Scan barcode
a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
Dark Elf + Rein Dear = Continued cute storytelling in Cochet’s reimagined North Pole!
Merry Christmas!
Dark Elf + Rein Dear = Continued cute storytelling in Cochet’s reimagined North Pole!
Merry Christmas!
teresab78's review
4.0
Good addition
I really liked Calder and I liked that Donner saw his goodness quickly. There’s a little action and danger, some self sacrifice and love.
I really liked Calder and I liked that Donner saw his goodness quickly. There’s a little action and danger, some self sacrifice and love.
ellelainey's review against another edition
5.0
Book – Disarming Donner (North Pole City Tales #5)
Author – Charlie Cochet
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 68
Cover – Gorgeous!
POV – 3rd person, dual POV
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, Holiday, Fantasy, Christmas
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
Well, the last in the series...until next Christmas.
A beautiful story of not judging a book by the cover, opening your mind and looking beyond the surface. For me, this one ranks equally with Vixen's Valor for best story of the series.
Calder was...beautiful. It's the only word to describe him. Strong, smart, teasing and playful; he was a great main character, but also the kind of deceptively brutish looking sweetheart with a gooey centre. On the other hand, Donner was a little bit more feminine than I've seen him before, more emotional, creative and flustered a lot. As a pair, they were charming and adorable.
I cried, I laughed and it was all for the good. Like the others, it hit me in the feels just when I thought everything was safe. And those moments when people were astoundingly happy, but it was only 60-70% and I just knew something awful was going to happen – they killed me.
I really loved that Cupid started the revolution of accepting that not all Dockalfar elves were evil, just like not all Christmas elves or Toy Soldiers were unerringly good. The brotherly love between Calder and Cupid was just stupidly lovely and the fact that we got to see more of Cupid and Blitz was just as sweet.
Again, another winner. Great writing, great plotting, great characters and one hell of an attention to detail with the world building. I don't think I'll ever not love an instalment of this series.
~
Favourite Quote
“Donner marched up to Calder, then jabbed a finger against his chest. Plum pudding, that hurt! He discreetly pulled his hand behind his back to shake it off. Was the elf made of granite? “Mayor Kringle might have thought it a jolly good idea for you to train Cupid, but you shouldn't be here. And I don't mean here in Jack's palace – though you clearly shouldn't be here either – but in North Pole City. No good can come of it.”
Instead of getting angry, Calder leaned forward, his smile wicked. “It would seem, my little dear, that you could use some bad in your pristine and perfect life.”
Donner's jaw dropped.”
Author – Charlie Cochet
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 68
Cover – Gorgeous!
POV – 3rd person, dual POV
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, Holiday, Fantasy, Christmas
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
Well, the last in the series...until next Christmas.
A beautiful story of not judging a book by the cover, opening your mind and looking beyond the surface. For me, this one ranks equally with Vixen's Valor for best story of the series.
Calder was...beautiful. It's the only word to describe him. Strong, smart, teasing and playful; he was a great main character, but also the kind of deceptively brutish looking sweetheart with a gooey centre. On the other hand, Donner was a little bit more feminine than I've seen him before, more emotional, creative and flustered a lot. As a pair, they were charming and adorable.
I cried, I laughed and it was all for the good. Like the others, it hit me in the feels just when I thought everything was safe. And those moments when people were astoundingly happy, but it was only 60-70% and I just knew something awful was going to happen – they killed me.
I really loved that Cupid started the revolution of accepting that not all Dockalfar elves were evil, just like not all Christmas elves or Toy Soldiers were unerringly good. The brotherly love between Calder and Cupid was just stupidly lovely and the fact that we got to see more of Cupid and Blitz was just as sweet.
Again, another winner. Great writing, great plotting, great characters and one hell of an attention to detail with the world building. I don't think I'll ever not love an instalment of this series.
~
Favourite Quote
“Donner marched up to Calder, then jabbed a finger against his chest. Plum pudding, that hurt! He discreetly pulled his hand behind his back to shake it off. Was the elf made of granite? “Mayor Kringle might have thought it a jolly good idea for you to train Cupid, but you shouldn't be here. And I don't mean here in Jack's palace – though you clearly shouldn't be here either – but in North Pole City. No good can come of it.”
Instead of getting angry, Calder leaned forward, his smile wicked. “It would seem, my little dear, that you could use some bad in your pristine and perfect life.”
Donner's jaw dropped.”
toshi21's review
4.0
Sweet and adorable with a tiny twist
This 5th book of the North Pole City tales brings us to Donner and Calder, a kind Dockalfar.
Calder is Cupid’s brother and is teaching Cupid to use his dark magic. But all he wants is light and love.
Donner is a bit uptight and has some issues trusting the kind dark elf.
Again, Charlie takes us on a sweet ride, teaching us as well that what’s on the outside is NOT what’s on the inside. She does it in a sweet and aw shucks kind of way.
The twist is the climax of the story and definitely not what I was expecting.
Another lovely holiday read.
This 5th book of the North Pole City tales brings us to Donner and Calder, a kind Dockalfar.
Calder is Cupid’s brother and is teaching Cupid to use his dark magic. But all he wants is light and love.
Donner is a bit uptight and has some issues trusting the kind dark elf.
Again, Charlie takes us on a sweet ride, teaching us as well that what’s on the outside is NOT what’s on the inside. She does it in a sweet and aw shucks kind of way.
The twist is the climax of the story and definitely not what I was expecting.
Another lovely holiday read.
anya_doesntmatter's review
3.0
So cute. So Christmas. So sweet!
I really enjoyed this story. Think of it as a bedtime story for adults. It's heartwarming yumminess all rolled into one.
Disarming Donner is a short quick Christmas tale about a dark elf named Calder and an adorable reindeer named Donner :)
Calder has had a tough time making friends and gaining acceptance in North Pole City. The only person that treats him with any kind of acceptance is his sweet brother Cupid. Everyone else either tremble in fear, avoid him like the plague... or in Donner's case, fight the attraction that's brewing between them. No matter how hard he tries, Calder always gets the short end of the stick and he understands, after all; the dark elves murdered the Queen of Frost which triggered a great war and deep hatred between the two realms. The only reason Calder is allowed in Winter Wonderland is because Mayor Kringle invited him. Calder is there to help his brother Cupid, learn how to control his Dark elf powers.
The more Donner observes Calder as he helps Cupid or try to interact with other citizens, the more his heart begin to soften towards the gentle giant. The transition from mistrust and dislike to attraction and love is to die for. I couldn't resist smiling whenever Donner had to reverse his misguided opinions of Calder. I couldn't resist pumping my fist in the air when Donner finally succumbed to the mutual attraction they share.
As I said, this is a short, well-written holiday read that packs quite a punch. Read it. I enjoyed it :)
xanthe87's review
4.0
This, to me, was a tale of looking below the surface and how appearances can be deceiving.
Calder may be a Dockalfar (evil elf) but he is filled with good will and just a want to be loved. He is in town, training his brother, Cupid, now that he's aware of his Dockalfar powers.
Donner strongly dislikes Calder, or at least wants to but it doesn't take long for Calder to show others his true fun, loving and kind colours. A connection/relationship slowly builds between them as Donner opens himself up tot he idea of it at disregards what others may think.
Oh, how I just want to hug Calder! He puts up with the fear and trepidation of nearly every elf in North Pole City and still manages to keep looking on the bright side. Donner really develops as he comes to stand beside Calder and put up a united front against others which is wonderful to read. Drama ensues in a couple of places, once even had a tear with outcome for Calder and Cupid.
I love how this story develops and plays out. It really drew me in with both MC's from the beginning and the evolution of their romance was wonderful to read.
A great addition to the series and a recommended read. I'd say to read the series in order as there's mention of relationships and events that happened in previous books.
I received an ARC and am happily giving my review.
Calder may be a Dockalfar (evil elf) but he is filled with good will and just a want to be loved. He is in town, training his brother, Cupid, now that he's aware of his Dockalfar powers.
Donner strongly dislikes Calder, or at least wants to but it doesn't take long for Calder to show others his true fun, loving and kind colours. A connection/relationship slowly builds between them as Donner opens himself up tot he idea of it at disregards what others may think.
Oh, how I just want to hug Calder! He puts up with the fear and trepidation of nearly every elf in North Pole City and still manages to keep looking on the bright side. Donner really develops as he comes to stand beside Calder and put up a united front against others which is wonderful to read. Drama ensues in a couple of places, once even had a tear with outcome for Calder and Cupid.
I love how this story develops and plays out. It really drew me in with both MC's from the beginning and the evolution of their romance was wonderful to read.
A great addition to the series and a recommended read. I'd say to read the series in order as there's mention of relationships and events that happened in previous books.
I received an ARC and am happily giving my review.
the_novel_approach's review
4.0
One of my favorite moments in December every year is when I see the cover reveal and release date for the next book in the North Pole City Tales. The covers are beyond adorable, I’m always so excited to see the new installment, and my excitement over the books is always rewarded. The series is consistently well-written and fun; Charlie Cochet nails every one of these stories, including this year’s.
Disarming Donner picks up with part of the storyline from Loving Blitz, where we learned the dark secret Cupid was keeping—that he was part Dockalfar. These dark elves are known for their bitterness and use of dark magic, which is a reputation Cupid’s brother Gunne certainly lived up to. But Cupid’s other brother, Calder, is completely different. Calder only wants people to see past the history and actions of other Dockalfar, and see him for him. Calder doesn’t want the other elves in North Pole City or nearby Winter Wonderland to fear him; he is a gentle and generous soul who simply wants to be loved.
While training Cupid to learn to fully use his magic, Calder develops a crush on Donner, one of the other Rein Dear. I loved the initial meetings between these two. Donner was so flummoxed and appalled by Calder’s cheekiness, and Calder couldn’t help but take advantage of that and do whatever he could to get under Donner’s skin. Lots of cute, funny stuff going on even before Donner realized his attraction to Calder. I enjoyed Donner’s character so much as well. He’s so sincere and kindhearted; I loved getting to know him.
The flow of the book was great. Cochet does a nice job, as always, of introducing the characters and building up the connection. The bulk of the story focuses on Calder, and his work on convincing Cupid and Donner’s fellow Christmas elves, and maybe most importantly, Jack Frost, that he is different than Gunne, and that he only wants to help the people of North Pole City. The romance between Donner and Calder is also lovely – they were so natural and sweet with each other—but, I think my favorite thing about this book was learning about Calder and watching his growth and acceptance into Donner’s life, as well as the lives of everyone else around him.
Though, of course there was an interesting and exciting conflict, Disarming Donner is heavy on charm and light on drama, which is exactly what I look for in a book from this delightful series. If you haven’t started the North Pole City Tales yet, I would definitely encourage you to read the other books first. But, if you are caught up, then go grab this one now! And, then join me in the long, twelve month wait until next December.
Review by Jules for The Novel Approach
Disarming Donner picks up with part of the storyline from Loving Blitz, where we learned the dark secret Cupid was keeping—that he was part Dockalfar. These dark elves are known for their bitterness and use of dark magic, which is a reputation Cupid’s brother Gunne certainly lived up to. But Cupid’s other brother, Calder, is completely different. Calder only wants people to see past the history and actions of other Dockalfar, and see him for him. Calder doesn’t want the other elves in North Pole City or nearby Winter Wonderland to fear him; he is a gentle and generous soul who simply wants to be loved.
While training Cupid to learn to fully use his magic, Calder develops a crush on Donner, one of the other Rein Dear. I loved the initial meetings between these two. Donner was so flummoxed and appalled by Calder’s cheekiness, and Calder couldn’t help but take advantage of that and do whatever he could to get under Donner’s skin. Lots of cute, funny stuff going on even before Donner realized his attraction to Calder. I enjoyed Donner’s character so much as well. He’s so sincere and kindhearted; I loved getting to know him.
The flow of the book was great. Cochet does a nice job, as always, of introducing the characters and building up the connection. The bulk of the story focuses on Calder, and his work on convincing Cupid and Donner’s fellow Christmas elves, and maybe most importantly, Jack Frost, that he is different than Gunne, and that he only wants to help the people of North Pole City. The romance between Donner and Calder is also lovely – they were so natural and sweet with each other—but, I think my favorite thing about this book was learning about Calder and watching his growth and acceptance into Donner’s life, as well as the lives of everyone else around him.
Though, of course there was an interesting and exciting conflict, Disarming Donner is heavy on charm and light on drama, which is exactly what I look for in a book from this delightful series. If you haven’t started the North Pole City Tales yet, I would definitely encourage you to read the other books first. But, if you are caught up, then go grab this one now! And, then join me in the long, twelve month wait until next December.
Review by Jules for The Novel Approach
teenykins's review
3.0
I liked this one a bit better than the previous one, maybe because it had a bit of angst in it in the end and that spiced things up a bit, but Donner's 180 when it came to Calder wasn't exactly excusable...
ktomp17's review
4.0
Donner is a Rein Dear and Calder is Cupid’s Dockalfar brother. No one trusts a Dockalfar, and Donner is in that camp at the beginning of the book. Calder is a total sweetheart. He doesn’t want to be evil and tries to do good whenever he can. It was a great little story about falling into the belief of stereotypes and not giving people chances. Donner and Calder were adorable together. It was great to see Donner see the heart inside Calder and eventually stand up for him. Great story thread between the books with Gunne. Looking forward to the big Wedding and to see Dasher charm the pants off the King.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services