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Night Elves of Abreia #1
In Darkness Forged
In a land of darkness and deadly adversaries…
He might just be the deadliest one of all.
Burdened by a debt she can never hope to repay, Aislin is sent by her cruel lord to the mysterious land of Dunmaren, where she must beg the night elves for a single favor. The shapeshifters demand a steep price, but Aislin will do anything to save her family—even travel alone into a nightmare forest filled with monsters.
Except she isn't quite alone...
Talyn's magic is as deadly as his blades, but he lives only for his chance at revenge. Betrayed and imprisoned by his night elf kin, his only hope of freedom is to serve as guide and bodyguard to a human woman foolish enough to enter the perilous depths of the Darkspring.
Talyn wants nothing to do with a weak and useless human. In Dunmaren, only the strong survive, and soft things are easily broken. But Aislin defies his expectations at every turn, and what he once believed to be weakness might just prove the key to their survival.
In the shadows beneath the earth, an unlikely bond is forged between the renegade night elf and the fiercely determined human. But few ever return from the depths, and it will take more than stubbornness and steel to defeat the enemy that awaits them at the very heart of the Darkspring.
In Darkness Forged is a standalone night elf romance with a sweet, slow-burn love story and a happily-ever-after ending. If you loved A Deal With the Elf King or The Bridge Kingdom, don’t miss this swoon-worthy tale of sacrifice, redemption, and revenge.
He might just be the deadliest one of all.
Burdened by a debt she can never hope to repay, Aislin is sent by her cruel lord to the mysterious land of Dunmaren, where she must beg the night elves for a single favor. The shapeshifters demand a steep price, but Aislin will do anything to save her family—even travel alone into a nightmare forest filled with monsters.
Except she isn't quite alone...
Talyn's magic is as deadly as his blades, but he lives only for his chance at revenge. Betrayed and imprisoned by his night elf kin, his only hope of freedom is to serve as guide and bodyguard to a human woman foolish enough to enter the perilous depths of the Darkspring.
Talyn wants nothing to do with a weak and useless human. In Dunmaren, only the strong survive, and soft things are easily broken. But Aislin defies his expectations at every turn, and what he once believed to be weakness might just prove the key to their survival.
In the shadows beneath the earth, an unlikely bond is forged between the renegade night elf and the fiercely determined human. But few ever return from the depths, and it will take more than stubbornness and steel to defeat the enemy that awaits them at the very heart of the Darkspring.
In Darkness Forged is a standalone night elf romance with a sweet, slow-burn love story and a happily-ever-after ending. If you loved A Deal With the Elf King or The Bridge Kingdom, don’t miss this swoon-worthy tale of sacrifice, redemption, and revenge.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2023
614 people are currently reading
2318 people want to read
About the author
Kenley Davidson
35 books944 followersKenley Davidson is a romantic fantasy author and unrepentant caffeine addict who believes in the power of storytelling and loves nothing more than a good book hangover. Her books include romantasy, urban fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and sci fi, but no matter the genre, she writes stories of hope and redemption with characters you can root for, heart-pounding romance without the spice, and happy endings that might just make you cry.
Her favorite things (besides books) are coffee, k-dramas, cats, and playing cozy video games. And also scones.
Kenley currently lives in Oklahoma, where she cares for a menagerie of misfit house plants while waiting for her adult children to occasionally pop in for laundry and a home-cooked meal.
Find out more about Kenley’s books at her website: kenleydavidson.com
Her favorite things (besides books) are coffee, k-dramas, cats, and playing cozy video games. And also scones.
Kenley currently lives in Oklahoma, where she cares for a menagerie of misfit house plants while waiting for her adult children to occasionally pop in for laundry and a home-cooked meal.
Find out more about Kenley’s books at her website: kenleydavidson.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
January 15, 2023
I suspected I'd love this book based on the premise, snippets from Davidson's newsletter, and the fact I love The Legends of Abreia, and I'm so glad I was right! Also I'm pretty sure it has been literal AGES since I read a book in a day. *Happy tears* This was fun, somehow both gutwrenchingly emotional and so light at the same time. It also made me laugh out loud a few times. It's not quite grumpy x sunshine, but it is hopeless/jaded/grumpy and stubbornly hopeful/determined/caring. I love Tal and Aisin and they're so cute and this was very satisfying. Might need to snag the paperback to have Tal on my shelves. 😏😉
January 10, 2023
Generously giving this 3 stars.
This moved so slowly, that I put it down several times & even thought of quitting several times. It took the last 25% to finally get going & get my full attention. But the end was somehow disappointing for me. I wanted more for Tal than to just live with Aislin -in her settlement, or even them as a couple -than was given. The whole “falling in love with each other” was a stretch for me, made me think of the movie “Speed” where Keanu Reeves’ character says to Sandra Bullock’s character “I have to warn you, I've heard relationships based on intense experiences never work.” It felt like they gravitated towards each other because of the extremes they were facing together, not actually love. This was definitely a slow burn romance (if you can call it a romance) and was geared as a Y/A book (not that there’s anything wrong with that), there’s no sex, just a few kisses at the tail end. Overall I’m just not feeling the “love” between them. I wasn’t impressed enough with the book as a whole, that I won’t be continuing with the series.
This moved so slowly, that I put it down several times & even thought of quitting several times. It took the last 25% to finally get going & get my full attention. But the end was somehow disappointing for me. I wanted more for Tal than to just live with Aislin -in her settlement, or even them as a couple -than was given. The whole “falling in love with each other” was a stretch for me, made me think of the movie “Speed” where Keanu Reeves’ character says to Sandra Bullock’s character “I have to warn you, I've heard relationships based on intense experiences never work.” It felt like they gravitated towards each other because of the extremes they were facing together, not actually love. This was definitely a slow burn romance (if you can call it a romance) and was geared as a Y/A book (not that there’s anything wrong with that), there’s no sex, just a few kisses at the tail end. Overall I’m just not feeling the “love” between them. I wasn’t impressed enough with the book as a whole, that I won’t be continuing with the series.
January 3, 2023
Such an amazing adventure! I love all of Kenley Davidson's work, and she did not disappoint again!! I absolutely loved Aislinn and Tal's adventure - be ready for finding yourself, healing, bravery, slow burn, trust, loyalty and most importantly an epic adventure that is only now beginning! Can't wait to see what the next book will bring!
My favorite quote of the book: "When you’re lost and cannot save yourself, that is when you realize that faith is your only answer.”
My favorite quote of the book: "When you’re lost and cannot save yourself, that is when you realize that faith is your only answer.”
January 6, 2023
Just What I Wanted
I was in the mood for a little fantasy/adventure/romance and this book delivered. It was exactly what I was expecting going in and I wasn't disappointed. Hot elf, brave human, rough start, slow burn romance. Deadly creatures. Fight for your life. Sounds good, right?!
I'm happy for a new book and the start of a new series by this author.
Content: peril, mild violence, kissing.
I was in the mood for a little fantasy/adventure/romance and this book delivered. It was exactly what I was expecting going in and I wasn't disappointed. Hot elf, brave human, rough start, slow burn romance. Deadly creatures. Fight for your life. Sounds good, right?!
I'm happy for a new book and the start of a new series by this author.
Content: peril, mild violence, kissing.
February 3, 2023
There are no words. This book is amazing! I shipped the two leads so much! Both of them are so much hurt and pain in their lives, and together they set out on an epically dangerous quest and fall in love along the way. The healing was so beautiful! The action scenes are tense but not gruesome.
If you love swoony but sweet fantasy romances between an elf and a human, you'll LOVE this book!
If you love swoony but sweet fantasy romances between an elf and a human, you'll LOVE this book!
January 21, 2023
4 ⭐️
She was the joy to his melancholy, the light to his shadow, the star to his grim night sky. He’d walled her out, but she’d simply found another way in, past all his defenses, to the part of him that was desperately alone
Right in the kokoro 🥹♥️
She was the joy to his melancholy, the light to his shadow, the star to his grim night sky. He’d walled her out, but she’d simply found another way in, past all his defenses, to the part of him that was desperately alone
Right in the kokoro 🥹♥️
March 5, 2023
This was a lot fluffier than I expected, but it was a good, sweet read.
Aislin was a great example of how a totally ordinary woman, with no powers or anything to make her special, can be a great heroine. It was a refreshing change from your usual female protagonist.
Whilst I wouldn't say there was much chemistry between her and Tal, mainly because this was a very chaste read, their development of feelings for one another felt very genuine and I rooted for them both. But for those who like a bit of spice this is a spice free zone! We get a kiss near the end, but this is all feelings and little lust!
I don't think I'll read the spin-off, as this was a little fluffier and too chaste for my preferred type of read, but it was an enjoyable one and I would definitely recommend it.
Aislin was a great example of how a totally ordinary woman, with no powers or anything to make her special, can be a great heroine. It was a refreshing change from your usual female protagonist.
Whilst I wouldn't say there was much chemistry between her and Tal, mainly because this was a very chaste read, their development of feelings for one another felt very genuine and I rooted for them both. But for those who like a bit of spice this is a spice free zone! We get a kiss near the end, but this is all feelings and little lust!
I don't think I'll read the spin-off, as this was a little fluffier and too chaste for my preferred type of read, but it was an enjoyable one and I would definitely recommend it.
January 3, 2023
A sweet and delightful romance.
If you loved Legends of Abreia ( like I did ) you are going to love this book. The night elves were my favourite people introduced in the main series and this one continues on that. It introduces a dark and tormented night elf who meets his match in the plucky and determined human heroine on a mission. Talyn and Aislin were both great personalities with fantastic chemistry and I enjoyed their adventure in the land of Dunmaren. I highly recommend this for people who want a clean and sweet romance with minimal violence yet a great story.
Full disclaimer, I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book.
If you loved Legends of Abreia ( like I did ) you are going to love this book. The night elves were my favourite people introduced in the main series and this one continues on that. It introduces a dark and tormented night elf who meets his match in the plucky and determined human heroine on a mission. Talyn and Aislin were both great personalities with fantastic chemistry and I enjoyed their adventure in the land of Dunmaren. I highly recommend this for people who want a clean and sweet romance with minimal violence yet a great story.
Full disclaimer, I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book.
January 5, 2023
So good! It was refreshing to get a story completed in one book. (I’m kind of over series. Even though I found out this is a series, I think each book is a stand alone).
This book had great characters and a solid story.
This book had great characters and a solid story.
January 10, 2023
This was a fun read! Ecstatically happy that the love story was resolved. The story does continue but these two get there conclusion. It was an entertaining story. I enjoyed the whole world. This book lacked some important things for me. I just didn't feel the love story. It was not there then it was. I just didn't feel the chemistry and tension. I got tired of the poor me talk. One of the key components I waited for was not resolved but I guess we get that in the next.
Clean with a couple kisses. Lusting of his stacked chest. Violence but more on the fantasy we are going to be eaten by monsters who are scary kind.
Clean with a couple kisses. Lusting of his stacked chest. Violence but more on the fantasy we are going to be eaten by monsters who are scary kind.
January 9, 2023
Kenley Davidson wrote one of my favorite urban fantasy series under her pen name, Haley Ryan. The Dragon of 23rd Street was so good and when I saw she had a new release that was a stand-alone, I dived in right away with no regrets.
First off, this is a slow burn romance and I appreciated that their romance grew naturally over time. Aislin needs to save her family however she can, even if that means she needs to accomplish a dangerous task that would undoubtedly kill her. And with the unwilling help of Talyn, they both are foisted into dangerous situations one after another. Aislin was awesome and had some hilarious comebacks that made me laugh. 😂 So good.
Pretty much, this book is making me want to read all the books by Kenley Davidson and I think I just might.
Sweet and clean romance, adventure, elves, and a super strong/powerful hero—it was hard to not fall in love with this book.
First off, this is a slow burn romance and I appreciated that their romance grew naturally over time. Aislin needs to save her family however she can, even if that means she needs to accomplish a dangerous task that would undoubtedly kill her. And with the unwilling help of Talyn, they both are foisted into dangerous situations one after another. Aislin was awesome and had some hilarious comebacks that made me laugh. 😂 So good.
Pretty much, this book is making me want to read all the books by Kenley Davidson and I think I just might.
Sweet and clean romance, adventure, elves, and a super strong/powerful hero—it was hard to not fall in love with this book.
January 5, 2023
The power of refusing to give up hope...
While I enjoy tales where the protagonist comes into their latent power, I really liked that the heroine's "power" in this story was the determination to not give up & to do her best to do what's right.
I did find the beginning too slow, but once the quest began, it was very good. The setup for the succeeding stories looks promising as well!
(I can't help thinking it would be a fun twist if it turns out that Aislin's father has power in his music, & she inherited that rather than her mother's second sight, but doesn't know yet because she was too busy just trying to survive than to make music 🙃)
*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
While I enjoy tales where the protagonist comes into their latent power, I really liked that the heroine's "power" in this story was the determination to not give up & to do her best to do what's right.
I did find the beginning too slow, but once the quest began, it was very good. The setup for the succeeding stories looks promising as well!
(I can't help thinking it would be a fun twist if it turns out that Aislin's father has power in his music, & she inherited that rather than her mother's second sight, but doesn't know yet because she was too busy just trying to survive than to make music 🙃)
*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
July 26, 2023
Ok, so this book was surprisingly enjoyable.
Aislan is trying to save her family and hold it all together after her father's disappearance. Talyn is stuck in grief trying to avenge his sister's death. Enter long dangerous quest where they are forced to rely on eachother, and boom! That's where the magic happens.
I really like the chemistry between these two, and love that they are able to process some of their own stuff through this journey together. Mostly I give it 4 stars instead of 5 just because the self doubt inner monolog of the main characters got repetitive and annoying, but to be fair my own inner monolog does that sometimes, 😆.
And bonus half star because of Cuan! He's my favorite sidekick character. So 4.5 stars!
Aislan is trying to save her family and hold it all together after her father's disappearance. Talyn is stuck in grief trying to avenge his sister's death. Enter long dangerous quest where they are forced to rely on eachother, and boom! That's where the magic happens.
I really like the chemistry between these two, and love that they are able to process some of their own stuff through this journey together. Mostly I give it 4 stars instead of 5 just because the self doubt inner monolog of the main characters got repetitive and annoying, but to be fair my own inner monolog does that sometimes, 😆.
And bonus half star because of Cuan! He's my favorite sidekick character. So 4.5 stars!
January 6, 2023
I know... I know... this is a slow burn and I don't do slow burn. But I enjoyed it. It dragged for me a little bit in the middle but then picked back up and kept me reading way past my bedtime. 4am came FAR too quickly for me. Haha.
Tal and Aislin had all the qualities I crave when it comes to reading fantasy. I loved watching their relationship develop from enemies to friends to something more. I loved their HEA but wished I could've seen a couple other things before the book ended.
I love that this is a standalone. It's hard to find them in this genre. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books in this series.
Tal and Aislin had all the qualities I crave when it comes to reading fantasy. I loved watching their relationship develop from enemies to friends to something more. I loved their HEA but wished I could've seen a couple other things before the book ended.
I love that this is a standalone. It's hard to find them in this genre. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books in this series.
January 14, 2023
Wonderful fantasy romance!
I really loved this story. I couldn’t get enough of the magic, suspense, danger, quests, night elves, mythical creatures, and the swoony romance between the hero and heroine. Aislin was fantastic as a protagonist- she is brave and courageous, loyal, honest, and a fighter for what she believes in. Talyn was fearless, strong, full of power and magic, and I loved watching his heart soften towards this “human” he was tasked to complete a dangerous quest with. A great (clean) fantasy romance!!
I really loved this story. I couldn’t get enough of the magic, suspense, danger, quests, night elves, mythical creatures, and the swoony romance between the hero and heroine. Aislin was fantastic as a protagonist- she is brave and courageous, loyal, honest, and a fighter for what she believes in. Talyn was fearless, strong, full of power and magic, and I loved watching his heart soften towards this “human” he was tasked to complete a dangerous quest with. A great (clean) fantasy romance!!
May 14, 2024
This book had more romance focus than Kenley Davidson’s Andari Chronicles and the Legends of Abreia. I love all her books and haven’t read a book I didn’t like. I enjoyed this shift to more time focusing of the depths of their romance because I’ll never say no to a little more romance in my books.
This book focuses on the character’s personalities while the two series mentioned above have more politics. I enjoy politics as well, but the shift was a pleasant surprise. I also appreciate the amount of effort Kenley Davidson dedicated to making us feel like we understand our characters’ personalities. Overall, amazing read and will definitely be rereading.
This book focuses on the character’s personalities while the two series mentioned above have more politics. I enjoy politics as well, but the shift was a pleasant surprise. I also appreciate the amount of effort Kenley Davidson dedicated to making us feel like we understand our characters’ personalities. Overall, amazing read and will definitely be rereading.
October 4, 2023
3.75 Stars
Overall Rating ★★★★
Plot ★★★★
Humor ★★★
Characters & Character Development ★★★★
Narration ★★★★★
Story: I enjoyed the story and the adventures.
Narration: I always love this female narrator. She's a favorite. I enjoyed the male narrator as well. I may listen to more by him.
Overall Rating ★★★★
Plot ★★★★
Humor ★★★
Characters & Character Development ★★★★
Narration ★★★★★
Story: I enjoyed the story and the adventures.
Narration: I always love this female narrator. She's a favorite. I enjoyed the male narrator as well. I may listen to more by him.
January 1, 2024
SO GOOD!!!
I fell hard and fast for our MCs. I love the adventures and slow burn love thrown in this story! The adventure takes our characters to battle some “creatures” of which the reader is unaware of what the creatures are until meeting them… let’s just say I have a phobia of those things so I read with one eye open during those intense scenes 😆
I fell hard and fast for our MCs. I love the adventures and slow burn love thrown in this story! The adventure takes our characters to battle some “creatures” of which the reader is unaware of what the creatures are until meeting them… let’s just say I have a phobia of those things so I read with one eye open during those intense scenes 😆
April 26, 2024
Absolutely loved this one soooo much! I’ve had the paperback for months waiting to be read and let me tell you, I should have read it immediately! It’s an adventurous, thrilling read that will have you on the edge of your seat rooting for these two unlikely but absolutely meant for each other. Loved it🤎
February 5, 2023
4.25
Beautiful Quote:
“No matter what we do or where we go,” she said quietly, “pain is a part of living. I know no one who has gone untouched by heartache, disaster, or betrayal. But I do know those who have gone on living with open hearts, and they still find joy.”
Beautiful Quote:
“No matter what we do or where we go,” she said quietly, “pain is a part of living. I know no one who has gone untouched by heartache, disaster, or betrayal. But I do know those who have gone on living with open hearts, and they still find joy.”
Read
April 28, 2023This is just moving very slowly and it's not holding my attention so I'm going to move on.
April 6, 2024
Great read! I only wish I could have dove even deeper into Tal’s history (perhaps it is in another book). I’ve loved all of Kenley’s books and I can’t wait for Rhône’s story next!
May 22, 2024
Very nice story
The story was well written and the main characters were complex enough to keep me invested. The storyline started a little slow but picked up quickly enough. Nicely done!
The story was well written and the main characters were complex enough to keep me invested. The storyline started a little slow but picked up quickly enough. Nicely done!
Read
May 24, 2024This sounds so good, but it's clean romance...hmm should I give it a shot?
January 29, 2023
This book was cute. It had all my favorite tropes (two people from opposite worlds forced to work together, a male love interest who softens over time, etc..) a couple I enjoyed reading about, a HEA, and a bunch of other things. It was a quick read with predictable villains but man it just hit the spot for me.
Perfect fluff.
Perfect fluff.
January 16, 2023
This book was a fast paced adventure. I was pleased by Sandric's change of heart and the growth of both Aislin and Tal. I appreciated that while Aislin was physically weak, she was strong in other ways - this let her and Tal compliment each other and allowed her to not be the "damsel in distress" or the heroine that acts like she's a badass when she isn't. I'm hoping to see more of them and their relationship development in the next book. I haven't read the Legends of Abreia yet but I plan to in preparation of seeing return characters! If it's anything like those this will probably be a duology for Aislin and Tal's story, followed by a duology for another couple. Maybe Rhone or Sandric?
Aislin's family is a long line of seers - the power flows to the first daughter of each generation. However, Aislin never received her mother's gift 10 years ago, and instead her mother grew sick. Her father disappeared 2 years ago on a mercenary job and the lord is demanding 10 years rent. Aislin goes to beg for some way to pay the rent so her mother and grandmother are not forced from their home (no one in the town could take them in for fear of the lord's ire) and when the lord's son breaks the magic stone that brought prosperity to the land for the last 80 years, the lord tasks Aislin with restoring it. To do this, she must find the night elves and have them re-enchant the stone by the end of the season.
Talyn is a night elf "wildling" who is half night elf and half day elf. His sister was able to shift but he can't, he instead has destructive and powerful battle magic. His sister was killed when she trusted the marlord's son and they refused to acknowledge his right to challenge Paendreth to a duel, instead imprisoning him.
--Spoilers--
I'm a little surprised Brannic doesn't give her a weapon, but I suppose it helps the whole "non-threatening" angle she's going for. The night elves are right on the other side of the river border, one day's ride away, and when she gets there they tell her their marlord is dying and if she retrieves venom from a deadly creature they will grant her a boon. To help her, they send their prisoner Talyn with her and say he can have his freedom if he returns alive. She is forced to leave all her belongings behind when Talyn tries to abandon her, but his dreadwolf Cuan picks her up and brings her to meet him. A group of wildlings attacks them and their leader Rhone says they were promised lands by the night elves to set up their own colony if they bring back the same venom they sent Aislin and Tal for.
Aislin and Tal are separated by an attacking truld and Aislin falls thru a crack into the Darkspring caves. He comes across a "lost", old elf that drains his magic and drags him back to a cave where she stored Aislin. They escape and get swept over a waterfall, ending up in another cave where they can take a short break. Tal is subdued after using his remaining power to destroy the arantha spiders attacking them. Aislin continues to the queen, tells her about her plight, and was given two drops of venom - one for Tal and one for the Marlord- with the agreement she would speak to the elves on the queen's behalf.
When she reaches Tal she can't feel his pulse but gives him a drop of venom anyway. When he doesn't wake she leaves to find Cuan, promising to care for him as best she can. She makes it out to Cuan and is confronted by Rhone after she wakes from a nap. Tal then comes rushing out of the cave and forces Rhone away from her. Before leaving, Rhone says they offer sanctuary to any that can find them.
Vanadar agrees to the arantha queen's demand of the caves belonging to her and her children. Paendreth shows up and instead of killing him Tal requests his boon be given to Aislin. The Marlord wakes and banishes his son Paendreth. The stone turns out to be a simple moonstone any elf could have enchanted. Vanadar offers a debt to Aislin in payment for using both her and Tal, then they return to her home to complete her quest. Upon being told it's a mere lantern Lord Dreichel tries to kill her but Tal arrives and saves her. Dreichel starts the castle on fire and dies while everyone else escapes. Sandric takes over as lord, gives Aislin the deed to her family house, and offers to make her his ambassador to the night elves. Aislin begins and apprenticeship to old man Eben to be the next healer and Tal becomes the official trainer for the guard.
Aislin receives a letter from her father that he is being held prisoner by the queen of Katal and Aislin and Tal agree to head there in hopes of freeing him.
Aislin's family is a long line of seers - the power flows to the first daughter of each generation. However, Aislin never received her mother's gift 10 years ago, and instead her mother grew sick. Her father disappeared 2 years ago on a mercenary job and the lord is demanding 10 years rent. Aislin goes to beg for some way to pay the rent so her mother and grandmother are not forced from their home (no one in the town could take them in for fear of the lord's ire) and when the lord's son breaks the magic stone that brought prosperity to the land for the last 80 years, the lord tasks Aislin with restoring it. To do this, she must find the night elves and have them re-enchant the stone by the end of the season.
Talyn is a night elf "wildling" who is half night elf and half day elf. His sister was able to shift but he can't, he instead has destructive and powerful battle magic. His sister was killed when she trusted the marlord's son and they refused to acknowledge his right to challenge Paendreth to a duel, instead imprisoning him.
--Spoilers--
I'm a little surprised Brannic doesn't give her a weapon, but I suppose it helps the whole "non-threatening" angle she's going for. The night elves are right on the other side of the river border, one day's ride away, and when she gets there they tell her their marlord is dying and if she retrieves venom from a deadly creature they will grant her a boon. To help her, they send their prisoner Talyn with her and say he can have his freedom if he returns alive. She is forced to leave all her belongings behind when Talyn tries to abandon her, but his dreadwolf Cuan picks her up and brings her to meet him. A group of wildlings attacks them and their leader Rhone says they were promised lands by the night elves to set up their own colony if they bring back the same venom they sent Aislin and Tal for.
Aislin and Tal are separated by an attacking truld and Aislin falls thru a crack into the Darkspring caves. He comes across a "lost", old elf that drains his magic and drags him back to a cave where she stored Aislin. They escape and get swept over a waterfall, ending up in another cave where they can take a short break. Tal is subdued after using his remaining power to destroy the arantha spiders attacking them. Aislin continues to the queen, tells her about her plight, and was given two drops of venom - one for Tal and one for the Marlord- with the agreement she would speak to the elves on the queen's behalf.
When she reaches Tal she can't feel his pulse but gives him a drop of venom anyway. When he doesn't wake she leaves to find Cuan, promising to care for him as best she can. She makes it out to Cuan and is confronted by Rhone after she wakes from a nap. Tal then comes rushing out of the cave and forces Rhone away from her. Before leaving, Rhone says they offer sanctuary to any that can find them.
Vanadar agrees to the arantha queen's demand of the caves belonging to her and her children. Paendreth shows up and instead of killing him Tal requests his boon be given to Aislin. The Marlord wakes and banishes his son Paendreth. The stone turns out to be a simple moonstone any elf could have enchanted. Vanadar offers a debt to Aislin in payment for using both her and Tal, then they return to her home to complete her quest. Upon being told it's a mere lantern Lord Dreichel tries to kill her but Tal arrives and saves her. Dreichel starts the castle on fire and dies while everyone else escapes. Sandric takes over as lord, gives Aislin the deed to her family house, and offers to make her his ambassador to the night elves. Aislin begins and apprenticeship to old man Eben to be the next healer and Tal becomes the official trainer for the guard.
Aislin receives a letter from her father that he is being held prisoner by the queen of Katal and Aislin and Tal agree to head there in hopes of freeing him.
December 11, 2024
Meh. Good enough premise, even if it takes a lot of boring pages to get to the meat of the story. We start with Aislin cleaning the local inn and spend enough time there that you’d think the inn will be important to the story- nope. It’s just a spot to insert dialogue and to house the owner of the establishment. Boring boring boring and why does she even bother digging in the old trunk? Oh, right, the author needs to have the character think how she dreams of going off on adventures and see the world… if only her daddy hadn’t disappeared a couple years ago and left her holding the family together back home.
The supporting characters are all empty caricatures- “sick mom” (no idea why she’s sick or what all it involves, except Aislin seems to think if the villagers step in to help that mom can somehow handle keeping the fire stoked and making sure they eat? How is that going to happen when at the start of the book she comes home to a fire untended nearly out and no one having eaten the evening before she leaves town?) Villagers? Ha! We meet the innkeeper and a gal at the inn, are told of a an elderly character who makes herbal tinctures that we never see, there’s Aislin’s mother and grandmother, and then the Lord on the hill who is a stand-in for the Everyman bad guy but without the oily charm. Lastly we have the Lord’s skirt-chasing son being forced into an arranged marriage.
So when the horrified son has a tantrum and throws his family’s heirloom shield with glowing stone of protection on the floor and it breaks, we all know our poor-but-plucky Aislin is going to be the one to take the stone to the dark elves to bless again- never mind that the elves are more likely to kill her, unless the forest’s bloodthirsty monsters get to her first, and why? Because evil overlord is going to kick them out of the home her family has lived in for generations because Aislin didn’t inherit her mother’s magic for the lord to put to use and winter is coming- there is no way granny or mom would survive even looking at a snowflake, let alone making do surviving outdoors.
So of course she goes alone and no one even bothers handing her a weapon. She’s given a compass by the innkeeper’s girl, but it’s almost immediately lost and not mentioned again so don’t worry about it. There’s no point to it included in the story at all really, nor the horse she rides for one day and the bird that watches over her and the horse that day before returning to the village. Again, why?
Of course the elves give her their own quest to fulfill, but at least they give her their prisoner, a half night/half day mixed breed elf to “guide and protect her”, but that’s it. Why? Well, this task will definitely kill them both if they do it, but the girl will die anyway because why would this elf not take his freedom and run?
Will she convince Talyn’s icy heart to care? Could she possibly break down the walls he has built to protect himself from pain and heartache? Of course, but these two have the chemistry of a bloody bandage. Yup, it is that painful to wade through.
What the stone signifies is apparent well before she somehow survives to make it back. Random monsters keep popping up to give Tal something to swing a sword at, and Aislin gets a bunch of opportunities to show how selfless she really is.
It’s formulaic- it’s “cozy fantasy” 101. Our lead characters both have their tragic backstories but there is no real weight to them, which is a shame, because this could have been so much better.
This is the first in a series, but I have no desire to spend my time reading up on any of the unlikely couples yet to come. But then to each her own. Tweenage 1980 me would have probably enchanted, but you’re reading the review of a gal a heap of decades older.
Oh, what the bell…. TWEEN ME? GET YOUR BUTT OUT THERE!
Me: “Oh my gosh he is so brooding and he’s in just so much pain and look at everything he does to keep her safe once he stops running away (literally). And she is just SO BRAVE and tries to stand at his back with her little axe. She not only stands up to bullies but to real monsters?… can I be her when I grow up????”
So yeah, your daughters and nieces will love it, but not so adults.
The supporting characters are all empty caricatures- “sick mom” (no idea why she’s sick or what all it involves, except Aislin seems to think if the villagers step in to help that mom can somehow handle keeping the fire stoked and making sure they eat? How is that going to happen when at the start of the book she comes home to a fire untended nearly out and no one having eaten the evening before she leaves town?) Villagers? Ha! We meet the innkeeper and a gal at the inn, are told of a an elderly character who makes herbal tinctures that we never see, there’s Aislin’s mother and grandmother, and then the Lord on the hill who is a stand-in for the Everyman bad guy but without the oily charm. Lastly we have the Lord’s skirt-chasing son being forced into an arranged marriage.
So when the horrified son has a tantrum and throws his family’s heirloom shield with glowing stone of protection on the floor and it breaks, we all know our poor-but-plucky Aislin is going to be the one to take the stone to the dark elves to bless again- never mind that the elves are more likely to kill her, unless the forest’s bloodthirsty monsters get to her first, and why? Because evil overlord is going to kick them out of the home her family has lived in for generations because Aislin didn’t inherit her mother’s magic for the lord to put to use and winter is coming- there is no way granny or mom would survive even looking at a snowflake, let alone making do surviving outdoors.
So of course she goes alone and no one even bothers handing her a weapon. She’s given a compass by the innkeeper’s girl, but it’s almost immediately lost and not mentioned again so don’t worry about it. There’s no point to it included in the story at all really, nor the horse she rides for one day and the bird that watches over her and the horse that day before returning to the village. Again, why?
Of course the elves give her their own quest to fulfill, but at least they give her their prisoner, a half night/half day mixed breed elf to “guide and protect her”, but that’s it. Why? Well, this task will definitely kill them both if they do it, but the girl will die anyway because why would this elf not take his freedom and run?
Will she convince Talyn’s icy heart to care? Could she possibly break down the walls he has built to protect himself from pain and heartache? Of course, but these two have the chemistry of a bloody bandage. Yup, it is that painful to wade through.
What the stone signifies is apparent well before she somehow survives to make it back. Random monsters keep popping up to give Tal something to swing a sword at, and Aislin gets a bunch of opportunities to show how selfless she really is.
It’s formulaic- it’s “cozy fantasy” 101. Our lead characters both have their tragic backstories but there is no real weight to them, which is a shame, because this could have been so much better.
This is the first in a series, but I have no desire to spend my time reading up on any of the unlikely couples yet to come. But then to each her own. Tweenage 1980 me would have probably enchanted, but you’re reading the review of a gal a heap of decades older.
Oh, what the bell…. TWEEN ME? GET YOUR BUTT OUT THERE!
Me: “Oh my gosh he is so brooding and he’s in just so much pain and look at everything he does to keep her safe once he stops running away (literally). And she is just SO BRAVE and tries to stand at his back with her little axe. She not only stands up to bullies but to real monsters?… can I be her when I grow up????”
So yeah, your daughters and nieces will love it, but not so adults.
April 5, 2023
Its a stand alone story about a human woman tasked with repaying her family's debt. She's paired up with a misfit elf. The story is set within the bigger world of Abreia. The plot and dialog often felt bare bones and rushed. The book felt a bit unfinished and I would have enjoyed a richer development of the characters relationships and backgrounds. Spice level is about a half a pepper. The writing style wasn't bad, no grammatical issues- it was definitely edited with some thought. Not quite the book for me.
May 20, 2024
I should have dug further in reviews but this is a ‘clean’ romance. So, not my thing. This is not mentioned in the book’s synopsis on Amazon. I also somehow missed the ‘new adult’ tags which may have clued me in.. I felt slightly deceived by this lack of forthcoming.
As for the writing, it was perfectly fine. World-building was decent. I found myself to honestly be genuinely bored throughout the narrative. I felt as though we were constantly stretching for something that was always just out of reach.
As for the writing, it was perfectly fine. World-building was decent. I found myself to honestly be genuinely bored throughout the narrative. I felt as though we were constantly stretching for something that was always just out of reach.
December 12, 2023
More please!!!
Wow. I am absolutely in love with this story. In love with it.
First of all our heroine was AMAZING and I absolutely loved her stubbornness and optimism. And Tal was just 😍😍😍
I love a good grumpy sunshine romance and this was a perfect example of one.
The adventure 10/10, the slow burn 12/10, and the writing was 100/10 absolutely captivating from the first chapter. I loved every second of this book.
💋Kisses only
⚠️Grief from loss discussed often
Wow. I am absolutely in love with this story. In love with it.
First of all our heroine was AMAZING and I absolutely loved her stubbornness and optimism. And Tal was just 😍😍😍
I love a good grumpy sunshine romance and this was a perfect example of one.
The adventure 10/10, the slow burn 12/10, and the writing was 100/10 absolutely captivating from the first chapter. I loved every second of this book.
💋Kisses only
⚠️Grief from loss discussed often
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