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4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
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:
Yes
I’d probably put this more at a 3.5 star as I loved the concept, loved following the journey of a 36 year old FMC (yes!!), and loved the world we are starting to know. As with any first book in a series, I want more! I’m excited to learn more about Threa, the people, and all the lore.
My one critique would be that there’s opportunity to improve the writing. It felt a bit basic especially at the beginning of the book, but there’s improvement as you read through. Some dialogue feels odd as there’s no contractions but rather everything is written out creating a stiff feeling instead of breathing life into the words. Another example would be telling us what is happening (she’s having a panic attack) vs. helping us feel the emotions and understanding she’s having a panic attack. As a first book for this author, this is definitely something that can be worked on and improved for the next in the series. Fantastic cliffhanger to end book one and get us so hyped for book two! Can’t wait to pick up the next book when it comes out!
My one critique would be that there’s opportunity to improve the writing. It felt a bit basic especially at the beginning of the book, but there’s improvement as you read through. Some dialogue feels odd as there’s no contractions but rather everything is written out creating a stiff feeling instead of breathing life into the words. Another example would be telling us what is happening (she’s having a panic attack) vs. helping us feel the emotions and understanding she’s having a panic attack. As a first book for this author, this is definitely something that can be worked on and improved for the next in the series. Fantastic cliffhanger to end book one and get us so hyped for book two! Can’t wait to pick up the next book when it comes out!
This is such a captivating portal magic romantic fantasy. It’s a relatable story for me in that the FMC is a mother, and she struggles with being neurodivergent. Because I still believe in magic, its take on neurodivergence made me feel represented in a unique way I hadn’t experienced in a fantasy book. It’s magic with nowhere to go in our world.
We are given a short glimpse of Daphne, our FMC, as a young woman and then also as a mother, before she begins her otherworldly adventure, and I’m so glad we were given a strong foundation of her character and her heart. Her sense of responsibility and the ever-present heaviness of her grief over the death of her husband was woven into her experiencing the fantasy world she literally fell into. It informed her choices and kept her “old life” fresh in the mind of the reader. Her journey is multilayered and a wonder to behold. Daph is resilient woman who feels deeply and presses on into the unknown to unravel secrets and try to return to her children.
The MMC is Silas, and the reader grows to like and then love him, but I was suspicious from the start. He treats Daph with the utmost respect and expresses deep feelings for her, but is just distant enough and vague enough about some things that it holds our FMC back from falling headfirst. It’s necessary that he’s protective of information, and he allows space for and provides shelter for Daph’s strong emotions and I love that about him.
The magical creatures are fantastic and uniquely done. (Especially the dragons!) The magical system is unique, the placement of the world is unique, there are some super cool things about this story that I don’t find other places, and I would tell you more but I want you to experience it!! I’m really excited for the next book in the series.
We are given a short glimpse of Daphne, our FMC, as a young woman and then also as a mother, before she begins her otherworldly adventure, and I’m so glad we were given a strong foundation of her character and her heart. Her sense of responsibility and the ever-present heaviness of her grief over the death of her husband was woven into her experiencing the fantasy world she literally fell into. It informed her choices and kept her “old life” fresh in the mind of the reader. Her journey is multilayered and a wonder to behold. Daph is resilient woman who feels deeply and presses on into the unknown to unravel secrets and try to return to her children.
The MMC is Silas, and the reader grows to like and then love him, but I was suspicious from the start. He treats Daph with the utmost respect and expresses deep feelings for her, but is just distant enough and vague enough about some things that it holds our FMC back from falling headfirst. It’s necessary that he’s protective of information, and he allows space for and provides shelter for Daph’s strong emotions and I love that about him.
The magical creatures are fantastic and uniquely done. (Especially the dragons!) The magical system is unique, the placement of the world is unique, there are some super cool things about this story that I don’t find other places, and I would tell you more but I want you to experience it!! I’m really excited for the next book in the series.
I was a Beta reader and absolutely loved this book! The best thing for me was having a character, Daphne, who is in her 30s and has ADHD, something many millennials can relate to.
Daphne is left a widow after an accident killed her husband. She is supposed to go off to a wellness retreat but instead accidentally falls through a mirror in a bookstore which transports her to Threa, a magical land fill with fae, and other magical creatures. Upon arriving, Daphne meets Silas, who she shares her story with, and he agrees to help get her get home to her children. The two go on adventures, along with other friends of Silas’, and embark on a quest to send Daphne home.
I thought this was a phenomenal book, and it ended with a cliff hanger that had me speechless, and that I never saw coming. I highly recommend this book, and already can’t wait for the next one!
Daphne is left a widow after an accident killed her husband. She is supposed to go off to a wellness retreat but instead accidentally falls through a mirror in a bookstore which transports her to Threa, a magical land fill with fae, and other magical creatures. Upon arriving, Daphne meets Silas, who she shares her story with, and he agrees to help get her get home to her children. The two go on adventures, along with other friends of Silas’, and embark on a quest to send Daphne home.
I thought this was a phenomenal book, and it ended with a cliff hanger that had me speechless, and that I never saw coming. I highly recommend this book, and already can’t wait for the next one!
Delightful from start to finish. Hilarious banter, endearing characters, and interesting world! I felt like I held a little secret knowledge having also grown up in Orlando which really endeared this book to me. Can’t wait to hear more from Elle Kish!
I loved this book. It was magical, heart warming, feel good fantasy that just made me want to keep reading. A FMC who was in her 30s with kids was so refreshing. And the ending had a fun twist. Highly recommend this one.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
No spoilers:
FINALLY A FANTASY BOOK WITH A MOM AS THE LEAD!!! In her 30's! This book follows the classic romantasy recipe but what sets it a part is the unique FMC. I think the author did a great job of capturing how a regular person would react if thrown into a fantasy world. Although I will say I think the FMC is too trusting in this.
Here are some things I loved:
-The book opens with one of the best meet cutes I've ever read.
-ADHD rep
-Story starts near Orlando FL
-A great story within a story
-Clothes are enchanted! Ever roll your eyes at an FMC going somewhere and of course whatever clothes they have fit her? Well she lets you know the clothes in their castle are enchanted to fit anyone.
-Baby dragons
The ending was so good and I didn't see it coming right until it happened. I definitely recommend!
FINALLY A FANTASY BOOK WITH A MOM AS THE LEAD!!! In her 30's! This book follows the classic romantasy recipe but what sets it a part is the unique FMC. I think the author did a great job of capturing how a regular person would react if thrown into a fantasy world. Although I will say I think the FMC is too trusting in this.
Here are some things I loved:
-The book opens with one of the best meet cutes I've ever read.
-ADHD rep
-Story starts near Orlando FL
-A great story within a story
-Clothes are enchanted! Ever roll your eyes at an FMC going somewhere and of course whatever clothes they have fit her? Well she lets you know the clothes in their castle are enchanted to fit anyone.
-Baby dragons
The ending was so good and I didn't see it coming right until it happened. I definitely recommend!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
fast-paced
I just LOVED this book! I knew as soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb that I just HAD to read this and I’m so glad I did!
Daphne, a widowed 36 year old mom with ADHD falls through an antique mirror and lands in another realm with dragons, fae, witches, and vampires. In this new realm, she starts to realize there are a lot of consistencies with Earth and uncovers secrets from her past. The ending was jaw dropping!! This book was so fun to read! The witty banter and tension between Daphne and the MMC, Silas, was just great! There’s closed door spice, great side characters, and dragon pets! I totally recommend and cannot wait for the next book!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This story was cute! A 36 year old widow falls through a mysterious mirror into the world of the fae. The tale was first person and very self-aware, especially with lines like, “What in the romantasy novel is going on right now?” It may have been a little too on the nose for my liking. It didn’t find the right balance between serious and silly; however, it was a cute, fun, and quick read. I felt very connected to Daphne. With ADHD, kids, and a general feeling of overwhelm she will probably be someone in whom most millennial moms can relate.
I really enjoyed the pacing and plot, even if I predicted the ending (which is something I tend to not be able to do). It was fast paced with tons of world building. The ending left my dying for the next book. For a debut novel, this was wonderful. I will be recommending it to all my romantasy loving friends.
No explicit scenes, but some raging tension.
Thank you Elle Kish for the eARC in exchange for an honest review ❤️
I really enjoyed the pacing and plot, even if I predicted the ending (which is something I tend to not be able to do). It was fast paced with tons of world building. The ending left my dying for the next book. For a debut novel, this was wonderful. I will be recommending it to all my romantasy loving friends.
No explicit scenes, but some raging tension.
Thank you Elle Kish for the eARC in exchange for an honest review ❤️