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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I don't know why it took me so long to read this book. I guess I just had to be in the mood but...OMG...I LOVED Finnie!
I liked this book least of all the Kristen Ashley books I have read. I liked Frey he sounded ... well it worked for me, but nothing else really did, Finnie was a bit lame, the relationship moved at beyond warp speed.
Also it is kind of getting on my nerves how every Kristen Ashley leading lady talks the exact same way, everything is Kick Ass,totally awesome and killer When I first read [b:Rock Chick|6538757|Rock Chick (Rock Chick, #1)|Kristen Ashley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327912999s/6538757.jpg|6730978]and Indy and Ally spoke like this I found it endearing but now after like 10 of Kristen Ashley's books its a bit stale. As a rule I tend to skim over what the wardrobe will be, scratch that what the "killer wardrobe" will be, no matter what there will be a huge fucking belt and some huge hair.
please don't get me wrong I love Kristen Ashley's books and her alpha male heroes are second to none, but I just wish the ladies were bit more diverse, and also if their heads aren't up their asses that would be good too. Yes I am looking at you Finnie, Jet and Stella.
Also it is kind of getting on my nerves how every Kristen Ashley leading lady talks the exact same way, everything is Kick Ass,totally awesome and killer When I first read [b:Rock Chick|6538757|Rock Chick (Rock Chick, #1)|Kristen Ashley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327912999s/6538757.jpg|6730978]and Indy and Ally spoke like this I found it endearing but now after like 10 of Kristen Ashley's books its a bit stale. As a rule I tend to skim over what the wardrobe will be, scratch that what the "killer wardrobe" will be, no matter what there will be a huge fucking belt and some huge hair.
please don't get me wrong I love Kristen Ashley's books and her alpha male heroes are second to none, but I just wish the ladies were bit more diverse, and also if their heads aren't up their asses that would be good too. Yes I am looking at you Finnie, Jet and Stella.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I first bought these books over ten years ago and recently I discovered them again on my Kindle and decided on a re-read because I needed some easy reading and I remembered enjoying them when I first read them. Getting back into this series has been very interesting, mostly in seeing what a difference that ten years of life experience has had on my perceptions of these stories. What I once thought was a brilliant series just hit a little differently this time around, some were not as bad as others but I was a little stuck on the message that these stories feed to women, especially if you were to come across them at an impressionable stage in your life.
Wildest Dreams starts out well. It is exciting and an interesting concept. Our main character, Finnie, decides to go on the ultimate adventure to a parallel world. She has found a witch who can help her switch places with her twin in that world. It doesn't quite go to plan because her twin hasn't been entirely upfront about the switch, and Finnie finds herself getting married to Frey Drakkar.
For the most part, I found this book quite enjoyable, I loved the setting, the wintery country Lunwyn felt magical, and for the most part, I liked Finnie, even though I sometimes found her turn of phrase a little annoying and repetitive. She is put in a hard situation and she tries to make the best of it and she does have this kind of constant joyful outlook because of her thirst for adventure.
Frey is a slightly different story, he is your typical alpha male to start quite brooding and distant, but as he gets to know Finnie he does become more charming but also starts to make decisions about her life without telling her, which is where this book starts to lose its way for me. I think what really annoyed me though was that eventually Finnie just completely forgives him for these things which I just could not understand. Why would you be totally ok with someone altering the course of your life? It was also very brushed over as if love outweighs all sense of reason, so there's no reason to be angry any more.
I did enjoy the adventure and political intrigue throughout this story but it was let down by the relationship aspect.
1st read - 25 August to 28 August 2013
2nd read - 5 July to 12 July 2022
3rd read - 12 May to 13 May 2024
First reread since 2013 and I think I enjoyed it more. Finnie was too nice though, Frey deserved a punch in the face a few times, he was very fond of taking her choices away. However, it was fun and I know this series is Game of Thrones inspired so it could have been much worse!
This was an annual read reread and it was a great pick!
2nd read - 5 July to 12 July 2022
3rd read - 12 May to 13 May 2024
First reread since 2013 and I think I enjoyed it more. Finnie was too nice though, Frey deserved a punch in the face a few times, he was very fond of taking her choices away. However, it was fun and I know this series is Game of Thrones inspired so it could have been much worse!
This was an annual read reread and it was a great pick!
On sale $0.99 as of 6/11/16 Here
Romantasy (Romance + Fantasy) at it's best.
Buddy reading with a few of my Buddies Books and Baubles friends.
IblameThank Jessica and along for the ride are also Stephanie and Chrissy
I have to pace myself with KA books because I really have a difficult time doing anything else once I start one. She takes things that should upset me and make me roll my eyes and instead I'm flipping pages wanting to find out what happens next and then when I'm done I go back and reread my favorite parts. I love and hate the alpha men in her books. It really makes no sense. The dialogue is different and some of the situations ridiculous and still I can't help myself I love her books, especially her fantasy series.
She is definitely a love or hate author there is no in-between but I fall totally on the side of love and Wildest Dreams was no different for me.
There are two worlds and in each one there is a twin to the person of the other world *waves to the Robin in Fantasyland*. With the help of someone with magic (a lot of magic) you can swap places with your twin and voila you are in a whole new world full of new adventures and possibilities.
Why, you might ask would anyone want to do this? For Finnie it is easy, she is an adventurer and wandered it heart. She lost her parents at a young age but they left her in a very comfortable position financially. She has tried a lot of daredevil things in this world but she longs to connect with the people she lost so long ago. When she finds that her parents in the other world are still alive, she jumps at the opportunity to get to know them. Her twin on the other hand is trying to escape from an arranged marriage and longs for freedom from some of her responsibilities.
So poof the switch is made and that is when the story really starts to take off.
Finnie - She is so easy to love right away. She is a little bit broken by the loss of her family so young…but she has this positive spirit that just won’t stop and makes the best out of every situation handed to her. Including the one that has her marrying The Drakar or Dragon not even 10 minutes after she arrives.
Frey a.k.a. The Drakar - He is a KA hero to the extreme. The man is infuriating at times. The choices he makes throughout the book totally piss me off and have me wanting to smack him around alittle lot.
But then in true KA fashion she makes me love the stupid alpha jerk all the same. *throws hands in the air because there is no resisting* He does some of the sweetest things for Finnie and can be remarkably caring and adorable. He is hot as well so it is hard to resist his pull.
There are other characters but there are so many and each only contributes a little to the story. But I did especially love Finnie’s growing relationship to Aurora who wasn’t afraid to tell-it-like-it-is to Frey, especially where her new daughter is concerned and Frey’s cabin boy Skylar who was so adorable.
I’m not sure how it happens but it always does KA draws me into her story every time. Fantasyland has some very cool things in it including:
✦ Elves
✦ Dragons
✦ A Winter Wonderland
✦ Talking animals
✦ Magic Portals
✦ Assassination Plots
✦ Mystical Artifacts
✦ Frey (Don’t judge me he is cool)
Frey and Finnie’s relationship starts out in a rush and with an obstacle. It seems that Frey pretty much hates Finnie, because of the other Finnie she swapped places with. Our heroine will need to convince him that she is a changed woman and destroy that wall that he has erected between them. Finnie NEVER backs away from a challenge and since this is her adventure she is going to make the most of it.
I loved the overall story that was equal parts romance and actual plotted storyline. The only reason this gets 4 stars instead of 5 is that KA has a tendency to over detail little things in the story like the surrounding and clothing that at times distracted me from the actual story. But all in all this was hugely entertaining and I loved being in this world.
Romantasy (Romance + Fantasy) at it's best.
Buddy reading with a few of my Buddies Books and Baubles friends.
I
I have to pace myself with KA books because I really have a difficult time doing anything else once I start one. She takes things that should upset me and make me roll my eyes and instead I'm flipping pages wanting to find out what happens next and then when I'm done I go back and reread my favorite parts. I love and hate the alpha men in her books. It really makes no sense. The dialogue is different and some of the situations ridiculous and still I can't help myself I love her books, especially her fantasy series.
She is definitely a love or hate author there is no in-between but I fall totally on the side of love and Wildest Dreams was no different for me.
╰⊰✿ The Premise ✿⊱╮
There are two worlds and in each one there is a twin to the person of the other world *waves to the Robin in Fantasyland*. With the help of someone with magic (a lot of magic) you can swap places with your twin and voila you are in a whole new world full of new adventures and possibilities.
Why, you might ask would anyone want to do this? For Finnie it is easy, she is an adventurer and wandered it heart. She lost her parents at a young age but they left her in a very comfortable position financially. She has tried a lot of daredevil things in this world but she longs to connect with the people she lost so long ago. When she finds that her parents in the other world are still alive, she jumps at the opportunity to get to know them. Her twin on the other hand is trying to escape from an arranged marriage and longs for freedom from some of her responsibilities.
So poof the switch is made and that is when the story really starts to take off.
╰⊰✿ The Characters ✿⊱╮
Finnie - She is so easy to love right away. She is a little bit broken by the loss of her family so young…but she has this positive spirit that just won’t stop and makes the best out of every situation handed to her. Including the one that has her marrying The Drakar or Dragon not even 10 minutes after she arrives.
Frey a.k.a. The Drakar - He is a KA hero to the extreme. The man is infuriating at times. The choices he makes throughout the book totally piss me off and have me wanting to smack him around a
But then in true KA fashion she makes me love the stupid alpha jerk all the same. *throws hands in the air because there is no resisting* He does some of the sweetest things for Finnie and can be remarkably caring and adorable. He is hot as well so it is hard to resist his pull.
There are other characters but there are so many and each only contributes a little to the story. But I did especially love Finnie’s growing relationship to Aurora who wasn’t afraid to tell-it-like-it-is to Frey, especially where her new daughter is concerned and Frey’s cabin boy Skylar who was so adorable.
╰⊰✿ The Story ✿⊱╮
I’m not sure how it happens but it always does KA draws me into her story every time. Fantasyland has some very cool things in it including:
✦ Elves
✦ Dragons
✦ A Winter Wonderland
✦ Talking animals
✦ Magic Portals
✦ Assassination Plots
✦ Mystical Artifacts
✦ Frey (Don’t judge me he is cool)
Frey and Finnie’s relationship starts out in a rush and with an obstacle. It seems that Frey pretty much hates Finnie, because of the other Finnie she swapped places with. Our heroine will need to convince him that she is a changed woman and destroy that wall that he has erected between them. Finnie NEVER backs away from a challenge and since this is her adventure she is going to make the most of it.
I loved the overall story that was equal parts romance and actual plotted storyline. The only reason this gets 4 stars instead of 5 is that KA has a tendency to over detail little things in the story like the surrounding and clothing that at times distracted me from the actual story. But all in all this was hugely entertaining and I loved being in this world.
I just realized I never transferred over my Amazon review for this book from 2016.
For a while, my review was voted as one of the most helpful (20 votes for helpful total), so I think bringing it over is worthwhile. I'm making a few tweaks to it, which I'll also update in my Amazon review. (Also, if you go to the page and find the review, you'll know it's mine because the icon I use on my Amazon was my previous GoodReads icon and my name is still "Kriss", just without the moon and stars; )
Sometime in 2016:
At around 500 pages for a price-tag of only 99 cents, I think this book was a decent casual read. It's nothing super special or amazing, but I read it over the course of two days and saw it had some merit. The story isn't bad and the baseline of the characters isn't bad; in fact, I think I liked the plot and setting a lot. It was entertaining enough to hold my attention. I like fantasy and I like romance, so this was an okay casual read. The editing was pretty good, I didn't notice many mistakes if any, and I think the author is pretty good at formulating a plot. This book had a lot of story; much more than I normally expect from a book filled with several erotica scenes.
But I'll be totally honest I knocked off three stars for a few reasons.
Firstly, there's some sexism and not-okay things happening.
The book sort of shirks Frey keeping Finnie trapped in the other-world without her knowledge and consent and then tampering with her birth control as "well, cultures are different and we can't judge them as right or wrong!" which is absolute nonsense. I don't care what culture you're waving in my face, any that seeks to limit, restrict, or otherwise deny autonomy and liberty solely on the basis of gender identity or sex is awful and wrong and not justified.
Then there's also "men can have affairs after marriage but not women because they gotta be moms and not have the paternity called into question" like please, spare me this outdated sexism that tries to justify why women shouldn't have affairs because they can get pregnant, as if a man impregnating a dozen girls isn't irresponsible and bad.
At these moments I was just rolling my eyes and groaning. At the very least, the author made their sexual relationship completely consensual and didn't try to romanticize rape and abuse (which is why I don't want to even consider book #2 which is absolutely all about justifying the rape of women as just a "cultural thing" and something that could be romantic/forgivable in the right perspective and that's disgusting).
But I still held issue with this book, especially since Finnie was willing to forgo her justifiable anger and hurt over what Frey did without there being any atonement or explanation or anything from him. She was just "welp, I thought you were dead, but since I now want to stay and have your baby it's okay that you previously denied me the right to have a choice about staying or getting pregnant." I dislike heroines who are so quick to belittle and demean their own justifiable feelings for the sake of a man and yet at the same time will hold onto really childish, petty feelings that aren't justifiable until the end of time (which is something Finnie does).
One other point of complaint I have is that the language could be real annoying.
Finnie uses some odd, colorful phrasing that seem weird coming from the mouth of a 30 year old woman. I think the book would have done better if Finnie's speech was more refined because it would have matched the book's setting a bit better, but it's a minor, personal opinion overall.
I also think that some of the plot near the end was a bit rushed and that the author did skim over a handful of events so she could skip around to Frey/Finnie time exclusively, which took away from the fantasy aspect of the novel because we hear about all this political tension and looming turmoil and such but only get a little bit of it in the plot overall so that there's just nonstop focus on Finnie learning how to shoot a bow and then having sex with Frey, whom she calls "baby" and "honey" two terms of endearment that seem really awkward and out of place in this novel (I actually thought Frey would have been all "Why are you calling me an infant? Is it an insult? Are you demeaning me?" or something along those lines when Finnie started it up).
Anyway, though despite these two main points (sexist plot devices and language choices that could have fared better) I still found the book to be tolerable.
Perhaps the next books get better, but I'm not sure if I'll be trying any of the others. Book #3 looked interesting, and from what this book says, the various stories link up loosely because they're all based in the same world and the politics of the lands all intermix a bit, but I'm a bit hesitant after reading this one and seeing what could have gone terrible wrong and what the author's choices were and after seeing all the disturbing things regarding book #2.
I think for now, I'll chalk this up as an okay 99 cent price for a quick read and resume looking for more books to read in another series and by another author.
For a while, my review was voted as one of the most helpful (20 votes for helpful total), so I think bringing it over is worthwhile. I'm making a few tweaks to it, which I'll also update in my Amazon review. (Also, if you go to the page and find the review, you'll know it's mine because the icon I use on my Amazon was my previous GoodReads icon and my name is still "Kriss", just without the moon and stars; )
Sometime in 2016:
At around 500 pages for a price-tag of only 99 cents, I think this book was a decent casual read. It's nothing super special or amazing, but I read it over the course of two days and saw it had some merit. The story isn't bad and the baseline of the characters isn't bad; in fact, I think I liked the plot and setting a lot. It was entertaining enough to hold my attention. I like fantasy and I like romance, so this was an okay casual read. The editing was pretty good, I didn't notice many mistakes if any, and I think the author is pretty good at formulating a plot. This book had a lot of story; much more than I normally expect from a book filled with several erotica scenes.
But I'll be totally honest I knocked off three stars for a few reasons.
Firstly, there's some sexism and not-okay things happening.
The book sort of shirks Frey keeping Finnie trapped in the other-world without her knowledge and consent and then tampering with her birth control as "well, cultures are different and we can't judge them as right or wrong!" which is absolute nonsense. I don't care what culture you're waving in my face, any that seeks to limit, restrict, or otherwise deny autonomy and liberty solely on the basis of gender identity or sex is awful and wrong and not justified.
Then there's also "men can have affairs after marriage but not women because they gotta be moms and not have the paternity called into question" like please, spare me this outdated sexism that tries to justify why women shouldn't have affairs because they can get pregnant, as if a man impregnating a dozen girls isn't irresponsible and bad.
At these moments I was just rolling my eyes and groaning. At the very least, the author made their sexual relationship completely consensual and didn't try to romanticize rape and abuse (which is why I don't want to even consider book #2 which is absolutely all about justifying the rape of women as just a "cultural thing" and something that could be romantic/forgivable in the right perspective and that's disgusting).
But I still held issue with this book, especially since Finnie was willing to forgo her justifiable anger and hurt over what Frey did without there being any atonement or explanation or anything from him. She was just "welp, I thought you were dead, but since I now want to stay and have your baby it's okay that you previously denied me the right to have a choice about staying or getting pregnant." I dislike heroines who are so quick to belittle and demean their own justifiable feelings for the sake of a man and yet at the same time will hold onto really childish, petty feelings that aren't justifiable until the end of time (which is something Finnie does).
One other point of complaint I have is that the language could be real annoying.
Finnie uses some odd, colorful phrasing that seem weird coming from the mouth of a 30 year old woman. I think the book would have done better if Finnie's speech was more refined because it would have matched the book's setting a bit better, but it's a minor, personal opinion overall.
I also think that some of the plot near the end was a bit rushed and that the author did skim over a handful of events so she could skip around to Frey/Finnie time exclusively, which took away from the fantasy aspect of the novel because we hear about all this political tension and looming turmoil and such but only get a little bit of it in the plot overall so that there's just nonstop focus on Finnie learning how to shoot a bow and then having sex with Frey, whom she calls "baby" and "honey" two terms of endearment that seem really awkward and out of place in this novel (I actually thought Frey would have been all "Why are you calling me an infant? Is it an insult? Are you demeaning me?" or something along those lines when Finnie started it up).
Anyway, though despite these two main points (sexist plot devices and language choices that could have fared better) I still found the book to be tolerable.
Perhaps the next books get better, but I'm not sure if I'll be trying any of the others. Book #3 looked interesting, and from what this book says, the various stories link up loosely because they're all based in the same world and the politics of the lands all intermix a bit, but I'm a bit hesitant after reading this one and seeing what could have gone terrible wrong and what the author's choices were and after seeing all the disturbing things regarding book #2.
I think for now, I'll chalk this up as an okay 99 cent price for a quick read and resume looking for more books to read in another series and by another author.
5 Wildest Dreams Stars
I will be the first to admit I am not a big fan of Fantasy like at all. Give me paranormal vamps, wolves, bears, but knowing that I am a HUGE Kristen Ashley fan I thought to give it a shot… I AM SO GLAD I DID!
Not only was it easy to read and follow along but the story was wonderful and sweet! I rooted for Seoafin aka Finnie right from the very beginning. <3 She had fought in her and I loved that. The last few chapters she was total kick butt girl.
Frey Drakkar… Swoony, he was totally manly right from the get-go. I loved when he first meets “Finnie” at the ceremony and he looks at her like she is loony toons. Ha I love it. I think from that point forward I was all about the Drakkar. :)
The passion /fire and the banter between Finnie and Frey it is fabulous! Really makes the story worth it. You will root for this unlikely pair I swear it’s fantastic. So, so, glad I gave this book this series a shot.
The narrator really hits it out of the park, I thought I would have to go back a re-listen to parts of this book and I didn't at all. She really makes you a part of the story.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
I will be the first to admit I am not a big fan of Fantasy like at all. Give me paranormal vamps, wolves, bears, but knowing that I am a HUGE Kristen Ashley fan I thought to give it a shot… I AM SO GLAD I DID!
Not only was it easy to read and follow along but the story was wonderful and sweet! I rooted for Seoafin aka Finnie right from the very beginning. <3 She had fought in her and I loved that. The last few chapters she was total kick butt girl.
Frey Drakkar… Swoony, he was totally manly right from the get-go. I loved when he first meets “Finnie” at the ceremony and he looks at her like she is loony toons. Ha I love it. I think from that point forward I was all about the Drakkar. :)
The passion /fire and the banter between Finnie and Frey it is fabulous! Really makes the story worth it. You will root for this unlikely pair I swear it’s fantastic. So, so, glad I gave this book this series a shot.
The narrator really hits it out of the park, I thought I would have to go back a re-listen to parts of this book and I didn't at all. She really makes you a part of the story.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
Eventually just gave up, didn't care about the characters or the world or their problems because honestly, most of them were self made. Also, this book needs SERIOUS editing. Like, to the point that I spent $4 on this book and that was too much. The author CONSTANTLY repeats things, even on the same page you can find the author say something and then repeat it almost word for word 2 paragraphs later. Also, if I read the words "Ho boy" one more time, I'll throw something.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
First thoughts upon finishing:
I don't have time to write a review; I have to immediately start book 2.
So yeah, this was really fucking good, okay?
4.5 STARS!
My thoughts after re-reading:
This was a great start to what is proving to be a captivating (adult) fantasy series! Wildest Dreams drew me in right away, and keep me eager to keep turning the pages for more.
This book had the perfect balance of all the things I love to see in a story: alluring characters, intriguing plot, simplistic (and understandable) world building, action, suspense, and above all, steamy romance!
I found the heroine (Finnie) to be quite endearing (despite some of the quirks with her POV). I was invested in her character, as well as for her relationship with the alpha-hero, Frey (who had his own swoon-worthy moments, might I add).
I loved that there was magic, there was danger, but at it's heart, there was a great romance, too.
I enjoyed this even more the second time around via audio (and btw, the narrator is FANTASTIC).
4.5 Stars!
I don't have time to write a review; I have to immediately start book 2.
So yeah, this was really fucking good, okay?
4.5 STARS!
My thoughts after re-reading:
This was a great start to what is proving to be a captivating (adult) fantasy series! Wildest Dreams drew me in right away, and keep me eager to keep turning the pages for more.
This book had the perfect balance of all the things I love to see in a story: alluring characters, intriguing plot, simplistic (and understandable) world building, action, suspense, and above all, steamy romance!
I found the heroine (Finnie) to be quite endearing (despite some of the quirks with her POV
Spoiler
as in, her overuse of the saying "Ho Boy!"I loved that there was magic, there was danger, but at it's heart, there was a great romance, too.
I enjoyed this even more the second time around via audio (and btw, the narrator is FANTASTIC).
4.5 Stars!