4.5 stars. Wow, now let me tell you a story…

A Story Spun in Scarlet follows the journey of Audra, a storyteller who - just as her fellow storytellers - has lost her magic touch and is unable to bring the tales she spins to an end. With the reluctant help of farmhand Jaik, whose sudden presence finally allows her to finish her stories, she sets off on an epic journey to find out what happened to the storytellers’ magiv and to dive deeper into her past.

This book offers some of the most beautifully written prose I have read in a while. Just like with the stories Audra tells, the author is able to conjure up vivid images if the world Audra and Jaik see. The story is unique in a way that is not common in the current romantic fantasy/romantasy landscapes, but still provides some of the tropes I love (e.g. only one bed, slow burn, he falls first). The twists and turns made me audible gasp several times.

The characters are complex and show an incredible depth of emotions. The way the author writes male characters - especially Jaik - reminds me of Rebecca Ross and I am so here for it! Jaik loves his cat and is not afraid to shed a tear. And in world of shadow daddies, we need someone like Jaik, too. Audra is an incredibly strong, resilient and caring character, who really finds her strength throughout their journey, allows the people around her in to help her despite the hurt she’s experienced and who is committed to carving out a space for herself in the world no matter how much the world pushes back.

Together, Audra and Jaik make for one of most wholesome, yet equally heart-wrenching romances (the ending and epilogue tore up my heart and stitched it right back up) that I have had the pleasure of reading.

Now, the story is told in 1st person, which is not my favorite, but it helps that it is in past tense. However, the reason for why I had to deduct half a point is how dense the beginning felt. It took me much longer and more effort to get through the first few chapters than it took me to get through the rest of the book. It wasn’t so much the world-building that slowed me down but rather complexity of the writing and the sentence structures. While beautifully written, my mind needed some time to grow accustomed to it and not shut off after a few pages. Once the dialogue increased, it became much easier to maneuver through the writing. I am glad I didn’t allow it to prevent me from enjoying the rest of the story.

Finally, thank you NetGalley and the author for providing me with a copy.

Thanks to Wave Walker Press, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Story Spun in Scarlet is a wonderful vibrant world where stories are without an end. It is almost like writers block has taken form into a malignant demon with a sole quest of ruining the world of Mithra Sha, which relies heavily on stories to create goodness in its world. Even as a reader you feel compelled for these stories to finish— as you reach closer to the ending of a story only to have it ripped away from you as well. Somehow R. Dugan captures that yearning for an end into words.

Magnificently done R. Dugan unique writing style sucks you in with beautiful prose and a threatening world. The lore was placed in convenient parts of the text and her writing is often lyrical and easy to understand.
I will be going against the grain here and say that this read is quite long and although I appreciated the world I felt like this story could have concluded with 100 pages less. Some parts were tedious with long descriptions and inner monologues, which could be the authors writing personality but I thought I would mention it because it is not everyone’s cup of tea. I would recommend this book to someone who has dipped their toes into epic fantasy and can manage the page count as I believe this would intimidate first time fantasy readers. if the notion of a story within a story intrigues you then this would be the book for you.

It was an amazing book. Though the pace was a little slow at first, if you hang on to the book the story gets very interesting. It’s a beautiful story of romance of grief and letting go

The storytelling in this book was utterly magical. I am a fantasy/fantasy romance reader and this book wowed me. I highly recommend to anyone wanting a fantasy romance with eloquent writing and well thought out story telling.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wave Walker Press for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of its release.

As an avid fantasy reader, I was happy to find that Dugan had set up such a unique story and world. Jaik and Audra's relationship unfolds beautifully throughout the book, and I found them both to be compelling characters from the first few chapters. The pacing was perfect for me, as there was never a moment where I felt that the plot was moving too slowly. The character and location guide was a nice touch - very helpful for keeping track of what's going on, which can often become tricky in fantasy novels.

Dugan's writing style is beautiful, and created a vivid story that truly captured my imagination. Her lyrical, captivating style made the book difficult to put down, and she crafted the emotional moments of the story perfectly to make a real impact on the reader. I highly recommend this for fantasy readers!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

4.5 stars.

This story is woven in such a way that I actually didn't realize the length until I saw other reviewers commenting on it lol. Good world and character building. I liked the relationship between the characters and the twists along the way.

I picked up this book because of the description and the cover, if I'm being honest. I am a sucker for fantasy and more specifically teen fantasy. I will admit that I balked at the almost 700 hundred pages, especially from an author I have never read before. I'm glad I stuck it out and gave it a try.

Renee tells a really fun story about a storyteller named Audra, who is unable to finish her stories. She meets up with an amplifier named, Jaik. I really liked both of these characters. And I liked that the story was not something I have read before from someone else. It's easy to get burned out on fantasy because it's always a heroine, and the stories all start to seem the same. The originality of this story was refreshing.

The reason I took away one star was for the length and the really slow start. There's sooo much description at the beginning that I fought to not skim through whole pages. I think this book could have been cut by 10-20% and the story would have still been great.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"A Story Spun in Scarlet," the first installment in the 'Tales of Wonder and Woe' series by R. Dugan, is a captivating blend of romance, fantasy, and adventure that enthralls readers from the outset. Dugan crafts a world where stories have lost their endings, and in doing so, sets the stage for a narrative rich in imagination and wonder. The protagonist, Audra Jashowin, is a storyteller in search of purpose, and her journey intertwines beautifully with that of Jaik Grissom, a farmhand with a unique ability to amplify stories.

The novel's core strength lies in its exploration of the power of storytelling. Dugan skillfully uses the metaphor of unfinished tales to delve into themes of identity, destiny, and the shaping of one's narrative. Audra's character development, from a lost storyteller to a woman discovering her path, is both compelling and relatable. Her dynamics with Jaik, characterized by witty banter and a gradually deepening bond, adds a delightful romantic layer to the story.

Dugan’s world-building is another highlight. Mithra-Sha is a land that feels both familiar and fantastical, with its rich lore and vivid landscapes. The author's descriptive prose paints each scene vividly, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the adventure. The journey that Audra and Jaik undertake is not just a physical one, but also an exploration into the depths of their own pasts and the secrets that lie within the broken stories of their world.

The plot unfolds with a steady pace, balancing moments of tension with character development. The mystery underlying the broken tales in Mithra-Sha propels the narrative forward, keeping the reader engaged and invested in the outcome. Dugan also does not shy away from deeper, more complex themes, weaving them seamlessly into the fabric of the story.

"A Story Spun in Scarlet" is a promising start to the series, offering a unique take on the fantasy genre with its focus on the art of storytelling. It’s a book that will appeal to fans of fantasy and romance alike, offering a fresh and engaging tale that celebrates the power of stories and the bonds they forge. Dugan’s debut is a testament to the potential of new adult fantasy to both entertain and inspire, making it a highly recommended read.

The power of storytelling is the heart of this stunning fantasy. An entire world is woven around the power that words can hold. The book wound its way around with some definitely unexpected twists, and I loved it all.

Audra and Jaik have this wonderful slow burn going, and as their stories unfold, it all makes so much sense! As a reader, you begin to love them before you even know who and what they are. The first chapter had me hooked. It slowed down a little after that, but by 30% of the way through, you could not pay me to put this down. I was burning through it to know what was next. The pacing after that point was perfection with its ups and downs. And the *feelings* the book brought out were so strong. I found myself in turns laughing out loud, gasping in panic, and crying.

Seriously a must read for lovers of fantasy and brilliant storytelling. The stories within the story are all amazing as well. It is clear that Dugan has a gift, and I am adding everything she has ever published to my tbr immediately.

Thanks to Netgalley and Renee Dugan for the advance copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own.

This book was pretty good, the characters were very interesting. The plot was well paced. I enjoyed the stories the main characters would tell. I enjoyed the character developments. Overall it was great. I will so a more in depth review closer to release as to not give out any spoilers.

Here in a land buried under mist and forgotten history, we join as a hooded character steps on the small platform, dark eyes flash around the crowd, commanding attention. Their hands shake, just a little, not from nerves, but almost in preparation for what’s next. In the silence, a voice (that you seem to remember from a dream) whispers, deep and confident, “Let me tell you a story.”

A hum of power echoes through the room that sends shivers down my spine every time those words are uttered. A glimmer of hope appears to those who are listening.

A Story Spun in Scarlet is a book that everyone wishes they had written: lyrical writing, a labyrinthine plot, stakes of biblical proportion, and a main character that you want to fight for, because she’s just like you. This story is a call to the downtrodden, to the forgotten, to those wailing, to the empty, to the discarded — and tells you that you deserve to be believed in. Something in the quiet peace in which Jaik follows Addie and protects her, confirms this; his determination to show her that she is not what she can do for other people.

It is a tale of a desperate storyteller and speaks deeply into the love of craft that writers hold within themselves. The need to stay true to your craft is being shouted across the void; and it is what every aspiring writer needs to hear. And when a story speaks to the very bones of writers and creators and inspires them back to their craft? High praise of a book indeed.

🌟NETGALLEY REVIEW🌟

✨️A Story Spun in Scarlet✨️ by @reneeduganwriting

Publication Date 8th March 2024

🌟My Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars, if I could give 10 I would!


✨️I have had the absolute honour of being granted early access to read this story and my god it blew me away. I am so grateful to have been accepted it has been a very long time since I have read a piece of work written as perfectly as this book.

Renee Dugan is a new author to me but has immediately reached the top of my favourite author list. Her writing style is beautiful, soulful and enchanting. I was gripped from the very first page. Her writing technique has the story coming to life right off of the page creating vivid, captivating images with every sentence, allowing you to submerge yourself into the story as if you were actually there yourself . I don't want to say too much to avoid giving spoilers but Renee is a real life storyteller. This story was absolute perfection and one I will enjoy re reading many times over.

Audra is one of the most reliable MC's I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know and the relationship development between her and Jaik was nothing short of beautiful. This story got me right in the emotional feels more than once in splendid ways.

A story that outlines the importance of stories and storytelling. Fans of inkheart and romantasy lovers worldwide would devour this book and everyone else should to.

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