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A review by perusing_pages
Twilight of Embers by Tessa Hale
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This review is going to be basic and brief so as not to give too many details away.
Hayden has been in foster care since she was eleven after her parents were murdered. She is now heading off to college on a scholarship to eventually become a doctor. On day one she bumps into Knox and they immediately have a connection, Knox just happens to also have four other brothers (not all blood related) that he has a special bond with and that Hayden is also drawn to... for reasons... and the story goes from there.
My second buddy read/listen of the year and my first Tessa Hale book. It has been a hot minute since I've read a poly/why choose book of any kind, but I felt that dynamic really worked in this paranormal/fantasy/supernatural setting as it didn't feel forced because there is a mates aspect woven in. This is very insta-lusty, but again, I can live with that here because of the overall premise of the story. Are there aspects of this book that follow the typical why choose formula within the story and dynamics between all the characters, and therefore felt a tad predictable to me? Yes. We're parts a little tropey? Also, yes. But I had such a fun time listening to this that I don't care. It was a quick, entertaining listen that hooked me from the very start and kept my interest throughout, it had some humour, a bit of mystery, five protective and caring heroes who I want to know more about and a sprinkling of spice that was well written and didn't overshadow the story which I've found can happen in other books I've read that are why choose. This is book one of three, so it does end on a cliffhanger.
The narrator line-up is INCREDIBLE! This was my first listen by Vanessa Moyen, and it won't be my last. Here is a list of who voices each character -
Hayden (Vanessa)
Knox (Teddy)
Maddox (Connor)
Cael (Joe)
Easton (Jacob)
Cillian (Jason)
The audiobook was great, I loved that each character was voiced by a different narrator, especially given the talent on that list above. My only wish is that it had been recoded in Duet Style as having each narrator voice their characters no matter who's chapter it was would have been so immersive. That and the predictability is the only reason this didn't reach a five star read for me though as I had a great time and am looking forward to buddy reading the rest in this 3 book series. 🌶🌶.5
Hayden has been in foster care since she was eleven after her parents were murdered. She is now heading off to college on a scholarship to eventually become a doctor. On day one she bumps into Knox and they immediately have a connection, Knox just happens to also have four other brothers (not all blood related) that he has a special bond with and that Hayden is also drawn to... for reasons... and the story goes from there.
My second buddy read/listen of the year and my first Tessa Hale book. It has been a hot minute since I've read a poly/why choose book of any kind, but I felt that dynamic really worked in this paranormal/fantasy/supernatural setting as it didn't feel forced because there is a mates aspect woven in. This is very insta-lusty, but again, I can live with that here because of the overall premise of the story. Are there aspects of this book that follow the typical why choose formula within the story and dynamics between all the characters, and therefore felt a tad predictable to me? Yes. We're parts a little tropey? Also, yes. But I had such a fun time listening to this that I don't care. It was a quick, entertaining listen that hooked me from the very start and kept my interest throughout, it had some humour, a bit of mystery, five protective and caring heroes who I want to know more about and a sprinkling of spice that was well written and didn't overshadow the story which I've found can happen in other books I've read that are why choose. This is book one of three, so it does end on a cliffhanger.
The narrator line-up is INCREDIBLE! This was my first listen by Vanessa Moyen, and it won't be my last. Here is a list of who voices each character -
Hayden (Vanessa)
Knox (Teddy)
Maddox (Connor)
Cael (Joe)
Easton (Jacob)
Cillian (Jason)
The audiobook was great, I loved that each character was voiced by a different narrator, especially given the talent on that list above. My only wish is that it had been recoded in Duet Style as having each narrator voice their characters no matter who's chapter it was would have been so immersive. That and the predictability is the only reason this didn't reach a five star read for me though as I had a great time and am looking forward to buddy reading the rest in this 3 book series. 🌶🌶.5