Welcome to my tour stop for Fractured Dream by K. M. Randall. Today I have a review and excerpt for you all. Hope you enjoy it!
Author: K. M. Randall
Series: The Dreamer Saga #1
Age: YA
Genres: Fantasy, Fairytale
Publication Date: June 21, 2014
Publisher: Booktrope Publishing
Page Numbers:
Format: E-Book
Source: Courtesy of the author
Purchase: Amazon | B&N
Synopsis:
Have you ever wondered where fairytales go once they’re created?
It’s been eight years since Story Sparks last had a dream. Now they’re back, tormenting her as nightmares she can’t remember upon waking. The black waters of Lake Sandeen, where her Uncle Peter disappeared decades before, may hold the secret to Story’s hidden memories, or a truth she’d rather not know. On a bright summer afternoon, Story and her two best friends, Elliott and Adam, take a hike to the lake, where they dive into the cool water and never reemerge. What they find is beyond anything they’ve ever imagined could be possible, a world where dangers lurk in the form of Big Bad Wolves, living Nightmares and meddlesome witches and gods.
Now Story must remember who she really is and somehow stop two worlds from ultimate annihilation, all while trying not to be too distracted by the inexplicable pull she feels toward a certain dark-eyed traveler who seems to have secrets of his own. The fates of the worlds are counting on her.
My Rating: ★★★★★
Excerpt
“You look like you’re about to pass out. Did the Elven Queen give you some of her wine?” Nicholas’s warm whisper and beard stubble against her ear gave Story a start and she jumped apart from him before recovering her senses.
“Oh, it’s you,” she said, putting a hand to her chest and shaking her head at him as he chuckled, his warm velvety laugh making her chest ache. “You nearly scared me to death,” she said, but she smiled at him, feeling her already warm cheeks grow rosier as his strong hand found hers and squeezed while he scooted in closer to her.
“Sorry, but you looked like you were about to fall over. Dew Drop Wine?”
With her back against a tree, Story had nowhere to go, and she was increasingly aware of his closeness, his one arm snaking around her to draw her to his side while his other hand played with her fingers, drawing caresses along her palm. He turned to look at her, their faces only inches apart as his dark gaze stared intently into her own.
Swallowing, she looked away quickly and then met his eyes once more. Goose bumps rose along her arms as her skin responded to his lightest of touches. Unable to tear her gaze away from his, she managed to shrug and smile lamely. “You know, dew drops—they’re water. I thought she was just giving a fancy name to water.”He smiled darkly and Story knew she was done for. Elliott had nothing on this guy’s smolder, she thought. Quest and responsibilities aside, she couldn’t be expected to have this much willpower. If he kissed her, and she suspected he might, she would probably just melt and demand he ravish her right there.
“But when you started drinking it, you must have known better,” he teased her with a whisper, his lips so close to hers the warmth of his breath beat against her own parted lips.
“Yeah, but it was so
yummy,” she whispered back, staring up at him like a deer in headlights.
His only response was a smile before he swooped down on her like an owl in the night, his strong arms pulling her close. When their lips met, she felt she would burn alive, his passion and hers connected in an all-consuming blaze. She slid her arms around him as well, and they pulled each other so close that a normal fire between them would have been quelled by the lack of oxygen.
My Review
Quick note: because I loved this book I can't be as descriptive and informative in this review as I am with others because I will spoil you all.This was an outstanding fantasy read! I was gripped from that enticing prologue until the end. The world building was amazing, the characters were intriguing and I just felt all the emotions throughout this book. It was quite long, but felt like a quick 150-200 pages because it was such a fast paced read. I enjoyed the writing style that K. M. Randall gave. It was descriptive and pulled me into each page as if I was a character myself.
Story Sparks was such an amazing character. First off, her name alone is perfect for this novel because Story goes on a journey or quest in Tressla building her own story along the way and interacting with the fairytales we know and love. Absolutely perfect name! She's tied to both worlds and must figure out the truth of her dreams, remember what she has forgotten and save both worlds.
Sidenote: when she dreamt she was really going to another plane or in essence awaking in Tressla -- awesome! I also loved Adam and Elliot because there was more to them as well and they fit perfectly into the world that was created. Nicholas…let's just say I'm totally on his team and fan-girling over him!
I love how the romance doesn't overtake the entire story. You still get that fantasy with equal or limited amount of romance that keeps you wanting more from every character. There was still that main point of magic, adventure and unknowing that keeps this book going smooth and becoming a love. I enjoyed seeing the difference between our world and Tressla, the fantasy world. They may have had their difference in setting and time, but they both affected one another equally.
This is definitely a different take on fairytales and I highly recommend if you're looking for a fantasy with a bit of a kick and intriguing plot twist go grab you a copy and read this book. You won't regret it!
I am totally looking forward to the sequel and this book will be a definite re-read for me!
Author Bio
As a girl, K.M. always wished she’d suddenly come into
magical powers or cross over into a Faerie circle. Although that has yet to
happen, she instead lives vicariously through the characters she creates in
writing fantasy and delving into the paranormal. When K.M. is not busy writing
her next novel, she is the editor-in-chief of a blog covering the media
industry, as well as an editor with Booktrope Publishing. She has a master’s
degree in journalism from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in
English-Lit from Nazareth College of Rochester. K.M. lives in Upstate New
York’s Finger Lakes region with her husband and her extremely energetic little
boy. Fractured Dream is her first novel.
Giveaway
1 Paperback of Fractured Dream (US ONLY)
5 eBooks of Fractured Dream (Intl)
1 eBook of Jacob, King of Portalia (Intl)
1 eBook Spirit Warriors: The Scarring (Intl)
1 eBook of Orenda (Intl)
1 eBook of Eyes of the Enemy (Intl)
1 eBook of Dead Girl Walking (Intl)
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