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Sarah Ashwood

Autor von Aerisia: Land Beyond the Sunset

11+ Werke 98 Mitglieder 16 Rezensionen

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Beinhaltet den Namen: Sarah Ashwood

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Hall of Heroes: A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology (2017) — Mitwirkender — 33 Exemplare
Tales of Ever After: A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology (2018) — Mitwirkender — 29 Exemplare

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(note for later: typically the Simanthe "join" with other men. Well bc Hannah is a woman, Irregardless gets a chat from an old friend--he respects so much and who could have been the High Chief if not for all that prejudice he feels--about how "Joining" with a woman will have the following complications:
- women are WEIRD
- women have FEELINGS
- women will TEMPT YOU
- SHE WILL LEAD YOU TO DAMNATION WITH HER WOMANLY WILES

the intentional or unintentional implication being that men never develop these feelings for each other when they Join, which frankly seems UNLIKELY even if they don't do this Joining thing often


I want to make something clear, I gave this two stars - despite how FRUSTRATING this was - because I did keep reading. Only partially because I'm a masochistic reader every so often. But in almost every way did this book fail me.

It failed me on it's premise - a portal fantasy about a 20something thrown into a world she has to learn to save. I LIVE FOR THIS

It failed me with it's main character Hannah - a 20something who feels dedicated to helping her family and aimless in her own life. I LIVE FOR THIS

It failed me with it's world building - it's your basic fantasy world with Elf like folk, fairies, immortal warriors and wizards. I LIVE FOR THIS

It failed me on originality - this could have been so engaging. Instead Hannah acts like she's 16 - constant temper tantrums, constantly disregarding solid advice for her safety, lack of ANY foresight, did not do one responsible action (she's so responsible guys, she has to be, she says so), cares more about gossip then solid information about the new world she's stuck in and is belligerent 75% of the time.

I understand why at first she's reluctant to engage in any sort of pleasantries. She's kidnapped from Earth and thrown into a situation that NO ONE explains at all. Her questions go unanswered, but everyone has an opinion about what it all means. Then while some questions are answered she is ATTACKED and instead of learning everything she can and committing to demanding those answers, she becomes petulant.

She then spends the next half of book trying to "find some time for herself" by escaping or wandering off alone in a world she doesn't understand, hunted by an Evil she's already been attacked by once and with no actual way to get home.

Her constant barrage of #NotLikeOtherGirls-itis comes off hollow and obnoxious because she doesn't HAVE any actual skills. Or likeability. Being confused why you are Chosen is forgivable. Being irritated that people keep vaguely explaining necessary information to you is relatable. But when instead of taking the advice they DO give you, you assume they're wrong and do the opposite....you don't get props or accolades. That's not "clever". That's criminally irresponsible.

Meanwhile the overused sexist tropes are doubled down here.

- must be a virgin to be the Chosen Savior CHECK

- Evil Guy decides if he rapes the heroine he wins CHECK

- womanly wiles will destroy a warrior's focus CHECK

- immortal warrior men, hundreds if not thousands of years old, do not understand women because they are complicated CHECK

- heroine is obviously going to fall in love with the warrior who only smiles for her because she's #NotLikeOtherGirls and somehow super special and he's never felt this way before. CHECK

Sigh. Yep. Can not recommend.
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lexilewords | 9 weitere Rezensionen | Dec 28, 2023 |
Whew, I am a wreck with that ending!

I enjoyed the book, I really did. The author created an interesting underworld, turning an assumed mob-boss instead into a well-loved and respected shifter leader, a savior of sorts. While I won't claim to be familiar with the lore of the mythical creatures presented in the story (and there were many, seemingly well-researched), there was such a varied lot that gave interest to what could otherwise have been your simple tale of a human getting mixed up in a world she didn't know or understand.

Speaking of the human... Ellie was really my main issue with the story. While the story itself was energetic and action-packed, she was naive in an unbelievable way. Sure, she was a preacher's kid of sorts, but she also was a military brat who could more than manage a weapon in defense of others and a nursing student who had admittedly seen her fair share of blood and vomit. I disliked that the story almost painted her belief in God and morality as a reason for her to be, well, unreasonably stupid when presented with the unknown. She could jump into action when in the defense of others (heck, the story opened with her flinging herself into oncoming traffic to save a boy she didn't know), but if she literally wasn't in that sort of moment, she was useless, blind and rather cruel towards the things she didn't understand. By the end of the book, she had softened her outlook towards the man who had done literally nothing but defend and protect her, but it was only after learning more about his history, causing her to pity him. But with his own merits, on his actions - which were very much in line with her belief system whether or not those beliefs went by the same name - they weren't enough to garner her respect. It irked me, and was a distraction from what was otherwise a very interesting and fast-paced story.

As I said, I did enjoy the story itself. Aside from Ellie, I found every other character presented to be engaging and an overall curiosity. I loved the care shown between Mr. and Mrs. Costas. I loved how the author portrayed the idea that, while someone may have a single outward disadvantage, you don't know what's lingering beneath the surface. It will be interesting to see how things continue with the struggle between the rivaling shifters, especially with how the last moments of the book closed things out.

On that note, things do leave on somewhat of a cliffhanger, so if you're not into waiting for resolution, it looks like book two is slated for a November release. I am curious enough about where thngs are headed that I did set myself up for the pre-order, despite my feelings. Hopefully she'll have smartened up a bit in the second go-around, knowing what she does now about the world.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
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Sam.Everard | Jan 3, 2021 |
A sweet romance adventure with a lonely knight, a spirited princess, and a dragon curse between them.
 
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writerCSJohnson | May 14, 2020 |
After over half a year, I'm finished. After I've had time to let it stew, I will post my thoughts about it over on Reedsy.
 
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Wanda-Gambling | 1 weitere Rezension | May 9, 2020 |

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Werke
11
Auch von
2
Mitglieder
98
Beliebtheit
#193,038
Bewertung
½ 3.5
Rezensionen
16
ISBNs
5

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