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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
OMG. this book is amazing. I didn't think she could get any better after Lahn and Circe book which is my favourite but Apollo's is just as amazing. I loved that all main character were in this book and we got to see them after their HEA. It did say at end that their still another book to come from series I cannot way. I absolutely love this series.
Wow... What a mix of pain and pleasure, trauma, and passion, loss and love. Loved the epic ending and looking forward to the next story to fully close out the series.
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
Wow!! Another work of beauty by K.A!! I just adore this wonderful world she has created, and the characters that reside there are just delightful!! I am so excited to see that there will be a 4th!!
Broken Dove (Fantasyland #4) by Kristen Ashley
Interrelated fantasy series featuring a different couple in each book.
Broken Dove would not sit alone well.
I waited so long to read it because I didn't think I'd love fantasy, but it turns out that The Fantasyland Series by Kristen Ashley is one of my top favorite series. Oh who am I kidding? All of Kristen Ashley's are my favorites. These are the first fantasy books I have read, and they are a great change of pace! Broken Dove is the fourth in the series, I went in right from Fantastical, and perhaps maybe it was just too much. Overload. Because I found myself a little bored and confused at times, which has NEVER happened in a KA book.
Don't get me wrong. I still loved most of it, but it was not my favorite by any means. Except the sex. That was hot and dirty! Just the way I like it ;-)~
Apollo Ulfr is a heartbroken widower with two young kids. He lives in the Fantasyland world, and once he found out that they all have twins in our world, Apollo wants his wife's twin, Ilsa, brought to him.
The Ilsa of our world is on the run for three years from her husband. Her Apollo ("Pol") is an evil, heartless man that liked to use Ilsa as a punching bag. He has found her though, so the Apollo from the other world needs to act fast, or it may be too late.
"Apparently being pistol whipped made you hallucinate. But there it was. The vision before me was Pol in a dude-from-a-romance-novel-cover outfit hammering the normal Pol with his fists."
She is then transported to the other world. But Apollo is not prepared to see his wife's duplicate in looks, but not at all in personality. And it's not easy for Ilsa to look at him with anything other than fear. He has the face of the man who terrorized her.
“Be careful what you wish for. You might get it. And not want it.”
So "Lo" takes off and spends months away at another home with his kids, while Ilsa began winning over and making great friends with his men. They even renamed her Maddie so people would think she was a distant relative. The guys, especially one, were so nice to her and the whole situation for Apollo and Ilsa is so awkward, and Apollo was a dick, so I actually kind of rooted for her to fall for one of his men instead of him. I mean, even if it did work out, how can she not always feel like a poor replacement of his dead wife? But once Apollo sees that Ilsa is worth loving on her own, and that she is totally different than his Ilsa, things start to warm up.
“This is going very fast,” I reiterated.
“Yes,” he agreed, not letting go of my hand or my gaze.
“It’s scary.”
“Yes,” he agreed again and I watched in fascination as his beautiful jade eyes turned hard and determined. “And this, my poppy, will be the last thing on this world or any other that you fear.”
There was a LOT going on in this book. All 4 couples got together, the witches and all the bad guys were in it, and I found it very overwhelming and difficult to follow at times. There was a lot of excitement and adventure, and I loved seeing the other couples, especially Lahn. But I must admit, seeing them again made me realize that Apollo and Ilsa just didn't have the magic that the other three had. The sex though, was off the charts.
"Then his hand cracked against my ass.
Oh God. God, God, God.
Yes.
My hips jerked, my ass stung, my body fucking burned.
"Touch yourself."
My heart broke for Apollo's son, who was old enough to remember his mom, and here is his dad falling for her exact replica.
Apollo is not quite as deliciously alpha as Kristen Ashley's men are, don't get me wrong, he is, but I just didn't fall in love with him (though damn, I wouldn't mind sleeping with him! YUM). And Ilsa was broken, so she was a bit more passive than some of her other heroines. She had some spunk, and she made everyone she met fall for her, but I found her a little meeker than the rest, but believe me, she will still grab that sword and kill!
“A dove has great beauty, but is easy broken.”
Ilsa had never really had any happiness in her life, so even though curses and bad guys and witches abound, the Fantasyland world is still infinitely better for Ilsa.
“Just so you know, honey, if your intention is giving me better... you’re succeeding.”
And Apollo ("Lo") picks up her pieces.
“So this is what it feels like not to be broken.”
Likes:
- •I still love the whole world and setting of the series.
- •Visiting with all the other couples.
- •The sex was off the charts.
- •The kids.
- •An amazing epilogue.
- •Adelea Tea ;-)
- •Once again, characters you love, and rich descriptions.
Dislikes:
- •It moved a little slow for me at times.
- •I didn't feel the undying love between them.
- •Too many characters and too much going on and at times I was a little lost.
The Down & Dirty:
While Broken Dove is not my favorite in the Fantasyland series, I still thoroughly enjoyed the read. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't just finished Fantastical because the visits with the other couples would have felt more like visiting long-lost friends. This situation was made especially difficult because the heroine was brought in to replace the hero's dead wife. There were a lot of outside storylines that became a bit overwhelming and difficult to follow and I wanted a bit more of the couple bonding. But all in all, I still loved being back in Fantasyland so much, and despite having several dislikes, I still enjoyed every second of the read, and can't wait for Noc's book, Midnight Soul.
Rating: 4 stars, 4.75 Heat
Purchase Broken Dove by Kristen Ashley
I have to write some things down so I do not forget.
Honestly this book is just about smexing and them arguing. Or the author telling us what everyone is wearing. All the time.
And Apollo is such an alpha a-hole. Honestly they argue, and the women tell HER to forgive and talk to him. He is an asshole, she should give him the finger and walk away. He should come begging on his knees.
And we are meant to believe this is an awesome society where whores are awesome and celebrated. And people start experimenting with sex young and can sleep around as much as they want cos that is the way....
yeah sorry I DO NOT believe it when every man is beyond alpha a-hole and to women seem to be chattel.
Grow up the both of you.
And for Loki's sake, please stop telling me how HOT everyone is. I get it, men in that world are hot, whatever.
Actual review.
I have said it all...
Sure I enjoyed the book at times, but trust me, nothing happened, arguing, sex, talking *eye roll* It feels like the author lost some steam when writing this one.
Oh and I totally forgot about the stupid thing that in this world and our world we speak English, French (and surely other ones too). What, so two worlds evolved and spoke the same languages, but still not the words, oh whatever. And parallell twins have the same name...whatever
Honestly this book is just about smexing and them arguing. Or the author telling us what everyone is wearing. All the time.
And Apollo is such an alpha a-hole. Honestly they argue, and the women tell HER to forgive and talk to him. He is an asshole, she should give him the finger and walk away. He should come begging on his knees.
And we are meant to believe this is an awesome society where whores are awesome and celebrated. And people start experimenting with sex young and can sleep around as much as they want cos that is the way....
yeah sorry I DO NOT believe it when every man is beyond alpha a-hole and to women seem to be chattel.
Grow up the both of you.
And for Loki's sake, please stop telling me how HOT everyone is. I get it, men in that world are hot, whatever.
Actual review.
I have said it all...
Sure I enjoyed the book at times, but trust me, nothing happened, arguing, sex, talking *eye roll* It feels like the author lost some steam when writing this one.
Oh and I totally forgot about the stupid thing that in this world and our world we speak English, French (and surely other ones too). What, so two worlds evolved and spoke the same languages, but still not the words, oh whatever. And parallell twins have the same name...whatever
This is my favorite of the series. So hot! ;-)
It was nice seeing the other couples again, but one drug on way too long.
Ohhh I was soooo looking forward to reading Apollo's book and I was SO not disappointed !!!
As usual, a rollercoaster of emotions, twists, chills, broken-hearted moments, laughs and a universe that we explore more and more by seeing their different customs etc etc
In short, another great GREAT book !!
As usual, a rollercoaster of emotions, twists, chills, broken-hearted moments, laughs and a universe that we explore more and more by seeing their different customs etc etc
In short, another great GREAT book !!
I would just like to start by saying that Kristen Ashley is the bomb. I love you Kristen, you have my eternal love and I’m not even kidding. This woman has a way with words, it’s just magic. I could recognize her writing style among 120930293 others. Her characters, her universes, her stories…all of it, it’s always unique with her, ALWAYS. I don’t understand how she can write so many amazing books in so little time and in genres completely different. All of this to say that KA is and always will be my favorite author. Even when I rate one of her books badly, I still love the story, I just *usually* don’t like the heroine LOL.
Broken Dove was amazing. This series is one of my favorite of hers and I was so very excited for this book to come out. And as always, Kristen delivered. Apollo and Ilsa/Maddie’s story was so beautiful and profound and perfect. I loved every pages.
I adore the Fantasyland series because it’s so cool and unique and interesting. I love the two worlds and the fact that you have a twin in the other world, it’s just super clever and Kristen made such a great series with all of this… I just want more now.
Firstly, I just LOVE the second world, every time I feel like I’m in a Disney movie or something. Kristen describes everything so well, so it’s very easy to picture everything in my head and it’s just so beautiful and dreamy, I wish it could be real and, like that, I would go and find MY warrior! *sigh*
Secondly, the stories are ALWAYS amazing. It’s always a bit similar in the sense that the heroine lives in our world and gets transported to the other world and the hero is of the second world etc but, in a way they’re still all different. Broken Dove has the same pattern but, once again, the story is different and refreshing and awesome!
Apollo was such a great MC. So broken, sad and still loving and caring with his children. I loved him, he loved his late wife deeply, it was even painful to read about it at times. That’s how good Kristen is with words. He could also be reckless and detached at times, and yes, I got pissed at him big time because of that but everything he did, whether it was for his late wife, his children or for Ilsa/Maddie he always did it with good intentions and a good heart. Apollo was fierce, strong, possessive, tender and in bed…let me tell ya… SIGH
Ilsa or rather Maddie (her nickname in the other world) was also a great heroine. With Kristen’s heroines, for me, it’s always all or nothing. I will either love them or hate them, no joke. In this case, I loved her. She was even more broken than Apollo, what she endured at the hands of Pol (the Apollo of our world) was truly awful but she was still so strong and resolved and I loved how she adapted to her new world. She didn’t freak out *much* lol, she stayed rational and she went for it! She saw an opportunity to get free of Pol, she had nothing to lose so she took it, and I loved that! I also loved how deeply she loved, how deeply she cared and how enthusiastic she was about everything.
Maddie being the twin of Ilsa (Apollo’s late wife), it was not always easy for her and for him, especially for him, of course. But he quickly realized that Maddie might look exactly like his late wife, she might have the same voice etc but she was NOT her at all. The relationship they formed was beautiful, they made me cry several times. It was just so freaking bittersweet. Apollo’s situation was just plain hard&sad, he lost the love of his life and now he has Maddie, the exact same woman but…not. I loved them together, once they started to understand each other better and once Apollo “got over” the resemblance it was perfect. Not once did he took Maddie for Ilsa, he was always aware that his Maddie was not his Ilsa and Maddie was always aware that her Lo was not Pol.
I can’t really express my feelings properly, just that their love was beautiful, I loved reading about it and seeing them building something together. Of course it was not easy, of course they had bad moments but, in the end, it was all worth it.
Like I said, Apollo had children. A boy and a girl. That was another obstacle. Because Élan, the little girl (six), did not remember her mother so she was cool with Maddie but Christophe (almost nine, I think) did and you can imagine what it would be like to lose your mama, mourn her and all of a sudden to see “her” again but…not. Oh my god, I don’t think I could do it. This was also a beautiful part of the book, the way Kristen handled it, some times it was so very sad and painful but other times it was just beautiful and I cried like a baby.
The secondary characters were as good. I loved Élan and Christophe. I absolutely loved Apollo’s men, especially Derrik and Achilles. And I would really love to have a little novella for Derrik or maybe for both of them haha! I loved Loretta and Meeta, I loved Valentine…and most of all, I loved the other couples from book #1, #2 and #3! I was so happy to read about them once more and when my husband Dax arrived I was ecstatic, of course! My Dax with his warriors and his culture, I luv him so much.
Overall, Broken Dove was an amazing book, beautiful, bittersweet, heartbreaking and heartwarming with a great plot, great characters, some action, a LOT of good sex (and oh my, the sex!!!) and it will left you wanting more!
PS: Now, I am super excited for the fifth book, Noc’s story. I wonder who will be the heroine and I just hope it will not be Franka…
Broken Dove was amazing. This series is one of my favorite of hers and I was so very excited for this book to come out. And as always, Kristen delivered. Apollo and Ilsa/Maddie’s story was so beautiful and profound and perfect. I loved every pages.
I adore the Fantasyland series because it’s so cool and unique and interesting. I love the two worlds and the fact that you have a twin in the other world, it’s just super clever and Kristen made such a great series with all of this… I just want more now.
Firstly, I just LOVE the second world, every time I feel like I’m in a Disney movie or something. Kristen describes everything so well, so it’s very easy to picture everything in my head and it’s just so beautiful and dreamy, I wish it could be real and, like that, I would go and find MY warrior! *sigh*
Secondly, the stories are ALWAYS amazing. It’s always a bit similar in the sense that the heroine lives in our world and gets transported to the other world and the hero is of the second world etc but, in a way they’re still all different. Broken Dove has the same pattern but, once again, the story is different and refreshing and awesome!
Apollo was such a great MC. So broken, sad and still loving and caring with his children. I loved him, he loved his late wife deeply, it was even painful to read about it at times. That’s how good Kristen is with words. He could also be reckless and detached at times, and yes, I got pissed at him big time because of that but everything he did, whether it was for his late wife, his children or for Ilsa/Maddie he always did it with good intentions and a good heart. Apollo was fierce, strong, possessive, tender and in bed…let me tell ya… SIGH
Ilsa or rather Maddie (her nickname in the other world) was also a great heroine. With Kristen’s heroines, for me, it’s always all or nothing. I will either love them or hate them, no joke. In this case, I loved her. She was even more broken than Apollo, what she endured at the hands of Pol (the Apollo of our world) was truly awful but she was still so strong and resolved and I loved how she adapted to her new world. She didn’t freak out *much* lol, she stayed rational and she went for it! She saw an opportunity to get free of Pol, she had nothing to lose so she took it, and I loved that! I also loved how deeply she loved, how deeply she cared and how enthusiastic she was about everything.
Maddie being the twin of Ilsa (Apollo’s late wife), it was not always easy for her and for him, especially for him, of course. But he quickly realized that Maddie might look exactly like his late wife, she might have the same voice etc but she was NOT her at all. The relationship they formed was beautiful, they made me cry several times. It was just so freaking bittersweet. Apollo’s situation was just plain hard&sad, he lost the love of his life and now he has Maddie, the exact same woman but…not. I loved them together, once they started to understand each other better and once Apollo “got over” the resemblance it was perfect. Not once did he took Maddie for Ilsa, he was always aware that his Maddie was not his Ilsa and Maddie was always aware that her Lo was not Pol.
I can’t really express my feelings properly, just that their love was beautiful, I loved reading about it and seeing them building something together. Of course it was not easy, of course they had bad moments but, in the end, it was all worth it.
Like I said, Apollo had children. A boy and a girl. That was another obstacle. Because Élan, the little girl (six), did not remember her mother so she was cool with Maddie but Christophe (almost nine, I think) did and you can imagine what it would be like to lose your mama, mourn her and all of a sudden to see “her” again but…not. Oh my god, I don’t think I could do it. This was also a beautiful part of the book, the way Kristen handled it, some times it was so very sad and painful but other times it was just beautiful and I cried like a baby.
The secondary characters were as good. I loved Élan and Christophe. I absolutely loved Apollo’s men, especially Derrik and Achilles. And I would really love to have a little novella for Derrik or maybe for both of them haha! I loved Loretta and Meeta, I loved Valentine…and most of all, I loved the other couples from book #1, #2 and #3! I was so happy to read about them once more and when my husband Dax arrived I was ecstatic, of course! My Dax with his warriors and his culture, I luv him so much.
Overall, Broken Dove was an amazing book, beautiful, bittersweet, heartbreaking and heartwarming with a great plot, great characters, some action, a LOT of good sex (and oh my, the sex!!!) and it will left you wanting more!
PS: Now, I am super excited for the fifth book, Noc’s story. I wonder who will be the heroine and I just hope it will not be Franka…