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blodeuedd's review
3.0
I liked book 1 because it was a bit different, a goblin hero..and they ain't pretty, I'll tell you that. But in this book the curse is broken and we have a new hero, Dai. He may be human again but life is not easy.
Oh Dai, I wanted his story already in book 1 and here I got it. He is all things I want my hero to be, that's right, tortured and hurting. He feels that he can't let go of his horrid past and all the things done to him. He is suffering and he is just the kind of man you want to hug and tell that everything will be ok. Because he is also loyal, kind and good with kids. He is not that alpha when I think about it, he always shadowed his brother. He is the magician, the scholar, the beta, and I really liked that.
The story is a lot about he trying to come to terms with things, being human, the magic he can now use, and falling for a woman, Amanda.The lovestory is not rushed at all, another thing I liked as you do not need to jump in bed at once. Like I said, he has suffered and Amanda is a widow. They dance around each other for a while and think about if they want to pursue this. Yes, things should take time.
We also meet the hero of book 3 briefly in this book and I do want his story too, especially if the book is as good as this one was. At times I could not put it down because I felt for Dai and there are things going on too, that I cannot mention. All making it exciting at times.
Conclusion:
Who knew a former Goblin could be a hottie?! I liked the book and the series should keep on getting better and better.
Oh Dai, I wanted his story already in book 1 and here I got it. He is all things I want my hero to be, that's right, tortured and hurting. He feels that he can't let go of his horrid past and all the things done to him. He is suffering and he is just the kind of man you want to hug and tell that everything will be ok. Because he is also loyal, kind and good with kids. He is not that alpha when I think about it, he always shadowed his brother. He is the magician, the scholar, the beta, and I really liked that.
The story is a lot about he trying to come to terms with things, being human, the magic he can now use, and falling for a woman, Amanda.The lovestory is not rushed at all, another thing I liked as you do not need to jump in bed at once. Like I said, he has suffered and Amanda is a widow. They dance around each other for a while and think about if they want to pursue this. Yes, things should take time.
We also meet the hero of book 3 briefly in this book and I do want his story too, especially if the book is as good as this one was. At times I could not put it down because I felt for Dai and there are things going on too, that I cannot mention. All making it exciting at times.
Conclusion:
Who knew a former Goblin could be a hottie?! I liked the book and the series should keep on getting better and better.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review
4.0
Wow, wow, wow. Just when I thought I couldn't fit one more tortured hero onto my boyfriend list, Shona Husk gives us Dai.
Dai has some issues. If you were used by a Roman General to control your brother and spent hundreds of years being tortured by the same man in the Shadowlands, you'd probably have some issues too. Add on top of that the death of your sister on your hands and you'd have to wonder how the man is sane at all. Now in the Fixed Realm, he only hopes to gain his books back from the Birch Trust and keep the nightmares away. But at his heart, Dai is a man who needs to believe that he's worth loving and to let go of what happened in the past.
Amanda, widowed when six months pregnant, has lived with one goal...to try and keep her young daughter Brigit alive, even when it seems her body has a different idea. When she catches the eye of Dai at her sister-in-law's wedding, he reawakens feelings in her that died with her husband. There is something about Dai that calls to her, but she's not sure she's ready to jump into anything, with any man, after being by herself for so long. Amanda needs to come to terms with the fact that she is allowed to have a social life outside of what she does with her daughter.
The romance between Dai and Amanda is only a small part of this story. At the core, it's about Dai coming to terms with no longer being Goblin, but also discovering that he can weld magic he only thought possible in the Shadowlands. Of course, using that magic causes the Birch Trust to start watching and threatening him, but it also allows for him to discover that his cousin also had his curse broken and that he alone has the power to save him.
An interesting and entertaining story, but one that definitely should be read AFTER The Goblin King. That was my mistake, but one I will be rectifying soon.
Dai has some issues. If you were used by a Roman General to control your brother and spent hundreds of years being tortured by the same man in the Shadowlands, you'd probably have some issues too. Add on top of that the death of your sister on your hands and you'd have to wonder how the man is sane at all. Now in the Fixed Realm, he only hopes to gain his books back from the Birch Trust and keep the nightmares away. But at his heart, Dai is a man who needs to believe that he's worth loving and to let go of what happened in the past.
Amanda, widowed when six months pregnant, has lived with one goal...to try and keep her young daughter Brigit alive, even when it seems her body has a different idea. When she catches the eye of Dai at her sister-in-law's wedding, he reawakens feelings in her that died with her husband. There is something about Dai that calls to her, but she's not sure she's ready to jump into anything, with any man, after being by herself for so long. Amanda needs to come to terms with the fact that she is allowed to have a social life outside of what she does with her daughter.
The romance between Dai and Amanda is only a small part of this story. At the core, it's about Dai coming to terms with no longer being Goblin, but also discovering that he can weld magic he only thought possible in the Shadowlands. Of course, using that magic causes the Birch Trust to start watching and threatening him, but it also allows for him to discover that his cousin also had his curse broken and that he alone has the power to save him.
An interesting and entertaining story, but one that definitely should be read AFTER The Goblin King. That was my mistake, but one I will be rectifying soon.
helenkat's review
4.0
4.5 stars
It's been a while since I read book 1 of the series but I picked up the story quickly again. While the book had less 'action' as such, it followed a steady pace into Dai trying to fit into the modern world. The last thing he expected was an attraction towards Amanda, nor to feel for her sick child.
Magic is part of Dai's very fabric and he's finding it difficult to be who he is and who he had to become, especially with guilt plaguing him. Amanda soothes his soul in a way he never thought possible, and it's watching her strength that he finds his own.
This is a story where two people help make each other be a better version of themselves. Where the past pain exists and is accepted. It's also a story of the relationships of families.
Looking forward to the last book in the series.
Disclaimer: While I know the author personally, this doesn't affect my rating.
It's been a while since I read book 1 of the series but I picked up the story quickly again. While the book had less 'action' as such, it followed a steady pace into Dai trying to fit into the modern world. The last thing he expected was an attraction towards Amanda, nor to feel for her sick child.
Magic is part of Dai's very fabric and he's finding it difficult to be who he is and who he had to become, especially with guilt plaguing him. Amanda soothes his soul in a way he never thought possible, and it's watching her strength that he finds his own.
This is a story where two people help make each other be a better version of themselves. Where the past pain exists and is accepted. It's also a story of the relationships of families.
Looking forward to the last book in the series.
Disclaimer: While I know the author personally, this doesn't affect my rating.
alexiachantel's review
3.0
No longer goblin, Dai is thrust back into human life. Though he is a far cry from the human he used to be. Amanda might be able to help him reclaim some of his humanity by showing him how to love.
Dai is a powerful character. And not only with his magical powers, which are very impressive. It is interesting to see how he learns to move about his new life and incorporate all of the magical abilities he suddenly has. After years upon years of study they finally come to the surface now that he is human again. Each lesson learned written upon his skin, what girl can resist a potential bad boy covered in tattoos?
Amanda has placed herself second for years and her daughter first. Which is as it should be, but she takes it further since she is an only parent in charge of a child with a life threatening illness. She needs a strong man to be able to take some of her stress, and one who can love her as much as she will love him. Dai is all of that heaped into a package that is tempting and electrifying.
A great addition to the Shadowlands series. A little slow, at least compared to Roan’s story. You might be wishing Dai will make a decision, or blow up something big, or anything. But he has his own personal demons to work through, and Amanda has her hurdles to get over. All in all a fun read and one that sets you up to be wishing for the next book.
ARC provided by NetGalley
Review to be posted at Reading Between the Wines.
Dai is a powerful character. And not only with his magical powers, which are very impressive. It is interesting to see how he learns to move about his new life and incorporate all of the magical abilities he suddenly has. After years upon years of study they finally come to the surface now that he is human again. Each lesson learned written upon his skin, what girl can resist a potential bad boy covered in tattoos?
Amanda has placed herself second for years and her daughter first. Which is as it should be, but she takes it further since she is an only parent in charge of a child with a life threatening illness. She needs a strong man to be able to take some of her stress, and one who can love her as much as she will love him. Dai is all of that heaped into a package that is tempting and electrifying.
A great addition to the Shadowlands series. A little slow, at least compared to Roan’s story. You might be wishing Dai will make a decision, or blow up something big, or anything. But he has his own personal demons to work through, and Amanda has her hurdles to get over. All in all a fun read and one that sets you up to be wishing for the next book.
ARC provided by NetGalley
Review to be posted at Reading Between the Wines.
lnzlou55's review
5.0
So far I really love this series. Most paranormal romance books deal with vampires or werewolves and such. I think this is a nice change of pace having the heroes be goblins. Shona Husk thrown twists into her story lines that add wonderful details to her books. I really like her writing style and so far I love her books.
kitsana_d's review
4.0
A nice follow-up to the Goblin King, focusing on his brother Dai. We learned things that weren't touched on in the first book, and got great set-up for book 3.
I really enjoyed this one, maybe more than the first. There was less romance, focusing instead on healing your past by learning to move on. The intertwined fates and past lives, along with Dai learning magic isn't so easy, were really enjoyable. And the romance was sweet, offering healing to both parties.
I really enjoyed this one, maybe more than the first. There was less romance, focusing instead on healing your past by learning to move on. The intertwined fates and past lives, along with Dai learning magic isn't so easy, were really enjoyable. And the romance was sweet, offering healing to both parties.
larisa2021's review
4.0
Even Better than the first book in the series. Deft touch with the magic, author did her research on various cultures beliefs, myths, shamanism and alternative medicine. Along with understanding grief. Very realistic dance (within the fairy tale setting)of two emotionally wounded adults drawn towards each other by more than lust.
Off to read book three!
Off to read book three!