A very sweet idealistic alternate knights fantasy that has also touch on the wtf were they think folly of an aged lord/king sending a hit young knight to go and pick up their wife to be. Good turning story with a slight twist. The only slight annoyance I have with these stand alone but interwoven tomes is the placement of peoples in time frames of their alternate realities versus legends and fact or their counterparts with here. Worth a read

I pride myself on being an honest reviewer. When I don’t like a book, I’ll say so. It makes the good reviews more effective. The Fallen, however, is one of the worst I’ve read this year.

I had multiple problems with the construction of both the plot and the characters. It infuriated me at times!

The synopsis hints towards the romantic element. Let’s be clear here: this book is a romance through and through. That’s it. Every page was a lament to their undying love.

‘In the time of Atlantis’ is misleading. Three characters are mentioned, in passing, to be Atlanteans. Nothing about the myth, the legend or anything else for that matter.

It’s also off-putting with the reference to Tintagel. Considering Atlantis draws readers interested in legends, I was also expecting an Arthurian connection. This is a fantasy – why bring in two legends and then not develop either? It could have been set anywhere!

There is no character development. There’s barely any personality!

Drystan had the initial makings of a fun character – reluctantly fetching his uncle’s bride, hoping to escape back to adventure rather than being entangled with love. After that snapshot, the rest of the book is him pining over Eselt. He spends time contemplating the honour of being a Knight…and also actively trying to murder someone, without any remorse.

Eselt was worse: shallow and immature. She ‘loves’ the Duke at first sight. She quickly forgets that love when she meets Drystan. Her adamance she is a young woman is undermined when her actions are described as ‘shrieking’, implying a childish tantrum, not a young lady determined to be heard. I can’t think of a redeeming feature for the princess.

And so, the plot (beware of spoilers!).

The entire thing is a love story, true. Halfway through, you’re given the impression there’s something more at work and it’s revealed a love potion is involved. The author appears to have forgotten, however, is that their feelings started developing before the potion was introduced: it’s not all witchcraft’s work! Two powerful wizards release the effects, and decide to leave it for no apparent reason.

Dyrstan and the High King have a connection; they always know where each other are and if they have died. When, that is, the characters remember… Drystan declares it would be better for the king to believe they were dead – which makes no sense. He conveniently remembers this bond later on when confronted with the king. As a reader, it was frustrating that this connection is conveniently overlooked just until it suits the plot.

As for the ending, I think I was hysterically laughing by that point. Remember that love potion, and how the whole book has been about their undying love? Think of how it felt as a reader to get to the end, someone innocently lift the potion’s effects and one of the characters decide actually they weren’t in love after all…

I haven’t been so frustrated in a book for a long time!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am a big fan of fantasy and love nothing more than discovering new worlds to live in book by book and so I was really looking forward to reading this book.

I personally found that the story was a romance for the first 60% of the book and then it became much more action packed. If the other 40% wasn't there I would have asked why it needed a new world to exist it but that's another matter. I realise that's because it is a book within a series but my personal preference is that a book could be stand alone if needed.

It was a little bit predictable in places and I certainly saw one of the 'twists' coming a long way off however it was still enjoyable to read and follow the story. The characters were good solid characters whose motives were always clear and reasoning made sense.

All in all I did like this book don't get me wrong and I would love to know how this story ends!

I felt the writing was good but the plot was brilliant! Although, it does centre itself around standard fantasy tropes and so if you don't like that type of thing then best avoid it. A fantastic plot, though!

3 stars

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an ok book. The major plot points were pretty predictable, but it was still a fun read. Drystan, Temple Knight of Lyonesse, is sent to retrieve the betrothed of his uncle, the Duke of Tintagel. When Eselt and Drystan meet, there are immediate sparks between the two. As they start the journey back to Tintagel, the couple can't resist getting together and start a doomed love affair. When they reach the Duke's house, cruel soldier Purin discovers their affair and is determined to tell the Duke. Meanwhile, two mysterious brothers hunt down a rogue healer that is possessed by a chaos demon.

This book has a hodge podge of different ideas that don't necessarily go together, or go anywhere. There are certain characters and situations that start out promising and then are just abandoned with no explanation. This was a bit distracting. The story stalled at certain points and the main characters were just a bit too earnest. But, overall, it was a fun read.

Thankyou to NetGalley and Raven Hunter for the opportunity to read and review a copy of The Fallen.
I found the storyline to be well thought out and easy to follow. The atmosphere of the book made it come alive. I really enjoyed this novel and cannot wait to read more from this author.
Well worth a read for fans of the genre.