The Spinner’s Web

Grims' Truth #1

by Isu Yin, Fae Yang

Who is responsible for spinning this web of lies beneath the surface of all we see? Are the ancient immortals responsible, or is it the new breed of mortal beings that, as their population grows, threatens the very existence of the immortals? Know everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen again. As the war between the Rebellion and the Royal Council heats up, a deadly plague strikes the Empire. Amidst the crisis, a young royal, Cruentus Fate, is sold to a brothel in a play for power. As Fate comes of age, she must decide whether to join the Rebellion, ever under threat, or the Council, with its influence and power. Fate works to learn the truth of her existence, and the mysterious way in which she and her brother became part of the royal family. Her discoveries open her eyes to another realm, and lead her to the truth about the web of lies that holds her captive. "...among the best written, most imaginative, and intricately plotted fantasy stories I've had the pleasure to read since The Lord of the Rings . ...a character driven story, supported by a covert revolution, ingenious metaphysical attributes and events, and an imaginary world complete with a new language, concepts of universal laws, and a wonderfully orchestrated villain." Readers' Favorite Book Reviews (5 STARS) EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS the first book in "Grims' Truth," a truly epic series that will sweep you into a whole new universe. "A somewhat perplexing but engaging start to what's sure to be an epic fantasy saga." Kirkus Reviews THE "GRIMS' TRUTH" SERIES BY YIN & MORE GREAT FANTASY BOOKS FROM EVOLVED

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Audiobook

530 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2017

About the author

The biography section always stumps me. It always feels weird and forced. I am a 45-year-old author. Sure, but that's what I do. Well, part of what I do. I have many jobs, interests, and hobbies.
Who I am is in my stories. They are everything I see, think, and feel. They are the living part of me. The side of me I want to show or the side I want to hide away-- the mighty warrior and the frightened child.
Grims' Truth is my universe and I just want others to come and play in the fields, walk through the cities, and experience the world that has so captivated my soul.

Reviews

[NotAmanda]

Big thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows Fate who is forced to live in a brothel with the understanding that on her 16th birthday, she will be auctioned off to the highest bidder and the man who she called Father will be placing bids to marry her. Eventually she befriends a boy named Hero who places a higher bid and she is now planning to marry him.

This book went in a million directions without any explanation. There is a list of terms with some sort of definitions AT THE BACK OF THE BOOK but they aren't defined at all throughout the entire story. This world has different meanings for Tainted, Miasma, Royalty, Caeles, Dolls, Anima, Ancients and none of it is explained in the book. There are a lot of plot holes that just don't make sense.
Ex: Fate is taken to a brothel to learn.... something? and her brother is kept at her former 'fathers' castle as insurance that Fate follows through with the training at the brothel and so she just doesn't escape. But Fate and her brother both have free roam of the grounds and frequently meet up with each other. Why not just run away then?
A massive part of the story is people being 'Tainted', as in a disease, but there's no explanation for how or what this disease is.
I assumed this was the first in the series (of a planned *60* books?!?!?) but there is already a Grims' Truth #1 so maybe this is actually part way through the story and I didn't read the first....59?

Over all, I'm giving it 2 stars and maybe that's too much. The ONLY part I liked was the last chapter where Fate realizes that she has some power and she is more than what she seems... That turned into an entire book would have gotten more stars.

I literally read the entire story waiting for things to happen and was hoping that it would all come together.

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books)]

This wasn’t for me at all, I found it chaotic, poorly constructed, complete lack of world building and just overall misdirected in plot. I also wasn’t keen on the language used and it seemed a bit misogynistic and very patriarchal in tone, maybe that’s me misreading it, but due to lack of any explanations at all, I am not clear at all. Not for me at all.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

[Diane]

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I found this book hard to get into. It took till Chapter ten before you begin to understand what is happening. Lot is going on and many things to learn. Only gave it a four as it was confusing at the beginning and I almost gave up on it. An interesting new world.

[Lex Allen]

“Everything that has happened, is happening, will happen again.” With this single sentence, author’s Isu Yin and Fae Yang have summarized the story, delivered bait guaranteed to lure the reader in, and before the end of the first chapter, they’ve set the hook. This is world-building at its best as good versus evil in a metaphysical fantasy epic that features a cast of the most fascinating characters I’ve encountered in fiction. For the rest of this synopsis, I’ll use the words of the authors as I couldn’t improve upon them in describing the story. “Cruentus Fate, a young Royal from the second kingdom of Mu, becomes entangled in the battle for the Capital as she and her brother, Abyssus, seek out the truth about their relationship with the enigmatic Grim. Her life turns upside down when she’s separated from her brother and sold to the brothel by their father, the King of Macellarius. The brothel’s Madam, Fortuna, takes Fate under her wing and broadens her knowledge of the Empire, the war at hand, and the secret behind her existence.”
“Rota Fortunae (Grim’s Truth)” is among the best written, most imaginative, and intricately plotted fantasy story I’ve had the pleasure to read since “The Lord of the Rings.” But, where that epic tale relied heavily on war, familiar mythological themes and creatures, and the overarching world dominating power of an evil, supernatural being; “Rota Fortunae” is a character driven story, supported by a covert revolution, ingenious metaphysical attributes and events, and an imaginary world complete with a new language, concepts of universal laws, and a wonderfully orchestrated villain. Equally impressive— “Rota Fortunae” will not leave you hanging by your finger nails from the edge of the proverbial cliff. The conclusion of book one ties-up several major plot lines while leaving open a few necessary to continue forward to the next book. And praise the gods of authorship, book two and the conclusion of this short series, “Conundrum (Grim’s Truth #2),” is available now!

[Nora Suntken]

I have a lot of thoughts about this book. I really struggled with getting through the first half or so of the book, but once I got past that I was totally hooked. I think part of my barrier was just kind of the lack of explanation surrounding the world and everything going on, especially at the beginning. The brothel situation didn't make a ton of sense to me, and neither did Fate's age/how time worked in the world. I really enjoyed Hero as a character and watching his and Fate's relationship grow was really fun. The mystery surrounding the dreams and the folklore I thought was one of the more innovative aspects of the story and the ties between dream and real were really intriguing. I really enjoyed the cliffhanger the ending left on and I'm excited to see what happens next in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Evolved Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[April]

I received a free copy of this story and am voluntarily posting this review.
I am impressed. This is the best epic fantasy I have read in some time and I fully intend to get the next book in this series, Conundrum, when it comes out in November. The characters are unique, as is the story. and I was in its grip for three days, avidly reading the 600 plus page electronic version on my laptop.

[Annemarie]

I really enjoyed this book. The world described is interesting and intricate, with it's own histories. The new language was worked into the text well, but still sometimes annoyed me a bit, which I suspect is just personal preference. I liked the characters, but most of all I liked watching them grow throughout this story and get to know each other better.

[Scott]

The Spinner's Web
Book # 1 in the Grims' Truth series

As the shadowy war between the Rebellion and the Royal Council escalates, the world of the Ancients of Mu steadily declines. Amidst the crisis, seven-year-old Princess Fate is sold to a brothel in a power play orchestrated by her own stepfather, the king. As she grows, Fate must decide which faction to join—the Rebellion with her beloved Madam, or the Royal Council with its planet-wide influence and power.

In search of clues to her origin, she trains and begins working with the Rebellion in hopes of learning the truth. Why can she not remember the first five years of her life? How did she and her brother become part of the royal family in the first place? What grim secrets were hidden when unknown forces took her memories?

Aided by her crafty and resourceful sisters in the brothel, she sets her sights on unstable Prince Hero of the neighboring kingdom. She sets out to manipulate Hero, hoping he may be her best means of escape from impending servitude to her own stepfather who wants to take her as his wife on her sixteenth birthday when she finishes her training in the brothel. With her brother’s help, Fate’s discoveries open her eyes to another realm and lead her to the truth about the web of lies that imprisons her. At the same time, the siblings' actions do not go unnoticed, and the teens find themselves fighting for their very lives.

In the Spinner’s Web, co-authors Isu Yin and Fae Yang craft a complex tale of palace intrigue, the murder of royals, and vicious political power-grabs spanning multiple kingdoms. Told through Fate’s eyes and the experiences of several very self-aware children, this superb tale of deeply thought-provoking legends and lies is appropriate for adults as well as teenage fans of the Epic Fantasy genre.

With detailed descriptions of a magical world and a resourceful young female protagonist, the polychromatic world these authors have created spins wonders into layers of tangled webs that readers will drink up as quickly as Aunt Chi’s endless cups of tea. The struggles of a dozen head-strong characters fighting for their freedoms and survival in The Spinner’s Web will hook readers on this Pinnacle Book Achievement Award winner and the entire Grims’ Truth series.

[Emalee Farley]

The Spinner's Web (TSW) introduces us to Fate, a young Ancient royal who is sold to a brothel. The book follows her internal growth as she grows into a woman alongside her sisters at the brothel and continually hints at an Awakening. All of this occurs while a bitter war is brewing between the Council and the rebellion, who disagree on how balance should be restored to the universe.
This book has reignited my passion for reading. TSW is a beautifully crafted narrative that urges you to keep reading. The world-building is fantastic and makes you feel a part of this Universe. TSW is ripe with moral dilemmas that force the reader to take a second glance at their personal beliefs. I cannot speak highly enough of this book, and I cannot wait to immerse myself deeper into this series.

[Jae]

Yeah what the hell was that. I kept reading to see if anything would happen - nothing did. This was an absolute waste of my time. I felt the pacing was slow, the writing style was not something I liked and just overall it’s just not for me at all - to say in the most diplomatic way possible.

Fate as a character also whack.

[Susan Zoch]



The Spinner’s Web

by Fae Yang, Isu Yin

4.0 stars

This story was very intriguing. It was an interesting mix of magical races and palace intrigue. You definitely care about the main characters. It does have adult subject matter and violence.

[Alicia Smock]

Cruentus Fate has lived a comfortable life as a Royal within the city of Macellarius in the kingdom of Nex in the empire of Mu, but something seems to be amiss in her life. While she can remember growing up within the palace with her brother Abyssus and being adored by her father King Neco, neither she nor her brother can remember when they actually arrived at the palace to live. A cruel twist of fate separates her from her brother as King Neco sells Fate to a brothel where its owner, Fortuna, raises her as her own daughter. Fortuna teaches Fate about the instability of the Empire and of an impending war between the Council and the Rebellion Upon receiving knowledge of the Empire, Fate is determined to restore balance to the Empire once more, but with each secret she unveils on her journey, the more she discovers that her life has been a lie and the darker the world and her past become.

Wow, what a way to begin a new fantasy series. Co-authors Isu Yin and Fae Yang have made quite the impression with their impressive first book of their Grims’ Truth Series published by Evolved Publishing: Rota Fortunae. It has elements fantasy fans would expect to find without the clichés readers normally come across. True, magic is perhaps the most dominate element within this fantasy, but what makes this story so endearing is the fact that the authors’ magic is written about in a rather realistic fashion.

Yin and Yang deserve much credit for not only have they seamlessly written a book that will make readers forget that there are two authors, but they have also created an intricate new world unlike any that has been read in quite some time. Layer upon layer of plots have been strategized with many twists that will take readers by surprise with each turn of the page. With how complex the story becomes, however, it could take a bit for the reader to get into and, for a majority of the book, the story is told so quickly readers may even become a bit lost. And descriptive detail is unfortunately not as present as would be favorable, leaving visuals of the world up to the imagination of the readers more so than other stories. These do not take away from the story, though, and it is to be expected that parts which leave readers questioning will be explained in later books.

For such an intricate world, in-depth characters are a given and Yin and Yang have delivered them. There are quite a few characters introduced within just the first book of Grims’ Truth and many do not get as much time in the spotlight, but the main characters focused upon in Rota Fortunae most certainly shine, especially Fate and Hero. Fate may not be so strong physically, but she is a force to be reckoned with mentally and spiritually. She does not give up easily and will do whatever it takes to help and protect those she loves. Hero is on the brink of being a hopeless case, unwilling to trust anyone and believing he must endure the hardships he faces in life alone. Once he meets Fate, he has beautiful character development and once the two are together, their relationship turns into one readers will fall in love with.


An element all fantasy fans most likely love about this particular genre are the stories within the stories: stories that speak of prophecies, of ancient legends, of historical battles, of world-changing journeys. All of these stories and more can be found in fantasy and Yin and Yang have created stories of their own: stories of the beginning of the Empire, stories of the oldest races of beings, stories of beliefs and what are thought to be myths. Many stories are told throughout Rota Fortunae and help to explain many points of the complex plot. What is most helpful for readers is found at the end of the book for Yin and Yang have added a Rota Fortunae Reference Guide to explain all folklore, characters, terminology, races, and more that strictly pertain to this first book.

Rota Fortunae introduces an impressive new fantasy world that will draw readers in and leave them feeling fascinated and curious upon completion, making them wish to pick up Conundrum, the next in the Grims’ Truth series. Readers will forget that the story they are reading was written by two individuals as Yin and Yang make an excellent writing team. They have created a complex world that will both confuse and intrigue readers as the in-depth characters take them along on their journey. The story does move quickly and there are times when readers may wish for it to slow down to either take in where the characters are presently or what is happening in the plot at a particular moment, but these components in no way take away from the reading experience as a whole. Readers should also note that upon reading Grims’ Truth Book 1: Rota Fortunae – Arc 1: The Tainted, they will become part of a 60 plus book series that may very well be the longest fantasy series ever published. With three books of the series already published and two more scheduled for release by the end of this year, Yin and Yang’s Grims’ Truth will most likely turn into THE series to watch out for.

**Originally posted on my blog Roll Out Reviews on September 29 2018**

[Laura Sullivan]

thoroughly enjoyed this book. it was nice to listen too in my office at home. its refreshing to have a fantasy book with only a hint of romance. it would be a good book for a young teen.

[Jasmine M]

thank god that's over

[Em Kunieda]

Shocking. Visceral. Addictive

I was hooked from the start. Mystery drives you through to the end. Filled with interesting characters and an incredible world to explore. It’s so visual, you feel like you’re there. Already ordered book two and am looking forward to seeing where this story goes.

[Christinaraven]

After reading this story, it really made me think. I thought it was a mix of fantasy with a splash of fairy tale mixed in. I found it surprisingly addicting and different. Once I finished the first chapter I had to keep reading to see what happened to Fate and what was really going on. I thought there were good guys and bad guys and terrible people I liked to hate. Just a wildly different story. Plus it was amazing what Fate had to learn and I really wanted to know what her destiny would be and what paths she would choose. A few twists were here and there and never quite knew what would come next. Cannot wait to see what happens next. I expect to be surprised.

[Paula lily]

I would like to thank netgalley for the eArc of this book.

After seeing three 5 stars reviews I thought I would like the book but unfortunately I did not. It was just meh for me, I stopped reading at around 30% of the book. The story was not gripping me at all. I disliked how there were some terms used i.e Tainted and there was no full explanation as to who they are or the fact that there was a plague but what it was doing exactly to people. And at some places the story's pace was so fast that it was lacking depth.

[Carrie Torres]

I received a free copy of Rota Fortunae (Grims' Truth Book 1) for my honest opinion. I love the characters wrote by the authors. I love how they have started to define the world that characters reside. The interactions between players in this book well written. I have not read many Epic/Fantasy books, I am more of a Paranormal/Fantasy reader. So I am very impressed with how much I enjoyed reading this book. I can not wait to read what happens in the next book.

[Joshua Grant]

The world in Rota Fortunae created by Isu Yin and Fae Yang is really cool and imaginative! Yin and Yang (yes, seriously) have built a cast of fun characters that are confronted with deep challenges, epic battles, and an unspeakable evil that’s trying to destroy an already divided world. I love the freshness of this novel and can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next one!

[Stephanie]

I LOVED reading this book. The author(s) just drew me in further and further. I could not put it down. I am so very excited to read the next in the series.

I was gifted an ARC Copy in return for an honest review. Thank you so much!