Scan barcode
jemmiller's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.5
Great balance of fantasy and romance. Definitely slow paced, like day by day energy. However there was enough going on to keep me engaged, excited to see where the series goes.
chefkf's review against another edition
4.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
The first in the fantasy romance series, Tairen Soul, it took 11 pages before I was hooked and then I could not put this book down (thank you Mandi for an excellent suggestion!).
The fey destroyed and saved the world 1,000 years ago and it has been 1,000 years since the fey king, Rain, has come to Celieria. For Ellie, who has fantasized about Rain, the rumor that he is coming is both exciting and terrifying. The nightmares are back and magic always seems to be the trigger for them. Worse, the butcher's son, Den, wants her for his bride. A bully from childhood, Ellie finds Den repulsive and even more repulsive when he tries to force himself on her which triggers Ellie's psychic cries for help. Cries which reach Rain kindling an irresistible need to find the woman who is in such pain.
There are plots within plots in this story: Rain and a very few supporters believe the Mages are beginning to stir again but it has been so long that the Mage Wars seem a myth and the existence of mages no longer possible. Even so, the High Mage has his spies spread throughout the country and the court influencing the queen and firing up the citizens against the fey as he pushes King Dorian and his Council for an official trade agreement and searches for a child he lost twenty-odd years ago. A child with powerful magics.
Wilson creates a detailed world with a culture and style of its own and very believable characters. I became so involved that I am just panting at the bit for the second in this series.
The fey destroyed and saved the world 1,000 years ago and it has been 1,000 years since the fey king, Rain, has come to Celieria. For Ellie, who has fantasized about Rain, the rumor that he is coming is both exciting and terrifying. The nightmares are back and magic always seems to be the trigger for them. Worse, the butcher's son, Den, wants her for his bride. A bully from childhood, Ellie finds Den repulsive and even more repulsive when he tries to force himself on her which triggers Ellie's psychic cries for help. Cries which reach Rain kindling an irresistible need to find the woman who is in such pain.
There are plots within plots in this story: Rain and a very few supporters believe the Mages are beginning to stir again but it has been so long that the Mage Wars seem a myth and the existence of mages no longer possible. Even so, the High Mage has his spies spread throughout the country and the court influencing the queen and firing up the citizens against the fey as he pushes King Dorian and his Council for an official trade agreement and searches for a child he lost twenty-odd years ago. A child with powerful magics.
Wilson creates a detailed world with a culture and style of its own and very believable characters. I became so involved that I am just panting at the bit for the second in this series.
jgades's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
linark's review against another edition
Special special FMC. Ridiculous MMC ruled by magical instincts. Telepathy. Fated mates. I just can't stand this shit.
Tairen Soul is widely regarded as a fantasy romance classic but I am losing my patience with the tropey nature of this genre. It's just insufferable, I'm done.
Tairen Soul is widely regarded as a fantasy romance classic but I am losing my patience with the tropey nature of this genre. It's just insufferable, I'm done.
bodagirl's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Picked this up because someone on booktok said SJM had ripped it off, but I'm not seeing direct ties like with Anne Bishop's Black Jewels series. It's not bad, though I have a feeling the made up words will annoy me at some point.
buffyluvr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
manaledi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book had me stressed for a romantasy. Something about all the bad guy perspectives too foreshadowing evil.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Classism, Alcohol, and Sexual content
yodamom's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars I was amazed how much I liked this book. I almost did not read it based on the back cover, it sounded too sci-fi for my taste. What I found was a wonderful paranormal shifter/fae/mage fantasy romance, filled with very real and interesting characters.
An Alpha male hero with control issues and a broken heart. He is ancient and a major part of a horrible history of this world. He has been alone for decades. His name is Rain, he is their king. He reminds me of the Ilona Andrews character Curran.
She is an Alpha woman who has been persecuted for not being the normal girl of the village. Her soul calls to him unknowingly in a moment of fear and anger and he answers. She has had dreams all her life of this man, but why ? Her past is a secret she was found as a small child along the side of the road. he name Ellysetta, she is beautiful, tall and mysterious.
The world is in great danger evil mages are getting stronger,Rain can sense it. The villagers doubt him, they want proof. he only wants to get his soul mate and get out of there, history makes him want to hide her away. She is not one to shy away though.
I loved the world building and the strength of the characters written into this book. I could read it many times and keep finding new details to enjoy. The writing was so fluid I felt I was transported to the world with them. (Exactly what I was looking for in a book) I am going to rush out and get the rest of the series.
An Alpha male hero with control issues and a broken heart. He is ancient and a major part of a horrible history of this world. He has been alone for decades. His name is Rain, he is their king. He reminds me of the Ilona Andrews character Curran.
She is an Alpha woman who has been persecuted for not being the normal girl of the village. Her soul calls to him unknowingly in a moment of fear and anger and he answers. She has had dreams all her life of this man, but why ? Her past is a secret she was found as a small child along the side of the road. he name Ellysetta, she is beautiful, tall and mysterious.
The world is in great danger evil mages are getting stronger,Rain can sense it. The villagers doubt him, they want proof. he only wants to get his soul mate and get out of there, history makes him want to hide her away. She is not one to shy away though.
I loved the world building and the strength of the characters written into this book. I could read it many times and keep finding new details to enjoy. The writing was so fluid I felt I was transported to the world with them. (Exactly what I was looking for in a book) I am going to rush out and get the rest of the series.
smithrachaelynn's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful start to the series! Very fast paced and you learn a lot about the world as you go. I am loving the characters so far and really like that you get to see from a lot of different perspectives.