and be prepared for some super steamy scenes you might need a moment lol.
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