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cyberalien's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
lynns_lovely_library's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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? Yes
4.5
This book was a really good read, I loved it so much. The characters are awesome, as is the romance, and by the end of the book I was attached to all of them. The plot was also good and I found it hard to stop reading because of it's fast pace and great adventures. The development of the relationship was great and it was entertaining throughout the whole book. The only reason this wasn't a 5 star read for me was the ending. It was all kind of wrapped up in a neat little bow and felt kind of rushed and stale. Though the author discussed the trauma of the characters, and even though politics weren't happily ever after kind of deal, everything was just explained in one or two pages, it felt like the author was just trying to finish the book. I would've appreciated an epilogue and I think that would've made it so much better.
juniperbranches's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When modern day witch Merrick Highvalley accidentally awakens a prince put under a bespelled sleep 200 years ago, his biggest concern is not going to jail. Unfortunately for Merrick and newly awakened Prince Larkin, the spell holding the prince was also binding the great Ula Kana, a fire fae hell bent on removing humans from their magical isle. Merrick and Larkin must delve into the fae realms at the center of the their tropical home (feels very much like a modern day Hawaii) to protect the several million modern humans and human witches living on the island Merrick and Prince Larkin must negotiate truces with powerful fae creatures, and keep their wits about them.
The two fall in love on the journey, and this ended up being such a gentle and light read. The romance between the boys is sweet and tastes like honey, and the plot moves along quickly and satisfyinglyI’m
The two fall in love on the journey, and this ended up being such a gentle and light read. The romance between the boys is sweet and tastes like honey, and the plot moves along quickly and satisfyinglyI’m
jentidders's review
3.0
There's a lot to like in this fantasy novel. There's a bit of a slow start for the first half with a lot of world/character building on the human side of Eidolonia, and I was worried it would continue in this vein, but the second half in the fae kingdom picked up the pace and was filled with action. There's very much a Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings vibe, but with faeries - and I really enjoyed the descriptions of the various fae species and territories. What I really liked were the LGBTQ+ aspects that were just included with no fanfare or drama - in this world, people get to be male/female/other and love who they choose, so there's no coming out, no homophobia, and it's purely incidental to the plot. More of this in books, please!
moirin's review
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book! My opinions are my own.
I know they say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but what about its title? Something about it just lured me in immediately, and my enthusiasm only grew when I learned it was about a sleeping curse, in a land of witches and fae.
Merrick is a descendant of the powerful witch Rosamund Highvalley. She was the one to put prince Larkin under a sleeping spell over 200 years ago, and in doing so trapping the dangerous faery Ula Kana in a sleep-prison of her own. She made a deal with the fae - as long as both stay asleep, the truce will last. If either one wakes up, so will the other. So when Merrick accidentally awakens prince Larkin from his long sleep, there's more to worry about than just having missed 2 centuries.
I very much enjoyed reading this book and finished it in a few days, which is quick for me. I liked the interaction between Merrick and Larkin, and their adventures in the fae lands. I also thought it was great that the main characters were 2 guys falling in love. This story would have been exactly the same with a princess instead of a prince. I loved how being gay isn't an issue in this book, but just something normal. It's good to have representation in a 'regular' YA faery story.
However, there were also some things I thought could have been done differently. I would have liked to have a bit more back story about Ula Kana. How did she become this way? I feel like it's all being glossed over quickly just to focus more on the plot, but for me few more descriptions would have helped the story. The same goes for the fae. There are a lot of different types of fae, but we don't get more than a glimpse of how their world works, and how they do and don't interact with humans. I mean, I know that's a big part of the plot, but I'd like to know more about the why of it all.
Still I enjoyed this book a lot, it was definitely worth reading. It may not have been the most surprising book ever, but it's a nice getaway into a magical faery land!
I know they say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but what about its title? Something about it just lured me in immediately, and my enthusiasm only grew when I learned it was about a sleeping curse, in a land of witches and fae.
Merrick is a descendant of the powerful witch Rosamund Highvalley. She was the one to put prince Larkin under a sleeping spell over 200 years ago, and in doing so trapping the dangerous faery Ula Kana in a sleep-prison of her own. She made a deal with the fae - as long as both stay asleep, the truce will last. If either one wakes up, so will the other. So when Merrick accidentally awakens prince Larkin from his long sleep, there's more to worry about than just having missed 2 centuries.
I very much enjoyed reading this book and finished it in a few days, which is quick for me. I liked the interaction between Merrick and Larkin, and their adventures in the fae lands. I also thought it was great that the main characters were 2 guys falling in love. This story would have been exactly the same with a princess instead of a prince. I loved how being gay isn't an issue in this book, but just something normal. It's good to have representation in a 'regular' YA faery story.
However, there were also some things I thought could have been done differently. I would have liked to have a bit more back story about Ula Kana. How did she become this way? I feel like it's all being glossed over quickly just to focus more on the plot, but for me few more descriptions would have helped the story. The same goes for the fae. There are a lot of different types of fae, but we don't get more than a glimpse of how their world works, and how they do and don't interact with humans. I mean, I know that's a big part of the plot, but I'd like to know more about the why of it all.
Still I enjoyed this book a lot, it was definitely worth reading. It may not have been the most surprising book ever, but it's a nice getaway into a magical faery land!
asza's review
4.0
This book pulled me out of a 2 month reading slump! *shakes fist at covid*
The story alternates between the POV of Prince Larkin and Merrick Highvalley. The human prince Larkin was forced into an enchanted sleep to protect the island of Eidolonia in the 18th century, the half fae Merrick is the 21st century descendant of the witch who put Larkin under that spell. Merrick is a bit hard headed, and unafraid of causing a bit of trouble, so after he finds his ancestor’s magical artifacts it by accident that he finds himself in the sleeping prince’s bower and awakens him. Waking Larkin also wakes the island’s most notorious foe, and the two of them choose to embark on a dangerous adventure to complete the enchantment Merrick’s ancestor once started.
The alliance between Larkin and Merrick is so unlikely since they are such different characters from very different times, and their relationship grows in a realistic way – nothing about their differences is glossed over and they even separate for a time in the human world before the adventure starts. I thought that personalities were well written and reactions to circumstances well thought out.
This book also had some fun ‘compelling’ scenes and I found it fun that the author put the characters in so many Situations while on their adventure. One fae territory made them feel joy, another animosity, fear, grief. Watching the two of them deal with their perilous journey while also struggling against the different emotion enhancing lands was interesting, and it did a lot towards letting the characters grow and change.
Besides my love for the characters, there was also all this beautiful world building! The descriptions of different kinds of fae and the imagery of the island was super well done and I kept putting the book down just to imagine it all. And there is a mystery and mystique surrounding the magic of the fae realm which I loved. Molly Ringle has created such a beautiful and intriguing world.
Highly recommended weekend fantasy read
The story alternates between the POV of Prince Larkin and Merrick Highvalley. The human prince Larkin was forced into an enchanted sleep to protect the island of Eidolonia in the 18th century, the half fae Merrick is the 21st century descendant of the witch who put Larkin under that spell. Merrick is a bit hard headed, and unafraid of causing a bit of trouble, so after he finds his ancestor’s magical artifacts it by accident that he finds himself in the sleeping prince’s bower and awakens him. Waking Larkin also wakes the island’s most notorious foe, and the two of them choose to embark on a dangerous adventure to complete the enchantment Merrick’s ancestor once started.
The alliance between Larkin and Merrick is so unlikely since they are such different characters from very different times, and their relationship grows in a realistic way – nothing about their differences is glossed over and they even separate for a time in the human world before the adventure starts. I thought that personalities were well written and reactions to circumstances well thought out.
This book also had some fun ‘compelling’ scenes and I found it fun that the author put the characters in so many Situations while on their adventure. One fae territory made them feel joy, another animosity, fear, grief. Watching the two of them deal with their perilous journey while also struggling against the different emotion enhancing lands was interesting, and it did a lot towards letting the characters grow and change.
Besides my love for the characters, there was also all this beautiful world building! The descriptions of different kinds of fae and the imagery of the island was super well done and I kept putting the book down just to imagine it all. And there is a mystery and mystique surrounding the magic of the fae realm which I loved. Molly Ringle has created such a beautiful and intriguing world.
Highly recommended weekend fantasy read
thebookishren's review
4.0
I have to admit this isn't my usual genre. I enjoy fantasy, but this seemed like a melting pot of different tropes and I found myself thoroughly entranced.
This book took me a while to read. There was so much imagery, information, monologues, speeches, and adventures taking place that I HAD to take breaks. It was actually quite refreshing to read such detailed literature that offered a breathtaking fantastical world and plot.
Told in 3rd person, from both Merrick and Larkin's mind, Lava Red Feather Blue by Molly Ringle swept me away to a world with fae, witches, modern technology, ancient stories, magic, and at the heart of it all, a sweet romance between our two MMCs. BUT the romance was more "fade to black" and wasn't prevalent throughout most of the book.
This book was first and foremost a fantasy adventure with an amazing story. We are taken on a journey through a different history to what we know. A hidden island that both humans and fae inhabit. An evil fae trying to destroy the human world. A prince forced into slumber, a witch's descendant on a quest to save his father who then frees the slumbering prince and starts the chaos that follows. Across different environments full of magical flora and fauna, Ms. Ringle weaves together an enchanting and thrilling adventure for both Merrick and Larkin. They take us along on a quest full of danger, trickery, pain, and redemption.
Overall, I LOVE the cover and I enjoyed the story. I can definitely see this one on one of my fantasy shelves.
macaronoui's review
4.0
I give this book 3.5 stars.
Parts of it I thoroughly enjoyed, parts of it needed a lot more editing.
Merrick accidentally wakes a Prince who has been sleeping for over 200 years, as well as the ultimate nemesis.
Together the prince and Merrick take on the challenge of containing her again.
The building of the world was good, the adventures that take them through three challenges was at times too detailed or just odd. Some of the romance bits felt forced.
I enjoyed parts of the fantasy world, the idea that there are witches with different kinds of powers was thrilling.
I loved the LGBTQ tones in the book, especially in a fantasy setting.
It was a fun book to read.
Provided as an ARC by NetGalley
Parts of it I thoroughly enjoyed, parts of it needed a lot more editing.
Merrick accidentally wakes a Prince who has been sleeping for over 200 years, as well as the ultimate nemesis.
Together the prince and Merrick take on the challenge of containing her again.
The building of the world was good, the adventures that take them through three challenges was at times too detailed or just odd. Some of the romance bits felt forced.
I enjoyed parts of the fantasy world, the idea that there are witches with different kinds of powers was thrilling.
I loved the LGBTQ tones in the book, especially in a fantasy setting.
It was a fun book to read.
Provided as an ARC by NetGalley
sam_herself's review
4.0
It comes as no surprise to anyone that I'm giving a fantasy book with queer characters a high rating. I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, and I had a hard time getting into it at first, but after the first few chapters, I became addicted and will surely be picking up other works by Molly Ringle in the future.
Lava Red Feather Blue is not only a book about fae and witches, but a warning about bigotry. It gives a subtle nod to Pacific Islanders, Turkish, Japanese and a few other cultures. World building is often difficult to write, but Ringle does an excellent job weaving this story together, and I appreciate how she portrays the relationship between Larkin and Merrick gives all of the characters the ending they deserve. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to read this one.
Lava Red Feather Blue is not only a book about fae and witches, but a warning about bigotry. It gives a subtle nod to Pacific Islanders, Turkish, Japanese and a few other cultures. World building is often difficult to write, but Ringle does an excellent job weaving this story together, and I appreciate how she portrays the relationship between Larkin and Merrick gives all of the characters the ending they deserve. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to read this one.
trollexplores's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.5