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GoulCrest
A dragon’s scale, a tile from the abandoned temple, an arrow from the Rakaron Kingdom, a writ of a noble, and a flower from the Field of Death. These are the items the king demands of competitors in the GoulCrest Games, and its victors will be awarded a prize most Vestovians can only dream of: lordship.
For Pria, exiled from her traditionalist family of nomadic warriors, the GoulCrest Games are a chance to prove she is the best fighter Rancor Clan has ever produced. For Tayla, a starving peasant girl, they are a chance to find the safety and comfort she was denied in childhood. For Ranto, a rebel-scholar cast out of the dwarven Undergrounds, they are a chance to honor the memory of his beloved. And for Jaze, a half-Rakaron wanderer, they are a chance to finally find acceptance.
Though their bond begins shakily and is riddled with mistrust, these four black sheep of their respective communities eventually tighten into a found family prepared to face the perils of the Games—and, eventually, of GoulCrest itself.
For Pria, exiled from her traditionalist family of nomadic warriors, the GoulCrest Games are a chance to prove she is the best fighter Rancor Clan has ever produced. For Tayla, a starving peasant girl, they are a chance to find the safety and comfort she was denied in childhood. For Ranto, a rebel-scholar cast out of the dwarven Undergrounds, they are a chance to honor the memory of his beloved. And for Jaze, a half-Rakaron wanderer, they are a chance to finally find acceptance.
Though their bond begins shakily and is riddled with mistrust, these four black sheep of their respective communities eventually tighten into a found family prepared to face the perils of the Games—and, eventually, of GoulCrest itself.
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2022
21 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 13, 2022
Jeanne blew this one out the park! LOVE when an author can take various characters and introduce them individually, then bring them together along the ride. Jeanne had no problem blending these characters along for the ride.
Each character you will you will want to cry with, fall in love with and cheer with.
Best of all she brings Equality into the mix with such gusto, you barely even notice.
You'll want to throttle all the bad guys and embrace all the ones that care for the characters along the way.
I had a timeline to finish this book by the 17th of May, but am also taking a Statistics class and didn't think I would make it. This book was so GRIPPING, I actually stopped doing my class for a day to read this book. With that in mind, that should tell you just how AMAZING this book really is.
My only question to Jeanne is this?
Can you please RUSH book 2, That ending was "KILLER"
I loved, loved, loved it..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Each character you will you will want to cry with, fall in love with and cheer with.
Best of all she brings Equality into the mix with such gusto, you barely even notice.
You'll want to throttle all the bad guys and embrace all the ones that care for the characters along the way.
I had a timeline to finish this book by the 17th of May, but am also taking a Statistics class and didn't think I would make it. This book was so GRIPPING, I actually stopped doing my class for a day to read this book. With that in mind, that should tell you just how AMAZING this book really is.
My only question to Jeanne is this?
Can you please RUSH book 2, That ending was "KILLER"
I loved, loved, loved it..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 10, 2023
I believe this is the first book from this author and I LOVED that. Amazing to see someone's hard work and dreams come to fruition. Like another review, I think that the overall storyline was very good and I love a good fantasy and adventure. It started off strong and some parts were thoroughly intriguing. But some parts went too fast, some parts went too slow and some darker parts I thought were just not necessary at all. I felt that this style of writing was a bit YA for me so the ugly more adult pieces stuck out like a sore thumb and even those weren't always well executed or developed. But I liked it enough that I would definitely stick with the series to see what happens to the characters! I look forward to seeing this author continue to grow.
December 28, 2022
Omg this book was so good, I love that Jeanne was able to take various characters and intertwine their lives together so perfectly. She allows you to meet each as an individual, find what makes you like that character, then brings them together and your find out how well they go together and your begin to love them as a package deal. The journey is magical and also full of danger and the ending is just wonderful and beautiful. I can't wait for the next book and wish it could be out already. This is definitely a book you wont be putting down till you finish it.
April 13, 2023
All the elements of a good adventure are here, but it could have been executed better. Parts of the book felt rushed, and others felt unnecessary.
The timeline flies by (literal years pass in one book), but not much progresses in the plot in that time. The action scenes of Pria or Tay fighting are good but a lot of the action is pointless and graphic brutality (hamstringing horses, brutally breaking a baby dragons leg, Jaze's assault, etc). The plot could have been furthered with a similar telling and not such gore. The book was too light-hearted and fast-paced to support such darkness.
The timeline flies by (literal years pass in one book), but not much progresses in the plot in that time. The action scenes of Pria or Tay fighting are good but a lot of the action is pointless and graphic brutality (hamstringing horses, brutally breaking a baby dragons leg, Jaze's assault, etc). The plot could have been furthered with a similar telling and not such gore. The book was too light-hearted and fast-paced to support such darkness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2022
First part of the trilogy is introducing us to Vestova and their GoulCrest Games that are enabling the winner to become a nobleman. We are introduced to the four black sheeps that are detrmined to win the prize. The journey through this world with the characters was one that stayed with me anytime I stepped away from the story. The next book cannot come soon enough.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 15, 2022
For those who love a good adventure quest, this book is for you! I read this book in one sitting as it drew me in. I enjoyed getting to know the characters as they struggled and how the unlikely group banded together. It is a first in series so it does leave you wondering about some of the loose ends. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 4, 2023
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review 🥰
This is the first book in the series where we are introduced to Vestova and their GoulCrest games, which enable the winner to become a nobleman. We meet 4 black sheep who are determined to win the games!
So so good! The characters, the equality presented within the book, everything was absolutely amazing. If you're into high fantasy and adventure, this is for you!
This is the first book in the series where we are introduced to Vestova and their GoulCrest games, which enable the winner to become a nobleman. We meet 4 black sheep who are determined to win the games!
So so good! The characters, the equality presented within the book, everything was absolutely amazing. If you're into high fantasy and adventure, this is for you!
June 22, 2022
Fantastic story of love and redemption
I was fully enthralled the entire book. The story gripped you from the beginning, the characters are well rounded and their story lines are very well-thought-out. The way they come together and grow makes you root for them and want to find out what's going to happen next. I cannot wait for the next book!
I was fully enthralled the entire book. The story gripped you from the beginning, the characters are well rounded and their story lines are very well-thought-out. The way they come together and grow makes you root for them and want to find out what's going to happen next. I cannot wait for the next book!
October 9, 2022
Ughhh I want to love this book so much, and I do love the characters (Pria is my favorite) and the story so far is going in an interesting direction. My only reason to DNF this book right now is because i cant follow it 😅 i typically can read 3 or 4 books at a time but i think I'm going to restart it eventually and give it another try by itself from start to finish.
October 18, 2022
An enjoyable read!
Not particularly a high fantasy fan but I gave the book a go and I have to say that there was enough of a blend between the high fantasy elements and the storytelling to make it more accessible for a non-fan of the genre and it didn’t disappoint at all. Recommended for anyone wanting to get into high fantasy
Not particularly a high fantasy fan but I gave the book a go and I have to say that there was enough of a blend between the high fantasy elements and the storytelling to make it more accessible for a non-fan of the genre and it didn’t disappoint at all. Recommended for anyone wanting to get into high fantasy
February 5, 2023
This book was absolutely amazing. The found family trope always has my heart. What I thought was really amazing about this book is that I don’t usually like Multi POV stories, but with this book… I was so in love with each main character. You could tell how much the author cared are her characters. I absolutely loved it. Cannot wait for book 2!
July 27, 2022
A sweet tale of adventure
This is not a book I would expect to absolutely love, but I did!! Alicia welded multiple storylines so beautifully that I felt like I have known the characters for years. These characters represent adventure and resilience like I have never read.
This is not a book I would expect to absolutely love, but I did!! Alicia welded multiple storylines so beautifully that I felt like I have known the characters for years. These characters represent adventure and resilience like I have never read.
March 14, 2023
This was such an amazing read! I loved the adventure and characters within it. I truly loved the bond the main characters created with each other and were each others family. Amazing story and can not wait for the second one.
July 4, 2023
This book was such a delight to read! It reminded me of a DnD campaign and that's so much of its charm. The characters are fantastic and they are heroes you love to root for! I can't wait to read the sequel!
November 8, 2022
Such a Good Read!
It was really a good read! So much action and adventure that I really enjoyed. Definitely can’t wait for what is in store next for these characters!
It was really a good read! So much action and adventure that I really enjoyed. Definitely can’t wait for what is in store next for these characters!
December 4, 2022
This book was great. It was definitely not my style of book but the writing was very good.
I appreciate being given the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I appreciate being given the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 4, 2023
I love a good fantasy + romance. The author did a great job with this one. The dynamics between the characters continue to build and are wonderful. Can't wait to see where they end up in book two.
June 24, 2023
Very nearly late! I was hooked from the first chapter. If you like any type of fantasy or DnD, you’ll love GoulCrest. An amazing journey so far and I can’t wait to continue the journey in Vuthrie.
October 27, 2024
Changing points of view in this book as well, but the storyline is super easy to follow.
May 5, 2023
This is a wonderful story of found family. The bonds between Pria, Tayla, Ranto, & Jaze are wonderful to read. There is so much love and strength but also vulnerability in this book. I can't wait to read the next book!
August 5, 2023
An exceptionally riveting masterpiece.
Alicia weaves an intriguing and complex tale of friendship, family and adventure. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
Alicia weaves an intriguing and complex tale of friendship, family and adventure. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews