Review: Interesting mix of stories
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 16, 2013
Faery Worlds is the bundling of six stories, mostly first stories in a series, dealing with the Fae.THE UNFINISHED SONG (Book One): INITIATE - TARA MAYA This one was a 3 for me. It was well written but didn't grab me. The storyline was a bit predictable. The action jumps from characters, following several stories simultaneously until the characters are brought together, not one of my favorite plot devices. While I enjoyed parts of the story, i won't be buying or reading the rest of the series. It also seemed an odd story to start out the bundle with as I don't consider it a story about the Fae, magic yes, fae no.WAR OF THE FAE: BOOK 1 (THE CHANGELINGS) - ELLE CASEY. 4 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed the set up of this book, it wasn't just jump in and be about the fae, it unfolded slowly but not slow in the action, just didn't smack you right in the face with being a fae story. The characters were well developed and interesting. Jayne was someone I was rooting for and involved in. The story did end on a cliffhanger, I prefer it when the storyline comes to a conclusion in a specific book, even though there is a larger arc. However, I have the rest of the series on my wish list and plan to buy them and continue reading the adventures of Jayne and her friends.FAIRY METAL THUNDER - JL BRYAN- 3 1/2 stars. A member of a garage band, which a crush on the lead singer, steals instruments from fairy and brings them to our world. I found it a bit cliched, he has a crush on the singer who is dating the foot ball playing popular kid. I actually enjoyed buttercream the unicorn and found the characters of faery more interesting than the lead characters. Okay, but I won't be buying the rest of the series.FEYLAND: THE DARK REALM - ANTHEA SHARP- 5 stars. I know the idea of a video world being real isn't new but the story felt new and fresh in the hands of Ms. Sharp. The contrast between the have and have nots, and the characters were well developed. Although the story ended the series goes on and I will be reading more from this world.FAELOREHN - JENNA ELIZABETH JOHNSON- 4 1/2 stars. Another story that has lead me to putting the entire series on my wish list. I love the way Meghan describes her being different, without realizing she is not human. Another story that unfolds slowly but tantalizingly until finding out she is fae, but with fast action. Cade is appropriately mysterious and sexy, Meghan's interplay with her family is terrific, this was a very strong story.EVER SHADE (A DARK FAERIE TALE #1) - ALEXIA PURDY 3 stars. Where to even start, with a character described as "self-diluted?" Hey, you're a fae and here's your magic and now let's go save the world and you'll be blood bound to a guy who hates you but doesn't and ... whereas some of the other stories unfolded this one smacks you in the face, as if finding out Shade is fae is what that means is something to hurry through so we can get to faery and get the "action" going. As the earlier stories showed, you can have a lot of action while discovering the protagonist is fae, this struck me as more yeah yeah, she's fae in the human world, now let's go! The writing felt flat and rather than exploring the motivations of the "bad" faes it was just boom, they attack shade, boom, she gets away while sniveling about how weak and puny she is.A shame to end the book with this story as up until now the bundle was really good, but with any bundle or anthology there has to be a weak link. I found several new authors whose books I'm excited to follow up on and read the series, always a good sign for a book bundle.