Who Would Like This Book:
If you love cozy fantasy rom-coms with clever banter, quirky side characters (think drunk unicorns and a coven of witches reminiscent of The Golden Girls), and slow-burn romance, "Between" is your jam! It channels strong vibes from 80s fantasy flicks like Labyrinth and The Princess Bride, features mature characters (in their 30s!), and boasts immersive world-building and loads of heart. Ideal for readers who enjoy character-driven stories, wit, whimsical adventures, and a hint of romantic tension that simmers without boiling over - yet. Bonus: it has illustrations and the audiobook is fan-favorite!
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you need a fast-paced plot, spicy romance right off the bat, or can't stand a slow burn, this might not be your cup of tea. The book is hefty (approaching 800 pages), and the dual-POV structure - story is told first from the FMC's perspective, then again from the MMC's - has frustrated some readers who found parts repetitive or wished the perspectives were interleaved. Also, if you're looking for a complete series or immediate romantic payoff, be warned: book two isn't out yet and there's no major coupling or "spice" in this installment.
About:
Between by L.L. Starling is a whimsical and humorous fantasy novel set in Old Middleton, Wisconsin, where the mortal realm meets the magical realm of Otherworld. The story follows Sasha Pierce, a substitute teacher who becomes entangled in a magical cascade of events involving Lorn, the Shadow King of Between. The book features an array of fantastical elements such as baseball bat-wielding heroines, fairytale kings, witches protecting ancient gateways, and drunk unicorns, all woven together in a captivating and enchanting narrative style that blends humor, adventure, and romance.
The narrative of Between is characterized by its unique writing style that has been likened to the works of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, where fantasy tropes are playfully twisted and molded into new shapes. The book introduces readers to a diverse cast of lively and endearing characters, engaging plotlines, and rich world-building that seamlessly blends magical realism with fantasy elements. With its blend of humor, suspense, and intricate storytelling, Between promises an immersive reading experience that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in The Chronicles of Between series.
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From The Publisher:
A bewitchingly cozy, fiendishly funny cautionary tale about the perils of gatecrashing fairytale kingdoms-particularly ones with drunken unicorns, bored dragons, and sorcerers in tight leather pants.
Sasha Pierce hasn't had a single dream since she was a child...until she accepts a substitute teaching position in the charmingly witchy village of Old Middleton. Her first dream in twenty-five years ought to be enchanting, but her wonder quickly turns to shock when she realizes that it's not a dream at all, but an entirely different sort of magic.
Catapulted through an ancient portal into the fairytale kingdom of Between, Sasha's astonishment is swiftly upgraded to panic when she accidentally performs a supposedly impossible feat and is declared the True Queen of Between...and betrothed to its infuriatingly handsome sorcerer king.
Lorn, Shadow King of Between, is desperate to break free from Between's clutches. Magically tethered to the ramshackle kingdom, he wages a daily battle to save his disreputable subjects from rampaging magical creatures, sinkholes, and catastrophes of the distressingly lethal variety. To avoid an early grave, he needs an escape plan, not a wife...until he learns that this magicless mortal holds the key to his freedom.
Unwilling to leave her world to accept the crown-or the husband-Sasha must race against the clock to disentangle herself from this fairytale. But her empty throne leaves a dangerous rift between their worlds. As dark forces descend upon Old Middleton, the two must make a choice: work together or unleash fairytale chaos upon their realms.
Between is the spellbinding first novel in The Chronicles of Between fantasy series. Filled with feisty, fairytale-savvy heroines, swoon-worthy sorcerers, slow burn romance, morose minotaurs, and bawdy witches, it's a laugh-out-loud fairy tale romp.
Ratings (15)
Incredible (6) | |
Loved It (4) | |
Liked It (2) | |
It Was OK (2) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (105):
Read It (13) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (69) | |
Did Not Finish (3) | |
Not Interested (19) |
1 comment(s)
Honestly the writing isn't bad, and I found it engaging , but the author spends the entire second half of the book telling the same story from the other character's perspective, and it honestly got a bit tedious. Kept waiting for the story to continue and it never happened, apparently that's supposed to be in book two.
What can you read after
Between?
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