Meara: A Contemporary Fantasy Romance

Legacy of Love #1

by Anya Wylde

A whisper of someone like her being born has been discussed for aeons by the gods. The question is, who is she, and where is she?
Meara lives an ordinary life with her eccentric grandmother and three siblings in a small Georgian house in Dublin. On her eighteenth birthday, her little sister is kidnapped by an incredibly powerful man, and her entire world turns upside down.
Long hidden family secrets tumble out, and supernatural beings suddenly surround her. However, she thinks she is a side character, the hero's friend, and the heroine's sister. After all, her nature is more girl-next-door than a tortured soul with ninja fighting skills.
Her only desire is to get her sister back and keep her safe but to do so; she must battle dangerous beings and reign in her treacherous heart which has begun to beat for her family's sworn enemy, a gorgeous demigod.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

487 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2022

About the author

Anya Wylde lives in Ireland along with her husband and a fat French poodle (now on a diet). She can cook a mean curry, and her idea of exercise is occasionally stretching her toes. She holds a degree in English literature and adores reading and writing.

Reviews

[W.A. Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

The billing as "a contemporary fantasy romance" does Meara an injustice. While it has a strong romantic throughline, the novel includes many other elements, including fantasy, mythology and a coming of age tale that would appeal to young adult readers. While a slow burn romance does build within the book, it takes a backseat through the first two acts, before coming to a fore in the third.

I also found the romance to be one of the less successful elements of the story. While it includes many of the tropes romance readers enjoy through its enemies to lovers story, which, in isolation is satisfying, the slow build before it takes over the third act feels uneven, as if the fantasy and romance stories are competing against, rather than complementing, each other.

The book takes a while to get moving after some opening chapters that feel awkward. As it introduces the reader to protagonist Meara and her world, the elements don't quite gel and it feels underwritten.

Once it moves past these opening chapters, though, the author introduces the reader to a wonderful world filled with deep mythology. The result is a delightful urban fantasy pulling from a variety of myths and legends. Meara is full of gods, goddesses and other mythological creatures, brought to life in a unique way that is engaging throughout. If you're a mythology fan, you'll be certain to love how they're used.

Part of this success is thanks to consistently enjoyable characters. While Maera is the protagonist and point of view character and love interest, Kamraan, is the primary supporting character, the book is packed full of side characters, all of whom shine. Given the amount of them, many don't play a particularly large role, yet all of them are well-defined and leave an impression on the reader.

The dialogue sparkles, with each character sounding unique. The reader will generally be able to tell which character is speaking without the need for the background text. A great deal of attention has been paid to their backgrounds, ensuring consistency between different families and different cultures, as well as the wildly varying age ranges. It all feels natural and believable.

Once the book moves past the opening, the prose shines. The author has imbued it with a great sense of humour, without relying on it. The descriptions of Dublin are wonderful, creating a living, breathing world with true majesty. The prose also transports readers into the author's magical realm, helping readers discover the world through the protagonist's eyes. Where needed, the book creates a sense if mystery, and its tense moments lure the reader in a similar way to horror.

While I would have liked the editing to have worked more with the early chapters and pacing issues that come with the third act's integration between the romance and broader narrative, Meara is largely well-edited, reading clearly and easily. However, there were a number of instances where paragraphs were broken halfway through, taking me out of the story (though, this could simply be an issue with the advance copy I read).

Meara is a thoroughly entertaining read that will appeal to fans of urban fantasy, young adult stories and romance. While more depth in its opening chapters and a greater blending between the romance and the rest of the book would have elevated it, so much else works beautifully.

My full review will be available on my website from Wednesday, 6 July. To read it, and a host of other reviews, click here.

[Sharon Mariampillai]

I received this book from Kindle Unlimited as a request for an honest review
Thank you Anya Wilde for the opportunity to review this book.

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how the world builds, gradually adding myth, magic and love to the mundane world and building it into a fairy tale.
Meara thinks of herself as ordinary, and is anything but. And it is not her beauty, bravery, generosity, selflessness, industriousness or modesty that make her extraordinary, but the endless love and care she carries in her heart for all beings, and it is this selfless, unassuming love that saves the world.

This is a great story. It is fast-paced, well written and multifaceted, about a world where all beings, whether man, animal, plant or magical being, are all human in their feelings and actions, which leads to human reactions and makes a very good read.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meara is introduced as a paranormal romance but it is more like a YA fantasy. I was hooked from the first chapter when the existence of some magical being is revealed in saving our main character's life.

We get introduced to so many amazing magical creatures as the book unfolds, and I love that about books in a fae and magical gods world. The descriptions of the creatures are great and their quirks are so fun. Some we love to hate because they're pure rude cruel beasts as the fae are known to be. Some we love to see warm-up and break past their icy exterior. Some are just flirty and fun.

I have enjoyed watching Meara come into her powers and start learning about them. This book does follow the trope of something happens or the girl turning of age and the veil blocking her and hiding her powers is lifted. In this case, it was a traumatic event and the story starts strong from there.

But then we do spend a lot of time waiting to learn the secrets of the family and what is happening to her little sister. Why is she so special? Why must she be hidden and protected? And why is everyone out to kill her? We spend a lot of months in the storyline just waiting. Meara cooks food, she gets a bit of training, she banters with and hides her feelings that are developing for a certain god. But all the hints and all the secrets made me as annoyed and anxious as they did the main character. Tell me already!

The romance aspect was a will-they-wont-they type of story. The main character falling for the demigod was a beautiful and believable slow burn. But the demigod's side was irritating and whiplashing with how hot/cold he was. The constant demands, and control. Constantly requiring her to serve him food and drink. Ick! Not a fan of controlling male characters - that's not swoon worthy.

Overall I enjoyed this book and glad I made the time to read it since reading ebooks has not been easy for me lately.

[Asia | Adventures with Asia Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 July 2022

4 stars!

So, I talked with the author, and apparently Meara is part of a trilogy. That would explan the "plot holes." As such, I can't reasonably dock my rating to a 3.5, so I've raised it to 4 stars, which I still believe is fair.

I'll still be back later with a full review, and once again, remember that I'm teaming up with Anya Wylde to giveaway 1 free e–copy! Check out details on my blog here: https://www.adventureswithasiaminor.c.... Giveaway closes Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 11:59p EDT!

Full RTC!

4 stars!

--------------------------------------------------

3 July 2022

3.5 stars!

Okay, so I really wanted to rate this 4 stars, but I just can't. I also can't rate it 3, so I've settled on 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4, which I think is fair.

While this was a very cute and interesting romance, there are some things that I feel are left open, AKA plot holes. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed reading it, and I would definitely consider rereading it, some time in the future.

I'll be back later with a full review, but until then, remember that I'm teaming up with the author to giveaway 1 free e–copy! Check out details on my blog here: https://www.adventureswithasiaminor.c.... Giveaway closes Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 11:59p EDT!

Full RTC!

3.5 stars!

Thanks to the author for the free eARC, in exchange for an honest review

--------------------------------------------------

23 June 2022

I'm proud to announce that my blog, Adventures with Asia Minor, partnering with author Anya Wylde to give away one (1) free ebook copy of her newest release: the contemporary fantasy romance, Meara!

Get details, and enter here! https://www.adventureswithasiaminor.c...

Giveaway closes Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 11:59p EDT!

--------------------------------------------------

22 June 2022

*To Read*

Major thanks to the author for the free eARC, in exchange for an honest review

~~~~~

Want more bookish stuff?

・ Comment below to discuss this book more. I'd love to hear what you think!
・ Send me a private message on Goodreads to discuss this book and other books!
・ Join Book Nerds Unite to get involved in all things bookish with fellow book nerds!
・ Like this review, and follow me for more book reviews.
・ Subscribe to my blog, Adventures with Asia Minor! https://www.adventureswithasiaminor.com/

Happy Reading!

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awkward, average, and somewhat forgettable- or simply an unlikely heroine. Known for her madcap historical and contemporary romcoms, Anya Wylde dipped her creative pen into the genre of urban fantasy and I was eager to be in line for this latest standalone effort.

Irish girl, Meara is coming of age. She’s just finished high school, just been on her first date that ended in the hospital ER, and her family has forgotten her birthday. Meara thought she knew the score with her parents off on the other side of the world pursuing their work, living with her gran, older brothers, and younger sister, but then her special day ends with a shooting, a kidnapping, and, what was that creature? Meara focuses on getting her sister back, but the inexplicable things that happen just can’t be ignored. She slowly discovers her whole life has been a lie and she might not be as average and forgettable as she once thought. Though, yes, when around a certain tall, dark, powerful, and cranky man, she’s still awkward.

I had a good time getting to know Meara and the strange, magical world she inhabits right along with Meara. Anya Wylde weaves mythology and fantasy together to create a magical world and situation that enchanted me the more I learned about it. The world and the conflict going on is revealed a bit at a time so my curiosity was more than whetted by the time I had a good grasp of what was really going on. Like Meara, I was getting impatient with everyone for keeping things from her. She’s in danger up to her eyeballs and yet they feel ignorance is bliss.

At first, I wasn’t sure if this had a romance element or would simply be an unlikely heroine who ends up saving the world with her own band of misfits. But, yes, her unwanted attraction turns into a slow burn enemies to lovers with a bit of love triangle tossed in to confuse Meara. The reader is given the clues to understand that how Meara sees it is not the whole, accurate picture though yes, Kamraan does blow hot and cold and I wanted to bop him for the pain he caused Meara as a result.

I found the warmth and loyalty Meara felt for family and friends and her vulnerabilities made her a character I could root for. She’s got a complex about herself and, at first, events seem to prove her right to her way of thinking. She doesn’t have much self-worth and must take care of others to ‘earn’ their affection. Slowly, she is made to understand that caregiving is her strength and the core of who she is and this draws people to her compassionate, giving nature (okay, everyone who isn’t trying to kill her, that is).

Because, yes, Meara ends up in several life or death moments when she is trying to get to her sister and then protect her sister from those who would try to kill her. The action scenes and the mysterious moments were sprinkled throughout and kept me flipping pages furiously at times.

All in all, Meara was captivating and full of good mystery, fantasy, and humor to go with the character, romance, and action development. I can definitely recommend it to urban fantasy lovers who enjoy Ireland for the setting and a blend with mythology.

I rec'd a free ebook copy from author to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning was awkward but the book settled down in the second half when romance was written in. The dialogues could be powerful. Action scenes had a downtime where romance and baking could be interweaved. At one point, I was more hungry for the baking than for the prose. Some good twists in the story added to my interest
3.25stars

[Escape Into Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was younger, I was very much into researching myths/fables/different Gods and Goddesses of the world. I was also fascinated with learning about the other mythological creatures/entities worldwide. So, when I realized that the author used a variety of gods/goddesses/mythical creatures/entities, I was intrigued. But this book is so much more than that, and once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down.

Meara had an interesting plotline. Meara is a girl who lives with her two older brothers, grandmother, and six-year-old sister in Ireland. Meara’s life is quiet and somewhat dull until the day of her 18th birthday. She has an accident while ice skating and, during her birthday party, her best friend tries to kill her sister. She finds out that she is from a long line of magical immortal beings, that her sister is part of a prophecy, and that prophecy has put a big target on her head. Everything comes to a head when a gorgeous demigod, Kamraan, kidnaps her sister. Determined to get her back, Meara is sucked into Kamraan’s world. Can Meara get her sister back and go back to the life she knew? Or will she become a pawn in a war that she didn’t know about and wanted no part of?

I loved Meara because of how real she felt to me. In every situation she was in, I could see myself (if I was 18, which was ages ago) doing the same thing. She wanted only to see the best in people, even when they proved otherwise. I felt that some of the people in the book did take advantage of her and her giving nature. I also thought that what Kamraan put her through for 90% of the book was awful, but I will discuss that later in the book. I loved when she finally found her backbone, but I did feel that the author could have done it earlier.

Kamraan was a colossal jerk for 95% of the book. I understood why at the beginning. There was a war, and Meara and Bree (her sister) were the enemies. But I didn’t appreciate his attitude and cruelty in the middle and towards the end of the book. At that point, he knew what was happening (Meara did not). He did try to justify his behavior during a pivotal scene at the end of the book, but still. Other than that, I liked him just fine. He was a devoted brother/son and did everything in his power (which was infinite) to keep Meara and Bree safe.

The secondary characters added extra depth to an already great storyline. I was disappointed with how a couple of them turned out (talk about a surprise), but it back up Meara/Kamraan’s storyline perfectly.

The romance angle of Meara was a slow burn. It was so slow that I wondered if Kamraan even had feelings for Meara. The romance did speed up once they were on the island, and it was full force by the end. There are no sexual situations, but the author laid on the sexual tension thick. I almost wished there was a sex scene so that tension would go down.

The fantasy angle of Meara was excellent. I loved how the author introduced Meara and her family’s powers and how she explained the different dimensions. Meara’s eyes fascinated me because they didn’t have an actual color and acted like a mood ring. White=fear, red=anger, green=jealousy; the list could go on.

As mentioned above, I loved that the author used the book’s different deities/mythological creatures and beings. It made for an enjoyable read for me (since I knew most of them were). It also reinforced that the gods/goddesses were inbred…lol. Meara carried the blood from everyone in her (including demons), and it was fun to watch her learn and interact with them.

Meara also showcased that family can be messy and complicated. Meara’s parents abandoned them when she was 12-13 years old. That left Meara to raise Bree (her brothers and grandmother were never around). It also left Meara with so much anger and bitterness towards her parents. I didn’t blame her for erupting on them the way she did; they deserved it.

The end of Meara was interesting. I liked how the author wrapped up the various storylines that were throughout the book and how she introduced new characters. She also introduced a new storyline (hopefully) that involves Meara, Kamraan, and their child. I will go out on a limb and say that there will be a book two because of how book 1 ended. I hope so!!

I would recommend Meara to anyone over 13. There is violence, mild language, and no sexual scenes (kissing scenes with Meara and Kamraan/Violet and Kamraan).

[A book by the Fire · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating : 3.5 / 5

I went into this book knowing pretty much nothing apart from the fact that Meara, our heroine, is living in Dublin and that the story should be funny. And it was indeed!

I was utterly lost in the beginning, I had no idea what was going on, pretty much like our main character. You know, the feeling you have while reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? Yup, that’s it. And even if the story became clearer and clearer with each chapter, this feeling never totally disappeared.

Overall, I think this is a very good YA book. I mean, it succeeded in getting me out of a reading slump. So, what are the reasons why I would recommend it for a (quite young) YA audience?

First, because you have a coming-of-age story with a heroine who is at least sufferable and will, I think, be relatable for young readers. Moreover, this side of the plot is coupled with a decent amount of adventure and romance, so what else can we ask? The world is interesting, with ours being just a layer among the other worlds that exist and being caught in a war between them. I loved the mythological aspect of the story, which is borrowing myths and gods and goddesses from a lot of different mythologies, some well-known and others that I liked discovering.

This book is also full of characters, that we meet alongside Meara, and share her awe in front of some of them. We have enough information about them, be it their past or their role in their mythology, to be interested in them and follow them with pleasure. And if you like the found family trope, the one Meara and her sister Bree find to complement their own is one of the funniest I’ve read about.

In brief: even though some parts of the plot felt a bit over the top (some action scenes, betrayals…), I think the humour sprinkled throughout the dialogues and the mythological aspect will appeal to a lot of readers.

[Danae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a e copy by the author in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you to Anya Wylde for allowing me to read a copy and writing the crazy ride that is this book.
The pacing is insane where it goes from zero to sixty/sixty to zero, too many things happen that your brain will break trying to keep up, there is no glossary to figure out what half the terms are or the creatures, and most of the characters have similar names. Yet despite all of that I loved the book and the mythology is any mythology lovers wet dream because it is from many different cultures.
Kamraan can be my villain any day. Seriously, any guy that says he would rather be the villain and watch the world burn than be the hero and lose the girl. Like hello.
This book says it is a fantasy romance but the romance is slow burn and absolute perfection and it is not a lot of spice so it is safe for all to read, but it is not clean and wholesome by any means because this is a villain gets the girl trope and I am here for it.
I want a second book because not only did I not want to leave the characters and world I want to make sure the characters are okay because the ending sounds like a lot more is going to happen to them and it is going to hurt. Bring on the pain and suffering I will survive...barely.
For those who love slow burn romance, villain gets the girl, mythology, possessive and protective Demi god, immortals, different dimensions, a little bit of Beauty and the Beast vibes, sibling love, a heroine who grows into herself while never changing herself, and a whole bunch of insanity.
⭐️4.5
💧9

[OJ Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meara's simple life was upended when a mysterious and powerful man kidnapped her baby sister. On her mission to save her sister, she discovers her power and the hidden secrets of her family. Fighting the supernatural isn't enough. She must resist the pull toward the arrogant pureblood demigod.

It has a beautiful fantasy world filled with different supernatural creatures. Meara was a powerful and strong-head at the start, but she faded in the middle, distancing me from her inner anguish. Every character had an imprint to leave, even if only for a little while. It's fantastic to have a fantasy world that combines numerous mythology with the current world but can also be overwhelming at the time. The book's tension produces excellent perplexity, and the underlying tales keep me captivated.

The slow-burn romance is absent in the book, as is the connection between Kamraan and Meara. Some facts and events still remain untouched, confusing, and underwritten. The ending filled me with a rush. While this fantasy world is fascinating and unique, it still feels like a hindrance.

Overall, Meara has an enormous and entertaining fantasy world with a young adult story and a slow-burn romance. Despite the lack of romance, this novel is pleasant to read.

Full Review on OJ Reads

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by the author, and I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised! :D

Worldbuilding:
The book's setting is really interesting, going from a pretty mundane world to a supernatural one with different pantheons going at each other because it's time for a change (and as you may know, I looooove mythology!). That said, forget everything you know about mythology since the book doesn't go into it much but instead uses it to create the setting and characters.
Scenes and environments were well written with enough details to ensure a good immersion into the story.

Character development:
Meara, our book's main character, is just an ordinary Irish girl. With parents fully engrossed in their work across the world, she lives with her grandmother, brothers and little sister and has just finished school. The story starts on her birthday, which her family has forgotten... again. When they arrange for an impromptu birthday party, things go seriously wrong: a brother gets shot, her sister gets kidnapped, and that is just the beginning. Slowly but surely, her eyes are opened to the supernatural world around her.
Meara just wants one thing: save her sister and keep her protected. She (very grudgingly) eventually accepts Kamraans help, and I have to say, I love the interaction between these two, even though Kamraan tends to go from hot to cold a lot. Both have a lot to learn, about themselves, each other and their feelings. That said, the romance isn't overpowering. So even if you're not all that excited about romance, this can still be a good fit for you!
There are many characters to unpack, and each has their own agenda, fears and wants. They all feel real and believable, very well written!

Pacing and flow:
The pacing and flow were excellent. It was pretty much smooth reading from start to finish. I read it in one session as I just wanted to know what would happen!

The book:
The book was well written with no (noticeable) errors.
It has 487 pages, spread over 71 chapters and is written in 3rd person.

Final thoughts:
The author reached out to me about this book, and I decided to download a sample chapter. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I was hooked and just read the whole thing in one go :D
So yeah, this book really was a pleasant surprise! It is a great coming-of-age story. It has drama, romance, humour and, yes, a lot of facepalm moments. I hope we get to see more of Meara and Kamraan soon!

[Neeca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an Advance Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Let's see...

When I was contacted by the author about this new book, I was surprised about the genre, having read a couple previous books by her but I was game. Overall I finished the book with mixed feelings. I liked the world building although there could have some more backstory. I liked having familiar figures like Gaia , Aphrodite etc weaved into the storyline. The description of Pestilence was epic. I enjoyed the characters as well. What I wasn't so fond of: The protagonist seemed too much of a doormat, and the excessive emotions on the last third of the book was a little cringe. I did not understand how the love interest waxed so hot and cold, he seemed to toying with her and was extremely rude. Then in the last couple chapters claims undying love. Huh? It wasn't enemies to lovers - he didn't seem interested enough to be her enemy. Not interested in anything about her but her baking skills. Honestly, at one point I had to put it down for a few days I was so annoyed.

I would read book 2 though. There is enough I liked hat overshadow what I didn't.

[Shrikanth Venne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meara is a contemporary fantasy novel and revolves around the characters Bree, Meara and Kamraan. Meara a lovable character who looks after everyone and is happy when her close relatives are happy. She lives for other. On her birthday when Bree is attacked but Dara takes the hit, Meara by touching her heals him and she comes to know that her family is from other realm like a fantasy being. All her family has different power which are good as well as bad. For example Meara has power of healing her granny is a trickster. Kamraan can do magic using water. Then she gets to know that bree's life is in danger from other realms and Kamraan will keep her in his protection but meara's family is against it. But after many attempts of bringing back Bree from kamraan's protection by Meara she also starts staying in kamraan's home. How this hate turns into love for ever and how they come together in the end after a exciting climax is the remaining story. I never have liked these fantasy novels which are very childish and kid types but this novel I really b liked the car and mouse fight between Meara and Kamraan is really readable. Overall i would say a good good Goodreads....🙂

[Digital Reads Media · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started awkward, but slowly became interesting. I liked the world that the author had built around her characters.
The second half was much better when romance lit up the scenes.
I found myself eager to know more about their lives as stakes were raised. The twists were the best part of the story.
Overall, it was fun.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I love that the heroine was not some mouthy brazen female. Don't get me wrong, those are great also, but sometimes the silent types need to be heard.
I definitely hope that this one book one of many.

[Melo · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

I had to walk away from my kindle just to try come up with a review on this one. A lot of words are chucked in here with zero emotion, I could have been reading a telephone directory and had the same excitement. The writing is detached. The characters have no depth it's just a bunch of names rolled in there. Perhaps the author was aiming for script writing in the sense that the actors would be the ones to breath life into the plot... Time I will never get back.

[Beth Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

delightful!

The characters are engaging, the imagery is spectacular and I’m sad that I’ve finished! I want more! I hope there is more where this came from!

[Natasha Macdonald · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can't believe that I finished

Weird book, the first fifty pages were so non linear. I wondered if I'd missed a chapter.
Not sure what could improve - an editor? Unique idea

[CYNTHIA CHARLES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this trip of fantasy. Wars, adventure and love, great combination!

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to keep up sometimes

A bit of a rollercoaster. So much seemed to happen at the same time
But enjoyable.
Nice clean fun, never a dull moment.

[Natasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, full of mythology and fantasy. The characters are engaging; the imagery is spectacular. I love Anya Wylde’s style of writing, and the story kept me intrigued from beginning to end.

This novel was provided free of charge by the author in exchange for an honest review.