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A Turn of Curses
Nineteen year old Selina has a life many would love-praised, served, and spoiled. The only problem is she didn't choose that life, because it comes with a heavy price. She will soon die, like all Healers, when the mark of Y'dom completes its pattern around her neck, and hers is nearly complete. She has one chance for adventure, and it's one she won't forget.
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First published June 30, 2009
15 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Nilles
38 books241 followersMelanie Nilles (aka M. A. Nilles) is an avid animal lover and resides with her husband, kids, and a clowder of cats who take advantage of their human slaves for food and warm laps. An equestrian of forty years, Melanie has trained and ridden all disciplines from race horses to cow horses and western show and speed events to jumping and dressage.
At the same time, Melanie (Mel to those who know her) has always had a fascination with science fiction and fantasy. Under her full name, her published works include the Starfire Angels: Dark Angel Chronicles series and other YA/New Adult works. As M. A. Nilles, she writes adult SF&F, including the Legend of the White Dragon epic, Demon Age, and Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds series.
Melanie has a unique perspective that she notes isn't for every reader. In general, her stories don't follow formulas or fit into any specific category but will offer something different for those who are looking for something meaningful but fun in science fiction and fantasy. For updates, visit her website at www.melanienilles.com or her blog at http://manilles.blogspot.com/ .
At the same time, Melanie (Mel to those who know her) has always had a fascination with science fiction and fantasy. Under her full name, her published works include the Starfire Angels: Dark Angel Chronicles series and other YA/New Adult works. As M. A. Nilles, she writes adult SF&F, including the Legend of the White Dragon epic, Demon Age, and Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds series.
Melanie has a unique perspective that she notes isn't for every reader. In general, her stories don't follow formulas or fit into any specific category but will offer something different for those who are looking for something meaningful but fun in science fiction and fantasy. For updates, visit her website at www.melanienilles.com or her blog at http://manilles.blogspot.com/ .
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 3, 2024
The second of Melanie's books I've read (the last one was way back in 2016 and I gave it 3/5 stars), this one is an improvement on all fronts as far as I'm concerned.
I enjoyed the look at the Na'Y'dom and what that blessing entailed. Selina's character was suitably strong and yet had her faults too.
I wasn't as sold on Faldon and the feyquin and this is probably because of the biggest issue I have with this story. Without seeing the cover of the book I think the physical descriptions of the feyquin were too light on and missed too much detail for the reader to get a really good understanding of just what the feyquin were.
This led to a bit of a problem when there was a very intense focus on the feyquin's ear placement. Now knowing a bit about horses it all started to make sense, but it really shouldn't have been that much of a challenge.
A good edit to add in a little more context and physical description would help this along in the early parts of the story. Another edit would also possibly give Melanie a chance to add more to this story, because the world that is portrayed is rather fascinating and one I'd be keen to explore further.
Not one for folks who only love a HEA, this one might leave you feeling a bit down. For an Amazon freebie it was a welcome read! It won't be my last Melanie Nilles story, that's for sure!
I enjoyed the look at the Na'Y'dom and what that blessing entailed. Selina's character was suitably strong and yet had her faults too.
I wasn't as sold on Faldon and the feyquin and this is probably because of the biggest issue I have with this story. Without seeing the cover of the book I think the physical descriptions of the feyquin were too light on and missed too much detail for the reader to get a really good understanding of just what the feyquin were.
This led to a bit of a problem when there was a very intense focus on the feyquin's ear placement. Now knowing a bit about horses it all started to make sense, but it really shouldn't have been that much of a challenge.
A good edit to add in a little more context and physical description would help this along in the early parts of the story. Another edit would also possibly give Melanie a chance to add more to this story, because the world that is portrayed is rather fascinating and one I'd be keen to explore further.
Not one for folks who only love a HEA, this one might leave you feeling a bit down. For an Amazon freebie it was a welcome read! It won't be my last Melanie Nilles story, that's for sure!
September 8, 2013
This was an amazing story. I read it months ago before I started blogging or even knew what blogging was. It's haunted me ever since though since I never reviewed it once I did start blogging lol.
The story centers around a nineteen year old girl named Selina whose only mission in life to heal with the special gift she was born with. However each healing she offers brings her closer to death, which is noted by the marking on her neck. Each time she heals the marking magically adds to itself until it encircles her neck and she dies.
On this healing expedition she has to travel really far to heal the king of a neighboring kingdom. Despite being told not to go because the trek is dangerous, she knows she will die soon and it may be her only chance to have some adventure in her short life.
She meets Faldon he's a shape shifter under a curse. He was once the leader of the Feyquin which are magical horses, the exact opposite of the well known Nitemares of many myths and lore. Faldon wants nothing more than to find the demon that cursed him and the human who shares his curse in the reverse fashion.
He despises humans but something about Selina draws him to her and while they're friendship is rocky it's also strong.
I found not one error in novella, so kudos to the editor!
I absolutely loved this story. I without a doubt teared up at the end of it, my heart breaking for Faldon and Selina.
I only wish this author had written a sequel so I could see what became of Faldon and the Feyquin, or even a prequel to learn more about Selina's life before this last trek.
This is a great story and I think many people will love.
I give this book 5 of 5 paws and apologize for the long delay in my review
The story centers around a nineteen year old girl named Selina whose only mission in life to heal with the special gift she was born with. However each healing she offers brings her closer to death, which is noted by the marking on her neck. Each time she heals the marking magically adds to itself until it encircles her neck and she dies.
On this healing expedition she has to travel really far to heal the king of a neighboring kingdom. Despite being told not to go because the trek is dangerous, she knows she will die soon and it may be her only chance to have some adventure in her short life.
She meets Faldon he's a shape shifter under a curse. He was once the leader of the Feyquin which are magical horses, the exact opposite of the well known Nitemares of many myths and lore. Faldon wants nothing more than to find the demon that cursed him and the human who shares his curse in the reverse fashion.
He despises humans but something about Selina draws him to her and while they're friendship is rocky it's also strong.
I found not one error in novella, so kudos to the editor!
I absolutely loved this story. I without a doubt teared up at the end of it, my heart breaking for Faldon and Selina.
I only wish this author had written a sequel so I could see what became of Faldon and the Feyquin, or even a prequel to learn more about Selina's life before this last trek.
This is a great story and I think many people will love.
I give this book 5 of 5 paws and apologize for the long delay in my review
July 25, 2011
It was good. I found myself switching between 3 or 4 stars, but really for me it's more like a 3.75 star book.
There was a bitter sweat ending which i haven't decided whether I liked or not.
I thoroughly enjoyed the main character, Selina. She was headstrong yet realistic (as realistic as you can get when you are used to living in a world with talking animals and illusion creating monsters).
Fadon was your typical bad boy type with anger management problems. He was alright. At the end, I felt that there wasn't much to it. He arrives after Selina has already healed the king, and there isn't much of the story after that.
Throughout the book, the author mentions all these things that happened in the past that led up to the king being sick. You hear all this bad stuff about the prince and the curse. I expected more of the book to be on this topic or atleast have more to the story. We don't technically meet the prince which I kept expecting.
Instead, basically what happens is Selina heals the king and dies. Done. The end. WTF!
Not much of a climax or ending!
Overall, it was a entertaining short story read. It's not a book I would read again, but if you're looking for a fantasy book with a hint of romance to pass the time away, I would recommend this book.
There was a bitter sweat ending which i haven't decided whether I liked or not.
I thoroughly enjoyed the main character, Selina. She was headstrong yet realistic (as realistic as you can get when you are used to living in a world with talking animals and illusion creating monsters).
Fadon was your typical bad boy type with anger management problems. He was alright. At the end, I felt that there wasn't much to it. He arrives after Selina has already healed the king, and there isn't much of the story after that.
Throughout the book, the author mentions all these things that happened in the past that led up to the king being sick. You hear all this bad stuff about the prince and the curse. I expected more of the book to be on this topic or atleast have more to the story. We don't technically meet the prince which I kept expecting.
Instead, basically what happens is Selina heals the king and dies. Done. The end. WTF!
Not much of a climax or ending!
Overall, it was a entertaining short story read. It's not a book I would read again, but if you're looking for a fantasy book with a hint of romance to pass the time away, I would recommend this book.
August 18, 2011
I enjoyed this story, but then anyone who knows me isn't going to be surprised that I loved a story about sentient horses able to reason. I loved the mystery of the plot in starting with a warning not to go and moved forward to develop the world and explain the why of the warning. I was disappointed in the ending; the tone kept me thinking paranormal romance so the UF ending caught me off guard. It was quite sad. I am now dying to find another book with shape-shifters that are horses!
January 16, 2012
A very pleasant surprise for a short (novelette maybe?) Kindle read. The story sucked me right in, and kept me up late reading. I'd love to read more in this world, but even if the author doesn't have any more sentient equines, I look forward to reading more of her creations.
October 18, 2012
I like the author and liked the style of writing for this story. It was definitely VERY different then past stories but it was cleverly done. I wish the ending had been better, but I can see why it needed to end that way.
April 19, 2013
meh. I feel she could have done tons more with this. good story idea, but not taken where it should have been. not enough character development nor story development. Which made the main character annoying. More so than she should have been.
June 30, 2011
A good quick read and would have wanted it to end differently.
November 2, 2011
Really interesting story and world. I enjoyed the characters and the ending, though sad, wasn't your typical happily ever after.
Would love to read more of this story.
Would love to read more of this story.
January 4, 2012
Free on Kindle, so why not?
May 10, 2012
Short story. Everything was shoved in and rushed. Reasons for feelings or actions were not described. Had great potential though.
April 20, 2012
Had such a deep meaning and I just had to read it in one sitting! There was no way I couldn't finish.
June 6, 2012
Great potential, but I am going to have to agree with the majority. Did not like the ending. I was hoping/expecting it to end much differently than how it did.
July 4, 2013
This would be a great part to an epic story. The world seems to have a lit more to offer than this single snippet. On its own the story was entertaining enough though a bit glossed over in places.
March 5, 2012
I was kind of hoping for a different ending, but it's still a good book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews