flamelight14666's review
5.0
A solid start to a series. I'd been anticipating the release to this book for quite some time, so I had some really high hopes. And I'm glad to say that the book didn't disappoint. It really fleshes out the character of Chloe and shows a different side of hers that the readers of 'The Fae of Bitter Thorn' series never knew. But even a reader new to this universe would not feel lost because the author does a fantastic job of reviewing all the key points of the previous series. Really looking forward to read the next installment. Until then, maybe it's time that I re-read the Bitter Thorn series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
shonaj29's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the relationship between Chloe and Quintus. I loved the sexual tension between and was always wondering what would happen between them. It definitely kept me on edge which I liked.
I also really loved the ending. What a cliffhanger! It has made me want to read the next book so much, I need to know what happens.
I loved the description of Faeries and the different places we visited in both the mortal world and the fae world. I could imagine every detail and it created a beautiful picture in my head.
I would have loved some extra world building at the beginning. I felt like I didn't really know why Chloe had to go and save Faerie. I would have loved a bit of backstory to clarify that and to know how she and Quintus knew one another.
All in all I enjoyed this book a lot and I can't wait for the next one to come out.
I also really loved the ending. What a cliffhanger! It has made me want to read the next book so much, I need to know what happens.
I loved the description of Faeries and the different places we visited in both the mortal world and the fae world. I could imagine every detail and it created a beautiful picture in my head.
I would have loved some extra world building at the beginning. I felt like I didn't really know why Chloe had to go and save Faerie. I would have loved a bit of backstory to clarify that and to know how she and Quintus knew one another.
All in all I enjoyed this book a lot and I can't wait for the next one to come out.
erinmoss's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
naughtynicky's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC for free in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
This is the first book by Kay I have read and after reading this, needless to say I will definitely be reading more.
Even though Flame and Crystal Thorns is the first book in the Fae & Crystal Thorns series, it is a spin off of The Fae of Bitter Thorn. You can read this without reading The Fae of Bitter Thorn, however I would recommend reading it before reading this. It would explain a lot of the backstory between Chloe, Quintus and other side characters like Mishti.
As the summary explains, Chloe has been to Faerie before and vowed never to go back. Chloe is still human, and has returned to the mortal realm, leaving her older sister, Elora and her beloved Brannick in Faerie. She is now the town apothecary and is confused when what appears to be a fae disease, Scurpus, starts infecting mortals.
When Quintus, a fae she met during her time in Faerie, shows up begging her to return with him she refuses. He explains that an angry group of mortals, some who her older sister helped escape from slavery in The Fae of Bitter Thorn, are using iron, which is deadly to fae, to hold an entire castle hostage. The hostages obviously include Elora & Brannick.
The only way to save the infected mortals is for her to return to Faerie and help save the captured fae.
The mortals are being led by Portia (I can’t wait for her to get her just desserts) and are more powerful than she expected. They are out for revenge and have iron weapons and iron flames at their disposal. They eventually want control of every court in Faerie.
While in Faerie before, Chloe touched Creation Magic, so she has magic inside her, but to access this she needs to carry out a ritual. As a result Chloe & Quintus wake up with bond tattoos. I’m not sure if these are explained in The Fae of Bitter Thorn or if they will be explained more in future books.
This is the first book by Kay I have read and after reading this, needless to say I will definitely be reading more.
Even though Flame and Crystal Thorns is the first book in the Fae & Crystal Thorns series, it is a spin off of The Fae of Bitter Thorn. You can read this without reading The Fae of Bitter Thorn, however I would recommend reading it before reading this. It would explain a lot of the backstory between Chloe, Quintus and other side characters like Mishti.
As the summary explains, Chloe has been to Faerie before and vowed never to go back. Chloe is still human, and has returned to the mortal realm, leaving her older sister, Elora and her beloved Brannick in Faerie. She is now the town apothecary and is confused when what appears to be a fae disease, Scurpus, starts infecting mortals.
When Quintus, a fae she met during her time in Faerie, shows up begging her to return with him she refuses. He explains that an angry group of mortals, some who her older sister helped escape from slavery in The Fae of Bitter Thorn, are using iron, which is deadly to fae, to hold an entire castle hostage. The hostages obviously include Elora & Brannick.
The only way to save the infected mortals is for her to return to Faerie and help save the captured fae.
The mortals are being led by Portia (I can’t wait for her to get her just desserts) and are more powerful than she expected. They are out for revenge and have iron weapons and iron flames at their disposal. They eventually want control of every court in Faerie.
While in Faerie before, Chloe touched Creation Magic, so she has magic inside her, but to access this she needs to carry out a ritual. As a result Chloe & Quintus wake up with bond tattoos. I’m not sure if these are explained in The Fae of Bitter Thorn or if they will be explained more in future books.
oodles_of_books's review against another edition
5.0
This book is fantastic. I hadn’t read any of Kay L. Moody’s books before this, and I will definitely be reading the others now. This book follows Chloe as she returns to Faerie with Quintus to save the realm from danger. The magic was fun, and the romance was really great. I will always be a sucker for hot fae guys, and this book was no different. If you’re like me and love a great story set in Faerie, this book is definitely for you!
itsabookthing2021's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Booksirens, publishers and Kay L Moody for this eARC of Flame and Crystal Thorns
Flame and Crystal Thorns is a story where the humans are taking over Faerie, putting the Fae's life in danger.
Chloe is a human, that used to live in Faerie before she left to live in the human world to be a apothecary.
Quintus is a Fae who returns to Chloe for her help to save his world and in turn to save hers.
The writing and world building in this novel is great. The characters all have depth, though I have a love hate relationship with Chloe. I want to love her so much and in the human world I did, however get her into the Fae world and she became abit meek.
Her fear and ability to do anything in the face of danger kinda wore thin, though in chapter 25 we found out why and it was an eye opener and I understood. I did expect once she opened up and owned that reason for the fear, she'd change a bit but she didn't - I found her frustrating.
Quintus I just knew there's a back story to him that would be interesting and intriguing. I actually loved his character and I think once we get into book 2 him and Chloe will grow together.
I did really enjoy reading Flame and Crystal Thorns and I can't wait to see what happens next. There's so much more to find out.
Flame and Crystal Thorns is a story where the humans are taking over Faerie, putting the Fae's life in danger.
Chloe is a human, that used to live in Faerie before she left to live in the human world to be a apothecary.
Quintus is a Fae who returns to Chloe for her help to save his world and in turn to save hers.
The writing and world building in this novel is great. The characters all have depth, though I have a love hate relationship with Chloe. I want to love her so much and in the human world I did, however get her into the Fae world and she became abit meek.
Her fear and ability to do anything in the face of danger kinda wore thin, though in chapter 25 we found out why and it was an eye opener and I understood. I did expect once she opened up and owned that reason for the fear, she'd change a bit but she didn't - I found her frustrating.
Quintus I just knew there's a back story to him that would be interesting and intriguing. I actually loved his character and I think once we get into book 2 him and Chloe will grow together.
I did really enjoy reading Flame and Crystal Thorns and I can't wait to see what happens next. There's so much more to find out.
cowmingo's review against another edition
3.0
This is a spin off. It's important to note that while you don't have to read the original to understand this book, I absolutely loathe not knowing it's a spin off and being plopped down at the start of a story not knowing the characters are already well established people, you just haven't read the books. I think it would have given me a much better understanding of Chloe and everyone.
cowmingo's review against another edition
3.0
This is a spin off. It's important to note that while you don't have to read the original to understand this book, I absolutely loathe not knowing it's a spin off and being plopped down at the start of a story not knowing the characters are already well established people, you just haven't read the books. I think it would have given me a much better understanding of Chloe and everyone.
caromalfe's review against another edition
5.0
As always this series is perfect! I’ve loved the book. At the beginning I felt some reticence to reed it because in the previous book Chloe seemed to end up hating everything to do with the fae, but the plot keeps you going no matter what. It is a really amazing book and it doesn’t disappoint!!
tifany's review against another edition
4.0
Chloe is content living her life among mortals as the town apothecary, until a brooding fae from her past shows up. The fae tells her that mortals have overtaken a castle in Faerie, the same one where her sister lives. Not too keen on returning, she reluctantly agrees in order to save her sister. But the mortals have a few tricks up their sleeve…
Chloe isn’t your badass MC that you might normally find in fantasy novels. In fact, she totally freezes when danger beckons, hence her reluctance to help the cause. She has to work through what value she can provide given her setbacks, her feelings and attraction for Quintus, and intelligently navigating Faerie. Quintus is my favorite kind of character—brooding, stoic, but protective.
While this is a spin-off of The Fae of Bitter Thorn series, you do not need to read it prior to starting this book (and series). I haven’t read the other series…yet, but I had no trouble immersing myself in this world.
I highly recommend this to fans of YA Fantasy. So excited for the next installment in this series!
Special thanks to the author for a free ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Chloe isn’t your badass MC that you might normally find in fantasy novels. In fact, she totally freezes when danger beckons, hence her reluctance to help the cause. She has to work through what value she can provide given her setbacks, her feelings and attraction for Quintus, and intelligently navigating Faerie. Quintus is my favorite kind of character—brooding, stoic, but protective.
While this is a spin-off of The Fae of Bitter Thorn series, you do not need to read it prior to starting this book (and series). I haven’t read the other series…yet, but I had no trouble immersing myself in this world.
I highly recommend this to fans of YA Fantasy. So excited for the next installment in this series!
Special thanks to the author for a free ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.