Nightgazer

The Wellspring Chronicles #1

by Joely Sue Burkhart

A princess on the run with a secret gift. A grumpy wizard stripped of his power. Can she heal him in time to save her throne?

Matilda, the Twenty Third Princess and youngest daughter of the Tyrant, flees the castle in the dead of the night after the Tyrant’s death. Hoping to survive her murderous half-siblings’ fight for the throne, she hides in the furthest corner of the realm she can find. Unfortunately, the infamous wizard once chained as the queen’s pleasure slave had the exact same plan.

Tormented by guilt for his part in his mentor’s death and stripped of his power by the queen, Oyrin Nightgazer plots revenge and hopes to restore the Wellspring–the source of all wizards’ power–that was tainted by his betrayal. The princess bears a massive bulls-eye on her back, but with his help, she might be able to stand against the evil queen and her daughter. Assuming he remains sane long enough, and Matilda doesn’t try to enslave him again.

Because with a wizard at her feet… She would be the mightiest queen the realm has ever seen.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, BDSM, Paranormal Romance

93 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2016

About the author

I write books. Sometimes I even finish them!

Reviews

[Gypsy Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I should note that this says it’s 93 pages, but it felt longer than 93 and was definitely worth the 0.99 cents). Matilda’s siblings all trying to bump each other off in their want of the throne reminded me of the brothers in Stardust. When the book first opens, Matilda feels young, probably around seventeen-ish, so I was expecting a YA. For the record, this book is definitely not YA. While I do like sexy stories (and this did deliver quite a few lovely romantic scenes between the two main characters), and this definitely was that, where I had a problem with was that at its core, this book spotlights collaring, binding, and pain (both in general and with sex). The BDSM scene is really not to my tastes. And there was no warning when she suddenly shifted into a cat several chapters in. But Nightgazer is really a fantastic character. Think Wizard Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle. He’s got the same long hair, gorgeous good looks, lofty attitude, mysteriousness, power, and laughable egotistical vainness. The story easily holds momentum with the threat of the monstrous Screatch coming for her (though the magical monster sort of just vanishes from the book mid-way which feels a bit of a let down, to be replaced by her nemesis). The ending feels like a garbled blur of magic as power is thrown every which way, but still has a satisfying ending. The title suggested that this might be the first book in a series, but it does reach a conclusion and there aren’t any further books at this date. I would like to hope that there might be since both Matilda and Nightgazer are fun characters and the world built around them has the potential to be a fascinating one.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story

Short story but it packs a punch! Enter a land of princesses, evil king and queen, wizards and sibling rivalry. Then toss in siblings killing one another for the throne as the king is killed by the death of his very own wizard. There is a story in that as well. What a ride on the coattails of Matilda Greeneyes, the 23rd princess who finds herself with a wizard Oyrin Nightgazer. They end up on an adventure.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

🧙 Very dense world compared to the length of the story, which, I liked. But it also really made me wish for a longer book

🧙 Very insta-love but kinda has to be because of the length

🧙 Femdom! <3

🧙 My favourite was having a wizard get horny over his wizard robe being fixed

[Maria M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was lovely!! Another great book by Joely!! Again i love how this author writes the imagery, it’s absolutely enchanting to read the descriptions! Theyre never boring like in other books! Everything is so easy to imagine and has this hint of magic! Amazing!!

[Ness]

DNF'd at 72%. Yes, that far. I don't really remember, I think I just got annoyed with characters or plot, and didn't want to waste more time on it. Some of this author's books I like, and some, like this, just don't catch me.

Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

I really hope this will have a sequel. This was a great short read, I could not put this book down.

[Mychelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun quick read

This was a fun read, I knew it was short going in but the story was so good I couldn't help but wish it was longer.

[Abi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much instalove but a cute story.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomeness

Pretty darned amazing, love this book from start to finish. Bit gutted it says book one but no more exist as yet. Can't wait to read more.

[MRS. · Rating 3 out of 5]

MAGIC

So this seems like a quick magic romance standalone. With hints of mystery and hope and magical power that may change the world.

[Tiblu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.....

My only regret was there definitely needed to be more.... Felt too much like a short story.... I want more,more more!!!! Why coz when you enjoy something your never ready for it to end,especially at the moment everyone finds a way to rescue themselves ,then ? Then ? HFN ? Aaaaaaaa No.... This supposed to the start to a series I just hope we get more of Matilda and Oyrin, and not just because I love a strong male sub. ( though I do ;) ) their story only just felt like it was getting started good to me when it shifted into the ending... What ever happens though I'm eager for more !

[S.K. Stark · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up, maybe? This one is tricky, because it’s definitely not great. Way too big a story for the page count, so everything was squished in. It had a really solid beginning, but the the characters have sex and we’re just told they’re in love now, without ever getting to see them fall in love. So, disappointing. But the ideas and plot were all so very promising. I really wish the author had spent the time to flesh out the emotions of the story.

I’ve heard of this author before, but never felt a pressing need to try her longer works. Reading this has finally gotten me intrigued enough to try one.

[Nicole Luiken · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fantasy romance subgenre often misses the mark for me on the magic side of the equation, but this one had a satisfying world and a unique magic system as well as some hot scenes!

[Georgiana]

Kind of a short fairy tale (mixed with a Scooby Doo episode).