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Under the Heavens #1
Under the Mountain
A broken Princess...
A haunted General...
A Kingdom thrust into darkness...
Princess Willow Andric has lived a blessed life, with a devoted father, a loving extended family, and The Kingdom to call home. But one night, creatures in service to the Dark Master invade the castle, attacking its residents and stealing Willow away.
General Sylas Pryce is haunted by a tragic past. To try and outrun his shame, he joins the Elite, The Kingdom’s military order charged with protecting the crown as well as the word of the Almighty. But when a scouting mission on The Mountain, the hiding place of the Dark Master, goes wrong, he is thrown into a cell and tortured for information.
In the dungeons under The Mountain, Willow and Sylas find each other. But the two must learn to conquer their fears and trust each other in order to defeat the Dark Master and take back their Kingdom.
A haunted General...
A Kingdom thrust into darkness...
Princess Willow Andric has lived a blessed life, with a devoted father, a loving extended family, and The Kingdom to call home. But one night, creatures in service to the Dark Master invade the castle, attacking its residents and stealing Willow away.
General Sylas Pryce is haunted by a tragic past. To try and outrun his shame, he joins the Elite, The Kingdom’s military order charged with protecting the crown as well as the word of the Almighty. But when a scouting mission on The Mountain, the hiding place of the Dark Master, goes wrong, he is thrown into a cell and tortured for information.
In the dungeons under The Mountain, Willow and Sylas find each other. But the two must learn to conquer their fears and trust each other in order to defeat the Dark Master and take back their Kingdom.
- GenresFantasy
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2019
3 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Nicole E. Tawney
3 books29 followersNicole E. Tawney is a devoted wife to her husband, and a loving mother to her two dogs. Born and raised in Michigan, she enjoys walks in the country and spending the day at the lake. She discovered a love of reading at a young age and always wanted to tell stories that were able to stay with people, much like the ones that stayed with her. When she isn’t geeking out over fictional characters, she spends her time in church. Whether it’s on praise team or in writing, she longs to do what God has called her to, wanting only to share the stories that He has shared with her.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 16, 2024
As Princess Willow flees the castle to escape the Dark Master, she is taken captive by goblins. She refuses the Dark Master's offer of marriage, so he kills her father and uncle. After the goblins torture her, they imprison her in a cell opposite, Sylas, the captain of the Elite, warriors pledged to protect the kingdom. They escape and rescue two more elite.
That is where my problems with the story start. The conception of the story is good. However, the characterization is inconsistent, and the author does not justify their lingering a day's journey from the mountain for a week. When they meet a survivor of the castle attack, they don't debrief him. The story gets stronger nearer the climax.
I hope to read more by Tawney in the future. I think she has great potential.
That is where my problems with the story start. The conception of the story is good. However, the characterization is inconsistent, and the author does not justify their lingering a day's journey from the mountain for a week. When they meet a survivor of the castle attack, they don't debrief him. The story gets stronger nearer the climax.
I hope to read more by Tawney in the future. I think she has great potential.
October 31, 2019
This story pulls you in from page one. The battle between good and evil is palatable and you find yourself immersed in the lives of the characters as they battle heart wrenching loss and persevere to fight the darkness. Very good start for a first book from this new author. Looking forward to the next one!
November 16, 2020
The ending was a bit rushed for me, personally, but otherwise I LOVED every single second of this book! I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a great Christian romance to read, and I’m soooo here for the rest of the series!
December 12, 2021
The overall plot is intriguing and the first few chapters definitely drew me in. I did like the characters as individuals, most particularly Ronan and Erec. I think I'll enjoy their stories later in the series.
The first chapter established a good start to Sylas and Willow's relationship, but for me personally, the middle lacked a little in emotional depth. I really wanted to see more of them coming together so that it didn't feel so abrupt. Tender moments that build into strong relationships are more my preference and it also establishes more mature characters. If I'd felt that, it would be a solid five from me--so almost there!
The last 1/3 of the book was much better for me in that way, giving some conversation and moments for them to show their bonding, rather just being told that they were falling for each other through their thoughts alone.
I hated the bad guys, so that was good! Nicole really made him vile and dislikable, and that's important to me in a story. I do wish he'd been given a bit more backstory, or perhaps a little world building to establish where he came from, but maybe that will be discussed later?
Overall, it was a good read for a long winter day. :)
The first chapter established a good start to Sylas and Willow's relationship, but for me personally, the middle lacked a little in emotional depth. I really wanted to see more of them coming together so that it didn't feel so abrupt. Tender moments that build into strong relationships are more my preference and it also establishes more mature characters. If I'd felt that, it would be a solid five from me--so almost there!
The last 1/3 of the book was much better for me in that way, giving some conversation and moments for them to show their bonding, rather just being told that they were falling for each other through their thoughts alone.
I hated the bad guys, so that was good! Nicole really made him vile and dislikable, and that's important to me in a story. I do wish he'd been given a bit more backstory, or perhaps a little world building to establish where he came from, but maybe that will be discussed later?
Overall, it was a good read for a long winter day. :)
February 10, 2022
This is a romantic fantasy story. In my opinion it is a little steamy or has strong descriptions in relation to thoughts about the opposite sex and there is only kissing on page. There is a good bit of violence. I would put this on the PG-13 side of things with the mild language, violence, and romance.
It is a really well done story, I just feel that we sometimes need to know the rating first lol. I would even consider this a Christian fantasy because of prayer and guidance from the Almighty.
I listened to the audiobook, the narration is good.
I will read the next in the series.
I received a copy of the audiobook from the author for an honest review.
It is a really well done story, I just feel that we sometimes need to know the rating first lol. I would even consider this a Christian fantasy because of prayer and guidance from the Almighty.
I listened to the audiobook, the narration is good.
I will read the next in the series.
I received a copy of the audiobook from the author for an honest review.
February 14, 2022
Strong-Willed Heroine meets Gentle Giant General...War is Coming!
Fear...Imprisonment...Connections over Tragedy...Loss...Gutsy Plans...Death...Carnage...Brutality
Sacrifice...Love
Sometimes you can find solace in unlikely places, especially after being thrust into difficult and impossible situations which tend to have unfavorable outcomes. We are all a little broken, and sometimes we must lean on others to put ourselves back together. After being thrown into the depths of darkness, our heroine finds her strength in the battle cries of the ashes, using pain and torture to create her outer armor.
Stand firm in the faith. Let the Almighty guide you.
"Be better for her."
Fear...Imprisonment...Connections over Tragedy...Loss...Gutsy Plans...Death...Carnage...Brutality
Sacrifice...Love
Sometimes you can find solace in unlikely places, especially after being thrust into difficult and impossible situations which tend to have unfavorable outcomes. We are all a little broken, and sometimes we must lean on others to put ourselves back together. After being thrown into the depths of darkness, our heroine finds her strength in the battle cries of the ashes, using pain and torture to create her outer armor.
Stand firm in the faith. Let the Almighty guide you.
"Be better for her."
April 14, 2022
Quick read fantasy novel. Book was well written. Language flowed smoothly. Romance was clean however there is some violence in the book that may be disturbing to some. Willow witnessed the violent death of some loved ones and when I saw violent I mean violent.
I listened to the audio version of this book compliments of the author. All opinions are my own.
I listened to the audio version of this book compliments of the author. All opinions are my own.
December 30, 2021
A quaint fantasy story
A quaint fantasy story with a strong romance plot. Good for anyone looking for a quick fantasy or romance read.
A quaint fantasy story with a strong romance plot. Good for anyone looking for a quick fantasy or romance read.
February 14, 2023
Adventure and romance and good storytelling oh my!
A fellow writer I follow on Instagram recommended this series and if the other two books are any indicator I look forward to finishing the series.
A fellow writer I follow on Instagram recommended this series and if the other two books are any indicator I look forward to finishing the series.
June 7, 2022
Audiobooks: For a first time the narrator did an excelent job recreating Nicole's awsome book.
Lately i've strugled a bit with reading/listening books but once and a while a gem comes along and makes me want to buy all the books from the author.
Lately i've strugled a bit with reading/listening books but once and a while a gem comes along and makes me want to buy all the books from the author.
June 18, 2023
Sweet and action-packed fantasy romance
Willow loses her father and uncle in a gruesome attack by a darkmagic-wielding man. But she's quickly untied, by a stroke of providence, with an elite band of warriors who now answer to her as queen and vow to help her stop the evil Dark Master. I did enjoy this story and the blossoming romance between Willow and Sylas, but some parts of the story felt rushed. Because of the graphic-ness of some of the violence, I'd recommend this to readers 15 and older.
Willow loses her father and uncle in a gruesome attack by a darkmagic-wielding man. But she's quickly untied, by a stroke of providence, with an elite band of warriors who now answer to her as queen and vow to help her stop the evil Dark Master. I did enjoy this story and the blossoming romance between Willow and Sylas, but some parts of the story felt rushed. Because of the graphic-ness of some of the violence, I'd recommend this to readers 15 and older.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews