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Silver and Orchids #1
Moss Forest Orchid
What happens when a feisty adventuress, a lord looking to make his own way in the world, and a handsome sea captain set out to find Kalae’s rarest and most valuable flower?
Trouble—and lots of it.
Lucia needs a job, and she needs one fast. Looting dragon caves hasn’t proven profitable lately, and she’s tired of waiting tables. Her business partner usually finds the work, but Sebastian isn’t speaking with her, and Lucia’s getting desperate.
Luckily, Lucia finds a simple request posted on a community board. All the man wants is an orchid. Nothing to it.
Except the flower only grows in a montane cloud forest in Grenalda… And Lucia must take a ship through sea serpent-infested waters to get there… And her new helpful friend—the one and only, dashing Captain Avery Greybrow—just might be a pirate.
At this rate, Lucia’s not sure if she’ll ever reach the orchid. But she’s determined to try.
Author's note: Moss Forest Orchid is a slow-burn romantic fantasy full of humor and adventure. It's perfect for readers who enjoy love triangles, steamy-clean romance, and baby dragons.
Trouble—and lots of it.
Lucia needs a job, and she needs one fast. Looting dragon caves hasn’t proven profitable lately, and she’s tired of waiting tables. Her business partner usually finds the work, but Sebastian isn’t speaking with her, and Lucia’s getting desperate.
Luckily, Lucia finds a simple request posted on a community board. All the man wants is an orchid. Nothing to it.
Except the flower only grows in a montane cloud forest in Grenalda… And Lucia must take a ship through sea serpent-infested waters to get there… And her new helpful friend—the one and only, dashing Captain Avery Greybrow—just might be a pirate.
At this rate, Lucia’s not sure if she’ll ever reach the orchid. But she’s determined to try.
Author's note: Moss Forest Orchid is a slow-burn romantic fantasy full of humor and adventure. It's perfect for readers who enjoy love triangles, steamy-clean romance, and baby dragons.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2017
451 people are currently reading
985 people want to read
About the author
Shari L. Tapscott
68 books913 followersShari L. Tapscott writes young adult fantasy and humorous contemporary fiction. When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, making soap, and pretending she can sing.
She loves white chocolate mochas, furry animals, spending time with her family, and characters who refuse to behave.
Tapscott lives in western Colorado with her husband, son, daughter, and two very spoiled Saint Bernards.
Join Shari's newsletter, and be one of the first to learn about new projects, upcoming releases, sales, and specials.
She loves white chocolate mochas, furry animals, spending time with her family, and characters who refuse to behave.
Tapscott lives in western Colorado with her husband, son, daughter, and two very spoiled Saint Bernards.
Join Shari's newsletter, and be one of the first to learn about new projects, upcoming releases, sales, and specials.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
December 29, 2023
I decided to re-read this series to prep for the release of Corsair's Curse. I was a little foggy on the details and thought it would be fun to revisit the series. Last time I did one review for the whole series, but this time around I will try and review each book on its own.
The first book is a good set up of the world and characters. Lucia is a likable heroine, spunky and fun. She made a mistake with her best friend, Sebastian and spends the book on a quest trying to do all she can to fix it. They have an interesting relationship. Definitely felt the friendship, almost sibling vibe at times, but also they're both starting to feel things that maybe weren't there before. Enter Captain Avery Greybow who is charming and a scoundrel and keeps Lucia on her toes, treats her like a princess but also as an equal. I really enjoyed their scenes together.
It does feel like a first book, doesnt necessarily end with a huge cliff hanger, but some things are left open. I really enjoyed it the second (or maybe third time) around and look forward to continuing on with the next book.
Content Rated PG
Clean romance, mild kissing. No language, mild violence - fighting mythical creatures
The first book is a good set up of the world and characters. Lucia is a likable heroine, spunky and fun. She made a mistake with her best friend, Sebastian and spends the book on a quest trying to do all she can to fix it. They have an interesting relationship. Definitely felt the friendship, almost sibling vibe at times, but also they're both starting to feel things that maybe weren't there before. Enter Captain Avery Greybow who is charming and a scoundrel and keeps Lucia on her toes, treats her like a princess but also as an equal. I really enjoyed their scenes together.
It does feel like a first book, doesnt necessarily end with a huge cliff hanger, but some things are left open. I really enjoyed it the second (or maybe third time) around and look forward to continuing on with the next book.
Content Rated PG
Clean romance, mild kissing. No language, mild violence - fighting mythical creatures
March 31, 2017
Shari Tapscott is one of my favorite authors. I literally gobble up her books. My obsession started with the Eldentimber Series and I've been a fan ever since. I've been looking forward to this new series since I heard about it and even more so when I read the prequel novella last week. I love that Shari writes books that I enjoy and that I feel comfortable passing on to young teenager readers and up. Her books are fun, adventurous and clean.
The characters in this book are so great. They are distinct and their voices shine through. I fell in love with them. Lucia is trouble with a capitol T. She finds herself in the worst scrapes, mostly because she just cannot control that mouth of hers. She is impulsive and I just loved her.
Sebastian and Lucia share the same sense of adventure, but other than that, they are pretty much polar opposites. Sebastian is methodical and deliberate. He plans and prepares. He is constantly getting Lucia out of her many scrapes. Sebastian and Lucia have known each other since they were little and that history, that level of knowing each other, keeps them bound together.
Now that I've read this book, I want a pocket dragon! Lucia has one in this book but he turns out to be more than she expected. I can't wait to see what that dragon becomes in the follow up books!
I loved this book and I'm so excited for this series! If you haven't read anything by Shari, you really, really must.
Content: Clean, some mild action and violence
- I received a copy of this book from the author but have also purchased my own copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
The characters in this book are so great. They are distinct and their voices shine through. I fell in love with them. Lucia is trouble with a capitol T. She finds herself in the worst scrapes, mostly because she just cannot control that mouth of hers. She is impulsive and I just loved her.
Sebastian and Lucia share the same sense of adventure, but other than that, they are pretty much polar opposites. Sebastian is methodical and deliberate. He plans and prepares. He is constantly getting Lucia out of her many scrapes. Sebastian and Lucia have known each other since they were little and that history, that level of knowing each other, keeps them bound together.
Now that I've read this book, I want a pocket dragon! Lucia has one in this book but he turns out to be more than she expected. I can't wait to see what that dragon becomes in the follow up books!
I loved this book and I'm so excited for this series! If you haven't read anything by Shari, you really, really must.
Content: Clean, some mild action and violence
- I received a copy of this book from the author but have also purchased my own copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 23, 2019
This was a young adult romance. It was a fun read, it had a good pace and story line. I liked almost everything about it except the characters..... Which is a huge chunk of the book. Lucia drove me a bit crazy. She is the most inconsistent character. Do I love him or not, hum this guy is cute maybe I like him better.....oh wait he's probably a thief......nah who cares I'll like Him anyway, oh wait I just said I loved this other guy.......Dragon! The whole story is from her pOView sorta and it just makes for a very frustrating love story. I don't hate love triangles but it is rare you can tell one without making you hate the girl. The Iron series does a great job of this by Kagwa. My teens would probably eat this up and love it but it's just too silly for me. I won't be reading beyond this. For 14 and up.
April 12, 2017
A little underwhelming to say the least. I'm too tired and too apathetic to write a real review but my general impression of this book was "So what?"
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September 20, 2020This was a really fun confection! Nothing too serious here - just banter, swashbuckling, a love triangle, a quest, and a cute baby dragon. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
December 9, 2022
Complete and utter fluff, but it had me grinning like a crazy person the whole time.
Plot was interesting, but very predictable. (Warning. It's the age old two unbelievably good looking guys fighting over the girl who is basically average looking. But it feels less annoying than it usually does, at least in my opinion.)
Characters were great. (Loved the dialogue. Especially between Lucia and Sebastian.)
Romance was super cute, and made my heart flutter at times.
Also, I didn't find Lucia annoying. Which is a HUGE refresher from usual YA\Romance.
Writing itself felt kinda repetitive. Good use of words, but would use the same words over and over again.
Sebastian made me laugh and was swoony in his grumpiness.
Avery was fantastic and hilarious. His comments really made some scenes for me.
all and all. Some good clean romance that you can read quite quickly. Some great moments, likeable characters, and swoony romance. Will be continue the series. Would recommend, especially if you're in a reading slump.
Overall Grade: A-
Plot was interesting, but very predictable. (Warning. It's the age old two unbelievably good looking guys fighting over the girl who is basically average looking. But it feels less annoying than it usually does, at least in my opinion.)
Characters were great. (Loved the dialogue. Especially between Lucia and Sebastian.)
Romance was super cute, and made my heart flutter at times.
Also, I didn't find Lucia annoying. Which is a HUGE refresher from usual YA\Romance.
Writing itself felt kinda repetitive. Good use of words, but would use the same words over and over again.
Sebastian made me laugh and was swoony in his grumpiness.
Avery was fantastic and hilarious. His comments really made some scenes for me.
all and all. Some good clean romance that you can read quite quickly. Some great moments, likeable characters, and swoony romance. Will be continue the series. Would recommend, especially if you're in a reading slump.
Overall Grade: A-
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2017
Light and fun with a witty entertaining dialogue. I liked it for the most part, but I had issues with the love triangle.
June 22, 2018
I first came across Mrs. Tapscott because of the Entwined Tales. So, aside from her contribution to the multi-author series, this was my first read by her--as a solo author, perhaps? Anywho, I quite enjoyed the book! I look forward to continuing the story in book two and to reading her Eldentimber series.
Tapscott writes very well. I like her style and I wholly admire that she wrote this book in the first person present tense. As many people know, I consider that very difficult personally. I wasn't ever jarred out of the story because of the present tense and very much liked reading from Lucia's pov. I liked the characters in this story very much. Lucia was a handful, but she had a sweet heart and a fierce loyalty. She fought for what was right, but still made her share of mistakes. I liked that she wasn't flawless. She did have feelings such as guilt, shame, and regret. She was determined to set things right when she messed up. She also had insecurities, like all of us do, which I think Tapscott handled very well. Sebastian was a total gem. I loved him! I loved that Tapscott wrote in such a way as to clue the reader in on who he was and how he felt even though Lucia often misinterpreted him. I thought it was clever. Lucia is telling us the story, but somehow Sebastian went over her head sometimes and straight to us. Avery was charming and such a fun character. He's mischievous and nefarious, but leaves you wondering if he truly does care deep down. The secondary characters brought vibrant life to this already colorful story. I'm curious to see what comes next for this group!
The setting wasn't difficult to grasp at all, though still filled with a variety of fantastical elements. I never once found myself confused or unsure about the world Tapscott had crafted around me, even when there were creatures and laws I knew nothing about. She enfolded the reader into her world very nicely, a feat not all authors achieve. I'm very curious to learn more about the dragons and why the laws of magic differ between lands. I hope to see more of these elements in future stories.
The plot itself was evenly paced, adventurous more than page-turning. As I came to the end, I realized, this was only the beginning of Lucia's story, though the book is a story from beginning to end and does have its own individual plot. I wasn't ever bored with the story, but I wasn't necessarily dying to read the next page either. There is a strong romantic element to the story, but it was never explicit--nothing worse than a kiss and a few close embraces. Romance wasn't the center of the plot, and I personally prefer that it isn't. It was a nice complementary thread to an adventurous quest story. Though Lucia had a choice between two suitors, I wouldn't classify this as a love triangle in any way. I thought it was well-handled and added to the depth of the characters.
Mild violence (a couple of fight scenes that had a swashbuckling, action and adventure feel), clean but satisfying romance, no foul language.
Tapscott writes very well. I like her style and I wholly admire that she wrote this book in the first person present tense. As many people know, I consider that very difficult personally. I wasn't ever jarred out of the story because of the present tense and very much liked reading from Lucia's pov. I liked the characters in this story very much. Lucia was a handful, but she had a sweet heart and a fierce loyalty. She fought for what was right, but still made her share of mistakes. I liked that she wasn't flawless. She did have feelings such as guilt, shame, and regret. She was determined to set things right when she messed up. She also had insecurities, like all of us do, which I think Tapscott handled very well. Sebastian was a total gem. I loved him! I loved that Tapscott wrote in such a way as to clue the reader in on who he was and how he felt even though Lucia often misinterpreted him. I thought it was clever. Lucia is telling us the story, but somehow Sebastian went over her head sometimes and straight to us. Avery was charming and such a fun character. He's mischievous and nefarious, but leaves you wondering if he truly does care deep down. The secondary characters brought vibrant life to this already colorful story. I'm curious to see what comes next for this group!
The setting wasn't difficult to grasp at all, though still filled with a variety of fantastical elements. I never once found myself confused or unsure about the world Tapscott had crafted around me, even when there were creatures and laws I knew nothing about. She enfolded the reader into her world very nicely, a feat not all authors achieve. I'm very curious to learn more about the dragons and why the laws of magic differ between lands. I hope to see more of these elements in future stories.
The plot itself was evenly paced, adventurous more than page-turning. As I came to the end, I realized, this was only the beginning of Lucia's story, though the book is a story from beginning to end and does have its own individual plot. I wasn't ever bored with the story, but I wasn't necessarily dying to read the next page either. There is a strong romantic element to the story, but it was never explicit--nothing worse than a kiss and a few close embraces. Romance wasn't the center of the plot, and I personally prefer that it isn't. It was a nice complementary thread to an adventurous quest story. Though Lucia had a choice between two suitors, I wouldn't classify this as a love triangle in any way. I thought it was well-handled and added to the depth of the characters.
Mild violence (a couple of fight scenes that had a swashbuckling, action and adventure feel), clean but satisfying romance, no foul language.
May 2, 2020
Intriguing Read
I’ve really enjoyed books by this author before and thought I’d give this series a try. I can’t say I like it nearly as much as her Eldentimber series, yet I’m so intrigued I need to read the rest of the books in the series to find out what happens.
Lucia is an interesting protagonist. I never quite knew what to expect from her. Sometimes I got so frustrated with her immaturity- she kept ending up in ridiculous situations -but at the same time I couldn’t help but root for her. There was a bit of a love triangle throughout, which are just not my favorite. I NEED to know who the protagonist will end up with so I can root for the right person throughout, otherwise I’m just angry at the end of the story, ha ha. In this case I felt u settled at the end, and can’t wait to dive into the next book to find out what will happen. We’ll see if my predictions about the next book come true...
I’ve really enjoyed books by this author before and thought I’d give this series a try. I can’t say I like it nearly as much as her Eldentimber series, yet I’m so intrigued I need to read the rest of the books in the series to find out what happens.
Lucia is an interesting protagonist. I never quite knew what to expect from her. Sometimes I got so frustrated with her immaturity- she kept ending up in ridiculous situations -but at the same time I couldn’t help but root for her. There was a bit of a love triangle throughout, which are just not my favorite. I NEED to know who the protagonist will end up with so I can root for the right person throughout, otherwise I’m just angry at the end of the story, ha ha. In this case I felt u settled at the end, and can’t wait to dive into the next book to find out what will happen. We’ll see if my predictions about the next book come true...
April 3, 2017
I absolutely loved this novel! This is one of those books I could read again, and I am sure I will do so right before Book 2 releases. This series has me pumped. While I enjoyed the prequel, Fire and Feathers, Moss Forest Orchid took things to another level; action, adventure, a cast of well developed and intriguing characters, friendships, romance and so much more! Tapscott had me hooked from the beginning and I did not want to put this story down; it did in fact keep me up late finishing it.
If you have a chance visit Tapscott's blog, where you can see pictures and bios for the characters. Lucia is something else! She is one of those characters that just endears herself to you. She is rash, brave, loyal and no matter how much she tries, right smack dab in the middle of trouble! Sebastian too, is brave, loyal and also up for adventure, but unlike Lucia he is levelheaded and prepares; he is pretty much her opposite. Captain Avery is interesting and a rascal, really though it is at the end when you start to see his character emerge more. As his character steps forward you will find yourself not only intrigued but hit with more questions and possibilities. There are other characters we meet on the journey and will become more familiar to us in Book 2.
Through Lucia's eyes we view the story and while we might at times see where she is heading into trouble, there are other areas of the story where Tapscott gives us just enough information that we can be conflicted too about the outcome we are hoping for. This really comes to ahead towards the end of the story. Which is great, because honestly it is rare where I read a story and do not see the conclusion the author is leading us to. I am just as conflicted, in a good way, as Lucia! I cannot wait for Book 2, which seems like a form of sweet torture! Thank you, Shari Tapscott for not making us wait too long (Book 2 to release June 16, 2017)!
I am not sure what is ahead for this cast of characters, but I know it will be an adventure I do not want to miss out on!
Characters- https://shariltapscott.com/meet-the-c...
If you have a chance visit Tapscott's blog, where you can see pictures and bios for the characters. Lucia is something else! She is one of those characters that just endears herself to you. She is rash, brave, loyal and no matter how much she tries, right smack dab in the middle of trouble! Sebastian too, is brave, loyal and also up for adventure, but unlike Lucia he is levelheaded and prepares; he is pretty much her opposite. Captain Avery is interesting and a rascal, really though it is at the end when you start to see his character emerge more. As his character steps forward you will find yourself not only intrigued but hit with more questions and possibilities. There are other characters we meet on the journey and will become more familiar to us in Book 2.
Through Lucia's eyes we view the story and while we might at times see where she is heading into trouble, there are other areas of the story where Tapscott gives us just enough information that we can be conflicted too about the outcome we are hoping for. This really comes to ahead towards the end of the story. Which is great, because honestly it is rare where I read a story and do not see the conclusion the author is leading us to. I am just as conflicted, in a good way, as Lucia! I cannot wait for Book 2, which seems like a form of sweet torture! Thank you, Shari Tapscott for not making us wait too long (Book 2 to release June 16, 2017)!
I am not sure what is ahead for this cast of characters, but I know it will be an adventure I do not want to miss out on!
Characters- https://shariltapscott.com/meet-the-c...
December 7, 2017
One of those situations I really wish I could give half stars. The book is good and the fantasy enjoyable, if a little underdescribed. but ugh that 3 way romance! One of the guys is absolutely insufferable. A positive aspect is the pirate character. He is actually pirate like! Particularly at the end he does... pirate-y things that left me kind of shocked and mistrustful of him... almost like he was a real pirate! Not a glossy romance novel cover in name only pirate. He's what kept me reading.
January 12, 2023
I know I say this all the time, but Shari L Tapscott’s writing is 😍😍😍. Lucia is an independent flawed heroine who happens to attract trouble. And it’s so fun to see what happens as the book progresses. I forgot about the love triangle. The book is worth it even though I’m not a fan of them. I remember why I read all four books so fast. I needed to know who she ended up with. So just a warning. If you’re like me and need to know, these books might be hard to put down.
August 4, 2023
This is my first fantasy read by Shari L Tapscott and it’s already not my last. You’ve got adventure, wit, banter, magic, a baby dragon sidekick, and a villain you love to hate. The romantic tension is fantastic with a friends to more, forbidden, and love triangle vibe. I don’t want to give more away, but all I can say is that this is one bingeable book.
This is one where I can say that my bookstabestie made me do it! She actually picked this read off my tbr for me, and as soon as finished, I started the next book in the series. So, if you’re like me and this book has worked its way up your TBR yet, take this as your sign to go fix that. 😉
This is one where I can say that my bookstabestie made me do it! She actually picked this read off my tbr for me, and as soon as finished, I started the next book in the series. So, if you’re like me and this book has worked its way up your TBR yet, take this as your sign to go fix that. 😉
April 17, 2019
I just found a new favorite fantasy series. I loved this novel! I was so enraptured by this story and didn’t want it to end. The writing was enchanting and immersive, pulling me into a world that felt so vivid and real. The characters were exceptionally developed and some of the best I remember reading. The romance was tangible and raw and just so well written. I feel as though I’m babbling, but I am just so happy to have had the pleasure of reading this novel and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
January 5, 2019
This was just so amazing! Definately one of my favorite books ever! It was really creative and had me laughing hysterically all through it! :D
May 1, 2020
Can't believe I finished this whole thing in a day. It had a very simple plot really but the characters made up for it, it was so entertaining I enjoyed it alot.
April 5, 2019
The fact that this story is “urban fantasy,” involves a love triangle, is a multi-book series, AND I gave it five stars shows just how good this book is. I’m not a big fantasy reader and love triangles are not my favorite, and I’m more of a one-and-done fan when it comes to love stories...BUT I devoured this book! Literally picked it up every chance I got. I loved the writing, the romance (which was a main focus of the book) and even the adventure! I can’t wait to start the next book. Also, I now want a pocket dragon. 😂
Highly recommend this one. Content-wise, it’s clean without losing the romantic spark! Win-win. 😊
Highly recommend this one. Content-wise, it’s clean without losing the romantic spark! Win-win. 😊
March 22, 2019
This is the first book in the Silver and Orchids series. I really enjoyed this fantasy adventure tale. This was an incredibly fun read that I whipped right through and found highly entertaining.
Lucia made a really bad investment that put both her and her business partner out of business and left them desperately lacking funds. When she sees an ad that will give her a ton of money for hunting down an orchid she decides it’s just the job she needs. However, her business partner (Sebastian) isn’t willing to let her tackle this alone (partly because he wants the job for himself). So, Lucia and Sebastian end up on an uncomfortable journey to a dangerous forest in hunt of a rare orchid.
I loved the adventures, the witty dialogue, the budding romance, and the baby dragon. I did think the romance triangle was a bit unnecessary and can't believe that our heroine would even consider hanging out with that pirate captain, Avery Greybrow, anymore.... aside from that small frustration I really loved the story.
There is a lot of humor, adventure, some magic, and a baby dragon in here...all of which make the story a ton of fun. I read this so quickly and didn’t want to put it down. It was exactly the type of read I needed.
Overall I loved this fun adventure fantasy! It’s fast-paced, entertaining, and I just really enjoyed it a lot. I plan on continuing the series and would recommend to those who enjoy light-hearted adventure fantasies with some romance.
June 14, 2020
Omigosh I can't believe I almost didn't read this
I discovered Shari Tapscott's contemporary romances, which I absolutely love, earlier this year, and despite previously glancing at this series & thinking I had no interest, my recent reading of her delicious Obsidian Queen books under her pseudonym, Shannon Lynn Cook, left me *seriously* wanting more so I determined to give this a try. I totally loved it!!
It's fun, flirty, and a fairytale-ish Indiana Jones/Romancing the Stone kind of story; even my non-romantic husband is interested in reading it now.
It doesn't exactly leave the reader with a cliffhanger, but it definitely has a "to be continued" ending - which I generally find excruciatingly frustrating, but since all of the books in this series are available, there's no waiting - yay, me! And this is the kind of story where the journey is almost as enjoyable as the happily-ever-after. So, on to book 2...
*Clean romance level: passionate kissing, nothing graphic
I discovered Shari Tapscott's contemporary romances, which I absolutely love, earlier this year, and despite previously glancing at this series & thinking I had no interest, my recent reading of her delicious Obsidian Queen books under her pseudonym, Shannon Lynn Cook, left me *seriously* wanting more so I determined to give this a try. I totally loved it!!
It's fun, flirty, and a fairytale-ish Indiana Jones/Romancing the Stone kind of story; even my non-romantic husband is interested in reading it now.
It doesn't exactly leave the reader with a cliffhanger, but it definitely has a "to be continued" ending - which I generally find excruciatingly frustrating, but since all of the books in this series are available, there's no waiting - yay, me! And this is the kind of story where the journey is almost as enjoyable as the happily-ever-after. So, on to book 2...
*Clean romance level: passionate kissing, nothing graphic
December 27, 2021
A great start to a fun romp of a series! Plenty of danger while searching through a magical world for random items. A bit of Indiana Jones with a female leading lady and a fantasy world.
December 21, 2018
This fell around 3.5 for me. I was super engaged right from the first few pages because I loved the author's voice and humor. That is what carried me through the book. There was a promise of adventure and danger and wit.
About 50-60% of the way in though I was feeling let down. I hadn't realized how romance heavy this would be and romance is really not my thing. So if you ARE a romance lover than yes, get this book! Great humorous voice and lots of romance.
But this is me and I'm not into the mushy, soppy romance stuff. There was way too much thinking about romance, thinking romantic thoughts, blah blah. Also, there wasn't many typos but the one instance of "taught" chest instead of "taut" had me laughing my butt off and I don't think that was the response I was supposed to have when Lucia was eyeballing whichever guy it was.
Also, I hate, hate, hate love triangles. If you're a big fan of picking a "team" and forgetting every other aspect of a book except who gets the girl/guy than that won't bother you either. But it just makes me really dislike the character who can't/won't choose.
I wasn't a huge Sebastian fan but I was even less keen on Avery. By the end of it all the romance angle was overpowering the adventure, there was considerably less adventure and danger that I felt was promised at the start. The three main characters failed to intrigue me. Lucia needed to stop being so wishy-washy and make up her mind. Sebastian was too snobby. And Avery was one of those arrogant men that figures since they're good-looking, rich, and influential that they can have whatever they want. He didn't really respect Lucia's boundaries and then at the end he was really bugging me because Again that's going back to not finding the arrogant type attractive. Avery was completely confident that he could do what he wanted and in the end he'd still get the girl. Must be nice to be selfish and roll in crap and come out smelling like a rose.
So I was on the 3.5 range because I thought with the ending that maybe things would be less romantic next book and we'd finally deal with the prat that is Avery. And maybe more adventure . . . and I really, really did like the voice of the narration. But then I decided to do some digging and found out that no, it gets worse. Knowing what's to come, I won't be reading further and I think that's a big indicator of how well a book sat with me.
Because I thought quite well of the voice, description, dialogue, etc. as far as how well-written it all was and easy to picture, I will probably try a different series from this author again as I'd love to find a less romance heavy/no love triangle book that has all the good qualities from this book.
About 50-60% of the way in though I was feeling let down. I hadn't realized how romance heavy this would be and romance is really not my thing. So if you ARE a romance lover than yes, get this book! Great humorous voice and lots of romance.
But this is me and I'm not into the mushy, soppy romance stuff. There was way too much thinking about romance, thinking romantic thoughts, blah blah. Also, there wasn't many typos but the one instance of "taught" chest instead of "taut" had me laughing my butt off and I don't think that was the response I was supposed to have when Lucia was eyeballing whichever guy it was.
Also, I hate, hate, hate love triangles. If you're a big fan of picking a "team" and forgetting every other aspect of a book except who gets the girl/guy than that won't bother you either. But it just makes me really dislike the character who can't/won't choose.
I wasn't a huge Sebastian fan but I was even less keen on Avery. By the end of it all the romance angle was overpowering the adventure, there was considerably less adventure and danger that I felt was promised at the start. The three main characters failed to intrigue me. Lucia needed to stop being so wishy-washy and make up her mind. Sebastian was too snobby. And Avery was one of those arrogant men that figures since they're good-looking, rich, and influential that they can have whatever they want. He didn't really respect Lucia's boundaries and then at the end he was really bugging me because Again that's going back to not finding the arrogant type attractive. Avery was completely confident that he could do what he wanted and in the end he'd still get the girl. Must be nice to be selfish and roll in crap and come out smelling like a rose.
So I was on the 3.5 range because I thought with the ending that maybe things would be less romantic next book and we'd finally deal with the prat that is Avery. And maybe more adventure . . . and I really, really did like the voice of the narration. But then I decided to do some digging and found out that no, it gets worse. Knowing what's to come, I won't be reading further and I think that's a big indicator of how well a book sat with me.
Because I thought quite well of the voice, description, dialogue, etc. as far as how well-written it all was and easy to picture, I will probably try a different series from this author again as I'd love to find a less romance heavy/no love triangle book that has all the good qualities from this book.
October 13, 2017
I want to be able to sit here and give this book a glowing review. I was so excited to read it. Now, at the end, I feel a bit generous with four stars, but at the same time, it feels like a four-star read to me no matter how much it irritated me sometimes.
Mainly, the rest of the plot gets buried under a lot of dick-waving hypermasculine bullshit. Sebastian vs. Avery, Avery vs. Sebastian, blah. There was really no need for this love triangle to take over the book the way it did. Plus, I found it increasingly difficult to want anything to do with either of them, and I don't know why Lucia put up with it. They were both super gross and possessive about her. There was a lot of jealousy (from Lucia too, to be fair), grabbing, rivalry, STALKING, and generally not listening to what Lucia wanted at all. The book would have been a lot better with only one love interest. Then the building of the romance would have been organic, it could have gone interesting places instead of wasting time on all this extremely off-putting back-and-forth junk. Men and women can be platonic friends with each other. It's a real thing that happens in real life! A lot! The associated girl-on-girl cattiness only compounded the ick factor. To be honest, if it had been a longer book and I wasn't nearly three-quarters of the way through by the time I seriously considered it, I might have just given up, as it had reached a point of being nearly insufferable.
But when things were moving, they moved. I was surprised to find out how many pages long this book really was because it felt much shorter? Of course it could have been, had someone taken a butcher knife to that "romantic" tumor. The narrative voice is strong, Lucia is a pretty fantastic character when she's not being used as a ping pong ball, and I really enjoyed getting to know her quirks and flaws and secret squishy inner core. There's very little in the way of info-dumping. Worldbuilding is all woven pretty well into the narrative itself, which is always laudable because it's so rare and difficult. And when it wasn't getting on my nerves, it was just... fun. I went in wanting a fun novel and while it fell short of my hopes and expectations, it really was still fun, especially because of Lucia's personality and narration.
And at the end of the day, I'm gonna read the sequel. I really hope character and plot dynamics are changed up because I'm definitely not going to sit through hundreds more pages of Avery vs. Sebastian, Sebastian vs. Avery, blah.
Mainly, the rest of the plot gets buried under a lot of dick-waving hypermasculine bullshit. Sebastian vs. Avery, Avery vs. Sebastian, blah. There was really no need for this love triangle to take over the book the way it did. Plus, I found it increasingly difficult to want anything to do with either of them, and I don't know why Lucia put up with it. They were both super gross and possessive about her. There was a lot of jealousy (from Lucia too, to be fair), grabbing, rivalry, STALKING, and generally not listening to what Lucia wanted at all. The book would have been a lot better with only one love interest. Then the building of the romance would have been organic, it could have gone interesting places instead of wasting time on all this extremely off-putting back-and-forth junk. Men and women can be platonic friends with each other. It's a real thing that happens in real life! A lot! The associated girl-on-girl cattiness only compounded the ick factor. To be honest, if it had been a longer book and I wasn't nearly three-quarters of the way through by the time I seriously considered it, I might have just given up, as it had reached a point of being nearly insufferable.
But when things were moving, they moved. I was surprised to find out how many pages long this book really was because it felt much shorter? Of course it could have been, had someone taken a butcher knife to that "romantic" tumor. The narrative voice is strong, Lucia is a pretty fantastic character when she's not being used as a ping pong ball, and I really enjoyed getting to know her quirks and flaws and secret squishy inner core. There's very little in the way of info-dumping. Worldbuilding is all woven pretty well into the narrative itself, which is always laudable because it's so rare and difficult. And when it wasn't getting on my nerves, it was just... fun. I went in wanting a fun novel and while it fell short of my hopes and expectations, it really was still fun, especially because of Lucia's personality and narration.
And at the end of the day, I'm gonna read the sequel. I really hope character and plot dynamics are changed up because I'm definitely not going to sit through hundreds more pages of Avery vs. Sebastian, Sebastian vs. Avery, blah.
December 19, 2020
This book was an excellent read from start to finish! I loved Sebastian and Lucia's banter-filled relationship, the rising tension over the quest for the orchid, and the unique settings. Overall, it was fun the entire way through.
Sebastian and Lucia were my main favorite part - their relationship was well-defined and realistic. They truly felt like best friends from ages ago who had drifted apart. However, that relationship did get a bit rocky later on with Lucia's change of heart. Granted, it was bound to happen (and I hoped it would happen), but the lack of proper communication between the two annoyed me greatly. ONE good conversation would have cleared everything up, but no, these two were daft and scared and refused to acknowledge the obvious. And while most of the time they were sassy and a joy to read, some moments were a bit odd. The enchanted coin bit felt especially out of character and even like it didn't fully fit into the plotline. But I digress.
The plot did develop pretty slowly, although I liked that it was easy to follow. The steps they made along the way got a bit muddled, but it didn't really matter in the end - the objectives were clear enough. The ending was predictable, but handled decently, and I did appreciate that the book doesn't end there. The story really gets going in the second book, so hang on during this on to get to the more interesting bits.
What really sold this book for me, however, was the voice. Lucia is a clearly biased narrator with a unique voice and viewpoint that's at times sarcastic, funny, thoughtful, and brash. She's a joy to read, although her unreliable nature (from a literary point of view) frustrates the reader (but in the best way, as good unreliable narrators do).
Overall, if you like a fantasy or fairy-tale-feel romp through forests and over the ocean with a bickering duo, a dashing pirate, and a sleepy dragon, this is definitely for you.
Sebastian and Lucia were my main favorite part - their relationship was well-defined and realistic. They truly felt like best friends from ages ago who had drifted apart. However, that relationship did get a bit rocky later on with Lucia's change of heart. Granted, it was bound to happen (and I hoped it would happen), but the lack of proper communication between the two annoyed me greatly. ONE good conversation would have cleared everything up, but no, these two were daft and scared and refused to acknowledge the obvious. And while most of the time they were sassy and a joy to read, some moments were a bit odd. The enchanted coin bit felt especially out of character and even like it didn't fully fit into the plotline. But I digress.
The plot did develop pretty slowly, although I liked that it was easy to follow. The steps they made along the way got a bit muddled, but it didn't really matter in the end - the objectives were clear enough. The ending was predictable, but handled decently, and I did appreciate that the book doesn't end there. The story really gets going in the second book, so hang on during this on to get to the more interesting bits.
What really sold this book for me, however, was the voice. Lucia is a clearly biased narrator with a unique voice and viewpoint that's at times sarcastic, funny, thoughtful, and brash. She's a joy to read, although her unreliable nature (from a literary point of view) frustrates the reader (but in the best way, as good unreliable narrators do).
Overall, if you like a fantasy or fairy-tale-feel romp through forests and over the ocean with a bickering duo, a dashing pirate, and a sleepy dragon, this is definitely for you.
June 14, 2021
“I think a pirate would demand some form of compensation, don’t you?”
My stomach flutters.
“It’s a shame I have nothing to offer.”
He leans down, so his lips are next to my ear. “Oh, Lucia. That’s where you’re so very wrong.”
I pull back and raise my brows. “This usually works with your other conquests, doesn’t it?”
Avery laughs, seemingly delighted. “Yes, usually.”
“I’m not like your other girls.” I raise my eyebrows, challenging him.
Avery’s hand drifts to my waist, testing the water between us, and he murmurs, “Yes, most girls don’t hold a dagger to my throat within the first five minutes of meeting.”
🌿🌿🌿
Great world building, intriguing cast of characters and quite an array of adventures along the way with this story. I previously read her Riven Kingdom series (starting with Forest of Firelight) and enjoyed it so much I wanted to read something else of hers. I enjoy the camaraderie between Lucia and Sebastian who've been childhood friends and partners in crime for years although they come from different social classes. Add in a swarthy pirate and we have some fabulous tension, humorous scenes, swoony moments and a bit of drama with a love triangle. I'd classify this as a wholesome/closed door romance which was an entertaining and fun read. This ends with quite the conclusion so you will want to read book two soon if your reaction is anything like my own. I'm excited to check out more from this author soon!
My stomach flutters.
“It’s a shame I have nothing to offer.”
He leans down, so his lips are next to my ear. “Oh, Lucia. That’s where you’re so very wrong.”
I pull back and raise my brows. “This usually works with your other conquests, doesn’t it?”
Avery laughs, seemingly delighted. “Yes, usually.”
“I’m not like your other girls.” I raise my eyebrows, challenging him.
Avery’s hand drifts to my waist, testing the water between us, and he murmurs, “Yes, most girls don’t hold a dagger to my throat within the first five minutes of meeting.”
🌿🌿🌿
Great world building, intriguing cast of characters and quite an array of adventures along the way with this story. I previously read her Riven Kingdom series (starting with Forest of Firelight) and enjoyed it so much I wanted to read something else of hers. I enjoy the camaraderie between Lucia and Sebastian who've been childhood friends and partners in crime for years although they come from different social classes. Add in a swarthy pirate and we have some fabulous tension, humorous scenes, swoony moments and a bit of drama with a love triangle. I'd classify this as a wholesome/closed door romance which was an entertaining and fun read. This ends with quite the conclusion so you will want to read book two soon if your reaction is anything like my own. I'm excited to check out more from this author soon!
January 30, 2020
It suddenly hits me, as I suck up a lungful of nasty liquid, that this is how I will die. In the putrid mouth of a giant frog, choking on mud.
Lucia needs a job, and she needs one fast. Looting dragon caves hasn’t proven profitable lately, and she’s tired of waiting tables. Her business partner usually finds the work, but Sebastian isn’t speaking with her, and Lucia’s getting desperate.
Luckily, Lucia finds a simple request posted on a community board. All the man wants is an orchid. Nothing to it.
Except the flower only grows in a montane cloud forest in Grenalda… And Lucia must take a ship through sea serpent-infested waters to get there… And her new helpful friend—the one and only, dashing Captain Avery Greybrow—just might be a pirate.
At this rate, Lucia’s not sure if she’ll ever reach the orchid. But she’s determined to try.
So, I do the only thing a self-respecting, nice girl like me can do when she’s scorned thusly. I chase after Sebastian, dodging a young boy with a sheep cart and various other villagers in the square, and leap onto his back, snarling like an angry cat.
I went into this blind on a recommendation and found a cute, humorous adventure story with a flirty romance. I couldn't have been more pleased!
Lucia is a teasing bucket of fun. She attracts trouble without trying and has a snarky sense of humor that pervades the entire novel.
Avery is a cad but, dangit, he's such an endearing one! I would have lapped his attentions up like crazy because you know he's using you for something so you might as well use him back...right? RIGHT? I'm totally hoping he wins out in this love triangle even though I know he won't.
Sebastian is the stereotypical "nice guys finish last" for me. He's too nice, too safe, and needs to put a little bit more skin in the game. Come on, son! Avery is running circles around you! And his overbearing attitude smacks too much of brotherly protection rather than jealousy.
Aside from the confusing standing of their funding (because who can afford two gowns when they're poor?), I really had no complaints. I hope throughout her adventures at some point Lucia will be able to outfit herself on par with the peerage and laugh maniacally in her head whilst shocking everyone's delicate sensibilities with her non-peerage upbringing.
Drunken butterflies attempt to flutter in my stomach, but they just sort of flop around, confused.
I wonder what adventure she'll get to next? I can't wait to find out!
Recommended for adventure lovers that love a flirty, clean love triangle.
March 21, 2018
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book when I first got it. I only knew that I had enjoyed something else from Tapscott and wanted to try more of her work. I was quite pleasantly surprised by the humor and wit in the novel.
This has a very different feel from so many other fantasy adventure novels. The main character has a tendency to get into trouble, and she seems to be stalked by her ex-business partner/friend. They decide to do one more big project together and voila, the story is born. Romantic interests and sub-plots abound, but through it all, the story has some great moments that will get a laugh out of readers.
The adventure is not especially high-stakes, but in some ways it is a bit more “realistic", since the main characters have all kinds of problems like running out of money, getting thrown off a passenger boat for accidentally starting a fire, losing money to a con artist, etc. The characters aren’t even doing anything spectacular, like saving the world, they are simply going to a rain forest to get a flower cutting. It’s the sort of adventure I would be likely to have in that world.
If you have enjoyed stories by authors such as Patricia Wrede, you might enjoy this sort of novel, where nothing is especially high stakes, but there is still plenty of adventure and humor. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend it to others who want something in a fantasy world that is a bit more light-hearted and fun.
This has a very different feel from so many other fantasy adventure novels. The main character has a tendency to get into trouble, and she seems to be stalked by her ex-business partner/friend. They decide to do one more big project together and voila, the story is born. Romantic interests and sub-plots abound, but through it all, the story has some great moments that will get a laugh out of readers.
The adventure is not especially high-stakes, but in some ways it is a bit more “realistic", since the main characters have all kinds of problems like running out of money, getting thrown off a passenger boat for accidentally starting a fire, losing money to a con artist, etc. The characters aren’t even doing anything spectacular, like saving the world, they are simply going to a rain forest to get a flower cutting. It’s the sort of adventure I would be likely to have in that world.
If you have enjoyed stories by authors such as Patricia Wrede, you might enjoy this sort of novel, where nothing is especially high stakes, but there is still plenty of adventure and humor. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend it to others who want something in a fantasy world that is a bit more light-hearted and fun.
June 17, 2018
This book is definitely a super fun, easy read. I stumbled across these books on the Amazon website, immediately downloaded all five in the series, and read the four main books in one day. Due to real life getting in the way I haven't read the prequel yet, but I am excited to get into it this coming week. This book has fun action/adventure, great characters, and the author's sense of humor made me laugh hard enough to scare my cat out of my lap. The writing is really witty and clever, and though it's not necessarily the stuff of JRR Tolkien, it's definitely worth the read and very well written, the dialogue was even very well done.
Sometimes the book felt very forced, and since it moves very quickly that's not to be unexpected. It fits well within the YA genre, but as an "official" adult, I still enjoyed this book and its storytelling.
Reading them in quick succession made it seem like the whole series was written in one large book, then split up to be more convenient and less intimidating. As a reader I'm glad I was able to sit and read all of them straight through, or else I felt like there would be times where I'd have to go back and reread the last few chapters of the previous books to make sure I remembered everything.
Sometimes the book felt very forced, and since it moves very quickly that's not to be unexpected. It fits well within the YA genre, but as an "official" adult, I still enjoyed this book and its storytelling.
Reading them in quick succession made it seem like the whole series was written in one large book, then split up to be more convenient and less intimidating. As a reader I'm glad I was able to sit and read all of them straight through, or else I felt like there would be times where I'd have to go back and reread the last few chapters of the previous books to make sure I remembered everything.
February 17, 2019
Moss forest orchid is a lovely book. I like Sebastian and Lucia. They make a great team. And their story is quite fun. Atleast as long as I think of it as their story of love and adventure because as a whole I'm not so sure what I think of it if I don't look at it from the character's point of view.
The book isn't exactly very interesting and I was torn between giving it a three or four stars. While I like the character and the layout along with most of the dialogues, I've seen much better works and for some reason I found this book a bit lacking. This story has potential but somehow it didn't truly manage to reach that level wherein it touches your heart and you know that you can never ever forget it. I'm afraid it didn't manage to claim that spot for itself. Atleast I like the characters and their background so I can remember it as their love story if nothing else.
The climax was good and encouraging ......which is why I think that the next book might turn out to be great because even though I didn't particularly like this book , I'm intrigued enough to hold on to hope for the series.
The book isn't exactly very interesting and I was torn between giving it a three or four stars. While I like the character and the layout along with most of the dialogues, I've seen much better works and for some reason I found this book a bit lacking. This story has potential but somehow it didn't truly manage to reach that level wherein it touches your heart and you know that you can never ever forget it. I'm afraid it didn't manage to claim that spot for itself. Atleast I like the characters and their background so I can remember it as their love story if nothing else.
The climax was good and encouraging ......which is why I think that the next book might turn out to be great because even though I didn't particularly like this book , I'm intrigued enough to hold on to hope for the series.
June 17, 2017
I really liked it. I read the novella a few weeks before this, and I was so looking forward to it. And i absolutely enjoyed it- It lived up to my expectations.
Lucia is such fun! She stubborn and headstrong, but also loving and a little dependant on her business partner, while being completely independent and strong.
Captain Avery... I just, I don't know. I have a feeling it may change, but he just seems like someone who won't work out. But then, Sebastian was really sweet and all, and I really liked him. But he was always so... idk, Avery is just a little more manly and confident, I feel like.
So, I definitely recommend. You should read it.
--
Romance: Cleanish... I mean, there was a kiss and a several 'almost' kisses.
Action: Mild. Lol, you had that toad thing... it was intense. A frog beast? Yeah. It was...so...awesome! Imagine getting eaten by a frog beast? On the top of my bucket list, for sure.
Lucia is such fun! She stubborn and headstrong, but also loving and a little dependant on her business partner, while being completely independent and strong.
Captain Avery... I just, I don't know. I have a feeling it may change, but he just seems like someone who won't work out. But then, Sebastian was really sweet and all, and I really liked him. But he was always so... idk, Avery is just a little more manly and confident, I feel like.
So, I definitely recommend. You should read it.
--
Romance: Cleanish... I mean, there was a kiss and a several 'almost' kisses.
Action: Mild. Lol, you had that toad thing... it was intense. A frog beast? Yeah. It was...so...awesome! Imagine getting eaten by a frog beast? On the top of my bucket list, for sure.
March 19, 2024
Lucia is a chicken farmer's daughter who leaves her lower class roots to make her way as an adventuress. She is enterprising but often makes choices that find her in piles of trouble. After losing a large sum of money to a crook, Lucia determines to earn the money again and pay off her friend Sebastian. Only Sebastian is determined to take her contracts for himself. As they finally agree to work together to seek the moss forest orchid, Lucia discovers that she has more feelings for Sebastian than what a poor farm girl should. At the same time she discovers she's attracted to the dashing Captain Avery who is nothing more than a pirate in her estimation. The search for the orchid brings danger and enemies and Lucia will need to keep her wits about her if she's to come out of this adventure alive. Not my favorite Shari Tapscott book, but I'm interested enough to keep reading the next one.
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