Scan barcode
starsfan56's review
4.0
Finally, practice, practice, practice - magic ain't easy nor free!
This was a good solid start for a fantasy series. I liked Nicole and her OCD awesomeness. It was never identified as such, but boy was she ever focused. Focused on getting ahead and being the best at her job. (Not so much as a wife). Her focusing abilities is what helped her succeed in an impossible situation when learning she was a changeling, had the ability to do magic, and a family members life was in danger. She knuckled under and prepared. And wow what a refreshing change that was. She worked to identify what she could do and how best to use it in battle. And then she practiced it!
Yes, because this is a story after all, she only had three days to practice before a death match. But she wasn't a TSTL heroine! Yay for that! The more I'm remembering this story the more respect I have for our heroine.
It doesn't hurt that our heroine had very strong talent to help her find her way. Once she came in to it, it was not a trickle. Her enemies were not weak and her raw talent and her willingness to find a way to harness the talent helped her become a force to be reckoned with.
There was a lot of ground to cover in this first in the series. So there were some relationships that could have been better developed. There were some things that could have been better done. However, the important ones were done very well. This is the first story I've read in a long time where the heroine gets out of a marriage where I actually liked the guy she's leaving behind to become who she needs to be. He wasn't right for her, but we also were presented with how she wasn't right for him either. Both managed to maintain dignity and respect and that was really well done of the author. I kind of wanted her to work it out with her ex, that's how torn I was.
So we have an interesting magical world set among the Fae, with enough differences to make it unique and not like other fantasies out there. We have a heroine that is by her very nature driven and only needed a more worthy cause to focus on, we have a possible love interest and maybe even more than one, we have a strong family unit to keep her centered, and we have a unique pet! I see so much potential here to build on.
It is not as complex and intricate as some I've read (speaking of you Dresden) but oh my stars it is by no means a light weight either. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I will watch for more to see what Nicole's next challenge might be. And I freaking love that one of her major talents is to transform things. I mean, how cool is that? Transform a rag into a beast, or a block into a wall, or perfume into acid. Just way cool gift.
This was a good solid start for a fantasy series. I liked Nicole and her OCD awesomeness. It was never identified as such, but boy was she ever focused. Focused on getting ahead and being the best at her job. (Not so much as a wife). Her focusing abilities is what helped her succeed in an impossible situation when learning she was a changeling, had the ability to do magic, and a family members life was in danger. She knuckled under and prepared. And wow what a refreshing change that was. She worked to identify what she could do and how best to use it in battle. And then she practiced it!
Yes, because this is a story after all, she only had three days to practice before a death match. But she wasn't a TSTL heroine! Yay for that! The more I'm remembering this story the more respect I have for our heroine.
It doesn't hurt that our heroine had very strong talent to help her find her way. Once she came in to it, it was not a trickle. Her enemies were not weak and her raw talent and her willingness to find a way to harness the talent helped her become a force to be reckoned with.
There was a lot of ground to cover in this first in the series. So there were some relationships that could have been better developed. There were some things that could have been better done. However, the important ones were done very well. This is the first story I've read in a long time where the heroine gets out of a marriage where I actually liked the guy she's leaving behind to become who she needs to be. He wasn't right for her, but we also were presented with how she wasn't right for him either. Both managed to maintain dignity and respect and that was really well done of the author. I kind of wanted her to work it out with her ex, that's how torn I was.
So we have an interesting magical world set among the Fae, with enough differences to make it unique and not like other fantasies out there. We have a heroine that is by her very nature driven and only needed a more worthy cause to focus on, we have a possible love interest and maybe even more than one, we have a strong family unit to keep her centered, and we have a unique pet! I see so much potential here to build on.
It is not as complex and intricate as some I've read (speaking of you Dresden) but oh my stars it is by no means a light weight either. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I will watch for more to see what Nicole's next challenge might be. And I freaking love that one of her major talents is to transform things. I mean, how cool is that? Transform a rag into a beast, or a block into a wall, or perfume into acid. Just way cool gift.
krismoon's review
5.0
I loved this book! Lots of fun, great main character, and fun world. It felt a little bit like Alice in Wonderland, which was fun.
aly36's review
5.0
Love this book! I love to read about the Fae world. These books have always made me think how fun a world like this could be. I love the character of Nicole and all the problem she has to face and defeat as a Changeling. This book took me on a great journey with Nicole and I was sucked in from the beginning and didn't want to put this book down. I would read more from this author for sure. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
eleni133's review
4.0
I received and arc of Loose Changeling on First Reads.
4.5/5
To say I enjoyed the book would be an understatement. Loose Changeling takes the meaning of action-packed to a whole new level. Most books take ages to reach a scene that's interesting, but from the first few chapters I was taken into the life of the main character, Nicole (that was around the time I decided sleep wasn't important). Most authors just write meaningless chapters to fill up space in the book, but A.G. Stewart gives readers what they actually want –action, humour, romance, and ass-kicking fighting scenes. Throughout the entire book there was not one moment where I was bored.
The character development was well established. I absolutely loved, Kailen (sexy fae mercenary on a mission, but also with shocking secrets). I mean, who wouldn't want an extremely hot man to show up on your doorstep. Whether it be fighting hobgoblins (nasty creatures) or his affections for Nicole, I was ALWAYS desperate for more. Then there's Nicole, who went from salesperson to sword fighting master with the ability to manifest objects. The change in her didn't feel forced, but flowed easily with the revelations she uncovered. It was absolutely amazing.It came to the point where every thought was consumed with this book.
And now that I've finished it, with the epic badass fighting scene which left me breathless and the promise of more struggles to come, all I can think of it is this: I. NEED. MORE.
And so, that wait for the next instalment of Changeling Wars begins.
4.5/5
To say I enjoyed the book would be an understatement. Loose Changeling takes the meaning of action-packed to a whole new level. Most books take ages to reach a scene that's interesting, but from the first few chapters I was taken into the life of the main character, Nicole (that was around the time I decided sleep wasn't important). Most authors just write meaningless chapters to fill up space in the book, but A.G. Stewart gives readers what they actually want –action, humour, romance, and ass-kicking fighting scenes. Throughout the entire book there was not one moment where I was bored.
The character development was well established. I absolutely loved, Kailen (sexy fae mercenary on a mission, but also with shocking secrets). I mean, who wouldn't want an extremely hot man to show up on your doorstep. Whether it be fighting hobgoblins (nasty creatures) or his affections for Nicole, I was ALWAYS desperate for more. Then there's Nicole, who went from salesperson to sword fighting master with the ability to manifest objects. The change in her didn't feel forced, but flowed easily with the revelations she uncovered. It was absolutely amazing.It came to the point where every thought was consumed with this book.
And now that I've finished it, with the epic badass fighting scene which left me breathless and the promise of more struggles to come, all I can think of it is this: I. NEED. MORE.
And so, that wait for the next instalment of Changeling Wars begins.
sagek's review
4.0
*I won the ebook ARC version of this in a giveaway on Booklikes.
**This will also be posted on Booklikes.
Loose Changeling follows a young woman named Nicole whose world is changing and becoming rather insane. First she finds out her husband is cheating on her, then a strange mouse keeps bothering her, a strange man claiming to be a divorce lawyer shows up, and then sh*t gets real.
I love how quickly the action gets started, how soon all the troubles arise and come into place. I love the flow of the writing and the story, and how much Nicole's character developed and changed. I like the mysterious aspects and the danger and the thrill, and how you get so immersed in the story you find yourself rooting for Nicole and then realize you're trying to solve the mysteries as well.
I also really like the characters. They grow so much and they're just overall very likeable. I would share more, but what I have in mind only consists of spoilers.... Just know that they're likeable and grow a whole lot in the duration of the story. It's like watching you're child grow up. I'm just kidding, I don't actually know how that feels. But you get the point. I hope.
Anyway, although I liked the book and enjoyed the characters and action, what I wasn't a huge fan of was the love triangle. I get that Nicole and Owen are divorcing, but her feelings for Kailen seem too quick to form. After everything they went through together on their journey, there wasn't really any explanation for her to fall for him. At least to me there wasn't. I just wish their feelings were slower to develop, and that there was more to it to make said feelings form.
Overall, I liked Loose Changeling and I can't wait for the second book! I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read books containing fantasy, action, romance, and great character development.
**This will also be posted on Booklikes.
Loose Changeling follows a young woman named Nicole whose world is changing and becoming rather insane. First she finds out her husband is cheating on her, then a strange mouse keeps bothering her, a strange man claiming to be a divorce lawyer shows up, and then sh*t gets real.
I love how quickly the action gets started, how soon all the troubles arise and come into place. I love the flow of the writing and the story, and how much Nicole's character developed and changed. I like the mysterious aspects and the danger and the thrill, and how you get so immersed in the story you find yourself rooting for Nicole and then realize you're trying to solve the mysteries as well.
I also really like the characters. They grow so much and they're just overall very likeable. I would share more, but what I have in mind only consists of spoilers.... Just know that they're likeable and grow a whole lot in the duration of the story. It's like watching you're child grow up. I'm just kidding, I don't actually know how that feels. But you get the point. I hope.
Anyway, although I liked the book and enjoyed the characters and action, what I wasn't a huge fan of was the love triangle. I get that Nicole and Owen are divorcing, but her feelings for Kailen seem too quick to form. After everything they went through together on their journey, there wasn't really any explanation for her to fall for him. At least to me there wasn't. I just wish their feelings were slower to develop, and that there was more to it to make said feelings form.
Overall, I liked Loose Changeling and I can't wait for the second book! I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read books containing fantasy, action, romance, and great character development.
pavi_fictionalworm's review
4.0
This review was first posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds
Actual Rating 4.5 Stars
I received a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The only reason why I requested a copy of this book? The protagonist is an Adult Female. Not a teenager. Not a Young Adult. Not even a 20 something old. She is a full grown adult female with an adult life and adult problems.
How many fantasy books would you have read that has a strong female character but is yet to understand the ways of Adult life. Not that I mind those amazing teenage characters (*cough* Hermoine *cough*), but now that I have a little (by little I mean, minuscule) experience of being an adult, I sometimes need a more mature point of view, even in fantasy genre.
“I never thought I would get divorced, much less running around with a guy I barely know, learning magic. And all this in a course of week.”
Nicole is a driven ambitious woman who is quite good at her job. She married her college sweetheart, Eric who was the good old fun loving guy – not so much fun anymore since he is now unemployed.
It’s a little hard to get a read on Nicole. She is someone who tends to take life by it’s teeth and spend the rest of the time polishing it to suit her needs. She leaves the rest of the world behind, only focusing on her needs and wants. She excuses it with the fact that she is now the only one responsible for the home and hearth, while her husband lazes around. (Yes, her bitterness comes through!). And worst comes to worst, she walks in on her husband cheating in her and in a fit of rage changes the “other woman” into a mouse! Why a mouse you ask? Because in her words, she looked a little like a mouse.
“I said before you were like a gun in a game of Russian Roulette. Forget That. You’re more like a loose electrical wire, swinging about a storm.”
But this was only the beginning. Kailen comes to her disguised as a Divorce attorney and her journey into the magic realm begins. Kailen is the proverbial secretive, brooding yet achingly hot guy and he brings with him, knowledge that will shake the foundation of Nicole’s life!!
Together, they go on a journey that will change both their lives. Will it be for better? Will they still be whole at the end of this journey? Only time will tell.
But the characters, every single one of them, were beautifully written. It is a skill of a writer.to be able to write characters that aren’t overshadowed by each other. each character, even the secondary ones were so well written that I fell in love with each of them. And I can’t wait to read more about them :)
“When you’ve got a heritage like mine, you came to realise you have to adjust your expectations of normal. Normal isn’t sitting in front of the TV with your feet propped up and a beer in your hand after a long day of work. Normal is waking up to a grushound at your door, loudly demanding food and lodging with a vocabulary that surpasses your own.”
This is an amazing start to a whole new fantasy series. Full of action, this book keeps you invested in not only the characters but the plot itself. I can’t wait to find what happens in the next book.
Now my only wish it find this book in Paperback in India. A little help, Ms. Stewart? :D
Actual Rating 4.5 Stars
I received a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The only reason why I requested a copy of this book? The protagonist is an Adult Female. Not a teenager. Not a Young Adult. Not even a 20 something old. She is a full grown adult female with an adult life and adult problems.
How many fantasy books would you have read that has a strong female character but is yet to understand the ways of Adult life. Not that I mind those amazing teenage characters (*cough* Hermoine *cough*), but now that I have a little (by little I mean, minuscule) experience of being an adult, I sometimes need a more mature point of view, even in fantasy genre.
“I never thought I would get divorced, much less running around with a guy I barely know, learning magic. And all this in a course of week.”
Nicole is a driven ambitious woman who is quite good at her job. She married her college sweetheart, Eric who was the good old fun loving guy – not so much fun anymore since he is now unemployed.
It’s a little hard to get a read on Nicole. She is someone who tends to take life by it’s teeth and spend the rest of the time polishing it to suit her needs. She leaves the rest of the world behind, only focusing on her needs and wants. She excuses it with the fact that she is now the only one responsible for the home and hearth, while her husband lazes around. (Yes, her bitterness comes through!). And worst comes to worst, she walks in on her husband cheating in her and in a fit of rage changes the “other woman” into a mouse! Why a mouse you ask? Because in her words, she looked a little like a mouse.
“I said before you were like a gun in a game of Russian Roulette. Forget That. You’re more like a loose electrical wire, swinging about a storm.”
But this was only the beginning. Kailen comes to her disguised as a Divorce attorney and her journey into the magic realm begins. Kailen is the proverbial secretive, brooding yet achingly hot guy and he brings with him, knowledge that will shake the foundation of Nicole’s life!!
Together, they go on a journey that will change both their lives. Will it be for better? Will they still be whole at the end of this journey? Only time will tell.
But the characters, every single one of them, were beautifully written. It is a skill of a writer.to be able to write characters that aren’t overshadowed by each other. each character, even the secondary ones were so well written that I fell in love with each of them. And I can’t wait to read more about them :)
“When you’ve got a heritage like mine, you came to realise you have to adjust your expectations of normal. Normal isn’t sitting in front of the TV with your feet propped up and a beer in your hand after a long day of work. Normal is waking up to a grushound at your door, loudly demanding food and lodging with a vocabulary that surpasses your own.”
This is an amazing start to a whole new fantasy series. Full of action, this book keeps you invested in not only the characters but the plot itself. I can’t wait to find what happens in the next book.
Now my only wish it find this book in Paperback in India. A little help, Ms. Stewart? :D
paigesofbooks's review
5.0
I'm typically not a reader of fantasy, but this is some fantasy I can get behind. What's great about this book is that Ms. Stewart creates a world that's so easily understood by many: the mundane life of marriage and work and regular life. But regular life is interrupted, as it often is, by something much different than you'd expect. Finding out you're part of the magical Fae might seem like an incredibly wonderful thing to happen, although discovering your husband in bed with another woman, then finding out you're adopted doesn't sound like a great start.
Tongue in cheek is the perfect description of this book. I found myself laughing out loud a few times at the characters' comebacks. I love the wit and the snark, especially.
I know I have to wait awhile but I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
Tongue in cheek is the perfect description of this book. I found myself laughing out loud a few times at the characters' comebacks. I love the wit and the snark, especially.
I know I have to wait awhile but I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
sarah_who_reads's review
2.0
Meh. I did read a lot of this in a short period of time, but mostly because it is written in very simple language and not the kind of book you have to think much about. It was a book club pick and it's fantasy, which is not really my favorite genre. Lots of swords and fighting, and I'm not really into that. More than that, though, was something else I'm not into: that trope of the bored wife (options for this trope are either: a) wife works too much because she's an overachiever; or b) husband works too much and wife does not work and is lonely - no other possibilities). If I never read another book that begins with that premise, it will be too soon. Another thing that drove me crazy: the romance in this book is based on very little other than the dude is hot, and also, creepy-ville: he has a special power called "elicitation," which means he makes women swoon, which is at one point actually described as "coercion." !!!!! Finally, I know I'm used to literary fiction, so my writing standards might be impossibly-high, but I do not want to see sentences like "How did I ever get myself into this?" or "Just you and me, tonight" or "-You don't understand. -So explain it to me" in my books.
fortheloveoffictionalworlds's review
4.0
This review was first posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds
Actual Rating 4.5 Stars
I received a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The only reason why I requested a copy of this book? The protagonist is an Adult Female. Not a teenager. Not a Young Adult. Not even a 20 something old. She is a full grown adult female with an adult life and adult problems.
How many fantasy books would you have read that has a strong female character but is yet to understand the ways of Adult life. Not that I mind those amazing teenage characters (*cough* Hermoine *cough*), but now that I have a little (by little I mean, minuscule) experience of being an adult, I sometimes need a more mature point of view, even in fantasy genre.
“I never thought I would get divorced, much less running around with a guy I barely know, learning magic. And all this in a course of week.”
Nicole is a driven ambitious woman who is quite good at her job. She married her college sweetheart, Eric who was the good old fun loving guy – not so much fun anymore since he is now unemployed.
It’s a little hard to get a read on Nicole. She is someone who tends to take life by it’s teeth and spend the rest of the time polishing it to suit her needs. She leaves the rest of the world behind, only focusing on her needs and wants. She excuses it with the fact that she is now the only one responsible for the home and hearth, while her husband lazes around. (Yes, her bitterness comes through!). And worst comes to worst, she walks in on her husband cheating in her and in a fit of rage changes the “other woman” into a mouse! Why a mouse you ask? Because in her words, she looked a little like a mouse.
“I said before you were like a gun in a game of Russian Roulette. Forget That. You’re more like a loose electrical wire, swinging about a storm.”
But this was only the beginning. Kailen comes to her disguised as a Divorce attorney and her journey into the magic realm begins. Kailen is the proverbial secretive, brooding yet achingly hot guy and he brings with him, knowledge that will shake the foundation of Nicole’s life!!
Together, they go on a journey that will change both their lives. Will it be for better? Will they still be whole at the end of this journey? Only time will tell.
But the characters, every single one of them, were beautifully written. It is a skill of a writer.to be able to write characters that aren’t overshadowed by each other. each character, even the secondary ones were so well written that I fell in love with each of them. And I can’t wait to read more about them :)
“When you’ve got a heritage like mine, you came to realise you have to adjust your expectations of normal. Normal isn’t sitting in front of the TV with your feet propped up and a beer in your hand after a long day of work. Normal is waking up to a grushound at your door, loudly demanding food and lodging with a vocabulary that surpasses your own.”
This is an amazing start to a whole new fantasy series. Full of action, this book keeps you invested in not only the characters but the plot itself. I can’t wait to find what happens in the next book.
Now my only wish it find this book in Paperback in India. A little help, Ms. Stewart? :D
Actual Rating 4.5 Stars
I received a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The only reason why I requested a copy of this book? The protagonist is an Adult Female. Not a teenager. Not a Young Adult. Not even a 20 something old. She is a full grown adult female with an adult life and adult problems.
How many fantasy books would you have read that has a strong female character but is yet to understand the ways of Adult life. Not that I mind those amazing teenage characters (*cough* Hermoine *cough*), but now that I have a little (by little I mean, minuscule) experience of being an adult, I sometimes need a more mature point of view, even in fantasy genre.
“I never thought I would get divorced, much less running around with a guy I barely know, learning magic. And all this in a course of week.”
Nicole is a driven ambitious woman who is quite good at her job. She married her college sweetheart, Eric who was the good old fun loving guy – not so much fun anymore since he is now unemployed.
It’s a little hard to get a read on Nicole. She is someone who tends to take life by it’s teeth and spend the rest of the time polishing it to suit her needs. She leaves the rest of the world behind, only focusing on her needs and wants. She excuses it with the fact that she is now the only one responsible for the home and hearth, while her husband lazes around. (Yes, her bitterness comes through!). And worst comes to worst, she walks in on her husband cheating in her and in a fit of rage changes the “other woman” into a mouse! Why a mouse you ask? Because in her words, she looked a little like a mouse.
“I said before you were like a gun in a game of Russian Roulette. Forget That. You’re more like a loose electrical wire, swinging about a storm.”
But this was only the beginning. Kailen comes to her disguised as a Divorce attorney and her journey into the magic realm begins. Kailen is the proverbial secretive, brooding yet achingly hot guy and he brings with him, knowledge that will shake the foundation of Nicole’s life!!
Together, they go on a journey that will change both their lives. Will it be for better? Will they still be whole at the end of this journey? Only time will tell.
But the characters, every single one of them, were beautifully written. It is a skill of a writer.to be able to write characters that aren’t overshadowed by each other. each character, even the secondary ones were so well written that I fell in love with each of them. And I can’t wait to read more about them :)
“When you’ve got a heritage like mine, you came to realise you have to adjust your expectations of normal. Normal isn’t sitting in front of the TV with your feet propped up and a beer in your hand after a long day of work. Normal is waking up to a grushound at your door, loudly demanding food and lodging with a vocabulary that surpasses your own.”
This is an amazing start to a whole new fantasy series. Full of action, this book keeps you invested in not only the characters but the plot itself. I can’t wait to find what happens in the next book.
Now my only wish it find this book in Paperback in India. A little help, Ms. Stewart? :D
More...