T. Rae Mitchell

"It further confirmed her motto:
Reality sucks. Make-believe rocks."

Well, I suppose this sentence could represent my life philosophy. What a shame that it's the only thing I share with the main character, Fate. If I had to sum up her personality, I would use her own words:

"She should be dazzling the guy of her dreams with her steely magnetism and ass-kicking skills.
But she was the opposite of all that: stupid and spineless."

At least she's well aware of it! Lately I've been meeting only annoying main characters, and Fate is no exception. She really is totally reckless, bossy and moody. What's more, she's an author of fantasy books but she doesn't want to believe in what's happening to her, complete refusal.
Lucky me that Finn balances a bit her childish behaviour! He's not only handsome, Scottish ('cause this is a quality!), nephew of a druid, full of resources, patient, strong and caring, but he's got a darker side that makes him even more fascinating!

"Take a good hard look. I'm a walking nightmare."

With a nightmare like him I would sleep 20h a day, that's for sure. I usually hate insta-loves, but since their situation is rather peculiar and original I can let it slide.

Talking about the story itself, I can't really say that it's dull as dishwasher, but the structure is a bit too fixed, making the whole book rather repetitive. I appreciate the story into the story technique (and also the escamotage of reversing the endings in order to going on with the "mission"), but not when the "substories" are so many, since there is almost no continuity in the characters.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, so I could give an honest review.

… (mehr)

I became a fan of Mitchell’s with the first in this series, Fate’s Fables, which ended in such a heart stopping way I found myself constantly checking for when the sequel was going to arrive. It is thankfully here and unbelievably even better than the first.

This fantasy hits all the right spots as you’re whisked along a new compelling adventure with Fate at the reins. There’s plenty of action, romance and her great character development flexes its muscle with new characters to add to her ever growing vibrantly created world. Along with her imagination running rampant in this amazing story you get a first class education in SAT words with the likes of “portionages”, “connectifications”, “confabulation” and “monstramorphosis”; they’re just fun to say out loud. Her incredible lexicon continues in how she uses words to turn printed letters into visual photographs like a slideshow slipping slowly across your mind’s eye. She uses metaphors the way a painter uses a brush.

Mitchell’s use of myths, legends and fantasy elements feel more real than imagined as she pulls you along in this battle for redemption. Her use of credible dialogue adds to that sense of realism as you get pulled into conversations that enrich the tale and further the story.

Just like the first, this one ends on a cliffhanger so the story will continue in Fate’s War. Be prepared to feel your heart break at the impossible decision set before our fearless heroine.
… (mehr)

I loved the imagery and thought provoking story lines in this Fantasy. Mitchell seems to have channeled her inner Tolkien in order to create this story. It’s reminiscent of the fun Harry Potter brought to our world, a kind of more grown up version of what Chris Colfer has been doing with his Land of Stories series. It starts off a bit rough but it’s worth it to hang in there for the ride especially for adults who were looking for a much longer book than what we’re used to seeing in the YA world. As a woman I appreciate when you can find a book with a good female protagonist and this definitely has it. The main character, Fate, journeys through the lives of people in eight worlds where she must examine her previous ideals, morals and assumptions in order to leave a more positive legacy on those she interacts with. This is the first in a trilogy with the second coming sometime in 2017 which can’t come soon enough thanks to the cliffhanger that will have you begging for more.… (mehr)