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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Lilac is a princess held captive by her parents because of a darkness she carries. She escapes her palace life to set off on a quest to seek a witch who can help cure her curse and give her a brighter future. Along the way, Lilac meets a mysterious stranger, hiding even darker secrets, who offers assistance and protection as she makes her way through landscapes filled with supernatural creatures,
I love a good fantasy and this story had all the essentials I needed. It was a smorgasbord of fantastical elements with mythological creatures, enchantments, curses, magical powers, heroic quests, and the question of what really defines good and evil. Lilac and Garin were fun main characters who had plenty of witty banter between them, humorous moments, and a challenging romance. What surprised me in this book was a darkness to the writing and description; it got deep and a bit gory (I use that term loosely), but I like this aspect as it was more realistic to what would happen if you put dangerous, animalistic creatures together and this made this fairytale-esque book one for adults rather than children. The ending also stuck out to me as being superbly done. Everything in the plot united in an ending that pulled together secrets and deceptions from the beginning of the novel to a very satisfying conclusion.
The only reason this was not a five star read for me is that it went a bit too fast from the middle to the end and some of the conflicts ended pretty abruptly, but still a delightful read. If you like darker fantasies, epic quests, mythic creatures, and a strong female lead, I highly recommend this enchanting read!
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy in return for an honest review.
I love a good fantasy and this story had all the essentials I needed. It was a smorgasbord of fantastical elements with mythological creatures, enchantments, curses, magical powers, heroic quests, and the question of what really defines good and evil. Lilac and Garin were fun main characters who had plenty of witty banter between them, humorous moments, and a challenging romance. What surprised me in this book was a darkness to the writing and description; it got deep and a bit gory (I use that term loosely), but I like this aspect as it was more realistic to what would happen if you put dangerous, animalistic creatures together and this made this fairytale-esque book one for adults rather than children. The ending also stuck out to me as being superbly done. Everything in the plot united in an ending that pulled together secrets and deceptions from the beginning of the novel to a very satisfying conclusion.
The only reason this was not a five star read for me is that it went a bit too fast from the middle to the end and some of the conflicts ended pretty abruptly, but still a delightful read. If you like darker fantasies, epic quests, mythic creatures, and a strong female lead, I highly recommend this enchanting read!
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy in return for an honest review.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Thank you to Brianna Sugalski and The Parliament House Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! I love the historical setting and the fantasy twist. The story is set in Brittany in the 16th century and incorporates Celtic folklore. This was an eARC, so there were some inconsistencies and formatting issues that may not be present in the finished copy. Overall, it didn't affect the story, just distracted my obsessive brain lol.
Lilac has been kept in a castle for half her life, basically has no friends, and is aware that people are rioting against her becoming queen. How can you not feel for her? She is brave and intelligent, and I love her journey, physical and emotional.
Garin was a surprise! I love my sexy vampires lol Learning more about him was great and I liked how it was intertwined with Lilac's own present.
I cannot wait to read the second book! There are three questions I need answered immediately. XD
I really enjoyed this book! I love the historical setting and the fantasy twist. The story is set in Brittany in the 16th century and incorporates Celtic folklore. This was an eARC, so there were some inconsistencies and formatting issues that may not be present in the finished copy. Overall, it didn't affect the story, just distracted my obsessive brain lol.
Lilac has been kept in a castle for half her life, basically has no friends, and is aware that people are rioting against her becoming queen. How can you not feel for her? She is brave and intelligent, and I love her journey, physical and emotional.
Garin was a surprise!
I cannot wait to read the second book! There are three questions I need answered immediately. XD
Thank you to The Parliament Press and the author for a review copy!
A prisoner in her parent's castle since an unfortunate curse was revealed on her 10th birthday, Princess Lilac longs for freedom and her own coronation. But with the hatred and anger of the townsfolk and a nobleman bent on stealing her crown, Lilac fears the worst. Even her own parents seem like they fear her. But then one day, a mysterious letter arrives. The witch Ophelia promises that she can rid Lilac of her Darkling tongue for good... if Lilac can get there. Escaping her tower, Lilac travels through the forest Brocéliande in search of Ophelia and her cure. With only a dagger and the unwanted help of a stranger, Lilac must make it through the dark forest, and survive the creatures who live there.
Okay. So wow. I was initially drawn to this book because of the cover. Anything Queen Gabi illustrates is probably going to be my jam. And then the synopsis drew me in. And I was instantly hooked on the story! I loved Brianna's style. The world building was pretty good. I was wishing for just a bit more on the forest itself, but I feel like book two will give us even more. I loved the fantasy elements and how we get some classic fantasy races and some not so common ones. And can I just say I'm here for vampires making a comeback? Because I so am. And the characters were great too! I loved Lilac's development throughout the story. She starts so naive and inexperienced, having only learned of the world through books. But I love how she grew and changed. And then Garin. I loved him from the second we met him. I really liked how he was written and the ways he grew and developed over the story. His sass and snark are everything. I love that he wasn't perfect, and that his flaws didn't magically go away either. He's done some bad things, but he feels remorse. To say much more might give spoilers, but he's for sure my new book boyfriend. And the other side characters were interesting and well fleshed out. I feel like there's so much room for development and more of their stories in the next book too. I really want more of Piper and Bastion!
Overall, I loved this book! It kept me up way too late because I couldn't put it down! It has all the fantasy elements I like. And well developed characters who don't feel like stereotypes. I loved the world and its blend of the real and the magical. I loved the romance, and can't wait for more in book two! I will be impatiently waiting until I can get my hands on the next book!! I highly recommend this one!!
A prisoner in her parent's castle since an unfortunate curse was revealed on her 10th birthday, Princess Lilac longs for freedom and her own coronation. But with the hatred and anger of the townsfolk and a nobleman bent on stealing her crown, Lilac fears the worst. Even her own parents seem like they fear her. But then one day, a mysterious letter arrives. The witch Ophelia promises that she can rid Lilac of her Darkling tongue for good... if Lilac can get there. Escaping her tower, Lilac travels through the forest Brocéliande in search of Ophelia and her cure. With only a dagger and the unwanted help of a stranger, Lilac must make it through the dark forest, and survive the creatures who live there.
Okay. So wow. I was initially drawn to this book because of the cover. Anything Queen Gabi illustrates is probably going to be my jam. And then the synopsis drew me in. And I was instantly hooked on the story! I loved Brianna's style. The world building was pretty good. I was wishing for just a bit more on the forest itself, but I feel like book two will give us even more. I loved the fantasy elements and how we get some classic fantasy races and some not so common ones. And can I just say I'm here for vampires making a comeback? Because I so am. And the characters were great too! I loved Lilac's development throughout the story. She starts so naive and inexperienced, having only learned of the world through books. But I love how she grew and changed. And then Garin. I loved him from the second we met him. I really liked how he was written and the ways he grew and developed over the story. His sass and snark are everything. I love that he wasn't perfect, and that his flaws didn't magically go away either. He's done some bad things, but he feels remorse. To say much more might give spoilers, but he's for sure my new book boyfriend. And the other side characters were interesting and well fleshed out. I feel like there's so much room for development and more of their stories in the next book too. I really want more of Piper and Bastion!
Overall, I loved this book! It kept me up way too late because I couldn't put it down! It has all the fantasy elements I like. And well developed characters who don't feel like stereotypes. I loved the world and its blend of the real and the magical. I loved the romance, and can't wait for more in book two! I will be impatiently waiting until I can get my hands on the next book!! I highly recommend this one!!
I absolutely adored this book! I really loved the characters, especially Garin, and the romance was sooo good! Can't wait for the next book
How do you destroy a monster without becoming one?
Disenchanted is a charming and beguiling New Adult dark fairytale-esque debut from author Brianna Sugalski. Deep within its bones, it’s a tale of embracing, rather than shunning, the aspects of oneself that go against the grain and set them apart from the majority; that it’s ok to be different, and changing to appease others does more harm than good. We follow a princess as she ventures into a dark and mystical wood with hopes of finding a witch to reverse her curse, but instead finds her true place and purpose. With delicious tension, enchanting surroundings, and treacherous encounters, this thrilling adventure is one that surpassed any and all expectations I had when first embarking.
Of the many aspects of this book that I absolutely adored, the characters Sugalski has crafted are just stunning. Lilac, a naive, sheltered princess, entering the unknown – fearless to a fault, and willing to endanger herself to bend to the whims of her kingdom in order to save it. Garin, cursed with an insatiable hunger – masks his guilt and pain behind a facade of snark and lies. The Darkling and the princess with the Darkling tongue. As unconventional as their relationship may be, they balance each other’s quirks and shortcomings in the most dazzling of ways. The author also introduces an utterly loathsome villain with Sinclair, making it remarkably easy to ignore the misdeeds of our male lead. I loved the dynamics between all these characters, all of which kept the pages turning at a rapid pace.
It’s impossible to discuss this book without addressing the world that’s constructed around us. A historical fantasy at heart, there are references that make this story relatable, but then…then we’re transported to Brocéliande. Beyond the rolling hills and farmlands of Brittany, a mysterious and magical forest filled with all manner of monsters awaits. Humans tend to steer clear of this living wood, unwilling to succumb to its deadly charms, but those unlucky few become undoubtedly bewitched by those that inhabit it. Simply put, it’s devastatingly beautiful, and I’m thrilled I was able to spend the majority of my journey lost beneath its rich canopy.
Sugalski’s writing is what predominantly adds the fantastical touches to this tale of risk and vulnerability. A lyrical prose coupled with vivid descriptions completely engulfs, effortlessly carrying away readers to another place and time. A straight-forward plot with the majority of its focus on the evolution of its characters transforms this epic romp into a very intimate illustration of personal growth and self-awareness. The mechanics used to build tension do so without flaw, which oftentimes had me audibly declaring “just one more chapter”. It’s easy to lose yourself in this world she’s created, and I honestly couldn’t ask for anything more.
As soon as I learned of Disenchanted, I knew this was a book I needed to read, and it completely consumed me. While the ending felt a bit rushed and left me with some unanswered questions, I was happy to discover there will be more – yes, there will be more! A gorgeous debut, ripe with racy romance, haunting pasts, and bloodletting aplenty, I’m excited to see where Sugalski takes us next. If you’re on the hunt for a fairytale that isn’t afraid to give in to its darker side, consistently blurring the lines, then I suggest you give this one a try. I highly recommend.
Note: A huge thank you to the author and The Parliament House Press for providing me with a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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See this review and others at Whispers & Wonder
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This book was quite frankly wonderful. It was a delight to read, the characters were brilliantly developed and the story had me positively enraptured. Every element of this story was lovely and left the reader unable to put the book down. Cannot wait to see what else Brianna Sugalski has in store!!
For my full review, check out:
https://www.leahsbooksandcooks.com/post/disenchanted
The story is an interesting one, and I like the idea of a historical fantasy. There’s a wide range of fantasy elements, including vampires, shapeshifters, ogres, witches, faeries, warlocks, korrigans (dwarf-like creatures), and morgen (a type of vicious mermaid), but there were some aspects that were completely unique to the story. The story includes a bunch of action, inner conflict, and political maneuvering, and it was paced well. There’s little hints of romance throughout the second half of the book, and I think that it was just enough to accurately reflect the period in which the book was set.
“We all have demons, but we can’t hold onto them long enough for them to turn us into monsters.”
My only complaint was the number of spelling and grammatical errors. Each time I encountered one, it would take me out of the story briefly, and there were enough that it affected my rating.
https://www.leahsbooksandcooks.com/post/disenchanted
The story is an interesting one, and I like the idea of a historical fantasy. There’s a wide range of fantasy elements, including vampires, shapeshifters, ogres, witches, faeries, warlocks, korrigans (dwarf-like creatures), and morgen (a type of vicious mermaid), but there were some aspects that were completely unique to the story. The story includes a bunch of action, inner conflict, and political maneuvering, and it was paced well. There’s little hints of romance throughout the second half of the book, and I think that it was just enough to accurately reflect the period in which the book was set.
“We all have demons, but we can’t hold onto them long enough for them to turn us into monsters.”
My only complaint was the number of spelling and grammatical errors. Each time I encountered one, it would take me out of the story briefly, and there were enough that it affected my rating.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No