I bought this box set despite never having heard of any of the authors before because the Kindle $0.99 offer seemed too good to pass up.
On the whole, I thought the set was okay. Some of the books significantly better than the others, although that's probably par for the course with a bundle like this, but the ones that were bad were really, really bad.
Brief thoughts on the 6 books:
- Feyland: The Dark Realm by Anthea Sharp (2 stars)
I liked the premise of the story, which was an interesting blend of science fiction and traditional fairy tale (traditional in the ballad sense, rather than the Andrew Lang sense). However, I found the execution far too obvious. The 2 main characters were practically stereotypes: Tam Linn is the typical boy from the wrong side of the tracks with a chip on his shoulder but a heart of gold; Jennet is the spoiled rich girl whose selfishness lands her in trouble, but who finds her inner decency and strength. And of course there's a romance. Also, the story is structured quite closely to the Ballad of Tam Lin. If you are familiar with it, the climax and ending will be entirely predictable.
- The Unfinished Song by Tara Maya (4 stars)
Good world building and interesting magic structure, although parts of the story seemed a bit gritty for a YA novel (there's genocide in the first chapter and several references to sexual assault. The last one in particular was quite disturbing).The main character Dindi was sweetly earnest with a touch of rebellion to keep her from being too cloying. The end left me wanting to know more about her fate, which to me is a mark of a good story.
- The Changelings by Elle Casey (4 stars)
I think this was my favourite of the six. Jayne is hilarious, tough girl persona and all, and she's saved from total obnoxiousness by her rather sweet relationship with her best friend Tony, which is one of the strongest elements of the novel. Highly entertaining.
- Fairy Metal Thunder by J.L. Bryan (1 star)
This was an incredibly boring story. All the characters lacked dimension, except for Jason the main character, whose standout features was his sheer selfishness and total lack of common sense. Who steals a bunch of magical fairy instruments, ignores all warnings of dire consequences and then uses them to brainwash his parents into letting him play in a band?
- Faelorehn by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson (1 star)
I have issues with female protagonists who are totally useless and have to rely on a man to save them throughout the story. The writing was okay, but Meghan had as much personality as a limp dishrag.
- Ever Shade by Alexia Purdy (0 stars)
I hated this from start to end. I think I only managed to finish it just out of morbid curiosity over how much worse it could get. The writing was terrible and the main character spends almost the entire time whining, checking her phone or being perversely attracted to yet another fey male she's met. She never seems to gain any kind of maturity or self knowledge during her journey either. Just. Awful.
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Top reviews from other countries
LG
A mixed bunch, but worth the price
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 11, 2014
Ben
Fantastic fantasy collection of first-in-Series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2020
