Scan barcode
A review by cielosiluminado
A Story Spun in Scarlet by Renee Dugan
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
special thanks to NetGalley and to R. Dugan (author) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
let me tell you a story... that is so gut wrenching, mesmerizing and beautiful. a unique, captivating story within a story that is written so intricately.
the story is told from the eyes of Audra Jashowin, a Storycrafter from Vallanmyre, the capital city of Mithra-Sha. like every Storycrafer in her world, she lost the ability to find endings for the magical stories they were able to tell. this lost ability and power sent their world into disarray, where disease, droughts and poverty plagued the formerly prosperous nation.
continuously ostracized and forgotten by family and friends, Audra travels up and down Mithra-Sha in hopes of a new life – yearning to one day find a home – and she briefly sets roots in Krylan, where she finds employment at a tavern as a server. one day, the tavern keeper convinces her to entertain patrons by telling them a story, despite her inability to complete one, and she agrees in hopes of not losing her job. while telling her story, she briefly locks eyes with a farmhand (who she learns is Jaik Grissom after the fact).
for some inexplicable reason, she felt a pull to Jaik while telling her story, so she kept her eyes on him – no, told the story to him – and with their gazes locked on each other, it lead to her finishing a story. to its entirety. something that hasn't been done in this nation in a very long time. that's when the whirlwind, tangled story – one filled of magic, misunderstandings, monsters, and mayhem – of Audra Jashowin and Jaik Grissom truly begins... again.
i don't want to get too into the details without spoiling too much, so all i can say is that you have to read it to understand the complexity of the characters, the detailed world and magnificent magic. i'm still in awe at how brilliant and unique this story is.
the length of the novel can be intimidating, but i assure you, once it captures your attention, it is extremely hard to put down.
the epilogue left me with so many raw emotions, and questions, so i'll be here sitting and waiting for the sequel.
let me tell you a story... that is so gut wrenching, mesmerizing and beautiful. a unique, captivating story within a story that is written so intricately.
the story is told from the eyes of Audra Jashowin, a Storycrafter from Vallanmyre, the capital city of Mithra-Sha. like every Storycrafer in her world, she lost the ability to find endings for the magical stories they were able to tell. this lost ability and power sent their world into disarray, where disease, droughts and poverty plagued the formerly prosperous nation.
continuously ostracized and forgotten by family and friends, Audra travels up and down Mithra-Sha in hopes of a new life – yearning to one day find a home – and she briefly sets roots in Krylan, where she finds employment at a tavern as a server. one day, the tavern keeper convinces her to entertain patrons by telling them a story, despite her inability to complete one, and she agrees in hopes of not losing her job. while telling her story, she briefly locks eyes with a farmhand (who she learns is Jaik Grissom after the fact).
for some inexplicable reason, she felt a pull to Jaik while telling her story, so she kept her eyes on him – no, told the story to him – and with their gazes locked on each other, it lead to her finishing a story. to its entirety. something that hasn't been done in this nation in a very long time. that's when the whirlwind, tangled story – one filled of magic, misunderstandings, monsters, and mayhem – of Audra Jashowin and Jaik Grissom truly begins... again.
i don't want to get too into the details without spoiling too much, so all i can say is that you have to read it to understand the complexity of the characters, the detailed world and magnificent magic. i'm still in awe at how brilliant and unique this story is.
the length of the novel can be intimidating, but i assure you, once it captures your attention, it is extremely hard to put down.
the epilogue left me with so many raw emotions, and questions, so i'll be here sitting and waiting for the sequel.