In the Jaded Grove

Kindred Realms #1

by Anela Huihui Deen

Simith of Drifthorn is tired of war. After years of conflict between the Thistle court and the troll kingdom, even a pixie knight known for his bloodlust longs for peace. Hoping to secure a ceasefire, Simith arranges a meeting with the troll king—and is ambushed instead. Escape lies in the Jaded Grove, but the trees of the ancient Fae woodland aren’t what they seem, and in place of sanctuary, Simith tumbles through a doorway to another world.

Cutting through her neighbor’s sunflower farm in Skylark, Michigan, Jessa runs into a battle between creatures straight out of a fantasy novel. Only the blood is very real. When a lone fighter falls to his attackers, Jessa intervenes. She’s known too much death to stand idly by, but an act of kindness leads to consequences even a poet like her couldn’t imagine.

With their fates bound by magic, Simith and Jessa must keep the strife of his world from spilling into hers—except the war isn’t what it appears and neither are their enemies. Countless lives depend on whether they can face the truths of their pasts and untangle the web of lies around them. But grief casts long shadows, and even their deepening bond may not be enough to save them from its reach.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Adult, Young Adult, New Adult, Urban Fantasy

333 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2021

About the author

A child of two cultures, this kānaka maoli girl is currently living among the tulips and windmills of the Netherlands. She now fills her days with family and fiction under rainy Dutch skies. With a house full of lovable kids, a three-legged cat, and one handsome Dutchman, she prowls the keyboard late at night while the minions sleep. Coffee? Nah, she prefers tea with a generous spoonful of sarcasm.

To hear about the latest releases, giveaways, and other fun Sci-Fi/Fantasy stuff, sign up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cNQ3iH

Reviews

[Renaissance Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were so many elements of this I enjoyed! A warrior pixie tumbling through a portal into the rural Midwest—such a fun start to the story, and excellently done! That, and the weaving together of creatures from Fae to fairies to pixies to trolls and more, which made diving back through the portal into the magical world so immersive and imaginative.

On the other hand, it took me two weeks to finish this, so needless to say I found it slow. I also thought the Romance could have been built up/focused on a bit more, as although I liked Jessa and Simith together, I was not overly invested in them, either.

While I liked but did not love this book, I am a big fan of Anela Deen and will definitely read additional books in this series in the future!

Thank you so much to author Anela Deen for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Scarlett Readz and Runz....Through Novel Time & Distance · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPFBO7 Semi-finalist.

Placed in the Fantasy-Hive's batch of 30 books, you can read our reviews here:

Making it to semi-finalist:
https://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2021/08/sp...

Final Review:
https://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2021/10/in...

Happy Reading!
(Star rating reflects my personal opinion)

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like always my reviews have spoilers

3.5 🌟

In The Jaded Grove is a dual perspective portal fantasy. It is a very quick read, which is perfect for summer lazily reading under a big tree. Mind you I didn't read this in a day, nor under a beautiful tree. But I could have, for me this was a two day read that I did take to the patio a for a bit however.

I love Alice in Wonderland, I love the idea of portal fantasy. I love the idea of stepping in the mirror, wardrobe, falling down a hole, entering through something, a passage way that you don't know is there and suddenly you are somewhere else. My imagination and whimsy is on 24/7 (unless I'm having an off day but your not here for that). I'm the person who will try to lead you in the woods to try and find the entrance to fairyland.

The first thing about the book that made me take notice was of course the beautiful cover, then I found out it was portal fantasy and well I was sold. I didn't even have to read the blurb to know I wanted to read the book.

But yes the book, like I said it is a duel perspective story, Simith is a pixie, which to be honest was a nice change from the fairy/fae (I do quite enjoy the fae though) main character, he is knight who is hoping to meet with the troll king to try for peace even if it is the trolls that killed his people. And Jessa a human, who is a published poet who hasn't been able to write anything after the death of her family, a death she blames on herself.

Another refreshing take on the portal fantasy is that it wasn't the human stumbling into the other realm first. It was the pixie!

Simith in his fleeing from what he believes to be trolls, winds up crawling out of a hole at the base of a tree, in a sunflower farm. He has no idea where is only that he knows it is not his world. Jessa walking to the farm from her best friend, Katie's party encounters said pixie (she doesn't know he's a pixie) who she assumes was coming from or going to the same party that she had been at, he has wings and his clothing clearly must be a costume as she herself is dress like a giant bunny. But he has something stuck in his back, in his wings and is that real blood she is seeing.

Attempting to stop and save the man from his attackers, that do not look human, ends up getting hurt badly in the process herself. Simith then using all his magic and more does all he can to save the girl who helped him. In doing so connecting them to one another.

The sunflower farm it's self isn't exactly what it seems, nor is the old lady and her granddaughter, both Jessa and Simith are shocked when they learn that they are Fae and have been protecting this Grove. No one is suppose to know about them, the fae have escaped into the realms a long time ago.

The trolls come back and have kidnapped Katie in exchange for the pixie. They come up with a plan to get her back while not harming Simith either, but the plan doesn't well go as planed.

Both Simith and Jessa's lives have already undergone so much pain and suffering. And now they are linked, with this comes the memories of what they have been through only it's each others memories that they see in their dreams not their own. It also comes with another price, one that can result in death.

Simith is back in is world, he wants to set things right because has learned of the betrayal of the fairy's and hopes to again attempt at peace between the pixies and the trolls.

So now Jessa must don her bunny costume once more and venture into his world, if not they will die.

This is where I was hoping for some expansive world building, there was some but not a much as I hoped. I am generally a character driven reader but I love seeing a world that isn't ours painted out before us. Speaking of characters, I like our main two but I wasn't a fan of our secondary ones so much I liked granny though. I found Katie to be a tad overbearing and annoying. She didn't take anything away from the over all enjoyment, she just didn't really add much to the over all story. But that's just my opinion and well reading is subjective, who and what I like is not going to be the same as what others will like. Besides maybe she will get more fleshed out in the next book, if she is in it that is.

We get more action in the second half, in Simith's realm. We find out how much more cunning the fairy's actually are. We meet Simith's family and experience more of the fantastical but not enough of it. The events seem to go by too fast, I wanted more in this world.

I enjoyed the bits of poetry, as one who has penned many myself. I loved that Jessa being a poet is called a "maker of verse" and that is highly respected thing in Simiths world.

🌻

"Those who use words as their instrument are held in high esteem among my kind. From your fingers, whole realms of thought are sprung"

🌻

A trait that will come in handy for them to have in their arsenal.

The relationship/friendship between both Simith and Jessa while seeming fast in reality was sped up based on the fact that they essential have been in each others head, they have this intimacy that for others may take years to develop. They have seen the things that they haven't spoken about to others, they felt the emotions of the other person. It makes sense why they would want to help the one another the best ways they can, even if one is a human lacking magic. So it isn't unexpected to see a possibility of the two developing more.

In The Jaded Grove like I said is a quick read, it's a short book so I should have expected not to have the details of some bigger fantasy novels, never the less it was still enjoyable. It was little to quick for me if I'm being honest and I am, it could have had been longer, I wanted a bit more from it, but it is a first in a series. Based on events in the book I'm unsure if we will see this particular realm that Simith is from again, but I could be very wrong in this assumption. Because like I said based on events this could go in a few different directions in which I'm looking forward to continuing on with.

But with all that being said, there is more then just a fantasy novel at play in this book, it's about the loss and what one goes through after such loss. And how to help find ones self again. Reach out to others when you can and are ready. Sometimes it is you that is holding you back. Things take time, but sometimes you might have to push yourself forward. I will say Katie may annoyed me but she wanted what was best for Jessa, and stuck by her through it all, even if she could have easily not have.

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the Kindred Realms series, In the Jaded Grove follows Jessa, a human, and Simith, a pixie warrior, a pair inadvertently bound together and trying to find a way to end the impending war that threatens to invade the human realm. Simith is tired of his battle-filled life and longs for a different, more peaceful future. But war always looms in his world, and he, one of the fiercest and most notorious warriors, is often in the middle of it.

Simith is wounded and fleeing from his enemies when he goes through a portal and meets Jessa. Their lives become magically bound, and, as the truth behind the wars between trolls and pixies emerges, Jessa and Simith must reevaluate all they know about the worlds they live in and the conflicts that threaten them both.

The story is broken up into three parts. In the first section, Simith goes through a portal to the human world, which is where he first meets Jessa. In the second, Simith returns to his world, and Jessa follows him. Here the reader is introduced to a fantastical place of pixies, pookas, trolls, fairies, and more. The final part explores both the human and supernatural worlds. I love that the settings are varied, vivid, and well-developed, from the sunflower fields of Michigan to the various settings in the supernatural world. I also love the reactions of both characters as they experience new things for the first time. When Simith first hears and sees a car, for example, and when Jessa first sees a troll, their reactions are fantastic.

The characters are also dynamically developed and intriguing. Details about Simith’s life and what led him to the portal that took him to the human world are devastating, riddled with anger and guilt, and complex. Jessa’s story, in turn, is tragic and moving, and the terrible events she’s experienced very much define her. A gifted poet, Jessa has lost her ability to write, and she closed herself off from the world. Her experiences with Simith, and the bond that they share helps to heal them both.

One consequence of Jessa and Simith’s magical bond is that their dreams reveal the other person’s memories. Jessa sees the tragedy that led to Simith’s ruthlessness. Simith, in turn, sees Jessa’s lovely yet lonely childhood, and her grief-filled world. Both characters understand, empathize, and accept each other completely, which I love. The pair teaches each other what it feels like to be accepted no matter what and that it is ok to trust and depend on others.

I am a sucker for a good romance, and this one is slow-building and lovely. Jessa and Simith are two wounded people who feel incapable of giving and receiving love. The pair has a strong connection from the start, but fear and feelings of unworthiness stand in their way. I love how they find each other and slowly learn to feel again. Though they are from different worlds and many obstacles stand in their way, they are tied together by a magical and an emotional bond, and this bond strengthens as the story progresses. They are stronger together, and they seem to offer the wisdom, strength, and support that the other so desperately needs. They also have an incredible amount of chemistry!

Filled with action, adventure, and a few unexpected twists, In the Jaded Grove is an engrossing and immersive story. The world-building and the character development are fabulous, as is the political intrigue. And I liked the secondary characters almost as much as Simith and Jessa. Jessa’s best friend, her best friend’s love interest, Simith’s family, several troll leaders, and more add so much to the story.

I’m very thankful to Anela Deen for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the Kindred Realms series. Deen is a gifted storyteller, and I always look forward to reading her unique and beautifully written stories! I think readers who enjoy YA or NA fantasy and urban fantasy will love this captivating new series.

[Intisar Khanani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pixie knights, cursed fae, a poet lost in pain... what's not to love?

I am a consummate Anela Deen fan at this point, so I was expecting to enjoy this story anyhow, but I was absolutely swept away by the heartache and struggle and hope of this story. Simith is a pixie knight with a fully earned and bloody reputation on the battlefield, in a war between the faerie and the trolls that has led to immense losses on both sides. Jessa is a young Filipino-American poet who lost her family in a tragic accident, and is struggling through her days, her poetry lost to her. They are both broken and hurting, no matter what front they may put on before others (Simith especially).

Simith knows he can't atone for what he's done, but he doesn't want to continue fighting either when peace might be possible. But when he attempts to organize a secret meeting to establish a truce, he's betrayed and chased through the Jaded Grove, up through the branches of ancient trees... and into a sunflower field in Skylark, Michigan. When Jessa stumbles across Simith and his attackers, their lives are irrevocably intertwined.

This story has so many poignant moments, so much hurt and so much healing. But our characters don't save each other so much as help the other see that they are deserving of saving. That they are loved and supported, and can find a new way forward because they aren't alone. And that really spoke to me.

We also have the BEST settings folks--ancient magical groves, sunflower fields, creepy Fae house, hidden cities within the hills, a creepy house filled with ancient magic on an island at the center of a cursed lake, do I even need to go on? This story has ambiance.

And... just in case you weren't convinced, we have some truly fabulous side characters, a secondary romance line that's adorably sweet, and female friendships that are EVERYTHING.

So yeah, stop reading this review and go read the book. ;)

[Victoria Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll be honest: I haven’t read a lot of adult fantasy. My knowledge and repertoire consists mostly of YA fantasy and sci-fi. That isn’t to say I don’t enjoy a wide range of titles, but that isn’t the point here. I went into Into the Jaded Grove not really knowing what to expect. It was a fun premise with a lot of potential. A meeting of two worlds with an eventual blend of the two. What I wasn’t expecting was just how well Deen would do the job.

In the first chapter, we are introduced to Simith, a pixie warrior who intends an attempt at peace with the troll army they are at war with. The fairies he serves refuse to hear of any of these talks, so he sneaks off in the dead of night to do so on his own. I won’t go further into detail, but things don’t go as planned. Needless to say, I was completely enchanted from the get-go. I was amazed at the ease with which Deen transports us into her world. She never gives us tedious infodumps, but rather sprinkles in small details in small things Simith observes. Each sentence is truly a treat to read. I found myself accidentally skipping bits of description to get to the next magic sequence, so I kept having to go back and re-read a few times. There was no way I was going to miss out on anything this book had to offer.

And then she introduced me to Jessa. Every time I pick up a new book, I think I can’t find a character I relate to more than the last. And then I am proven wrong time and again. Jessa’s grief is raw and unchecked. And her journey is so much more than a traipse through a magical, war-torn landscape. She is waging her own war within herself, and it was one I understood, if not altogether. But even still, I think that is more a testament to the sheer, raw talent that Deen possesses. She has the innate ability to make you feel even the tiniest emotions with the most subtle gestures. Jessa is a poet, and seeing someone struggle to find their words again after suffering a great loss really resonated with me. My own battle was nothing like Jessa’s, but I understood her in ways that I didn’t expect I would. I think that loss can manifest itself in a lot of ways and the way one person interprets it can be entirely different from another. Unless, of course, you’re being entirely literal. That is another post altogether. All of this is to say that Jessa is important to me because she was able to process the grief that completely consumes her through her words when she needed them the most. It was clunky, and she had a few, as Deen put them, “false starts,” but she did it. And she freed herself when she needed it. She allowed herself the ability to heal—and most importantly, she forgave herself.

And now to shift gears.

I adore fantasy for all the stereotypical reasons: the blood, gore, dragons, magic—you name it. But I also love love, and Deen was able to capture it in so many complex and wonderful ways. Between Simith and Jessa, Katie and Relle, Simith and his parents, Relle and her Granny…love has so many faces. It was wonderful to see them so thoroughly thought out and given the chance to shine. It was also refreshing to see a non-heteronormative relationship be treated as normal and not given a second thought. It was just as beautiful and honest as the protagonists’ relationship and wasn’t sidelined or treated as secondary. It was just as important to both the protagonists and the reader (i.e. me). It was also so enlightening for me as a thoroughly uneducated American to learn, through Jessa’s eyes, about her Filipino roots and heritage. I felt like Simith half the time as he experienced her memories, engrossed in a culture I was entirely unfamiliar with and wanted to learn more about. It was educational, and I think representation like this is so important. I know that’s easy for me to say: I’m a white, bisexual woman in a heterosexual marriage. I have it easy. But seeing the world through Jessa’s eyes helped me understand her a little bit more, and I think that if the world had just a little bit more of that, it would be a better place.

But as much as this was a tale of love and loss; magic, trolls, pixies, fairies, and Fae; it is also about inequality, racism, and classism. It is hatred disguised as righteousness and while we hope that the good guys will prevail, it seems that at every turn, the enemy is always two steps ahead. One race of people deems themselves superior and enslaves another through whatever means necessary, even “voluntary” submission, and I can’t help but draw parallels to our current political climate. Here in America, particularly. I can’t say more without spoiling the book, but even on that grim note, don’t fret. I still believe, deep down, that good will out here in the real world, and as for Into the Jaded Grove, well…I suppose you’ll have to find that out for yourself.

[Kerstin Rosero · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Jaded Grove is a fantastical tale with pixies, fairies, and trolls rooted in very relatable, very human ordeals. It is told from two POVs—Jessa and Simith—who cross paths just when one needed a bit of magic, and the other a bit of faith.

First off, I enjoyed the Filipino rep. I say "first," because the first thing I noticed was how easily I connected to Jessa, our Filipina protagonist, from the leche flan to the Tagalog sayings she would recall throughout the story. It is a feeling that, despite having spent most of my life in the US, I do not often get reading fantasy. It really drove home how little representation we have, and I loved it.

I think Smith and Jessa play off each other well, and changing POVs while being in the same scene together did not take me out of the action at all. I also enjoyed the supporting characters, like Katie and Relle, as it highlights friendship in addition to the central duo. Often these elements are overlooked, and I am glad the author did not just focus on the romance aspect of the story.

One thing that did not quite work for me was how incongruent the last chapters of the book felt. The reader follows the buildup to an epic, fantastical climax but is kind of cut off abruptly from experiencing it with the characters. Conflicts just end in favor of a neat ending, and as a reader I did feel a bit surprised.

Overall, I do think In the Jaded Grove is a quick and enjoyable read. I finished it on a single flight, and it definitely took me on a fantastical journey.

A few key words to help you decide: multiple POV, magicking, parallel worlds, high fantasy, POC characters, fantasy series, dealing with grief

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book could easily be a cover buy, but it has a story on the inside that is just as lovely!

In the Jaded Grove has everything that I look for in a GREAT novel—complex characters, beautifully deft world building, thought provoking concepts, & fantastic relationships. I LOVE Jessa, a Filipino poet, & Simith, a Pixie warrior, the 2 leads from entirely different worlds that crossed paths & became irrevocably bound in a slow burn romance that had me rooting for them with hearts in my eyes (plus some great blushes as their attraction developed). I highly recommend you read it...& then come talk to me about it.

[James Harwood-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warrior seeks peace in an endless war between the pixie and troll kingdoms. A peace not all want. When he stumbles upon a grove into our world he may find the hope he needs. A young poet coping with grief. Lots of fun, action and great characters

[Eleennae Ayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review to be posted on April 27 as part of the #KindredRealms tour by Caffeine Book Tours.

[Simoné Eloff · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received via BookSirens in exchange for my honest review.

Yep, I'm still very much a fan of Anela Deen's.

Even though In The Jaded Grove didn't sweep me off my feet quite as deftly as Beneath Cruel Fathoms managed to do, I'm still happy and thankful to have been invited along for the journey. Deen's signature character introspection and empathy were once again placed front and centre, and I was happy to note that the deeply personal tone of BCF was present in this book too. Once again, despite what I can only refer to as sometimes-near-purple prose, Deen's writing sucked me right in and kept hold of me until I finished the book not very long after starting.

What made this a 3-star read for me (a very, very enjoyable 3 stars) rather than anything higher came down to the world building. It might be my insatiable taste for high fantasy showing, but I generally prefer richer world building in this kind of setting, even if it's not intended to be the main focus of the story. In fact, even the human world building (Skylark, Michigan) was a bit lacking, and with that, a striking contrast between the book's fantasy and human worlds - which could have created a rich backdrop for the already great character development - was ultimately never utilised. A shame, really, but by no means something that will keep me from making grabby hands at the next one in the series when it comes out.

[ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

hmm it's a good read.

i like how the two characters explore their grief and i appreciate how they slowly come together. i've been so indecisive with my rating because i love the filipino rep and i'm tempted to give it a half star, but the story is pretty basic and it's not really memorable to me. tbh i got bored somewhere around the second and third act, but the ending is sweet and nice. so, i'm going for a solid 3 stars here because i like it!

[Dionne (HeyoitsDeej) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished in a day before the blog tour hahaha. I'd like to thank Caffeine Book Tours for the opportunity to read In the Jaded Grove. Full review on this to follow soon! :D

Update as of April 26, 2021
The first book of the Kindred Realms series, and I must say, had I read or found this book back when I was still a teenager, who’d recently found her love in fantasy books. This would’ve been a solid five stars to me. That said, before we really dive into this book, I’d like to thank Caffeine Book Tours, and the author, Anela Deen for providing me an e-book ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review. In the Jaded Grove is a story that follows two main protagonists, the first, Simith, a well-known pixie warrior that serves the fairies of the Thristle court. The other one, Jessa, an award-winning poet, that’s been slowly opening up herself back to her best friend, Katie. Their story intertwines during a crucial time, where, Simith was determined to make peace talks with the troll king, only to fall into a trap that placed him in danger and seek refuge in the Jaded Grove.

In a sense, this story reminded me a bit of a Narnia-like story, however, it doesn’t really follow the whole “chosen-one” trope, and the first meeting of the two main characters wasn’t really set on the right foot. One thing I definitely loved about this book was that it wasn’t all “whimsical-vibing” in a way, where just because Simith is a pixie, he’d be this Tinkerbelle creature.

This was set right in the middle of a war, where Pixies were forced to participate and fought against Trolls, and all at the same time, Jessa was thrown in the mix, while still dealing with her own inner turmoil of her loss.

I was immediately drawn to the portal-like concept and the twist and turns on the war in Simith’s world. It’s not as extremely bloody as Game of Thrones, but definitely, a book filled with deception and power hunger.

Another thing, which I’ve come to enjoy as well, was the subtle touches of Filipino culture from Jessa’s point of view. As a Filipino myself, representation usually comes off as forceful, or stiff at times in stories, but for this book, it flowed smoothly, and not well executed. There were strong family ties and even conflicts mentioned in Jessa’s life, but it’s something that a lot of Filipinos tend to really feel in real life.

On the relationship side, at first, I really thought it’ll be the whole “insta-love” with how Simith and Jessa first met, but I had been proven wrong as their dynamics grew through the story. An overall, I gave this book a 4-star rating over 5. This is mainly because while this story was definitely an action-packed fantasy adventure with a blend of modern-day life. I do feel like it’s a book I would really love before I jumped into adult fiction novels/fantasy books. I felt like there’s still something missing from me personally. I feel it’s the actual attachment to the characters.
Though I’ve followed through their story and got to know them, even with Jessa being a Filipino-American. I just found it a bit bland on the character side. It was hard for me to fully care for them. Though I am looking forward to how this series would develop in the future.

I am highly recommending this book for those who are trying to jump into the fantasy genre and need a fun but very action-packed read.

[Paula M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Color me surprised AND amazed. I will not be forgetting this book in such a long time. 

If you’ve been one of my followers ever since I started, you’ll know that I don’t read the Fantasy genre a lot. I just started last year to support BIPOC creators (and will continue to do so) but, I’m really more of a Contemporary reader to be honest. So I found myself stunned when I started reading In The Jaded Grove. I finished it in two days with no struggle but left it yearning for more.

The story focuses on our two main leads, Jessa and Simith. One being on the mortal world and the other one being a Pixie and residing in the Jaded Grove. I don’t want to say anything more but this is one of the MOST well written Fantasy book I’ve ever read. Its so well written BUT the pacing didn’t suffer. Which is what I’m really looking for in any fantasy book. In The Jaded Grove is that fast paced, well thought out plot with authentic characters that you won't help but root for book that you're looking for. Plus, the main character is a Filipina! One of of my pet peeves when it comes to reading a Filipino character is when they're written in a way that the readers feel like he author is trying tp force to bring out the Filipino-ness (I know that's not a word) of the character into the story. Jessa wasn't written in that way. She is  well-aware of her roots but still acknowledging that part of her that really distanced her from home. I really like that side of her. 

As much as I love our main character though, I can't help but be enamored by our main hero as well. Heroes for Fantasy books are usually marketed as Alpha Male and that apparently should justify their arrogance. Well, I'm glad Simith isn't written this way. Don't get me wrong, Simith is still an Alpha. He's definitely a Pixie you can't help but swoon over, however, he seems more real because of how conscious he is with his faults. That makes him more likeable and believable in my eyes.  Secondary characters such as Relle and Katie were written in such a rich manner too. I wouldn't mind a sequel or a book about them. Plus lets face it, we all need a Katie in our lives.

I am leaving one star for two reasons-- I'm not entirely sold with this cover. I just feel like the cover should be something MORE. The story is SO GOOD that the cover should reflect how epic it is. Second reason would be the ending,
I can see how and why the author did this, however, I feel like it was wrapped up abruptly even with that last chapter. I hope the author will be able to explore Simiths world, I wouldn't even mind if they're different main leads.

In The Jaded Grove will win you over from the first chapter. I can assure an engrossing story and set of characters that will touch you heart strings. With a fast paced plot and very readable writing, In The Jaded Grove should be you next Fantasy read!

[Books nd Bruises · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a bit flabbergasted to be completely honest. I know I may come across as if I always have deep feelings about a book and will kind of love anything you push into my hands, but I know for a fact ‘in the jaded grove’ will be my top one read of 2021. (Also I do always have deep feelings about books, that’s just who I am, but that doesn’t matter right now). I havn’t read fantasy in awhile, and after loving the cruel prince series & Heartless so much, I wasn’t sure if I just got lucky with two good books, or if I liked the genre that much. In the jaded grove didn’t make me any wiser, cause it’s 1. Amazing & 2. It reminds me of the parts I love most of the books stated above so it’s absolutely perfect in every way.

In the jaded grove has an amazing world, a fastpaced feel and good plottwists, and amazing lore. The story is intricate and thought-through and we haven’t even discussed the characters yet. Deen’s word choice to state the difference between Jessa’s world & Simmith’s has this intricate magical feel to it and her overall choice of words is pleasant & makes you want to deepdive in the book. The side characters are fun, detailed and fit Jessa & Simmith well.

As mentioned in the description, grief is heavy to hold. It is one thing to make that come across as something you can relate too in a way that makes it fit for your story, but to me personally it’s another to make it right. In the last 9 months of carrying my personal grief, I have had lots of moments where I felt like I was going crazy by the way it is romanticized in movies, series and even books. Like it’s another way to make your story deeper, but without actually considering how it really feels. As if you feel the big implode and then you just move on. Whereas I’m 9 months in and have only been properly allowing my grief for the last few weeks. Anela Deen understands. And I don’t think I have felt this understood in my whole process. I felt pain when the characters felt pain because I knew exactly what she was talking about, as she voices it so so right. It gave me insights I didn’t know I needed, and I know I will think back of this book fondly.

I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy. My opinion however is entirely my own.

[Under_The_Aurora.Borealis · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a tragic accident befalls her family, Jessa is overcome by lose and despair.
Simith is a pixie, forced into fighting a war but hoping for peace.
When Simith is set upon by fairies disguised as trolls, he escapes through a portal into a non-magical human realm. Here he stumbles across Jessa, where their unexpected meeting results in them being inadvertently bound together.
Unbeknownst to them, Simith soon returns to his world to help bring about peace but soon realizes things are not what they seem. Jessa upon learning of the bond must journey to Simith’s world to warn him.

Filled with magic, war, hurt and healing, In the Jaded Grove is a wonderfully engrossing narrative full of unexpected twist and turns. With a variety of world settings, which in some books can be poorly invested in, everything in this book is so well developed that the places are vividly imagined by the reader. Combine this with wonderful main characters and intriguing side characters and you can see why people easily fall in love with this book.

I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I loved this book and highly recommend it for anyone with a love for fantasy.

I received an eARC by BookSirens in exchange for a honest review.

[Carolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC! I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

By a twist of fate, our main character meets a mysterious man on the edge of a forest—wounded and clearly being hunted. In a not-so-successful attempt to help him, she ends up caught in an ancient war from another realm.

One thing I really appreciated about this book is that it’s not just another fae fantasy trying to copy the Sarah J. Maas formula. The plot and romance felt original and genuinely entertaining.

That said, my biggest issue was that I just couldn’t connect with the characters emotionally. Also—minor note, not a spoiler—it’s revealed early on that the main character is pregnant, and honestly... I didn’t get the point of that choice. It doesn’t tie into the plot in any meaningful way, and instead it becomes a reason to constantly keep her out of danger and overprotect her. It felt unnecessary and frustrating.

Still, the worldbuilding is okey, and the storyline itself was unique enough to keep me reading. It’s a good book—it just wasn’t quite for me.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book and when that happens I think the book automatically deserves five stars. Jessa and Simith are such great characters and I really enjoyed their story. The world-building was excellent, the relationships felt natural enough and the story was refreshingly different from what I’ve been reading and well written! My only critique would be how fast-paced it was - things didn't feel too easy per se, but they happened so fast that sometimes I was left hoping for more, and there wasn't any. All in all, an excellent book and I’d recommend reading it when it’s released.

Additionally, thank you to the author, Anela Deen for the recommendations of some ‘makers of verse’ at the end - I will definitely be checking them out!

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tiny Elf Arcanist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Anela Deen’s story about broken people from different worlds who find sanctuary in each other: A lonely and wary man who cannot admit his gentle heart; a kind woman surviving recent trauma whose life is about to change. The characters and their relationship are close enough to Beneath Cruel Fathoms to taint my enjoyment by comparison. If you enjoyed this book, I recommend checking Beneath Cruel Fathoms.


Deen shines in her character development; their emotions are palpable and the romantic tension thrilling. She's one of my favorite writers.

[Soren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may have just found another favorite book! Even though this story took me a bit to get into, I ended up really enjoying it and absolutely loving the characters. I don’t often see a mix of fantasy and reality quite like this, and I loved it! Aside from the characters, I also loved the whole plot of this story. The quest they embarked on in order to obtain freedom for themselves and others from their true names was so fun. It was pretty new to me, too, for a human character to still be helpful and powerful during this quest. The teamwork the author wrote into the quest was so natural and fun to read. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it for other fantasy fans out there. I received a free copy of this story from Hidden Gems and am choosing to leave an honest review of it.

[Rovie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review here: https://thecaffeinatedrareder.wordpre...

Much thanks to Caffeine Tours for including me in
the #KindredRealmsTour ✨ In the Jaded Grove is a fantasy novel lead by a Filipina poet and a pixie knight warrior. They were caught up in this century-long war between trolls and fairies and most of the scenes seems like came out straight from a picture book! The writing is so descriptive, the world is whimsical and it transported me to an exciting, magical realm! It also has mentions of anxiety, grieving, and some violence (killings). Gorgeous cover and entertaining writing!

[Toya (thereadingchemist) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filipino MC ☑️
Queer characters ☑️
Magical creatures ☑️
Epic fight scenes ☑️
Immersive and rich worldbuilding ☑️

There were so many things to love about this book, and I’ve just picked a few. If you love fast paced fantasy books that throw you into the middle of chaos alongside the characters then this one is definitely for you!

Thank you to the author for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book! I loved immerging into the world of Simmith, which was very interesting.
The story and the characters made it very hard to lay the book aside.
Even though everything happened a little fast, it was a good read with some unexpected turns.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[sin · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5

“Huwag kang mag-alala. Ako’ng bahala.” BANGER BESTIE SO TRUE LOUDER

the filo lines are sooooo enjoying to read and everytime i read those i'll be like, "ma nasa tv na ako!!!" feels like that. plsss it's so cute. it's a super easy read but i didn't really felt jessasimith's chemistry, something was lacking idk!!! loved the ending tho

[Abigail Cossette Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming fairie story with intrigue and plot and a sweet romance. It's a quick, uplifting read that doesn't skimp on worldbuilding or plot, and I just love that.

Features a Philipino-American leading lady, which I also liked.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Rowena Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Portal fantasy is an interesting subgenre and one that I’ve not read as much of as I would like. However, in those that I’ve read, there has tended to be an imbalance in which world dominates the story – and while that can be exciting and interesting, In the Jaded Grove turned that on its head and I think that’s part of why this book worked so well. It’s the meeting of two worlds, that in many ways highlights the strengths and uniqueness of each while dealing with the conflicts and struggles in both, and I loved that Deen ultimately doesn’t choose between them, but instead creates an eventual blending of aspects from both worlds. After all, there are two sides to a portal, and the grass is not always greener on the other side – but there is much to be learned, and gained from both sides.

This in turn leaned into the worldbuilding, and again Deen does an excellent job of achieving that balance between the two – especially when one of those two is magical in nature, and filled with all the wonder (and chaos) that can bring. However, while I loved the time that we spent in the Jaded Grove – and there was some truly beautiful descriptions, as well as a careful, deliberate layering of details, that really helped to capture its magical, otherworldly nature. This in turn was well-matched with a grounded, but no less richly-realised real-world setting. Deen did an excellent job of making the time the characters spent in the real world, just as layered and vital, as that spent in the Grove and I think this complimentary approach, made the characters and their experiences shine all the brighter – because we could see, and feel and experience where they were coming from, as well as their first tentative steps into new worlds and that slow growth into understanding these other worlds.

I loved the magic system – and the little details about how different races have different conduits (also I was so happy to see Boggarts mentioned) was fantastic, and it was a well-developed system for a relatively short book, and some of the magic sequences were my favourite parts of the book. As I said, I loved that Boggarts were mentioned, but beyond them, there was an interesting mix of magical creatures, and I enjoyed that the Trolls were not what they might have seemed. Deen does a great job of playing with the fae and embracing the darker twists on that nature, and that combined with the magic, and the different creatures – and intrigue and conflict, that means that so little is as it might seem on the surface – makes for a fascinating story.

However, beyond the magical and the worldbuilding, this is a story about grief and love, and family. It is a story steeped in emotion, and Deen knows how to draw that emotional line to its greatest potency in the subtlest of ways. It is also this emotional aspect that makes the balance between the two worlds so important, because our two main characters are both caught in different storms – each shaped, and linked to the world they came from, and I think we would have lost so much if we hadn’t spent time in both worlds. It’s also a testament to Deen’s skill with emotive writing, that it is so easy to connect with both Jessa and Simith’s struggles, which are both very different and very complicated. Jessa’s grief is raw and consuming and almost a physical adversary that she is fighting a war against, while Simith is fighting a war while struggling with what he has had to become.

“Father.” Simith’s voice emerged as if from underwater. “When will you forgive me for the monster I became?”

A tremor moved across his father’s shoulders, but he didn’t look back. His reply was so soft, Simith almost didn’t hear him. “When I forgive myself for letting it happen.”

Yet, from these two very different experiences and emotional battles, Deen draws these two characters together in a way that feels utterly believable and is a wonderful exploration of connections and acceptance, love and family. The relationship that blossoms between Simith and Jessa is beautiful to behold, but it is just one facet of the relationships that are portrayed throughout In the Jaded Grove – on both sides of the portal – and while they are our central pair, those others are allowed to shine without question or shame. And, the importance of family cannot be stressed enough – from Simith’s troubled relationship with his parents because of what he has done during the war, to Jessa’s complicated, grief-torn relationship with her family and her Filipino roots and heritage. All of these aspects are shown and explored in such an open, unquestioning way – this is just how the world is, and how it should be, and yes there are conflicts and struggles, but there was also healing and acceptance, and it was all just part of the whole. As it should be.

In the Jaded Grove is very much a human story. Even the conflict in the world of the Jaded Grove is so very human at its heart because it is so easy to look at the political intrigue and the source of conflict in our world and find the same root causes – racism, inequality and those that utilise those in their schemes for their own benefit regardless of the cost. There were some surprising twists and turns, and paired with the action and fast-pacing it did make for gripping reading – but there were a few places where it felt a little rushed. It was a fascinating counterpart to the more personal conflicts of the characters, but I think because the focus was so much on the characters and the emotion, that the plot beyond that wasn’t quite as developed as it possibly could have been. That said, I loved what Deen did with the conflict and the uncovering of the truth, and the ending showed how far both characters had come and left me with a wonderful, hopeful feeling.

I’m not entirely sure what I went into this book expecting, but it wasn’t what I found and I am more than happy about that because In the Jaded Grove is a fantastic example of what portal fantasy can be. But, it is more than that, and it was the emotion in this story that really gripped me beyond the world and the magic. This is a fantastic book for anyone who loved fast-paced fantasy with a breathtaking emotional depth.

[Angele | adominiquereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Matibay and walis, palibhasa'y magkabigkis."
"A broom is sturdy because its stands are tightly bound."

I received an e-ARC copy of this book from the author and Caffeine Tours in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly did not know anything about this book aside from its gorgeous cover, and that it is a portal fantasy standalone with fae in it - and I always did like those mythical creatures in my stories. To say I was pleasantly surprised and highly entertained is an understatement.

In the Jaded Grove is a very fast-paced, lyrical fantasy standalone that features the vast world of the fae world called the Kindred Realms wherein creatures such as fae, pixies, trolls and other faeirie creatures reside. In this book, we follow a pixie warrior named Simith who finds his hands tied when the species he has served for many years has turned against him. He then unexpectedly finds himself travelling through a portal towards the human world to escape his enemies, thereby encountering a human girl named Jessa on the other side of it. Both of them are suddenly thrust into a head-spinning series of events that force them to be near each other, and find themselves in the middle of a war in the Kindred Realms.

The characters were definitely something I really enjoyed and loved. Jessa and Simith were introduced with a lot of tragedy and grief in their lives, and it was clearly evident to see these emotions in them all throughout the book. The awful stuff that happened to them in the past (and continually haunt them) had not only served as a fuel to their actions, but also see parts of them that they needed to discover yet. It was also interesting to see how those things helped both Simith and Jessa out in this book, and them overcoming those tragedies. The other side characters, such as their friends and other faerie creatures, were also a nice treat that complimented the main characters immensely. The dynamics and relationships played throughout this book was evident and prevalent, and I would have wished to see a bit more of it. While there was a clear romance play in this book, I found myself not really getting attached to it because it just felt insta-love almost immediately, though it did occur in a slow burn motion. It was cute towards the end, but I wouldn't have minded it if it wasn't there.

The world-building and magic system were highly enjoyable. I always did enjoy a fae-centered story that featured the very dark and twisted core of the fae, and this book delivered. No cutesy, Disney-like creatures in this novel! Everything was very easy to understand and digest, and it was painted very vividly that it gripped me immediately. On the flipside in the mortal realm, I was actually really shocked that Jessa is a Filipina (yay!) so I could immediately put myself into her shoes so easily, especially whenever she talks about the language, culture, and little nuisances of every Filipino family. The mix of the magic and non-magic worlds were something that thoroughly entertained me and added a need spice into the world, especially with how both worlds were beneficial and disastrous to one another.

The plot very action-packed and fast-paced. It wasn't short on action, adventure, and a lot of political scheming and intrigue. While it did have its few crazy twists and turns, it didn't exactly have the wow factor for me, but it still kept my mind whirling. I also did find the pacing to be very fast for my liking. I don't normally mind a quick read, the story just felt a bit too rushed for my tastes, and that some transitions could have been done better. It would have been really amazing to see certain scenes and events simmered further.

Over-all, I still highly recommend this book to any readers who are looking for a quick, heart-aching yet full of hope kind of fantasy tale. The poetry featured in this book also helped to give it more interest!

Other favorite quotes:
"No monster lives but for the evil others have done before him."

"If a shard of her broken heart had survived, maybe she would have something to offer the tiny ember growing within her.

[Jenny (ofproseandspells) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Storytellers on Tour for hosting this book tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“No monster lives but for the evil others have done before him.”

This is the first book that I read by the author, and I can say that Anela Deen is already on my author list that I need to read more. The first thing that actually caught my attention when I saw this book was its gorgeous cover. I really had no idea what this was about, so I was so glad that I really enjoyed this novel. In the Jaded Grove is a lyrical, fast-paced, and enthralling well-written fantasy.

The story followed Simith, once a savage pixie knight seeking for revenge, and now he was already tired of the bloodshed caused by a war between fairies and trolls. He tried to secure a peace treaty with the troll king. Desperate to survive and escape from the ambush, he plummeted into another realm. Jessa, a poet who was quietly living in Skylark Michigan, stumbled into a lone, strange man who was fighting and bleeding to death. She knew she just couldn’t ignore it, so she tried to help this man, not knowing their fates would be entangled by magic.

Just like I mentioned earlier, the plot was really fast-paced. There was no dead air, and it did not feel underwhelming. It has enough action, adventure, and political intrigue. Although some were predictable, the twists and turns were still satisfying. I was also looking forward to some events and confrontations, but the build up was a little bit lacking for my taste. On the other hand, the romance in this novel was surprisingly amusing. I was not a fan of romance in fantasy books, but in this story, I liked it. I thought it was going to be insta-love, but the slow-burn was sweet and just hit the right spot.

The world building and magic system were creative and exciting. I enjoyed the mix of the magical and nonmagical world in this one. There were fairies, pixies, faes, and trolls! Everything was simple and not so complicated, so it was easy to be immersed in this fantasy world. More details and history background about the world building would have made this more fascinating. Also, it was a delightful surprise that the protagonist was actually a Filipina! Filipino cultures, and language were blended flawlessly.

The characters were very likable. I could easily sympathize to both Jessa and Simith who had undergone through so much tragedy and grief, that sometimes they just built a huge wall to protect themselves from their loved ones as a mean protecting themselves. This emotion was very distinct and mostly affect the atmosphere and tone of the novel. Despite these awful things, they managed to help each other overcome those regrets and nightmares. I enjoyed the dynamics and different relationships portrayed in this novel.

Overall, In the Jaded Grove by Anela Deen is a quick fantasy read with slow-burn romance. I recommend this book!

4/5 stars!

[The Book Whisperers · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Jaded Grove by Anela Dean was a surprise and an adventure I can't wait to re-read and experience again.

Anela Dean is new to me as a reader and 'In the Jaded Grove' is the first book of hers that I've read. I had no expectations when I came to this story and wow am I glad!

First let me talk about this book cover. All of you that have read my reviews know that I don't wax on and on about book covers, for me it's all about the story, and yet, this book cover is soo beautiful. It's beautiful in it's simplicity and I loved the colors. I literally just went back and stared at this book cover over and over again. Like I want to frame this and hang it on my bedroom wall.

Now, let's talk about this story and exciting it was!

Simith is my new favorite Pixie in all genres hands down! I loved him! I loved his character, I loved his dialogue, I need fan art of Simith in my life like yesterday! Just read this excerpt from Chapter One: "No monster lives but for the evil others have done before him." Simith, Pixie Knight

Simith has to be ruthless in this war and he wants peace. The war between the Triad and the Trolls is spilling into the human realm. Simith and the Troll King agree to meet in the Jaded Grove but for him to get there he has to kill the Troll King's messengers or be found out by his superiors.

Simith is a good person trapped in the hellscape of war and he desires peace.

This story is drenched in emotion from the Troll Kings nameless messengers to Simith, to Jessa. There is not a moment in this story where I wasn't feeling something. In the Jaded Grove filled me up and wrung me dry. It broke my heart and pieced it back together and I've never enjoyed it that emotional destruction and healing so much!

In the Jaded Grove is not a story for light reading, it's a story that draws you in and there is SO MUCH going on that you have to READ this book.
This review doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of everything in this book. I'd have to write a full on essay just to cover all the elements weaving a powerful tapestry of grief and healing and the bonds that can form out of them.

I have very little constructive criticism when it comes to 'In the Jaded Grove'. The characters are well thought out and multi-layered. The world building is rich and detailed, you will feel like you are actually there. The mystery surrounding the war and Simith and Jessa's past is intriguing and addictive (I have so many theories!)The only thing I would wish for is a better villain. We all know how much I love a good villain and I was just not quite there with it in this book. Everything else was perfection!

Alena Dean is definitely a new favorite of mine!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.